Action Starts Today at World Series

The fun has begun for the 10 teams competing in the Cal Ripken 12-Year-Old World Series in Winchester. All day long yesterday, teams from across the country arrived at the Burlington Marriott, where they will stay for the duration of the tournament. They have come from far - California, North Dakota, Idaho, Arkansas, Indiana, Virginia, New York - and from near - Raynham, Burlington and Winchester.

Each team was greeted by a crowd of supporters from Winchester - families who will be cheering them on during the games and showing them around the community. Winchester boys and girls are also serving as bat boys and diamond girls for the visiting teams. After an orientation from Cal Ripken Baseball officials, most of the teams took in last night’s Red Sox game. For many of the players, it was their first time at Fenway Park - a thrilling event!

Today, the players will have some more fun at a skills competition at Nutile Field. The event, at noon, will feature several contests, including a base-running race and a home run derby. After the skills competition, the action heads back to the Burlington Marriott for the Banquet of Champions, where a parade of players kicks off a program hosted by NECN’s Chris Collins. Former Red Sox player Bob Montgomery will be the keynote speaker.  

The culmination of the event-filled day will be the World Series Opening Ceremonies back at Nutile Field. It will be fun for the whole family, featuring performances by dancers from the , local band The Dirt Dogs and Vegetable Circus. The one and only Rene Rancourt, who has performed at Boston Bruins’ games for more than 35 years, will sing the National Anthem. Master of Ceremonies Chris Collins will introduce all of the World Series teams, and fans will be treated to a spectacular laser light and smoke show.

Today’s World Series Skills Competition at noon and Opening Ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. are free and open to the public at Nutile Field. Limited tickets can still be purchased for the Banquet of Champions through winchesterworldseries.com.

Cal Ripken World Series games begin Thursday, with host team Winchester playing at 7:30 p.m.