SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Summer baseball is heading back to Forest Park. Western Mass News was at the Walker Grandstand in Springfield, where city officials and the Westfield Starfires made a big announcement on Thursday. This will be the fourth year that the Starfires take to the field here and Mayor Domenic Sarno said it’s become a staple of Springfield.

It’s another year of Futures League Baseball at Forest Park. As the Westfield Starfires make their return to the Walker Grandstands, “this has become a staple now. This annual game that is here. And it’s funny. The fence that we now have here really emanated from when Westfield Starfires started to play here,” Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno said.

This year’s game will see the Starfires square off against the Worcester Bravehearts right here in Springfield, first pitch for the summer classic is set for four in the afternoon on Sunday, June 28. They first hosted a game at Walker Grandstand in 2023.

The Walker Grandstand itself has seen major renovations in recent years, including a new home-run fence thanks in part to federal grant funds secured by Congressman Richard Neal.

One of the highlights of the event every year is the youth clinic, which takes place beyond the outfield wall before the game. And allows kids of every skill level to learn from Starfire players and coaches.

The Starfires play in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, a summer collegiate circuit founded in 2011 that’s widely regarded as one of the most competitive in the country. Westfield joined the league back in 2019.

It’s produced serious talent; 32 players and alumni have gone on to play at the major league level. Starfires Owner Chris Thompson said it’s great for people of western Mass. To be able to see the talented athletes the team has to offer, “hosting this event here in Springfield brings fans from across Western Mass to Forest Park. And what we’ve seen over the last couple of years is those fans from Springfield and across western Mass, they’ve made their way to Westfield.”

The event is entirely free, even the fee to get into Forest Park will be waived by the Parks Department.

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