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THIS WEEK IN THE CAPE LEAGUE
(15 June – 17 June 2007)


 

COCA COLA PITCHER OF THE WEEK
     Wareham Gatemen Wade Miley (Southeastern Louisiana) earned this week’s Coca-Cola Pitcher of the week amongst a number of impressive outings in the Cape League’s opening weekend. Miley pitched seven dominating innings giving up only four hits while striking out eight Falmouth batters. Although he gave up three walks and hit two batters he allowed no earned runs to cross the plate on his way to helping the Gatemen win their opening day game 5-2 over the Commodores. 

COCA COLA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
     Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox Gordon Beckham (Georgia) earned 2007’s first Coca-Cola Player of the week by having as close to a perfect opening weekend as possible. Beckham went two for four on Friday night driving in one run to help his team beat the Hyannis Mets 6-3. On Saturday he took his game to another level going three for four with a homerun and three RBI’s leading the way for the Red Sox as they defeated the Chatham A’s 4-1. Beckham also has two stolen bases on the young season and leads the league in batting average (.625), homeruns (1), RBI’s (4), and slugging percentage (1.125).    Kevin Wolfe CCBL Intern, [email protected]
 

Power Failure, Mariner Bats Stop Chatham
A's Lose Abbreviated Opener at Harwich, 9-4

     CHATHAM, Mass. – The Chatham A’s season opener at Harwich Friday night at Whitehouse Field was called in the bottom of the fifth inning when the lights went out because of a nearby auto accident which sheared off a utility pole. The A's were trailing the Mariners, 9-4, at the time and that was how the game went into the record books as the umpires were forced to call it after it became obvious that the lights wouldn't be restored any time soon. 
    Starting and losing pitcher for the A’s was right-hander Matt Giannini (Rutgers), who allowed four hits and eight runs while yielding five hits and walking four. He was relieved in the third inning by left-hander Jeff Lorick (Virginia). Lorick allowed one run on two hits in the inning and a third that he worked before the lights went out.
    Starter and winner for the Mariners was right-hander Danny Farquhar (Louisiana- Lafayette), who pitched all five innings, scattering five hits and striking out 11 A's.
With the Mariners leading, 4-0, the A’s rallied with two runs in the second inning. Chatham tied the game at 4-4 in the third, but the Mariners knocked Giannini out of the game with a four-run outburst of their own in the home half of the inning to take an 8-4 lead, They tacked on one more in the bottom of the fifth before the blackout ended any hopes Chatham had of staging another rally.
    Collecting a single hit each for Chatham were temporary players Trey Watten and Sean O'Brien, plus Allan Dykstra (Wake Forest), Kevin McAvoy (Maine) and Gregg Glime (Baylor). O'Brien, McAvoy and Glime each collected an RBI for the A's. Gabriella Remington, CCBL intern ([email protected]) 
 

Harwich Wins Opener Despite Lack of Power
Mariners Take Five-Inning, 9-4 Victory Over Chatham

     HARWICH, Mass. -- A lack of power proved costly to the Chatham A's Friday night at Whitehouse Field. But it had nothing to do with weak hitting. It was opening night for the A's and the Harwich Mariners as the Cape Cod Baseball League's 2007 season got under way and it was also the night the lights went out in Harwich.
    In the bottom of the fifth inning, all power was lost at Whitehouse Field. Chatham A’s reliever Jeff Lorick (Virginia) threw a pitch and every light in the ball park suddenly went dark. It was later learned that the power failure was the result of a traffic accident on Route 124 which took down a power pole.
    “It was definitely something I have never seen and I have been going to Cape League games for 10 years,” said fan Bill Flores.
    When it became obvious that electricity would not be restored any time soon, the game was called, giving the Mariners a five-inning, 9-4 victory. 
I    t was not only an abbreviated game, but a sloppy one from the beginning as the two teams combined for five errors, seven walks and five hit batsmen.
    Harwich got off to a quick start scoring four runs in the first inning. Cole Figeroa (Florida) got things started as he led off the game with a walk, then stole second. Terrence Dayleg (Western Kentucky) bunted him over to third and he scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Jared Bolden (VCU). 
    The Mariners kept the inning going with two outs. Alex Avilia (Alabama) walked, Johnny Giovatella (New Orleans) was hit by a pitch, Kyle Day (Michigan Stare) singled and scored Avilia from second. Then Steve Strausbough (Western Carolina) singled in Giovatella to complete the first inning scoring for Harwich.
    Harwich’s Danny Farquhar (Louisiana Lafayette) was the starting pitcher and he set the tone early by striking out two of the three A's he faced to complete a one-two-three first inning. 
Chatham did get on the board in the second and third innings with two runs in each, tying the score at four. But Harwich bounced back in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs of its own to take a commanding 8-4 lead, highlighted by Alex Avilia’s two-run double off the wall in right field. 
From that point on, Farquhar was on point striking out nine more A’s for a total of 11 in only five innings. Harwich held on to win it, 9-4.  John Hannemann, CCBL intern ([email protected]) 
 

