The Chief John F. Skroski Memorial Wiffle Ball Tournament has quickly become the largest tournament of its kind in western Massachusetts.
The tournament, now in its fourth year, is named after the former Deerfield and Southampton Police Chief. It was started by one of Skroski’s sons, Chris Skroski, after his father passed away suddenly in 2011. The family wanted to begin a scholarship fund in John Skroski’s memory and all proceeds raised go directly toward the scholarship fund. One graduating student basketball athlete from both Frontier Regional School and Hampshire Regional High School receive a scholarship, and Chris Skroski said the amount is based on how much money the tournament raises, but has been between $500 and $750 per student.
“My father was very active in youth sports during his time as police chief so the family decided to honor him with a scholarship, and I started the wiffle ball tournament to raise money for the scholarship fund.”
This year the tournament takes place on May 14 and is on pace to feature more than 30 teams, making it the largest tournament in terms of teams in western Mass., and one of the largest in the state, according Skroski.
Teams are comprised of three players, and Skroski said that other tournaments, such as one at a Mini-Fenway in Westfield, feature teams as large as nine players, which keeps the number of teams entered lower.
There is currently no cap on how many teams can enter since Skroski holds the tournament on a large field next to his home in Whately at 128 Christian Lane. The field was once farmed by Chris Skroski’s grandfather, and was given to him by his father to build a house next to where he grew up. It’s in the same area where Chris Skroski used to play wiffle ball with his friends while his father watched.
“It allows me to have plenty of room for as many wiffle ball fields as are needed,” Skroski said.
The inaugural event consisted of 12 teams and has increased each year, including last year’s high of 22 teams. Skroski already has 24 teams registered this year.
Each team is entered into a four-team group and plays each of the other three teams in that group, so teams are guaranteed three games. The top teams from each group advance to the playoffs.
There is one division for all teams, although Skroski is considering expanding to a co-ed division. There is no running bases in the games, but hits are determined by zones on the field, and home runs are balls hit over the fence. An out is recorded by fielding the ball without bobbling it or by catching it. Pitchers can throw as hard as they want, although for those wishing to pitch fast, they may be moved back a few feet.
Cost is $15 per player, plus an extra $10 if players want a T-shirt. Food is provided as are trophies and prizes for the winning team. There is also a raffle for a David Ortiz-signed baseball.
To register or for more information call Chris Skroski at 265-1668 and you can also find more on the tournament’s Facebook page by searching for the name of the tournament.