Published August 12, 2020
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — At first glance, it was anything but normal.
Masks? Social distancing? Hold the bubble gum? Oh yeah, try not to high-five your best friend who just hit their first little league home run.
Maybe it wasn’t normal by typical summer baseball standards, but young baseball and softball players in Wakefield gladly made those small sacrifices because they got a chance to play and continue to learn the game they love while most importantly being able to spend time with friends once more.
In that way, Wakefield Little League brought normalcy back during a time when families really needed it.
“All the parents and kids who have been confined for so long, just for them to be outside and see each other, it brought back a little normalcy,” said WLL board member and Giants manager Mike Viselli who was especially proud to see all involved maintain WLL’s guidelines even during the recent heat wave. “The kids have been good about putting their masks on and social distancing and the coaches, umpires and parents have all been hanging in there.”
Wakefield Little League started games at the beginning of phase 3 on July 6 and were able to complete an abbreviated season. The league created guidelines based on Governor Baker and the Town of Wakefield’s Board of Health Covid-19 guidelines. Some of their return to play rules included mandatory face coverings for batters, runners, players not in the field, and all coaches; players not on the field staying six feet apart; limited spectators encouraged to wear face coverings and practice social distancing; no shared equipment; no spitting, seeds or bubble gum; no contact celebrations; rotation of game balls every two innings and eliminating mound visits.
“I’m very pleased with how the season has gone so far,” said WLL president Bryan Fabbri. “We have been getting lots of good feedback. People were happy to have some normalcy back in their lives even though it looked a little different. We did our best to help safely expand family circles and get kids back to something familiar.”
If that’s the goal it’s certainly safe to say mission accomplished. With the town of Wakefield looking on, WLL ironically enough came together in a new and unique way to provide that same old classic feeling of playing ball in the summer. There is nothing better.
“Most sports have been cancelled and even little leagues from surrounding towns have had to get shut down,” said Viselli. “We are fortunate everyone has been cooperating; it was nice to see people step up to the plate, no pun intended.”
There have been typical, wonderful little league memories along the way: exciting games, first home runs and even though you might not be able to see them all, plenty of smiles.
“I have noticed such a positive change in my son’s attitude/demeanor just being able to practice and play something new with kids his age,” said Wakefield’s Brianne DiPersio in a letter to the editor on July 27. Her son L.J. played T-Ball every Sunday. “Despite the heat, pandemic, and uncertainly of the future, the coaches have brought us together and attempted what would have seemed like the impossible back in April. (The kids’) excitement to be together has really created a sense of community and togetherness during a time where we frankly don’t have any answers.”
With the regular season now over, the playoffs are set to begin on Sunday and continue through Aug. 26.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped out, including managers, coaches, umpires and parents,” said Fabbri. “I especially want to thank the board. They do so much work behind the scenes that goes unnoticed. I know it’s not why they do it but they should be acknowledged for all of their hard work.”
