After the recent capstone event of this year’s “A Pitch For Doc Adams” at the M.A.C. Grounds at Fleischmanns Park, we’d like to flash back to its ceremonial 1st pitch. It seems like only yesterday that the first “Pitch For Doc Adams” was thrown on June 9, 2024 at Stroh Field, Hilltop Farm. Suffield, CT. The weather wasn’t the greatest; however, it cooperated enough to play and the ballists made the best of it.

The Westfield Wheelmen hosted the first-ever Old Tyme Base Ball Festival on June 8 and 9 in Suffield. The team organized the two-day baseball festival at Hill Top Farm so people can step back in time and experience America’s favorite pastime as it was played in a simpler time. The lineup included eight teams from around the Northeast. Besides the Wheelmen, the Mudville Base Ball Club, the Lisbon Tunnelmen, the Connecticut Bulldogs, the Saugerties Base Ball Club, the Dirigo Base Ball Club, the Providence Grays, and the Mountain Athletic Club all participated in the inaugural event.

Here is that 1st pitch:

“… in a world craving a taste of authentic, old-fashioned fun, the Old Tyme Base Ball Festival promises to deliver an experience that will transport players and fans back to baseball’s glorious days of the past.

The crack of the bat, the scent of freshly mowed grass, and the sight of players adorned in vintage uniforms will whisk you away to an era of simpler pleasures and everlasting memories,” said Genovese, who is the author of three books about Westfield’s baseball history.

“This style of play was from a time before baseball gloves or protective equipment and baggy wool uniforms. The rule sets can range from American Civil War style through a more ‘modern’ style played in the 1880s and 1890s,”

Dan Genovese, the founder of the Westfield Wheelmen, “Westfield team to host vintage ‘base ball’ festival in Suffield”, The Reminder

Here are a few photos taken while dodging the raindrops.

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