Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

Article By: Kaileigh Grieb

All ten Cape Cod Baseball League teams had quite the turn out this past weekend for their opening day ceremonies, with nearly 14,000 fans coming out to catch their favorite teams begin the chase for a ring in the centennial year.

Although the weather was not too permitting in a few hotspots on Cape, with the Cotuit Kettlers having to postpone their home opener against the Chatham Anglers until this upcoming Thursday, June 15th.

However, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks were one of ten teams that saw a great turnout for their home opener.

Facing the Orleans Firebirds, the Harbor Hawks brought in quite the crowd with fans young and old rushing to grab the best seats in the house to scout out the best prospects for both teams.

One fan in particular stuck out amongst the rest: Father Humbert Kilanowski

Father Humbert Kilanowski, a Catholic Priest of the Dominican Order, as well as a math professor at Providence College, had the opportunity to throw out the first pitch on opening day, as well as blessing the players and fans in attendance to help jumpstart a very monumental season.

Teaching math at Providence College, Fr. Kilanowski has been a longtime fan of the CCBL. Often seen taking down stats on players for his students to analyze, he had much to share on his excitement for what's to come this season, as well as what the CCBL means to him and so many fans.

“This is the platonic form of baseball. Its baseball at its finest, the way it was meant to be played. With the whole community coming around to support them (the players), you have families hosting players, all the local businesses are sponsoring the league, and anyone can come watch a game… It's baseball the way it was meant to be played.”

Aside from the fans, the players weren’t too shy to share their enthusiasm about opening day. Smiles and laughter were seen and heard from both dugouts, cheers from the fans echoed throughout the field with each scoring play made.

Jamie Arnold, a pitcher for the Harbor Hawks, is one of the many first time summer league players to make a striking appearance this centennial season.

“The CCBL is the best of the best, it's the best place to play. I got lucky enough to be playing here this year.”

After a tough 4-1 loss against the Firebirds, Arnold and his fellow Harbor Hawks persevered, learning from the loss on how to better successfully build as a team throughout the summer.

“It was a good opening day. It was a good crowd, the fans loved it. We lost, but it’s alright. We’ll be back,” stated Arnold, when asked to reflect on his first opening day with the CCBL.