Cape Cod Baseball League

Cotuit Kettleers defeat Mets, securing spot in playoffs

Cotuit Kettleers defeat the Hyannis Mets, securing a spot in the playoffs

On Thursday, August 7, 2008, the Cotuit Kettleers defeated the Hyannis Mets 3-1 securing their spot in the Cape Cod Baseball League playoffs.  Paul Rifkin was there to capture the evening at Cotuit's Lowell Park in pictures.

  The Mets pitcher fires one at the plate. It may look like a slow ball, but they come pretty fast.

   Hyannis with a foul-tip bunt. St-rik-e!

   Fans, old and young alike, cheer on their homefield Kettleers.

   On deck: Kettleer first baseman Kevin Patterson. Patterson is a 6'4", 220-pound freshman at Auburn.

   Man's best friend watches America's favorite pastime.

   Cotuit artist Jim Mayne Freeheart captures the evening's events on canvas.

All photos by Paul Rifkin.

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Bourne Braves' Doran Park Sees the Lights

Bourne Braves’ Doran Park Sees the Lights

   Left to right, John Doran, executive director, Doran Family Foundation), Tom Fink (president,  Bourne Braves), Kevin Farr (superintendent, Upper Cape Tech), and Barry Motta (former superintendent, Upper Cape Tech).

Special Lighting Ceremony Scheduled

BOURNE – The lights will go on at a special lighting ceremony on June 11th at 8 p.m. at Doran Park, home of the Bourne Braves and the Upper Cape Tech Rams.  Representatives from the Bourne Braves, Upper Cape Tech, the Cape Cod Baseball League, and members of the Doran family will be on hand to celebrate the new lights that will make night games at Doran Park an exciting addition to this summer’s Bourne Braves season. 

The Bourne Braves will play there first ever game under the lights at 7pm on Saturday, June 13, 2008 when they take on the Harwich Mariners. All Bourne home games Monday through Saturday will be played at 7pm and Sunday games will be played at 2pm.

Approximately one year ago, the Doran family made a generous contribution toward the purchase and installation of lights for the ball field.  On July 8, 2007 Doran Park was dedicated and named in honor of George Doran, Sr., a long-time Sagamore Beach resident and avid baseball fan. 

According to John Doran, a resident of Sagamore Beach and Wellesley, MA, “My father used to bring my siblings and me to watch Braves (then the Clouters and Canalmen) games after work.  There was always a certain magic to seeing a baseball game on a summer’s evening under the lights.  These lights and this field are a tribute to my father and all those wonderful memories that he gave us.”

With additional funds needing to be raised for other projects at Doran Park, a capital campaign has been launched to raise $250,000.  “We want Doran Park to be a model for other Cape Cod Baseball League fields,” John remarked.  If everyone would step up to the plate – local businesses and fans – we can make Doran Park a true field of dreams that will be enjoyed by this and many generations to come.”

The public is invited to attend the lighting ceremony.  Doran Park is located at the Upper Cape Tech Regional High School at 220 Sandwich, Rd. in Bourne, MA.

Visit the Bourne Braves website here.

Release courtesy of Conover & Company.

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Cape League to Host U.S. Military All-Stars at Harwich and Y-D June 7-8

U.S. Military All-Stars return to the Cape for the fourth year during the 19th annual Red White & Blue Tour of America

For the fourth straight year, the U.S. Military All-Stars will invade Cape Cod for two weekend baseball games as part of their 19th annual “Red, White and Blue Tour of America” presented by Nokona Baseball Factory. This unique team, which features players from all services and the U.S. Coast Guard and is the only combined Armed Forces squad in the world, will visit an impressive 40 states and four countries this summer.

The U.S. Military All-Stars will play two exhibition games against teams comprised of players from each of the 10 Cape Cod Baseball League franchises. The first game will take place Saturday, June 7, at Harwich’s Whitehouse Field beginning at 7 p.m. Game two will be Sunday, June 8, at Red Wilson Field in South Yarmouth, starting at 4 p.m.

U.S. Military All-Star Weekend is sponsored by Curry College, the U.S. Army, Eye Health Services and the 99 Restaurants. Both games will also feature the Army's climbing wall, which will be set up next to the field. The military squad’s players will also make numerous appearances during their stay on the Cape, concluding Monday when they visit area schools and tour the Barnstable Bat Co.

