Play Ball!: Home Run Derby and Wiffle Ball Tournament on Saturday

By Paige McAtee

The 10th annual Edwin A. Keach Memorial Wiffle Ball Tournament and Home Run Derby will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Militia Park in North Easton starting at 8 a.m.

The Edwin A. Keach Foundation, founded in 2009, is a leadership-funded organization that looks to promote positive change in the community, says executive director Meredith Keach.

The foundation is named after her brother, Edwin Keach, who passed away in 2003, at age 21. Edwin Keach used to play Little League baseball on the same field that the tournament will be held, says Meredith Keach.

The tournament has a choice of two divisions: the Contender Division and the Cavalier Division. The Contender Division is “no joke wife ball,” commented Meredith Keach.

“They really go for it,” she said. “Teams will start to play at eight in the morning and won’t stop until nine at night.”

Many of the teams in the Contender Division play in regional wiffle ball tournaments. Edwin Keach would play in these regional tournaments with his friends, who now organize this tournament in his name.

In comparison to the intense Contender Division, the Cavalier Division is for those who would still like to participate, but in a more relaxed game.

There will be a championship trophy and cash prizes awarded to the winners of each division.

For the second year in a row, the tournament has sold out, and will take place rain or shine. Between the players and spectators, about 500 people are expected to be at New England’s largest wiffle ball tournament, says Meredith Keach.

Day-of registration will be $5 for the home run derby. Each batter receive 10 outs and can enter into the derby as many times as he or she may wish.

Photo credit: Meredith Keach