29 June 2006

Barnstable boys battle the best

Just over a year ago Barnstable teammates Matt Costello and Rich Tri were facing the likes of D-Y, Falmouth and Nauset high school. Today they’re facing some of the best collegiate baseball players in the nation. 

The local boys have found temporary homes in the Cape League, as Costello works from the bullpen for the Cotuit Kettleers and Tri patrols the outfield for the Chatham A’s. 

It’s a far cry from the teammates’ senior year, as their 1-2 punch on the mound dominated the competition, leading the Red Raiders to a 19-3 regular season record and a run deep into the state tournament. 

"I kind of set goals for myself to throw no-hitters," says Costello, who threw 14 2/3 innings of no-hit ball during his senior year. 

"Not too many guys can catch up to an 85-86 mile per hour fastball in high school," he continues. "But it’s not like that now." 

Costello’s fastball/curveball mix was enough to garner the lefty a full scholarship to Iona College in New York, where the Centerville resident led his team with 13 starts, while setting his sights on the Cape League. 

"I definitely wanted to play for some team on the Cape," he says. 

Tri took a late detour to Connecticut 

Tri, who grew up in Washington state but spent his summers in Barnstable, had similar aspirations. 

"I always wanted to play in the Cape League," he says. "I told myself I’d go to college just so I could play in the Cape League." 

Following his All-Star season for the Raiders, Tri was close to heading back West for college, and a chance to play football at Arizona State University. 

But an impressive showing during a Babe Ruth All-Star game that summer, led to an impromptu scholarship offer from Central Connecticut State University. 

"I did well in the game and coach Hickey offered me a scholarship right there," says the 6-1 outfielder. 

Tri had to act quickly as he was scheduled to fly to Arizona for orientation later that day. But the chance to play both football and baseball and the offer of the scholarship were enough to keep him in the East. 

The Everett, Wash. native started all but one game for the Blue Devils and was tied for the team lead in home runs. 

While both players had successful freshman campaigns, neither was offered permanent contracts leaving the league’s open tryouts their last chance for a temporary contract and a roster spot. 

Cape League teams can offer up to 23 contracts to players prior to the season, with many of those offered in the fall. Quite often though, by the time the season comes along a number of those players are missing due to injuries, the College World Series and Team USA tryouts. 

During those early days of the season, field managers and their GMs sign players to temporary contracts to fill the void until their permanent players arrive. 

"We’re all up-front with the temp players about their situation," says Cotuit GM Bruce Murphy. "When a [permanent] player arrives, we try to place a temp with another team." 

For the temp player though, even a few weeks in the Cape League can be a "can’t miss" event. 

"Working with coach Roberts, I’ve become 10 times the pitcher I was at Iona," says Costello of the learning experience. 

Making the open tryout is a pressure cooker for the players. 

"I was nervous at first," says Tri of his tryout experience. "But I felt real good after seeing the first few pitchers." 

Kettleers liked what they saw in Costello 

Costello landed his temp contract the day of the tryouts as the pitching-starved Kettleers saw enough in the local lefty to offer a contract on the spot. 

To date, the 6-footer has pitched out of the bullpen, throwing 4 1/3 scoreless innings for Cotuit. 

Tri had to wait a little longer for his good news. While he felt confident with his efforts at the tryouts, the right-hander left Spillane Field empty-handed. 

"I wasn’t sure if someone was going to take me," he says. "I pretty much sat around all the next day waiting for a call." 

That call came at 9 p.m. when Chatham A’s coach John Schiffner contacted Tri with an offer. 

The outfielder has found it difficult to break into the lineup, going 2-for-8 in limited action. 

Both players face daunting days ahead, as this week’s exciting end to the College World Series will bring the last of the league’s permanent players to the Cape, leaving the remaining temporary players holding their collective breath. 

But both players know that their time in the league, however short, will be well worth it. 

"It should be every college player’s dream to play in the Cape League," says Tri. 

By Dave Colantuono