10th Annual Baseball Tourney Planned for Memorial Day Weekend

Call it a homerun for baseball players, fans and local charities. The Westfield Knights of Columbus will host the 10th annual Memorial Day Baseball Tournament for 11U and 12U Travel Baseball Teams at Westfield's  and there's still plenty of time to lend a hand. 

The weekend-long event includes games played on the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 25-28. A special opening ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 26. 

Westfield resident and co-organizer Jamie Marner said Councilwoman JoAnn Neylan stood in for Mayor Andy Skibitsty to open the tournament last year.

"She was so impressed with the event, she said even if the mayor is around this year, she's still going to attend," Marner said. "We have a Marine bugler who plays 'The Star Spangled Banner' and 'Taps;' there's not a dry eye in the place."

The tournament is held in honor of U.S. troops who have served our country and also in memory of the late Pittsburgh Pirate Roberto Clemente, who died in an airplane crash while on a relief mission to bring supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims on Dec. 31, 1972.  

It is this generosity of spirit that Marner, originally from Pittsburgh, wants players to understand and appreciate about Clemente and take away from the event.

"He was unbelievably service-oriented and always donated his time in a quiet way," Marner said. "We live in such a 'me-first' society that it gets kids to realize there are people who sacrifice."

Speaking of sacrifice, Marner said it truly takes a village to pull off the event. In addition to the Knights' contribution, umpires donate their time to call the games. Last year, a photographer took pictures throughout the weekend and posted them on a website where they could be purchased with all proceeds donated to the tournament's chosen charities. Local merchants, including and the have been generous in their support years past, Marner said.

The co-organizer added that he would appreciate the help of any additional volunteers and any hours donated can be put toward service work needed by area students.

"Our mottoes are 'many hands make light work' and 'it is better to serve others than receive,'" he said.

All proceeds from the event benefit to local charities including Liam's Room, Sister Pat's Camp, and Theta Phi Alpha Foundation as well as Roberto Clemente-related charities. Marner said representatives from each charity are offered time when they have the opportunity to talk about their organization's mission.

Marner said in the past teams have come from all over Essex, Morris, Somerset, and Union Counties.

"We hope to make it bigger and better than ever this year," Marner said.

The following are rules for the tournament outlined by the Knights of Columbus:

Two Age Groups: 11U Year Old & 12U Year Old -­‐ Tournament / Travel Teams

MINIMIUM 4 GAMES

T-SHIRTS for ALL PARTICIPANTS 

AWARDS for 1st and 2nd PLACE WINNERS

ENTRY FEE: $421 PER TEAM
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT LOCAL CHARITIES & ROBERTO CLEMENTE RELATED CHARITIES

Planned as an early kickoff of the summer travel season, the competition will be the first chance for many local traveling squads to test their talents in tournament play. Each age group will compete in single elimination playoff after three seeding games are held during the tournament’s first two days – Friday Night and Saturday Day. All games will be held at Gumbert Fields on South Chestnut St., off North Ave, in Westfield.

Games are scheduled to start 5:30pm, Friday, May 25th.
Please Note Registration is on a First Come – First Served Basis
Please make checks payable to: Knights of Columbus Council 1711
And mail to: Jamie Marner 526 Bradford Ave Westfield, NJ 07090
(Team acceptance on securing a slot in the tournament will be based on date team entry fee check is received) For information please contact Tournament Director:

Jamie Marner Cell: 908-456-3967 Day: 908-518-5427 or e-mail: wfkocbt@verizon.net 

Check back with Patch as Marner will blog about additional details regarding the tournament as it approaches.