Chad Rung the Bell

Tonight, the Kettleers took on the Chatham A's. Cotuit had Walters State Junior College's Chad Bell on the mound. The Kettleers got off to a quick start from the bat of Kevin Keyes (Texas). He hit a line-drive home run into right center in the first. The game was a pitcher's duel until the 4th inning when Chatham's Tyler Lyons loaded the bases with 3 straight walks. Brandon May stepped to the plate and knocked in a run with a wall ball single. Then after a hit batsmen and a sac fly, it was 4-0. Brandon May added a 3-run blast in the 8th.

Wait... Chad Bell hasn't given up a hit?!? There's only three more outs to go in the game. After the iffy Cotuit defense gives up a mysterious hitless 2 runs, then a grounder to Rico Noel and a swinging strike out Chad Bell pitched the first no-hitting of the 2009 Cape League Season. It was a fantastic showing by a pitcher, by far the best performance I've seen.

Pictured: Chad Bell, Credit: TheCapeLeague.com

Cotuit's Losing Ways

The Kettleers have lost their last 6 games. Their offense has gone flat, they don't have star pitching, the defense is still atrocious. I don't know if we just need some more team work, or we just need the weather to change and have more practices. We have the right line-up in place but our big bats are struggling. Our offensive production from the first-base position is less than stellar with Kevin Patterson batting .186 and Tony Plagman batting .203. Our usually prodctive catcher, Cody Stanley has also dropped below .300 and is now batting .271. Cameron Rupp and Kevin Keyes are hitting well, but they can't carry the whole team. An extremely bright spot of the offense is Arkansas' Zach Cox. He's hitting .422 in a solid amount of at-bats. We'll see how this next week goes and then we'll see who's getting beat up by the blogosphere.

Cotuit Kettleer Roster Changes

At Lowell Park today, the Kettleers updated their roster for possibly the final time this summer. Texas ballplayers Kevin Keyes and Cameron Rupp drove up in their personal cars and asked me if they were allowed on the field. I was weary at first because our outfield and catchers are doing pretty well offensively. Then the game started... I didn't watch a lot of it, and a good thing I didn't because in the 9th we were down 14-2 to last place Falmouth. My thought is on the new line-up is:

1. Chris Bisson SS
2. Zach Cone RF
3. Kevin Keyes LF
4. Cody Stanley/Cameron Rupp (Platooning at C)
5. Kevin Patterson DH
6. Tony Plagman 1B
7. Brandon May 2B
8. Zach Cox 3B
9. Jeff Rowland CF

That's what I like for Cotuit from now on out. On the bench we have speedster but a liability in the field, Rico Noel. 3rd Catcher that should switch positions, Zach Maggard. Smooth fielder, B.J. Guinn. And a powerful outfielder, Cory Vaughn. They may not be the best bench in the world but they could be worse.

Pictured: New Addition, Ricky Bowen. Credit: TheCapeLeague.com

Unlikely Cancelation in Cotuit

Cotuit 3 PM: The sky finally clears from a thunder-hail storm and I'm ready to watch some CCBL action.

Cotuit 3:30: I show up at the park eager to get the tents and tables up.

Cotuit 4 PM: We're just about done setting up and Mr. Logan asks me to take out the banners today because the weather is nice.

Cotuit 4:07: Coach Roberts walks towards the field still not dressed, something's up. He tells us, "Hey everyone, Orleans doesn't have a bus today so the game is cancelled." My first thought is, the rain finally went away and now we have to deal with this?!?

Cotuit 4:10: The interns start to pack up then Mr. Logan comes back out and tells us to stop because we might still have a game. After long deliberations with league officials, the game is finally called off.

So in a series of unfortunate events, the Orleans Firebirds did not have transportation to the game in Cotuit. The league dropped the ball like Josh Bard on that one. If Lowell Park had lights, however, we may have been able to play that game because the team could have used personal transportation and travel down Route 6 (Fun Fact: the longest road in the nation) to beautiful Lowell Park in Cotuit. The Kettleers will try for their first home game since last month when they take on Hyannis in an inter-town deul at 5 PM on the 3rd.

