A Postal Cancellation For Baseball Lovers

As a community service, the Postal Service offers pictorial cancellations commemorating local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation.

 The Hawleyville Post Office will have a special cancellation Friday, July 20, in conjunction with the Legendary Playing Fields stamps that went on sale June 28. It is specially designed by Hawleyville Postmaster Mark Favale and engraved by Barto Engraving of Brookfield.

“Whether playing a ball game in a dusty sandlot in the city, watching your child play on groomed suburban fields, or cheering for your favorite professional team on manicured lawns, there is always something special about the game, and the field it is played on. We rely on the basics; the green grass, the striped lines and white bases, the fans in the stands, the taste of the popcorn and hotdogs. It always brings up memories of the past and present, all genuine American,” said Mr Favale.

“Like baseball, the post office is part of every community, something we can rely on each and every day. The post office brings friends and neighbors together and provides a service like no other,” the postmaster said. “This cancellation is our way of celebrating baseball, our friends and neighbors, and the part the neighborhood post office plays in our community.”

This year’s events will include a Legendary Field drawing contest. Youngsters 15 and under are encouraged to submit a drawing of their favorite field, real or imagined, professional or sandlot, to the Hawleyville Post Office by July 20. All entries will be displayed in the office and prizes will be awarded. The Hawleyville Post Office will also honor young baseball players from surrounding towns, have a free raffle, and offer other baseball surprises on Friday, July 20, in coordination with their special cancellation.

If you cannot visit the Hawleyville Post Office on July 20 but would like to obtain the cancellation, you may submit a mail order request. The cancellation is available only for July 20, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial cancellation date.

All requests must include a self addressed stamped envelope to return the cancellation in, and a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail postage. Items submitted for cancellation may not include postage issued after the date of the requested cancellation. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a cancellation should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: Pictorial Cancellations, Legendary Fields Station, POB 9998, Hawleyville, CT, O6440-9998.