CHATHAM — For the past eight summers, there's never been any mistaking that infectious laughter and distinct southern drawl coming from Veterans Field. It's the sound of Chatham assistant coach Matt Fincher, a familiar figure to A's fans, and an invaluable member of one of the most celebrated summer baseball teams in the country.

Back for his ninth season in A's pinstripes, Fincher - much to his own surprise - is again putting his astute knowledge of the national pastime to use, grooming current college stars into future major leaguers.

"Ten years ago, I would've never thought I'd still be working in summer baseball," said Fincher, a native of Athens, Ga., and eight-year head coach at the University of South Carolina - Upstate (formerly USC - Spartanburg). "I thought I'd be doing whatever most college coaches are supposed to do in the summer, like playing golf or recruiting," he says laughing.

After managing in the Northeast, Jayhawk, and Alaska Central summer baseball leagues, Fincher was nearly burnt out on summer ball. But the Cape League , which he says lives up to its elite reputation, changed all of that.

"The Cape has nice cool weather, the players make the league great, as does the close proximity of the 10 teams," said Fincher. "It's nice to be home at 10:30 at night, instead of spending 10 hours on a bus, coming in at 3 a.m., and dragging yourself to the park the next day. The Cape League is really conducive to an enjoyable summer experience."

Fincher's duties go beyond tossing countless pitches during batting practice and instructing players on how to hit to the opposite field. He spends his morning managing Chatham 's austere ball park, taking care of everything from cutting the grass to trash detail. In the evenings you can find him beside the dugout, a stopwatch in one hand, a bag of Swedish fish in the other, as he clocks opposing runners and signs in instructions for a sacrifice bunt or hit and run.

For many coaches, the Cape League is just a stopover on their way to the minor or major leagues. But for "Finch," who spends his summers with host Starr Waage, Chatham has become his home away from home.

A lot of that has to do with his rapport with 13-year Chatham Field Manager John Schiffner. What began as a cordial working relationship between the two has developed into a dear friendship.

"Schiff is one of my best friends, and he's also a true friend in that he'll tell me how it really is. He'll set me straight when I need him to," Fincher said. "I love Chatham and the A's, but he, above all, is the reason I continue to come back."

Schiffner reciprocated that sentiment, noting that Fincher has become family to him and his wife Martha.

"Matt is like the brother I never had," said Schiffner. "And I think the kids feed off of our friendship, because they see how closer we are. He's a fabulous person and such a bonus for the Chatham A's, because he's so knowledgeable. He's a jack-of-all-trades kind of coach."

But those close to Fincher knows he's not as normal as apple pie. He is, like many baseball figures, a creature of habit.

"I eat at Nick's Deli every single game day, and if I eat a certain sandwich and we win, I have to eat the same thing the next day, and the day after and so on until we lose," Fincher said. "To my misfortune, turkey wins the most games. I don't like turkey, but I'll eat it for the team, and it seems like every time we streak, it's because of turkey."

For Fincher, the seminal moment of his Cape League experience occurred the year after he arrived, when Chatham captured its fifth Cape League title.

"I would have to say the single best moment was in 1998 when we beat Wareham to win the league championship," Fincher said. "To be down two games to one and come back by beating [future Oakland A's ace] Barry Zito was unbelievable. I just remember how happy Schiff was, and the response in town was overwhelming."

True to his tell-it-like-it-is conduct, Fincher makes it no secret he'd like another ring, if only to relive that sonorous championship buzz. But whether that happens again or not, his place atop the A's mantle is secure.

"When you win a championship in Chatham , you can live here like a king forever," said Fincher. "I've had a great time down here. I'll tell you, it's been fun, it's been a lot of fun."

by Eric Adler
Eric Adler