AGAWAM — A local boys baseball team will have an outdoor movie night on May 29 to raise money for the team to travel to Cooperstown, New York, this summer for a tournament.
The Western Mass Invaders is a private/independent travel baseball organization that plays its home games at St. John’s Field in Agawam.
According to Janette Vigo, a team manager, the roster is made up of “12 dedicated young athletes from Western Massachusetts who have worked extremely hard — both on and off the field — to earn this opportunity to go to Cooperstown.
The movie night is at School Street Park with showtime at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and all proceeds will be used to help the team travel to Cooperstown. There are 250 tickets available. They can be purchased on Venmo. Popcorn, water and snacks will be available for purchase at the event.
If the movie night is cancelled due to rain, 50% of each ticket will be refunded and the remaining 50% will go to support the fundraiser.
The featured movie is the warmhearted “The Sandlot.” The classic 1993 family film is a about a shy kid named Scotty who is welcomed into a neighborhood sandlot baseball team by its charismatic leader, Benny. Set in the summer of 1962, the two experience a season of laughter, mischief and growing up, all centered around their love of the game.
The tournament is scheduled for July 24-29, at Cooperstown Dreams Park. The team will participate in a week-long tournament experience, where teams from across the country come together to compete. “For many youth baseball players, Cooperstown is considered a once-in-a-lifetime baseball experience and one of the biggest milestones in youth travel baseball,” said Vigo.
“This trip is incredibly important to these boys because it represents years of hard work, dedication, growth and commitment to both the sport and each other as teammates,” added Vigo.
She said many of these kids have played together for years and have built strong friendships and memories through baseball.
“Cooperstown is something youth players dream about — it gives them the opportunity to compete against teams from all over the country, experience the traditions and atmosphere surrounding the game and create memories they will carry with them forever.”
Vigo said that for boys on the Western Mass Invaders, it’s much bigger than just baseball. “It’s about teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, community support and giving them an experience they may never have the opportunity to have again. Seeing the community rally behind them throughout all the fundraising efforts has also meant a great deal to the players and their families.”
The team’s goal is to raise approximately $10,000. The money will be used to help cover tournament-related expenses including umpire fees, player uniforms, trading pins, lodging-related tournament costs and the overall Cooperstown Dreams Park experience for the players and families.
In addition to the movie event the team is also seeking sponsors. Business names/logos will be featured on the team banner.