Cape Cod Rain Again

It seems like all I've wrote about is the awful weather on the Cape this summer. Well, today is the next sad day in CCBL 2009. A wall of thunder storms have canceled at least two games today at Wareham and Cotuit. Probably 3 more cancellations on the way.

In Cotuit, we had another hit on the roster when Chance Ruffin (Texas) let the organization that he will not report to the Kettleers. Also, Clemson's Chris Dwyer has been negotiating with Kansas City with a contract so he has left the team. The Kettleers are short on pitching now and reliever Ben Rowen (Virginia Tech) has pitched 14.1 innings in 8 games with an outstanding 1.88 ERA has been the bright spot in the Cotuit bullpen.

Meanwhile, the Kettleer offense has been frozen. Cody Stanley (UNC-Willmington) is the only player batting over .300 but he is slipping, he is down to .313 now. Speedster Chris Bisson started the season attempting 12 stolen bases in his first 6 times reaching base. He has now reached base 14 times and only attempting to steal 15 times, far off pace from the beginning of the season.

The Kettleers have to step up their game if they want to reach the finals again this season. But we do need bullpen help and maybe a couple of bats. Cameron Rupp and Kevin Keyes may be that answer to the offense problem but GM Bruce Murphy has to find a pitcher to keep Rowen fresh in the bullpen.

Pictured: Ben Rowen. Photo Credit to TheCapeLeague.com

Cotuit Stuns League Leading Anglers

The storm clouds stayed away from Lowell Park for just long enough to let Daniel Tillman (Florida Southern) deliver his 3-2 fastball for a strike with the bases loaded in the top of the 9th inning of a 3-1 victory for the Kettleers over the Chatham Anglers. As an intern, I didn't get to watch the game, I was too busy retrieving full, wet trash bags and eating the league's best hot dogs provided by my good friend Johnny C. The ninth inning was a bit hectic for us because we had to finish everything before the storm closed in on Cotuit Bay. Sorry I can't give you a legitimate story but please read Steve McCarthy's story at kettleers.org.

Pictured: SP Justin Grimm (Georgia)
Photo Credit: TheCapeLeague.com

Mother Nature Upsets Play Again

You know what they always say, "If you don't like the weather on the Cape, wait a minute." Well CCBL has waited about 10 days and still have to postpone games night after night. Wareham has had to postpone 5 games in the past 6 days. I don't think that college coaches appreciate the Cape League renting their players then over-working them until the day that they have to report to classes. Could this be the first summer we see temps come in during the back-half of the season? Could we see a 30-man roster for the first time? Paul Galop and the CCBL brain trust have to mull their options to keep the league's integrity to still be the premier Summer League in the nation. What do you think the Commish should do about this? Leave a comment or e-mail me at jbeckwithjr@gmail.com.

Saturday's Games

-YD @ Brewser, 5:00

-Chatham @ Cotuit, 5:00

-Hyannis @ Falmouth, 5:30

-Wareham @ Harwich, 7:00

-Bourne @ Orleans, 7:00

Friday's Results

- Harwich 3, Hyannis 0, 6 innings
- Bourne 4, Chatham 0
- Y-D 3, Orleans 1
- Brewster at Falmouth, ppd.
- Cotuit at Wareham, ppd


Photo Credit: TheCapeLeague.com

Friday's Games

- Bourne at Chatham, 7 p.m.
- Brewster at Falmouth, 7 p.m.
- Harwich at Hyannis, 7 p.m.
- Y-D at Orleans, 7 p.m.
- Cotuit at Wareham, 7 p.m.

News from the Commissioner

This is straight from the CCBL commissioner:

Good evening everyone. How exciting that we have actually played baseball for two days now? I have been discussing this very issue with many team and league officials trying to get a feel for what is a reasonable and sensible course of action with many days of games in front of us without "off days". Realizing that not everyone will agree on any given topic, we need to consider what is in the best interests of the League with the following priorities:

1. The safety of the players is of paramount importance to maintain our reputation and standing with college coaches who trust us with their student-athletes.

2. The adjustments that we make going forward are fair and equitable to all ten teams without any one team gaining an unfair advantage.

