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From The Cheap Seats Gammons Means So Much To Fans The news spread around the Arnie Allen Diamond at Guv Fuller Field quickly last Tuesday afternoon. Whis- pered voices asked the question over and over: “Did you hear about ?” Then my cellphone began to buzz, more questions about The Commissioner. “Is he okay? Man, I hope he pulls through.” Peter Gammons, of ESPN and ESPN.com, suffered a brain aneurysm that day. The man who made his name by producing his Sunday baseball notebook in the Globe before moving on to The Worldwide Leader as their go-to seamhead was put out of commission by an unforeseen medical condition that will leave him out of the lineup for a while. I can’t think of any other reporter that could get sick and have the story not only be on the news, but end up as one of the lead stories. This man is adored by New Englanders, and beyond, and everyone wants him to recover quicker than a fastball. The interviews with other reporters told the story of just how important this guy is, in and out of the game of baseball. Sean McAdam, the respected Providence Jour- nal baseball columnist, nearly came to tears speaking of his respect and friendship with the man. I’ve been lucky enough to make Peter’s acquaintance on several occasions and all I can tell you is that I adore the man. As a young baseball writer he took the time to For The Umpir es, It’s talk about the game with me when he certainly could Mor e Than Balls And have been doing just about anything else. Strikes The first time I met him was at the All-Star game, back in 1998 I believe, in Chatham. Page Four He was talking baseball with an up-and-coming young by the name of and it was apparent right away that not only did he know just about every- thing there was to know about the game, but he knew ev- Wher e Ther e’s eryone, too. And they all like him. That’s quite an accom- plishment for a journalist, whose job is to dig deep, get Smoak Ther e’s the best information and tell it like it is. We talked about Havens Page Seven the game a bit and then parted ways and I left feeling like I had just spent time with an oracle. Every year Gammons comes to Fuller Field in Falmouth and speaks with the players prior to a game, and he always tells the same story. He relays how Darin Erstad Beach Chairs And made a name for himself playing in Falmouth and also Baseball Bats was a good person off the field, which is just as impor- tant. Gammons loves to relay how Erstad was Bradlees Page Six Employee Of The Month. The ballplayers all soak in every Mangini Makes His Mark word, because they know they’re listening to someone that counts. Then, like boys younger than they are, they 3 all ask to have their picture taken with Peter Gammons, because that is a cool photograph to have on your mantel when you’re a ballplayer on your way up. Full Cape Cod League Game Schedule I have rubbed shoulders with Peter several other times Page 10 along the way, and it’s not always baseball that is the topic of conversation. He loves good rock and roll and By The Numbers we share a love for the greatest American rock band in circulation, Pearl Jam. I remember seeing him standing Pages 12-13 side stage at the first of a three-night stint at the Tweeter Center back in 2003 and he was rocking out nearly as Around The Week In Review much as those of us in the seats. Later in the show Eddie Pages 11-14 Vedder grabbed his acoustic guitar and played “Thumb- ing My Way” and said it was dedicated to a friend that was hanging out with them that night. You should know that Peter was previously on record as saying that was Look for this issue online @ www.capenews.net one of the best songs he’d heard put to vinyl in the last several years and it was one of his favorites. This past week Vedder dedicated another song to On the Cover: Matt Mangini hopes to display his power with Gammons from a concert in Minnesota, and like everyone the bat for the Hyannis Mets this summer. SportsPix photo by else wished Pete a quick recovery. Matthew Scott. A statement by Gammons’s wife this week said that Peter was doing well and that he would be resting and recovering at home. She asked that people respect their publisher project manager design services manager privacy, which is a reasonable request. However it must William Hough Chuck Borge Christine Stutzman not be easy to rest when the phone is ringing off the hook nonstop because everyone in the baseball world wants to sports editor sales manager design services check in and make sure you’re doing okay. This is, after Rich Maclone Steve Krammes Linda Stewart all, a man whose list of contacts could fill a phone book. Jill Spencer I am sure that Pete will be back in action very soon. photo editor Julia Balducci It’s only a matter of time before we see him filing a report sales Daniel W. Webb from his back yard on the Upper Cape, telling us who is Danielle Guay design & layout press supervisor being traded and why or why not the deals get done. He’s Tricia Keough Elisabet K. Rodrigues David Pittman Peter Gammons, who else is going to tell us? Dawn Mitchell Trisha Herlihy (Rich Maclone is the sports editor for Summer Stars nterp 50 Depot Avenue Barbara Warner e E ri and Enterprise Publishing. He can be reached at h s Falmouth, MA 02540 Nancy Medeiros e [email protected].) T 508-548-4700 • 1-800-286-7744 Esther Buchanan Falmouth • Mashpee • Bourne • Sandwic h Fax: 508-540-8407 Thursday, July 6, 2006 SUMMER STARS 3 Matt Mangini Making His Mark With The Mets

BY WILL BUSSIERE of the nation’s best averages. that ball. We’re gonna see score the game-winner and Matt Mangini, like the fans Around that time in Hyannis, home runs from Mangini.” give the Mets a 4-3 win, then in Hyannis who watched him members and supporters of In the field, Mangini has their third straight. But it was jump out to a .318 average the Mets organization came started every game of the Mangini’s defense that put in the first two weeks of the together for a pre-season young season for the Mets the Mets in position for their Cape League season, kept function, where they all but at third base, where he has payoff. one eye on last weekend’s crossed Mangini off the quickly won over the home “It was a fun play,” he said. Team USA trials. His team- roster—after all, how long fans with the perfect mix “I’m just glad I was prepared mate in Hyannis and at North could he play like this without of flash and steadiness. He for it.” Carolina State, second base- appearing on the national shows off unmatched ability Mangini has gotten Mets man Ramon Corona, was one team’s radar? on screaming line drives and fans and team personnel of 35 players invited to try “I thought that he’d be a slow-rolling bunts, having excited about baseball in out for the national team this Team USA guy right from the committed only one error at Hyannis again. His hitting summer. start,” Mets head coach Greg the hot corner in 44 chances and fielding skills have been “I called him and wished King said, “and I was actu- through the first 11 games of drawn out with a strong work him the best of luck, and ally looking to see if we had the season. ethic that has quietly drawn everybody’s supporting him any other third basemen that The signature shot on the attention of everyone here, trying to keep track of might be able to come in if Mangini’s Hyannis highlight from his coaches to pro him, see how he’s doing,” we lost him.” reel came in the 10th in- scouts. Mangini said. “We’re behind Mangini did inevitably fall ning of a game on June 23 “Every time he’s out of the MIKE RACITI/HYANNIS METS him 100 percent.” off his torrid pace, finishing at McKeon Park against the box, he’s running a full 90, Hyannis Mets third baseman But the buzz around the season with a .343 aver- Wareham Gatemen, who whether it’s hit to the pitcher Matt Mangini looks for a sign McKeon Park is for Mangini, age. But his contributions loaded the bases with no- or anywhere else, and that’s from third before stepping into the player Team USA didn’t were impressive on an NC body out and threatened the sign of a kid that’s gonna the batters’ box. For The Umpires, It’s tab. And given the start that State team that batted .333 to put the game well out go somewhere,” King said. he had to his sophomore and challenged numerous of reach. Playing in on the Sure enough, to find him More Than Balls And season with the Wolfpack, it’s school records along the way grass, Mangini charged in before the game in Hyannis, Strikes a wonder that they didn’t. (including a record for team front of the mound on a drib- one needs look no farther Page Four At the plate, he started hits with 767, a new mark bler by Jason Ogata. With no than the batting tunnel hotter than anyone in the formalized by Mangini him- time even to go to the bare beyond the left field fence, country this spring for NC self with an infield hit in the hand, Mangini gloved the where he takes his extra State, going 20-for-25 to Austin Regional title game on ball and shoveled it to home swings after batting practice begin the season for a su- June 4). plate, just retiring Steffan Wil- ends. Where There’s perhuman .800 average. The His skills with the bat have son for the inning’s first out. “You’ve got to find some Smoak There’s honors rolled in from Colle- transferred nicely to Hyannis, “It was just something I time on your own just to go Havens giate Baseball—who named where he started the season envisioned in my head before and get some of your work Page Seven him the National Player of in the heart of the order and it happened,” Mangini said. “I done,” Mangini explained. the Week in back-to-back among the team’s leaders. knew it was a do-or-die, it’s “Just doing this right here is weeks—and from the ACC, That .318 average may not just you and the runner, and helping me a little bit, coming who gave him their first Play- tell the whole story, accord- you’ve just got to get to the down here with a few guys er of the Week award. While ing to Mets general manager ball first and make a good after BP or before BP and Beach Chairs And he was busy doubling Ted John Howitt. toss.” taking some extra hacks. Baseball Bats Williams’s mythical mark, he “Mangini has a lot of power Hyannis escaped the jam “That’s the only way to get Page Six showed off his power skills that he hasn’t shown,” Howitt and Mangini, who was hit by the feel for it. You just kind of as well. He hit two triples in said. “He shows it in batting a pitch to lead off the bottom hurt yourself if you don’t do a game against Hofstra on practice. He really can whack of the 10th, came around to some extra work.” February 12, and followed that up with two homers in a game against Richmond on February 18. “That was a weird way to start the season,” Mangini said. “It was almost more bad than good, because you know you’re going to come ������������� back down to earth eventu- ally.” MIKE RACITI/HYANNIS METS He stayed above the .500 ������������ Matt Mangini patrols the in- mark well into March, riding a field for the Hyannis Mets. 16-game hitting streak to one ���������������������������������� ������������������ ���������������� ������������������ ������������������ ���������������������

design services manager Christine Stutzman design services Linda Stewart ���� ����� ��������� ���� Jill Spencer � ����� ���� Julia Balducci �������������������������������������� press supervisor David Pittman

