5 August, 2005

East stars tip West 1-0

It's a pitcher's league.

That's what they say about the Cape Cod Baseball League, and that was proven out when the top pitchers took on the top hitters July 30 in the annual all-star game at McKeon Park in Hyannis.

The 4,000-plus fans, assembled early on a cloudy afternoon, saw slick infield play, nifty outfielding and 16 ace pitchers showcasing their curves, sliders and fastballs. What they didn't see was much hitting; after eight frames the game was scoreless.

Colin Curtis of the Orleans Cardinals gave the scouts someone to cast an MVP ballot for when he doubled to open the ninth off Justin Masterson of Wareham. It was Curtis' third hit of the day, and he took third on a single by Evan Longoria of Chatham.

Curtis scored on a double-play grounder by Chris Coughlin of Chatham to give the East a 1-0 victory.

"We were just trying to make something happen," Curtis said. "We didn't want it to end in a tie. He (Masterson) is a good pitcher and he was keeping the ball away. I got down in a hole 0-2. The pitch was on the outside corner. The only thing I could do was hit it the other way."

Curtis, the Cards' lefthanded-hitting centerfielder out of Arizona State, slapped the ball on a line into the left-field corner.

"All these pitchers are all-stars. You pretty much have no chance as a hitter," Curtis said. "But hitters still want to hit. Up here, it's just a challenge. They say this is a pitcher's league, and that was evident here."

Curtis hit well enough to be named MVP and is hitting .311 on the year.

"It's a great feeling," he said. "I came up a little lucky. In the fourth inning, the four outfielders all drew straws to see who would some out and I came up short, but then (Alex) Presley hurt his leg a little so I had to go back in."

P.J. Walters of Brewster pitched the ninth for the save. Brandon Morrow of Y-D, who threw the eighth, was the winner. East pitchers Jared Hughes, Derrick Lutz, Andrew Miller and Robert Woodard of Chatham; Tim Lincecum of Harwich; Tim Gustafson of Y-D; Walters and Morrow held the West's best to two infield singles, struck out six and walked 1.

"It was lots of fun," said the 6-foot, 5-inch Miller, who pitched the seventh, striking out two. "I look at it as the highlight of the summer so far. You know you're with the best of the best and people are recognizing you. This is my second summer and I'm glad to be back."

The East hitters didn't fare much better, Curtis collected two singles with his ninth-inning double. Longoria doubled in the first, and Chris Emanuele of Harwich, Jeff Kindel of Y-D and Aaron Bates of Brewster all singled.

Orleans' Manny Burriss, the league's stolen base leader, got picked off first by Wade LeBlanc of Wareham, but he turned in some terrific plays in the field, swooping in on softly hit grounders from both short and second base. He ended the day with five assists and a putout.

"It was a wonderful time," Burriss said. "We had another shortstop, so it was no problem to switch up. I was happy to be able to show what I could do. To play two positions and do it in an all-star game was a wonderful experience. I usually play shortstop, but it doesn't make a difference, I just like to play."

Longoria was also busy at short and second with three assists and three putouts. He didn't mind playing in front of dozens of scouts.

"A lot of guys are used to it. There are 50 scouts here tonight, but there are 10 to 15 at every game," he said. "It's a good experience. All these guys are competitive. You just have to relax and play the game the way you know how to play. It's fun going out and talking with each other about the game and enjoying it."