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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S Postage Paid Falmouth Publishing Co. Y-D Off To A Fast Start At 6-2 Yarmouth-Dennis is off to the hottest start in the Cape League. The Red Sox are stacked with talent; from at pitching staff led by second-year starter, and last year's co- Of The Year in the Cape League, Terry Doyle ( College), to the league’s leading hitter, Gordon Beckham (Georgia). Y-D Coach Scott Pickler has certainly done his homework, and it seems that once again the defending Cape League champion Red Sox might be the team to beat. But will the road to the 2007 championship through Red Wilson Field as it did last summer? If everyone stays healthy Y-D has a good chance to repeat. But to do so once again they will have to face down some very talented teams. In their corner the Red Sox have players like second base- man Joey Railey (U of San Francisco) leading off. Railey puts the ball in play and, not surprisingly, can run. He leads the team in runs scored. Sean Ochinko (LSU) is a tenacious /fi rst DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE baseman who is hitting over .300 and (Kentucky) A taste of Cape Cod. owns centerfi eld. There are few balls into his zip code that the speedy Cowgill doesn’t track down. In right fi eld the Red Sox have more speed and athleti- Luke Murton: cism with Johnny Ayers (). Ayers shocked and fans across the country Sticking To It when he was the fi rst to get a hit off Boston’s newest pitch- Page Two ing acquisition Daisuke Matzuska in . His brief moment of fame behind him, Ayers has settled into a groove with Y-D and is playing solid baseball. Fans of Coastal Carolina University know Bobby Gagg Bourne’s Man and soon, if they don’t already, Cape League fans and Major of “Steele” League Baseball scouts will be watching the sophomore Page Four right-hander more closely. Gagg has been almost untouch- able, allowing just four hits over 11 innings. And how about Steve Dodson (Georgia) and Scott Green (Kentucky), who have respective ERA’s of 2.19 and 0.90? These guys can pitch. Corey Snyder: Home So will Y-D repeat? There are nine other clubs in the Run King league that say 'no.' We’ll just have to watch. Meet The President Page Seven Dan Crowley, Editor 3

DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE Luke Murton is enjoying playing in the Cape League NFS Warrior Code: Whitecaps’ N 5IF&OUFSQSJTF Pages 5 4V T 4VNNFS 6OL  *UNE  9 4 OUR'UIDETOT UB HE#APE ST #OD"ASEBALL,EAGU Photo Highlights E S Pages 8-9 4UB "REWSTERS #OOK3ERVING After two starts, and 5P+S Fred Cusick: Game of the Week 11 , Page 11 Orleans Cardinals right- #USICK handed pitcher Brad 6OICEOF Boxberger has some of THE#APE Look for this issue online 3NYDER the top hitters in college (OME2UN+ING baseball shaking their 2EMEM2EMEMBEREDBERED @ www.capenews.net heads. While he doesn’t

02%3/2 4%$ have a win to show for 34!.$!2$ 530OSTAGE0AID On The Cover: Luke Murton of the . &ALMOUTH 0UBLISHI his work, Boxberger has NG#O Photo by Don Parkinson. been outstanding on the mound. He has faced 41 batters thus far, allowing only fi ve hits and no runs. His ERA stands at a perfect 0.00. A freshman out of the University of Southern Califor- publisher operations design services manager nia, he went 3-5 with an ERA of 3.20 this spring for the William Hough Chuck Borge Christine Stutzman Trojans. In 14 starts. and 90 innings of work, he gave up 78 hits, 32 earned runs, struck out 72 and walked sports editor sales manager design services 34. This year he earned Rivals.com All-America sec- Dan Crowley Chris Avis Linda Stewart ond team honors. Jill Spencer A Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week for USC, he was born photo editor Julia Balducci in 1988, the same year that current and former ma- sales Don Parkinson jor league players (Chatham), Jeromy Danielle Guay design & layout press supervisor Burnitz (Hyannis), (Wareham), Jeff Kent Dawn Mitchell Elisabet K. Rodrigues David Pittman (Cotuit), Mike Myers (Brewster), Tim Salmon (Cotuit), Trisha Herlihy J.T. Snow (Orleans), (Cotuit) and Frank Rebecca Whittingdon 50 Depot Avenue Thomas (Orleans) among others played on the Cape. Nancy Medeiros Enterp His father Rod Boxberger (12-1) pitched for the USC e ri Falmouth, MA 02540 Esther Buchanan h s 1978 national championship team that went 54-9 and e 508-548-4700 • 1-800-286-7744 Pam deLala T was named the MVP of the College . Falmouth • Mashpee • Bourne • Sandwich Fax: 508-540-8407 Thursday, June 28, 2007 SUMMER STARS 3 Life's Still Good For Luke Murton