MIKE RACITI/HYANNIS METS Hyannis Mets third baseman Matt Mangini its for a chance to take off for second in recent action. ������������������������ 4 SUMMER STARS Thursday, July 6, 2006 For Umpires, It’s Much More Than Just Balls And Strikes By MATTHEW M. BURKE resemble executives. The fact my shoulder [because of it]." As you watch the Cape Cod that he always carries base- How many of Ms. Barber's Baseball League this summer balls around with him wher- detractors, how many male pay extra special attention ever he goes is proof of that. umpires, would put off knee to the multitude of differing On vacation in the Ca- surgery until the end of the personalities on both sides ribbean he once gave out summer so they can finish of the chalked foul lines. to local children their season? The answer: You will undoubtedly see much like he does in his daily not many. Ms. Barber, who boatloads of talent in people travels in this country. He recently found out that she who love the game of base- has pulled his car over while tore her MCL, has curtailed ball, people who hold Major passing local baseball fields her season but she surpris- League aspirations dear, and to give away baseballs to ingly hasn't canceled it. She a subsection of that group kids who play with scuffed said that surgery is imminent. who have worked tirelessly and worn rags. "I always "I'm trying to put it off until their whole life for MLB action wished that someone would after the summer," she said. but don't have a shot. That is have done that for me," he Ms. Barber started with the nature of the beast. said. school and then A lot of Cape League fans Just as hard as Mr. McNal- worked Little League games watch the players; they even ly's comeback, one might starting in 1981. She has watch the managers. In a say, would be a woman's worked her way up to the game out of reach, fans will plight in a game dominated ECAC and to the Cape Cod take a walk down to the bull- by men. Perry Barber, 53, a Baseball League. She loves pen and watch the relievers philosophical baseball aficio- the league for the quality of throw. They watch broad- nado, native to New York City, play and for the pitching. She casters and scouts, guys has done just that. For the enjoys the low-scoring, close, throwing t-shirts in Orleans past three summers she has games and the league's and downright jolly donation made the trek from NYC to wooden bats. She was cho- collectors in Cotuit. If ESPN's the Cape for what she calls a sen as an umpire for the 2004 Peter Gammons, a Bourne "great experience." Cape League All-Star Game. native, is at a game, forget it "When I started [with Little She said her reason for (Get well soon Peter!). League in 1981] a woman coming back to baseball year Continued from Page 4 Nobody ever thinks about umpiring was not a common after year was the fact that the umpires… until one of thing," she said. "There was she takes something from their calls decides the game. and still is resistance." every game. She enjoys the You either love them or Ms. Barber added that her mental challenge. Baseball hate them, and in the Cape DANIEL W. WEBB intent by becoming an umpire has made her a happier and The familiar “you’re out,” as exemplified by this Cape Cod League even the umpires was for enjoyment and also better person, she said. Baseball league umpire. have interesting stories to to learn and grow as a person "Even in a blow out you can tell. So the next time you and not to become the face still learn something." think about throwing out that in the Cape League for 35 McDowell. of the women's rights move- Ms. Barber added that she good-hearted heckle regard- years. The award is voted by Fourteen years is a long ment. She wasn't trying to has at least 10-15 years left ing an umpire's eyesite, take coaches and general man- time, and he said that coming educate people. in her. She couldn't help but into account what they might agers and was named in his back from the layoff was the "I just like to have fun," she apologize for philosophizing have gone through to get honor at its inception two toughest thing he has ever said. "There's always going about baseball during an inter- here. seasons ago. done in his life. He worked to be someone out there who view last week. "We [umpires] Oh the stories they'll tell… Mr. McNally took the road over 50 Cape League games thinks women don't belong… want to be the facilitators," she Jim McNally, 54, a 22-year- that most male umpires take in 1998 to get back into I earned my way out there said. "I see myself as a conduit resident of Sandwich, has as a former ballplayer infatu- umpiring shape. He said that and I belong… I don't want through which everything [in always loved the game of ated with the game. At 19, coming back took a toll on it to become a part of my at- the game] flows." baseball, and has been play- he attended Major League his body, but with an empty titude. I don't want a chip on Continued on Next Page ing since he was four years Umpiring School in Daytona nest at home, he finally had old. Like most young males, Beach. "I thought that a lot time to do what he had al- he shared a special bond of those guys [umpires at the ways done: catch a baseball Former CCBL Umpire Curly with his father through the time] were out there for the game. Clement Passes Away national pastime, growing up money," Mr. McNally said. "I Mr. McNally currently works HAMPTON, N.H. - Robert “Curly” Clement, a Cape Cod a Red Sox diehard in Quincy. knew I could do a better job for the Eastern College Ath- Baseball League Hall of Famer and umpiring legend, This year, on top of Cape than them." letic Conference and works passed away June 29 at the Hampton Healthcare Center in League action, Mr. McNally He would umpire in the college baseball in every umpired in the Independent Hampton, N.H. Cape League from 1972- division. In April he crossed The charismatic Clement was an umpire for four de- League (AAA) thus complet- 1984. In 1979 and again in the picket lines to work AAA, ing a journey he started over cades and was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 1981 he reached the pinnacle Independent League, games 2002 and the Amateur Baseball Umpires Hall of Fame. 14 years ago. He's finally of umpiring success and for two months. "When that Curly Clement began working Cape League games in the back in . enjoyed stints in the Major came up, I wanted that," he 1960's and was still active at the turn of the 21st century, It's been a long road for Mr. Leagues, umpiring approxi- said. He added that he didn't serving as both an umpire and evaluator. McNally. The short, weath- mately 30 mind taking advantage of an A native of Manchester, N.H., he had a long and inter- ered, stone-faced man in games. "It felt like being out umpire strike to work AAA esting career in college baseball, umpiring in 16 NCAA blue has umpired on every there with executives, not games, including the PawSox Regionals, 12 ECAC Baseball Tournaments and two NCAA level, including in the Major ballplayers," he said of the where he saw the likes of College . Leagues at one point. He Major League experience. Coco Crisp and Craig Han- “Curly was truly an ambassador of the Cape League,” enjoyed a significant stint "You [umpires] are as im- sen during the two months said CCBL President Judy Walden Scarafile. “He will be in the once revered Boston portant as the players at the of minor league ball. He said sorely missed by those who knew him, however he will be Park League that earned him level… It was intense pres- that his glory days are behind missed more by those who never had the chance to know a spot in their Hall of Fame. sure." him now. "I gave it every- him.” His voice is loud and authori- In 1984, after Major League thing I had," he said. "I'm too Curly began his umpiring career in the 1950’s and real- tative, and he is very kind. action and 12 years in the old to go back [to the Major ized a dream in 1979 when he umpired a major league Mention baseball, and he Cape Cod Baseball League, Leagues], my age is against game at during the umpires strike, even will enthusiastically clear his Mr. McNally quit umpiring to me now." ringing up Hall of Famer on an attempted steal. schedule for the conversa- concentrate on his construc- Mr. McNally is an old Clement was affectionately known as the Candy Man tion. tion business. He stayed school baseball fan and a for settling arguments on the field with a handful of sugar To be an umpire on this retired from the game, that he gentleman. He is happy work- level you have to be prepared -coated licorice. loved so much, for 14 years, ing for the ECAC and being He is survived by his wife of 65 years, his son Don Clem- for physically and mentally returning in 1998. the field general at college demanding rigors, the 2005 ent, his daughter Gail Wiley and their families. Funeral In fact, the last game he baseball games. He is con- arrangements are being made to be held in Exeter, NH. Curley Clement Award Win- umpired was a U.S. Olympic tent with it, for he just loves Clement was remembered this 4th of July weekend with ner said. The Curley Clement Baseball Team game at Fen- the game. He doesn't need a moment of silence and flag flying at half mast before award is the award for the way Park in 1984. The 1984 Major League glory. He is each game. Cape League's Umpire of the team included Mark McGuire, purist in a game where the John Garner, Jr. - Director of Public Relations and Year. Mr. Clement umpired Cory Snyder, and Oddibe players at the highest level Broadcasting for the Cape Cod Baseball League Thursday, July 6, 2006 SUMMER STARS 5

DANIEL W. WEBB Umpires get the best view in the house. Whether it’s behind the plate or on the field. For those who love the game, there isn’t a better place to be... other than playing, that is.

