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Sportsmanship: Joel Collins

08/21/2005 1:47 PM

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21 August 2005

THIS WEEK IN THE CAPE LEAGUE
2005

DANIEL J. SILVA
 SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
  

Joel Collins

 

WAREHAM - For the third straight season, a standout catcher has received the Dan Silva Sportsmanship Award.  Joel Collins of Wareham follows up back-to-back Hyannis Mets recipients, Chris Robinson and Richard Mercado. 


Joel Collins, Wareham Gatemen
SportsPix 2005

     Collins who hails from Richmond Hill, Ontario and attends University of South Alabama, received the award before Wareham’s final home game on August 7. 

     The award is voted on by the ECAC umpires, who work Cape Cod Baseball games and is selected by ECAC Supervisor of umpires Nick Zibelli.

     The award is named after former Cape League Commissioner and umpire-in-chief Dan Silva, who helped organize the 1963 merger of the Upper Cape and Lower Cape Leagues into their present format. He was inducted into the inaugural CCBL Hall of Fame in 2000.

     Collins was second in the Gatemen in batting average with a stellar .293 batting average and recorded one home run with 14 RBI in 35 games. Collins was named to the CCBL All-Star team and caught many of the league’s best pitchers on a Wareham staff stocked with talent. 

     "Being on the Cape has been an unbelievable experience,” said Collins. “I have a great deal of respect for the game and what the people here continue to accomplish year in and year out. From the coaching, guys playing in the league and even its history, the Cape League is so fun place to play baseball.

     "But it's a tough place to play. All I can really do is come out, work hard and stay focused and hopefully good things will happen. I've played against someof these guys and know what to expect so basically it's all about preparation and calling a good game."

     At South Alabama, Collins started 64 games, hit .264, slugged two home runs and 31 RBI. He was able to record these numbers as a freshman, the first rookie to start behind the dish for the Jaguars. 

     Collins is a 6’1’’ 200 pound catcher who hails from Ontario. Besides all the numbers, Collins was an outstanding leader and a player who displayed good character on the field . Wareham coaches and staff hope he returns for the 2006 summer after his sophomore season.  
Nick Mucci, CCBL Intern, [email protected]

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

Interns:  Stephanie Falco, Jason Itzkowitz, Jenna Kubesch, Michael Kydd, Nicholas Mucci, Colin Reed