12/05/2019 7:46 AM Article By: Eric Zmuda
The end of an incredible 2019 season finds our Cotuit Kettleers the Cape Cod Baseball League champions for the 17th time (a Cape League record), winning the Arnold Mycock Championship Trophy and bringing it back home to Lowell Park. A fantastic Championship Round vs the Harwich Mariners brought thrills to full crowds, young and old alike, as the Kettleers rumbled with the Mariners in the first game for 15 innings before squeaking away with a win. In the second game, they left no doubt that they wanted the trophy, victorious in the best-of-three series; congratulations to both organizations. As well, a huge thank you to all 10 league franchises for bringing their best to the field day in and day out all summer, no matter what Mother Nature threw at us, showing great professionalism and motivation to showcase their talents for our fans, highlighting the fact that the best of the best college-athletes come to the Cape each year to improve their game and ready for their opportunity as a possible future MLB star. Truly, this is why the CCBL is known as “Where the Stars of Tomorrow play Today”.
Also, congratulations to the myriad of players, field managers, coaching staffs, Deputy Commissioners, volunteers, and all involved with our league in helping make 2019 a great first season for this rookie Commissioner. Without everyone helping out the entire summer, we could not, and would not, be able to continue giving our loyal fans the best free baseball in the country. We are fortunate for our League Sponsors that help us fund our league, and each team, as well as the donations of our league fans. Thank you so much for all you give so that we are able to showcase the finest players, year in and year out!
Some Other Highlights in 2019:
- The Wareham Gatemen continue to think outside the box, or stadium as it were, by being involved in three unique games – One, taking the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority CapeFLYER train to Hyannis in their annual ‘Train Game’. Second, traveling to a ‘home game’ vs Yarmouth-Dennis at Boston College High School and, last, for the second year running, going to an entirely different state to Hartford, CT to (again) ‘host’ Y-D at the home of the Hartford Yard Goats (MiLB Franchise). These events bring new eyes to our league and we’re grateful for Wareham President Tom Gay and General Manager Andrew Lang brainstorming new ways to interact with our fans.
- Congratulations to the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox for winning the Commissioner’s Cup, an award recognizing the fact this entire organization, on and off the field, showcases professionalism and integrity in their daily activities, supporting the local community, and interactions with fellow CCBL personnel. A ‘great job’ goes out to team President George Barton, General Manager Steve Faucher, and Field Manager Scott Pickler, for leading your team in 2019!
- More congratulations, to our new crop of CCBL Hall of Famers – Conor Gillaspie, Brad Linden, Chris Overman, Kyle Schwarber, Shaun Siebert, Field Manager Scott Pickler, long-time umpire Nick Zibelli, and Commissioner Emeritus Paul Galop. These choices by our CCBL Hall of Fame Committee exemplify what our league has to offer, on all levels!
- Our entire league, teams, volunteers, staffs, and all involved, are owed a huge ‘wow’ for dealing with the harsh, wet, and crazy weather of 2019. With numerous delays, rainouts (and a tornado!), it was quite a feat to keep it all in line to still finish our season on time!
- A great job by our Commissioner Intern, Cam DeLuca, in aiding me throughout the year and being able to help me with the plethora of tasks from last year, and all summer, keeping us on task, and excelling in all areas. Thanks, Cam. Best wishes in your future endeavors!
- And, one last ‘thank you’ to my family for their support which makes being a part of the CCBL even possible. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with anything!
Another year has passed, and preparations for the new year are well underway, we are all very excited to see what the next season has in store and hope that you’ll join us for what is sure to be another remarkable summer on Cape Cod! Please keep updated on the League by visiting CapeCodBaseball.org and look for our social media updates throughout the winter. Thank you to all of our devoted fans and I look forward to seeing you at the ballpark next June!
Eric Zmuda, Commissioner
Cape Cod Baseball League
