Ephs & Jeffs meet Sunday in Pittsfield to commemorate birthplace of college baseball and settle NESCAC West

On Sunday, May 4th at 1:10 pm the Williams and Amherst baseball teams will square off at Wahconah Park in Pittsfield, Mass., to celebrate the 149th year of college baseball in America.

Williams and Amherst met in the first intercollegiate contest back on July 1, 1859 in Pittsfield in a game won by Amherst 73-32 in 25 innings.

Sunday's game will determine the champion of the NESCAC West Division as both Amherst and Williams enter the contest with a record of 8-3 in conference play.

A free fan bus for Williams students will be made available from the campus to Wahconah Park for this Sunday's game. The fan bus will depart from Chapin Hall at 11:30 am. Each Eph student riding the fan bus will receive a coupon for a free gelato in Paresky and there will also be other prizes given out on the bus ride. The fan bus will return to campus immediately following the game.

All Williams students will be admitted free to the game, as will children. The price of an adult ticket is $5.00.

The 291st meeting Sunday between the archrivals is setting the stage for what is expected to be an even larger celebration in 2009 when the 150th year of college baseball will be noted.

Former Eph baseball player Mike Barbera '89 got the ball rolling on this project and was assisted by Amherst graduate Dan Duquette who grew up in nearby Dalton, Mass. Barbera and Duquette worked with Williams head coach Bill Barrale and Amherst head coach Bill Thurston to move the game from the Williams campus to Pittsfield. Barbera and Duquette also enlisted the support of the Mayor of Pittsfield James. M. Ruberto and secured the use of historic Wahconah Park.

This year's contest will be preceded by a youth baseball clinic provided by the Dan Duquette Sports Academy.

Sunday May 4
Amherst vs. Williams at Historic Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Mass.
Game Time 1:05 PM

Dan Duquette Sports Academy Clinic 10-11:15
All the kids in attendance at Clinic receive a free baseball hat commemorating 1st college game between Amherst and Williams 149 years ago

Williams Batting Practice  -- 11:15 to 11:45
Amherst Batting Practice -- 11:45 to 12:15
Williams Infield -- 12:15 to 12:25
Amherst Infield -- 12:25 to 12:35
Field Maintenance – 12:35 -1:00

Congressman John Olver has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to proclaim Pittsfield the "Birthplace of College Baseball."

1:00 pm -- On Field Ceremony Commemorating First College Game with Mayor of Pittsfield James Ruberto, and Mike Barbera.

1:05 pm -- First pitch former Williams College baseball Jim Briggs '60

1:10 pm – Play Ball !