The 2021 11-Year-Old New England Cal Ripken Baseball Championships were kicked off at Purnell Wrigley Field in Waterville on July 16 by Francis Purnell, left, and Alfond Youth and Community Center CEO Ken Walsh. Purnell, 82, has 40-plus years of involvement with Waterville Little League, and still keeps up with the youngsters with his pride and support.He fell in love with his first encounter with Little League as a coach to his son Chris, Purnell said. He followed up with his daughter, Debbie, and finished his coaching with his son Kevin. He later became president of the league. With his wife, Joyce, at his side they ran the Little League and Challenger Division. (Mark Huard/Central Maine Photography photo)