"We are delighted to host the Military All-Stars for the fourth year,” said CCBL senior vice president and Military Games Committee chairman Jim Higgins. “Given the sacrifice that the military players make to provide a life that we all enjoy, it is fitting that we provide a venue that reflects our appreciation and gratitude. Our host families that have welcomed the players into their homes in past years are anxious to see if they will greet a familiar face or meet a new member of the military. Host families are vital to our success and help make this event a tremendous way to kick off the Cape Cod Baseball league season!"

The U.S. Military All-Stars recently returned from the first-ever Baseball Friendship Tour in Central America on behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Presented by U.S. Southern Command and the State Department, the team was led by former major leaguers Pedro Guerrero, Elias Sosa and Omar Moreno. While touring Central America, they conducted free clinics for thousands of children and competed against national teams in the Dominican Republic, Panama and Nicaragua.

With the recent celebration of Memorial Day and U.S. military personnel still deployed overseas in harm’s way, the CCBL will provide an opportunity for the local community to pay tribute to U.S. troops during what promises to be a memorable and patriotic weekend of baseball and pageantry that brings together more than 70 Cape League players and coaches from all over the country for games against military players from all over the world.

Fielding a competitive squad continues to be a challenge for the U.S. Military All-Stars, particularly during this time of conflict in the Middle East. Many of the players on this year’s roster have served one or multiple tours in the war on terror. Some will arrive back from Iraq on game day, while others will ship out immediately following the last out.

When asked about the dramatic turnover in players, U.S. Military All-Stars founder Lt. Cmdr. Terry Allvord said, “Our mission is to promote the awareness of Americans in support of our troops with a constantly changing roster. Military players need to be competitive from the moment they step off the plane after years of not playing baseball and in many cases a year or more spent deployed overseas.

“The interesting thing is how many of our players make every effort to join the team in time for the Cape games. They all know that we compete against some of the very best players in the country. That’s probably the attraction, along with the history and tradition of the Cape. CCBL officials, families and fans have been so supportive over the years that it’s no wonder one of our favorite places to visit is Cape Cod. We greatly appreciate the time and effort spent on our behalf. Thank You!”

The Saturday game’s CCBL contingent will be led by Harwich Mariners field manager Steve Englert, while Scott Pickler, field manager of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, will take over the reins for game two on Sunday afternoon.

Many CCBL players will be selected by Deputy Commissioner Sol Yas and CCBL general managers at the Frank Finn CCBL Tryout in Wareham on Saturday, May 31.

The return to Cape Cod of the “Red, White and Blue Tour of America” brings together two organizations that proudly symbolize our nation’s great sense of patriotism and tradition. This special series allows the Cape communities to come together and see some of the finest young athletes in the nation compete in our American pastime.

The tour is rewarding for everyone involved, whether they attend an event or volunteer. They will have an opportunity to learn more about the U.S. armed forces at a grass-roots level. The phrase coined by Lt. Cmdr. Allvord, “Hustle, Think, Win,” runs deep in a time where opportunities for us to support our troops and teach our children about patriotism is limited to parades and parents taking the time to share with their children how they feel about being an American.

In addition to playing competitive baseball, the military team has joined forces with Operation Gratitude, a worldwide charitable organization serving all branches of the military. The U.S. Military All-Stars will accept donation to help Operation Gratitude send care packages to our troops overseas. More than 400,000 -- and counting -- have already been sent at a cost of $10 each.

“This year, especially with rising fuel prices and players paying their own travel expenses and participating while off-duty, the schedule of 350 appearances will be difficult,” said Allvord. “A constantly changing roster of more than 130 different players due to operational commitments makes it tough to find a cap that fits, much less organize bunt coverages. But somehow this unique band of American heroes finds a way to execute the mission – they find a way to compete and often to win against significantly superior opponents. Sound familiar? You bet! It’s the American way and that’s what makes the U.S. Military All-Stars and this tour very special!

To learn more about the Military All-Stars’ “Red, White and Blue Tour of America,” visit their web site, www.usmilitaryallstars.us, or click on their link on the Cape Cod League’s web site, www.capecodbaseball.org.

Release courtesy of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

About the U.S. Military All-Stars: The U.S. Military All-Stars are a 501(C)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the tradition of baseball in the Armed Forces. They participate while off-duty; cover their own expenses and decline government funding to ensure all available resources support our brave men and women overseas. The majority of the players selected each year have been deployed in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism. They represent some of the most talented athletes in the armed forces selected from thousands of personnel worldwide. In addition to playing highly competitive baseball, the team has joined forces with Operation Gratitude a worldwide charitable organization serving all branches of the military. We have helped them send over 400,000 care packages to our troops. In 2007, the U.S. Military All-Stars partnered with Louisville Slugger to conduct Operation Slugger II sending over 20 tons of sporting equipment to troops overseas.

