WESTFIELD, Massachusetts (May 8, 2024) - The Westfield Starfires of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League have agreed to a 10-year lease extension which ensures the summer collegiate baseball franchise will continue as the primary tenant at Billy Bullens Field for years to come.

“The Starfires were founded here and have thrived thanks to great community partnerships and the best fans in the FCBL,” said owner Chris Thompson. “We’re proud to call Bullens Field our home.”

The agreement extends the team’s lease at Westfield’s historic ballpark through 2034, allowing the Starfires to host its home games, select tournaments, and special events, while also creating sponsorship opportunities for businesses around the region.

“The City of Westfield is very pleased to have come to an agreement with the Westfield Starfires solidifying their presence in the city for the next decade,” said Mayor Mike McCabe. “We wish the Starfires nothing but the best as they continue to build their program and attract new visitors to the city. I see it as a Win! Win!.”

The Futures Collegiate Baseball League offers top collegiate summer baseball to fans in eight New England cities. The Starfires joined the league as an expansion franchise for the summer of 2019. The team has had high-level talent from the first pitch; seven Starfires alums have been selected in the MLB Draft, including Reggie Crawford as a first-round selection of the San Fransisco Giants in 2022.

The organization has also earned significant league accolades since inception including the 2022 FCBL Community Relations Program of the year based on a program with the 104^th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base and the 2023 FCBL Best Ballpark Food Award with its North Elm Butcher Block partnership.

The Starfires will play 26 home games in 2024 and augment their schedule with the annual Starfires Summer Classic at Walker Grandstand in Springfield’s Forest Park Sunday, June 30^th at 4:00 p.m. and the first-ever Starfires Showdown at Hartford’s Dunkin Park, home of the Hartford Yard Goats on July 17^th at 11:00 a.m.

Opening Night at Bullens Field is Saturday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available now through westfieldstarfires.com.