Bullens Field - Westfield Starfires
- Paul Baker
- Aug 10
- 6 min read
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57
Bullens Field
135 King St. Ext.
Westfield, MA 01085
Year Opened: 1938 Capacity: 1,000
Billy Bullens Field
Originally named Municipal Field, Billy Bullens Field opened in 1938 as part of a larger project of ball fields, playgrounds and tennis courts constructed by the Works Progress Administration. Billy Bullens was the assistant supervisor of the facilities and oversaw maintenance of the park for many years. The field was dedicated in his honor in the early 1980s.
The Westfield Starfires play in The Futures Collegiate Baseball League, a summer wood-bat league featuring teams from throughout New England. In addition to serving as home of the Starfires, Bullens Field is the home field for Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy. The ballpark hosted the Babe Ruth 14-year-old World Series in 2016 and the 13-year-old World Series in 2019.
The name “Starfires” pays homage to the city of Westfield’s deep connection with the Air National Guard stationed at Barnes Airport in Westfield. The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was the first United States Air Force jet equipped with an afterburner and was the first jet-powered all-weather fighter to enter combat during the Korean War in January 1953.
The Starfires began play in 2019. During their seven seasons in the Futures League, the Starfires have qualified for the playoffs twice, reaching the league finals in 2024. In 2025 Brandyn Garcia became the first Starfire alumnus to reach the Major Leagues when he pitched for the Seattle Mariners on July 21.
Food & Beverage 2
There is a concession stand on the third base side of Bullens Field. A limited menu is available, featuring pizza slices, snack items and beverages. Some of the more unique items sold here are Mini Melts, Slim Jim and pickles in a bag. Of course, traditional baseball snacks, such as cotton candy, chips and sunflower seeds can be found here too. Most nights there is a food truck that sets up shop down the left field line, but sadly, there was no food truck present during Stadium Journey’s visit.
Thirsty Starfire fans can select from a variety of Coca-Cola products. In addition, a selection of beers can also be purchased at the concession stand. Stadium Journey recommends the Starfire IPA from local favorite Amherst Brewing. Fans looking for an alternative adult beverage can purchase a beverage from Suncruiser or a 32-ounce bucket of Tito’s and lemonade.
Atmosphere 3
Bullens Field is different than the other ballparks in the Futures League, in that it is not a former professional park. To make up for its smaller size, the staff have to put on a better show to make up for the inferior facilities. While we’ll leave the ultimate decision about whether they accomplish this goal up to you, there is no doubt that catching a game in Westfield can be a fun time.
There’s definitely a small-town vibe going on here. It starts with the PA announcer, who does his best to add some energy to the proceedings, but is limited by his equipment, as he has only a portable speaker setup behind home plate. Likewise, a basic scoreboard in left field displays a line score and count, but little more. The Starfires mascot, Stanley the Squirrel, walks around the ballpark interacting with fans. There are some games and other distractions going on here between innings, but nothing like you’d see at a bigger ballpark. The team regularly presents theme nights complete with specialty jerseys. Notable sports figures including Jonathan Papelbon and Brian Scalabrine have appeared at Bullens Field in recent seasons.
What the Starfires have going for it is its small-town vibe. The kitschy nature of the promos just seem to work here. The crowd is smaller, and many of them have been coming since day one. Everyone seems to know everyone. It’s got that friendly vibe you don’t often find in the northeast. Even if you’re coming to Bullens Field sporting the colors of the opposition, you’ll find yourself engaged in conversation with your neighbors in no time.
Neighborhood 2
Billy Bullens Field is located in a residential area about two miles away from downtown Westfield, adjacent to Westfield Technical Academy and Allen Park. There is nothing within walking distance from the ballpark to attract visiting fans. The town’s main drags of Main Street and Broad Street contain most of Westfield’s restaurants. There is a Quality Inn and a Hampton Inn out by the Mass Pike.
Springfield is located 20 miles to the east. Some major attractions, including the National Basketball Hall of Fame and MGM Casino, are located there. Boston is located an hour and a half to the east, and Albany is an hour and a half to the west.
Fans 3
Westfield generally lags behind the other teams in the Futures League in terms of attendance, especially since Brockton and Pittsfield are not in the league anymore. The Starfires drew a franchise-record 25,792 fans over the 2025 season, and average of 1,075 per game. Considering that the capacity of Bullens Field is listed as 1,000, Starfire fans are showing up night after night.
What the Starfires may lack in quantity of fans, they make up for in quality. The team has a dedicated fanbase, many of whom have a personal connection with the team, either as host families, season ticket holders, or friends to the players who are local to the area. It makes for a very knowledgeable, vocal and invested crowd.
Access 2
Bullens Field is located in southwest Westfield, a city of almost 41,000 residents in western Massachusetts. Interstate 90, better known as the Massachusetts Turnpike, runs through the northern edge of the city, providing easy access to visiting fans. Fans driving to Bullens Field will drive a few miles from the Mass Pike through downtown Westfield to get to the ballpark.
Bullens Field is located on the campus of Westfield Technical Academy. It is used by both local high schools for baseball and football, as well as serving the Starfires and the local Babe Ruth League. Parking is available in Westfield Tech’s parking lot, which provides an overlook of the ballpark on the first base side.
Fans enter Bullens Field on the third base side. The concession stand and restrooms are located near the entrance. The seating bowl contains plastic bucket seats bolted into the concrete grandstand. There is plenty of room for fans to spread out and move around. Additional seating is located further down the third base line. Nets, fences, dugouts and light poles obstruct views from all seating locations.
There is a scoreboard in left field which can be difficult to see during day games. Lines for concessions or rest rooms are not an issue during typical Starfire games. Interestingly, the grandstand is not aligned properly with the baseball diamond. This is because the field has been moved since the opening of the facility and a backstop added. Additional seating is available along the third base side of the field. Veteran fans will bring their own chairs and sit further down the line beyond the end of the fence.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets to Starfire games are priced at ten dollars for general admission. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the ballpark. Concessions are reasonably priced, topping out at seven dollars for a bottle of beer and three dollars for a slice of pizza. A night at a Starfires game is a very affordable entertainment option for western Massachusetts sports fans.
Extras 2
Billy Bullens displays Westfield’s Babe Ruth baseball success proudly, with several plaques dedicated to successful teams and important persons in the program’s history located throughout the facility.
The Starfires retired Josh Frometa’s number 24 in a pregame ceremony before the final game of the 2025 season. Frometa, a Holyoke native and student at American International College, played for the Starfires for three seasons has his name all over the franchise’s record books, as he is the team’s all-time leader in games played, hits, runs, RBIs, walks, hit by pitches, and total bases. Everyone associated with the team remarks on the legacy Frometa has left in Westfield, both on and off the field.
Final Thoughts
Bullens Field is an anomaly in the Futures League, where the rest of the ballparks are former minor league ballparks. Still, this cozy little ballpark in western Massachusetts has become a good fit in this league, which has enjoyed a quick rise to become one of the better summer college circuits in the nation.
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