About the Cape Cod Baseball League: Beginning its 124th season in 2008, the 10-team Cape League originated in 1885 with individual town teams, was reorganized into the Cape Cod Baseball League in 1923 with teams in Chatham, Falmouth, Hyannis and Osterville and is now the premier collegiate baseball summer league in the country.

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Wanted: Reliable Bat Boys & Bat Girls, 10 years old and up

Cape Cod Baseball League seeks bat boys and girls

Wanted: reliable boys and girls, 10 years old and up, some travel. Must be attentive and be able to focus. Reward: You may be spending a lot of time with a future Baseball Hall of Famer. Each team has different needs, ranging from five or six to as many as 12 to 15 youngsters who will rotate throughout the 44 game regular season.

That's the D-Y Red Sox bat boy in the center on right during his team's celebration as 2007 League Champions.

According to a story in the Mattapoisett Sentinel Christine Kraus, coordinator for the Falmouth Commodores, says preference goes to the child of a host family, followed by Falmouth residents.

Bourne General Manager, Mike Carrier, says some families just can’t take on a player for the summer, so that won’t keep anyone from becoming a batboy or batgirl for the Braves.

Anyone interested in becoming a batboy or batgirl can contact: Bourne, Mike Carrier; Cotuit, Sue Pina; Falmouth, Christine Kraus; Hyannis, Kim Wolfe; Y-D, Nadine and Bob Mayo.

CCBL website.

Other recent CCBL news:

• Chatham Hits a Grand Slam with Baseball Expo
• Former Cape Leaguers Casey, Kielty, Youkilis & Aardsma Signed By Boston Red Sox
• Press Box at Wareham's Spillane Field to Become “John Wylde Press Box” in Opening Day Ceremonies
• Cape League Tryout: Wareham, 31 May 2008
• All-Star Game Returns to Chatham in 2008

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The holiday season brings lights to the Hyannis Mets

The Holiday Season Brings Lights to Hyannis Mets!

story and photos by Peter Robbins

If you build it, they will come goes without saying. McKeon Field, home of the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League, has been hosting future stars for years, always during the daylight hours.

That changed earlier this month, despite 20-degree temperatures and blustering winds, with the installation of a state-of-the-art lighting system by the Hyannis Athletic Association its team of volunteers.

Under the watchful eye of John Brewer and HAA board member Everett Martin, the poles were lifted into place by Brewer's expertise and crew. Once the poles were placed over the piling, Brewer took up position on his back at a pre-determined point and directed the crane for proper alignment of each bank of lights.

The field that day resembled an outdoor skating rink, requiring some to wear ice spikes over their shoes.

The Mets unofficial mascot has long been the osprey, thanks to a family of them that took up residence atop an outfield pole, offering a birds' eye view of the action, and providing some action of their own for the fans, their comings and goings sometimes rivalling the game itself for attention. Construction of a permanent platform on top of one of the new poles is underway, a testament to the role of the osprey in the team's plans for the future.

The Cape Cod Baseball League's slogan, "Where the stars of tomorrow shine tonight," will be even more appropriate next summer in Hyannis. A ceremonial lighting is planned for the near future. 

Visit the Mets' homepage for more images and information here.

A family man, former deputy sheriff, boat captain, carpenter, private investigator and avid photographer, Peter Robbins is a longtime supporter of the Hyannis Mets. 

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New Mexico Governor Richardson, Cotuit Kettleers 1967

Richardson talks up Obama and Matsuzaka
NM Governor once pitched in the CCBL

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson believes the Democratic Party needs a “free-spirited” primary for the presidential nomination.

But he won’t decide until next month whether he will be part of that contest. In an interview with the Globe, Richardson said it would be good if Senator Barack Obama joined the presidential race. Even though it might hurt his own chances to be the nominee, Richardson said an Obama campaign would bring in new voters.

“I am not among those praying he doesn’t get in,” Richardson said. “He brings a measure of excitement that is really good for us as a party, and I think the party needs a free-spirited primary”... Richardson, a life-long Red Sox fan, said he was also very hopeful about the Sox’s newest acquisition, Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Japanese pitcher.

“I hope this makes up for the loss of Pedro [Martinez],” said Richardson, who pitched in the famed Cape Cod Baseball League... Read the Globe story here.

