HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The City of Huntington is gearing up to host the week-long state high school baseball tournament that begins Saturday.

Mayor Patrick Farrell was a guest on MetroNews “Midday” this week. He said city officials are super excited to bring the event to the city.

“This is a big moment for Huntington,” Farrell said. “The state high school baseball tournament is going to be here, it’s going to be at Jack Cook Field at Marshall University, we’re going to be honored to welcome all the players, coaches, families, all the fans coming here. It’s a perfect weekend to show off our city.”

There’s so much to do and see in Huntington, Farrell said. He expressed hope that visitors could view the city in a way they haven’t seen it before. Farrell touted significant progress in the city, from the streetscapes to the park system, there are many places to go.

“While people are at baseball games, and maybe days between games, we hope they check out Pullman Square, 9th Street Live, the Pullman Concert Series, Harris Riverfront Park, and Ritter Park, there’s just so much to do here,” Farrell said. “We hope people see it maybe with fresh eyes and see all that we’re having. It’s a city on the rise.”

Farrell also mentioned the West Virginia Hot Dog Festival will be held in Huntington Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Pullman Square. He said he’s thrilled about all the activities the city is set to host.

Workers officially broke ground on Jack Cook Field in October 2022. The ballpark is named after longtime Marshall head baseball coach Jack Cook. The first Marshall University baseball game at the park took place in 2024.

Farrell played a big role in the project — he served on the Board of Governors at Marshall for seven and a half years. Farrell noted that Jack Cook Field was a project developed over many Marshall administrations, even before him. He said it was truly a community effort to bring the project to fruition, especially in securing the right location and funding.

“It is a gorgeous field, it (holds) 3,500 people,” Farrell said. “We knew that it wasn’t just going to be for Marshall baseball, but for hosting events exactly like this. This tournament is 32 teams that are coming from four divisions from all over the state, and so it’s going to be a great showcase of this facility.”

Farrell said Jack Cook Field is a first-class facility, and visitors will get to see it on full display.

“It was built not to be a small park, but really to host big tournaments like this,” Farrell said. “It’s going to be beautiful brick, you’re going to see all-new facilities, you’re going to see some hospitality suites, so if there are teams out there that want to rent the president’s suite or have a bigger space, they can do that. Marshall University has been a fantastic partner in all of this.”

Players from the 32 teams can look forward to seeing themselves on the Jumbotron at the field, too. Farrell said they plan to put player photos on the board while they’re batting and coordinate walk-up music.

The venue is picture perfect, Farrell said. The field is located right within the Marshall University area of Huntington, right on the banks of the Ohio River. Farrell said he can’t wait for people to come down from around the state, see the city, and Marshall.

Farrell said Marshall University has been very accommodating throughout the process. He was quick to point out that preparations have included a lot of collaboration.

“This wouldn’t have happened, first of all, without our (Huntington Area) Convention and Visitors Bureau,” Farrell said. “They’re the ones who helped spearhead the effort with the West Virginia SSAC, and they’re in touch with all of our hotels and restaurants. Our restaurant scene I think I would put up against anybody else in the state, and they’re all ready. They know there’s going to be an influx of people. We’re going to fill the hotels and fill the restaurants, and our police department is well aware.”

Police will be patrolling to ensure safety throughout the week, Farrell said.

There are clear markings for parking in Huntington as well, Farrell noted. He said public garages and on-street parking will be available, in addition to the West Lot of the Joan C. Edwards Football Stadium. Farrell said there will be plenty of parking there, and it’s a short walk over to Jack Cook.

Farrell said the city of Huntington, the Huntington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Marshall all came together in the competitive bidding process. It’s a three-year commitment for high school baseball tournaments to take place in Huntington, beginning this year and running through 2028. Farrell said there’s an option for an additional year in the contract as well.

Class A quarterfinals kick off the week of baseball at Jack Cook Field. The first game features No. 1 seed Huntington St. Joseph’s against No. 8 seed Trinity at 10 a.m.

Read a full tournament preview here.

WEST VIRGINIA (WCHS) — Starting next year, work requirements will be part of Medicaid qualifications for more than 100,000 recipients in West Virginia.

It’s a move Gov. Patrick Morrisey has applauded, noting that the state has the lowest workforce participation rate in the country at around 54.3%, just below the national average of 62%.

“There will be more people under work requirements soon,” Morrisey said in a press conference Monday. “That’s good. Work is good. Work is noble. We want people to have purpose in their lives. That’s what we’re getting toward.”

The rule was released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and it requires people who are ages 19-64 that are part of Medicaid expansion to meet an 80 hours per month work requirement. This can be done through employment, education, work programs or community service.

“These stricter requirements are going to make it more difficult for people to qualify for medical frailty,” West Virginia Citizen Action Group organizing manager Mindy Holcomb said. “We could have people who have serious conditions that should prevent them from working and being forced to go out into the work forced to work. That’s dangerous.”

With only seven months until this takes effect, people pushing back said the ruling is not clear and it overlooks a large majority of recipients.

“Are these people taking care of loved ones who are sick or ill? We have an aging population and we have a sick population and I don’t think any of that has been taken into account and to the fact that we also have grandparents who are caring for grandchildren,” Holcomb said.

Holcomb said this is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist and with the tight deadline, she said many recipients may lose their coverage without even knowing.

“I’m going to be very frank with you – it could be deadly,” she said. “If you make one mistake on that form you can lose your healthcare and that’s a done deal. It is a false narrative that this is going to solve any Medicaid issues.”

Holcomb added that she wants to see lawmakers put more work and time into this rule to ensure nobody slips through the cracks.

“People aren’t sitting at home collecting checks,” she said. “Nobody gets a check from Medicaid. This is all reimbursement to providers. This is healthcare.”