The 22nd season of the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League is now underway. Opening day of the 2023-24 season took place Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Village Park in Wellington.
To help kick off the new season, Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig and Wycliffe Golf & Country Club General Manager Rob Martin were in attendance to throw out the ceremonial first pitches. Gerwig threw out the first pitch in the first game at 1 p.m., while Martin did the honors prior to the second game at 2:45 p.m.
This year, there are five teams in the league: the Brooklyn Bums, the Bronx Clippers, the Atlantic Whalers, the New York Egg Creams and the Hoboken Zephyrs. The Bronx Clippers are the reigning league champions. The rosters of the five teams includes 20 rookies this season.
In addition to the regular season, the league’s annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, sponsored by Mississippi Sweets, will be held Feb. 6. The league’s two semifinal playoff games will be played March 26, and the championship game is scheduled for April 2. The annual all-star game will conclude the season on April 9.
In the two opening day games on Dec. 5, the Atlantic Whalers and the Brooklyn Bums played to a 3-3 tie, while the Bronx Clippers sailed past the Hoboken Zephyrs, 6-0. On opening day, Gerry Ranzal was the scorekeeper, and the announcing duties were shared by Arnie Westerman and Art Spector.
As is traditional on opening day of the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League, egg creams were served to all participants and spectators between the two games, served up by Happy Wilans, Richie Katz and Art Spector.
As in the past, all games this season are being held at Village Park in Wellington. Most regular season games will start at 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., with the exception of Feb. 6. Those games are scheduled for noon and 2:15 p.m. Also, Tuesday, Dec. 26 is Siegrist Group Family Day. It is for participants of all ages and only one game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
The Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League is a program conducted in partnership with Wellington Parks & Recreation.
