MILFORD – Cindy Stulac and Rich Crivello sat beyond the right field foul line and admired the scene in front of them.
A grill sat at the ready. Picnic tables sparkled in the late afternoon sun. The red clay of the infield stood out like a gem. And this pair already had their pick for tournament MVP:
Jimmy Asam.
The head of Milford’s parks and recreation department worked through a summer’s worth of cleat marks and little rain to produce a product the town can be proud of: Fino Field is more than worthy of hosting the American Legion baseball state tournament.
“For the players, for the teams, for the community – it’s an awesome feeling,” said Stulac, president of Milford Legion baseball. “It’s been a lot of work, but there’s nothing like it. It’s just an amazing vibe.”
“How they kept the field in the condition it is in – with the drought we’ve had, with the water ban – the grass is still green in the middle of July,” said Crivello, state tournament director. “(Asam) told us what he could do and what he couldn’t do; and what he could do – he delivered.”
After warming up in the outfield, tournament host Milford Post 59 ran through infield drills on Friday, the eve of the five-day, eight team event. Manager Steve DiVitto oversaw catchers and infielders fielding bunts and pitchers whirling around to make pickoff throws at second base.
Just before infield practice began, Post 59’s players marveled at Fino’s look, which included a white-painted American flag in foul territory beyond the first base line.
“It’s beautiful,” said Sam Schoenberg. “I’ve honestly never seen it like this. Hopefully it plays as good as it looks.”
“The dirt looks amazing,” added Jackson Fournier. “It should be a great atmosphere for (Saturday).”
Leominster Post 151 and Beverly Post 331 will open the tournament at 10 a.m. on Saturday, where temps should reach into the low 80s with low humidity and a minimal chance of rain.
The sparkling forecast should match Fino’s field conditions.
“It’s a pride thing. It’s like a crown jewel around here,” DiVitto said. “It’s been an incredible amount of history. When you have the best teams in the state coming down here, you want it to look its best.”
Franklin Post 75 as hot as Boston Red Sox
FRANKLIN – Three exits south on Interstate 495, Franklin Post 75 was preparing for a light workout – under the lights – at Franklin High School Friday night. The Post 75 Junior team had just won 8-1 in its own state tournament.
The Senior team enters States with an 18-0 record and a District 6 championship. They are as hot as the Boston Red Sox, who have lost just twice in July.
“It’s been a super fun last couple of months,” said Jack Sullivan.
Franklin plays Milford (District 4 champ; 23-4) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (opening ceremonies are scheduled for 6:30) in a game that should attract a large crowd.
“I’m sure they’re a great team,” said Post 75’s Sean Kryzak. “But we just try to keep it on us. We’re just trying to have fun. That’s what’s carrying us.”
The teams did not play during the regular season. Franklin won the state title in 2022 and ‘23. Milford has won 11 state crowns, the last in 2014. DiVitto knows how talented Post 75 is.
“Tyler and Peter (Pasquarosa) are two of the best coaches in the area,” he said. “Two great teams. We have to show up ready to go and ready to compete every pitch of every inning.”
Franklin’s Owen Miller is trying not to make too much of his team’s undefeated record.
“Obviously there’s a little bit of a target on our back,” he said. “But it’s Franklin vs. Franklin at the end of the day.”
Post 59 enters the picture Saturday night, but the town of Milford will be on display starting in the morning.
“I want people to feel like this is a community legacy,” Stulac said. “I want people to feel like the pride and tradition that we should feel. I want people to feel that this is not just a baseball game; this is a community event, and it happens to be baseball. I want everybody to be proud of it.”
The players in the dugout are just part of the equation.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have an army of volunteers who are down here,” DiVitto said. “It’s a lot, but to have so many people step up and do a lot of the dirty work – it’s awesome.”
Post 59’s Joey McGee knows that talent abounds at this level. The field and the young men on it are a good match for glowing Fino.
“There’s a lot of good teams in it; we’re playing a great team (Saturday) night in Franklin. There’s a bunch of great teams here, so it should be a great atmosphere for everybody.”
Tim Dumas is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. He can be reached at tdumas@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Instagram at tdumas1.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Milford begins state Legion baseball tournament with unbeaten Franklin
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