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Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Representatives from each team of Westwood Little League Majors prepare for the Home Run Derby.
7-05-2025 6:55pm
A Look at America's Pastime in Westwood, MA - Let's Play Ball!
Darlene Cancell
Editor
This spring saw the launch of baseball season in Westwood, a time of year when Morrison Field behind the Islington fire station lights up at night. People passing by in cars or on foot have a good chance of seeing uniformed teams at bat or on the field, exhibiting their developing skills in what has been called America's pastime.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Westwood Little League Majors Cardinals players prepare for the opening of the championship game.Friday nights especially are a scene at the Westwood ball park, with full families in attendance to cheer on their players. Siblings take advantage of the time to catch up with friends, who share their excitement at the chance to stay out late, albeit not too far away from parents, in the warm night air that feels open and inviting.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. A Braves batter and Cardinals catcher prepare to receive the pitch from a Cardinals pitcher.It's the setting for street hockey as well. While pitchers and batters battle it out on the diamond, behind the dugout, there's another game being played. On concrete, in a wire fenced-in area, young hockey players flash their sticks as they run and lunge for a puck. Music blasts from a loudspeaker somewhere, and parents and onlookers find themselves shouting above the melodies to be heard. Their attention is divided between watching the children at play and chatting with other adults, catching up.
On Friday evening, June 13th, it is the championship game in the Westwood Little League Majors, which has teams made up of a mix of sixth graders and elementary school players who have made the cut. For sixth graders, it is their final Westwood Little League game. They have hit the ceiling of eligibility in the league. If they continue to play next year, they will move up to Babe Ruth.
In the championship game, the Cardinals have come out on top, 6-2, over the Braves. It is a win to savor, well-earned. In facing the Braves in two earlier matchups this season, the Cardinals had lost the first game, then tied the second game. It turns out that the third time is their charm.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Miles McVay throws the final strike that ends the game and gives the Cardinals the win over the Braves.After the championship game is played, there is another chance for a few more swings at the bat as Little Leaguers. A select few, chosen from each majors team, compete in the Home Run Derby. The playing field is set up, with some adjustments being made for the young hitters. The batter will stand at what is normally the pitcher's mound, and will try to connect with pitches delivered by a Westwood High School baseball player, who is stationed some yards away, between the batter and the outfield. The goal is to send each ball sailing over the outfield's chain link fence - into home run territory. Any hit or swing that does not result in such a "home run" is considered an "out." Each batter gets three outs. Whomever hits the most home runs is the Home Derby champion.
In the outfield, a large number of youths of all ages have gathered and await, with gloves ready. Spectators will see them running, sliding, and leaping to field the balls that the Home Run Derby competitors send their way.
The first few attempts seem nervous and a little hesitant. There are swings that don't connect, and when they do, the balls are grounders. Or the balls take flight, only to stay inside the park.
Eventually, a few of the competitors do hit the ball over the fence at least once. Then a few players hit successive balls over the fence. . . again, and again, over and over.
When a batter hits a ball just inside the fence, the other competitors unmask themselves as friendly supporters. Every time a batter succeeds, or comes close to succeeding at their shared mission, the group gives a lively, hope-filled cheer. Each time the ball falls short of the fence, or a batter misses a connection, they groan with a unified, disappointed, "Awwwww. . . " They repeatedly urge the referee to judge each close call that remains inside the fence as a "homer."
After each competitor has taken a turn at bat, the field is narrowed to the top four hitters. Three of them appeared in the final championship game - two are from the Cardinals and one is from the Braves. Another round of pitching and hitting takes place.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Cardinals pitcher Alex Mullin was winner of the Home Run Derby that followed the Westwood Little League Majors championship game.At the end, with the most home runs under his belt, a winner is declared - Alex Mullin of the Cardinals. He is the Home Run Derby king!
With that declaration, the end of the spring season for Westwood Little League is at hand. But the night still feels young. There's still some friends to horse around with on the field, under lights so bright, it doesn't feel like the end. They will take their time saying congratulations and then good night. Then load up cars with gear, and finally head home, still with thoughts of baseball. Around the corner is summer ball.
