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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S Postage Paid Falmouth Publishing Co. Now ...Season Two Former Cape League Star Welcome to our second season of Summer Stars. The Cape Cod League baseball season opened for us back in February when we began planning for this year. Over the last four and On The a half months we have worked hard to prepare for the season and to make Summer Stars the leading source for Cape Cod Fast Track To Baseball League news. This year we will continue to offer the magazine for free at all the CCBL parks and through local businesses on Cape Cod, but in addition we will be offering subscriptions nationally. By doing this we will be bringing the excitement, fl avor and tradition of the country’s oldest amateur summer collegiate baseball league to audiences across the nation. This year Summer Stars will fi nd its way into every front offi ce and most radio and television broadcast booths. Division I college coaches around the country will be receiving it, as will be player agents DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE and professional scouting agencies. Summer Stars will also be making a weekly trip to Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Pawtucket’s Our veteran staff or writers, and contributing writers have Jacob Ellsbury been following Cape League baseball for decades. They know the Cape, the parks and how to fi nd some of the best stories Page Three the summer will have to offer. Their feature stories will take you behind the scenes, and into the dugout, with the top col- legiate players and coaches in America, as well as introduce you to the people that make the work. Mr. Kettleer: This summer we’ve added a ninth issue to our usual eight recapping the playoffs and championship series. So join us Arnold Mycock for a summer of Cape Cod Baseball League excitement, come Page Five out to the games, and then sit back and read all about every- thing else that is happening on and off the fi eld with Summer Stars. Dan Crowley, Editor Dan Crowley is also the Sports Editor for the Enterprise News- A Life In Baseball: papers and the author of the 2003 book Baseball on Cape Cod. Cape League Legend George Tsami 5 Page Eleven

Teammates at Falmouth NNFS 5IF&OUFSQSJTFT 4V 4VN Page 7 6OL  NFS *UNE  9OUR' 4 UIDETOTHE#APE#OD"ASEBALL,EAGUEU BST Photo Highlights US Military All-Stars Game S Pages 8-9 UB ).3)$% 4 0REVIEWS/F right- !LL4EAMS League Preview East Division & West Division handed /outfi elder -R+ETTLEER Pages 11-14 and US Naval Academy *ACOBY%LLSBURY junior Mitch Harris has two !0HONE#ALL!WAY dreams. As a midshipman Look for this issue online at Annapolis, he dreams of @ www.capenews.net becoming an offi cer in the

02%3/24%$ Navy, but as a baseball player he dreams of playing 34!.$!2$ 530OSTAGE0AID &ALMOUTH 0UBLISHI Major League Baseball. Last week Harris was drafted in NG#O On The Cover: Ellsbury: From Falmouth to Pawtucket the 24th round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Photo by Rich Maclone Draft by the . This spring Harris compiled a record of 8-5, with an ERA of 2.14 in 88.1 innings of work for the Midshipmen. His 119 were a Patriot League record. At the publisher operations design services manager plate he .293. His eight home runs and 47 RBI led all William Hough Chuck Borge Christine Stutzman Patriot League hitters. He was selected for the 2007 All- sports editor Patriot League second team as a and sales manager design services . In addition, this year he was awarded Dan Crowley Chris Avis Linda Stewart the Thompson Trophy Cup, which is presented to that photo editor Jill Spencer midshipman who has done the most during the year to Julia Balducci promote athletics at the Naval Academy. sales Don Parkinson “I thank the Atlanta Braves for taking me,” he said. Danielle Guay design & layout press supervisor “I have every intention of fulfi lling my military commit- Dawn Mitchell Elisabet K. Rodrigues David Pittman ment, and I’ll do whatever I have to do. But playing pro Trisha Herlihy ball has always been a dream.” Rebecca Whittingdon 50 Depot Avenue In September, Harris will enter his senior year at An- Nancy Medeiros Enterp e ri Falmouth, MA 02540 napolis and have a fi ve-year military service commit- Esther Buchanan h s e 508-548-4700 • 1-800-286-7744 ment. Pam deLala T Falmouth • Mashpee • Bourne • Sandwich Fax: 508-540-8407 Thursday, June 14, 2007 SUMMER STARS 3 FFormerFFormeroorrmmeerr CapeCCapeCaappee LeagueLLeagueLeeaagguuee StarSStarSttaarr JJacobyJJacobyaaccoobbyy EEllsburyEEllsburyllllssbbuurryy OOnOOnnn TheTTheThhee FFastFFastaasstt TTrackTTrackrraacckk ToTToToo FFenwayFFenwayeennwwaayy PParkPParkaarrkk

On a typically sweaty August Jeff Trundy into the leadoff that he put emphasis on. afternoon in The Hub Jacoby spot immediately, Ellsbury “I shortened up my swing a Ellsbury had just worked out began to turn heads with little bit, it was a little longer for the with a his hustling style, breakneck than I wanted it to be, so I group of Cape Cod Baseball speed and fl ashy glove. Every made it more compact and League all-stars at Fenway night it seemed that Ellsbury worked on limiting my strike- Park. After slicing and dicing did something to help the outs to become a true, good BP in the cage at the team, and the team began to leadoff hitter.” little ballpark off of Landsd- ascend up the standings. On His work on fundamentals owne Street Ellsbury made his a team that was fi lled with and attention to detail has way across the street to one of high draft picks – including paid dividends at every level. the slightly overpriced souvenir , Dan Carte and Ellsbury joined the Sox short shops near the ballpark. Cliff Pennington – Ellsbury season ‘A’ level club, the Like most baseball fans vis- stood out. , in July of iting Fenway for the fi rst time Statistically speaking, 2005 and hit .317 that sum- the Oregon State outfi elder, Ellsbury didn’t have eye-pop- mer. He then moved to the who would help the Falmouth ping numbers on the Cape. higher level ‘A’ team, in Wilm- Commodores to their fi rst He had a solid season, batting ington, , for the appearance in the CCBL .245 as he averaged about a start of the 2006 season and championship series since hit per game while posting an hit .299 there over 65 games 1980 – three years before he on-base percentage of .376. before moving up to the Port- was born – had to pick up He had a couple of doubles, land Sea Dogs, and the ‘AA’ ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO some kind of memento from three triples and a homer and level. At Portland he hit at a Jacob Ellsbury while playing in 2004 for the Commodores his trip. It was at that moment knocked in seven runs from .308 clip for the rest of the that he became a fl edgling the leadoff spot. On a team season, playing in 50 games I know that the big league pen he also has a very good member of Red Sox Nation, that is not known for doing a there. The year 2006 proved club is doing real well and chance of being promoted purchasing a Sox cap that lot of running, he swiped 12 to a great one for Ellsbury on all I can do is to continue to the big league club after caught his eye. bases (in 15 attempts). And, several levels as he would to improve as a player, and September 1 when the MLB The lid bought in Boston Ellsbury played spectacular receive enough trophies to fi ll continue to develop. I’m still rosters expand for the fi nal would travel back across the defense as he chased down a shelf, being named the Red young, so even if I get there month of the season. country to Corvalis, OR. Dur- anything in the same zip code. Sox Minor League Player Of this year, next year, or the fol- “That’d be nice, just for the ing the preseason he began Ellsbury earned an all-star The Year and Baserunner Of lowing year, I’m going to keep experience, if anything, even to throw it atop his shortly nod and it was clear that he The Year. He was named to developing when I get to the if I don’t get into any games,” cut hair. It went from being was moving higher and higher the ’s All-Star big leagues as well.” the former Falmouth Commo- just a part of his college dude on MLB teams’ draft radars. team and named the Eastern Chances are that Ellsbury dore said. “Just to sit on the wardrobe and morphed into a The blip got much bigger when League Player of the Week could don a Boston Red Sox bench and watch, I can learn sort of “lucky hat.” he went back to OSU and (August 6-13). uniform sooner rather than a lot from just watching and Little did he know what it hit .406 the next year with 19 The 23-year old began the later. Pretty much considered being around the guys and would come to represent later doubles, three triples and six 2007 season with the Sea universally as an untouch- seeing how they go about in the season. In the middle homers in 58 games. Dogs, but wouldn’t stay there able player come the trad- their business.” of the Beavers to the The Sox center fi elder of long. Ellsbury hit a gaudy ing deadline by the Red Sox One thing is for certain, College the Red the future credited his time .452 over the team’s fi rst brass, Ellsbury could be in it won’t be long before the Sox would add a jersey to on Cape Cod with helping 17 games and was named Beantown should one of the former Cape League all-star the outfi t as they drafted him him make the leap to the next the ’s Player Sox outfi elders get injured, or is wearing a Boston Red Sox 23rd overall in the 2005 Major level. He said that his strug- Of The Month for April. He traded. If that doesn’t hap- cap again, every day. League Baseball Draft. gles in the Cape League gave wouldn’t get a chance to After completing his run him motivation to get better, win the award again in May with the Beavers, which and the knowledge of what because he was promoted would come up short of the he needed to work on. to the Paw Sox on May 4, 3,)$%INTO championship (OSU won the “I gained a lot of knowl- getting one step to his CWS the next year), Ellsbury edge, and that’s the biggest dream of playing in the big would begin wearing a slew thing as a player, is when leagues. of new caps in hopes of get- you’re not succeeding, I think Now he’s 46 miles and ting back to a New Era with that you have to have the an opportunity away from the old English ‘B’ on top right attitude and mentality, playing for the Boston Red again. then you can improve the Sox. Ellsbury said that he is ****** most,” he said prior to taking pleased with his rapid ascen- 1UALITY3EAFOOD While nearly every Red Sox the game for the Pawtucket sion up the ranks of the Red fan across the country knows Red Sox against the Colum- Sox minor league system, who Jacoby Ellsbury is now, bus Clippers two weeks ago. but does not plan to rest on 9OULLALWAYSBE3!&% and anticipates his arrival in “It was defi nitely a fun sum- his laurels at this point. “Just Boston, there weren’t nearly mer, a learned a lot. I think being in the minor leagues, -6/$)ի%*//&3ի,*%441&$*"-4 that many that knew his that was the summer that I playing every day has cer- #PJMFE-PCTUFS4UFBNFST name, let alone could prop- improved the most as a ball- tainly helped improve my erly pronounce it, when he ar- player mentally, and went into game,” he said. “I have high $IFFTFDBLF'BDUPSZ$IFFTFDBLF rived in Falmouth back in the the offseason and worked on expectations of myself, but at summer of 2004. It didn’t take those fundamentals.” the same time if you told me &!,-/54( 3!.$7)#( long for fans of the Commo- He said that his biggest that I was just a phone call dores to quickly realize that focus was making his swing away two years later, I would 2TEs0ALMER!VE #OAST'UARD2OAD the youngster patrolling cen- better. Also, providing his have said ‘wow, that’s great.’       ter fi eld was special. Inserted team a big weapon at the top Right now, at this level, I try WWWSEAFOODSAMSCOM by longtime Falmouth skipper of the lineup was something not to think about it so much. 4 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 14, 2007 No Heart? Need Not Apply Defending Champion Red Sox Skipper Scott Pickler BY MATTHEW M. BURKE been like last August during roots stoked their passion for The 2006 Yarmouth-Dennis the playoffs. “Well, our guys America’s pastime. Red Sox team was special. were playing pretty hard still Pickler played baseball in Not only did they win the towards the end. Maybe it high school for Savanna High, Arnold Mycock Award for was how hard they were play- in Anaheim, CA. He gradu- the Cape League champion- ing towards the end? But, ated in 1968 as the reigning ship by defeating red-hot then you’re matched up with Athlete of the Year. He later Wareham, 5-1, in the cham- a Wareham team that did the went on to play at Cypress pionship game, the third and same thing. When you get in College, where he garnered fi nal game in a best-of-three a short series like that, if you all-conference honors before series. They also overcame make a mistake, its going to transferring to adversity to do so, namely an come back to haunt you, and State. Pickler was an aspiring 8-11 start to the season. we made less mistakes in Continued on Page 7 Yarmouth-Dennis Head Scott Pickler The Sox won their fi nal game that fi nal weekend and it paid of the season at their home off for us.” park, Red Wilson Field, in “Pick,” as he is called by his front of close to 8,500 of their friends and players alike, is New Season About To Begin adoring fans, a phenomenal a man with the stereotypical attendance record. They won body of a , BY PAUL A. GALOP, major goals is to prepare 28 regular season games, los- compact and agile. He is a CCBL COMMISSIONER these young men for a ca- ing only 16, for their second California man with a Califor- Greetings from Cape reer in title in three seasons, and the nia tan, ashy gray hair, and a Cod. and we are very sensitive best regular season record in trademark Cheshire cat grin. It' hard to believe that it to not "over-" them. the league in 2006. Coach Pickler, who is in his was over nine months ago The rain of 2006 forced The proverbial Oz; the man mid-50s, is quite amiable, yet that the Yarmouth-Dennis us to play more - behind the curtain for the Red is not afraid to speak his mind. Red Sox captured their headers than ever before Sox, is a four-time National Players love to play for him, second championship in in our storied history and Coach of the Year, on the and Pickler loves to teach. He the past three years with we want to ensure we are Junior College level, and a has a sharp baseball mind. He an exciting win over the giving our proper soon-to-be 10-season veter- considers himself an aggres- two rest between assignments. an of the Cape Cod Baseball sive coach, willing to take games to one. The fi nal Our general managers and League (all with Yarmouth- chances to win. game was played before coaching staffs have been Dennis): Coach Scott Pickler. Pickler’s love for the game approximately 8,300 spec- busy recruiting and signing “It’s a matter of getting hot of baseball began over 50 tators at Red Wilson Field the most talented collegiate in South Yarmouth on a players in the nation. The in a short series like that,” he years ago, when he was four- CCBL Commissioner Paul picture-perfect day. rosters are loaded with im- said of the Wareham series years-old. His father would Galop in the dugout at Red Wilson bring him to Glover Stadium, At the very moment the pressive NCAA student-ath- Field, less than 24 hours after in Anaheim, for a hamburger, celebration ended, plan- letes that will again provide arriving on the Cape for the fries, a malt, wooden bleach- ning for the 2007 season hugely successful in 2006. top-notch baseball on Cape 2007 season. ers, and the game of baseball. began and has been pro- Most of the other fi elds Cod for the summer of 2007. As landscapers put the Baseball was a big deal in the ceeding in earnest since continue to implement It is now time to hear fi nishing touches on the fi eld, Pickler household, and he says that very day. The Ware- changes that focus in on the crack of the wooden it was eerily quiet; certainly that he wanted to impress ham Gatemen have been safety and professionalism. bats and enjoy a true taste incomparable to what it had his father whose, Cambridge putting the fi nal touches We are very fortunate to of Americana, the Cape on fi eld improvements have the Yawkey Founda- Cod Baseball League. The that have been spectacu- tion participating in signifi - dedication of our fans is lar. The infi eld and out- cantly underwriting many unbelievable and grow- fi eld now has completely of these projects. ing. The commitment and new sod and will be quite Another exciting addi- enthusiasm that the CCBL >«iÊ œ`½ÃÊ the showplace when tion is the major enhance- volunteers subscribe to is the Gatemen host the ment of our souvenir store astounding. It is no won- *Ài“ˆiÀÊ 2007 Cape Cod Baseball on-line. You now have the der that the Cape Cod League All-Star Game at opportunity to purchase Baseball League is widely Spillane Field on Satur- any of our popular mer- recognized as the best >ÃiL>Ê-̜Ài day, July 28, 2007. The chandise items at your collegiate summer baseball have also convenience by simply vis- league in America. You are been completing major iting our web site at www. about to witness the future >ÀÀވ˜}Ê>ÊޜÕÀÊv>ۜÀˆÌiÊLÀ>˜`Ã\ upgrades to their beauti- capecodbaseball.org and stars of Major League ful fi eld at Lowell Park. clicking on "Souvenirs" Baseball every night at our ,>܏ˆ˜}à œÕˆÛˆi œVœ˜> Ê-Ì>À The Falmouth Com- from the left column, and ballparks. Right now there ˆâ՘œ >iÃ̈V i“>Àˆ˜ˆ ˆŽi˜ modores and Hyannis then 'merchandise". Prices are nearly 200 players in >Ã̜˜ 7ˆÃœ˜ ˆ>“œ˜` 7œÀÌ Mets also continue to are extremely reasonable, the major leagues that complete major enhance- quality is superb and deliv- once played in the Cape ments to their respective ery time is excellent. Cod Baseball League. fi elds, some of which will After enduring 32 rainouts We are very proud of that #HECKOUTOURSHOP be completed before the during the 2006 season, accomplishment and you, 2008 season. The Bourne the CCBL voted this year to our loyal fans, have been 9OULLLOVE Braves and the Brewster increase our roster sizes to a very big part of that and WHATYOUSEE 7EST-AIN3TREETq(YANNIS -! Whitecaps will be starting 25 to bring in more pitch- we are most appreciative.   q    the second year on their ers in case we face that Best wishes for a great &AX   new fi elds which were dilemma again. One of our 2007 CCBL season. Thursday, June 14, 2007 SUMMER STARS 5 Mr. Kettleer… How Arnold Mycock Helped Build the Modern Day Cape League from the Ground Up

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE est recorded temperature in the Suburban League and There are 198 former Cape history at that time, a stunning Mycock played fi rst base, League baseball players 54-degrees below zero. It’s the coached, and was their now on Major League ros- type of dry cold that he says a equipment manager. He ters. Seven players in this person never forgets. played with the team until year’s fi rst round of the Major When he was discharged 1950 when he picked up and League Baseball draft are in 1946 he returned to Som- moved to the Cape. alumni as well, including four erset and joined the Ameri- “I was the fi rst baseman out of the top 10 picks. This can Legion. He said that — never could hit, but any- stat is more impressive when at the time there were a lot way — we played and it was you take into account the of guys freshly discharged the town team,” he said with fact that there were 11 high just “hanging around,” so a laugh. “I became the man- school players taken out of for sponsors, they formed ager and, in 1950, I came to the top 30 picks. a baseball team, called the the Cape and worked for my This quality of play and the Somerset Royals, named for brother, who had a law fi rm. I pedigree of the league’s play- a typewriter company. worked for him my whole life, ers wasn’t built over night. It The Royals played in Continued on Next Page took a lot of hard work. Meet Arnold Mycock, one of the men largely responsible for the Cape Cod Baseball League’s meteoric rise to the upper ech- elons of amateur baseball… For the Love of the Game As day breaks, Mycock, Cape League Hall of Famer and General Manager Emeri- MATTHEW BURKE/ENTEPRISE tus of the Cotuit Kettleers, Arnold Mycock /VER  now 83-years old, wakes 'RILLS3OLDON and travels to the post of- ers, schedules, and baseball ing through like a young kid #APE#OD fi ce to get the team’s mail. camp brochures that take up at a Major League Park for 3INCE “With a team budget of over a lot of room in the kitchen of the fi rst time. “I still love the $200,000, as you can imag- his quaint Cotuit home, which game, and I would never miss ine, there are quite a few overloos a golf course. a game, but I do what I can, bills,” he said with a smile at He continues to go about things that don’t require a lot his Cotuit home last month. his day looking over Cape of running or walking.” Mycock is soft-spoken and League Hall of Fame nomina- Humble Beginnings chipper, a thin man of aver- tions on behalf of the selec- Mycock grew up in Som- age height; he opens the mail tion committee, or organizing erset, MA, and he fondly and sends the pieces off to the annual fund drive for the remembers his love for the the right team department, Kettleers for example, which game growing from trips to such as directing the team’s can bring in an upwards of Fenway Park, to see Ted Wil- bills to the treasurer. It takes $50,000 every year, or even liams and Joe Cronin play. him about an hour every day making up the league sched- His love for baseball soon to complete the process. ule for the upcoming season, surpassed most children in Once that is taken care depending on what time of his hometown. He would get of, Mycock and his golden the year it is. up everyday and run two retriever Chuck head down to Mycock says that the work country blocks, just to pick the house that Arnold built: recedes in the summer and up a newspaper to see what Lowell Park, the home of the his only obligation becomes Williams or Jimmy Foxx had Cape Cod Baseball League’s attending every Kettleer done the previous day. 14-time champion Cotuit Ket- game, home or away, if his He recalls the headlines… tleers…and that is no exag- health permits. He also never “Williams hits two (HR), or 4WO'REAT geration, according to Cotuit misses a Red Sox game on Foxx hits one,” Mycock Kettleers General Manager television. recalls with a smile and a !MERICAN0ASTIMES Bruce Murphy; Mycock actu- The Cotuit Kettleers are glimmer in his eye. He gets "ASEBALL ally helped construct the fi eld the only Cape League team excited. “I remember doing many years ago. to maintain their fi eld with- that! What other kid does "ARBEQUE Mycock says that he’s too out the use of public funds. that? I wasted hours listening old to perform maintenance Fundraising has become to the radio.” at Lowell Park, but as he and a huge part of the Cape Mycock played baseball, Chuck walk around the fi eld, League’s success over the football, and at getting exercise each day, he years on its way toward Somerset High School where looks for ways to improve his becoming the best amateur he is in the sports Hall of Fame beloved park, and honestly, its summer baseball league in for football. He was a star half- simply just hard for him to stay the country, as has scouting, back and team captain. away. In the spring and fall he and Mycock has been at the Upon his graduation, like mows the grass two times a forefront of both, helping to many ballplayers at the time, week, Murphy said, which is a make the modern day league he enlisted in the military, testament to Mycock’s dedica- what it is today. and in 1943 he was called to tion to the ball club. “I’m still involved, but in serve during World War II in Then its back to his house a different sense,” Mycock the Army. He was a weather where he works getting orga- says enthusiastically, his observer, stationed in Canada, nized amidst stacks of post- passion for baseball shin- where he witnessed the low- 6 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 14, 2007

The Best Collegiate Base- powerhouse in the realms of sional ball, but he said that the ball League in the Country collegiate summer baseball. entire team should have been Mr. Kettleer… Mycock said that the Mycock said that he got drafted. They won the league league started gaining pres- a lot of good players from championship that year. Continued from Page 5 Harvard and tige as early as 1965 when Minnesota and places like The championship trophy is the Suburban League and among other Boston area col- Major League Baseball took UMass-Amherst, where he now called the Arnold My- Mycock played fi rst base, leges and universities. an interest and donated and Hubbard would go twice cock Award in his honor. He coached, and was their Mycock watched the money to the league through a year. That’s where Mycock was inducted into the Cape equipment manager. He Canalmen’s success grow, and the NCAA. He said that they discovered a young right- Cod Baseball League’s inau- played with the team until soon, at the start of the 1960’s, got a small grant that year, handed pitcher named Jeff gural Hall of Fame class in 1950 when he picked up and he decided that he too would followed by a much bigger Reardon, one of the many 2000 alongside Bill Enos and moved to the Cape. and recruit players from one in 1967. But with that future professional ballplay- . “I was the fi rst baseman Boston just to be able to con- second grant came stipula- ers that Mycock scooped up Mycock was forced to retire — never could hit, but any- tinue to compete. tions. The CCBL could only to play for Cotuit. full-time duties as General way — we played and it was “I said, hell, we’ve got to use freshman, sophomores, Mycock remembers Rear- Manager in 1995 after heart the town team,” he said with do that too,” he said as he and juniors for eligibility don as a “hot-head,” but surgery. He retired from his a laugh. “I became the man- leaned forward in his chair, reasons, and could only have he also remembers recom- brother’s law fi rm at this time ager and, in 1950, I came to surrounded by an aura of four non-college players per mending him to New York as well. He was given the the Cape and worked for my sincerity. “But it was a tough team. This rule didn’t last Mets scout General Manager Emeritus title brother, who had a law fi rm. I time for us because we didn’t long, and it soon transformed Len Zanke to play in the New and has held it ever since. worked for him my whole life, have housing history or any- into the modern format of us- York Penn League, which is So just what is Arnold My- as the title examiner.” thing like that. [The players] ing only college players. how Reardon got a chance cock’s legacy? The champi- In 1950 he also became the would have to get jobs. We Historically, two major at professional baseball. He onship trophy? Lowell Park? scorekeeper, business man- started off just like they did factors led to the rise of the says that Reardon was one of Perhaps the quality of play in ager, and General Manager of with the local colleges, and it Cape Cod Baseball League: his favorite players to come the Cape League? Maybe the the small town baseball team made all the difference in the fundraising and recruiting, through Cotuit, playing for 10-team format? Fundrais- from Cotuit, named the Ket- world with the teams. Pretty and Mycock’s recruiting tal- him for three years. Mycock ing? Or maybe even con- tleers several years before. soon we spread out.” ents are now legendary. jokes that Reardon could nections with Major League According to Mycock it At that time, most of the He says that both he and throw a baseball “through a Baseball and scouting? It’s was his love for the game players that were brought Jim Hubbard, the Cotuit man- brick wall” and he can even none of the above. and his love for his commu- in lived in Plymouth, or the ager at the time, would travel rattle off Reardon’s lifetime Arnold Mycock’s legacy is nity that sparked the fervent outlying areas, for example, to various colleges and univer- statistics at the drop of a hat. his love of the game. volunteerism in him, as it did and would commute to their sities to watch the games and “He was a good kid,” My- When asked if he ever across the Cape with volun- games. They played 30-game scout players every weekend. cock recalls. “He progressed thought the Cape Cod teers for all of the teams; it schedules, playing only twice Joe Cronin, who had played, quickly, in three years he was Baseball League would be as still exists to this day. Mycock a week. and later worked in the front up with Montreal.” integral to developing pro- fondly remembers carrying Soon after, the teams began offi ce for the Red Sox, slipped Mycock also recruited fessional caliber talent as it around the team’s equipment to expand their horizons and Mycock the names and con- players from has become in recent years in the back of his car. look at players outside of tact information of every pro (Minnesota) to (Mis- Mycock smiles. Mr. Kettleer Boston, vying for a competi- scout in the country, Mycock sissippi State), both All-Stars “I could see it because we When Mycock arrived on tive edge. Mycock said that said with a smile, adding that in the Major Leagues. He said always had great leadership, the Cape, there were two he became a scout of sorts for you can purchase such books that Steinbach loved to hit so tremendous leadership, and summer baseball leagues. the Kettleers, attending college nowadays. Cronin was Presi- much that they would have we always increased volun- Mycock’s Cotuit squad was coach’s conventions each dent of the to watch him to make sure teerism,” he said. “All the in the Upper Cape League. year. The relationships that he at the time. that he didn’t bat out of order. teams always seemed to be There was a Lower Cape was able to build with these Mycock then typed out a Mycock joked that Steinbach fi xing their fi elds and do- League at the time as well. coaches would prove to be sheet that had blanks to rate “was always on deck.” And ing something else. When it He said that the two leagues very important to the develop- a players arm, speed, hit- Mycock would know as he started out these fi elds weren’t were distinct and both in- ment of the league, as well as ting, among other attributes, was the only non-uniformed much. We started really do- cluded everyone from local with the Kettleer franchise. and he sent these sheets to player allowed into the dug- ing well when Judy (Walden kids and high school players, “That’s how we did our re- pro scouts to rate potential out during games, an unwrit- Scarafi le, the current President to older players who still had cruiting,” he said. “That’s why Kettleers, not their collegiate ten rule that was grandfa- of the CCBL) came aboard, the skills to cut it. we’ve had a lot of success coaches, who would more thered in due to his tenure because she cultivated all Mycock’s nemesis at the over the years and we’ve often than not recommend a with the team. these sponsorships. It’s just for time was the Sagamore had 14 championships since player even if he wasn’t tal- Legacy love of the game and love of Canalmen, who won four 1961, which is a lot in a 10- ented enough. Mycock said Mycock has a sharp mind the community. It’s still on its championships from 1951 to team league.” that the scouts did not hold and is a wealth of baseball way up as far as I can see” 1959. Barnstable and Mash- In 1962, the town teams back any punches and would knowledge. He jokes that The Cape League’s budget pee both had town teams as began to fail. Mycock says shred a potential candidate if nowadays, whole teams in is now over $600,000. They well that have since faded. that there wasn’t a lot of they felt he wasn’t cut out for the Cape League seem to spend approximately $100,000 Mycock said that the interest, or players, left in the professional baseball. get drafted. He remembers each summer on umpires Canalmen started what is two leagues. The Lower Cape “[The scouts] didn’t horse every player from teams as alone and well over 1,000 pro- commonplace today, bringing League was down to four around,” he said. “They’d say far back as the 1950’s and he fessional baseball players have in hired muscle to play on the teams, the Upper Cape had ‘He’ll never make it, too short, says that his favorite players crossed the two Cape bridges team. Not in the literal sense six. Mycock sat on the orga- not enough speed.’” include those never drafted. to play summer ball. of course, but their players nizing committee that merged Mycock said that longtime The 1964 Kettleer team is “He started the youth were not native to the area in the two leagues that fall after Major League scout, and especially dear to Mycock’s clinics about 27 years ago,” which the team played. My- the 1962 season. The modern Cape League Hall of Famer, heart, and he can recite their Murphy said. “Now over 500 cock said that the Canalmen day Cape League was born Bill Enos, told him that his lineup and where they played, children enjoy these camps brought in players from from those meetings. system was better than any down to a pitcher’s position each summer. He still keeps Major League Baseball club in the rotation. He said that score at each home and because he had the entire it was before Major League away game. He remembers country covered as far as Baseball took a real inter- all the past players. He is a Haven’t Used ... scouting and recruiting. est in the league. He recalls true gentleman and liked by your Cleats in years? His practices would eventu- fondly veteran CCBL umpire all within the organization, ally be adopted as he had ad- Curly Clement, who has since league, and community. He is List your opted those of the Canalmen died, forever going on and Mr. Kettleer.” items at...      years before, distributing tal- on about how good the ’64 Matthew M. Burke can be ent evenly across the league, Kettleers were. Several of the reached at Burke@capenews. and making the league a team’s players did play profes- net. Thursday, June 14, 2007 SUMMER STARS 7 Teammates, Roommates To No Heart? Need Not Apply Temp With Commodores Continued from Page 4 When Pickler stepped into Returning this year for Y-D BY DAN CROWLEY accounting major at the the role as Y-D skipper, he is State’s All-American The Cape Cod Baseball League Annual Tryout attracts play- time, but as he watched was given recruiting control sophomore , ers from across the country and this year was no exception, his teammates having fun by the franchise, something who switched from but for Seton Hall sophomores Greg Miller and Keith Cantwell working towards degrees in that has to this day, under to prior to the 2007 the trip up from New Jersey paid off. physical education, he knew General Manager Jim Mar- collegiate season. He is up While Miller knew coming in that he had a temporary spot with he too had found his calling tin. Pickler said that people for the Johnny Bench Award, the , Cantwell was looking for a job. in the fi eld. within the organization will after another stellar season “We were both really excited,”Miller said of their tryout “I was doing okay in ac- suggest players from time to at FSU, and will be leaving opportunity. “The night before we went out to dinner, but we counting, but I saw that they time, but ultimately, all of the the Sox for a few days for the didn't talk about (the tryout) too much; we talked about the Yankees and Red Sox. We just relaxed.” were having a lot more fun personnel decisions are left ceremony. Posey was a Cape Seton Hall Head Coach Rob Sheppard arranged a spot for being PE majors,” he said up to him. League all-star last year and, Cantwell and Miller at the tryout with Miller making the trip to with a smile. “And then I Pickler said that when he according to Pickler, turned Spillane Field, home of the Cape League's Wareham Gatemen, thought about it and said, ‘I recruits players, he asks fellow down Team USA to return. hoping to parlay his temporary contract in something more. can be in an offi ce all day, or I coaches that know his coach- Also returning is Boston When the sun rose the next day, as Cantwell said, it was all could maybe — I’m not good ing style, as well as former College ace, and last sea- business. The 6-5, 225 pound right-hander out of Trinton Falls, enough to play pro ball — go players, to make recommen- son’s co-BFC Whitehouse N.J. fi nished his second season with the Pirates at 4-1 He made into coaching. So I did that dations. He said that the play- Award winner for the league’s 14 appearances pitching 73.1 innings, striking out 64, walking 23 after my fi rst semester at San ers he looks to recruit must be most outstanding pitcher, and posting an ERA of 2.95. Diego State.” a hard workers, skillful, willing Terry Doyle. Doyle was Miller, at 6-4, 220 pounds from Shamong, N.J., played Upon his graduation, Pick- to learn, and must also be drafted in the 21st round by 50 games for Seton Hall at third base and in right fi eld. He ler dove into the business of “good human beings.” the Dodgers this year but he slugged .481 and fi nished the season with a .312 average at coaching baseball head fi rst. “I’m bringing people into has yet to decide whether to the plate. A two-way player, Miller also pitched, making seven He compiled a 123-36 record Yarmouth and Dennis, in the sign or go back to school. appearances. Over the course of 33 innings of work the right- in six seasons at both Sa- two towns here, and asking Pickler said he is also hander struck out 30, while walking just fi ve. He fi nished the vanna High and Loara High, people to put these kids in equally excited to welcome year at 4-1 with an ERA of 1.36. winning the California Inter- their houses,” Pickler said. , a sopho- For both players getting to play in the Cape League was a scholastic Federation title in “So not only do they have more shortstop from Georgia; young boys' dream. 1983 with Loara. Two years to be good players, but they , a freshman “I was 11 or 12 when I heard about the Cape League,” Miller later, he took over coaching have to be good people as infi elder from USC; and the recalled. “I knew there had been some great players that had duties at , in well.” Pickler says that he Rice infi eld combination of played there. Growing up I knew one day I wanted to get to the Cape. It has been a goal.” Santa Ana, CA, and he has feels obligated to the towns Diego Seastrunk and Aaron Cantwell also set a goal to one day play in the Cape League. been there ever since. to perform background Luna, to this year’s squad. “It's a chance to go up against the nation's best players,” he At Cypress, Coach Pickler checks on all of his players Currently Coach Pick is on said. “As a player you always want to compete at the top level.” has led the Chargers to four prior to the season. a year-by-year verbal contract Both have previous summer league and wood bat experi- state championships, a better Pickler won his fi rst cham- with the team. He hopes to ence. Cantwell played in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball than .600 winning percent- pionship in 2004, defeating have at least one more year League last year and Miller was with the Atlantic Baseball age, and has produced over the Falmouth Commodores after this season. He enjoys Confederation Collegiate League. 80 Major League draft picks, in two games. In 2006, he coaching at Cypress and says Miller got an early opportunity to throw some pitches and 13 Major League players, and said that the team wasn’t that he has a good situation. when he lit up the radar guns with a low 90's , coaches six Division I All-, as stacked with fi rst round He doesn’t want to rule out and GM's from the other league franchises stopped to watch. including his son Jeff (Univer- talent as, say Cotuit, but the taking a Division I job, or even Later he showed an above average arm in deep right fi eld with sity of Tennessee), a former players worked together as a one in professional baseball, long throws into the left side of the infi eld and at the plate AAA prospect now working the team and he said that some but he has turned down the knocked a ball off the centerfi eld fence. Cantwell was forced to front offi ce for the Arizona Dia- of them had something to -A wait until later in the afternoon before he had a chance to show mondbacks. The Chargers lost prove. This scrappy, blue three times, because he would his stuff, which included an 88-92 mph fastball, but Falmouth in the state fi nals this season. collar, mentality is something have to give up coaching in the General Manager Dan Dunn knew the Seton Hall right-hander Coach Pickler says that that Pickler looks for in his Cape League. was something special. After watching him warm-up, Dunn he was originally invited to players and it simply worked With one more champion- knew he wanted to see Cantwell in a Commodore uniform and coach in the Cape Cod Base- last season, he said. ship win, Y-D could become a met him immediately after he stepped off the mound with a ball League through con- “Its not, ‘Come here to have dynasty. So is there any pres- temporary contract in hand. nections to David Newhan, fun,’” Pickler said. “I come sure for Coach Pickler and Seton Hall roommates and teammates, this week Cantwell and Miller will put on Falmouth Commodores uniforms and who now plays for the New in here to win for myself, the Red Sox in 2007? get their chance to compete in some of the best collegiate York Mets. Pickler coached the team, and the people of “I put my own pressure baseball in the nation, with the hope of earning full season Newhan at Cypress in 1992 Yarmouth and Dennis. They on,” Pickler said. I don’t want contracts. and Newhan played in the work all year for this and they to cheat [the fans and vol- Cape League for the Red Sox want us to produce a winner. unteers]. I don’t want to let for two years from 1993- Winning is a big factor for us those people down, that work 1994. Newhan and his father up here, and these kids are all year. Boston baseball fans Ross, a Hall of Fame baseball coming up here to improve are a lot tougher than Los writer from the L.A. Times, themselves and to get them- Angeles baseball fans—they both recommended Pickler selves better; to show the want to win. They’re with you, for the position. Pickler also scouts what they can do.” win or die.” coached MLB all-time saves leader , and they remain close friends. Pickler was already familiar with the league when he got the call to coach, because his son Jeff played for Coach Don Reed’s championship PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN CROWLEY Wareham club in 1997 (Major Greg Miller and Keith Cantwell, teammates and roommates League aces and from Seton Hall each earned temporary contracts to open Mark Mulder faced each the Cape Cod baseball season with the Falmouth Commo- other in the fi rst game of that dores. championship series). 33  +7**0.)8(43*[&3>5:7(-&8* 8 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 14, 2007

Members of the 2007 Military All-Star team along the third base line at Eldredge Park in Or- The US Military Red, White and Blue dropped both of their leans prior to Sunday night’s game. games against the Cape League All-Star squads over the weekend. U.S Military And Cape League All-Star Game Photographs by DON PARKINSON/ENTERPRISE

Emcee John Garner, Jr. Director of Public Relations & Media for the Cape Patriotic fans watch the game Sunday night at Eldredge Cod Baseball League. Park.

Six-year old Sebastian Vecchione of Eastham throws out the fi rst pitch Sunday night with the help of Right-handed pitcher Jahsan Page got the open- his mother Lori Vecchione. Grandmother Cindy DesLauriers, the GOLD STAR mother of Mark Vecchi- ing nod for the US Military All-Stars one, who was killed in action in Iraq, looks on. Thursday, June 14, 2007 SUMMER STARS 9

The Cape League All-Stars take on members of the US Military team under the lights at Orleans.

A coach from the US Military team watches from the dugout.

Flags from the different branches of the Armed Services fl ew Sunday at Eldredge Park. 10 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 14, 2007 From Little League To The Pros, Cape League Alum George Tsamis Still In The Game

BY MARK A. BROWN a versatile arsenal with him “It was pretty cool com- retired , Wade When the Spirit pitching He played only one year to Falmouth, from Florida, ing up through the system Boggs and Don Mattingly all coach position became va- in the majors, but 20 years mixing a lively fastball with an together,” Tsamis said of three times I faced them, but cant, he took over for the re- after his days as a spry Cape effective curve and forkball. Trombley. “We’d played for the guys who got me were mainder of the 1998 season. Leaguer, George Tsamis has Like all Cape Leaguers, the same Cape League team, Matt Nokes, who hit two, and “I’m really competitive and I still carved himself out quite a Tsamis worked during his and we were roommates in Spike Owen. Go fi gure.” wanted to stay in the game, baseball career. hours away from the fi eld. the minors.” Tsamis also gave up a so I decided to give it a shot,” A member of the Falmouth His job was keeping shelves After toiling four years in towering blast against the he said. The Spirit promoted Commodores in the summers stocked at a Falmouth liquor the lower levels, Tsamis got to an ex- him to manager in January of 1986 and 1987, the former store. the call to the big leagues, NFL running back named Bo 1999 and he kept the helm southpaw hurler now fi nds Among his Commodores spending most of 1993 with Jackson. “He really tagged for the next two seasons until himself managing the St. Paul teammates was future New the Twins in the , it to right center. It got out the team folded. Saints of the independent York Yankees slugger Tino alongside Trombley. “When of the park pretty quick,” he In his lone season with American Association, a posi- Martinez. Tsamis also faced they tell you you’ve fi nally said. Twins, Tsamis had played tion he has held since 2003. a bevy of talented opposition made it, there’s nothing that His most enjoyable memo- under two-time World Series In 2004 Tsamis led St. during his summers on the can top that,” he said. ries from that year with the winner , known Paul to the Northern League Cape, the second of which Tsamis can reel off the Twins center on the greats he for his even-keeled tem- championship. Prior to join- included an appearance in memorable moments from played with, including Agu- perament. Yet, as a manager, ing the Saints, he managed the league all-star game in that season without much ilera, Knoblauch, , Tsamis displayed the same the Northeast League’s New Orleans. prodding, including his major and future Hall of Famers competitive fi re and tenacity Jersey Jackals to consecu- “There were so many good league debut in (“I Dave Winfi eld and the late he had shown during his days tive national titles in both his players in that league,” he hit the fi rst guy I faced”); his . “They were all as a pitcher. years at the helm, 2001 and said, rattling off a list that fi rst (“Tom Brunan- such good guys and great After taking the reins of the 2002, when the winners of includes ex-Chatham sluggers sky. Got him swinging on a teammates,” Tsamis said. Jackals, the results came the Northern and Northeast and , forkball”); and the fi rst home “Kirby always reached out to quickly. His teams compiled a leagues squared off for the former Wareham Gatemen Mo run he gave up (“Marco Ar- me and the other rookies. He 107-72 record, playing nearly independent baseball crown. Vaughn and , mas, Tony’s brother. He took was all class.” .600 ball over his two cham- An interesting run, and an and Craig Biggio and Mike my fastball deep. That was After being released by the pionship seasons. equally interesting journey. Bordick of Yarmouth-Dennis. the only homer he ever hit”). Twins in 1994, Tsamis spent With the Saints, Tsamis has A native of Campbell, CA, After being drafted by the He earned his only major the next fi ve years in the mi- maintained his success rate, Tsamis fi rst displayed his tal- , in the league win in Oakland by nors with the with a 238-166 record and ents on a grand stage at age 33rd round of the 1988 major quelling an Athletics rally. and orga- a .589 winning percentage 12 when he pitched Camp- league draft, he returned to “They had the bases loaded nizations. A pair of shoulder through June 9. bell’s Little League team to Stetson for his senior season. with two out, and I got brought operations fi nally brought Tsamis, who turned 40 the US championship. The Tsamis set a single-season in to replace ,” he his playing days to an end on June 14, is proud of his day after his clinching start, Hatters record with 130 recalled. “It was cold and rain- in 1998 with the Waterbury record but takes it in stride. he manned fi rst base in the strikeouts, helping them to ing, just a miserable day out (CT) Spirit of the independent “Winning is always fun, but I internationally-televised Little a third straight Atlantic Sun there, but I struck out Kevin Northeast League. “It was get to manage a lot of young League World Series title Conference title. Seitzer looking.” frustrating, but my fastball kids and some veterans try- game, which his team lost to Tsamis saw his stock rise There were also some dubi- was never that fast to begin ing to work their way back to Taiwan. as Minnesota made him their ous moments that season. with. After I had the surger- the big leagues,” he said. “I After moving with his fam- 15th pick in 1989 – just one In a long relief stint at ies, it was a lot slower,” he remember what it was like to ily to Clearwater, Florida, he round after another ex-Com- , New York joked. be both. I’m just happy I can earned a baseball scholarship modore pitcher, right-hander hammered him for three Little did he know at the still play a role in this game.” at nearby Stetson University. , was selected home runs in one game. “It time that there was plenty of During the offseason, Tsamis, tall and lean, brought by the Twins. was weird,” Tsamis said “I baseball ahead of him. Tsamis lives in Colchester, Thursday, June 14, 2007 SUMMER STARS 11 Batting Around A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League Eastern Division Roundup

Cardinals Rely On Pitching onstrated signifi cant hitting fi nished out the summer with tionally in ’s Miclat (Virginia) will fi ll that With Cape power to both sides of the fi eld an ERA of 2.53. 2007 preseason top 50 fresh- roll. Miclat had 21 steals last League this season with a .345 batting Worley will also be joined men list. season and was named a baseball average, 54 RBI, 88 hits and by Long Beach teammate With fi ve highly anticipated Louisville Slugger Freshman attracting eight home runs. At third base, Danny Espinosa. With a .319 newcomers, along with the All-American in 2006. collegiate Sobolewski contributed 48 batting average and 24 RBI, proven performances of re- One player on the roster talent from put-outs and 56 assists to the Espinosa will be a central turning players, the A’s have has baseball tradition at- across the Hurricanes this season. The contributor to the A’s not all the ingredients of a win- tached to his name. Aus- nation, the Cardinals’ defense is rounded only offensively, but also ning season. The distribution tin Yount (Stanford) is the Orleans Cardinals know the out with freshman catcher defensively at the short stop of talented players through- nephew of Major League Hall road to a league champi- Travis Tartamella (Pepperdine). position with a .967 fi elding out the Cape League, how- of Famer . Yount onship will be diffi cult. To Tartamella has an impressive percentage. ever, has made the road to a will be able to fi ll multiple endure the rough road ahead, 212 and only three er- The A’s excitedly await the league championship tougher positions on the fi eld; he can the Cardinals will rely on rors for the Waves this season, return of (Wake each year. play both infi eld and pitch a solid pitching staff and along with a .987 fi elding per- Forest), one of the top fi rst Despite a diffi cult course, out of the bullpen. On the strength in the fi eld. centage. Orleans’ solid infi eld basemen in the country. Dyks- the A’s continue to have the mound the Whitecaps fea- Returning for the Cardi- will be the key to winning a tra has been dynamic for Wake same goal. “Every year the A’s ture some quality arms that nals are North Carolina State Cape League Championship, Forest with an impressive .340 have the goal of reaching the can relieve and start. Tyson pitchers Eric Surkamp and as the league remains one of batting average, 15 home runs play-offs and then winning in Ross (California) was named Clayton Shunick. Surkamp, a the most competitive in the and 49 RBI. Other returning the “second season” for the Pac-10 Honorable Mention as lefty, is second-team All-ACC country. players include pitcher Matt league’s championship,” said a freshman with a 6-4 record and has been a leader in the Cardinals Coach Kelly Nich- Giannini (Rutgers), and local Bob Sherman, sports informa- and a 3.19 era last spring. Wolfpack pitching rotation olson recognizes the hard outfi elder Richie Tri (Central tion coordinator for the A’s. Another electric arm is right with a 3.47 ERA. Shunick work required to continue Connecticut State). “The formula for winning in hander, Kyle Shinaberry (Tex- was one of the most effec- to defeat talented teams Four North Carolina new- the CCBL has not changed as). Shinaberry will be a key tive right-handers in the Cape throughout the summer. comers are highly anticipated over the years; strong pitching component to the bullpen as League during the 2006 sea- “They are all very good and after having a stellar season and defense along with timely he can relieve and start. Last son, with a 2.21 ERA. can beat you on any given with the No. 3 ranked Tar hitting are the ingredients for a year he put up solid numbers Orleans is excited to bring night,” says Nicholson. “You Heels. (North successful season.” with a 3.31 earned run aver- LHP Josh Satow (Arizona look at the rosters on any Carolina) has an explosive Gabriella Remington, CCBL age as a freshman. State) into the league. Satow, team in the league and they batting average of .467 and is Intern (remington@capecodb Brewster fans will be happy a junior, leads the Sun Devils all have exceptional talent.” a top candidate for Freshman aseball.org) to see a couple of familiar with a 2.56 ERA and has won The Cardinals open their sea- of the Year. Offensively, Ackley faces return to the team a dozen games this season. son at home Friday, June 15 has six home runs and 50 RBI Brewster Has Speed this season. Ryan Babineau The Cardinals welcome back at 7 PM against the Brewster for the Tar Heels this season. And Power (UCLA) will be staying behind shortstop/second baseman Whitecaps. (North Fresh the plate for the Whitecaps. Mark Hallberg (Florida State). Gabriella Remington, Carolina) is heralded as one off build- Last year, Babineau posted Hallberg has been instrumen- CCBL Intern (remington@cap of the best in the ing a new a .340 on-base percentage tal for the Seminoles’offense ecodbaseball.org) nation and is also used as a ballpark in for the summer and caught this season with a .360 bat- . Federowicz is their home- in 27 games. Also returning ting average and 56 RBI. equally effective at the plate, town, the is pitcher Preston Guilmet Brandon Crawford (UCLA), Chatham Looks To Pitching with a .363 batting average. Brewster (Arizona), who led Arizona in a member of Team USA last The Kyle Seager (North Carolina) Whitecaps and strike- year, joins the Cardinals’ Chatham has maintained a .322 batting enjoyed a banner season in outs this past season. infi eld this summer. Crawford A’s look for average for the Tar Heels this 2006, making it all the way to The Whitecaps begin the was named the Bruins MVP strength in season. In his roles as sec- the Eastern Division fi nals. season on the road as they during his freshman season numbers ond basemen and short stop, This year the roster will al- face the Orleans Cardinals and started all 58 games this season. Seager has proved to be a most completely turn around, on Friday, June 15. The home for the team at shortstop. A six-man central element in the North but the goal remains much opener comes the next day Crawford has remained an rotation is Carolina defense. the same. against the Cotuit Kettleers at important asset offensively, the key to a Alex White (North Carolina) The Whitecaps bring back 5 PM. with a batting average of .338 strong pitching staff, paired is the most exciting Tar Heel Bob Macaluso, who enters John Hannemann, CCBL and 53 RBI. Crawford, Hall- with strong defense up the addition to the A’s roster this his fi fth season as coach. Intern (honnemann@capecod berg and high-profi le out- middle and a potent batting season. White is expected to Each year it seems Brews- baseball.org) fi elder, and newcomer, Jon line-up. be a starter in the A’s pitch- ter’s roster becomes more Gaston (Arizona) will give the Among the A’s pitching staff ing rotation. With an ERA of competitive and athletic. Cardinals a strong tandem is returning A’s player Vance 3.26, the A’s look to White One player who thrives on Harwich Loaded With Talent in the middle of the infi eld Worley (Long Beach State). to continue the Tar Heel/A’s offense and defense is fi rst One of the and a reliable outfi eld corps. Worley is the one pitching legacy of Robert baseman Cape Cod Gaston is truly impressive in starting pitcher at Long Woodard (2006 Chatham (Miami). Alonso led the Hur- Baseball the outfi eld with only three Beach, with an ERA of 3.40, A’s) and (2004 ricanes in home runs (10) and League’s errors and 55 put-outs for the he is expected to step into Chatham A’s). runs batted in (69) in 2006 most his- Wildcats this season. , a starting role for the A’s. Newcomer Aaron Miller and also with the glove, at- toric teams Gaston had a .319 batting Worley will be joined by 2006 (Baylor) is the A’s token lefty. taining a .994 fi elding per- hopes to average and six home runs. A’s teammate Nathan Moreau Miller is expected to stand centage. bounce Highly anticipated is fresh- (Georgia). Moreau showed out at the plate, with a .296 The Whitecaps look for back from a disappointing man infi elder Mark Sobolewski dramatic improvement dur- batting average and 35 RBI. speed at the top of their 2006 season. Last year, the (Miami). Sobolewski has dem- ing the A’s 2006 season and Miller was ranked third na- lineup and infi elder Greg Continued on Next Page 12 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 14, 2007 Batting Around A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League Eastern Division Roundup

Continued from Page 11 returning to the elite of the closer. He went 6-3 with six Y-D Is The Team To Beat (Georgia). Also joining the Mariners recorded a 20-24 Cape League this season. saves and a 3.08 ERA. The The Y-D this summer is Grant record and fi nished last in Coach Steve Englert returns most eye-popping stat is his Yar- Green (USC), who played for the Eastern Division. Despite for his 10th season with the 115 strikeouts in only 87.2 mouth- the 2005 U.S. Junior National the record, Harwich features Mariners. This will be his fi fth innings. Dennis Team. some of the best fans on the season as the Head Coach. In middle relief look for Red Sox Several players will be Cape. Last year the Mariners The Mariners roster should Matt Frevert (Missouri State) have called to fi ll multiple roles in- were in the top six in atten- be versatile and feature many to see action. This season been the cluding Jeremy Barnes (Notre dance. This proves the town strong arms in their rotation. for the Bears, Frevert posted team to Dame), D.J. Mauldin (Cal Poly is eager to see the Mariners One player Mariner fans will a miniscule 0.47 earned run beat in State University) and Diego return to the top. be very excited to see is Cole average, allowing only one recent years, winning the Seastrunk (Rice), who will all With a new group of talent- Figueroa (Florida), Figueroa earned run all season. In 19 Cape League champion- be doubling as right-handed ed players, Harwich should is a player that brings every- innings pitched, he struck ship two of the past three pitchers as well as infi elders. not have much of a problem thing to the table. This year, out 33 and recorded two years. This year they look to The Red Sox will rely heav- Figueroa batted .332 and had wins. A couple familiar faces continue their success and ily on right-handed pitchers

3(/0!4(/-% 11 home runs for the Gators. will return to the Mariners will look to 10-year veteran Nich Conaway (Oklahoma), Figueroa can also fl ash the this season. Infi elder Johnny coach Scott Pickler for lead- Steve Dodson (Georgia), leather, as he has only fi ve Giavotella (New Orleans) and ership. Robby Donovan (Stetson), errors this season as the Ga- pitcher P.J. Zocchi (Clemson) Returning from last year’s Bobby Gagg (Coastal Caro- tors starting shortstop. are back for their second team, which not only won lina), Shawn Sanford (South Arkansas Razorback Logan season with the club. Gia- the league championship, Florida), Jeff Inman (Stan- :063$0.1-&5& Forsythe attracted some votella had a banner season but also fi nished with the ford), and Shawn Tolleson attention from Team USA, hitting .385 with 15 home best overall record (28-16), (Baylor). %&$03"5*/($&/5&3 but was not selected in the runs. Zocchi has been strug- are Buster Posey (Florida The lone projected left- h.OBODY$OES)T"ETTERv fi rst round of 11.. Forsythe gling with a 5.27 earned run State), who will once again be handed pitcher was Joshua hit an impressive .347, for average for Clemson and is doubling as an infi elder and Romanski (San Diego), who the Razorbacks with 55 looking to regain the touch pitcher, as well as infi elder has joined Team USA this runs batted in. Look out for that led to his 2.87 ERA in the Gordon Beckham (Georgia), summer. Rounding out the Jared Bolden (Virginia Com- Cape league last summer. named a Freshman All-Ameri- current roster for the Red Sox monwealth) who may end up Harwich will carry three can by Baseball America after is (Stanford) +)4#(%.3s#/5.4%23s#!").%43 being the most electrifying catchers this season: Kyle the 2006 season. who will be catching and cov- player in the whole league Day (Michigan St.), Jeff Lan- Two fellow Baseball Amer- ering fi rst-base, catcher Sean this season. Bolden hit .383 ning (Nebraska) and J.B. ica Freshman All-Americans Ochinko (Florida State) and this season and had 49 RBI. Paxson (Western Kentucky). will join Beckham in help- outfi elders Matt Long (Cal/ '6--%&4*(/ Bolden also has 17 stolen The infi elders are ing Y-D remain dominant in Santa Clara) and Mike Tamsin bases and boasts a .997 (Alabama), Terrence Dayleg the Eastern Division: right- (Northeastern). 4&37*$&4 fi elding percentage. Bolden (Western Kentucky), Jake handed catcher Luis Flores The Red Sox will open can pitch out of the bullpen Optiz (Nebraska), J.T. Wise () who will also be Friday, June 15 against the "7"*-"#-& as well. In his college career, (LSU) and power-hitting Chris pitching, and infi elder Aaron Hyannis Mets at McKeon he has thrown 36 innings and Dominguez (Louisville). The Luna (Rice). Field. Yarmouth-Dennis )JHIPO2VBMJUZ recorded three wins. outfi eld is comprised of Kyle Joining the infi eld will be opens at home Sunday, June The Mariners have put to- Colligan ( A&M), Matt David Anderson (Coastal Car- 17 against the Wareham )JHIPO4FMFDUJPO gether a strong pitching staff Miller (Georgia Southern) and olina), Johnny Ayers (Boston Gatemen. with a lot of power arms that do-it-all utility man Jim Gal- College), Nick Romero (San Kevin Wolfe, CCBL Intern -PXPO1SJDF produce strikeouts. Look for lagher (Duke). Diego St.), and Luke Stewart ([email protected]) lefty Scott Barnes (St. John’s) Rounding out the pitching -!3(0%% to be a major contributor this staff is Sean Black (Seton &ALMOUTH2OAD season. Barnes fi red a no- Hall), Evan Crawford (Au- Western Division Roundup 2OUTE hitter for St. John’s early in burn), Dan Hudson (Old the season; he struck out 14 Dominion), Brett Jacobson Gatemen Always A cluding four that came to the    in that game. For the entire (Vanderbilt), Miers Quigley Contender plate in that 11th-hour rally, &!,-/54( season Barnes recorded a (Alabama), Aaron Weather- The Ware- and with the infusion of new 7-2 record with a 2.93 earned ford (Mississippi St.), Mark ham Gate- talent from the nation’s best -AIN3TREET run average. Barnes also has Willinsky (Santa Clara), Corey men came college teams, Wareham will    99 strikeouts in 95.1 innings Young (Seton Hall) and Josh within one be at it again in 2007. pitched. Another promising Zeid (Vanderbilt). The Mari- run of seal- Three returnees; Luke Mur- $%..)30/24 pitcher is Danny Farquhar ners open their season at ing the Cape ton (Georgia Tech), Beamer !,/#!, &!-),9"53).%33&/2/6%29%!23 2OUTE (Louisiana-Lafayette). Far- home as they play the Cha- Cod Base- Weems (Baylor) and Bradley quhar can pitch in multiple tham A’s on Friday, June 15 at ball League Championship Suttle (Texas), drove in the    roles for the Mariners. For 7 PM. in a two-game sweep last Gatemen’s fi nal four runs of season. However, a ninth-in- 2006 and nearly completed 'BMNPVUI.BTIQFF Louisiana-Lafayette, Farqu- John Hannemann, CCBL PQFO4VOEBZ/PPOUPQN har started fi ve games and Intern (hannemann@capecod ning, three-run rally in Game the Game two comeback .BTIQFFPQFO5IVSTEBZ also was the Rajin Cajun’s baseball.org) two fell short and Yarmouth- themselves with three hits, VOUJMQN Dennis went on to take that two runs scored, and all three game, and the next, to win ninth-inning RBIs. This vet-

Established 1971 To Subscribe Call the 2006 title. eran trio is a threat on offense #ALLNOWFOROURAT HOMESHOPPINGSERVICE 1-800-286-7744 or 508-299-8379 The Gatemen return 10 and defense, comprising 02/&%33)/.!,).352%$).34!,,%23 players from that roster, in- Continued on Next Page Thursday, June 14, 2007 SUMMER STARS 13 Batting Around A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League Western Division Roundup Continued from Page 12 Irvine) and Matt Langwell With the loss of big hitters Indiana. Jordan Meaker, a Falmouth To Heat Things Up three-quarters of an infi eld (Rice). Boening, who led the Eric Farris (Loyola Mary- 6-6 right-hander out of Dallas After that returns intact from last Gatemen in 2006 with four mount) and Matt Angle (Ohio Baptist joins the Kettleers this fi nishing season and combined for a wins in 10 starts, is battling a State), along with pitcher summer as does 6-8 righty 2006 with a .234 average and a quarter of stiff shoulder this season and James Simmons (UC-Riv- Chris Fetter (Michigan), who third place the teams RBIs last season. has yet to take the mound erside), the Kettleers will be captured Baseball America fi nish in the Suttle split third base for Texas, but is working with looking to veteran players to Freshman All America and Cape Cod duties with fellow returnee his coaches in Austin and is step up and have stellar per- All-Big Ten Freshman hon- Baseball Seth Henry (Tulane), and expected to return to Spillane formances in the big games. ors in 2006 Ryan White led League’s Murton played all but seven Field again this summer. Returning for Coach Rob- Purdue in hitting with a .452 Western games last summer at fi rst “If all, or most of our play- erts will be pitchers Jordan average in 53 games. He was Division and base. They join a middle ers arrive, I would anticipate Meaker (Dallas Baptist), Dave a 2006 Freshman All America a league infi eld of second baseman that pitching would be our Duncan (Georgia Tech), and choice, along with being high .249 team batting aver- Jason Ogata (Oregon State) strong point,” said Wylde. Michael Cisco (South Caro- named to the All-Big Ten age, the Falmouth Commo- and Weems, who played “We have some good arms.” lina), along with shortstop Conference Team. Left-hand- dores are back and ready for 34 games at shortstop last Liz Hoffman, CCBL Intern (South Caro- er JB Shuck (Ohio State) is a another successful summer summer. This duo is a double (hoffman@capecodbaseball. lina) and second baseman versatile outfi elder/pitcher. JB on the Cape. Led by vet- threat. Ogata hit a team-best org) Tony Delmonico (Tennessee). was named Big 10 Freshman eran Coach Jeff Trundy, the .316 in 2006 and Weems had Fresh faces, such as rookie of the Year and was picked 2007 rotation is anchored by a team-high 11 extra-base Cotuit: Roberts Will Run pitcher Jeff Lockwood (Ten- for the Louisville Slugger returning standout pitcher hits. Suttle, however, was Last season nessee) and fi rst baseman Freshman All-America team Shooter Hunt (Tulane). Hunt, selected in the fourth found was almost Aaron Baker (Oklahoma) as well. Hard-hitting infi elder a sophomore transfer from of the Major League Base- perfect for should give Cotuit’s fans Joshua Harrison (Cincin- Virginia to Tulane, went 3-0 ball Amateur Draft with the Coach Mike plenty to talk about. Lock- nati) was a Louisville Slugger on the mound for the Com- 154th pick by the New York Roberts wood made the most of his Freshman All-America selec- modores and led the Cape Yankees and could swap his and the Go- rookie season with Tennes- tion in 2006. Last summer, League in strikeouts with 54 Gatemen uniform for pin- Go Cotuit see, hitting .315 for the Vols he played in the Great Lakes in 2006. stripes. Kettleers. The team posted and compiling a 3.20 ERA on League, where he was named The Commodores are fo- While their infi eld remains an impressive 27-16-1 record, the mound. He led the SEC in the Co-Top Hitting prospect cused on developing a strong solid, and reinforced by new the most wins for the storied saves, with eight. In SEC play, and was ranked the sixth bullpen. While Hunt will likely talent, the Gatemen have Cape Cod Baseball League Lockwood’s batting average best prospect in the league be the go-to starter, he will be some holes to fi ll in the out- franchise since 1995. The sat at a solid .320 and he by Baseball America. accompanied by teammate fi eld with the loss of Jordan Kettleers also captured the was named the conference’s Outfi elder Mike Bianucci and fellow pitcher Preston Dodson, Brandon Glover regular season Western Divi- Freshman of the Week twice. (Auburn), who played at Yar- Claiborne (Tulane). along and Ryan Gotcher. But the sion title and led the league Lockwood was the Vols’ top mouth-Dennis last year, joins with hurlers Luke Burnett lone returnee to the outfi eld, in team batting average (.256) hitter in the NCAA Regional, the Kettleers for 2007. He (Louisiana Tech), Kyle Gib- sophomore Diallo Fon, is and pitching, with a staff ERA going 5-for-11 (.455) as the was tabbed this past season son (Missouri), Brett Graffy enjoying a gem of a season at of 2.36. Eight Kettleers were DH. The Freshman All-SEC as a Second Team All-SEC. (Notre Dame), Alex Wilson Arizona, where he transferred named to the Western Divi- selection also made two relief Infi elder Corey Figueroa from (Winthrop), and Aaron Shafer following an injury-plagued sion All-Star team, including pitching appearances for UT Saint Petersburg, Fla., is (Wichita State). and redshirted freshman year fi rst baseman in the SEC Tournament. particularly looking forward In his freshman year, Shafer at Vanderbilt. (South Carolina), whose Vying for one of the catch- to Cotuit’s games with Har- went 11-3 in 16 starts with The biggest new arrival to outstanding season for Cotuit ing spots, and relief pitching wich, where his twin brother a 2.63 ERA, which earned Wareham is freshman Mike earned him the coveted Cape roles, will be versatile Robert is playing. Oklahoma must him First Team All-America Minor from top-ranked Cod Baseball League Pat Stock (Southern California). be happy to have freshman honors by Collegiate Baseball Vanderbilt. It was courtesy Sorenti MVP Award. The team He was the Trojans’ start- Aaron Baker on its side as and also Missouri Valley Con- of Minor’s career-high nine capped its awards collection ing catcher, but also showed the fi rst baseman started ference Pitcher of the Year in strikeouts, against former with the Commissioner’s Cup the ability to close games on his collegiate career with a 2006. Shafer has been invited top-ranked South Carolina, for Top Team of the Year in the mound. A member of the 22-game hitting streak and to the USA Team Trials this that the Commodores took 2006. 2004 and 2005 U.S. Youth Na- tallied a .323 batting average year where pre-tour training the top spot, and Minor has Although the speedy Ket- tional Team, he was named with a whopping 50 RBI. takes place June 19-28. paced his team from the tleers had the makings of a 2005 Baseball America Youth Cotuit fans are expect- , who the mound all season. He posted championship team in 2006, Player of the Year after his ing another strong season Commodores were expect- a 3.09 ERA and compiled 88 their fairy tale season was junior season at Agoura (Ca- from coach Roberts and his ing at fi rst base again this strikeouts and just 19 walks cut short in the divisional lif.) High. He capped his high squad, who open the season season, was signed by Team this season. playoffs by the Wareham school career when he batted at home against the Bourne USA. With the loss of big Joining Minor is a stocked Gatemen. Unfortunately, for .456 with six home runs and Braves on Friday June 15 at hitters Brad Chalk (Clemson), bullpen that includes two the rest of the Cape League, 25 RBI, while posting a 5-3 5 PM Warren McFadden (Tulane), starters from the 2006 Gate- the 2007 Kettleers are ready record with a 2.69 ERA, with Erica Bailey, CCBL Intern and (Oregon men in (Stan- to pick up where they left off a fastball clocked as high as (bailey@capecodbaseball. State), the Commodores look ford) and Riley Boening last season. 95 miles per hour. org) Continued on Next Page (Texas), as well as Brandt Having already been named Freshman right-hander Walker (Stanford), Matt the top summer team in the Michael Leake led Arizona Petiton (UNC), Chris Hicks nation by Baseball America State with a 12-1 record. Also (Georgia Tech), Riley Boening Editor Allan Simpson, the joining the pitching staff is Visit The Enterprise Website (Texas), Andy Oliver (Okla- Kettleers’ combination of vet- Josh Lindblom (Purdue). Josh homa State), eran players and fresh talent was named Baseball Amer- www.capenews.net (Arkansas), Scott Gorgon (UC will be tough to beat in 2007. ica’s top overall prospect in 14 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 14, 2007 Batting Around A weekly roundup of reports from around the Cape Cod Baseball League Western Division Roundup

Continued from Page 14 an impressive .326 batting Pruitt (Stetson), and second Arizona State, played mostly of .365 and .298 respectively to their mix of veteran and average for the Beavers dur- baseman Addison Maruszak third base and outfi eld for the for the Commodores. rookie players to pick up the ing his 2006 rookie year and (Oklahoma), average .344 Braves last year and will likely Flaherty, a sweet-swinging slack. will be adding his bat to the from the plate and 42 RBI, do the same this season. southpaw batter, was named In 2006 Chalk posted the Commodores’ lineup. Ari- and combined for 112 extra- The pitching staff includes one of the Top 30 Prospects third highest batting average zona State is sending lefty base hits during the regular the aces from Navy (right- in the Cape League last sum- in the league at .305, with pitcher Joey Parigi, a soph- season. hander Mitch Harris, ERA mer by Baseball America. 46 hits while McFadden was omore transfer from Texas Paramore hit .371 for the 2.14) and Elon (right-hander Another teammate at Vander- second in the league with where he threw 35 innings Sun Devils, and his patience Steven Hensley, ERA 3.93). bilt, catcher Shea Robin, has eight home runs. Canham and struck out 25, earning at the plate gave him a team- Harris is a double-threat; his had a hot bat for the Com- held an impressive .300 bat- a 3.86 ERA in 2006. Com- high 48 walks for an on-base .293 batting averages glosses modores as well as batting ting average with a slugging ing off last season with a percentage of just under .500. over a powerful bat that has .303 this season and will look percentage of .473. winning record, the Commo- Friday rocketed 84 hits, 26 of hammered out 10 doubles, to carry that over to the Mets Returning hitters include dores look to 2007 with high them doubles, while starting four triples and eight home this summer. Shane Peterson Aja Barto (Tulane), and Jer- hopes and a competitive every game at shortstop for runs this season. Clemson (Long Beach State) is a hard- emy Farrell (Virginia). Barto squad. the Owls. Southern Florida sophomore D.J. Mitchell also hitting infi elder and leads his hit .269 for the Green Wave, The team will open its leadoff man and 2B Aljay bats as well, and has a .221 team in both RBI’s (40) and while Farrell, a 2006 Louis- season at home on Friday, Davis brings a .328 average average to go with his 3.42 batting average (.344). Join- ville Slugger All-American, June 15 against the Wareham and 44 RBI into the summer, ERA, another example of ing him in the infi eld will be had a .349 batting average Gatemen. and Priutt fi nished the sea- the double-duty talent that Kiko Vazquez (Central Flori- for the Cavaliers. The Com- Erica Bailey, CCBL Intern son at .337 with eight home stacks the Bourne roster. da), who also wields a power- modores’ roster is studded (bailey@capecodbaseball. runs and just 19 strikeouts Garrett Bullock (Wake Forest), ful bat, leading his team in with players from Top 25 org) in 210 at-bats. This spread- Jesse Haney (UNC Wilming- home runs (9), RBI’s (57), and teams in Division I baseball, out power is complemented ton), Nate Reed (Pittsburgh), batting average (.364). including Vanderbilt (No. 1), Braves Look To by a wealth of speed down and Rick Zagone (Missouri) Other infi elders for the Arizona State (No. 6), Vir- Bounce Back the roster. Steele leads the and Wade Kapetyn (Evans- Met are Patrick Long (Geor- ginia (No. 8) and Missouri If this team pack with 19, and four more ville) round out the rotation. gia Tech), Scott Elmendorf (No. 13). is all there, Braves nabbed at least 13 Liz Hoffman, CCBL Intern (Southern Illinois), Dan Brewer Virginia will be adding the last-place steals during the regular (Hoffman@capecodbaseball. (Bradley), and Ryan Jackson two infi elders to the Com- fi nish of 2006 season. org) (Miami). Dale Cornstubble modores’ family with David may have no In the fi eld, the Braves are (Central Michigan) and Francis Adams and Jeremy Farrell. place in 2007. especially deep at key posi- Mets Look For Improvement Larson (UC Irvine) will both be Adams is no stranger to the Balance is a key attribute of tions. With 10 infi elders on After fi nish- bidding for time behind the Cape League, playing his the 2007 squad, as Bourne’s the 26-player roster, the com- ing the 2005 plate along with Robin. Round- 2006 season with Brews- recipe mixes speed, power petition is fi erce on the dirt; season with a ing out the position players ter and batting .214 for the and a lot of two-way talent. Friday, Maruszak and Kyle dismal record are Wilson Boyd (Clemson) Whitecaps. Adams hit .372 at Nine players hit above .300 Smith (Cal Poly) have started of 7-36-1, and Chris Nelson (Long Beach Virginia, while teammate Far- in the regular season, and every game for their respec- the Hyannis Mets took a major State), who will both be patrol- rell is looking to have a great eight posted 80-plus total tive teams at shortstop, and step in the right direction last ling the outfi eld. fi rst season with the Cape bases. Together, the top fi ve Davis and Kevin Hoef (Iowa) year by going 16-24-3, good Joining Wood and Daly Cod Baseball League. hitters on the roster; catcher both have plenty of experi- for fourth place in the West will be a solid mix of lefties Outfi elder John Wallace Preston Paramore (Arizona ence at the position. Matt Division. Five players from last and righties to round out the will be making the trip from State), shortstop Brian Friday Hall (Arizona State), the lone year’s roster return to Hyan- pitching staff. Leading the Oregon State to the Cape (Rice), outfi elder T.J. Steele returnee to Bourne, started nis this summer and look to left-handed pitchers will be this season. Wallace held (Arizona State), 3B/LF Brian 42 games at third base this take the team to its fi rst playoff the Miami ace Eric Erickson, season, and is joined on the since 2004. Right-handed who fi nished the season with depth chart by Jared Baehl pitcher Matt Daly (Hawaii), the Hurricanes with a 2.50 (Evansville) and Josh Work- infi elder James Darnell (South ERA. Other southpaws for man (Wichita State). Carolina), hard-hitting short- the Mets include Carmine First base will likely be stop (Vander- Giardini (Central Florida), and ѮFTQPUMJHIUJTPO covered by Andrew Clark, bilt), outfi elder David Macias Ricardo Pecina (San Diego). who posted a .311 aver- (Vanderbilt) and Austin Wood Jason Franzblau (Winthrop) age and 12 RBI through the (Texas) a left-hander pitcher, and Jimmy Jolicouer (Cal fi rst 30 games of the season are the returning veterans who State Northridge) head up 4VNNFS4UBST before leaving Mississippi to look to lead the team to a win- the right-handed pitchers, as transfer to Louisville. But with ning record. they rank number one at their the roster stacked with listed Daly leads Hawaii with an schools in wins with eight BUX X XDBQFOFXTOFU infi elders, and only two true ERA of 3.38 and will look to and fi ve respectively. outfi elders in Steele and Dave continue that success with Hyannis hosts the defend- Dinatale (Miami), Shapiro the Mets as well as continu- ing champion Y-D Red Sox, and Carrier will be count- ing his offensive output he at McKeon Park to start the ing on general athleticism to enjoyed last year leading the season, Friday, June 15 at 5 translate into a fl exible lineup. team with 25 runs scored. PM. The 5 PM start time will 4VSGJOGPSU IFMBUFTUPOU IF Pruitt is listed as an outfi elder Flaherty and Macias, team- be the same for all of their on the roster, despite play- mates from No. 1 Vanderbilt, home games scheduled origi- $BQF$PE# BT FCBM M- F BHVF ing 57 games at third base will help the Mets by continu- nally for 7 PM. for Stetson, and Hall, origi- ing their success at the plate, Kevin Wolfe, CCBL Intern nally a shortstop coming into as they have batting averages ([email protected]) Thursday, June 14, 2007 SUMMER STARS 15 Finding Host Families Year Round Job For Cape League Teams BY CHRISTOPHER KAZARIAN said. "They love it. They are that is vital, as players come players, but most teams try raise it up after a pattern has At Guv Fuller Field, home of almost like addicts. Once you with aspirations of moving on not to conduct their place- been established.” the Falmouth Commodores, get them hooked, they are to the next level. ments this way. “Their rea- Over the course of the sum- there is a section of the sta- there for a long time." If they are in a supportive sons for picking the people mer, housing coordinators dium that has been dubbed Clark writes to local setting, then it is one less are not the best,” Ms. Chute will be in contact with players Host Family Hill. churches, utilizes the team’s thing the player has to worry said. “That becomes a head- and families on a weekly ba- It is named after the peo- baseball clinic and the about. “My philosophy is ache on our end.” sis to ensure that everything ple who sit there, the ones Falmouth Chamber of Com- that if he is in a good home, General requests are much is going well. who open up their homes to merce for leads on possible eating right, and enjoying easier to satisfy. There is one Because of confl icts with complete strangers for eight families. She too relies on himself, he will play good family in Harwich, she said, the NCAA Division I Baseball weeks of the summer. These word of mouth. ball,” she said. that simply likes hosting Championship some of the families, not just in Fal- This year the Commodores For new host families, the pitchers from the midwest permanent players will not ar- mouth, but elsewhere may have 24 families, fi ve of them biggest concern is what to and the south. “I don’t know rive for another few weeks. just be the unsung heroes are new. expect from the players. why, but that is what they Most teams try to procure of the Cape Cod Baseball Smaller towns, such as Whitehurst said this is an like,” she said. “They have host families specifi cally League. Brewster, can be a blessing important issue because formed nice friendships that for the temporary players. “They are tremendously and a curse for housing co- “summer is valuable. They way.” Because families will become important," John Wylde, ordinators. "In April, people don’t want people staying in Some teams, such as attached to these players, Mr. the general manager of the will see me coming down the their house they don’t like or Cotuit, Falmouth, and Brew- Murphy explained, it can be Wareham Gateman, said. aisle in the supermarket or are uncomfortable with.” ster try to maintain a one- awkward to suddenly re- "We wouldn’t have a league I try to hit up the neighbors, Typically, however, players to-one player to family ratio. place them with a permanent if it wasn’t for them. Where and they hide," Nancy White- in the Cape league tend to be Of those, only Cotuit will be player. would you house the play- hurst, the Whitecaps housing on their best behavior. Since successful this year, with Fal- For families considering the ers if you didn’t have host coordinator, joked. 2000, when she became the mouth and Brewster doubling option of hosting a player, he families?” She said towns on the housing coordinator for the up some players. said, this is a good way to Because they are such Lower Cape, such as Brew- Whitecaps, only one player The logic behind this, Mr. see if the experience is right an integral part of league, ster, Chatham, Orleans, and has been sent home for mis- Murphy said, is that it helps for them. Bruce Murphy of the Cotuit Harwich are sometimes at a conduct. the player develop a solid In addition to attending Kettleers said, the process disadvantage because they She attributed much of that relationship with the family. games, the host families of fi nding and retaining host are smaller and are in close to the rules laid out by the In Wareham and Harwich, often gather throughout the families is a year-round job. proximity to each other. league. “The league is con- however, the system works summer, with the highlight Each team in the league They have to rely on resi- scious of their national ex- differently. Ms. Chute said the typically a Fourth of July has its own housing coordi- dents in the town, whereas a posure,” she said. “Not that Mariners have 15 families, cookout that each team nator who is assigned this team like Wareham can draw behavior has been bad, but most who will host two, and holds. task. Their job is to hopefully upon Onset, Buzzards Bay, now if you screw up, you are one with three and another At the end of the season, convince current families to Plymouth, Marion, Mattapoi- out of here. They want guys with four. Their system, she each team will recognize return for the next season. sett, and Rochester. with good character, who are said, is based on availability these unsung heroes of the Usually, that is not a dif- Cotuit has the luxury of happy to be here, and want and space. Cape Cod Baseball League, fi cult task if the player and having Osterville, Centerville, to do good.” Mr. Wylde said the Gate- at their host family nights. family get along. Murphy has Mashpee, and Marstons Mills Although indirect, Ms. Clark men double up their players Because of NCAA rules, taken on the role of a surro- nearby, all towns or villages said, Major League Base- just in case the host family each player has to pay a gate father to Cape League that do not have teams in the ball also has an infl uence has other obligations. “Two stipend to the family, which players for the past 13 years. league. The Kettleers already on how players act when on tend to become companions ranges between $50 and $90, "It is enjoyable when you get have a waiting list of families the Cape. She has hosted for each other, rather than depending on the team. In attached to the players," he that want to host players next players many times in the one just sitting at home by Falmouth, Clark said, “We said. year, an anomaly around the past and received calls from himself,” he said. have host families who will The Gatemen have a few league. scouts who are curious about Another reason, they do donate that money back to host families that have been Because they don’t have a player’s personality. “They it this way, he said, is for the Commodores as a gift in doing it for 25 years. Of the this advantage, both Brew- call to fi nd out how players transportation. Host families the player’s name.” fi ve clubs interviewed, this ster and Harwich have to are in the home, do they clear are not obligated to provide It is clear, that most Cape is not unusual; they all have rely on other sources. Ms. the table, make the bed, are rides to practices or games, families do not do this for stories of similar families that Whitehurst places announce- they in by curfew, and are so Wareham ensures at least the money. It is the relation- have become mainstays for ments in the local newspaper, they clean,” she said. “These one of the players has his ships they form that are most their teams. while Andrea Chute, housing young men know what is at own car. important. In the event a family choos- coordinator for the Harwich stake.” Over this past week, play- “Our host families open es not to return, the challenge Mariners, utilizes the town’s In recent weeks, teams ers arrived on the Cape. up their homes, hearts and becomes fi nding replace- local cable channel. “We just have hosted orientations for They were welcomed not by refrigerators to the players ments. Word of mouth, got a new family that way,” the families, a way to answer shouts of adoring fans or the and develop a relationship Murphy said, is the best way Ms. Chute said. “They were questions and prepare them prospects of making the big that lasts,” she said. “We to do this. watching and I was talking for the next eight weeks of leagues, but by the families still hear from our fi rst ball- A lot of the recruiting, he about how we needed a fam- summer. who will provide for them player we hosted. We went said, is done at youth sport- ily.” Of the fi ve teams inter- over the summer. to his high school brother’s ing events in Cotuit, whether Once a family is found, the viewed, all agreed that the In Wareham, the Gatemen graduation at Brown [Uni- it be soccer, baseball, or fi rst step of the process is key to a successful stay is encourage their families to versity]. Sean Morgan [of hockey. Since many involved for the housing coordinator communication. sit down with players dur- Tulane] invited us down to with the Kettleers, including to visit their home. Teams They have players fi ll out ing this introductory period Texas to sit with him on the host families, have children of require that a family provide questionnaires before arriv- to discuss expectations. Mr. draft. His mom will come their own, he said, these are a bed as well as kitchen and ing as one way to guaranty Wylde said the team provides up here to visit for a week natural settings for discus- sometimes laundry privileges. a positive experience. Ms. each family with a checklist this summer. It is the friend- sions to turn to Cape League Beyond that, there are few Chute said it is important to of items to talk about includ- ships you make that are baseball. obligations placed on the know a player’s needs and ing television use, curfews, rewarding. It is not monetary That is the bait and once family. wants so that they can be and doing laundry. “It is rewards, but in things you people are hooked, it is The initial visit gives hous- matched with the appropriate helpful,” he said. “These are can’t see or touch. They are relatively easy to keep them ing coordinators a chance to family. Questions range from really things that should be like extended family.” coming back year after year, make sure the player will be allergies to computer habits. discussed between the player Christine Clark, housing coor- comfortable during their stay Occasionally families will and family because if it is not www.capenews.net dinator for the Commodores on the Cape. Ms. Clark said make requests for specifi c you are sort of reluctant to 16 SUMMER STARS Thursday, June 14, 2007 2007 Cape Cod Baseball League Schedule