North End Dodgers traveled this weekend to North Adams, Massachusetts for our Annual Trip to play in the LaFesta Baseball Exchange. The players and coaches were treated to afternoon at the lake with a wonderful BBQ. At the BBQ and lake, the players from both North End and North Adams intermingled and got to know each other. Both teams were welcomed by Mayor Alcomebright of North Adams at the lake. This is the 23rd year of the event and the longest for this age group on the east coast and 2nd longest known in the Country – Oregon has one that is in its’ 30th year – to the best of our knowledge.
The group from the North End stayed at the Historic Williamstown Inn in Williams Mass just outside of North Adams.
Game one was played on Saturday night and the North End won the game 9 to 4. After the game the players were treated to a pizza party on the field.
After a nice quiet night at the Inn, the sleepy North Enders were treated to a fabulous buffet breakfast and then back onto the field for game 2 of the weekend. After a very sleepy bottom of the first the North End Dodgers took game #2 17 to 10.
Everyone had a wonderful time and the parents who cam to cheer on the players made new friends in North Adams and those of us who have been part of this since its’ inception renewed old friendships.
A special thank you to Coaches Ralph Martignetti, Chuck Billikas and Billy McAllister. The Canales family and the people of North Adams opened their arms to our kids and treated all of us like family.
The North End, as part of North End Against Drugs’ North End Family Pride Week will return the favor when our friends from North Adams travel down to the big city on August 10th and 11th. Those games will be Saturday Night at 5:30pm and Sunday Morning at 10am – come on down and cheer on these players and become part of the greatest baseball event for kids ages 13 to 15 you’ll find anywhere on the east coast!
