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Westfield Wheelmen Vintage Base Ball 2009
TICKETS ARE GOING FAST FOR THE LUMBERJACK CLASSIC ON AUG 8 - GET YOURS NOW. ONLY $5 FOR A GREAT NIGHT OF BASEBALL AND A GREAT CAUSE!
Wheelmen 2009 Schedule Announced
Entering their third year this century (originally hailed from the 1880s and 1890s Westfield), the Westfield Wheelmen Base Ball Club bring to live the way the game of base ball (the original spelling) was played in the late 19th century in Westfield. Featuring exact replica uniforms, equipment (or lack of equipment), chatter and the rules of the late 19th century, this hearty group of ballists (as they were known) take on other “vintage” clubs from throughout the Northeast in a style of play not seen in these parts for more than 120 years. The National Pastime of baseball evolved in the Northeast in the early to mid 19th century and
Westfield was right in the middle of the evolution.
Westfield has always been a baseball town, its part of its heritage. The Wheelmen’s away schedule also includes many games in local driving distance and will feature the Mark Twain Tournament Matches to take place on the grounds of Mark Twain’s House in
Hartford Connecticut on June 14th. Mark Twain had intense passion for the game and would often write about it. It promises to be a historic day. "These games are very, very close to how the game was actually played," noted Wheelmen captain and founder and Westfield Baseball Historian Dan "Gunner" Genovese, "more so than people realize…including the injuries. If you are fan of the game or a fan of history, you gotta check this out."
Lumberjack Vintage Base Ball Classic Benefit Game Announced
The Wheelmen are also pleased to announce their Lumberjack Vintage Baseball Game Classic at Bullens Field on Aug 8. The Westfield Wheelmen Vintage Base Ball Club are entering their third season as interpreters of the game as played in the late 19th Century. In years past, the Wheelmen have thrilled local fans with their unique style of play with such events as the Adonis Terry Day tribute game played in Westfield (Terry was a Westfield native who played Major League Baseball in the late 19th Century), appearing in the Vintage Base Ball Federation World Series, played in Westfield, against such teams as Bill Lee and His Green Mountain Boys and last year against Luis Tiant and the Latin Stars.
 “This year will be a little different as we are playing for a cause,” noted Dan “Gunner” Genovese, captain and founder of the team. “Our catcher and friend has been stricken with cancer and want to do whatever we can to raise money for treatment.” On August 8th at Bullens Field in
Westfield, Massachusetts , the Wheelmen will host the Lumberjack Vintage Base Ball Classic for the Benefit of Kenny “Lumberjack” Toporowski. This event will feature such attractions as Boston Red Sox Mascot Wally The Green Monster, Carl Beane the Voice of Fenway Park as the MC, a Pre-Game Home Run Derby in which the fans participate and a vintage game between the Wheelmen and the returning Latin Stars. “Last year, before the rain storm hit, our game with the Stars was a true classic and Kenny ‘The Lumberjack’ was so much a part of that game that we wanted to have them back,” said Genovese. “Of course the real reason for the event is to bring the community together with family oriented attractions such as Wally The Red Sox Mascot who will meet with the kids and a Pre-Game Home Run Derby where fans can take some swings at the plate, all in an effort the help the ‘Lumberjack.’”
For poster of this great event, click here.
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Dan "Gunner" Genovese
Captain / Founder
Westfield Wheelmen Vintage Base Ball Club
Checkout the Wheelmen Website http://wwvbbc.tripod.com
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2009 Schedule
Home
April 25 Home vs Chicopee Skipmuks
May 9 - Home vs Meddowe Base Ball Club
May 16 - Home vs Simsbury Taverneers
June 12 Home vs Whately Pioneers
June 20 - Home vs Hartford Senators
July 12 @ The Southwick Rotary Club BBQ Contest. 1861 game vs the Southwick Volunteers
August 15 Home vs Pittsfield Elms
Away
May 2 @ Hartford Senators
May 30 @ Chicopee Skipmuks
June 7 @ Whately Pioneers
July 11 @ Simsbury Taverneers
July 18 @ Elizabeth Athletic Club - North Jersey
July 25 @ Pittsfield Elms
August 2 @ Whately Pioneers
September 5 @ Colt Park in Hartford vs Jersey City
For more information, please visit http://wwvbbc.tripod.com
Directions to the Berkshire Industries Field, 109 Apremont Way, Westfield
Rt. 91 South to Exit 14 Mass Pike West (Albany)
Take Mass Pike to Exit 3
After you go through the Tolls make a left at the traffic light.
This is called Rts. 10 & 202
Go straight for about a mile.
Take a right onto Apremont Way. (You will see Barnes Airport on the right as you approach it.) Look for the field next to the Berkshire Industries sitel
Mission Statement
The mission of the Westfield Wheelmen Vintage Base Ball Club shall be to educate, entertain, preserve, and promote the game of base ball as it was played during its formative years in the city of Westfield during the 19th century. The history of America's pastime is deeply ingrained in this city's past and to preserve its past is important to this community. This worthy objective shall be accomplished by the following activities and endeavors:
- Presenting the game of base ball as it was played in accordance with the rules, equipment, uniforms, field specifications, customs, practices, language, and behavioral norms of the period.
- Encourage interest in the game's history and the importance it had on the community during this period of Westfield's history.
- Educating the public on the history, and growth of the game with attention to the historical detail in which it originated and developed.
- Fostering competition according to the highest standards of sportsmanship, gentlemanly behavior, courtesy, and respect for others as was the case in 19th century base ball in Westfield and throughout the young United States.
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