Having said that and respecting numerous and opposing opinions on these matters, the following directives will be implemented effective immediately:

1. Doubleheaders or “twin-bills” will be seven scheduled innings for both games.

2. Once the final rosters are submitted on or before noon on July 1st, besides the normal moves that each team can make, one additional move will be added to that.

3. Once the final rosters are submitted on or before noon on July 1st, those “moves” can be transacted at any time rather than waiting until the rosters go below 25 as per past practices.

Other Considerations

There are other additional procedures we could consider if we continue to run into issues such as, but not limited to the weather. They include:

1. Consider emergency moves later in the season to ensure League credibility.

2. Consider moving one or two complete schedule of games from the middle of a long stretch of games to the end of the schedule, realizing that we currently have about three days to play with on that end. This would mean the playoffs would start slightly later. Those new “off” days would be sacred and not available for play, only rest.

We think this is a well thought out and logical approach to a dilemma that we have never encountered before and keeps the health of the players in the forefront while affording each team the same opportunities. As with many policies and procedures, there may be loopholes that are not apparent at this time. So, please remember the spirit in which these changes are implemented.

Thanks for your patience.

Paul Galop

CCBL Commissioner

Nightly Wrap-up

Hyannis 3 Cotuit 2

Cotuit throws Georgia Tech's Brandon Cumpton against South Carolina's Jay Brown. Brown started off with 2.2 innings of no-hit ball but the Kettleers broke through with the help of Rico Noel (Coastal Carolina) who drove in Cory Vaughn (San Diego State) with a single then took second on the throw. Cody Stanley put the Kettleers up two with a one-hopper to the wall for a double in the Left-Center gap that drove in Noel. It looked like a repeat of Wednesday's game in Falmouth but then after a sacrifice fly and a string of hits, Hyannis tied it at 2. Cotuit called on to Matt Grace (UCLA) to stop the bleeding and he succeeded. Ben Rowen (Virginia Tech) came on to pitch with 2 outs in the 5th and was perfect through the 9th but before he took the loss, Coach Roberts Pinch-ran a Pitcher. Mike Nesseth (Nebraska), for Kevin Patterson and got thrown out at home for the 3rd out of the 8th inning. Rowen gave up the third run of the game in the top of the 9th and the Kettleers couldn't come back from that in the bottom of the inning. Zach Maggard ended the game by swinging at three strikes with two men on. Cotuit is down 2-0 in the Patriot's Cup, but is playing in Wareham tomorrow night at 5 PM and try to get back on track. Hyannis plays at home at 7 PM against Harwich. Photo Credit to TheCapeLeague.com

Falmouth 5 Bourne 4

Info at:
http://twitter.com/BourneBraves

Harwich 6 Brewster 3

Info at:
http://twitter.com/CrashtheBeach

Chatham 6 Wareham 4 10 inn.

Schedule 6-25

Hyannis at Cotuit 5 PM (Game two of the Patriot's Cup)

Orleans at Yarmouth-Dennis 5 PM

Falmouth at Bourne 6 PM

Brewster at Harwich 7 PM

Chatham at Wareham 7 PM

Daily Dues 6-25

Transactions
Cotuit Kettleers- Added INF/OF Brandon May (Alabama)

Falmouth Commodores- Released Ryan Lapensee, Matt Grasso; Activated OF Brian Fletcher (Auburn)

Harwich Mariners-Released Chris Manno and Dain Hall; Activated INF Phil Gosselin (Virginia) and OF/1B/LHP Daniel Grovatt (Virginia)

Orleans Firebirds- Released Xavier Esquivel, Westley Moss; Activated LHP Matt Packer (Virginia); Added RHP Jorge Reyes (Oregon State)

Wareham Gatemen- Activated CF Brett Eibner (Arkansas), RHP/UTIL Jordan Swagerty (Arizona State), and IF Zach Wilson (Arizona State)

Cotuit @ Falmouth Pics

Chris Dwyer delivering a pitch

Team USA Hurts Cape Teams

Team USA announced their final roster today and while it is a great honor to be chosen, the elite have to miss out on the amazing summer which is Cape League Baseball.