BY RICH MACLONE Instead his batting average Life was good for Luke dipped 100 points and his Murton as a freshman at power numbers fell as well. Georgia Tech. The big fi rst He hit just .239, although he baseman/outfi elder for the did hit nine homers with 14 Ramblin’ Wreck was a one- doubles. man wrecking crew for his With that type of history, college team, hitting .339 one might expect Murton to for the year with some big be a ball of nerves, stran- power numbers, smacking gling the bat at the plate six homers and 44 runs bat- and ready to do the same ted in. to those around him. The That summer he came truth, though, is far from to Cape Cod to play in the that. country’s premier summer After drilling a ball out to baseball league and again right fi eld in batting practice, Murton put up some quality and lining one through the numbers. While his .234 bat- box in his fi nal cut, Murton ting average for the summer runs out to the fi eld and was not by any means earth dances around the infi eld shattering, it was a point of as his teammates fi nish up DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE pride after a tough start to their swings. He dares them Luke Murton of the Wareham Gatemen the season, which saw him to take aim at his linebacker- go hitless over his fi rst 23 like frame and smiles all the different things at the begin- on-deck circle and think, I’m days.” at-bats. way back to the dugout. ning, but I just didn’t feel going to get out here, you In Murton’s younger days, Murton, the younger broth- With the struggles he’s myself. It’s just a matter of tell yourself that. And then he spent a lot of time watch- er of the ’ Matt had, one might think he getting back into my own there’s other times when ing his big brother play Murton, who also played for doesn’t have much to be comfort zone and hopefully you’re in the batter’s box baseball. When Luke was in the Wareham Gatemen, was smiling about. Luke Murton, playing the way I think I can and you think, I’m probably junior high school, Matt was riding high as he got ready though, would beg to differ. play.” going to hit a here. tearing things up at Eagle’s for year No. 2 with the Yellow “You’ve got to (have fun). Hitting is a lot like the Sometimes, when you start Landing High. When Luke Jackets. The sweet-swing- You’re playing a game that stock market, past profi ts struggling, the game starts was tearing it up at Eagle’s ing right-handed hitter had you love, so you’ve got to do not guarantee future moving a little faster and Landing, Matt had moved experienced a great deal of have as much fun as you earnings. That’s why Mur- the balls a little smaller and onto Georgia Tech, where he success, and expected more can. Usually when you’re ton is going about things a little faster and it’s just a was a star. The elder Murton of the same. having fun, success is hap- the old fashioned way in his matter of slowing everything brother would then spend He didn’t get it, though. pening, so you want to keep quest to regain his stroke at down and getting comfort- some time playing for the Things went the other way it light-hearted and keep the plate. able,” he said. “I love be- Wareham Gatemen. Like for Murton as a sophomore. things in perspective. “I have confi dence in ing up there on a day when Matt, Luke did both of those As good as things were his Murton said that his strug- myself and in my ability to a guy’s throwing 90-miles things as well. He decided freshman year, they were the gles began at the start of the play the game. I think I have per hour, with good stuff, upon GT for college, and this exact opposite. The Georgia season and then manifested the ability to be a really good and you’re like ‘you know is his second summer just native struggled mightily and into something big. No mat- player. But it’s a matter of what, it doesn’t really mat- over the Bourne Bridge in doesn’t know why. Each trip ter what he tried, how he confi dence breeds success ter what he’s going to throw Wareham. to the batter’s box lacked tinkered with his swing, the and success breeds con- me because I believe what I While some might believe confi dence for Murton, and it results were not what he was fi dence. What comes fi rst, can do and I’m going to do that there is a lot of pressure just got worse. used to, and he admitted it the chicken or the egg? It’s it.’ Those are the better days to be the younger brother Expectations could not was frustrating. the kind of thing you have when you’re up at the plate. continually following in his have been higher. Murton “I just got into a rut and it to work through, come here That’s what you practice older brother’s footsteps, said that his coaching staff was hard for me to get out every day and work hard in and what you play for, those Continued on Next Page at GT believed he could hit of it. There was no consis- BP and know what you want near .400 for the spring sea- tency all year, I just couldn’t to do at the plate and ac- son, crack 20 homers and stay consistent. I tried some complish that.” drive in a plethora of runs. The good thing about downward trends is that 3,)$%INTO they are usually followed by upward ones. Murton, who is still fi ghting things at the plate right now early on in the Cape League season (1-for-19 through six games), said that when the going 1UALITY3EAFOOD is rough, it seems like the count is 0-2 when he steps to the plate. However, when 9OULLALWAYSBE3!&% times are good, they’re re- ally good, and those are the -6/$)ի%*//&3ի,*%441&$*"-4 times he lives for as a base- ball player. #PJMFE-PCTUFS4UFBNFST “Sometimes you’ll go up to the plate and be sitting in the $IFFTFDBLF'BDUPSZ$IFFTFDBLF &!,-/54( 3!.$7)#( To Subscribe 2TEs0ALMER!VE #OAST'UARD2OAD DAN CROWLEY/ENTERPRISE Call       Luke Murton wears #34 for the Gatemen and at Georgia WWWSEAFOODSAMSCOM Tech 508-299-8379 4 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 28, 2007 T.J. is Bourne’s Man of “Steele” Life’s Still Good BY DARIN WEEKS “That’s legit”. Continued from Page 3 might not be his If you happen to hear Luke insists that is not profession. There are no those words coming out of the case. guarantees in pro sports, the mouth of ’ Luke hopes that one even for the brother of a outfi elder T.J. Steele, it is day, he can follow his big leaguer. to be understood that he is brother’s footsteps once “I love the game, and I offering his highest praise. again, into the Major feel like I’m just blessed Since arriving in Bourne a Leagues. to play the game, but if it’s week ago, the University of “I know nothing else, so not what I’m supposed to Arizona Wildcat has shown it’s cool. I saw him play do with my life, then I’m that not even Kryptonite in high school, and went fi ne with that,” he said. could slow down a man to the same high school. “Right now, I feel like this who has hit .421 and domi- I saw him play in college, is where I’m supposed nated Cape League pitching and ended up going to the to be and this is what I’m through the fi rst six games same college, so it was supposed to be doing. of this summer. pretty cool to get to see If (pro baseball) is what The son of Tommy Steele, him and be around him ... happens in a year or two, a former member of the growing up with someone that’s great, but if not, NFL’s Houston Oilers, T.J. that that plays in the big there’s something else out grew up in an environ- leagues you just realize there. ment where the necessary that everyone puts their “It’s a dream, something ingredients of hard work pants on the same way.” I’d love to do, and it would and determination were The chance to play be awesome (playing pro ingrained in the heart of the big league baseball has ball). You never know what already physically gifted already been offered to can happen … you have athlete. Though he was the the recently-turned 21- live day by day.” son of a professional ath- year old. Murton was a If baseball doesn’t work lete, young T.J. never felt draft-eligible sophomore out, Murton has given the pressure to succeed in at Georgia Tech and was thought to other ventures. sports coming from either DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE selected in round No. 40 of While his major at school of his parents. Bourne’s T.J. Steele (Arizona) is off to a hot start at the plate. the draft by the New York is management, that’s “(Growing up the son of Yankees. The Yanks told not what he sees himself a professional athlete), I Murton that they would pursuing. “If I didn’t play don’t think that there was himself ranked as the 29th lowed him to college. monitor his progress over baseball, I think I’d really any kind of pressure,” best high school outfi elder “Arizona was my home- the summer before making like to do something with Steele said. “What it did in the country by Team One town team, I’ve lived there an offer to him. If that offer the ministry … my two was teach me a really good Baseball. my whole life,” explained comes later this summer passions right now are work ethic.” Ironically, when draft day Steele on his decision to join it will be decision time for that and baseball.” Like most players in the came, it would be another the Wildcats. “I got re- the youngest child of Bill And that other passion Cape League, success has Houston team, this time the cruited by New and and Sue Murton, who also is what helps drive him to followed Steele throughout Astros, who called looking Gonzaga, but it was always have a 23-year old daugh- succeed on the diamond. his athletic life. During his to employ another member been my dream to play for ter, Sarah. “If baseball was it for me, days at Canyon Del Oro High of the Steele family, this time the University of Arizona.” Murton believes that, I’d be dying right now. School in Arizona, Steele T.J. Despite overtures from After a freshman cam- most likely, another col- Don’t’ get me wrong, this picked up three varsity the Astros, and other col- paign that saw Steele hit lege season is in his spring was tough, and I’m baseball letters and earned legiate programs, he would a Pac-10 Conference-best future, but he would not working hard to get (back second team All-State in a fulfi ll his lifelong dream of .418 in conference games, rule out going pro after on track hitting). At the part of the country where wearing the cardinal red and he hit .323 with seven the Cape League fi nishes same time, you’ve got to outstanding ballplayers are navy blue of his hometown home runs and 47 RBI in up. “You can make a lot of keep things in perspec- as common as sunburns. University of Arizona. Not 57 games at Arizona during money up here in the Cape tive. Am I doing it for When he completed his surprising, the success he his sophomore campaign, Cod League, and I feel like myself, or am I doing it high school career, he found achieved in high school fol- helping to lead the Cats to if I play up to my poten- for Christ? By realizing a 42-17 record before fall- tial, like I think I can play, that it’s not all about you, ing to Wichita State in the (depending on what) the it helps put things in per- NCAA Regional. offer is, I might take it. But, spective.” With his season at school if I feel like there’s a lot left So Murton’s in an in- over, the next hurdle for for me to prove then I’ll go teresting position as he Steele to attack was the back for my junior year.” fi gures out which road he Cape League. So far he’s Where his baseball will travel. been impressed, especially odyssey eventually takes “What do I want to do with his Manager Harvey Luke Murton will be decid- with my life? Do I want Shapiro. ed down the line. He also to do what I want to do ÓFyqmpsf!Dbqf!Dpe!Uispvhi!Jdf!Dsfbn"Ô “(Shapiro) is a great coach acknowledges that when or do I want to do what who makes all the right all is said and done, there God wants me to do? !LL)CE#REAMAND)TALIAN'ELATO Gbmnpvui Izboojt! Continued on Next Page is a chance that baseball You don’t want the game Spdlz!Spbe! Ifbui!Cbs Sbdf -ADEON0REMISES to end. I love the game. When that pitcher’s out /0%.%6%29$!9 there on the mound, I -ON 4HUR  &RI  3AT  3UN  $ONT3TRIKE/UTˆ want to beat him as bad as he wants to beat me, Psmfbot 6OTEDONEOFTHE"%34 Cpvsof! 'ETTHE"EST4IRES(ERE Psfp .EW"USINESSESIN-ASSACHUSETTS Cvuufs! and I’m going to work Qfdbo hard to do that. But, %DITORS#HOICE!WARDFOR"EST)CE#REAM when it’s all said and BY#APE#OD,IFE-AGAZINE done, if my job’s not to beat him every day, then Dibuibn Csfxtufs Ibsxjdi! Cbtt!Sjwfs! Nbzàpxfs! Dpuvju CAPE & ISLAND TIRE CO. it is what it is.” Dipdpmbuf Cfssz Ib{fmovu Cmbdlcfssz Npdib Dpggff HYANNIS E. FALMOUTH ORLEANS E. WAREHAM Whatever it ends up 730 Bearses Way 735 Teaticket Hwy. 135 Route 6A 3057 Cranberry Hwy. being, Luke Murton will be (508) 775-6066 (508) 457-1300 (508) 255-9522 (508)291-7500 satisfi ed. Thursday, June 28, 2007 SUMMER STARS 5 Warrior Code For Whitecap’s Pitcher Ryan Cook It’s All About Battling BY MATTHEW M. BURKE practicing drills, which is Cook is a Californian, Brewster’s Ryan Cook has how Cook says he devel- which is evident by his thick pitched in two Cape League oped as a pitcher. accent. He is relaxed and contests thus far this sum- Cook adds that his friends pleasant, laughing often mer. In the fi rst, Cook was growing up were always while he speaks. When it spectacular, recording 11 baseball players, so it was comes to baseball however, in six innings, only all he knew. Until it was time he is all business. The smile giving up one hit and zero to get serious about baseball fades and he instantly grows earned runs. His in college for the Trojans, determined and focused. was live, sinking without a Cook was a racecar driver, He says that he isn’t satis- moments notice, and danc- running sprint cars on oval fi ed after fi nishing with a ing in the Orleans night sky. dirt tracks. 5.06 ERA in 2007. “My ERA Despite his strong outing, Cook’s freshman season wasn’t good,” he said mat- Brewster lost to the Cardi- for USC, he went 4-4 in ter-of-factly. “It was great in nals, 1-0, on Opening Day. 15 games, chalking up 31 the beginning, but a couple In his second outing, Cook strikeouts and a 5.97 ERA of things got off in my me- admits he didn’t have his best in 69 and a third innings chanics in the second half of stuff, but the six foot, two pitched. He walked 34, giv- the year, and I was battling, inch USC sophomore battled, ing up 49 runs (46 earned) getting back. I didn’t really recording four more strikeouts on 93 hits. This season Cook have my best stuff at all for (At press time, Cook was one improved, going 7-4, also in the second half of the year.” behind Harwich’s 15 games. He struck out 52 Cook’s coaches at USC Danny Farquhar for the league on his way to a 5.06 ERA in got him involved with the lead) over fi ve and a third in- 90 and 2/3 and he walked 27 Cape League this sum- nings, giving up only four hits over the course of the sea- mer, something that Cook and three earned runs. Brews- son. Cook gave up 59 runs is grateful for, calling it “an ter defeated Wareham 8-7 on (51 earned) on 114 hits. unbelievable opportunity.” June 21. But better just isn’t good By coming to the Cape, Whitecaps skipper Bob enough for Cook. “I had an Cook hopes that his fortunes Macaluso said that despite okay freshman year, I mean, turn and 2008 is his com- Cook’s own admission that he it wasn’t anything to be ing out party as one of the didn’t have his best stuff in his happy with,” he says after Pac-10’s top pitchers. “I’m DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE second start, which includes jogging the warning track hoping that my junior year is Brewster’s Ryan Cook (USC) has Cape hitters guessing. both a two and a four-seam at the Stony Brook School my year,” he said with an air fastball, a , a change-up, Field, one day after his of sincerity. He just hopes to Cook says that he is two-year veteran Whitecap’s and a , Cook fought second Cape League start, a be able to perform this sum- learning a lot from all of the catcher Ryan Babineau hard, not giving up many hard beard starting to grow in. “It mer for Coach Mac while still talented players and knowl- came out to the mound hit , and even had wasn’t anything to frown on resting his arm after logging edgeable coaches that are in early in the contest (after a improved velocity. ... And then I had a little bit a lot of innings at SoCal this the league. Brewster pitch- strikeout) to tell Cook that he Thus far, Cook, who says better of a year this year.” past season. ing coach Phil Davidson has was standing up and wasn’t that he hasn’t lived up to his already helped him stay over fi nishing his pitches. full potential in his fi rst two the rubber more when he “I was like, ‘Wow,’” Cook seasons at USC, has shown Man of “Steele” pitches, and has instructed said. “That just tells you the signs of a breakthrough Cook not to jump out toward kind of baseball kids that are junior season at the Pac-10 Continued from Page 4 the plate. out here. The catcher at this baseball powerhouse, and moves,” said Steele. “He’s got a very different style from Cook adds that he had one level can already look and has been one of the reasons (Arizona Manager) Andy Lopez, but Shapiro is always there of the best experiences that see what I’m doing wrong that the Whitecap’s starting to help you when you need it.” he’s ever had on the fi eld as he’s trying to catch my pitching is the best in the Despite his hot start, Steele judges himself not by his sta- during his second start when Continued on Next Page league thus far this summer tistics, but by something instilled early in his life by his father, (Brewster leads the league in hard work and effort. Though many Cape Leaguers set goals team pitching with a collec- such as a title or All-Star appearance, Steele’s tive 2.22 ERA through eight goals are less quantifi able when looking at a stat sheet. “My goals this summer are to have fun and try my best,” MADNESS contests). Cook is a warrior and has admits Steele. “I’m not a ‘stat guy’ and the way I see it, Ê ˆâ՘œÊ*Àœ`ÕVÌÃÊ"˜Ê->i shown that he can fi ght whatever happens in my career happens.” through his worst days and Although this “Man of Steele” wears a “B” on his cap Ê ˆâ՘œ Ê ˆâ՘œ still give his team a chance rather than an “S” on his chest, Steele’s impact to a to win. On his best days, he Braves team that won just nine games a year ago to a - Ê>˜`Ê // Ê"6 -Ê can be dominating. team that is leading the Western Division is just as impor- -"/ Ê  /- >˜`Ê Ê"6 - “[Last night] I didn’t have tant. Needless to say, his effort so far this summer would my best stuff so I had to be “legit” in anyone’s book. battle,” he said. “My fi rst Îä¯Ê" Óä¯Ê" outing I had my best stuff so, it wasn’t easy, but it was Ài>ÌÊÃiiV̈œ˜Êˆ˜ÊÃ̜VŽÊvœÀÊÌ iÊLi}ˆ˜˜iÀÊ̜ easier than last [time].” Cook hails from Clovis, Ì iÊ«Àœ]ʈ˜VÕ`ˆ˜}ÊvՏÊÜvÌL>Êˆ˜iÊvœÀÊ}ˆÀÃ° California, a small country town right outside of Fresno. At the age of three, he was #HECKOUTOURSHOP given a bat and glove set from his father. As a kid, 9OULLLOVE father and son were com- WHATYOUSEE petitive, and would throw 7EST-AIN3TREETq(YANNIS -! the ball back to each other   q    harder and harder while SS 6-27 +7**0.)8(43*[&3>5:7(-&8* &AX   6 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 28, 2007 It’s All About Battling Continued from Page 5 game. That goes for every- body here. The guys on this team are incredible baseball players, and it’s easy to pitch when you got all that behind you.” Coach Macaluso says that Cook is an aggressive pitcher, and his fastball is his best pitch because of its move- ment; Cook agrees. The righty throws an 89-91 mph fastball that sinks and dances. He keeps hitters guessing by commanding both sides of the plate. Cook throws two seam to his arm side of the plate and four-seam- ers to his glove side. He jams right-handed hitters when MATT BURKE/ENTERPRISE the fastball sinks, coming Ryan Cook has opened the summer season as one of the hot- right inside on the hands. He test pitchers on the Cape. mixes in sliders and off-speed pitches as well to keep hitters or eight innings. He added reminds him of home, and off balance. that Cook will have the oppor- the team he’s playing for “He’s doing very well for tunity to work with Davidson this summer is the most us,” Coach Macaluso said. to improve on a daily basis, talented ballclub he has ever “He’s tough to hit.” Coach and he said that he will work been a part of. He swears Mac applauded Cook for with the pitchers personally that Brewster would win a keeping his pitches out on their approach and de- National Championship if of the middle of the plate. meanor on the ballfi eld. they were a school team. He “Both [of his fastballs] have Coach Mac hopes that is just excited to be apart of a lot of movement. He’s got Ryan can help the team it all. good off-speed stuff; his win ballgames this summer “The caliber of the base- slider’s pretty good.” and hopefully propel the ball players that are here is Coach Macaluso added Whitecaps into the playoffs. unbelievable,” Cook said. that as the season progress- “Ryan’s key [to our suc- “Its one of the best league’s es, Cook and the rest of the cess],” he said. “Hopefully in the country. I’m pretty ex- Brewster pitching staff will be he’ll be our top starter [this cited to come here and see expected to go deeper into summer].” what I can do, see if I can’t games, perhaps even seven As for Cook, Cape Cod open some eyes.”

DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE Kevin Hoef (Iowa) of the Bourne Braves leads SSwingingwinging WWithith WWoodood the league in hitting with an average of .433 after the fi rst SSwingingwinging WWithith WWoodood eight games. BY DAN CROWLEY Gordon Beckham, out of University of Iowa sopho- There are some guys out the University of Georgia, more Kevin Hoef plays third there that have hit a groove who hit .307 his sophomore base for the Bourne Braves. ##",0LAYERS working with wood. Wood season with the Bulldogs. With the Hawkeyes this bats can whittle down bat- This summer, after his fi rst spring Hoef hit an even .300 0,!9YOUR0%23/.!,"%34!,7!93 ting averages as can some week in the Cape League, with aluminum and slugged of the best college pitching Beckham has shown that .365. When he picked up talent in the nation. However, he is a hitter with whatever the wood he settled into a !RAS4RANSPORTATION4OURS a few Cape League hitters he swings as his average groove at the plate that has Your.ANTUCKET'UIDE have shown an early love for stood at .424. At Georgia him hitting 123 points higher. ARASTOURSCOM lumber. this spring he hit 13 home Hoef is second in the Cape Leading the list after one runs. In the opening week of League in average after    week in the Cape League is the Cape League season he seven games with an aver- Yarmouth-Dennis already has three. age at the plate of .423. Coming from Maine, one would think Kevin McAvoy !RT#AMP GLMPHVIR YRHIV " ",/ Ê"1,Ê ,/ \ understands a little bit about 7ORKSHOPS &!-),9$!9  *Ê 7, - lumber, as he apparently &VMRK8LI/MHW &2%% !UGUST EHYPXWEHQMWWMSR does. Third in the league in 4REASURE(UNT i“œÀ>Lˆˆ>Ê>˜`Ê>À̈v>VÌÃÊvÀœ“ÊLivœÀi]Ê`ÕÀˆ˜}Ê>˜`Ê>vÌiÀÊ7œÀ`Ê7>ÀÊ hitting after one week, McA- MRXLI+EPPIVMIW F]HSREXMSR8LYVWHE] / ˆÃÊiÝ ˆLˆÌʈÃÊ>ÊVœœ«iÀ>̈ÛiÊivvœÀÌÊÜˆÌ ÊÌ iÊ«Àœ«œÃi`Ê >«iÊ œ`Ê ˆˆÌ>ÀÞÊ ÕÃi‡ voy hit .271 with the Black FIEYX] MRWTMVEXMSR GSQQYRMX] IRVMGLMRK SYV PMZIW ՓÊ>˜`ÊÌ iÊ œÕÀ˜iʈÃ̜ÀˆV>Ê-œVˆiÌÞ]ÊiÝ ˆLˆÌˆ˜}ʓi“œÀ>Lˆˆ>Ê>˜`Ê>À̈v>VÌÃÊvÀœ“Ê Bears up north before joining LœÌ °Ê/ iÊÀivÕÀLˆÃ i`Ê“« ˆLˆœÕÃÊ ÕVŽÊˆÃʜ˜ÊÌ iʏ>ܘʜÕÌÈ`iÊÌ iÊ i˜ÌiÀ° the Chatham A’s where he œ˜>Ì >˜Ê œÕÀ˜iʈÃ̜ÀˆV>Ê i˜ÌiÀ has swung wood at an even .400 clip. ÎäÊii˜iÊ-ÌÀiiÌ]Ê œÕÀ˜i Fourth in hitting after one ,34)0%2)3**6398)%()22-7ˆ / ˆÃÊiÝ ˆLˆÌʓ>ÞÊLiÊۈiÜi`Ê œ˜`>ÞÃÊ>˜`Ê/ÕiÃ`>ÞÃʙÊ ʇÊÓ\ÎäÊ* ]Ê week is Harwich’s Cole 132(%=8,697%896(%=792(%=ˆ[[[GGQSESVK 7i`˜iÃ`>ÞÃÊÈ\ÎäʇÊn\ÎäÊ* ʜÀÊLÞÊ>««œˆ˜Ì“i˜Ì° Continued on Next Page Thursday, June 28, 2007 SUMMER STARS 7 “I Don’t Think that Record will Ever be Broken” Former Harwich Coach Steve Ring Remembers , the Home Run King