Brewster Whitecaps Edged on Opening Day
Visiting Orleans Prevails, 1-0, in Pitchers' Duel

     BREWSTER, Mass. -- The Whitecaps opened the Cape Cod Baseball League's 2007 season on the road battling the Orleans Cardinals in an old-fashioned pitchers' duel in which the home team prevailed, 1-0.
    Orleans starter Brad Boxberger (USC) pitched six and a third scoreless innings before turning the game over to Kyle Kamppi (Georgia Southern), who got credit for the win. Matt Karl (Connecticut) picked up the save for the Cardinals. 
    Brewster had plenty of chances to put runs on the board but could not break through against Boxberger. In the first inning, the Whitecaps threatened by getting a runner to second base with two outs when David Cooper (California) doubled off Boxberger. But a strikeout ended the inning.
    The Whitecaps threatened again in the third as Michael Marseco (Samford) led off with a single and Blake Tekotte (Miami) followed with an infield single. Danny Lima (Tennessee) bunted right back to the mound, though, and Boxberger was able to start a double play and Orleans got out of the jam. 
    Brewster starter Ryan Cooke (USC) pitched equally well, giving up only two hits through six innings. Orleans was baffled by Cook’s array of curveballs and a plus fastball.
    The only run of the game came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Brewster reliever Chris Kupillas (Central Michigan) was roughed up. After a leadoff single by Marcus Jones (NCSU), Dennis Raben (Miami) laced a double down the right field line to score Jones from first base. Kupillas was charged with the loss. John Hannemann, CCBL intern ([email protected])Opening
  

Orleans Off to a Fast Start
Cardinals Edge Brewster, 1-0, in 2:18 Game

     ORLEANS, Mass. – The Orleans Cardinals opened their Cape Cod Baseball League season Friday night at Eldredge Park, quickly dispatching the Brewster Whitecaps, 1-0, in a fast-paced pitchers' duel that took just 2 hours and 18 minutes to play. 
Cardinals right-hander Brian Boxberger (USC) pitched five shutout innings before giving way to newcomer Kyle Kamppi (Georgia Southern) in the sixth inning of the scoreless game. Kamppi was credited with the win for the Cardinals and left-hander Matt Karl (Connecticut) earned the save. Starter for the Whitecaps was Ryan Cook (USC), who struck out 11 Cardinals in five innings of work.
It wasn't until the seventh inning that Dennis Raben (Miami) accounted for the game's only run when he hit a disputed double down the right field line to drive in Marcus Jones (North Carolina State) from second base. 
Orleans manager Kelly Nicholson was thrilled with the win. “I thought we played really well,” said Nicholson. “We pitched well, obviously, and we scratched out a run in the seventh. It’s great.” 
Jones, who had singled and been bunted to second in the seventh, was equally excited about scoring the decisive run. “I was really excited to come up here and have fun and play as well as I could,” he said.  Gabriella Remington, CCBL intern ([email protected]) 
 

