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Welcome to the Homepage of the Berkshire County Jimmy Fund Classic!
See the 2008 Tournament page for updated brackets, scores, and upcoming games!
The Massachusetts District 1 Little League Jimmy Fund Classic is first and foremost a fundraiser to highlight
our theme of “Kids Helping Kids” in the fight against cancer and is authorized by the Massachusetts State Little
League and the National Little League Headquarters in Williamsport, PA.
The Classic began in 1991, and since then has raised over $225,000 in funds for the
Jimmy Fund, an institution which partners with the Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute and the Boston Red Sox to help children and families battling
with cancer.
The Classic is open to 9 and 10-year-old Little League players from around Berkshire County.
Players try out for all-star teams representing each league in District 1, and compete in a single-elimination
baseball tournament. However, fundraising for cancer research is the main purpose of this Classic, and we ask
all teams and leagues to address this theme with their players and parents. As part of this effort, players in
the tournament go around the county seeking pledges from community members, which are then donated to the Jimmy
Fund. At the Classic games themselves, further funds are raised through concession sales, a yearly raffle with
prizes donated by Major League Baseball teams, and the traditional "passing of the hat."
Mike Evans and Joe Dahrouge served as umpires for the 2001 Classic
Many outside organizations have been extremely influential in helping make the Classic a fun and rewarding
experience for the players. In addition to our corporate sponsors who help underwrite
the costs of the event, professional baseball teams in the area have historically donated tickets and prizes to our
players. Each year, the top-fundraising team wins a trip to Boston to attend a Red
Sox game. The team who wins the Classic wins a trip to a minor-league game. Additionally, teams that raise $1,000 or more
are invited to attend a game at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, NY, home of the
Tri-City Velley Cats, the Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros, for a night of baseball, fireworks, and fun. This trip is thanks to the generosity of their vice-president, Rick Murphy.
In all, our players get to experience a lot of great baseball, and learn that giving back to their community can
be a great experience.
Teams for this year's classic are beginning to form, so keep an eye out for those dedicated players who will soon
be seeking pledges and selling raffle tickets around the county. Let’s make 2008 our best year ever as we relax
and have fun watching some great kids play some exciting baseball games as we try to bring smiles and hopes to our
sick kids around New England.
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