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE “The Thrill” Clark (HOF class until 1985, but so did four of recruiting Snyder to play for at Puritan Clothing so that The 1983 season was of 2004). the top fi ve hitters in the all- him out of Brigham Young he could watch his son play magical for Harwich coach Ring said that they were time home run category. Ac- University as a sophomore, all summer long, and he got Steve Ring. Not only did his facing elimination, down 5-3 cording to Ring, he would put where Snyder batted third, Cory a job working for him, Mariners club win the Cape in Game 5, with two outs Snyder’s record up against protecting the BYU cleanup making deliveries, at Ring League Championship, but in the ninth inning. Twice any home run hitter in league hitter and future Major Brothers, so Cory Snyder Ring made lifelong friends, the Cotuit players were on history, “wood or metal,” and Leaguer Wally Joyner. became a Mariner. and won while doing the right the top steps of the dug- he says that Snyder, who is Ring said that he got “My fi rst impression was thing, something that doesn’t out ready to celebrate after now a Cape League Hall of Cory’s father, Jim, a former that he was a super kid,” always happen in the realm of logging two strike counts, Famer (class of 2003), would minor leaguer, a sales job Continued on Page 10 competitive sports. and twice, the Mariners rose still be king. Things were different in to the occasion, fi rst on a “I don’t think that record 1983 than they are now. Team double by Cape League will ever be broken,” Ring USA didn’t snipe players from Hall of Famer of said. “[Wood or metal], Cape League rosters at the Seton Hall (class of 2005), nobody ever came close to beginning of the season. Back which was followed by a that…There were balls that then they did it right before two-run homer by Stetson’s he’d hit that would have the league playoffs. John Pequignot, to tie the been out anywhere.” Coach Ring got the call game in the ninth. Ring fondly remembers from Team USA heading into After some small ball, with the game against Wareham the playoffs that year while a runner on second in the during the regular season in third place; they were after 10th inning, Johnny Sacco that summer in which Snyder his star home run hitter, Cory from St. John’s hit the game- hit three, two-run homers to Snyder. winning base hit for the defeat the Gatemen 6-1. He The friendly and enthu- Mariners, a looping line drive also recalls Snyder’s blast siastic coach had a tough that touched outfi eld grass. that cleared the light tower in decision to make. He could They had defeated Cotuit left-center fi eld at Whitehouse tell Cory that Team USA had three games to two, fi nishing Field, which he swears was come calling, but he risked the season with a 24-17-1 more than 500 feet. Cory was losing him for the team’s record. just that special. upcoming playoff run, or Ring was a champion, Coach Ring said that Cory he could “forget” that Team Harwich’s fi rst. And he had was one of the nicest kids he USA had called and possibly done it without Cory Sny- has ever coached. He said win a title, which would have der, a man who had broken that some kids were unap- been his fi rst, and would end the Cape League’s home proachable when it came to PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT PREW JR. up being his only title in six run record that year with 22 constructive criticism, but Cape League home run king Cory Snyder at his CCBL Hall of total seasons at the helm homers (six more than the not Snyder. He remembers Fame Induction. in Harwich (Ring coached two all-time second place Harwich for fi ve summers, fi nishers). The record stands from 1983-1988, and again to this very day, and appears SSwingingwinging WWithith WWoodood in 1992 for one, leaving both it will never be broken. SSwingingwinging WWithith WWoodood times to concentrate on his When reached last week, several businesses). Ring pulled out his scrapbook Ring, a former minor from that season, and it is Continued from Page 6 the Alaska League, with the this season. When he arrived leaguer in the dominated by press about the Figueroa. In his freshman Anchorage Bucs, but only on the Cape and picked up a organization, said that the right-handed hitter’s towering year at the University of Mi- played 14 games, hitting wood bat, the Crimson Tide “camaraderie” he experi- homers. Ring is still in touch ami Figueroa hit .332. Com- .147. After his fi rst week in sophomore began fl irting enced with his players was with Snyder and speaks about ing on strong toward the end the Cape League, with the with the .400 mark and after worth more to him than him, and the 1983 team, with of his fi rst week on the Cape, Hyannis Mets, Peterson is a week was hitting .357. any accolades, so he ap- pride; like a father talking the Harwich shortstop is hit- tearing it up to the tune of Rounding out the top proached Cory. Not only did about his children. ting .389. .375 at the plate. 10 hitters in week one he tell Cory that the National “It was unbelievable,” he University of Washington Pruitt hit .260 in his sopho- is University of Arizona Team was looking for him. said. “That was one of the junior fi rst baseman Matt more season for the Stetson sophomore T.J. Steele, the He told Snyder that, for his greatest games I’ve ever Hague is making a case for University Hatters. With a third member of the Bourne career, he had to leave and been involved with in my life a roster spot with the Fal- piece of wood in his hands Braves to make the list. suit up for the red white and ... Twice they were on top of mouth Commodores in the this summer he is hammer- Steele hit .323 with an alu- blue. the dugout steps, and twice league’s opening week. With ing the ball at a .375 clip. minum bat this spring for Ring says today, by phone we came through. Every one the Huskies Hague hit .353 Holding down the eighth the Wildcats and slugged from his Cummaquid home, of those guys came to play this spring with 13 home spot on the leader list of top .516. A week into his that he never would have every single night. The kids runs. As the Cape season 10 hitters on the Cape after summer on the Cape the been able to live with himself we had in 1983 played with goes along Hague is settling one week is Chatham’s Trey Bourne Braves outfi elder is had he not told Cory of the blood, sweat, and tears. We in and has posted a .381 Watten, a sophomore from swinging the bat at a .348. opportunity to play for his wanted it more than anyone. average. Division II Abilene Christian. Holding onto a top 10 spot country; so Snyder left the Without Cory’s 22 home runs, Brian Pruitt, of Bourne, Watten hit .351 for the Wild- in hitting as the summer club. we probably don’t get there.” and Shane Peterson, of Hy- cats with an aluminum bat. heats up will be diffi cult as In the playoffs that season, Cory Snyder is the home annis, share the sixth spot in Swinging a wood bat this several very good hitters sit the Mariners beat the Cotuit run king of the Cape Cod hitting after one week. summer for the A’s he has just a few percentage points Kettleers, a team featuring Baseball League with 22 hom- Long Beach State fi rst pushed his average at the back. Working with wood is that year’s batting champion, ers all-time, which is six more baseman Shane Peterson plate to .360 in the season’s only one of the challenges league MVP, playoff MVP, than Dave Staton, who hit 16 proved he can hit with alumi- opening week. that a Cape League season and current Cape League for Brewster in 1988, and Tim num this spring with a .327 Third baseman/designated presents. For now these 10 Hall of Famer Greg Lotzar Teufel, who hit 16 for Cotuit in average. He did have a little hitter , of the Har- hitters have earned them- (class of 2006), and former 1979. Sure, he did it with alu- practice last summer using wich Mariners, hit .296 with selves top ranking as some a wood bat with a stint in the University of Alabama of the best of the best. eMajor League All-Star Will minum bats, which were used 8 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 28, 2007 Work With Le

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DON PAR

Pitcher Keith Shinaberry (Texas) of the gives Cape League hitters a differ- ent look with a sidearm delivery.

