Fans enjoy an All-Star day with CC Baseball League
Autograph sessions and a home run contest are highlights

 August 4, 2006


 

  
At Red Wilson Field Saturday, it was about All-Stars, autographs, hot sun and Hurlers when the Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game came to South Yarmouth.th Hurler burger, a specialty of the grill masters at Red Wilson Field. After wolfing down the burger on a jelly doughnut topped with Easy Cheese, the proud Faucher was given a t-shirt and a certificate to commemorate the occasion.


THE TWO CHARLIES – Mets pitcher Charlie Furbush signs an autograph for Charlie Clark, 5, of West Barnstable. Furbush was in the spotlight several times at the All-Star Game, talking with both CN8 and NPR about his recent no-hitter. 
KATHLEEN SZMIT PHOTOS

When the gates opened at 11 there was already a sizeable crowd milling about in anticipation of the event. By noon the air was heavy with the scent of grilling burgers, hotdogs and fresh popcorn.

In spite of the already sweltering sun, fans lined up along the dugouts, eager for autographs from players they hope will someday become famous, though the hero worship began long ago.

Shortly after noon the men of the Western Division team emerged, much to the delight of those clutching newly purchased Barnstable Bats and special silver Sharpies. 

Munching on sunflower seeds, players practiced their signatures repeatedly, not once growing weary of the attention, and continuing to sign books and bats even while heading to the field for batting and fielding practice.

The Hood folks were mighty popular for a few hours, handing out free ice cream that helped to beat the heat, if only for a moment. 

When the home run contest commenced, it was standing room only along the sidelines as fans of all ages crowded together to see which one of their summer sluggers would win.

At first it seemed that the contest would go long as batter after batter chalked up five homers each. Then Wareham’s Steffan Wilson took up his bat, clobbering 10 over the fence. 

Wilson wasn’t the walk-off, though. He and Mitch Moreland of the Bourne Braves went head to head with Moreland emerging victorious with a whopping 25 homers in all.

Brandon Faucher reigned victorious, too, but not for hitting home runs. Faucher earned a place in CCBL history for eating the 1000

When the game began at 4 p.m. after a rousing rendition of the National Anthem by the Hyannis Sound fans took their seats and scouts raised their radar guns, keeping careful watch on noteworthy players.

In the end, East took West 7-2, but it wasn’t about who won or lost. It was about having fun in the sun and giving the fans a chance to see the best of the best doing what they do best. After all, what would baseball be without its fans?

By Kathleen Szmit Manwaring
kmanwaring@barnstablepatriot.com


 


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