The CCBL web site reports "Richardson has fond memories of 1967, his one season in the Cape League, and retains ties to it. A sophomore at Tufts University at the time, he was a middle reliever "with a pretty good ERA and strikeout ratio. But I wasn't destined to go to the majors." 

He recalls rooming with the Savery family in Cotuit while playing for the Kettleers. "I used to do landscaping to pay for the room and board. We had to work pretty hard," he said...

Bill remembers Thurman Munson too 

One of Richardson's memories (maybe not a fond one, but one he talks about) is the home run Hall of Famer Thurman Munson hit off him while with the Chatham A's. "Munson was one of the best hitters in the league. I served him one of my best fastballs and I think it's still going," he laughed... Read the CCBL story here.

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Daisuke Matsuzaka, Bourne Braves?

I couldn't think of a better title.  Sadly, the chances of us seeing Daisuke Matsuzaka in the Cape League are pretty much Slim and None... and ol' Slim just left town, pal. 

The Sox basically dropped the 2003 defense budget for the nation of Latvia (I actually looked this up) for the rights to negotiate and sign this Japanese fireballer. They're not gonna let him wreck his elbow throwing off a dune in a cowtown park. I can't even see him pitching in Pawtucket. He's Show-Ready.

It's his loss, though. The Japanese tourists I see on Cape Cod usually seem to be enjoying themselves. There's plenty of cool things to take pictures of. He'd appraciate the time at the beach, and fried clams would most likely surge to the top 10 of his favorite American foods. He might even get laid. That's worth 3 innings a week.

It's also a shame that we fans of the Cape League don't get to see Daisuke Matsuzaka pitch, especially in the intimate setting our parks provide. You'd be able to tell if he does one of those Bruce Lee screams as he throws a heater. You could learn how to say "hello" in Japanese (pronounced "こんにちは," incidentally), teach your kids to yell it at him... and he'd most likely hear it and wave to them.

Maybe he'd even buy them a hot dog. He can afford it. Maybe we could, too. He'd most likely- by his mere presence in the Cape League, let alone by attention drawn to his North American professional debut- bring throngs of tourist dollars to the Cape. Somebody'd better figure out Clam Sushi.

Some other things I'd like to have seen from 50 yards away without dropping $1000 and sitting with 40,000 screaming Boston drunkards:

- If a batter takes exception to Daisuke Matsuzaka (who we will call either "Dice" or "DAM," because I have no intention of writing Daisuke Matsuzaka for the rest of this article... let alone the 6 year length of his contract) throwing at him and charges the mound... will Dice fight in typical baseball fistfight style, or will he utilize martial arts?

- Dice and a catcher mixing up the signals,the catcher trotting out for a conference... and a translator running out from the dugout.

- If Dice started here, he'd become one of "ours," and we'd have added incentive to root for him. I'm talking about the same vibe one may associate with a popular neighborhood pol gone national. 

- The Gyroball.

This is the best part about Dice. He's supposedly one of the very few pitchers capable of throwing the Gyroball, which is a new sort of pitch. Reputedly developed by Japanese scientists, it is described as a wicked breaking slider with a bullet-like tumble to it.

There's even some mystery to it. Many people doubt the existence of the pitch. The Japanese have a strange sense of humor. It may amuse Dice to have his opponents studying hours of tape, hoping to pick up insight on how to deal with a pitch that he doesn't actually throw.

If the Japanese aren't mistaking a breaking ball and this new pitch exists, I'm happy that the Sox foes are the ones who'd have to deal with it. From what I've seen, it somehow seems to start breaking outside before curving back in.

See for yourself. Here is purported video of the Gyroball... and yes, I do feel like I'm trying to run Loch Ness Monster footage past you:

YouTube - Daisuke Matsuzaka Gyroball

Now... that's a pretty sweet pitch. Still, if I got a good turn on it, I could bash that s*** into Wellfleet. Dice may be hot stuff back in Seibu or wherever, but  he's off the porch with the big dogs now.

Just kidding. I'd most likely drop the bat, squeal, and cover my face with both arms if a pitch broke like that on me, but I'm French.

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Jeff Maier, the guy that robbed the O's of the championship, is here, Wareham's Joe Caf dies at 67

Overzealous fan is all grown up, looking for work
Jeffrey Maier spent the summer scouting CCBL for Gammons

Jeffrey Maier, the kid who reached over the Yankee Stadium fence and turned Derek Jeter's fly ball into a home run in the 1996 ALCS against the Orioles, is at baseball's winter meetings, too, all grown up and looking to land a job.