Jake Oplitz (Nebraska) of the applies th Tech).

Shortstop Reese Havens (South Carolina) of Cotuit applies t Orleans Cardinals’ third baseman Chase D’Amaud (Pepperdine) gets the runner at fi rst. Michael Demperio (Texas). Thursday, June 28, 2007 SUMMER STARS 9 king eather

KINSON/ENTERPRISE

Harwich Mariners’ shortstop Cole Figueroa (Florida) has his eye on the ball.

he tag to Cotuit right fi elder Curtis Dupart (Georgia

Cotuit’s Tony Delmonico (Tennessee) makes a nice backhanded grab at shortstop for the Kettleers.

the tag at second base to Wareham Cotuit Kettleer catcher Aaron Baker (Oklahoma) blocks the plate as Steve Strausbaugh (Western Car- olina) of the Harwich Mariners goes into a slide. 10 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 28, 2007 Coach Ring Remembers Cory Snyder

Continued from Page 7 is currently the coach of the Ring said, remembering St. George Roadrunners of Snyder and his father getting the , off a Plymouth/Brockton bus a professional/independent from Logan holding mitts league, located in Utah. and bats in front of his Cape “I’m extremely happy for business headquarters. “You him,” Ring said. “He’s back couldn’t help but like him. He managing in pro ball; I think was personable, smart, and he’s happy.” talented.” Ring will never forget the kid Snyder arrived for his fi rst with the straight up stance, practice and during BP, he hit a slight upper cut swing, and about 19 balls over the fence extremely fast wrists that at Whitehouse Field. Ring could power a ball out of the knew he had something spe- park effortlessly. He says that cial on his hands. And Snyder Snyder was just a natural. had an arm to go along with A few years after Cory his stick, playing shortstop became a professional, Ring and third base for the Mari- took his son Jason to Fenway ners that year (He started out Park to see the Red Sox play in the infi eld in Cleveland but the Indians, and he said that was moved to the outfi eld they waited for Cory outside after several seasons.). the visitor’s clubhouse. Cory According to CCBL stats came out in full uniform to guru John Wylde, General meet his old coach. He had Manager of the Wareham made an errant sidearm throw Gatemen, Cory fi nished the to fi rst base from the infi eld 1983 CCBL season batting (before he was moved to the DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE Yarmouth-Dennis pitcher Bobby Gagg (Coastal Carolina) is one of the top performers in the .321 in 40 overall games with outfi eld) during the game. Be- Cape League. 165 at-bats. ing the coach that he is, Ring Snyder scored 47 runs brought it up. Cory wouldn’t (three behind the all-time let him fi nish. “I know… It record), had 53 hits, and 126 wasn’t overhand.” Notes From: The Cape League Summer total bases. He had fi ve dou- When Cory was inducted Y-D appearance in relief since fect frames earning a bles, one , 22 homers, into the CCBL Hall of Fame Red Sox his freshman season. This before getting a start and and 50 RBI’s. Snyder walked in 2003, he asked Ring to Yarmouth- spring he started 17 times picking up a win four days 21 times, struck out 46 times, introduce him. Ring couldn’t Dennis for the Chanticleers work- later. and had eight stolen bases in due to an annual trip to right-handed ing a total of 112 innings 1983. He fi nished with a .764 Aruba, but he said that he sophomore and compiling a 12-2 Cotuit and a was “fl ying high.” Just like a Bobby Gagg record. Opening Day Gagg Kettleers .394 on-base-percentage for Cory Snyder home run. out of Coastal Carolina was called on in the sixth It comes as 18th overall in the league in “Not only was he a great University hadn't made an inning. He tossed four per- no surprise hitting that year. player, but he was a great that the Cotuit Ring remembers the 1983 human being,” Ring said with Kettleers lead season fondly, with a glim- a smile. “He was a great role the lead in stolen bases. mer in his eye. He is still close model. I’m glad I got to know Coach Mike Roberts loves to to Cory to this day; Snyder him and still know him.” Snyder: Home Run King run and the team has swiped Cory Snyder played one der compiled an impres- 24 bases in the fi rst week year for the Mariners in sive 902 hits, had an on- of the Cape Cod Baseball 1983 before playing for base-percentage of .291, League season. Mike Bi- Team USA, the fi rst ever and a slugging percentage anucci (Auburn) leads the USA Olympic baseball of .425. club with seven steals in team (1984). One of Snyder’s best seven games. Snyder was a three time seasons was his rookie All American at Brigham year, in 1986, with the Bourne Young University. He would Indians, where he hit .272, Braves hit three homers on three with 24 homers, and 69 In 2006 Brian consecutive pitches in his RBI in 416 at-bats. He Leclerc (Flor- fi rst three at-bats for BYU. placed fourth that year in ida) led the In 1983 they were ranked Rookie of the Year voting. Bourne Braves No. 1 in the nation. The next season, Snyder in stolen bases with 10. This He would win a silver hit 33 homers and had 82 year just six games into the medal in the 1984 Summer RBI. In 1988 he led the season temporary player Games in Los Angeles with in out- Ben Guez (William & Mary) Team U.S.A. Snyder was fi eld assists. has swiped six. drafted fourth overall in From 1986-1988, Snyder 1984. hit over 20 homers, and Orleans In nine Major League missed the mark by two in Cardinals seasons with the Indians, 1989. Snyder averaged a After White Sox, Blue Jays, Gi- home run every 25th at-bat eight in- ants and Dodgers, Snyder over the course of his nine- nings of fi nished with 149 home year career, according to scoreless runs, 488 RBI’s, a .247 . He was baseball, batting average in 1,068 plagued by back injuries Tampa's games and 3,656 at-bats, later in his career that ac- PHOTO BY ROBERT PREW JR. Jose Jimenez drove a ball Cory Snyder with his HOF presenter, Harwich General Man- and 439 runs over the cording to SI, affected his over the right fi eld fence ager Mike DeAnzeris course of his career. Sny- career numbers. Continued on Next Page Thursday, June 28, 2007 SUMMER STARS 11 The Voice of the Bruins becomes the Voice of the Cape League

