29 July, 2005

Chris Emanuele

Brewster loss has been Harwich's gain.

Chris Emanuele started the summer as a temporary player for the Brewster Whitecaps, hitting .294 in 13 games, with five RBIs and four runs. But when the Whitecaps got their full complement of players, Emanuele was cut free and quickly grabbed by the Mariners.

He has continued his hot hitting in Harwich, adding more pop to his bat. While he collected only one extra-base hit with Brewster, Emanuele has two homers, three doubles and a triple with Harwich. He has hit .309 in 17 games with Harwich, knocking in seven runs and scoring seven.

All told, he's 36 for 119 (.303). So why has the Mississauga, Ontario, native adapted so well to Cape League climes?

Basically, he shortened his swing.

"A lot of work and a lot of help from the coaches throwing batting practice, helping me out with my swing," he said. "I just have to use my hands a lot more with wood than aluminum and stay behind the baseball."

Emanuele was actually supposed to play for Harwich last year, but was injured prior to the season. He did quite well for Northeastern this spring, leading the club in average (.340), home runs (11) and RBI (40).

Not only are there four Northeastern men on the Mariners - Emanuele, Ottavino, Morizio and Sidhu -- but Sidhu and Emanuele are both from Mississauga.

"We played together on youth teams and were on Team Canada together," Emanuele said. "I went to a Wareham showcase, and a bunch of coaches were there and the Northeastern coach was there. I love Boston. It's a great city. And I love the team. A lot of guys on it are a lot of fun."

Harwich and Cape Cod are OK, too.

"I love it here. I'm having a great time. I don't want the summer to end," he said. 'The best thing is you get to play against the best players in the country."

Northeastern is a Division I program, and is moving to the more competitive Colonial League next year.

"I just want to be more consistent and keep the strikeouts down," Emanuele said. "I want to hit the ball hard and have quality at bats every game.