Continued from Page 4 relaxes as he waits to get remember me but I'll always Walter Bentson, a Boston from 2001-2004 and umpired Despite the fact that she behind the plate. remember him." native, epitomizes all that the 100-inning marathon in may not want to be a hero He fondly recalled a So as umpires filter in an umpire should be. He is the spring to benefit ALS. "I or a role model for young chance encounter with Red and out of the league, they gracious and loves the game really enjoyed traveling down females on Cape Cod, she Sox utility infielder Alex leave an indelible mark on of baseball. He retired from [Cape] two or three nights a is one. "When I first started, Cora while he played in the the game and the lives they the league two years ago to week," said the 2004 Curley people thought I was look- league several years ago. touch along the way. Remem- fight ALS and is truly a coura- Clement Award winner. ing for a boyfriend," she said. He characterized Cora as a ber that they too have stories geous role model. He was Don't we all Walter, don't "I would laugh hysterically." "sociable, nice, kid," "Now to tell and have fought long an umpire with the league we all… Now the four-time umpire he's playing for the Red and hard to be where they are school graduate is training for Sox. He'll probably never today. Beijing (Olympics) in 2008. "I have some work to do to get � � � � � � � � � � there. It's not impossible, but ��������������������������������������� a lot of people are standing in line." ���������������������������������� Al Lanni, 55, an ex- North Falmouth Hardware Store ����������������������������������������������������������������� who knows the , �������������������������������� has been an umpire for 37 ��������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� years, with four or five years ����������������������������������������������������������� in the Cape League. The Wo- ��������������������������������� burn native said that today's ������������������������������������������������������� prospective umpires have a �������������������������������������� ������������������������������������ much easier road to becom- ing an umpire than he did ��������������������������� in the 1970's thanks to ever increasing amounts of op- ������������������� portunities. ����������� "We kind of had to learn on ����������������������������������� ���������������������� our own," he said. He added ������������������������������������������ ���� ����������������������� that he was luckily taken ���������������������� under the wings of older um- ����������������������� �������� ����� ������������ �� pires. He intends on returning � �� ���� ��� �������������������������������������������������������������� the favor to the next gen- 91 County Road • North Falmouth 508-564-6160 eration. "We got a real good ������������������������������������������ thing going [with the quality MONDAY-SATURDAY 8AM-5PM, SUNDAY 11AM-4PM ������������������������������������������ of today's umpires]," he said. ���������������������������������������� The chances of reaching the Major Leagues are as- tronomical for umpires much like it is for players, Mr. Lanni said. "I don't do it as a voca- tion. I do it as an avocation. I do it because I love the game of baseball." Mr. Lanni got his start when a family friend, former AAA umpire Strokio Nello sug- gested that he give it a shot. Now he is overseeing games being played by athletes that he rates above AA ballplayers and among the best players in the country. He makes a day out of every night game he officiates on Cape. He leaves Woburn at 1 PM for a 7 PM start. He gets a sand- wich, reads the rulebook, and 6 SUMMER STARS Thursday, July 6, 2006 RRaainineedd OOuutt On Cape Cod, There’s Always The Question Of Weather The Game Will Get Played

Note: The following is an excerpt from Steve Weissman’s book - Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats: A Celebration of the Cape Cod Baseball League. We found it most timely given the weather woes of this young season...

see the outfield to Rain, Rain see if they went over." As a Cali- Go Away fornia kid, Snyder There is a sumptuous variety about had not seen the New England weather that compels anything quite the stranger's admiration - and regret. like this before. The weather is always doing something But even local there; always attending strictly to busi- products find the ness; always getting up new designs Cape Cod fog and trying them on people to see how to be somewhat they will go. - Mark Twain unusual. It is misting heavily today, the way Roy Brun- PHOTOS BY STEVE WEISSMAN it can on the Cape, not quite raining, inghaus grew but definitely umbrella weather, and up in Millbury, Lost In The Fog it promises to get worse before it Massachusetts, Harwich and Chatham players visit during gets better. And yet, several hundred and pitched for a fog delay in which the scoreboard disap- fans are settled into place along the Orleans in the peared at Whitehouse Field. left- and right-field lines, and on the 1930s, '40s, and cold, damp aluminum bleachers that '50s. As a Cape glisten behind the dugouts. League rookie in What are they all doing here? From 1933, he found the looks of things, the teams will be himself rather lucky to play at all, never mind to get damp to the core in the requisite five innings. But here one day. "One of they are nonetheless, ready to root, my teammates root, root for the home team, and said, 'What's the then go home happy, win, lose, or matter, Grunie?'" drown. he remembers. "'I The players, meanwhile, huddle said, it's raining!' in their dugouts and speak of better He said, 'Rain? days ahead. It is early in the Cape This is just a League season - barely a week after mist.' And I said, - and for many, this is 'Where I come foreign territory indeed. What kind of from, this would beach resort is only 60° in the third be rain!'" week of June? This summer, Robinson and his minutes after the umpires suspended midity that can arise almost instantly Former Harwich Mariner and major Hyannis mates traveled to Nantucket play. in their place. There are days in July league star Cory Snyder remembers to play a game against Y-D, only to But the crew waited 20 minutes and August where it is as sticky being very surprised by the condi- have that contest held up three times and left Whitehouse Field promptly on the Bass River as it is along the tions on the Cape because of how because of fog. "By the time they after that time," so the game did not Potomac, a fact that might surprise different they are from those he ex- called the game, I could only see the resume. Needless to say, the Mariners the sweaty denizens of our nation's perienced when he played in Alaska. center fielder's legs," he says. In typi- were not pleased with this outcome capital but is all too familiar to Cape "The weather there was nice all the cal Cape fashion, the weather every- and were not especially happy the Codders. For players who come from time," he recalls, "but it can get a little where else in the region - including next night when the situation repeat- our country's warmer climes, the cold on the Cape at night! Especially on Nantucket itself - was sunny and ed itself. soaring of the thermometer can actu- in Orleans and Chatham, when you're clear: only when the teams arrived at Bearing the previous night's ally be a welcome reminder of home. right next to the water." the field in the center of the island did weather pattern in mind, Shingleton "90 degrees here is like a spring day they run into problems. Unfortunately, constantly interceded with the um- back in Texas," says Brewster's Will the delays ate up so much time that pire behind the plate (who also was Rhymes, who hails from Houston and the teams had to hustle back to town umpire-in-chief) and at third base, im- finds it all quite familiar. Foggy, Foggy Dew to catch the last ferry home, and the ploring them to take their time before Perhaps the ones to feel sorry players could not play tourist as well calling the contest. But in the end, the for are the players from Northern The fog, too, makes a dramatic first as baseball as they had originally impression on unsuspecting play- decision had to be made, and no one California, where it never seems to hoped. was surprised when it was unpopu- get either too cold or too hot. One ers. "I've had snow delays and rain This fickle weather is not unusual delays, but never fog delays!" Hyan- lar in the Mariner dugout and in the member of the Y-D Red Sox is ob- for Cape Cod and can confound the stands. "I had the unfortunate task of served warming himself by the heat nis catcher Chris Robinson says. The decision to continue or postpone a experience also was something new handling the Harwich manager in the of a citronella torch at a backyard given game. Umpire Gary Shingleton barbeque: a San Francisco native, for former Commodore moundsman parking lot while my two partners and tells the tale of a "fog-out" he offici- their wives made a particularly quick this poor soul is not used to the and current major leaguer Eric Milton, ated in Harwich, in which play was exit from the premises. Had I back- Cape's cool early summer evenings, who remembers well the first time stopped in the fifth inning, resumed tracked to the field, my experience and he's left his jacket at the field. fog caused one of his games to be when the fog lifted, and halted al- would not have been a pleasant one At the same time, he's heard tell scrubbed. "We were in Falmouth," together in the eighth when the fog considering the host of Harwich fans I of the steamy days to come, and he says, "and it was pretty amazing. returned. would have needed to pass along the he mutters to himself about this The fog rolled in little by little, and the "The evening prior I was in Cotuit way. It was not the best of evenings!" strange world he now inhabits. next thing you knew, you couldn't see and using sunscreen," he says. "What anything!" is that, 20 minutes south? The crew in Snyder recalls being fogged out of Harwich that night called the game in Excerpted with permission from two or three games during his time the third inning because of fog. When It's Not the Heat … the book Beach Chairs and Baseball on the Cape. "I think I hit three home I arrived there [for my game] the Bats: A Celebration of the Cape Cod runs in one game over in Wareham," following evening, the Harwich GM The flip side of the cold and fog Baseball League. © Steve Weissman/ he says, "and you could barely even informed me that the fog had lifted 30 found on the Cape is the heat and hu- TheBallyard.com. All rights reserved. Thursday, July 6, 2006 SUMMER STARS 7