Cotuit loses Pitchers Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt) and Gerrit Cole (UCLA). Also, Middle infielder Ricky Hague (Rice)

Bourne loses players Tyler Holt (FSU), Blake Forsythe (Tennessee) and pitchers Cody Wheeler (Coastal Carolina) and Drew Pomeranz (Mississippi)

(More in the Morning)

League Wrap-up

Cotuit-2
Falmouth-0

Bourne-2
Brewster-2
10 inn.

Orleans-6
Harwich-4

Chatham-8
Y-D-3

Wareham vs. Hyannis PPD.

Victory For Cotuit

I took the trip down Route 28 to check out the Kettleers taking on the Commodores of Falmouth. The game was a general pitchers duel between Chris Dwyer (Clemson) and Thomas Collier (San Jacinto CC). Dwyer went 5+ of shutout baseball while Collier gave up the only 2 runs of the game while taking the loss. The first and only run needed for the Kettleer pitching staff was provided when Tony Plagman (Georgia Tech) drove in Zach Cone (Georgia) with a nicely placed double near the left field foul pole. Plagman reached third on a passed ball and then scored the insurance run on a hit by Bryan Guinn (Cal-Berkeley). The rest of the game was up to the Bullpen which coach Roberts pieced together perfectly. Daniel Tillman (Florida Southern) pitched 2.2 innings with powerful stuff. He was relieved by Chad Bell (Walter State JUCO) for .1+ innings. Drew Gagnier (Oregon), the possible closer, struck out the side for his first save of the season. An impressive win for the Kettleers, keep supporting the Kets tomorrow night in Cotuit at 5 PM and catch the Commodores at Bourne at 6 PM. For more information read Steve McCarthy's outstanding writing at kettleers.org. Photo Credit TheCapeLeague.com

Bourne and Brewster game called due to darkness. Ended in 2-2 tie.

Kettleers strike first Plagman (Georgia Tech) had had nicely placed RBI hit and then was knocked in by Brian Guinn (Cal-Berkeley). Still two men on base.

Bourne and Brewster are in extras

Pitcher's duel in Falmouth Collier (San Jacinto CC) vs. Dwyer (Clemson). 0-0 through 4.

I'm heading down to Falmouth for the Ket's game. I'll try to update periodically.

Bourne at Brewster Underway

The pitching match-up is Eric Cantrell (George Washington) for the Braves and Kyle Blair (University of San Diego) for Brewster. I'll keep the updates coming.

Mother Nature Wins Again

Wareham at Hyannis has been postponed due to poor field conditions today. No word on a Make-up date yet.

Expansion

I would like to expand this blog to anybody who wants post to this blog. However, you have to be an insider. Please e-mail me if you would like to post. jbeckwithjr@gmail.com

Schedule 6-24

Bourne at Brewster 5 PM
Y-D at Chatham 7 PM
Cotuit at Falmouth 7 PM
Wareham at Hyannis 7 PM

Daily Dues 6-24

Transactions-
Bourne Braves- Added temp player LHP Bryan Morgado (Tennessee). Activated LHP Tanner Robles (Oregon State). Released Ricky Bowen, Scott Matyas, Drew Pomeranz, Dominic D'Anna, Anthony Rendon, Michael Mooney.
Cotuit Kettleers- Released Brian Harrison and Drew Hillman
Hyannis Mets- Released Jamal Austin and Ryan Duke
Y-D Red Sox- Released Derek Ingui

Gordan Beckham (Y-D, 2007) made number 2 on Sport Center's top 10 plays.

Weather plays Spoiler

For the fourth day in a row, the weather is still questionable for "safe" baseball. CCBL commissioner Paul Galop speaks up saying, "I have plenty of confidence that if we have to play until August 16th, that won't be the end of the world...safety in the forefront." There is some talk of shortening games to seven innings to fit double headers later in the season. Also, talk of expanding rosters from 25 to an unknown number has been looked at. The schedule is stretched to its capacity as it is so we'll see if the "safety" plays a minor role in tonight's choices.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog, I work for the Cotuit Kettleers but I follow the whole Cape League. With help from twitter I will bring you the latest and greatest news from the Cape Cod Baseball League.