America's League

Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

League News

Harwich Mariners website tribute to Fred Ebbett

05/11/2003 10:48 AM

Article By:

The Mariners mourn the passing of Fred Ebbett

                   “Great men are known for great things, and Fred Ebbett is no exception.”
                                         The Cape Cod Chronicle -- January 24, 2002

Fred Ebbett, the longtime member of the Harwich Mariners organization died unexpectedly
on Friday May 9, 2003. He was 71.

 Since 1959, Fred Ebbett has been associated with athletics in the town of Harwich. He served as Cape League Commissioner for thirteen years (1984-1996) and was General Manager and Field Manager for the Mariners. But most people who knew him, usually associate his name with the decision to return wooden bats to the Cape League. He convinced Major League Baseball to provide the $10,000 needed for one year’s worth of wooden bats. It was very successful. College players soon heard about the wooden bats, which would prepare them for the pros in a way aluminum bats never could. This change propelled the Cape League into the premier College Baseball Summer League in the country, where it remains to this day.

Fred coached baseball at Harwich High School, where he also was assistant principal for 24 years and athletic director for 14 years. He coached the Rough Riders to 200 victories during his tenure.

He retired in 2001 as the first Executive Director of the National Association of College Summer Baseball.
 

 
Fred and Sheila Ebbett at his 2002 CCBL Hall Of Fame Induction


Kyle Ebbett, Sheila Ebbett, Fred Ebbett, Christina Ebbett Jerabek, Fred Ebbett Jr., Mariah Ebbett and Jason Jerabek