Wow, what a journey it has been for America’s Pastime in the West End of Williamsport. Between what is now known as Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field and Original Little League, the birthplace of Little League Baseball, there are just not many places in our Nation blessed with such deep-rooted baseball tradition. Who would have ever thought that for the last 9 years, Bowman Field would morph literally into a Major League Baseball stadium and host two MLB teams and all the teams now participating in the Little League World Series?
As the summer to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our great Nation has begun, it only seems fitting that it is also the 100th anniversary of Williamsport Historic Bowman Field. A place where America’s Pastime is alive and well. A place where a little boy’s dream has been witnessed for a century, developing into a Major League reality. A place where, if you’re as old as I am, you can close your eyes and remember what Bowman Field looked like in the ‘70s and then open them today and ask if this is heaven. For those of you who may not know, that’s the line from the movie Field of Dreams, when Kevin Costner informs them, “No, it’s Iowa.” However, I think a movie rewrite and Pennsylvania are now more believable.
The actual baseball history and Williamsport history are best left to Lou Hunsinger. He has our cover story this week, and I’m sure he will have much more as the season goes on. He can probably name every future professional player who has toed the mound or ran the bases at Bowman.
Lou gets the work end of the deal, but I know to him it’s a passion that he would probably do for free if I ask.
I get all the fun in the sun as far as the Williamsport Boys of Summer go.
What a summer of celebration my good friends Rhashan, the Director of Smiles, whom I promoted to VP of Baseball Fun last season, the VP of Marketing and Public Relations, Gabe Sinicropi, and Vice President/GM, Doug Estes, have put together for this year.
The Crosscutters will be trying to climb back to the top of the MLB Draft League on the field. During the game, they will have special events celebrating their past history, as well as the great entertainment we have grown used to from the management team. We will have it covered from the first pitch every week within our pages. I thank Gabe, Doug, and Rhashan, along with all the Crosscutter folks, for the great relationship Webb Weekly has had with them over the years.
There are so many promos; here are a few that jumped out to me. I especially like the Heritage jerseys they will be wearing. They will open the season with a tribute to the Williamsport Grays. It’s worth noting that these Heritage jerseys will be auctioned off. Saturdays are again fireworks night over Journey Ball Park at Historic Bowman Field. A perfect celebration of the hundred years of baseball at Bowman and 250 years of our great Nation. They will have a Red, White, and Brew night scheduled for July 2nd. It will take place in Cutters Cove, and you will get to try local beers, as long as you’re 21. Throw in a couple Country Store hot dogs, and that’s a great way to kick off the 4th of July holiday weekend.
And yes, for those of you wondering we will have some great dinner and a ball game giveaways courtesy of Webb Weekly and the Williamsport Crosscutters. In the past, they have been called our Grand Slam Giveaways. For the 2026 season, they will be entitled America’s Pastime at Bowman. Who knows, maybe I’ll even have Rhashan dress up as Uncle Sam like in the Rocky movies to greet the winners. I will have the details and the first chance to win coming soon.
I’ll finish this week with a quick reminder; our Great American Cookout Summer Prize Pack Giveaway is already underway. There are already quite a few entrants in the fishbowl at the front of the office. A tip of my Webb Weekly cap to Elery Nau Hardware and Rupert’s Specialty Meats in Montoursville and Frosty’s Beverage in Muncy for providing the great prizes again this year. Full details along with the entry form can be found on page 4. Good luck to all.
God Bless America.