His action "altered the course of Game 1" as the home run allowed the Yankees to tie the score. They would go on to win the game and the series. 

In October 9, 1996, the Yankees trailed the Orioles 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning when shortstop Derek Jeter hit a deep fly ball to right field. Right fielder Tony Tarasco moved near the fence and "appeared to have a bead on the ball" when the then-12 year old Maier reached over the fence separating the stands and the field of play 9 feet below and deflected the ball into the stands.

While baseball fans are permitted to catch (and keep) balls hit into the stands, if "a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball", spectator interference is to be called. 

Now he may scout for the team he messed up 

He has approached Baltimore for a job. No word on how that went. But time has healed the wound enough for Pat Gillick, then the Orioles general manager, to have his assistant with Philadelphia, Ruben Amaro Jr., meet with Maier, according to Yahoo.com.

He's got a sit-down with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, and Peter Gammons is trying to get him face-to-faces with a few other teams. After not getting drafted this year, Maier spent the summer scouting the Cape Cod League for Gammons, the site reported. Now 23, Maier turned his nights on the Cape into a spiral-bound report he's handing out to prospective employers. He also recently played the stunt double for the Graig Nettles character in the movie adaptation of "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx Is Burning."

"I can't help it if my name rings a bell," Jeff Maier said yesterday. "It's a name that's going to be a part of baseball lore forever. I'm not changing my name. So it's sort of been one of those things where people are working in baseball at any end - be it a fan, a member of the media, front office, a player - they're going to recognize my name.

He wants to be the youngest GM ever in the majors

"If they choose to look at the work that I've done and consider me an adequate candidate to fill a position, then that's great. But I certainly don't think it's going to be a situation where my name will get me a position in itself." Now 23, Maier wants to become a general manager of a baseball team. He wants to break the record set in October 2005 by Jon Daniels, who became the game's youngest GM (28 years, 41 days) when he took over the Texas Rangers... Read the rest of this Newsday story here, and comment below.
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Wareham's Joe Cafarella will be missed
Gatemen GM 1976-1984 died November 22nd

His official retirement date was June 30, 1995. That's the day Joe Cafarella was supposed to walk away from Wareham High School for the final time. In reality, the man everyone knew as "Joe Caf" never left.

Retirement may have taken the man out of Wareham High School, but nothing could take the school he so dearly loved out of Joe Caf. Another chapter in a storied career had been written — memories of a teacher, coach and athletic director all spanning an unforgettable 28-year journey. But the final chapter wouldn't be written until Nov. 22, 2006, when the man so many had come to love passed away. Joe Caf was just 67, and from all reports, died peacefully at home.

In his 23 years as athletic director (of Wareham H.S.), Joe upgraded the athletic program by adding seven new varsity sports to the girls' program, putting them on a par with the boys. Outside of school he coached the town's Teener and Cranberry League baseball teams, started the American Legion baseball program and, in 1976, he was appointed general manager of the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a position he held for eight years.  Read the rest of Buddy Thomas' eulogy in the Standard-Times here, and comment below.

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Don't wait till next summer to follow the CCBL

Interest in CCBL is year round both here and off cape
Cape League '07 season starts June 15, All Star Game July 28

The Cape Cod Baseball League season will start on Friday, June 15, 2007 and conclude Wednesday, Aug. 8. The All-Star Game will be held Saturday, July 28 (rain date July 29) at a TBA site and the playoffs begin Friday, Aug. 10.

The Cape League's official Web site set a usage record last year with over 17 million hits, 600,000 visitor sessions and 2.5 million page views during the summer months of June, July and August.

CCBL thrives Off Season

Nearly every day there's another story about CCBL  players being offered berths at another college or being drafted. Here's one from Corvallis CA and another from IvyLeagueSports in NJ.

CCBL Hall of Fame welcomes nine new inductees

Championships are often won because of an intangible force that draws its strength from unity, camaraderie and leadership. Mix that with the summer magic of Cape Cod, shake three times for maturity, inner growth, and a sense of gratitude. Add humor and humility and you have a window into this year's Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame inductees. Nine new members were inducted this past Saturday in the CCBLHOF in a opulent ceremony held, as always, hosted by Scott Wahle at the Chatham Bars Inn. There are now 71 members of the Hall in Sandwich at the Heritage Plantation... Read the rest of this story in The Cape Codder here.

See the past posts of Greg Shaw and Andrew Wirtanen here.

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