America's League

Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

League News

Commissioner's Corner: Year-End Report

08/14/2009 11:18 AM

Article By:

Commissioner's Corner

Year End Season Report

     Congratulations to the Bourne Braves who were crowned the 2009 champions of the Cape Cod Baseball League. The Braves, under the tutelage of Head Coach Harvey Shapiro and GM Mike Carrier, steamrolled through the playoffs undefeated and completed their championship season with a nine game winning streak. The Braves swept the Orleans Firebirds and Cotuit Kettleers enroute to their celebration led by MVP Kyle Roller and sparkplug Pierre LePage. This was a special championship for Bourne as it was their first franchise championship. The previous franchise from the Town of Bourne was the Sagamore Clouters who last won the CCBL championship in 1965.

     Our annual All-Star Game was held this year at Fenway Park in Boston and again carried live by the New England Sports network (NESN). The game was shortened by the rain, but the foul weather did not dampen the spirit of the players or the fans as a CCBL record 14,317 fans turned out to watch the Western Division defeat the Eastern Division. Western Division MVP Zack Cox led the charge with an opening inning triple and Eastern Division MVP Chris Sale was flawless in his one inning of work. Connor Powers won the home run hitting contest with numerous blasts up over the Green Monster. The Boston Red Sox organization could not have been more gracious or supportive during the entire All-Star process, including the game itself with weather that would just not cooperate. But the Red Sox came through and were instrumental in helping us complete the game.

     Speaking of the weather, that was a major story of the year as June was completely wet, thus causing major scheduling problems. But in the end, thanks to incredible cooperation among all franchises and teams, we were successful in rescheduling 65 games, which shattered our previous record of 32 back in 2006. This accomplishment was a unique team effort that really showcased the inner workings of the league itself and all franchises in one of our finest accomplishments.

     Expanding our playoffs from four to six teams turned out to be extremely popular Cape-wide as regular games down the stretch were extra meaningful and competitive not only from the standpoint of making the playoffs, but also to attempt to earn a first round bye. Fans truly enjoyed the additional baseball in August when our attendance is peaking. Our championship series ended up with two teams from the same division in the finals, another CCBL first. Bourne defeated Cotuit 15-5 in the first game, and then 5-1 in the second game thus sealing their coveted CCBL championship.

     As we now plan our 2010 season, we do so in anticipation of maintaining our unparalleled tradition that so many before us worked so hard to establish. Ten months is not far off as the recruiting of college baseball’s most talented players is well underway. Planning by the management of the ten teams never seems to dwindle, but when franchise meetings start in September, everyone will be going full speed ahead to be ready for next summer. League officials will continue to work feverishly to suggest what we can do to continually improve what we now offer. You can see through this entire team approach why we are constantly referred to as the “most prestigious collegiate summer baseball league in America”. It is not an accident and it is not a coincidence. It is a result of hard work, recruiting the ideal type of student-athletes, listening to our constituent’s feedback and implementing changes that are dedicated to the success of the Cape Cod Baseball League. You are a major part of that to which we could not be more grateful of your participation or more proud of what we collectively accomplish. We as a league continue to be humbled by the outpouring of dedicated fans that attend our games and baseball clinics. The volunteers continue to come out in droves offering their time and services in an extraordinarily unselfish fashion. The magnitude of our appreciation to these volunteers, supporters, spectators and families simply cannot be put into words. THANK YOU for all YOU do!

     Best wishes!


-Paul A. Galop, Commissioner