Where There’s Smoak, There’s Havens

BY DARIN WEEKS When draft day came in Columbia campus, they were They say the best friend- June 2005, both received ranked as the fifth and sixth ships are the ones that begin calls that they had been best freshmen in the nation, during childhood. For Ket- drafted. Despite the fact that respectively, by Baseball tleers’ hitters the had America. Both started as and Reese Havens, their shown a lot of interest in Ha- freshmen and contributed to bond was forged on the vens, he was drafted by Colo- a Gamecock squad that had baseball diamonds of South rado surprisingly low in the a successful campaign, but Carolina long ago. As time 29th round. Havens balked at fell to Georgia in three games went on, these two former Red Sox GM ’s during the NCAA’s Super rivals have gone from com- offer of $1.35 million to sign Regionals. peting against each other as the second of their two Although they were late to watching their baseball first round picks that year, so arriving to Cotuit, it’s obvi- fortunes becoming linked to Boston ultimately passed. ous that for Kettleers fans, one another with every pass- “I have always dreamed of both were worth the wait. ing day. playing for South Carolina, Their first game was on June Smoak and Havens’s paths and I had decided that the 21, a 17-1 destruction of crossed for the first time only way I wouldn’t was if the defending Cape League during the eighth grade when I got life-changing money champion Orleans Cardinals they played together on and I felt like $1.75 million that saw Havens smack two the Diamond Devils, a team was that figure,” Havens told homers and Smoak notch a for 11-year-olds, and have Scout.com. “It was fun going pair of hits himself. been intertwined ever since. to tryout camps and being Through just four games in Though they lived in differ- scouted, but I went with my Kettleer uniforms, Smoak is ent towns, their reputations gut in turning down the offer hitting .500, while Havens, the on the diamond were already from Boston.” reigning Coca Cola Player of being cast. Similarly, Smoak was picked the Week, is hitting .412 with “I was from Mt. Pleas- by Oakland, but not until the seven RBI that rank him third ant (South Carolina) and he 16th round as his adviser in the CCBL despite playing was from Goose Creek,” balked at the $950,000 of- in just half as many games as explained Havens. “We lived fer he would receive to sign the competition. For Cotuit, about 30 miles apart, but I if, as originally planned, the the impact of the pair has been knew about (Smoak) when he Athletics chose him with the astounding. Since arriving, the was in Little League.” 36th overall pick. Although the first-place Kettleers have gone As the two phenoms grew money was significant, like Ha- 3-1 and have outscored their and their baseball prowess vens, Smoak’s desire to play opponents 35-4 in that span. was becoming the talk of the for South Carolina outweighed As a team, the Kettleers have Palmetto State, they remained his desire for money. four total home runs this year, friends, even though destiny “I’ll sign for one million two for Smoak and two for RICH MACLONE seemed to be lining them up dollars, and nothing less,” Havens. A scene as timeless as baseball itself. Young fans take ad- as classic rivals. Havens would Smoak told Scout.com. For a couple of ballplayers vantage of the incredible access they have to players and attend Bishop England High “Right now, I’m planning to hailing from the “low coun- the field as they hunt autographs of potential major leaguers School while Smoak found follow my dreams to South try” of South Carolina, Cape at Cape Cod Baseball League games. himself at Stratford High. Carolina and play for (Coach) Cod appears to be suiting “We played against each Ray Tanner,” said Smoak. them just fine. From the other every year in high “Coach Tanner has been in early days playing together school,” said Havens. “Our constant touch with me, and with the “Diamond Devils” coach at Bishop England I’ve always wanted to play at to the Kettleers and several ��������������������� used to coach at Stratford, so South Carolina.” teams in between, Justin it was fun.” For Smoak, the opportu- Smoak and Reese Havens �������������������� Not surprising, Smoak nity to play with Havens has continue to make sweet ���������������������������������� and Havens dominated high been a great experience. “I’m baseball music together and school from all over impressed by Reese because are happy to be applying ����������������������������������������� South Carolina. During their he plays hard,” said Smoak. their crafts this summer on senior seasons, Smoak hit “We were always close and the Cape. ��������������������������������������� .558 with 18 home runs and it’s great to play with him, “The competition in the ��������������������������������������� 49 RBI, while Havens hit it’s like playing in a comfort Cape League is great,” said ����������������������� .530 with five homers and zone...He’s a dedicated and a Havens. “Also, I like to eat. 48 RBI. Their offensive feats good leader.” The chowder is good, and I earned them Mr. Baseball When Smoak and Havens had an incredible six-pound co-honors for 2005 in South arrived at South Carolina’s lobster recently.” Carolina and each got sig- nificant attention from major league scouts during their high school careers. Fortu- nately for Gamecock fans, both chose to attend college ���������� instead of sign out of high school. “I committed to USC during my sophomore year in high school,” explained Havens. “I wanted to talk Justin (Smoak) into committing, too, since he was the type of player they wanted.” Havens’s next ��������������� task was to convince his rival from Stratford High that the University of South Carolina ������������������������� would be the ideal collegiate spot for him as well. ������������������������������� “We were playing AAU ball together in the summer and �������� �������� we were watching the College ��������������������� ���������������� World Series and South Caroli- ������������ ������������ na was in it,” Havens said. “We decided that we wanted to go ����������� �������������� (to college) together.” Not long ������� ������������ after that conversation, Smoak joined Havens by committing ������������ ������������ to USC. ������������������� 8 SUMMER STARS Thursday, July 6, 2006

Ballpark Review Lowell Park Not Just A Field...It’s An Experience

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE Best Place to Watch: for $3. offer typical fare, candy, ice of the facilities. Lowell has The Tulane connection There really isn’t a bad place Food: Elizabeth Lowell cream, hot dogs, sausages, some of the best views of stayed hot for the Fal- to take in the ball game at Park has some of the best pizza, nachos, and jumbo any of the ball parks and it mouth Commodores, this Lowell Park. Behind home food you will ever find at a pretzels, all reasonably offers some of the best sou- time dispatching the Cotuit plate seems to be the most ball game. The father and priced. venirs to help fans enjoy the Kettleers as early as the popular spot as people line son team of John and Joe Best Feature: The park’s game even more. The park third inning. Dan Delucia, up chairs and even stand to Cotellessa, owners of The best feature is the home is handicapped accessible from Ohio State, took the watch the game right next Original Gourmet Brunch bullpen on the other side of and they even broadcast the hill for the Kettleers who to a section taped off for on Main Street in Hyannis, the fence in left field. During games at the snackbar so were undefeated at home. scouts. As in Orleans, it’s not are in their second year the game the players sit on you don’t miss a second of He would last four innings unusual to find families sitting of catering to the hungry a wooden elevated platform the action. The only down- and gave up six hits on his on enormous blankets, utiliz- fans at the snack bar. They and talk to kids who play fall is the parking situation, way to the loss. The real ing the space down the right have two more years under catch and imitate what they which can be a challenge at story of the day was that of field line. Behind the dugouts contract after this season. see. The fenced in bullpen times as the streets become Tulane’s Warren McFadden is also a great spot to take in The Cotellessa’s stopped area is reminiscent of a pro congested with cars parked and Aja Barto. McFadden hit the game; it’s so close to the entering their award-win- bullpen at a Major League on the sidewalks. Another a two-run homer to put the action, you can hear the play- ning clam chowder and chili venue and adds that much drawback is the absence of Kettleers up and Barto’s RBI ers discussing the complexi- in competitions last year more excitement to the lights, which means 5 PM double sealed the deal later ties of the opposing pitcher’s in order to be able to offer game. games. in the third as the Commo- stuff. There are picnic tables it to fans over the summer The Park: The landscap- How far I got on $20: $20 dores rolled to a 4-3 victory. down the left field line, which at Lowell Park. For $3 you ing at Lowell Park is im- goes a long way at Lowell McFadden was 2-for-3 with is also a great spot, and the can get a taste of heaven. maculate and the facilities Park. I started off by getting 2 RBI. The Kettleers tried field is flanked by enormous Their chowders have won have a new feel to them. a Frisbee for $3 and a kid’s T- to mount a comeback and stadium-style bleachers that first place three times at the Roped off areas with small shirt for $10. For dinner I had threatened in the fifth and fill up quickly. WCOD Cape Cod Chowder signs dangling from them a cup of the famous Cotelles- sixth, but were unable to Best Buys: The best buys Festival held every year at look like something you’d sa clam chowder for another overtake the Commodores, at Lowell Park are a little the Cape Cod Melody Tent. see at Disney World and the $3, and a sausage for $5. CHUCK BORGE falling just short. Despite the different than in other parks Their chili has also won top architecture follows suit. Lowell Park is not just a Above, a camper at the Falmouth Commodores’ Youth Clinic loss, the Kettleers made a around the Cape League. honors at the annual chili The brick memorials and field, it’s an experience. Five last week makes a terrific basket catch on in infield fly ball. game out of it and were in it The Kettleers boast the festival at Harry’s. They also messages add to the quality Stars. Meanwhile, below, Commodores slugger Warren McFadden until the very last out. They most expensive ‘best buy.’ gets a taste of his own medicine as he delivers a soon-to-be have become almost invinci- For $175 to $345, you can home run ball. ble at their home, Elizabeth purchase a brick, in various Lowell Park, this season. sizes and styles, which can One look at the field and it’s be engraved with names or a understandable; it is one message that will immortal- of the top ball parks in the ize you and your family at Cape Cod Baseball League, Lowell Park. The beautifully with gourmet food, plenty rendered bricks decorate the of stands and seating, and ballpark behind home plate. a proximity to the players New Mexican Governor Bill which is rivaled. Richardson, Kettleer alumni, Best Place to Park: The has a brick. There are also best place to park at Eliza- bricks with messages to fam- beth Lowell Park is on Main ily members who passed on Street, Cotuit, about 100 and company logos. It is one yards before the park on the of the more amazing sites in right hand side of the street, the league. Other best buys and, unless you get there at the park include Kettleer early, you have no chance license plate frames for $2, of being closer to the field. Kettleer beach balls for $4, There will always be a sign Kettleer pennants for $4, Ket- indicating where parking is tleer mugs for $5, and new located. this year, Kettleer Frisbees