Yarmouth-Dennis Comes Out Swinging -- With Pink Bats
Red Sox Spoil Mets' Opener in Hyannis, 6-3

     YARMOUTH, Mass. -- The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox started the 2007 Cape Cod Baseball League season the same way they ended 2006, with a victory. Y-D was originally scheduled to open its title-defending season at home, but instead took on the Hyannis Mets at McKeon Park because of a scheduling problem at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School. The location made little difference as the Red Sox posted a solid 6-3 win.
Pitcher Terry Doyle (Boston College) led the way for Y-D, striking out five while giving up three runs in five innings. Doyle was the 2006 CCBL Outstanding Pitcher of the Year and is one of only two returning Red Sox players. The other is Buster Posey (Florida State), who is currently a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award, which goes to the nation's best college catcher each season. Bobby Gagg (Coastal Carolina) pitched the last four innings, striking out four batters without giving up a hit to collect his first save of the season. 
The Red Sox' pink bats would drive in six runs of their own, more than enough offense to assure Doyle of the victory. The bats were pink for the same reason that the game was in Hyannis instead of South Yarmouth -- the Relay for Life, a cancer fund-raiser, was being held at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School. In support of the event, general manager Jim Martin had 12 pink bats, each inscribed with “Y-D Red Sox,” custom made by Akadema Professional, which happens to be owned by a former Y-D Red Sox player. After the bats are used again in Sunday’s home opener, the Red Sox plan to sell them to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Centerfielder Collin Cowgill (Kentucky) drove in two runs while Jeremy Barnes (Notre Dame) and Joey Railey (San Francisco) each drove in one run to support Doyle. Shortstop Gordon Beckham (Georgia) also drove in a run on opening day, and made the defensive play of the game in the seventh inning when his jumping catch robbed the Mets' David Macias (Vanderbilt) of what looked to be an easy base hit.   Kevin Wolfe, CCBL intern ([email protected])

Braves Jump Ahead Early, Hold Off Late Cotuit Rally
Cape League Opener Goes to Bourne, 7-6

     BOURNE, Mass. – There were a few white knuckles on the visitors' bench in Cotuit Friday night. There were the Bourne Braves, last year’s bottom-dweller in the Cape Cod Baseball League, trying to take an opening-day road win over Baseball America’s pick for top summer-league team in the nation. The Braves had lost five players in the past three weeks to the deadly combination of injuries and Team USA, including nearly a third of their pitching roster, and were trying desperately to get out of a jam. 
    Starter Mitch Harris (Navy) had taken them two-thirds of the way there, giving up just three hits and striking out six in six shutout innings. But the Kettleers put together a five-run rally in the eighth inning to close the Braves’ lead to one. 
    But that’s where it would stay as closer Jordan Flasher (George Mason) buckled down to retire five straight batters after allowing an RBI single that scored an inherited runner from second. Crucial plays were his unassisted putout on a bunt attempt and back-to-back strikeouts on called third strikes to end the game. 
    “The toughest outs to get in baseball are the last nine,” field manager Harvey Shapiro said later. “We had a bad inning, and it happened awfully quick. [Flasher] got us two in the eighth and three in the ninth and made a heck of a play on that push bunt. That’s all you can ask for.”
    Eight different players picked up a hit as the Braves jumped all over Cotuit starter Brad Brach (Monmouth) for eight hits in four and two-thirds innings. The Braves batted around in the first inning and took a 4-0 lead courtesy of three hits, including an infield single that first baseman Andrew Clark (Louisville) beat out with a slide into first base, combined with some mound problems from Brach and a fielding error. Right-fielder Brian Pruitt (Stetson) ripped a single through the left side in the second to bring the score to 5-0, where it would stay through three scoreless innings. 
    Each team added a run in the sixth. The Kettleers’ score was the result of back-to-back doubles to start the inning, after which Harris struck out two of the next three to end the threat with a runner on third. The Braves picked up theirs with some nifty small ball as Ben Guez (William and Mary) went station to station on a leadoff walk, a sacrifice bunt from temporary roster addition Bill Kerry (Hartford), a steal and then an RBI single by Addison Maruszak (South Florida). 
    In recent weeks, the roster put together by Shapiro and general manager Mike Carrier has taken a beating. Three Bourne pitchers – right handers Ryan Berry (Rice), Lance Lynn (Mississippi) and Cody Satterwhite (Mississippi) – along with catcher Petey Paramore (Arizona State) were lost to Team USA. 
    “They selected 20 players and we lost four -- we gave them 20 percent of their roster,” Shapiro said.
    The Braves’ rotation was further depleted by the loss of left-handed pitcher Garrett Bullock (Wake Forest) to injury and Nate Reed (Pittsburgh). 
    But the Braves who were there survived a five-run eighth-inning surge from Cotuit to pick up the important opening day win over a Western Division rival. 
    “Well, we won,” Shapiro said. “If you throw the ball, catch it and hit it once in a while, you’ve got a chance to win. It's very competitive in this league, and it’s those aspects of the game that you have to get down.”  Liz Hoffman, CCBL Intern ([email protected])