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE with a Boston sports icon “He’s a consummate asked him to do some high ing up with the Cape League The 2007 Cape League like Cusick is a dream come professional,” Garner said. school games. After he again, he is coming home. season marks the premier true. “I am absolutely thrilled “He really prepares very well completed the high school Unbeknownst to many, season in a partnership with and honored to be doing for this. It’s the thrill of a contests, Lipman then asked Cusick played in the Cape WBZ News Radio 1030-Bos- these games with Fred,” he lifetime. He’s the voice of the if he would be interested in League for Yarmouth in 1946 ton in which games will be said. “As a kid, I remem- Bruins.” doing games for the CCBL. when the league had a town webcast live in a Game of ber growing up listening to Cusick, who has been Cusick said 'yes.' team format. the Week available on www. Fred.” He added that at the retired now for 10 years, said “It feels good to be back After serving in the United wbz.com and www.capecod- time, the Bruins were the that he was approached last broadcasting,” Cusick said States Navy during World baseball.org. The broadcasts biggest draw in town in the winter by the Game of the over a cheeseburger at War II, Cusick got his fi rst feature streaming audio and late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s, Week’s executive producer Marshland Restaurant in broadcasting job on the video from three different during the years. Steve Lipman. Lipman had Sandwich last week. “I’m a Cape. He established a cameras set up at the fi elds little rusty. It feels good…It rapport with Marshall Piper, being featured from week to keeps me busy and I like who ran the Cape League’s week. that.” Yarmouth town team. Piper The Game of the Week will Cusick is no stranger to invited him to play. feature all 10 CCBL teams the national pastime. He “I wasn’t able to make at one point or another and grew up in Brighton, and every game,” Cusick says, kicked off on June 18 at Red says that he played baseball “but I played in several. I Wilson Field. The defend- for the Brighton Civics in the was a terrible hitter, couldn’t ing champion YD Red Sox Boston Park League; he was hit a curveball.” Five years defeated the visiting Cotuit a catcher. For Cusick, who later Cusick called the very Kettleers 15-1. lives in Barnstable, by join- Continued on Next Page Calling the games are Boston icon, and Hockey Hall of Famer, Fred Cusick, the “Voice of the Bruins,” and Cape League director of publications and broadcast- ing John Garner Jr. Garner will be the color man with Cusick doing the play by play. Cusick called Bruins games on television from /VER  'RILLS3OLDON 1971-1997 and is famous for #APE#OD shouting “Score,” after each 3INCE Bruins goal. The old was his offi ce; Cu- sick was the radio voice of the team during their winning season in 1970. He also called the fi rst Bos- ton Patriots game amongst other notable achievements. MATTHEW BURKE/ENTERPRISE For Garner, calling games Fred Cusick, the Voice of the Cape League Notes From: The Cape League Summer Continued from Page 10 Harwich the sophomore third base- at Brewster's Stony Brook Mariners man seems to prefer to School fi eld to give the Or- Danny swing with wood. After a leans Cardinals a 2-0 victory Farquhar week of Cape League ac- June 22. Jimenez, a sopho- has 16 tion McAvoy was third in more and team for strikeouts the league lead in hitting at the NCAA Division II Tampa in 10 in- .400. Teammate Trey Watten had 14 dingers this spring nings of (Abilene Christian) is second for the Spartans. It was his work for the Harwich Mari- on the club at .360. fi rst Cape League home run. ners. This spring with the 4WO'REAT Louisianna-Lafayette Ragin' Brewster Cajuns the All-Sun Belt Whitecaps !MERICAN0ASTIMES Wareham Conference right-handed Brewster "ASEBALL Gatemen sophomore compiled 115 sophomore Wareham strikeouts in 87.2 innings. fi rst base- "ARBEQUE left fi elder Farquhar started the season man David Blake as a closer for the Ragin' Ca- Cooper Dean, an juns collecting a team high hit one LSU fresh- six saves before moving into home run last season for the man, knows how to hit with the starting role and fi nishing Whitecaps. This year in six wood. In high school he the spring at 6-3. games he has two. A transfer played in the World Wood to the University of California Bat Series in his native Chatham from 2006 College World Florida. After hitting seven A's Series contender Cal State home runs with an alumi- Chatham's Fullerton, he came close to a num stick for the Tigers, Kevin CWS record last year when Dean has put two out of the McAvoy hit he had seven consecutive yard for the Gatemen. He .271 for the hits in Omaha, tying current has yet to put one over the University of Boston Red Sox Manager fence at Wareham's Spill- Maine Black (1980), but ane Field. Bears this spring; however, Continued on Next Page 12 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 28, 2007 Native Cape Codder Finally Crosses Bridge For Former Bourne Braves Star BY CHRIS KAZARIAN Cape Cod for the fi rst time in ing his odd diet, Eldridge Cape Codders often joke roughly four decades. said, he pulled Youkilis about never wanting to leave The reason comes down to aside. "I fi nally asked him the 65-mile-long penin- one man – Boston Red Sox what’s wrong. ‘You don’t like sula, but for almost 40 years fi rst baseman Kevin Youkilis. it here? Are you homesick?’ Stanley Eldridge did just The two have known each He said, ‘Everything is fi ne," that. He had a great reason other since 2000, when Stan- Eldridge recalled. "He told not to, one that happened ley and his wife Penny start- me he was part Jewish. After on an icy snowy night in the ed opening up their home to we broke that barrier, you 1960's. From there, the night Bourne Braves players. couldn’t ask for a better kid." got worse, much worse for That fi rst year, the fam- By the end of the summer, the Bourne native. ily welcomed Dwight Edge, he laughed, "He didn’t care As he was crossing over from the University of what he ate." That included the Bourne Bridge, his truck Florida, and Youkilis, a third lobster, a Cape Cod staple did the seemingly unthink- basemen from the University that Eldridge used to moti- able. "I crashed on the of Cincinnati. vate both Youkilis and Edge. bridge," he said. "My truck Eldridge’s easily recalled "I had a deal with [them] was right on the abutment. I his initial opinion of the fu- that if they hit a home run, I was up on the curbing look- ture major leaguer. "He was would give them lobster that ing over." As his truck tee- diffi cult to read and I can night for dinner," he said. tered on the edge, he said, "I read people pretty good," Early in the season El- left it there and went home... he said. "All he ate was dridge realized it might I saw about enough for me chicken, salad, and tuna fi sh. turn out to be an expensive up there. I decided I’ll stay And then he would mix them summer. Youkilis went yard here." It was not until 2003 up differently the next day." in his fi rst at-bat of the year CHRIS KAZARIAN/ENTERPRISE that he dared to venture off After a few days of witness- against Cotuit on June 13, Stanley Eldredge at in Bourne 2000. "It was a beauty, 330 feet," Eldridge said. While he always wants his would not be behind the has perfect vision... You Voice Of The Cape League players to do well, Eldridge wheel as they went over the can tell he knows the game has since stopped using Bourne Bridge. inside and out. Patience is Continued from Page 11 Scott Pickler’s Y-D Red Sox lobster as a motivational The sights on the opposite a virtue with him." These fi rst United States network have been the most impres- tool. "It got too expensive," side of the canal, he said, days, the conversations be- broadcast of the NHL. Gar- sive team that he has seen he said. were foreign to him. "They tween Eldridge and Youkilis ner said that Cusick broad- thus far, and Cusick says Of the more than two doz- knocked down a lot of wood are far and few between. cast several Cape League that he has been attending en players who have stayed and old Route 6 and 28 Occasionally he talks with games (of Lower Cape many games to soak it all in. with the family since 2000, weren’t there anymore," he Youkilis’ father, who gave teams) in the 1970’s. He adds that it’s too early Eldridge said, Youkilis may said. him one of the fi rst Youk Cusick said that he has to to pick a champion yet, with have been the most special. He arrived an hour before bobbleheads from a Low- approach baseball broad- several teams still without "His baseball skills were the the opening pitch and as he ell Spinners tribute to the casting differently than he players due to the College best that I have ever seen," walked down the steps of fi rst baseman in 2005. That did for his famed hockey World Series. He looks for- he said. McCoy Stadium, he called piece is also displayed broadcasts. “The difference ward to being involved when He remembers him as a out, "Youk." proudly in Eldridge’s home. is in hockey there is con- the playoffs come. player whose sole reason Staring back at him was an To this day, Eldridge takes tinuous action so it’s just a According to Garner, the for coming to the Cape was astonished Youkilis, with his delight in Youkilis’ success. matter of keeping up with WBZ broadcast is a part to improve. "He and Dwight mouth wide open. The image One of his proudest mo- it,” he said. “With baseball, of a three-pronged media concentrated on baseball," was captured on camera and ments was seeing him get there isn’t. And what I’ve approach, new to the Cape he said. the framed photo now sits in a ring with the club in 2004. learned is that I’ve got to get League this season. Garner Just as important to a mini-shrine devoted to the "That was phenomenal," more information to fi ll in the said that the success of the Eldridge was that Youkilis former Bourne Brave in the he said. "A 23-year-old kid gaps of time where nothing’s Cape League, coupled with was a funny, down to earth Eldridge household. got a World Series ring and happening, and I’m do- the popularity of the Boston human being. "He was a After the game, he said, some guys play the game ing that now. As the league Red Sox has led the league character," he said. "What Youkilis took them into the their whole life and never goes along there’ll be more to partner with TV38’s televi- you see with Kevin is what depths of McCoy Stadium get one." The only complaint statistics.” sion show called “Red Sox you get." It is that, perhaps where they talked much like the Eldridge's have about Cusick feels there were too Stories” for future content. In more than anything that they did during the summer Youkilis has nothing to do many gaps in the fi rst few addition, the league is also forced Eldridge to fi nally of 2000. with baseball and more to games he has called thus far being promoted by Fox, with leave the confi nes of Cape At one point, he said, do about his appearance, due to a lack of statistics, a Cape League website on Cod in 2003. Youkilis relayed a story specifi cally his beard. "My but he says that it is improv- the site of its local affi liate After Youkilis left, Eldridge more than a year prior in wife says, ‘Kevin will you ing. He applauded Garner for (http://media.myfoxboston. followed his progress as he which his father, who works shave that.’ She hollers at his color. com/sports/ccbaseball. made his mark with the Low- in the diamond business, the television every time she Cusick said that Coach html). ell Spinners, the Sarasota offered him a job working sees him," he said. Other Red Sox, Trenton Thunder, alongside him. "He said, than that, he said, "my wife the Portland Sea Dogs, and ‘Dad, I’m going into base- just adores him." Although it CCBL Game Of The Week the Pawtucket Red Sox. ball," Eldridge said. is thrilling to have one of his The two would occasion- He was able to fulfi ll that former players in the major On WBZ.COM ally talk by phone, usually promise, Eldridge added, leagues, Eldridge said, it about life, but during one because "he was a work- is not why he opens up his conversation Youkilis asked a-holic and had great home for wide-eyed college MONDAY, JUNE 18 COTUIT @ YD 5 PM Eldridge to come to a game baseball ability." It is why, students who come to the MONDAY, JUNE 25 FALMOUTH @ HYANNIS 5 PM after he had made it to AAA. Eldridge said, Youkilis has Cape with dreams of the TUESDAY, JULY 3 BREWSTER @ HARWICH 7 PM "I told him one day I will been so successful with the major leagues. MONDAY, JULY 9 BOURNE @ WAREHAM 7 PM show up unannounced," he Red Sox and has earned "If they do well in whatever MONDAY, JULY 16 HARWICH @ ORLEANS 7 PM said. him the nickname the Greek they endeavor I am happy MONDAY, JULY 23 HYANNIS @ WAREHAM 7 PM That trip came at the prod- God of Walks. "He could for them," he said. "If they MONDAY, JULY 30 BOURNE @ CHATHAM 7 PM ding of friends, who wisely squeeze a walk out of a keep in touch with us that is AUG 5 OR 7 GAME OF MOST SIGNIFICANCE rented a limo so Eldridge rock," Eldridge said. "He a blessing." Thursday, June 28, 2007 SUMMER STARS 13 BATTING TOP 10 (Through Games Of 6/24/07) Notes From: (MINIMUM 24 PLATE APPEARANCES) The Cape League Summer BATTER CLUB AVG G AB R H HR RBI Continued from Page 11 ting .375 and slugging .563 Hoef, Kevin BOU .433 8 30 5 13 0 4 catcher out of Illinois State falling one short of Dave after one week of play. hit .317 for the Redbirds and Fon, Diallo WAR .423 8 26 4 11 0 2 Magadan (1983) and Barry stole 16 bases this spring. Pruitt, Brian BOU .414 7 29 2 12 0 11 Bonds (1984). Cooper led Falmouth Com- Dubler leads the Commo- Figueroa, Cole HAR .409 7 22 2 9 0 1 all players at the 2006 CWS modores dores in hitting with a .346 Beckham, YRD .405 9 37 6 15 3 9 with a .533 average with fi ve Falmouth's average after one week of Gordon RBI and was selected to the Kevin Dubler Cape League play. He has Hague, FAL .400 7 25 5 10 0 3 CWS All-Tournament team. is zoned in at just one stole base, but his Matthew the plate. The .444 on base percentage Peterson, HYA .394 9 33 9 13 0 4 Hyannis sophomore Shane should help to change that. Mets Baker, Aaron COT .364 8 33 5 12 1 6 Hyannis Watten, Trey CHA .360 7 25 4 9 0 1 Mets fi rst HOME RUNS baseman Beckham, Gordon YRD 3 Shane Peterson has seen a lot of America, but mostly ѮFTQPUMJHIUJTPO Cooper, David BRW 2 from above 30,000 feet. The Dean, Blake WAR 2 Long Beach State sopho- 4VNNFS4UBST Several Players 5 more has played his baseball Tied at on both coasts. Last sum- BUXXXDBQFOFXTOFU RBI mer he played in the Alaska Pruitt, Brian BOU 11 League for the Anchorage Cooper, David BRW 10 Bucs. This year Peterson 4VSGJOGPSUIFMBUFTUPOUIF Guez, Ben BOU 9 traded the mountains for the Beckham, YRD 9 beaches and it appears to $BQF$PE#BTFCBMM-FBHVF Gordon be to his liking as he is hit- Several Players 8 Tied At