PHOTOS BY MATTHEW BURKE The game of baseball spans generations. At Lowell Park the span is never that far at all. Lowell Park’s K e t t l e e r s ’ Kitchen boasts some of the finest food you will ever find at a ballpark.

Among the unique fund- raising ideas at Low- ell Park are engraved bricks to remember or be remembered at this beautiful ballpark. At left is a sample of a brick purchased to re- member a loved one. Thursday, July 6, 2006 SUMMER STARS 9

Yarmouth - Dennis Pitcher

CHUCK BORGE Above, a camper at the Falmouth Commodores’ Youth Clinic last week makes a terrific basket catch on in infield fly ball. Meanwhile, below, Commodores slugger Warren McFadden gets a taste of his own medicine as he delivers a soon-to-be home run ball.

SportsPix photo by Matthew Scott

CHANCE CORGAN RED SOX KK Codders’ Player of the Week Right-handed Chance Corgan has been out- standing on the hill for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox thus far this season. Through June 29, Corgan led the league in with 19 in two starts and had posted a 1-0 record with a perfect 0.00 . Over 14.1 innings he had walked just three and surrendered a single unearned run. The Texas A&M right-hander has helped Y-D stay in the hunt early on and should be one of the top starters in the league “Cape Cod Dining as it should be!” all summer. 465 Grand Avenue, Falmouth Heights 508-299-8200 ���������

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������������� ���� ���������� ������ ���������������������������������������� ������������� ������������� ������������������ ��������� �������������������������������������������������������������� ������������ Mon.-Thurs. 8:30-7:30; Fri. 8:30-6:00; Sat. 8:30-5:00 ������������������ Mon.- Fri. 8-5; Sat. 8-12 ������������Mon.- Fri. 8:00-5:00 10 SUMMER STARS Thursday, July 6, 2006 Thursday, July 6, 2006 SUMMER STARS 11 Batting Around A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League West Division Roundup

Cotuit's Chiefs of Staff Gatemen Thrive on Tight Mets. John Ely (Miami-OH) season series. Wareham's League as a temp for Hy- The Cotuit Games took the mound in search starter for the night was LHP annis, only to find himself Kettleers have Start- of his first win in his second Riley Boening (Texas), who signing an official contract flexed their ing off the start and looked to the bats allowed five hits and one with the injury-plagued 2005 muscles early week with of the Gatemen for the sup- earned run over five innings Mets. Furbush, whose per- this season yet another port he needed. Ely pitched to earn the win for Wareham. sonal goal for this season is by putting up rainout, the strong over 5 2/3 scoreless The team scored three runs in to pitch in the All-Star Game, incredible amounts of runs Wareham innings, only allowing four the fifth and brought in reliev- impressed both fans and in what is supposed to be a Gatemen hits while striking out five. ers Martin Beno (Mississippi scouts alike last year ending pitcher's league. Lost in the were looking forward to re- The Gatemen struck first Gulf Coast) and Graham, who with 55 strikeouts in 12 ap- mix has been a great pitching turning to the diamond after and were able to hold the combined for four innings pearances. staff bolstered by three studs two days' rest. The close lead with a three-run eighth. of two-hit relief. The two Furbush, now being scout- who are among the league's games have been a familiar Once again Weems proved have been the leaders in the ed by some of the nation's best. James Simmons is the foe to the Gatemen, leaving his ability both offensively bullpen this year for Coach top Division 1 programs, in- leader of the three, posting them to rely on the dominant and defensively, going 3-for-4 Farris and his team. The bats cluding ASU, UNC, and Okla- a 2-0 record and allowing no bullpen. and making an incredible began to come around for homa State University, credits runs in 15 innings, while strik- The Gatemen set out to defensive play with the bases the Gatemen when they saw the league for the amount of ing out 14 opposing batters Brewster on Monday night loaded to end the game. John Bradley Suttle (Texas) hit his exposure he has had, as well thus far. At UC-Riverside, for the first matchup of the Wylde, GM of the Gatemen, second homer of the summer as the improvement of his Simmons was one of the season between the two believes that "Weems, quite in the second. After trail- game in the past year. team's best pitchers, record- teams. Coach Cooper Far- possibly, could be the best ing 2-1 in the fifth, Gotcher He notes, "The competi- ing a 9-5 record with a 2.96 ris sent veteran righty John defensive shortstop we have and Steffan Wilson (Harvard) tion here is a lot better than ERA and 94 strikeouts. Lalor (Mississippi State) to ever had." complemented each other's at St. Joe's. Playing these Along with Simmons, Dan the mound in hopes of find- Facing the Brewster White- RBI singles, giving the Gate- games all summer makes me Delucia has carried his spring ing his second win. Despite caps for the second time in men their first lead of the a better player. Having a year success as an Ohio State the valiant effort, giving up three days, the Gatemen sent game. In addition to the two- under my belt playing with Buckeye into the summer only one run over six innings strong and highly scouted hit game, Gotcher stole two these guys at the level they season. He has already been pitched, there was a no-deci- Travis Banwart (Wichita St.) to bases in the Gatemen win, play, I've learned a lot about named Coca Cola Pitcher of sion awarded to Lalor and the hill in an effort to continue moving him to first amongst myself as a pitcher." the Week, and rightfully so. His the game was handed over his recent success and find his the league leaders. However, fans at Wednesday numbers go like this: two vic- to the seemingly "automatic" second win in as many starts. Wylde sees the 2006 Gate- night's game against Orleans tories, a 0.56 ERA, 16 innings bullpen. After surrendering Banwart lasted five strong men team as "a nice group may have been disappointed pitched and 11 strikeouts. As a two runs in the eighth and innings giving up no runs on of young men," adding that not only by the inclement sophomore with the Buckeyes, moving the game into extra six hits and striking out six in "the general overview of the weather, but also by the pitch- Delucia went 10-2 with a 3.25 innings, the Gatemen looked the no-decision. Tim Mathews guys is they seem to want to ing. Furbush struggled at the ERA and 69 strikeouts. to dominant right-hander (Baylor) came in for 3 1/3 in- work to become better play- start of the game, allowing the As a staff the Kettleers, Connor Graham (Miami-OH). nings of relief giving up two ers and listen to Coach Farris Cardinals' five runs in only four are 7-2 as of Thursday and Beemer Weems (Baylor) led runs (one earned) and strik- for improvement." Through innings, leading to his early they are bolstering a nearly off the 10th with a single, ing out four. It wasn't until the Friday, the Gatemen are tied exit at the top of the fifth. In flawless 1.48 ERA. With this then advanced to second eighth inning that the Gatemen with Cotuit for first place in the first inning, the Cardinals combination of steady pitch- on a fielder's choice and were able to score any runs. the Western Division with a hit on their first four at-bats, ing and powerful bats, there's took third on a passed ball. After a leadoff single and two record of 8-4. scoring on two. no telling where the Kettleers Weems was able to score on passed balls, Seth Henry (Tu- Daniel Scalia, CCBL Intern But the loss was not entire- can go from here. another fielder's choice that lane) crossed the plate to give [email protected] ly caused by poor pitching. Don't forget about the came off the bat of OF Ryan the Gatemen their first run of The Mets offense remained recent complete game perfor- Gotcher (Arkansas-Little the game. A rare and unfortu- From the Bottom to the Top stagnant until the bottom of mance of Jay Brown (Young Rock). Graham pitched the nate defensive error allowed A lot has the eighth (also the end of Harris) earlier in the week. last two innings of one-hit the Whitecaps to score in the changed in the game due to inclement Brown pitched a gem, strik- baseball, giving the Gatemen ninth, giving the Gatemen their a year for weather). In that inning, Car- ing out seven in nine impres- their sixth win. first loss of the week. 6'5" flame- dinals closer John Goodman sive innings of work. This Coming back home for a The Gatemen traveled to thrower (Georgia Tech) let up the only past season for Young Harris, two game skid, the Gate- South Yarmouth on Friday Charlie Furbush (St. Jo- runs by the Mets. the sophomore was named a men were looking to offset to face the Red Sox in an at- seph's-Maine). Last year, Goodman walked Ryan Fla- member of the all-conference the evened series over two tempt to rekindle the success Furbush entered the Cape Continued on Next Page team. games with the Hyannis they achieved in their 2005 With a staff that is head- lined by these three, general ��������� �������� manager Bruce Murphy is ����������������� � pleased with his club's con- ������������������� sistency. "We've got a great ����������� staff across the board; I'm ����������������� ��������� �������� very pleased with our depth." ��������������������������� Murphy and head coach ������������� ���������������������� Mike Roberts are very happy with the position their team is ���� ����������� in and can't complain about ����������������� their mix of great pitching and �������������� ���������������� �������������������������� offense that they possess. ������ ����������������� Don't forget the Kettleers have claims on one of the best college baseball players in America in Kellen Kulbacki, ����������������������������������� who has yet to begin hitting ������������������������������������������������������ the ball very well. ��������������������������������������������������� Opposing teams are hoping the home run king doesn't ����������������������������� ������������������� get going, in fear of what this ������������������������������������������������������������ already dangerous Kettleers ���������������������������������������������������� team could do. By Nicholas Muc- ������������������������������������������������������������ ci, CCBL Intern ���������������������������������������������������������������������� [email protected] �������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12 SUMMER STARS Thursday, July 6, 2006 Batting Around A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League

