Last night marked the official start of the 2006 Cape Cod Baseball League season. The Hyannis Mets faced the Y-D Red Sox at McKeon Field while the Cotuit Kettleers traveled to Bourne for their opener.Patriot Cup.The Barnstable Patriot in 2004 to recognize that Barnstable is the only Cape town with two teams in the League. For each of the past three seasons, the Cup has been awarded to the team that has won the most head-to-head games. 

Although those games were momentous, the one that local folks will want to pay attention to happens tomorrow when the Kets and the Mets face each other in Cotuit for the first of six games that will determine the owner of this year’s 

The 2006 Cup will be the third to be awarded since its creation by 

In 2004, the Hyannis Mets won the inaugural contest Mets. Last season, though, the Mets couldn’t catch a break and the Kets took possession of the coveted prize. 

This year’s battle for the trophy marks a tiebreak that should add another dash of excitement to the games. 

The competition gets under way tomorrow at Lowell Field in Cotuit. The game is set for 5 p.m. and so far the weather appears promising. 

Given that this is the kickoff match in the race for the Cup, a review of the rules is important. The trophy is awarded to the Barnstable team that wins the most head-to-head matches throughout the season (i.e., games played against each other). 

In the event that the teams are tied in the end, at three games each, a tiebreaker will be necessary. The following methods will be used should there be a need: 

1. Fewest Runs Allowed – the team that allowed the fewest runs during all games will be named champion. If this doesn’t work, it will be followed by

2. Most Strikeouts – the team with the most strikeouts wins. If a tiebreak is still necessary, then 

3. There will be a baseball bat toss by the team captains.

Wouldn’t it be neat to see that bat toss?

Whether you follow the race for the Cup or simply love a good baseball game, be sure to show up in Cotuit Saturday evening. After all, this is where "the stars of tomorrow shine tonight."

By Kathleen Szmit Manwaring
kmanwaring@barnstablepatriot.com