Kettleers Rally in Eighth, But Can't Overtake Bourne
Braves Spoil Cotuit's Season Opener, 7-6

    COTUIT, Mass. -- Despite the packed stands at Lowell Park and the Kettleers’ exciting five-run rally in the eighth inning, the final outcome was not what Cotuit wanted Friday as the visiting Bourne Braves prevailed, 7-6, in the Cape Cod Baseball League season opener for both teams.
    While his team did show a lot of heart throughout its nine-inning effort, manager Mike Roberts expects more. “It was rough,” said Roberts. “We had a lot of guys playing out of position. I was pleased with the effort, but not the execution.” 
    Trailing, 7-1, Cotuit rallied in the eighth with a five-run effort led by a triplet of singles by Cory Figueroa (St. Petersburg), Tony Delmonico (Tennessee) and Aaron Baker (Oklahoma). Mike Bianucci (Auburn) scored Delmonico on a fielder’s choice, making it 7-2. Bourne reliever Jesse Haney (UNC Wilmington) reloaded the bases with a walk to Ryne White (Purdue), then Cotuit pitcher Trey Barham (VMI) hit a bases-clearing double to pull Cotuit within two runs, 7-5, and knock Haney out of the game. Jordan Flasher (George Mason) relieved Haney and got Kettleer Ryan Lollis (Missouri) on a ground ball which moved pinch-runner Chris Dupart (Georgia Tech) to third. Jonathan Pigott (Florida) then singled home Dupart to move the score 7-6. 
    Bareham’s base-clearing double was the key blast in Cotuit’s rally and Roberts was pleased to see the versatility his team demonstrated. “Some of our big hits came from our pitchers,” Roberts said. “That got us going in the eighth inning. We learned a lot about our team.”
    Roberts was philosophical about the loss. “You don’t let it affect you,” he said. “You always want to play well. It’s a long season with 44 games. We are going to take one game at a time.”  Erica Bailey, CCBL intern ([email protected])
 

Ninth Inning Collapse Costly to Falmouth
Wareham Rallies to Win Opener, 5-2

     FALMOUTH, Mass. -- Falmouth took a 2-0 lead into the ninth inning, but couldn't hold off a torrid Wareham comeback and the Gatemen spoiled the Commodores' Cape Cod Baseball League opener at Guv Fuller Field with a 5-2 victory Friday night. 
    “It didn’t leave a good taste in our mouths,” said Commodores manager Jeff Trundy. “We are going to have to make some adjustments. But that’s the great thing about baseball -- you always have the next game to look forward to.”
    While the outcome was disappointing, Falmouth's defense was solid throughout the game and starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (Missouri) impressed in the six innings he worked. Gibson struck out eight Gatemen and walking none. “Kyle was outstanding,” said Trundy. 
    Two infielders from the University of Virginia, Jeremy Farrell and David Adams, accounted for the Commodores' two runs. Farrell slammed an RBI double in the third inning and Adams tripled with a runner aboard in the fifth, but was left stranded at third. After that, the Commodores failed to reach base again.
    Still, Falmouth clung to its 2-0 lead entering the ninth and appeared headed to an opening night win. Trundy called on closer Preston Claiborne (Tulane) to get the final three outs, but the Gatemen, led by Dustin Dickerson (Baylor) and Josh Phegley (Indiana), roared back with four hits, an error and two walks to score five runs and send Falmouth fans home disappointed. Dickerson and Baylor both went 2-for-4 in the game with a run scored, a double and an RBI, and pitcher Chris Hicks (Georgia Tech) worked the bottom of the ninth to record the save.
    “It was a disappointing finish,” said Trundy. “But that’s how baseball goes. You win, you lose, there’s always another game to play. Every kid realizes that it’s a long season and this was game one of 44.”    Erica Bailey, CCBL intern ([email protected])
 