EASTERN DIVISION W L T PTS STREAK LAST 10 ORLEANS 10 5 0 20 W 3 7-3 West Roundup Continued... BREWSTER 8 6 1 17 W 4 6-4 CHATHAM 7 5 1 15 W 1 5-5 Continued from Page 11 of high school, Warren was a fi ve hits allowed by Falmouth YARMOUTH-DENNIS 6 9 0 12 L 1 4-6 herty (Vanderbilt) and allowed fi rst team All-American and in Bourne's losing effort. HARWICH 5 9 0 10 L 4 4-6 two singles by Matt Mangini the Tulane coaching staff Bourne saw great pitching WESTERN DIVISION W L T PTS STREAK LAST 10 (NC State) and Brian Juhl to feels as though he has lived once again on Tuesday night COTUIT 9 4 0 18 L 1 7-3 load the bases. A James Dar- up to the billing. when Eammon Portice (High- nell (South Carolina) single al- Wallace has also been put- point College) set forth to face WAREHAM 9 5 0 18 W 1 5-5 lowed Flaherty to score. The ting up some good numbers, Falmouth. Facing Falmouth for through July 2, 2006 through HYANNIS 6 7 2 14 W 0 6-4 standout hitter for the Mets hitting .370 with four RBIs. the second time in as many FALMOUTH 6 7 1 13 L 1 4-6 was Jared McGuire (Boston Out of high school in his home games, the Braves looked DIVISION STANDINGS BOURNE 1 10 1 2 L 0 1-9 College), who singled in the town of Sonoma, California, to redeem themselves and third and doubled in the fi fth Wallace was a member of the generate some much-needed BATTING TOP 10 while walking to drive home 2002 Junior Olympic team and offense. Portice struck out 12 (MINIMUM 37 PLATE APPEARANCES) the second run in Juhl in the was a Collegiate Baseball/Lou- in six innings of work, allowing BATTER CLUB AVG G AB R H HR RBI eighth. isville Slugger All-American af- two hits and two walks. Braves Smoak, Justin COT .389 9 36 8 14 3 8 The prime benefactor of ter his senior season. Wallace GM Mike Carrier added, "You Carrara, Chris CHA .382 10 34 10 13 0 1 the Mets loss was Orleans was also selected in the 2005 hate to see a great perfor- Cardinal Josh Satin (Califor- MLB Amateur Draft in the 42nd mance like this one be written Wallace, Brett FAL .375 10 40 6 15 3 4 nia), who went four for fi ve round by the Blue Jays. The as a loss; he certainly didn't Espinosa, CHA .365 13 52 11 19 1 7 with two doubles, three runs freshman has lived up to the deserve to lose." All of the Danny scored and four RBIs in the billing by hitting .371, driving in runs scored by Falmouth were Rea, Jeffrey COT .346 13 52 11 18 0 8 11-2 Orleans victory. 32 runs with seven homers. unearned and came in the Macias, David HYA .333 15 57 6 19 0 7 By Courtney Reilly, CCBL Wallace and the rest of the bottom of the eighth, erasing a Posey, Buster YRD .328 15 61 9 20 0 7 Intern reilly@capecodbaseball. Commodores are happy to 4-1 defi cit. Brett Bartles (Duke) Wilson, WAR .327 13 49 5 16 0 10 org have the four highly touted and Mitch Mooreland (Missis- Steffan players from Clemson as part sippi State) combined for three DeJesus, HAR .325 12 40 7 13 0 2 of the mix. Hopefully short- of the four runs, including two Antone Falmouth Living by the Long stop Stan Widmann, center home runs, in the Braves loss. Williams, HYA .324 9 34 3 11 0 4 Ball fi elder Brad Chalk and sec- After an off day and a rain Jackson In Fal- ond baseman Taylor Harbin, out, the Braves headed back HOME RUNS mouth, who hit back-to-back-to- home after the two days' Dykstra, Allan CHA 4 balls are back in the lineup, can help rest to host the fi rst-place McFadden, 4 leaving the the team with its league-lead- team in the East, the Orleans Warren park as ing total. Cardinals. After trailing 3-0 in much as How they contribute is still the third, the Braves quickly RBI game-win- a mystery, but one thing is responded with some runs of Rizotti, Matt CHA 15 ning hits for sure. If the Commodores their own in the fourth. With Dykstra, Allan CHA 11 are com- continue hitting the ball out the fi rst fi ve batters reaching, Satin, Josh OLN 11 ing off the of the park at this pace, they including an RBI single off Wilson, WAR 10 bat of the could be on track for all sorts the bat of Mooreland and a Steffan world's greatest player, the of records. two-run double by Andy Goff Barto, Aja FAL 9 lovable "Big Papi." The team By Nicholas Mucci, CCBL In- (Wake Forest), the Braves STOLEN BASES is leading the league in home tern mucci@capecodbaseball. were able to generate four Leclerc, Brian BOU 10 runs with 12 through Thurs- org runs to take their fi rst lead Gotcher, Ryan WAR 10 day; the next team in the of the game. The lead didn't Carrara, Chris CHA 7 standings only has six. Braves Watch Week Drip last long, with the Cardinals Glover, Brandon WAR 7 How are they doing this, Away posting two runs of their own you may ask? The Commo- Once again in the top half of the fi fth. Nei- TEAM AVG AB R H HR BB SO SB CS BATTING dores' long ball assault has the Braves wit- ther team was able to gener- Cotuit .296 432 74 128 6 64 88 22 13 been led by two sluggers, ness Mother ate any offense in the last outfi elder Warren McFadden Nature take four innings with their impres- Hyannis .249 481 47 120 2 53 99 9 10 (Tulane) and fi rst basemen her course, as sive bullpens. The Braves Chatham .240 438 64 105 9 61 115 27 4 (Arizona State). she has for the saw the last appearance by Harwich .239 456 43 109 3 35 103 18 11 Both players have hit three entire summer. The Braves Luke Tucker (FSU), who will Falmouth .237 489 47 116 15 28 154 12 7 home runs each. This would were unable to complete two be headed back to school for Wareham .226 447 65 101 5 60 95 33 6 put these two alone tied atop of their games this week due the remainder of the summer Orleans .208 471 55 98 5 50 121 18 6 the league for most home to the immense amount of to complete an internship. Yarmouth- .204 494 57 101 6 57 100 17 9 runs by an entire team. rain that has hit the Cape. Carrier was sure to add how Dennis Thus far in their college The Braves began the week much he enjoyed having Brewster .197 461 54 91 5 61 100 12 12 careers, neither of these two at an unfamiliar site when Tucker for the short time he Bourne .195 375 33 73 2 44 107 18 8 would have been classifi ed they took on the Falmouth was a part of Bourne. ADDITIONAL BATTING LEADERS as sluggers. Neither player Commodores at Sandwich With a multitude of rain- has had a season with dou- High School. The varsity high outs, Carrier and the Braves HITS ble-digit home runs, despite school and American Legion are anticipating a grueling Posey, Buster YRD 20 each of them having the size teams usually occupy the few weeks ahead of them in Espinosa, CHA 19 and frame to do so. fi eld; however, each year the an attempt to complete the Danny McFadden, who hails from Cape League uses Sand- 44-game season. The Braves Several 18 Players Tied at Plantation, Florida, has re- wich as a promotional site. are looking to complete their turned for his second season Featured as the home team, roster with future newcomers DOUBLES at Falmouth after hitting .232 Bourne was able to attract Andrew Carignan (UNC), Bob- Wilson, Steffan WAR 6 and driving in 12 in 17 starts the interests of over 1,800 by Bell (Rice) and Mike Stutes Several 5 in 2005. His 2005 season at fans in the loss. Bourne start- (Oregon State). Carignan and Players Tied at Tulane was injury-plagued er Tom Farmer (Akron) was Bell are expected to arrive TRIPLES and he wound up using a impressive for the fans in his by Monday, while fi nal ar- Espinosa, CHA 2 medical redshirt for the sea- second star, striking out 10 rangements are being made Danny son. This spring proved to be in 6 2/3 innings of work and for Stutes. The Braves are Rea, Jeffrey COT 2 a more successful season for allowing one earned run on anxiously awaiting the grand SLUGGING PERCENTAGE Warren, who earned Fresh- fi ve hits. The