STOLEN BASES Bianucci, Mike BOU 7 Guez, Ben BOU 6 Bell, Phil HYA 5 Fon, Diallo WAR 5 Ayers, Johnny YRD 5

TEAM AVG AB R H HR BB SO SB CS BATTING Yarmouth- .292 295 50 86 7 29 74 18 5 Dennis Bourne .287 286 51 82 0 35 80 16 5 Cotuit .270 259 45 70 3 20 45 24 7 Hyannis .262 294 44 77 2 33 73 11 6 Harwich .254 276 27 70 1 28 53 7 5 Brewster .253 289 50 73 3 46 77 12 4 Chatham .233 266 33 62 1 35 81 7 3 Orleans .228 281 26 64 4 21 80 9 6 Wareham .228 254 24 58 3 23 68 10 4 Falmouth .217 254 32 55 2 41 76 8 7 ADDITIONAL BATTING LEADERS HITS Beckham, YRD 15 Gordon Hoef, Kevin BOU 13 Peterson, HYA 13 Shane

DOUBLES Avila, Alex HAR 5 Glenn, Brad BRW 4 Peterson, HYA 4 Shane Several 3 Players Tied at

ON-BASE PERCENTAGE Hoef, Kevin BOU .553 Figueroa, Cole HAR .536 Fon, Diallo WAR .529 Hague, Matthew FAL .483 Pruitt, Brian BOU .471

