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Commissioner's Corner: Pre-Season Report

05/24/2008 9:22 AM

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Commissioner's Column

Pre-Season Report

     Welcome to the 2008 Cape Cod baseball League season! We have finally put the winter doldrums behind us and anxiously anticipate the crack of the wooden bats, a true sign that summer has arrived on Cape Cod.

     As our 2007 season was winding down, the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox were steamrolling to their second consecutive title and third in the last four years. Both the Chatham A’s and Falmouth Commodores were very worthy playoff opponents, but in the end the YD Red Sox won it all going away.

     So as the field managers and general managers for all ten teams worked feverishly throughout what seemed to be a never-ending winter, the rosters they have compiled are once again loaded with the finest collegiate talent in the country. 

     As if that did not keep them busy enough, you will be in for quite a surprise when you notice some of the changes at the ballparks. The Western Division will have well lit skies as the Hyannis Mets now have brand new lights at McKeon Field which means 7PM night baseball has returned to Hyannis. The Bourne Braves are putting the finishing touches on their new lighting initiative that they hope to have in place by opening day. The Falmouth Commodores replaced all of their lighting equipment as soon as the 2007 season ended, and those upgrades are significant. The Cotuit Kettleers have made major field improvements that include but are not limited to new fencing, new first base line bleachers and enhanced sod on the playing surface. All of these upgrades at these fields followed the Wareham Gatemen field enhancements from last season.

     The Eastern Division franchises did not exactly have an uneventful winter either. Both the Orleans Cardinals and YD Red Sox continue to upgrade and maintain their beautiful facilities along with the Brewster Whitecaps, while the Harwich Mariners are replacing all lighting at Whitehouse Field at this very moment. The Chatham A’s are doing major safety enhancements in front of bleachers along with a professional “knee-wall” made of brick along the bottom of the backstop from dugout to dugout. Chatham is also replacing all lights in their light towers.

     Chatham has also been awarded our annual All-Star Game that will be on Saturday, July 26th at 7PM. This game is likely to be broadcast live by one of the major New England television networks. You will want to get to this game early to enjoy the pre-game festivities such as the ever-popular home run hitting contest. Chatham last hosted our All-Star Game in 1998 and the crowd for that game was nearly 7,000 fans. This game each year is a signature event with over 100 Major League scouts in attendance and this year is again expected to be a true family event.

     Opening Day this year has but one game in which Falmouth travels to Wareham on Friday, June 13th for John Wylde Night. The league is paying tribute to one of the true pioneers of the CCBL, former Wareham president and general manager John Wylde. All ten teams will be in attendance for this marquee event with pre-game on-field ceremonies starting at 6PM. Game time is 7PM. Come on out and join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of one of the true legends of the CCBL, Mr. John Wylde.

     So as we begin another season of a vigorous 44 game schedule packed in to seven weeks, we could not be more energetic about providing this brand of entertainment to you, our loyal fans. We could not be more appreciative to our volunteers, sponsors, employers, house parents and boosters who all contribute to making the CCBL what it is. But not of this could be possible without our incredible and devoted fans to which we could not be more grateful. Thanks for doing what you do and enjoy your summer. Welcome to Cape Cod. We’re glad you’re here! 


-Paul A. Galop, Commissioner