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The Cape’s Best Prepare for All-Star Sunday

07/19/2019 2:34 PM

Article By: Joseph Barrett

The Cape Cod Baseball League prepares for another All-Star showdown this Sunday as the league’s best will compete in the National Grid Home Run Contest and All-Star Game.

June 10th- a time of anticipation and aspiration as the league’s ten teams prepared for opening day. Since then, the fans on Cape Cod have seen their fair share of highlight plays and seemingly unmatched talent.

Each fanbase has had the opportunity of watching their very own players take the field this summer. This Sunday, the talent collides as East meets West.

Eldredge Park in Orleans is the host of this year’s festivities. Although the highly anticipated event doesn’t begin until 6:05 p.m., the day will surely consist of lots of action prior to the game.

The gates open at 2:00 p.m., where fans can get comfortable and position themselves for the action.

A half an hour later, the two teams will rotate between autograph signing and batting practice. If the 2019 MLB All-Star game rosters were any indication of the Cape League’s potential, an autographed baseball may serve as a cherished object in the future.

At 5:00 p.m., the only thing fans need to be worried about is where they can position themselves in the outfield in order to track down a home run ball. Power heads to the plate as six of the league’s top hitters will square off in the home run contest.

The hitting coaches in Brewster must know something about strength, as two Whitecaps will take part in the event. T.J. Collet and Tyler Hardman will both be present and accounted for.

Falmouth’s Barron Radcliffe and Cotuit’s Oraj Anu will also hear their name called on Sunday, but Hyannis’ Hunter Goodman and Harwich’s Niko Kavadas will be there with similar goals in mind.

After the contest comes to a close, some of baseball’s finest traditions will make their way into the fun. The player introductions, national anthem, and always fulfilling first pitch will be conducted prior to gametime.

At 6:05 p.m., the entertaining yet still very competitive All-Star game will be underway. Each team is comprised of 10 pitchers, 11 reserves, and of course 10 starters with designated hitters into consideration.

Leading the charge for the East Division are Austin Wells and Jamal O’Guinn II. Wells, who already has a ‘player of the week’ award to his name this season, will aim to continue his dominance this Sunday.

The Y-D catcher has a .324 average on the season with six home runs and a stellar 22 RBIs as well.

The fans at Veterans Field have had lots to cheer about this season, thanks in large part to Jamal O’Guinn II. The Angler outfielder is a tough strikeout, and should give the West Division pitching core lots to worry about.

For the opposition, Nick Gonzales and Allbry Major make up quite the duo. Gonzales has established himself as one of the premier hitters on the Cape, exemplified by his .355 average and 39 hits.

His Kettleer teammate Major will also be trotting onto the field beside him. The switch hitter’s .418 average looks quite impressive on the league’s statistics page, but of course his performance this Sunday won’t contribute to that average.

The starting pitchers in the contest will be Ian Bedell and Mason Black. The two have been poets with a baseball since the start of the summer and look to outplay their counterpart come Sunday.

Black is undefeated for the Whitecaps this season in his six appearances. The righty’s strikeout to innings pitched ratio is surely splendid, as Black is nearing 30 strikeouts in his sub 26 innings pitched.

His excitement for the game grows with each passing moment, and he’s honored to take the field with the league's best.

“A lot of good guys that are going to be playing in that game… I’m just going to try to have fun, do me, and just really enjoy the moment. It’s going to be a great atmosphere.” said Black.

The showdown may not count towards the league’s standings, but Black is hoping for a competitive game of baseball between the league’s two divisions.