16 June, 2005

Goff comes to Cape League with eyes wide open

One look at old Cape Cod and Andy Goff knew one thing: he wasn't in Pittsburgh anymore. 

Not only did the freshman from Wake Forest not see any fast food chains or big box stores on the journey to Bourne, he also didn't expect locals to be so knowledgeable about their baseball. 

"Pittsburgh is football," says Goff, a first-time member of the Bourne Braves franchise. "I went into a store the other day with my Wake Forest hat and this woman knew who I was and what I was doing here. I heard stories from other guys at Wake Forest about what it's like here, but I wasn't expecting that." 

In addition to settling into his new surroundings with the Aviles family of Sandwich, who are hosting Goff this summer, the newcomer is figuring out the demands of Cape League baseball and what that can mean for a young ballplayer. 

"I just want to get better," he said. "I know a lot of guys struggle up here. But you get better by accident up here. You can't help it. The players are so good, the competition is so good, you can't help but get better. That's all I'm trying to do." 

Goff, an honor society student who hopes to major in communications, was drafted in 2004 by the Colorado Rockies. A die-hard Steelers fan, he was an all-Pennsylvania quarterback selection in high school as well as a premiere shortstop. 

"So far it's been everything I hoped for and more," said Goff, referring to his weeklong stay on the Cape. "I just want to get a chance to play every day and go back a better player." 

In coming weeks, Andy Goff will share his experience as a first-time Cape League player, both on and off the field.