Hyannis Mets Maintain Their Confidence
Optimism Reigns Despite Loss to Y-D in Opener

        HYANNIS, Mass. -- Another summer of baseball by the harbor started Friday as a crowd of 1,170 greeted the Hyannis Mets of 2007. As the home team took the field and Mary Clemens sang the National Anthem at McKeon Park for the first time in 10 months, the excitement and anticipation could be felt throughout the ballpark -- from the fans to the Mets to the visiting Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
    Hyannis starter Matt Daly (Hawaii) breezed through the first two innings, getting six quick outs before the Y-D bats got to him, plating five runs in the third. That would be all the offense the Red Sox would need as they opened their title-defending season with a 6-3 win. 
    Daly pitched for Hyannis last year and is joined by three other returning Mets, James Darnell (South Carolina), centerfielder David Macias (Vanderbilt) and pitcher Austin Wood (Texas). The rest of the team is playing together for the first time and, despite Friday’s setback, general manager John Howitt said he sees the potential for a winning team. 
    “I have a good feeling about this team because the players have been more selectively chosen with a lot of background research on their skill and character, more so than any other year,” said Howitt. One factor that could help the team mesh quickly is that three starters all played together at Vanderbilt.
    Catcher Shea Robin, Macias and right-fielder Shane Petersen all come to the Mets from the SEC championship. And a fourth teammate, Ryan Flaherty, who is currently being considered by Team USA, could be joining them.
    Robin feels that the familiarity factor has already helped, at least for him, but he says right now the whole team is focused on one thing: “Win, win, win. After a couple of losing seasons, we’re looking to turn things around.” 
    The Mets know that one loss does not a season make and they feel they have the talent to become the winners that McKeon Park fans haven't seen for several summers.  Kevin Wolfe, CCBL intern ([email protected])
 

Wareham Proves It's Better Late Than Never
Ninth-Inning Explosion Beats Falmouth, 5-2

