America's League

Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

News

2019 CCBL Hall of Fame Class Announced

06/09/2019 10:25 AM

Article By: CCBL Public Relations Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Sunday, June 9, 2019



WEST YARMOUTH, Mass. – Eight individuals comprise the 19th induction class of the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame announced today at the League’s First Pitch Brunch at the 99 Restaurant in West Yarmouth, Mass.
CCBL Hall of Fame Committee Chair Chuck Sturtevant made the announcement of 2019 inductees, who’ll be enshrined Nov. 23 at Wequassett Inn in Harwich, Mass. 
This year’s honorees include former CCBL Commissioner Paul Galop, current Yarmouth-Dennis field manager Scott Pickler, Umpire in Chief Nick Zibelli, major leaguers Conor Gillaspie and Kyle Schwarber and standouts Brad Linden, Chris Overman and Shaun Seibert.
Here is the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame Class of 2019:


Watch 2019 Hall of Fame Ceromony Here



 

2019 CCBL Hall of Fame Inductee Paul Galop

Paul Galop, CCBL Commissioner/Chatham
The Indiana graduate served as CCBL Commissioner for past 15 years, longest tenure in Cape League history. He placed an indelible mark on nation’s best collegiate summer league. Galop began as Chatham volunteer in 1980, serving as house parent, board director, PA announcer, treasurer and team president. Galop served as CCBL Commissioner in 2003-19, is now Commissioner Emeritus and is on several league committees.  As commissioner, he oversaw unprecedented growth and success as 303 current major leaguers are CCBL alumni. Galop enjoyed interaction with players, coaches, media and administrators and was executive director of NACSB national alliance started by Fred Ebbett. Galop has been married to Whippany, NJ, wife of 40 years, Laurie with children Kate and Peter and three grandchildren. Galop oversaw scheduling, umpiring, all-star games, policies & procedures and playoffs.

2019 Hall of Fame Inductee Scott Pickler

Scott Pickler, Yarmouth-Dennis
Coach Pickler started his tenure as field manager in the CCBL in 1998 for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. When “Pick” arrived, good things started to happen, on-and-off the field.  The Red Sox started winning and they’ve been successful for over two decades, winning six Cape League titles since 2004.  2019 is Scott's 22nd consecutive year with YD.  He is second in the history of the league with 496 regular season wins. He’s first in league managing with 45 playoff wins, outdistancing his closest rival Don Reed by 15 wins. He’s tied for most playoff appearances at 15 with John Schiffner.  He’s won more CCBL championships (6) than any other manager in league history.  Over 70 of Pickler's Cape League players have moved on to the Major Leagues. In addition to his coaching career in CCBL, Pickler has been longtime head coach at Cypress College in California and coached USA Baseball.  He was recently inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

2019 Hall of Fame Inductee Nick Zibelli


Nick Zibelli, CCBL Umpire in Chief/Assigner
Zibelli began his tenure as an umpire in the CCBL in 1974 and 2019 season will be Nick's 46th year behind the plate with CCBL.  Nick handled umpire assignments for decades and acted as crew chief in many critical CCBL games and playoff series. He commands respect as an umpire on the field who takes charge in stressful situations.  Nick joined the ECAC as Director of Baseball Officiating and became a nationally recognized educator/clinician to young, aspiring umpires and continues in that role today.  Nick has a storied history of umpiring in NCAA Regionals, Super Regionals and College World Series games, at all divisions. His reputation as an expert in NCAA rule book interpretation has been a significant resource for the CCBL and development of its practices

Conor Gillaspie, Falmouth
Conor Gillaspie arrived on Cape Cod in summer of 2007 as an unknown from Wichita State.  He left in August with Cape League's MVP and Thurman Munson Batting Champion award. The hard-hitting third baseman also led CCBL in batting average (.345), slugging (.573) and extra base hits (21).  He was second in on-base percentage (.448) while leading Falmouth Commodores to the championship series against the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. Conor was drafted in sandwich round by Giants (37th overall) in 2008, where he began a big-league career for Giants and White Sox.  Probably his biggest hit in majors occurred in 2016, when Giants were playing Mets in NL Wild Card Game and Gillaspie hit a three-run homer in ninth inning to win Game 3.

Brad Linden, Orleans
    The UConn star played first base for the Cardinals for two seasons. In 1971
he batted .250 in 33 games, scoring 14 runs with one homer and 11 RBI. Linden enjoyed breakout season in 1972, batting .372 (2nd to Ed Orrizzi), with 28 runs scored, 55 hits, league-leading 10 HR, 35 RBI and hit .444 in CCBL playoffs which earned him the Cape League MVP title. He was named to CCBL All-Star Team. He led Huskies (20-7) to Yankee Conference title and trip to College World Series in 1972 as a sophomore and played one year in minor leagues with Kinston in Carolina League, hitting .232 with one homer, five doubles and 20 RBI under Leo Mazzone, later pitching coach for Atlanta Braves in 1990’s. Brad passed away earlier this year after a long illness.

Chris Overman, Harwich
If North Carolina State's Chris Overman is not one of the most dominant pitchers in Harwich Mariner history, he certainly should be in the conversation. The numbers speak for themselves.  During the 2011 summer of a Harwich championship season, the Charlotte, N.C., native did not allow a single earned run. Compiling a 0.00 ERA in 24 games with 33 innings, 29 strikeouts and 15 hits made him a slam dunk for All-Star and All-League teams. Chris was asked to perform several duties from starter to closer to setup man in the CCBL. No matter the spot, Overman thrived - particularly in postseason.  In four appearances he had three saves, one was the title clincher after taking the mound with no outs in ninth inning with bases loaded and a two-run lead.   Overman had a big impact in the Mariners’ championship run, received the Fred Ebbert 10th Player Award for Mariners and was one of CCBL top 50 prospects. He was selected Pre-season All-American at N.C. State.
 
Shaun Seibert, Brewster
    The Arkansas product enjoyed a magical summer on the Cape in 2006, compiling a 6-0 record and 3rd lowest ERA 0.39 in league history and named CCBL Co-Pitcher of the Year with YD’s Terry Doyle (BC).  The 6’1,” 205-pound RHP hurled six scoreless innings in postseason play for the Whitecaps and a scoreless inning in the CCBL All-Star Game. He went 4-0 with Razorbacks in 2006, with 62 K’s and 15 BB in 61.1 IP and a 2.79 ERA. Seibert went 0-1 in 2007 with 18K’s, 12 BB and one save in 19 IP and 3.79 ERA for Arkansas. He pitched two years for Gateway Grizzlies in independent Frontier League, highlighted by 4-1 record and 4.28 ERA in 2008. Shaun lives in Edwardsville, IL, with his wife Stacy, and their two children.

Kyle Schwarber, Wareham
The Indiana standout played outfield for the Gatemen for two seasons, finishing third in batting (.343) in 2012 while belting eight homers and 38 RBI. The 6’0” 230-pound slugger led Wareham to 2012 title, winning playoff MVP. He paced Gatemen to 8-6 win at Y-D with two-run homer in 10th inning, his second round-tripper in two innings. He played nine games in 2013, batting .432 (16-370) with one homer and three RBI before being signed by Chicago Cubs. Schwarber is one of best young sluggers in the big leagues, belting 78 homers and 176 RBI in 3-plus years, including 30 homers in 2017 and last year hit .238 with 26 homers, 61 RBI and led NL with 20 intentional walks. During 22 post-season games with Cubs, he’s batted .306 with six homers and 11 RBI with .613 slugging pct. Kyle is engaged to be married to high school sweetheart, Paige Hartman, this fall.
.