NECBL ALL-STAR WEEKEND ITINERARY
NORTH ADAMS, MA - The North Adams
SteepleCats of the 12-team New England Collegiate Baseball
League announces the weekend of festivities for the 2007
NECBL All-Star Game. This is the first time the NECBL
All-Star game will travel to Berkshire County in the
league's fourteen-year history. This year, Joe Wolfe Field
will be packed with exciting, including games and activities
for children and adults, as well as a skills competition and
pre-game concert. Activities begin on Saturday, July 21 and
culminate with the best-of-the-best the NECBL has to offer
in the annual North vs. South All-Star Game.
The weekend kick-offs on Saturday when the North Adams
SteepleCats and Pittsfield Dukes co-host the NECBL All-Star
Gala Dinner. The gala dinner will be held on July 21 at JJ's
Lodge at the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, MA. A
cocktail ceremony begins at 7:00 with dinner following at
8:00. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased at the door or in
advance by calling the SteepleCats at 413-664-1073. The
dinner will highlight baseball in Berkshire County and
include a video presentation by Brian John of the First Home
Plate organization from Pittsfield who will speak about the
roots of baseball in the county. The NECBL will then
formally acknowledge Kevin MacIlvane's service as
Commissioner of the NECBL. MacIlvane served as league
commissioner from 2003-2006. A few accomplishments from his
service include a 30% growth in league attendance; 12-part
reality televisions series called "Eye on the Dream"; and
had 26 NECBL alumni play Major League Baseball. The two
NECBL teams residing in Berkshire County have also returned
Dalton's very own Jeff Reardon. Reardon began his
professional career in 1979 and retired in 1994. He played
for 7 teams, most notably the Boston Red Sox, Montreal
Expos, and Minnesota Twins. His honors include winning the
Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award in 1985, 4-time MLB
All-Star, and was MLB's all-time career saves leader in 1992
with 342. He will be presented by his former Wahconah
Regional High School baseball coach, James Rivers, and
Dalton native and good friend, Dan Duquette. A cocktail
ceremony begins at 7:00 with the dinner following at 8:00.
Tickets are $75 and may be purchased at the door or in
advance by calling the SteepleCats at 413-664-1073.
Sunday, July 22 is a jammed-packed day of affordable
entertainment and family activities beginning at 12:00. The
public is invited to join the NECBL All-Stars at the
All-Star Luncheon on Sunday, July 22 at 12:00 in the
Centennial Room on the campus of MCLA. Tickets are $20 and
may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the
SteepleCats at 413-664-1073. Advanced purchase is
recommended.
Beginning at 2:00 on the first-base side of Joe Wolfe Field
will be the Pirate Bay All-Star Family Fun Fest, which is
presented by Carr Hardware & The Party Place. Between 2:00
and 6:00, families will have the opportunity to enjoy a
Pirate Bounce House, Dunk Tank, Waterslide, Quarterback
Passing Challenge, Cotton Candy, Sno-Cones, High Striker,
Face Painting and more.
For the first-time ever, the NECBL and the SteepleCats will
be hosting a Skills Competition prior to the All-Star Game.
Traditionally only a home run derby competition took place.
This year, 18 of the most talented players in the NECBL will
have the opportunity to showcase their talent in one of
three skills competitions: Most Accurate Outfield Arm,
Fastest Baserunner, and the Home Run Derby.
At 6:17, the SteepleCats will introduce Berkshire County's
own up and coming local band, Character Nine, who will
perform a few tracks off its EP "The Sound" on the field
just behind home plate. For more information about Character
Nine, please visit www.characternine.com.
Below is a complete itinerary for Sunday, July 22, 2007. We
hope to see you at this year's NECBL All-Star.
12:00 NECBL All-Star Luncheon on the campus of MCLA
2:20 North Batting Practice
3:00 South Batting Practice
3:40 Most Accurate Outfield Arm Competition
4:00 Fastest Baserunner Competition
4:20 Home Run Derby Competition
5:20 Skills Competition Award Presentations
5:30 North Infield
5:45 South Infield
6:17 Character Nine performance
6:35 Introductions
6:46 Fay Vincent Welcome, former MLB Commissioner
6:52 Mario Tiani, NECBL Commissioner
6:58 Memorial List (9/11, Iraq or Afghanistan)
7:02 National anthem
7:10 First-pitch
TBD NECBL John Watterson MVP Trophy presentation