    WAREHAM, Mass. – In the second inning of Friday’s Cape Cod Baseball League opener at Falmouth, Wareham catcher Josh Phegley (Indiana) came to the plate for the first time. The former Mr. Indiana Baseball drove a pitch to deep center for a stand-up double that sent teammate Dustin Dickerson (Baylor) rounding third and heading for home. 
    But what could have given Wareham an early 1-0 lead and a rookie his first Cape League RBI ended when Dickerson was thrown out at home on a sharp relay from center field to end the inning. 
When Phegley found himself at the plate again seven innings later, Dickerson again at second, and the game locked at two apiece, he gave it another try. This time, his rocket to the gap in right-center brought Dickerson home with room to spare and gave Wareham its first lead of the night. The hit was part of a five-run ninth inning off left-handed closer Preston Claiborne (Tulane) that erased eight shutout innings and gave the Gatemen a 5-2 win over the Commodores. 
    Phegley wasn’t alone; his déjà vu deep-outfield shot was preceded by five quality at-bats that rattled Claiborne, erased an eighth-inning lead and energized the Wareham bench. Diallo Fon (Arizona) led off with a full-count walk, leftfielder Blake Dean (Louisiana State) landed a blooper in shallow right field for a single and right-fielder Luke Murton (Georgia Tech) dropped a sacrifice bunt down the first-base line to set the table. RBI hits from DH Russ Moldenhauer (Texas) and Dickerson brought in the runners to tie the game at two and set up Phegley’s heroics. 
    “We were very pleased, especially by the boys playing hard right from the beginning to the end, even when they weren’t seeing a lot of results,” general manager John Wylde said. “The Falmouth pitching staff did an outstanding job. Their starter had our guys off balance a bit, and I thought the two guys coming in after them threw hard and had good command.” 
    Wareham starter Wade Miley (Southeastern Louisiana) overcame some early control problems to get the win. The right-hander was one of several temporary players on the roster who are filling the spots of those still in Omaha at the College World Series, recent MLB draftees or selections to Team USA. Miley more than earned his keep, pitching beautifully through seven innings and finishing with no earned runs on four hits, three walks and eight strikeouts. 
    “He’ll end up playing for the team,” Wylde said. “He showed a very good breaking ball and went awhile for us. He was a little shaky at the beginning, but you love to see a guy bouncing back like that from a little bit of a shaky start.”
    Reliever Josh Moore (Wheaton) retired the side in the eighth to keep the Gatemen within striking distance and Chris Hicks (Georgia Tech) picked up the save for a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth. 
    The game was a tough loss for Falmouth starter Kyle Gibson (Missouri), who left the Commodores with a 2-0 lead after six innings. Gibson stumped the Gatemen, who could manage only four hits off the lefty. 
    While his team’s early struggles might have field manager Cooper Farris slightly uneasy, it was better late than never for the Gatemen’s offense, and their firepower came through when they needed it most. Phegley, Dickerson and Fon all turned in multiple-hit games, including their clutch ninth-inning contributions. 
    “I’m not at all surprised,” Wylde said. “Diallo played last year and knows what to expect. He’s healthy this year and he swung the bat very well in our preseason games. Dustin is absolutely a top professional prospect, and certainly stroking that double with two outs in the ninth and the tying run on third, you can’t ask for more. Josh upped it a notch from the preseason and I’m excited to see what he can come up with.”   Liz Hoffman, CCBL Intern ([email protected])
 

THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN HARWICH: An auto accident involving a pole near Whitehouse Field caused a power outage in the surrounding area that caused the Chatham-Harwich game to be shortened to five innings. The umpires waited 30 minutes before calling the game with runners on first and second and no outs in the bottom of the fifth. The game, won by the Mariners, 9-4, counts in the standings as it was deemed an official contest. Danny Farquhar (Louisiana-Lafayette) pitched five power-packed innings for Harwich, striking out 11 batters while giving up five hits and three earned runs.
 
EAST MEETS WEST: Two pitchers from opposite ends of the country faced each other on opening night in Hyannis when the Mets’ Matt Daly (Hawaii) opposed CCBL All-Star Terry Doyle (Boston College) at McKeon Park. Both players are returning to their respective CCBL teams this summer, while Doyle is waiting for a contract offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers, who drafted him in the 21st round. 
 
TIGERS SELECT ANOTHER BIG SOUTHPAW: For the second straight year, the Detroit Tigers took a big left-handed pitcher from the Cape League as one of their early round selections. Last year, the Tigers selected 6-6 LHP Andrew Miller (North Carolina) of Chatham (now in the Tigers’ starting rotation) in the first round and followed up this year by taking 6-5 lefty Charlie Furbush (LSU by way of St. Joe’s-Maine) of Hyannis in the fourth round. A record 202 CCBL players were selected during 50 rounds of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft, with Larry Day (Connecticut) of Bourne and Orleans being the final CCBL player taken in the final round. 
 
HOME RUN DERBY: One of the most popular events during the Cape League season is the home run hitting contest during the 45th Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game, which will now be called the Baseball Express Home Run Derby.
 
