SPRINGFIELD – The Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame steering committee needs your help.
The committee recently met in preparation for its third annual banquet and induction ceremony, scheduled for Jan. 28 of La Quinta Hotel, 100 Congress St. The committee is seeking input from the public on nominees for the Class of 2016.
Inductees will be on hand to be recognized for their contributions to the game and the region. Nominations and biographies should be submitted to Ron Chimelis, longtime sportswriter for The Republican and MassLive, at rchimelis@repub.com or Hunter Golden, general manager of the Valley Blue Sox, at Hunter@ValleyBlueSox.com
The deadline for nominations is Dec. 1.
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 Mass. 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 Mass. 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 been successful in youth, high school and/or adult baseball in Western Mass. 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 Mass. native or longtime resident who achieved great success at the local, state or national level.
Non-uniformed person. A non-uniformed person must be a Western Mass. native or longtime resident who has achieved great success as a supporter or administrator of baseball at the local, state or national level.
In its first two years, the committee has selected from a wide range of Western Massachusetts baseball talent, including former major leaguer Mike Trombley, local sportswriting legend Garry Brown, longtime high school coach Dan Dulchinos, the team representing American Legion Post 21 for standing up for a teammate against racism in 1934, and others. Special guests have included Red Sox beat writer Rob Bradford and Red Sox broadcaster Joe Castiglione.
The banquet also has featured a silent auction of baseball memorabilia, including autographed photographs and baseballs, to benefit nonprofit baseball organizations throughout Western Mass.
