The Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame will be inducting six new members who have made significant contributions to baseball in the region. The induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 5, at 6 p.m. at the Wyckoff Country Club, 233 Easthampton Rd., Holyoke.
The first annual Hall of Fame game will also be hosted the following night at Mackenzie Stadium in Holyoke.
The induction ceremony will include remarks from each inductee, celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to the sport.
This year’s honorees include Peter Fatse, Todd Ezold, Terry Murphy, Tom Sgroi, Kevin Stannard and Rich Tettemer.
Fatse was an infielder who played at Minnechaug Regional High School and the University of Connecticut. Fatse was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 24th round of the 2009 MLB draft. He currently serves as the hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox.
Ezold was a standout catcher for Classical High School in Springfield and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While at UMass, Ezold was a finalist for a position on the 1984 US Olympic Baseball team and was later drafted by the New York Yankees in the 18th round of the 1985 Draft.
Murphy, a former Holyoke mayor, was a graduate of Holyoke High School, where he also played for Holyoke Community College and Stonehill College, contributing to the legacy of baseball in the area.
Sgroi coached at Westfield High School from 1983 to 2003 and achieved an impressive record of 330 wins and five Western Massachusetts championships, earning his place in the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996.
Stannard recently retired after over 30 years of coaching at Taconic High School, Stannard led his teams to more than 400 victories and state championships in 2017, 2019 and 2021.
The Hall of Fame committee also announced Tettemer will be awarded the Garry Brown Excellence Award. Tettemer has been a prominent figure in local sports media since joining WWLP in April 1988.
Tettemer currently anchors the weekday morning and noon editions of 22News.
The 2005 West Springfield High School baseball team is also being inducted this year. That Terriers team won a MIAA Division I state championship, beating two top seeds to capture the title.
The Hall of Fame’s annual banquet, which takes place after the new year each year, is a staple of the Blue Sox and Pioneer Valley’s calendar. It’s during this time where not only a fresh, new class is inducted into the Hall of Fame; but also allows the opportunity to bring the entire Western Massachusetts Baseball Community together under one roof.
“We are thrilled to honor this remarkable group of individuals whose contributions to baseball in Western Massachusetts have left a lasting impact,” Valley Blue Sox President Matt Drury said, “Their achievements reflect the rich history and passion for the game in our community.”
The Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the players, coaches, and figures who have shaped baseball in the region. Through annual inductions and events, they celebrate the legacy of baseball and its impact on the community.
The inaugural class took place in 2014, the same year the Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame was founded, with the aim of not only recognizing the best and the brightest baseball figures in the region but also celebrating the area’s long love affair with the game of baseball.
If you think you know someone who’s worthy of induction, the committee encourages people to download the nomination form here tinyurl.com/2ecuanp2 and send it to the following address: ATTN Valley Blue Sox, 100 Congress St., Springfield, MA 01104.
For additional information on the induction ceremony, readers can contact Brandon Seymour at brandons@valleybluesox.com.