lone run came opening of the fi eld on the Smoak, Justin COT .694 man All-American honors on a mistake pitch given to Fourth of July when they face Wallace, Brett FAL .625 and was deemed Freshman Falmouth's Warren Macfad- the Wareham Gatemen. The Espinosa, CHA .538 of the Year by the Louisiana den (Tulane), who struck his fi eld will hold a mass amount Danny Sports Writers. Warren led third homer of the summer to of festivities and games for all Dykstra, Allan CHA .524 the Green Wave with a .383 relatively short center fi eld. the fans that attend. McFadden, FAL .509 batting average, 91 hits and Brian Leclerc (Florida) was Daniel Scalia, CCBL Intern Warren 24 doubles. Highly touted out able to generate two of the [email protected] Thursday, July 6, 2006 SUMMER STARS 13 Batting Batting Around Around A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League East Division Roundup CAPE COD LEAGUE LEADERS (Through Games Of 7/2/06) Orleans Welcomes Two Big on Thursday night with a 6-3 was no power in the bats on Bats to the Lineup loss to Yarmouth-Dennis, but Wednesday. PITCHING TOP 10 (MINIMUM 11 IP) Going Friday night's game would The story changed again, PITCHER CLUB W-L ERA IP H BB SO into the see the debut of Valencia this time for Matt Laporta Seibert, Shaun BRW 1-0 0.00 17 11 10 11 second against the . (Florida), who also hit his first Simmons, James COT 2-0 0.00 15 7 1 14 full week Coach Kelly Nicholson home run of the season in the of regular placed Valencia in the clean- game against the Wareham Corgan, YRD 1-0 0.00 14 6 3 19 Chance season up spot behind Matt Wiet- Gatemen. This is Laporta's baseball, ers, a move that would pay second summer with the Brown, Jay COT 2-0 0.00 12 4 4 8 the Orleans off for the Cardinals. After a Cape League - he played for Davis, Ty OLN 2-1 0.50 18 9 7 21 Cardinals' offense was strug- RBI single by Wieters in the the 2004 Y-D Red Sox and Hargrove, Ricky CHA 1-0 0.54 17 6 6 9 gling. They were hitting under bottom of the third, Valencia placed second in the Home Beno, Martin WAR 1-0 0.61 15 10 5 12 .200 as a team and had only crushed a triple for two RBIs Run Hitting Contest at the *Watson, Tony HAR 2-0 0.69 13 6 3 13 produced a total of three extra- and a 3-0 lead. The lead All-Star Game that year. This *Cecil, Brett OLN 0-0 0.71 13 5 6 14 base hits. Luckily for Orleans, didn't last long, and Bourne year he was chosen by the they had an ace up their sleeve came back to take a 4-3 Boston Red Sox in the 14th Banwart, Travis WAR 1-0 0.82 11 11 2 10 - actually, two of them. lead heading into the top of round of the MLB draft. WINS The Oregon State Beavers the fifth. With Kody Kaiser Two other promising play- Several 2 weren't the only team cel- (Oklahoma) on third and first ers on the Whitecaps' roster Platers Tied at ebrating at the end of the base open, the Braves de- are (Miami-FL) SAVES College World Series. The cided to pitch to Valencia, a and Pedro Alvarez (Vander- Cardinals were patiently move they would soon regret. bilt). Both are with the USA Cecil, Brett OLN 4 awaiting the arrival of Matt Valencia hit a home run to Baseball National Team at Demel, Sam FAL 3 Wieters (Georgia Tech) and left field and Orleans took a this time but could be joining McDonald, Dan HAR 3 Danny Valencia (Miami-FL), 5-4 lead that they would not the Whitecaps soon. Graham, Connor WAR 3 who were busy represent- relinquish. Elih Villanueva Weeks was drafted by the STRIKEOUTS ing their universities in the (Florida International) and in the Doyle, Terry YRD 23 College World Series. Matt Brett Cecil (Kentucky) pitched eighth round but decided Wieters had a monster four innings of scoreless to attend the University of Davis, Ty OLN 21 sophomore campaign as the relief, while Eric Surkamp got Miami. He is the brother of Robertson, YRD 21 catcher for the Yellow Jack- the win for Orleans. Rickie Weeks, who is current- David ets, hitting .355 and leading The win bolted Orleans into ly an infielder for the Milwau- Several 20 the team with 15 home runs first place of the Eastern Divi- kee Brewers. Players Tied at and 75 RBIs. Wieters arrived sion in front of their rivals, the Alvarez, meanwhile, had an TEAM W-L ERA H CG SHO SV HR BB SO in Cape Cod on Saturday and Chatham A's. Orleans hosts outstanding year with Van- PITCHING made his debut for the Cardi- Chatham on Monday night derbilt and was just named Cotuit 9-4 1.57 81 0 4 2 5 29 83 nals in Monday night's game as they hope Matt Wieters an All-American by Baseball Chatham 7-5 2.31 76 0 1 4 1 38 89 against the rival Chatham A's. and Danny Valencia form a America. The fans at Eldredge Park David Ortiz/Manny Ramirez- Friday night's game against Wareham 9-5 2.49 111 0 0 5 5 48 102 were delighted to see the like combo in the heart of the Chatham gave the Whitecaps Orleans 10-5 2.50 100 0 2 4 7 60 104 six-foot, six-inch Wieters Orleans order. another win, putting them at Harwich 5-9 3.07 88 1 2 3 6 49 122 positioned behind the plate By Jonathan .500. The team is steadily Falmouth 6-7 3.12 99 0 2 4 8 45 115 and situated in the three-hole French, CCBL Intern improving, and with the addi- Yarmouth- 6-9 3.31 116 1 2 5 8 67 146 of the Orleans lineup. Wiet- [email protected] tion of players such as Weeks Dennis ers hit a number of deep fly and Alvarez, they will only get Hyannis 6-7 3.52 125 0 1 3 8 68 115 balls, but they were caught Brewster Starting to Take better. by the Chatham outfielders Shape By Johnna DeChristoforo, Brewster 8-6 3.79 134 0 1 6 5 63 104 as the game would become Following CCBL Intern dechristoforo@c Bourne 1-10 5.39 112 0 0 1 5 46 102 a pitcher's duel between a scary in- apecodbaseball.org Orleans's Ryan Pond (NC cident days ADDITIONAL PITCHING LEADERS State) and Chatham's Chris ago, RHP Rivals Face Off for the First Wiman (Abilene Christian). Erik Davis Time in 2006 GAMES After 10 and a half innings, (Stanford) When Several 7 the game was tied at 1-1. In was back you think Players Tied at the bottom half of the 11th, with the rivalry in COMPLETE GAMES Whitecaps on Tuesday. Davis baseball, Wieters had a chance to be a Dorn, Johnny HAR 1 hero in his first CCBL game. was hit by a line drive and what teams With runners on second and sustained an eye injury but is come to Hume, Donnie YRD 1 third and two outs, Wieters on the road to recovery. mind? SHUTOUTS stepped to the plate, but he There was a lot of applause Most peo- Hume, Donnie YRD 1 never even had a chance to for Davis when he returned ple might Several 0 swing the bat because Cha- to the team at the Y-D game; think Yankees-Red Sox or Players Tied at tham's Derrik Lutz (George however, those cheers didn't Dodgers-Giants. The A's-Car- Washington) ended up balk- carry on when the Whitecaps dinals rivalry doesn't appear Sirois, Rich CHA 21.1 ing in Ryan Sontag (Arizona went to extra innings to even- in the minds of most baseball State) as the winning run. tually take the game from the fans, but in the Cape League, Dorn, Johnny HAR 21.0 Trey Martin (Tulane) received Red Sox. the Chatham A's and Orleans Delucia, Dan COT 20.0 the win for Orleans with a The Whitecaps played a Cardinals form a great rivalry. Pond, Ryan OLN 19.2 scoreless top of the 11th. great offensive game. Mi- A's general manager Charlie Doyle, Terry YRD 19.0 On Tuesday night, Orleans chael Fisher (Georgia Tech) Thoms calls the two teams LOSSES faced one of the league's had two singles, and Andrew "definite rivals." hottest pitchers in Cotuit's Romine (Arizona State) had a In the 2005 season, Cha- Dorn, Johnny HAR 3 James Simmons (UC River- single and stole home on the tham put together an impres- Several 2 side). Simmons, who has front end of a double steal. sive 27-15 record. However, Players Tied at not yielded a