image description
Part of a flyer promoting the May 3 benefit soccer tournament

Registration Open for Benefit Soccer Tournament in Pittsfield

Community submissionPrint Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Pittsfield High boys soccer program will hold a 7-on-7 tournament in May to support the family of a teammate who recently received a heart transplant.
 
The AJ's Beating Heart 7V7 Tournament will benefit A.J. Riello, a ninth-grader at PHS who underwent succesful surgery earlier this month.
 
The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Heberg Middle School.
 
The cost to enter is $5 per player.
 
The tournament is for teams of eight to 12 players of all ages. The format is seven versus seven with a goalie.
 
Teams must have matching shirts, but pinnies will be available for teams without jerseys.
 
To register, contact Nigel Gale at 413-329-3635.
 
The registration deadline is April 25 at 5 p.m.
 
All proceeds benefit the Riello family.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Signs Negotiating Rights Agreement With Suns Baseball Team

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Suns will call Wahconah Park home again. 

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns. It solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated. 

It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then. 

"It certainly looks like it lays out kind of both what the Suns and Pittsfield would like to see over the next year or so during this construction plan, to be able to work together and work exclusively with each other in this time," Commissioner Anthony DeMartino said. 

Owner Jeff Goldklang, joining virtually, said he shared those thoughts, and the team looks forward to starting negotiations. After this approval, it will need a signature from Mayor Peter Marchetti and the baseball team. 

The negotiating rights agreement recognizes the long-standing relationship between Pittsfield and the team dating back to 2012, and the Suns' ownership group's historical ties to Wahconah Park and the city dating to the 1980s. The team skipped the 2024 and 2025 seasons after the historic grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022.  

The Suns were granted the exclusive right to negotiate in good faith with the city for a license or lease agreement where the Suns will be the primary tenant. During the terms of the agreement, the city can't negotiate or enter into an agreement with another party for leniency, licensing, or operation of Wahconah Park for professional or collegiate summer baseball. 

"The Parties acknowledge the historic and cultural importance of Wahconah park to the residents of Berkshire County and share a mutual goal of providing community access, engagement, and programming on a broad and inclusive scale," it reads. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories