Students Build a New Field of Dreams for the Bourne Braves
According to Boston’s CBS Channel 4, students at Upper Cape Tech have constructed a new state-of-the-art ball field for the Bourne Braves. My son and his best Cape buddy attended the 2005 Braves v. Ketleers playoff game at the old Bourne field. To this day, they say it was their favorite. But while the old field near Bourne Bridge holds some fond memories, it sounds like the new ballpark is a must-see for Cape fans this coming summer. The Yawkey Foundation, which contributed to this project and other Cape baseball capital projects, continues to donate generously and wisely to the improvement of the Cape League and amateur baseball Here are some excerpts from the CBS 4 report: -“It is the newest, and arguably, the highest quality baseball field in the entire...
Read MoreNew Yorker’s Roger Angell Brightens the Post-Season
Editor’s Note: Occasionally, CodBall will reflect or report on baseball events beyond the Cape league. As a point of personal privilege, I cannot let a Roger Angell article go unnoticed. Enjoy… If the Cape League is the pinnacle of amateur baseball, then surely Roger Angell of The New Yorker is the pinnacle of baseball writing. In the depths of winter, with baseball a distant memory and an anxious hope, Angell’s latest article (SORRY, it’s not online, but you’ll find it in the hard copy under, “The Sporting Scene: Cardinal’s Rule (But how about those Mets?).” His article instantly brings back the heat of the summer and the tension of October. The New Yorker arrives out here in the Northwest woods several days later than it does on...
Read MoreBrooks Wallace Award Watch List Released
The College Baseball Foundation has released their 2007 preseason watch list for their prestigious Brooks Wallace Award, and as you may have guessed–it consists of a lot of familiar Cape League names. Out of the 148 players named, it seems every other played in the Cape. Just briefly looking at the list, I noticed the following: Cotuit Kettleers Justin Smoak (2006 MVP) and James Simmons, Hyannis Met and 2006 Batting Champion Matt Mangini (who is named “Mark” on the list), Brewster Whitecaps Matt LaPorta and Matt Cusick, and Orleans Cardinal Matt Wieters. It seems as though Cape League pitchers were robbed from the watch list as most of their names (including Hyannis Met Charlie Furbush and Y-D playoff star Terry Doyle) were absent. The 2006...
Read More2006 Holiday Shopping Guide
The 2006 holiday shopping season is upon us, and there are many gifts to choose from for the Cape League fan in your life: Books & Movies on Amazon.com: This is a short list I made of all the books and movies I know of (and myself own) about the Cape League. T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Hats, & Accessories on any of the following team stores: Wareham Gatemen Team Store Bourne Braves Store Stewart’s Sports Shack (Falmouth Commodores) Cotuit Kettleers Store Hyannis Mets Merchandise Mart Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox The Harwich Mariners Online Store Chatham Athletics Team Souvenirs A personalized bat from Barnstable Bat (just like the players use!) Any number of Cape League artifacts being sold at Hyannis Sportscards (Main St., Hyannis)–also on eBay A...
Read MoreSay What? A Guide to Baseball Scout Lingo
Not to be compulsive, but it is 209 days until CCBL’s opening day on June 15. Okay, to be compulsive that is precisely: -18,057,600 seconds -300,960 minutes -5016 hours -29 weeks (rounded down) The league announced this week that opening day is June 15, 2007. The All-star game is to be played Saturday, July 28 (rain date July 29) at a location still to be determined. The playoffs begin Friday, Aug. 10. And you can bet that this exquisite photo (right) of scouts published recently on Baseball America.com will be familiar to anyone attending the Cape Cod Baseball League’s All-Star game next summer. Now, look at the photo again and place yourself there in the middle of those radar guns. Imagine a tall drink of water on the mound delivering a 3-1 pitch. The...
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