FARMINGTON – Connie Mack World Series is set to return this week, and the tournament chairman said he believed viewers should expect the experience to be like 2018 or 2019.
CMWS chairman Tyson Snyder told the Daily Times that all events and games will be at full capacity as almost all of the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the state of New Mexico were lifted on July 1.
Events such as team arrivals, the parade, and opening ceremonies begin on Wednesday. Players will go to the field to play billiards on Friday.
He urged those in attendance to adhere to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and wear a face mask if they are not vaccinated.
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“Fans can expect the tournament to be the same as it was in 2018, 2019,” said Snyder.
The CMWS Executive Committee has decided to cancel the 2020 tournament due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This gave additional time to complete the renovations at Ricketts Field.
When Snyder was interviewed on July 15, some of the final touches on the field were completed.
The pandemic created problems with supplying the estimated $ 560,000 renovation project, but everything will be completed by the time the teams play at Ricketts Field.
The 12 teams from across the United States are due to arrive in Farmington on Wednesday and register for the tournament at the Farmington Civic Center. Snyder said the public is welcome to greet the players in downtown Farmington, as in previous years.
The Albuquerque Baseball Academy’s 2021s became the first non-Farmington New Mexico team to compete in the tournament to reach the Connie Mack World Series.
The Thursday events are the Tournament Parade, Home Run Derby, Fungo Challenge and Opening Ceremonies.
The parade is scheduled to begin in downtown Farmington at 10 a.m., with players walking to Ricketts Field.
It allows players to hand out candy to contestants and engage with the crowd as they no longer ride on semi-trailers like they have been in recent years, Snyder said.
The coaches’ Fungo Challenge at 5:30 p.m., the opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and the home run derby at 7:30 p.m. will take place at Ricketts Field.
Pool play takes place on Friday and Saturday, with bracket play starting on Sunday and the championship falling on July 31st.
The Hall of Fame ceremony has been rescheduled to 7:15 p.m. on Monday at Ricketts Field.
According to Snyder, retired major league player Mike Dunn will be the only person inducted into the Connie Mack World Series Hall of Fame this year.
Born in Farmington, he was first drafted by the New York Yankees in 2004 and also played for the Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies.
Dunn announced his resignation in February 2020 after 15 years of pitching.
The induction was postponed from the opening ceremonies, so the induction would take place before the game of the hosting team, the Farmington Sting, Snyder said.
Dunn played on the host team, the Farmington Virus, in 2003.
Snyder thanked the community for making a commitment to house players in their homes and to make donations so that the tournament could take place.
CMWS games are streamed online from ProView Network on YouTube and Facebook.
The magazine’s staff contributed to this story.
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