run all season, But it was Justin Snyder (San they struggled against the WALKS pitched eight innings of Diego) who hit his first home Orleans Cardinals and lost Daly, Matt HYA 13 run of the season in the 10th six of nine games to their scoreless baseball to get the Doyle, Terry YRD 13 win in a 4-0 victory for Or- inning to give Brewster the rivals from the north. Two of leans. The next night would 6-5 win. these six losses were in of Several 10 Players Tied at be a coming-out party for Great offense was not the Eastern Division playoffs. Matt Wieters. In Orleans' 11- the case in the Whitecaps' In the best-of-three series, HOME RUNS ALLOWED 2 win over Hyannis, he went make-up game against Chatham won the first game Dobrowiecki FAL 6 3-for-4 with a home run and Falmouth. Maybe it was but lost the next two to the Kris 3 RBIs. A setback occurred due to the weather, but there Continued on Next Page Dorn, Johnny HAR 3 14 SUMMER STARS Thursday, July 6, 2006 Batting Around A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League East Roundup Continued... Continued from Page 13 as (Florida State) though. A couple of spe- eventual CCBL champs. The scored on a Brad Emaus cial fans were in the stands taste of defeat was tough (Tulane) double, which led to cheering on their summer- to swallow for Coach John a 1-0 Red Sox win over the time sons. Jeanne Keefe is Schiffner's Chatham A's, who Hyannis Mets on Monday. Em- in her fourth year of housing had a chance for redemption aus' double to left center came Cape League players and on Monday night. with two outs, after Posey is currently housing Johnny The game was played at El- stole second on a strikeout. Dorn (Nebraska) and Antone dredge Park in Orleans, where Posey, who finished 2-for-3 on DeJesus (Kentucky). She pre- fans reserved spots hours the night, reached on a base viously housed Mariner alum before game time. Chatham hit slashed off Mets pitcher and current Boston Red Sox had numerous opportunities Alex Hale's (Richmond) glove pitcher Craig Hansen. Keefe throughout the game, but left and towards the left side of revealed a fun fact about 13 players on base and failed the infield. One run was all Y-D Hansen some Red Sox fans to deliver the necessary clutch needed to beat the Mets and might not like to hear: he's a hit. The score was tied going end their three-game winning big fan. into the bottom of the 11th, streak. Jan and Bill Wilson were where the game would end The win is no doubt attrib- also at the game to support in controversy, as Chatham's uted to outstanding pitching, their players, Eric Fryer (Ohio Justin Segal (UC Santa Bar- particularly by Auburn Uni- State) and Brian Oats (Trinity). bara) balked in the winning versity's Luke Greinke, who Both the Keefe and Wilson run. Schiffner vehemently took the win after striking out families said they try never to argued the call, but to no avail seven in 4 2/3 innings. Gre- miss a game, and that having as Orleans continued to have inke, normally a closer for the the players stay with them is Chatham's number. Auburn Tigers, was pleased a lot of fun. The game sent Chatham with his performance. When the rest of the per- into a frustrating week of "I was excited to go five in- manent players join the team, play. During the week they nings. At school, I'm used to other Mariners fans will have went on to loss two of their throwing one to two innings more reasons not to want to next three, their lone win of at the most. I'm hoping to miss a game either. This Mon- the week coming against the be a starter next year and I'll day was the end of the College Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox on need to be able to throw a lot World Series, and making it to Wednesday night. Chatham's of pitches." the final game was North Caro- Ricky Hargrove (Houston) Although he has only been lina, a team that holds three pitched effectively against on the Cape for a short time, of the Mariners' key players: Yarmouth-Dennis with eight Greinke has noticed a per- Chad Flack, Josh Horton and innings of two-run baseball. sonal improvement in his Matt Spencer. Centerville's Rich Tri (Central game. "I've definitely im- The Mariners also have Connecticut) went 3-for-4 and proved because I've already a good amount of play- had the game-winning RBI in thrown more innings than I ers with the USA Baseball the bottom of the 10th. Adri- have at school." National Team, but within a an Ortiz (Pepperdine) scored When comparing the com- few days the finalization of MATTHEW BURKE on Tri's hit and showed off his petition to what he and his the Team USA roster will be Dogs are welcome at Lowell Park, just not on the field, please. great speed by scoring from Auburn Tigers face in the announced. Therefore, the second base. SEC, Luke acknowledges the Mariners are looking forward The problem through- extraordinary talent of both his to getting some of those guys out the week was the lack teammates and opponents in to the Cape soon and get the of timely hitting. The A's the CCBL. He is already work- team situated for what should continued to put batters on ing on techniques to outsmart be an exciting remainder of base but had trouble com- such gifted hitters, practicing the season. ing up with a clutch hit to a new pitch, the cut fastball. By Johnna DeChristoforo, drive in runners. For the Before this summer he had CCBL Intern dechristoforo@c week, they averaged 11 never thrown the pitch, but apecodbaseball.org men left on base per game. with Monday's win, it's clear They also ran into a num- that it's working for him. Some Like It Hot ber of hot pitchers, includ- By Courtney Reilly, CCBL Enjoying a wide margin in ing Brewster's Scott Maine Intern reilly@capecodbaseball. the CCBL batting race so (Miami) and Harwich's Tony org far is Chris Carrara (Win- Watson (Nebraska). Days Off Ruin the Mariners' throp) of Chatham, who The rough week left the A's was hitting at a torrid .476 in second place of the East- Momentum Weather clip after Wednesday's ern Division behind the Or- action. Tony Delmonico leans Cardinals. They hope has not made (Tennessee) of Cotuit was to make up ground against next at .400 … Delmonico's the Cardinals on July 3, when things easy for the Kettleers' teammate James they travel to Eldredge Park Simmons was 2-0 with once again. If you watched Harwich Mariners. a 0.00 ERA in 15 innings them play last Monday night, pitched, while Y-D's Chance Cardinals-A's starts to sound After their two days off due to rain, the Corgan was 1-0 with a 0.00 more like a rivalry. ERA in 14 IP … Early home By JonathanFrench, CCBL Mariners' winning streak came to an end with a loss run leaders were Justin Intern french@capecodbaseball. Smoak (South Carolina) of org to Cotuit. The Mariners were back on track Tuesday with Cotuit, Warren McFadden (Tulane) of Falmouth and Y-D's Finish to Start a win against Chatham, but Commodores teammate After with an off day on Wednes- Brett Wallace (Arizona St.) seven day came two more losses with three round-trippers scoreless to the Hyannis Mets and the apiece … Cotuit leads the innings, Cotuit Kettleers. league with an impressive Y-D The rain, fog and utterly .322 team batting average recon- miserable weather did not and is also the pitching nected stop the fans from coming leader with a 1.48 team with fans out to watch some baseball, MATTHEW BURKE ERA. Young fans share a snack with the bullpen pitchers in Cotuit. Thursday, July 6, 2006 SUMMER STARS 15 Batting Around A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League ������������������������������� ����������������� �������������� ����������� �����������������������������������������

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