LIVE ON NPR: The 45th Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game, presented by the Leading Banks of Cape Cod, will be broadcast live by the Cape and Islands' three National Public Radio (NPR) stations -- WCAI 90.1 FM, WNAN 91.1 FM and WZAI 94.3 FM. The listener-supported stations are a service of the WGBH Educational Foundation, serving Cape Cod, the offshore islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, and the south coast. 
 
22 … AND COUNTING: John Schiffner, the dean of CCBL field managers for the Chatham A’s, needs just 22 more wins to surpass Don Reed as the modern era wins leader, following his team’s loss at Harwich Friday night. Reed captured 334 victories during his illustrious career.
 
LYONS ROAR: Two players from nationally ranked Wheaton -- infielder Jake Yagjian of Brewster and southpaw hurler Josh Moore of Manchester, N.H. -- will perform in the CCBL, with Yagjian playing his second straight summer with the Brewster Whitecaps and the hard-throwing Moore making his Cape League debut with the Wareham Gatemen. Moore, who is coming off a school-record 16-strikeout performance at the NCAA Regional at Whitehouse Field, finished 8-1 with a 3.13 ERA and 63 strikeouts.
 
FACES IN THE CROWD: Several dignitaries watched or covered the season-opening game between the Y-D Red Sox and Hyannis Mets at refurbished McKeon Park Friday. They included CCBL President Judy Walden Scarafile; CCBL Commissioner Paul Galop; CCBL Vice President Peter Ford, CCBL Director of Communications Jim McGonigle; CCBL and Hyannis Mets secretary Kim Wolfe; President Bob Mayo, GM Jim Martin and Board Member Barbara Ellsworth of Y-D; President Tino DiGiovanni, GM John Howitt, Asst. GM Bill Bussiere and VP’s Peter Scarafile and Brad Pfiefer of the Hyannis Mets; Tom Souza of USA World Events, a new media broadcasting partner of the CCBL; broadcasting legend Fred Cusick; Walter Gadkowski of Cape Cod Hospital; financial planner Linda Gadkowski; Geoff Converse and Russ Charpentier of the Cape Cod Times; Kathleen Szmit of the Barnstable Patriot; Dan Crowley of Enterprise Newspapers; Deb Converse of the March of Dimes; John Cabral of cape.com, and hotelier Ken Kommenda. 
 
CONGRATS TO BARNSTABLE: The Town of Barnstable was one of 10 communities that earned the All-America City award title, the oldest and most prestigious civic recognition competition in the U.S. Communities from all over the country participated in the event held last week in Orange County, Calif. A Cape contingent headed by Barnstable Director of Community Relations Lynne Poyant and Cape Cod Chamber Executive Director Wendy Northcross was decked out in CCBL outfits when they attended a Los Angeles Angels game in Anaheim. Poyant, former executive director of the Hyannis chamber and CCBL “Summer Catch” committee member, was named winner of the Mercy Otis Warren Woman of the Year award, which will be presented on July 4th in Barnstable village.
 
RED SOX STORIES: Making the first of several trips to Cape League games this summer was a film crew from Red Sox Productions on the TV show "Red Sox Stories" on UPN TV 38 in Boston, which features in-depth looks at all things Red Sox and baseball. Video producer Matt Bair plans to produce a show highlighting the league's history, its impact on all of baseball and how the games capture the "summertime in New England” atmosphere. 
 
YAWKEY GRANTS: The Cape League received another grant of $300,000 from the Yawkey Foundation to support improvements to its baseball fields in Cotuit and Wareham. Lowell Park, home of the Cotuit Kettleers, and Clem Spillane Field, home of the Wareham Gatemen, received $150,000 each to utilize for field improvements which support the Cape League, along with high school, Babe Ruth League and American Legion baseball teams and leagues.
 
GAME OF THE WEEK: Following a dry-run during the first Military Game in Chatham last Saturday, the inaugural regular season CCBL Game of the Week on WBZ1030.com was scheduled to be the July 18 game at South Yarmouth with the Cotuit Kettleers visiting the defending champion Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox beginning at 4:50 p.m. Broadcasting legend Fred Cusick provides the play-by-play commentary for the seven-week series of webcasts, which features streaming audio and video.