Jul

23

West Wins 3-0 Rain-Shortened All-Star Game

Posted by Greg | Filed Under Games, News | 8 Comments

Zach CoxIt took 22 years to return to Fenway for a Cape League All-Star game but just a couple of hours — 4.5 innings  to be precise — to play the 2009 edition. Thick clouds, chilly breezes and maddeningly persistent rain could not drown out the excitement and energy of fans who journeyed far and near to see future big leaguers play in a big league stadium.

They were treated to some excellent pitching by pitchers from the western division of the Cape and a triple hit by Zack Cox (right) of Cotuit to deepest centerfield. Cox was later named MVP for the blistering hit that will be remembered for sometime around the league. Big Papi would be proud.

“I knew it was a tough league. Other than that I didn’t know what to expect.  I knew it was going to be a challenge,” Cox told CodBall after the game.

Asked about the triple, Cox said ”It was a first pitch  fastball and I wanted to make the most of it. (Rounding second) I gave it everything I had.  I don’t hit a lot of triples.”

Western division pitchers Brandon Workman, Jack Armstrong, Eric Pfisterer, Dallas Gallant and Stephen Harrold combined to pitch 5 scoreles innings.

The West scored two in the first. Todd Cunningham of Falmouth reached on an E5 and scored on the Cox triple to deep center. Cox came around to score when Cody Stanley hit into an apparent double play but reached on a fielders choice. Falmouth’s B.A. Vollmuth scored the third and final run in the second after he singled and scored on Cox’s second hit of the night, an RBI single.

There were not a lot of highlights for the East this year. The East has led recent All-Star competitions. See the Cape Cod Times’ story today to read about the East’s 11-9-1 edge.

Addendum…

I enjoyed tonight a lot. I’m not sure I would play future All-Star games off the Cape but I did enjoy the experience.  I think there is something special about the All-Star game traveling from Cape League park to Cape League park. I do appreciate what the Red Sox and Cape League did tonight. It took vision and effort.

I saw a lot of friends tonight who love baseball. Most notably I got to hang a little with co-conspirator Andrew Wirtanen. I also met face-to-face for the first time Tom Simon, creator of Cape League dice baseball. I saw the Cape Cod Times guys, Brian Foley over at the College Baseball Blog and managed to be interviewed on WCAI/NPR.

Speaking of Tom Simon.  He handed Andrew and me two sets of dice game cards — the all-stars from the East and the West with their current stats.  I will roll a full game this weekend to see if the result is any different than the actual game tonight.

Right Field  Fog has a nice play-by-play.  We missed you Will.

I can’t wait to get back to the Cape tomorrow for more league games. Safe travels everyone.

Comments

8 Responses to “West Wins 3-0 Rain-Shortened All-Star Game”

  1. bc on July 23rd, 2009 10:22 pm

    You scooped weei; they said the East won.

  2. Greg on July 23rd, 2009 10:48 pm

    Saw it with my own two (bespeckled) eyes.

  3. FanoftheGame on July 24th, 2009 4:18 am

    Glad to see that you acknowledged that taking the game off-Cape was not the greatest idea. It was the first All-Star game that my son remembers missing and he was quite disappointed. The stands looked empty because of the rain and the home run derby sounded like a bust with a total of 5 for the winner.

    Perhaps the powers that be will realize their mistake and return the event to the Cape now.

    Time to get some sleep so I can take my son into Boston today for the Dew Tour event at the Garden.

  4. Dave on July 24th, 2009 9:03 am

    For another perspective:
    http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/summer-scene/summer-stock/2009/268590.html

  5. Steve Groppi on July 24th, 2009 12:58 pm

    The game at Fenway in my mind was awful! The autographs were a disaster as they made you wait in a long line to get 11 autographs and then go back in line for the other 11 on each squad which meant 4 lines you waited in. 3 hours in line and we still didn’t make the last group. I have a bat with 3/4 of the teams and we were one of the first in line when it started! Awful! The Home run derby was boring! Will not go next year if at Fenway!

  6. Steve Groppi on July 24th, 2009 1:02 pm

    Plus there was not all star game souvenirs except if you were lucky to get on of the few t shirts they made up! There was no cape merchandise anywhere just Red Sox stuff! Plus $15 to park, tickets $10 taking a day off from work, food and drinks for the kids! Plus the rain and only 5 innings! Not a great idea to have at Fenway!!

  7. willie on July 24th, 2009 1:25 pm

    The game belongs at the Cape as the all-stars get a scout day at Fenway a week later anyway. The HR Derby should include one representative player “not an all-star” from each team as voted on by the fans for each team, i.e, the people’s choice!

    All CCBL players should be in attendance at the chosen venue on the Cape for PR and autograph sessions and work their teams merchandise booths, one tent/booth for each team, and all merchandise sold includes autographs.

  8. All-Star Game back to Fenway in 2010? : CodBall: Unofficial Blog of the Cape Cod Baseball League on October 30th, 2009 7:55 am

    [...] The Cape Cod Times is reporting that the league is considering Fenway to host the 2010 All-Star Game. President Judy Walden Scarafile has been authorized to begin negotiating to hold the event at Fenway. Last season, of course, the West won 3-0 in a rain-shortened game. [...]

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