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Cape Cod Baseball League to Celebrate 100-Year Anniversary in 2023

Logo designed by: Maya Ferland
01/16/2023 7:45 AM

Article By: CCBL Public Relations Office

Cape Cod, MA – The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) is set to celebrate a special anniversary, with 2023 marking 100 years since the league was officially formed in 1923.

The Cape League is announcing a commemorative logo to celebrate the 100-year anniversary. Additional plans are being finalized to celebrate the league’s centennial throughout the 2023 season.

“The Cape League’s centennial is a special opportunity to celebrate all the history the league has," said Cape League Director of Public Relations Michael Lane. “Thousands of professional players got their start here on Cape Cod, and hopefully that tradition will continue for another 100 years.”

Summer baseball has been a staple on Cape Cod dating back to the late 19th century, with records of games being played on the Fourth of July as early as 1885. As support grew, so did the number of games being played and by 1923 the “Cape Cod Baseball League” was officially formed.

The Cape League originally consisted of four teams, three of which remain today: Chatham, Falmouth, Hyannis, and Osterville. The first matchup this season between two of the original teams is scheduled for June 12th, when the Hyannis Harbor Hawks will host the Chatham Anglers.

Throughout the league’s history a lot of things have changed, but one thing that has not is the quality of talent.

In total, over 1,600 players who played in the Cape League have appeared in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game.

Five former Cape Leaguers have gone on to become MLB Hall of Famers: Pie Traynor, Carlton Fisk, Frank Thomas, Craig Biggio, and Jeff Bagwell.

The Cape League’s Hall of Fame features 179 enshrined members, including Thurman Munson, Ron Darling, Will Clark, Andrew Miller, and Billy Wagner.

Recipients of the Cape League’s MVP honor have included Paul O’Neill, Buck Showalter, Jason Varitek, Carlos Pena, and Evan Longoria.

In the past five MLB Drafts, four of the top overall selections have been Cape League alumni: Casey Mize, Adley Rutschman, Spencer Torkelson, and Henry Davis.

Today’s MLB rosters include over 362 former Cape League players, highlighted by Aaron Judge, Alek Manoah, Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, and Shane Bieber.

The full 2023 schedule is set to be announced on January 23rd. Each team will play 44 games in the regular season, before a three-round playoff will decide a champion. The 2023 Cape League All-Star Game will return to Whitehouse Field, home of the Harwich Mariners, on July 22nd.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Michael Lane - Director of Public Relations
[email protected]; (732) 216-4617