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CCBL Notes: New England

04/29/2003 10:46 AM

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for immediate release: 29 April, 2003
      

Pre-Season Cape League Notes #3


CAPE COD, Mass. – New England Point of View


     The two-time defending champion Wareham Gatemen feature a distinct Northeast flavor, with five players from New England colleges. They include lefty pitcher Kevin Shepard and outfielder Drew Locke of Boston College, 6’5” right-handed pitcher Devin Monds (2-2, 5.40 ERA this spring) and outfielder Chris Emanuele (.363, 11 RBI) of Northeastern and returning Cape League Playoff MVP Matt Kutler of Brown, the Ivy League Pre-Season Player of the Year. 


IRISH PERFECT CHARM

     Returning 6’5” right-handed pitcher John Axford of the Hyannis Mets has compiled a perfect 9-0 record for Notre Dame. He has a 2.29 ERA with 53 K’s in 55 IP for the Fighting Irish. Axford was voted the 29th Cape Cod Baseball League Top Prospect by Baseball America. 


NOT A CARDINAL SIN

     As usual, the Hyannis Mets feature several players from NCAA powerhouse Stanford. Returning Cardinal players for the Mets include catcher Donny Luce (.270, 1, 9 RBI), outfielder Dan Putnam (.370, 9 HR, 37 RBI) and pitcher Marc Jacmen (0-0, 13.50). Selected to the league’s final all-star team, Putnam hit .289 for the Mets last summer, led the league in doubles (13) and finished third in extra-base hits (16).


MILITARY MEN ON A MISSION

     Two players from military colleges are expected to perform for the Harwich Mariners this summer. They include speedy outfielder Trent Weathers (.344, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 21-25 SB) of The Citadel and pitcher Duke Acors (3-5, 4.45 ERA, 57 K’s in 51.2 IP) of Virginia Military Institute (VMI). 


ANOTHER SAVE FOR ZANE 

     Chatham A’s hurler Zane Carlson of Baylor broke the Big 12 Conference record for most saves in a career (28), with one against U. Kansas on Sunday. Carlson was selected along with Shaun Marcum of Harwich as the Russ Ford Award winner as the top relief pitcher in the CCBL last summer. He was 2-2 with 12 saves and a 3.13 ERA for the A’s in 2002 and was named to the league’s final all-star team. – Submitted by CCBL Intern Sarah Hinkley.


MAY DAY OPENING FOR HERITAGE

     The new and expanded Cape Cod Baseball League exhibit at Heritage Museums & Gardens will be showcased to the media and invited guests Thursday, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. The Heritage baseball exhibit will be open to the public on Sunday, May 4. It will include the CCBL Hall of Fame.


HALL FAME INDUCTEES TO BE ANNOUNCED

     The 2003 CCBL Hall of Fame class is expected to be announced by league commissioner Bob Stead at The First Pitch Brunch, to be held at The Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub on Rt. 28 in West Yarmouth, Sunday, June 8 beginning at 10 am. Each of the league’s 10 field managers will give a brief preview of his 2003 team. Pete Sheppard of WEEI Radio (850 am)’s “The Big Show” in Boston will serve as master of ceremonies.


CCBL LICENSE PLATE PROGRAM

     The Cape Cod Baseball League is establishing a Special Edition Massachusetts automobile license plate. The proposed CCBL License plate will honor the nation’s premier NCAA-sanctioned summer baseball league that can trace its roots back to 1885. The Massachusetts Legislature requires a commitment and partial payment from 3000 individuals interested in obtaining a CCBL license plate in order to proceed with the approval process through the legislature. For more information, visit www.capecodbaseball.org/plate. Applications or further information is available by contacting Jim McGonigle at 508-385-6260 or e-mail [email protected].


WHO'S HOT AND WHO'S NOT – CAPE LEAGUE ALUMNI

     AL –Reigning Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito (Wareham ‘97-98) is ranked 8th with a 2.91 ERA. Frank “The Big Hurt” Thomas (Orleans ’88) of the Chicago White Sox socked his 4th home run of the season vs. the Twins. CCBL Hall of Famer Jason Varitek (Hyannis (’91 & ’93) belted a home run in the 14th inning to lead the Red Sox to a 6-4 win at California Sunday. Boston teammate Nomar Garciaparra (Orleans ’93) broke the longest hitless streak (0-for-19) of his career with two singles against the Angels.


     NL – Jeff Bagwell (Chatham ‘87-88) of the Houston Astros leads the major leagues with 10 home runs. He and Astros’ teammate Jeff Kent (Cotuit ’88) both slugged round-trippers to lead the Astros to a 6-3 win over the Expos. Todd Helton (Orleans ’94) of the Colorado Rockies leads the league in RBI (24). J.T. Snow (Orleans ’88) of the San Francisco Giants ranks fourth in the league in batting avg. (.348) and tied for third in RBI (21). Mike Lowell (Chatham ’94) clouted his 6th homer to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-6 win over the Marlins Sunday. After being among the league leaders in batting avg., Sean Casey (Brewster ’94) is mired in a 1-for-18 slide.


John Garner, Jr.
CCBL Director of
Public Relations & Broadcasting
(508) 790-0394