SPRINGFIELD, MA - The Blue Sox and the Republican announced today they will host the first annual Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame banquet, which will be held at 5:30pm, Friday, January 31, 2014 on the 12th floor of La Quinta Hotel at 100 Congress Street in Springfield.
Wilbraham’s own Mike Trombley and others will be in attendance! (PHOTO CREDIT: Republican file photo by Mark M. Murray)
In the past, the Blue Sox have organized an annual Hot Stove banquet as a means to spike interest in the team prior to the beginning of the season. This year, the team is working with the committee, as well as The Republican and MassLive, to significantly expand the event and turn it into a showcase of the very best to ever play baseball or contribute to the game in the Pioneer Valley.
The master of ceremonies for the event is Scott Coen, longtime sports journalist in Western Massachusetts.
In addition, a baseball memorabilia silent auction will take place during the event with the proceeds to benefit nonprofit baseball entities throughout Western Massachusetts.
Currently, the selection committee – comprised of various baseball personalities and sports writers in the area – is taking nominations. Qualified candidates should be deemed to have had a significant impact on baseball in the Pioneer Valley. Any and all nominations and biographies should be submitted to Vernon Hill or Russ Held at the Republican/MassLive.com no later than Monday, January 14 , 2013 for consideration. Voting will take place on January 15th.
Elected inductees will be on hand to be recognized for their contributions to the game and the region.
So far, a list of invited attendees includes former Minnesota Twins pitcher Mike Trombley and Major Leaguer Chris Capuano. Event tickets including dinner will be available for $40 and can be purchased by calling Blue Sox front office at (413) 533-1100 or via email at tickets@valleybluesox.com.
Categories for nominees include:
Resident or non-resident professional. A resident professional is a player or coach who resided at least three years in Western Massachusetts and went on to success in high levels of professional baseball as a player, coach or manager. A non-resident professional is a player or coach who spent at least one season in Western Massachusetts and went on to success in high levels of pro baseball as a player, coach or manager.
Resident amateur player. A resident amateur player is someone who was successful as a player in youth, high school and/or adult amateur baseball in Western Massachusetts and may have also played in a lower level of minor league baseball.
Amateur coach or manager. An amateur coach or manager must be a Western Massachusetts native or longtime resident who achieved great success with teams at the local, state or national levels.
Non-uniform person. A non-uniform person must be a Western Massachusetts native or longtime resident who has achieved great success as a supporter or administrator of baseball at the local, state or national level.
Besides Eckhoff and Trombley, the steering committee includes:
Garry Brown, longtime sports writer for The Republican and MassLive;
Ron Chimelis, Red Sox beat writer for The Republican and MassLive;
Russ Held, longtime high school sports reporter for The Republican and MassLive;
Peter Fatse, former minor league player and founder of Advanced Performance Player Development;
Vernon Hill, Sports Editor at the Republican
(PHOTO CREDIT: Republican file photo by Mark M. Murray)