May, 2007

Commissioner's Corner

Pre-Season Report

     Greetings from Cape Cod! It’ hard to believe that it was over nine months ago that the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox captured their second championship in the past three years with an exciting win over the Wareham Gatemen two games to one. The final game was played before approximately 8,300 spectators at Red Wilson Field in South Yarmouth on a picture-perfect day.

    At the very moment the celebration ended, planning for the 2007 season began and has been proceeding in earnest since that very day. The Wareham Gatemen have been putting the final touches on field improvements that have been spectacular. The infield and outfield now has completely new sod and will be quite the showplace when the Gatemen host the 2007 Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game at Spillane Field on Saturday, July 28, 2007. The Cotuit Kettleers have also been completing major upgrades to their beautiful field at Lowell Park. The Falmouth Commodores and Hyannis Mets also continue to complete major enhancements to their respective fields, some of which will be completed before the 2008 season. The Bourne Braves and the Brewster Whitecaps will be starting the second year on their new fields which were hugely successful in 2006. Most of the other fields continue to implement changes that focus in on safety and professionalism. We are very fortunate to have the Yawkey Foundation participating in significantly underwriting many of these projects.

    Another exciting addition is the major enhancement of our souvenir store on-line. You now have the opportunity to purchase any of our popular merchandise items at your convenience by simply visiting our web site at www.capecodbaseball.org and clicking on “Souvenirs” from the left column, and the ‘merchandise”. Prices are extremely reasonable, quality is superb and delivery time is excellent.

    After enduring 32 rainouts during the 2006 season, the CCBL voted this year to increase our roster sizes to 25 to bring in more pitchers in case we face that dilemma again. One of our major goals is to prepare these young men for a career in professional baseball and we are very sensitive to not “over-pitch” them. The rain of 2006 forced us to play more doubleheaders than ever before in our storied history and we want to ensure we are giving our pitchers proper rest in-between assignments. Our general managers and coaching staffs have been busy recruiting and signing the most talented collegiate players in the nation. The rosters are loaded with impressive NCAA student-athletes that will again provide top-notch baseball on Cape Cod for the summer of 2007.

    It is now time to hear the crack of the wooden bats and enjoy a true taste of Americana, the Cape Cod Baseball League. The dedication of our fans is unbelievable and growing. The commitment and enthusiasm that the CCBL volunteers subscribe to is astounding. It is no wonder that the Cape Cod Baseball League is widely recognized as the best collegiate summer baseball league in America. You are about to witness the future stars of Major League Baseball every night at our ballparks. Right now there are nearly 200 players in the Major Leagues that once played in the Cape Cod Baseball League. We are very proud of that accomplishment and you, our loyal fans, have been a very big part of that and we are most appreciative. Best wishes for a great 2007 CCBL season!

-Paul A. Galop, Commissioner