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE Beckham, Gordon YRD .730 Dean, Blake WAR .640 Peterson, Shane HYA .576 DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE Hague, Matthew FAL .560 Curtis Dupart (Georgia Tech) of the has been tearing up Cape League pitch- Cowgill, Collin YRD .548 ing. 14 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 28, 2007 PITCHING TOP 10 Mets Hurler Shuts Down Opposing Batters (Through Games Of 7/30/06) (MINIMUM 7 INNINGS PITCHED) BY MARK A. BROWN State in just two-thirds of ing major league hitters, and Hyannis Mets pitcher Tyler an inning, and his ERA was has returned to that role this PITCHER CLUB W-L ERA IP H BB SO Stohr isn’t hurt. Far from it, a sparkling 1.05 in his other year. Ironically Jonathan’s Gibson, Kyle FAL 0-0 0.00 11 9 2 11 in fact. Though after his fi rst 18 relief stints, six of which brothers, twins Jeremy and Boxberger, Brad OLN 0-0 0.00 11 5 5 8 three starts at the University were saves. Josh, both pitched for the Gagg, Bobby YRD 1-0 0.00 11 4 4 7 of North Florida in Jack- In addition to honing his Ospreys in college, and Tyler sonville this spring there mental focus, Tyler altered hopes to follow their lead to Kledzick, Brad BRW 1-0 0.00 7 3 0 3 were some who wondered if his pitch mix. “I’m essentially the pros. *Miley, Wade WAR 0-1 0.60 15 8 4 15 something was ailing him. a two-pitch pitcher now,” Stohr is a fi rst-year Cape Couch, Matt BRW 0-0 0.75 12 9 2 7 Squaring off against a trio he said, explaining that he League player, but he is Green, Scott YRD 0-0 0.90 10 7 2 10 of nationally ranked teams, now relies on fastballs and certainly no stranger to the *Crawford, Evan HAR 0-0 1.08 8 1 3 14 all with potent offenses, the sliders. “I’ll mix in a splitter area. His father, Chicago Harris, Mitch BOU 1-0 1.13 8 3 1 8 tall, lean righthander got every now and then, but not Cubs scout Keith Stohr, *Young, Corey HAR 1-0 1.13 8 3 2 2 hammered, yielding 20 hits too often.” coached Hyannis in the 2002 and 20 earned runs to No. 7 WINS Virginia, No. 22 Tulane and Several 2 No. 2 Florida State over just Players Tied At 8.2 innings. Tyler walked fi ve SAVES and surrendered four homers Stohr, Tyler HYA 3 while striking out just two. Several 2 Opposing hitters batted .476 Players Tied At against him, and his ERA over those three outings was STRIKEOUTS a whopping 20.77. Fargquhar, HAR 16 His struggles prompted Danny Ospreys head coach Dusty Cook, Ryan BRW 15 Rhodes to send Tyler to the Kupillas, Chris BRW 15 . Miley, Wade WAR 15 “Those fi rst few games Several 14 were tough, and the re- Players Tied At sults were not there,” said Stohr Saturday afternoon TEAM W-L ERA H CG SHO SV HR BB SO PITCHING as he and his Mets team- mates prepared to face the Yarmouth- 7-2 2.28 61 0 0 4 3 24 59 Dennis Mariners in Harwich. “Coach thought that going to the Brewster 6-3 2.54 66 0 1 3 2 19 68 pen would help me get my Orleans 5-4 2.73 68 0 3 3 1 36 81 mind right.” Chatham 6-3 2.76 60 0 0 3 2 30 78 While many pitchers Harwich 3-6 3.09 61 1 1 2 1 34 86 might view the move as a Wareham 1-7 3.15 63 1 0 1 4 17 63 demotion, Tyler saw it as an Hyannis 5-3 4.10 80 0 0 4 3 32 57 opportunity. “I told myself Bourne 4-3 4.38 71 0 0 1 2 34 65 that I’d win over the closing Falmouth 1-7 5.29 76 0 0 0 3 40 85 spot.” The initial results from the Cotuit 4-4 6.65 91 0 0 3 5 45 65 pen were encouraging. In his fi rst three relief outings ADDITIONAL PITCHING LEADERS he worked six scoreless in- GAMES nings, allowing just four hits MARK BROWN/ENTERPRISE Kupillas, Chris BRW 5 Hyannis Met’s closer Tyler Stohr and a walk while whiffi ng Shinaberry, BRW 5 seven. Keith Stohr believes the adjust- The stress induced by and 2003 seasons. Tyler Moore, Josh WAR 5 ment from starter to reliever the split-fi ngered fastball, lived with his family in Mash- Several 4 was more mental than physi- thrown with the index and pee as a teenager, attending Players Tied At cal. “I just decided to throw middle fi ngers spread wide local schools and playing for harder, and concentrated apart on the ball, is the main American Legion Post 188 in INNINGS PITCHED on being more aggressive,” reason he throws it rarely, he Sandwich. Doyle, Andrew HYA 15.0 he said. “As a starter my said. “It’s a tough pitch to Tyler moved to Florida Miley, Wade WAR 15.0 fastball was 87 to 89 (miles use when you have to throw prior to his senior year in per hour) and occasionally every day.” high school. “I wanted to Milone, Tom CHA 13.1 topping out at 90. By the end Stohr has abandoned his focus on my game down Keuchel, WAR 13.0 of the year, I was hitting 94.” curveball and , there.” Dallas Tyler made steady prog- but has worked diligently to However, he headed north Burns, Eddie YRD 13.0 ress and soon achieved “tighten the slider” to gain after graduation, playing LOSSES his goal as Coach Rhodes extra movement and veloc- baseball at the US Military Kupillas, Chris BRW 2 began trusting him with tight ity. While his fastball whiz- Academy in West Point, New leads in the late innings. By zes in the mid-90s, his slider York. It seemed he would be Copp, Brandon FAL 2 season’s end, over 20 relief hums toward the plate at following in the military foot- Daly, Matt HYA 2 appearances, he was show- around 85 miles per hour, steps of his older brother, Whelan, Sam WAR 2 ing pinpoint control with 25 before darting late away Brad, a US Marine. WALKS strikeouts and just six walks, from opposing bats. After posting a 1-3 record and he had compiled a His route to the closer’s with a 4.50 ERA in 30 in- Kapteyn, Wade BOU 7 sharply lower ERA of 3.08. role mirrors the path fol- nings over seven starts, Rook, Jason COT 7 However, even that im- lowed by Boston Red Sox Tyler decided to enroll at Elam, Sam FAL 7 proved ERA fi gure doesn’t star , North Florida, though he had Hudson, Dan HAR 7 fully illustrate Stohr’s relief who enjoyed success as a no guarantee of a spot on Franzblau, Jason HYA 7 success. Take away his two starter as he rose through the Ospreys roster. “Coach rough outings, where he the minor league ranks. Jon- didn’t make me any prom- HOME RUNS ALLOWED allowed six earned runs to athan was named Boston’s ises, so I went there as a Phelps, David FAL 2 Indiana and East Tennessee closer last season, dominat- Continued on Next Page Pecina, Richardo HYA 2 Thursday, June 28, 2007 SUMMER STARS 15 DIVISION STANDINGS RRecordecord 202202 FFormerormer CCCBLCBL through June 24, 2007 PPlayerslayers SSelectedelected EASTERN DIVISION W L T PTS STREAK LAST 10 YARMOUTH-DENNIS 7 2 0 14 W 1 7-2 If the success of an amateur illustrates the true strength percentage (.425), taken by CHATHAM 6 3 0 12 W 5 6-3 league is measured by how of the CCBL -- its incredible Houston with the 321st pick. BREWSTER 6 3 0 12 W 2 6-3 many players go on to play depth. That depth applies to This year's group of Cape professionally, then the Cape every team in the league. For alumni should be no different ORLEANS 5 4 0 10 L 1 5-4 Cod Baseball League un- instance, 16 former Hyannis than those that have gone HARWICH 3 6 0 6 L 3 3-6 doubtedly sets the bar. In the Mets were picked, led by Matt ahead of them, successful. WESTERN DIVISION W L T PTS STREAK LAST 10 2007 Mangini (North Carolina St.), With great players such as Mo HYANNIS 5 3 1 11 W 3 5-3 First Year Players Draft, 202 last year's Thurman Mun- Vaughn (Wareham '87-'88), BOURNE 4 3 1 9 W 1 4-3 former Cape League players son Award winner as league Mike Flanagan ('72) , Bobby were chosen, representing all batting champ with a .310 Valentine (Yarmouth '67) and COTUIT 4 4 0 8 L 1 4-4 10 Cape League teams. average. Mangini went No. 52 Thurman Munson (Chatham WAREHAM 1 7 0 2 L 7 1-7 This is a record for the overall to the Seattle Mari- '67) having paved the way and FALMOUTH 1 7 0 2 L 4 1-7 CCBL, whose previous high ners. standouts such as Tim Lince- was 194 in 2005 and before Yarmouth-Dennis had the cum (Chatham '05), Barry Zito that183 in 2005. These 202 most former players drafted (Wareham '97-'98), and Jason young men will look to work with 28. Terry Doyle (Boston Varitek (Hyannis, '91, '93) cur- their way up the ladder and College), the 2006 co-Out- rently in the majors, it should Mets Hurler Shuts Down join the 198 Cape League standing Pitcher of the Year, be just a matter of time before alumni occupying spots on was drafted by the Los many of these 202 draftees Major League rosters today. Angeles Dodgers in the 21st make their mark on the game. Opposing Batters Seven players went in the round at No. 656. Doyle is Kevin Wolfe, CCBL intern, fi rst round alone, led by Dan- currently pitching for the Y-D [email protected]. Continued from Page 14 iel Moskos (Clemson), who Red Sox again and await- walk-on,” he said. played for Cotuit in 2005 and ing a call from L.A., at which Mets coach Greg King marvels at the talent Stohr has was picked at No. 4 by the point he will have to make a SHOP AT HOME shown early in the season. “He can defi nitely bring it,” he . decision of whether to stay said. “He hit 95 against Bourne the other night.” The six other fi rst-rounders on the Cape or sign with Tyler worked the fi nal three innings of the 10-inning were catcher Matt Wieters the Dodgers and enter their contest June 19, which was called due to darkness with (George Tech) of Orleans se- minor league system. the score tied, 2-2. He fanned fi ve of the 12 batters he lected by Baltimore at No. 5, The took faced. LHP Ross Detwiler (Missouri) Doyle's teammate, Josh :063$0.1-&5& His skills were once again on display Saturday night of Falmouth by Washington Fields, winner of the Russ %&$03"5*/($&/5&3 when he was brought in to protect a 3-1 lead over at No. 6, fi rst baseman Matt Ford of the Year Harwich in the ninth. After walking leadoff hitter Jared LaPorta (Florida) of Brew- award in 2006, at No. 69. h.OBODY$OES)T"ETTERv KITCHENS • COUNTERS CABINETS TILE WOOD Bolden on four pitches, Tyler settled down and retired the ster and Y-D by Milwaukee Other notables include next three Mariners on 11 pitches. The last two batters, at No. 7, slugging infi elder Charlie Furbush (LSU), picked J.B. Paxson and Matt Miller, both took hard sliders for Beau Mills (Lewis & Clark) of at in the fourth round at called third strikes as Stohr earned his second save in Bourne by Cleveland at No. No. 151 by Detroit and who three Cape League outings this season. 13, RHP James Simmons pitched two years in Hyannis Tyler knows that determination is the path to continued (Cal-Riverside) of Cotuit by and earned the New England success, and he diligently works on all aspects of his Oakland at No. 26 and be- Top Prospect Award last sum- game. Standing 6 feet, 2 inches, he has bulked up to 205 hemoth 6'10" RHP Andrew mer; Matt Rizzotti (Manhat- pounds. “I try to keep as fresh as possible. I run after I Brackman (North Carolina tan), who went to the Phila- '6--%&4*(/ pitch and do a lot of [elastic] band work to increase my St) by the Yankees with the delphia Phillies after fi nishing arm strength,” he said. 30th and fi nal selection of third in the league last year 4&37*$&4 His in-game approach follows the age-old cliché of the fi rst round. with 27 RBI for the Cha- taking things one pitch at a time. “I’m just trying to hit the Seven picks in the fi rst tham A's; and Matt Cusick "7"*-"#-& corners and keep the ball in the black.” round is impressive, but the (Southern Cal) of Brewster, 195 drafted after those seven the CCBL leader in on-base )JHIPO2VBMJUZ )JHIPO4FMFDUJPO -PXPO1SJDF MASHPEE: 106 Falmouth Road, Route 28 508-477-7847 FALMOUTH: 719 Main Street 508-548-1443 DENNISPORT: A LOCAL, FAMILY BUSINESS FOR OVER 35 YEARS A LOCAL, FAMILY 377 Route 28 508-398-4784

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PROFESSIONAL INSURED INSTALLERS 16 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 28, 2007

2007 Cape Cod Baseball League Schedule 8 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 28, 2007 Thursday, June 28, 2007 SUMMER STARS 8 Working With Leather

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE

Harwich Mariners’ shortstop Cole Figueroa (Florida) has his eye on the ball.

Pitcher Keith Shinaberry (Texas) of the Brewster Whitecaps gives Cape League hitters a differ- ent look with a sidearm delivery.

Jake Oplitz (Nebraska) of the Harwich Mariners applies the tag to Cotuit right fi elder Curtis Dupart (Georgia Tech).

Cotuit’s Tony Delmonico (Tennessee) makes a nice backhanded grab at shortstop for the Kettleers.

Shortstop Reese Havens (South Carolina) of Cotuit applies the tag at second base to Wareham second baseman Cotuit Kettleer catcher Aaron Baker (Oklahoma) blocks the plate as Steve Strausbaugh (Western Car- Orleans Cardinals’ third baseman Chase D’Amaud (Pepperdine) gets the runner at fi rst. Michael Demperio (Texas). olina) of the Harwich Mariners goes into a slide.