Schenectady, NY (WRGB) — The 25th Annual Price Chopper/Market 32 Baseball Fest brought summer baseball and a deeper purpose to Central Park in Schenectady this weekend, as players, coaches, and fans gathered for a Capital Region tradition now in its third decade.

The invitational tournament, one of the longest-running summer baseball events in the Northeast for players 17 and older, has welcomed more than 65 different teams since its founding in 2000. This year’s field included a returning team from Ottawa, Canada, and was once again highlighted by a special partnership for a greater cause.

For the 12th consecutive year, the event served as a benefit for the American Cancer Society through its Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. All players, coaches, and umpires were given pink wristbands during competition to raise awareness and show solidarity with those impacted by the disease.

“I mean, we’re all affected by cancer in some ways,” said Joe Altieri, Tournament Director and head coach of the Albany Athletics. “I’ve had family members who have had to get through cancer and some who haven’t. And many of the teams and players in this tournament have been impacted the same way. So I think everyone’s thinking about survivors and those who have passed from cancer. And, you know, that’s on our minds as we play baseball and enjoy this great pastime.”

The weekend culminated with the championship game Sunday afternoon, where All Stars Academy Prestige defeated the Albany Legends, 11–1, to win the 2025 Baseball Fest title.

Albany struck first in the opening inning, when Dan Barbero grounded out to bring home Jackson Cox and take a 1–0 lead. But All Stars Academy responded quickly in the bottom of the first. Logan Miller reached on an error that allowed the tying run to score.

The game remained even until the fourth, when Nick Sorbera drove a ball to deep left field, scoring a runner and giving All Stars a 2–1 advantage. In the sixth, Owen Balleau scored on a wild pitch to make it 5–1. The team then exploded for six more runs in the seventh, capped off by a grand slam from Jackson Cox to put the game out of reach.

All Stars pitcher Alex Kerr threw a complete game, allowing just one run in the victory.

“I mean, we got a really good group at All Stars,” Kerr said. “Everyone kind of played for each other. So again, just happy that I could help us out to get that trip.”

Head coach Matt Frey praised both his team and the quality of baseball in the region.

“You know, there’s really good baseball in this area, and we have nothing but respect for Joe and the Athletics,” Frey said. “A lot of my former players are on the Athletics, so to be able to go and win in the semis and then win the championship, it’s good these guys get a chance to kind of travel all over the country. But this is a really cool feeling to bring it home in our backyard.”

The Albany Athletics, who have won the championship in seven of the last ten years, were eliminated in the semifinal round by All Stars Academy earlier in the day.

A link to donate to cancer research through the American Cancer Society can be found here.