Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

Article By: Brian Butler

Camron Hill has been one of the best pitchers in the Cape League this summer for the Cotuit Kettleers, and it’s not the first summer he’s dominated a wood bat league. Hill also dominated for the championship-winning Martha’s Vineyard Sharks of the NECBL last summer, allowing just two earned runs and nine baserunners in 24 innings. He parlayed his dominant summer on the Vineyard into a spot with Cotuit this summer, and he has continued his excellent performance in the nation’s premier wood bat league. The Georgia Tech product has a combined 8-0 record through 23 total appearances in the two leagues, establishing himself as an elite performer in summer ball. Hill has been lights out for the Kettleers, and he certainly loves facing wood bats.

“With a wood bat, I know that the hitter has far less of a margin for error than [with] a metal bat, so I use that to my advantage. [I’m] trying to get in on the hands a little bit, see if they just can’t quite get around to it. They’ll just break the bat, and that’s always a satisfying feeling,” said Hill of the difference between facing hitters using wood or metal bats.

It’s not hard to understand why Camron Hill is so dominant. His 6’6” frame provides him with elite extension, giving him increased perceived velocity to a fastball that already has incredible ride to it. He then pairs the fastball with a breaking ball and splitter that he also uses to overwhelm hitters. Hill knows that using his frame to his advantage is key to his continued success on the mound. He tries to keep that leg up in the back of his mind for whenever he (rarely) starts to struggle on the mound, keeping in mind the physical cue to use his extra extension to get out of a jam.

Hill transitioned from his role as the Sharks’ shut down closer to a role as the ace in the Cotuit rotation this summer, continuing his dominant performance. Through his first 11 appearances, totalling 33 innings pitched, the southpaw has allowed just four runs. He was an All-Star in both leagues, appearing out of the bullpen in the NECBL All-Star Game, following that up by starting the Cape League version for the West this summer. Hill was incredibly honored to receive both of those All-Star appearances.

“It’s just a testament to the work that I put in on a year-to-year basis. [I’m trying to] just keep going up and up and keep progressing. As a college ballplayer, you always dream of coming to the Cape, and to be able to start the All-Star game with the best of the best was truly an honor.”

While Hill certainly dialed in for his start, tossing a 1-2-3 inning to get the game going, his electric personality was on full display throughout the entire day. Cam was mic’d up during the Home Run Hitting Contest, coaching his batterymate for the day Brody Donay throughout the competition, and chirping at the other contestants while they were on the clock. Hill’s passion for the game shines through every time he comes to the fields, whether he’s on the mound, in the dugout, or in the bullpen, he’s always having a great time with his teammates.

Hill’s personality is a reflection of his aim to keep his love for the game alive. Before a recent Cotuit home game, Hill could be found down in the bullpen singing along with and dancing to Ben E. King’s classic song “Stand By Me.” Little moments like that reflect Hill’s desire to live in the moment as much as he can all summer. He realizes how lucky both himself and all the players in this league are to have had the level of success to bring them to Cape Cod. Hill loves baseball and tries to have as much fun as he can playing it every day.

“At the end of the day, it’s still a game, the same game you were playing when you were six years old. You try to have as much fun as you can while you’re playing it.”

Camron Hill has been a dominant force in summer ball each of the past two summers, and his dominance against wood bats is a good sign for a potential future in the game. His amazing personality will certainly also come with him wherever he goes, and his passion for the game of baseball will shine through.