May 20, 2019

Pope Francis Preparatory School baseball team heading to Cooperstown

REGIONAL
Staff report

(IObserve photo/courtesy of Pope Francis Preparatory School)

SPRINGFIELD – Pope Francis Preparatory School has announced the upcoming “Cooperstown Classic” high school baseball showcase scheduled to be played over a two-day span at historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y., on Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22.

The final game of the showcase, scheduled for a 4 p.m. start on Wednesday, features a ballgame matching up two of western Massachusetts’ most respected baseball programs, Pope Francis Prep and Pittsfield High School. Pope Francis Prep will make the trip from Springfield to Cooperstown in a Division I battle with the Generals of Pittsfield High School.

Just two blocks away from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Doubleday Field is named after Abner Doubleday, a Civil War general and one of baseball’s pioneers. Built in 1920, Doubleday Field hosted the traditional induction weekend MLB Hall of Fame Game between 1940 and 2008, and continues to host to the annual Hall of Fame Classic played between retired baseball legends each Memorial Day weekend. 

Hall of Fame members such as Wade Boggs, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Phil Niekro and Ozzie Smith, joined by recently retired players representing all 30 major league teams, will be in Cooperstown and play at Doubleday Field on Saturday, May 25.

The 2019 “Cooperstown Classic” expanded to eight western Massachusetts teams and four games this year, compared to the inaugural event in 2015 that involved only Pittsfield High, Taconic, Wahconah, and Hoosac Valley, and the 2017 “Cooperstown Classic” that included six schools. For many of the student-athletes on the 2019 rosters, this will serve as the first time visiting the Village of Cooperstown and experiencing the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum.

Doubleday Field has a seating capacity of 9,700, making playing in these games a truly unique experience for the participating student-athletes. Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, and Cal Ripken Jr. are just a few of the game’s greatest that have played there.

Players and coaches representing the seven participating Berkshire County high schools, and one Pioneer Valley high school, will not only compete at Doubleday Field, but will also tour the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum and spend some time in the Village of Cooperstown. Pope Francis Prep’s varsity baseball coach, Dan Fenton, said, “For the Western Mass., Pioneer Valley, and Berkshire County players, coaches, umpires, and fans making the trip to Cooperstown, it will be a tremendous experience.”

EVENT SCHEDULE

Tuesday, May 21

1 p.m.                H. VALLEY HURRICANES vs. MT. EVERETT EAGLES
4 p.m.                WAHCONAH WARRIORS vs. TACONIC BRAVES

Wednesday, May 22

1 p.m.                LEE WILDCATS vs. MON. MOUNTAIN SPARTANS
4 p.m.                POPE FRANCIS CARDINALS vs. PITTSFIELD GENERALS

Admission to the doubleheaders is free for western Massachusetts baseball fans planning on making the trip to Cooperstown to support and cheer on our local student-athletes. For additional information about the history of Doubleday Field, or the Cooperstown area, visit www.thisiscooperstown.com.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame, one of the country’s most popular destinations, and the best-known sports shrine in the world, is located just two blocks away from Doubleday Field. The Baseball Hall of Fame hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., which gives spectators an opportunity to catch the ballgames and tour the museum if desired. For additional information about the National Baseball Hall of Fame, hours of operation, exhibits, and admission fees, visit www.baseballhall.org or call (607) 547-7200.