Charlie Perkins throws out the first pitch before the Bromfield Trojans faces off against the West Boylston Lions on Pond Road last week. At 93, Perkins is the oldest known former Bromfield baseball player. (Photos by Ellen Harasimowicz)

Bromfield shortstop Joe d'Eramo tags out West Boylston's Mike Chevalier after the Lions second baseman was caught in a pickle between second and third basei in the seventh inning.

“Just win,” was the plea Charles “Charlie” Perkins made to the Bromfield varsity baseball team after he threw out the first pitch for the home team Wednesday, May 9. In an event rescheduled from the home opener, Perkins was asked to begin the game in honor of his status as the oldest living member of a past Bromfield baseball team. While the Trojans fell short of a victory over the West Boylston Lions, losing 4–3, Perkins’s appearance was a highlight of the team’s afternoon.

Bromfield head coach Paul Harasimowicz set out before the season to find the oldest Trojan alumni for the event. Perkins, who resides with his wife in Ayer, responded. The former second baseman attended Bromfield throughout high school, graduating with a class of just five students in 1931. After Bromfield, Perkins fulfilled his childhood goal of attending Northeastern University to be a civil engineer. He commented on the hard work put into his education: “It proved to me that one should always go after [his] dreams.”

Perkins, who considers himself “94 years young,” said baseball remains an integral part of his life. He cheers for the Red Sox, even though his wife roots for the Yankees.

Team captains Tim Smetana, Camden Holland, Joseph Galeski, and Joe Eramo led Perkins out to the mound. After his pregame pitch, the young Trojans presented the elder Trojan with a team cap and jacket as well as an autographed baseball.