23 July 2008

Chatham set to host Cape League All-Star Game for fifth time

By Matt Rice
REGIONAL -

It’s common knowledge that the best of what college baseball has to offer plays here on the Cape. And once a year, the best-of-the-best of the Cape League gather for one memorable night to showcase their skills.

This season, the honor of hosting the annual Cape League All-Star game went to the Chatham A’s. League officials voted unanimously this winter to play the Saturday, July 26 game at Veterans Field, marking the fifth time in the modern era the A’s field has been selected to host the midsummer Cape League classic.

In 1998, the last time the it hosted the annual game, Veterans Field saw the East Division finally end the dominance of the West by scoring a 3-2 win in front of 4,500 fans. It’s also been the site of the game in 1971, 1968 and 1964.

In 1998, the A’s also won the league championship, and a number of Chatham locals haven’t forgotten.

“There’s something of a buzz in town about the game being here this season,” says Chatham summer resident Dan Hetzel, who was present at the game in 1998 and plans to make a repeat appearance at this summer’s game. “Everyone knows they won the championship that year, and we’re all hoping to see them do it again.”

The event will be a daylong affair with activities throughout the day until the opening pitch at 7 p.m.

With parking available around the park on Depot Road, at a lot off Main Street and at the Chatham Community Center just behind the field, the event should draw a large crowd.

The gates at Veterans Filed will open at 2 p.m. for the early-bird fans.

The two teams — the East and West All Stars — will each hold batting practice and autograph sessions beginning at 2:45.

Following infield practice for both teams starting at 4, the Baseball Express Homerun Hitting Contest will begin at 5.

At the conclusion of the homerun hitting contest, the East and West All-Star lineups will be announced, followed by the presentation of colors and the singing of the National Anthem.

Following the game, the numerous Major League scouts in attendance will choose a Most Valuable Player for each division.

The game will be broadcast live on television on NESN and on the radio on all New England NPR stations.

“This is a big deal for any fan of the Cape League. The talent that’s here on the Cape during the summer is great and to be able to see, in one night, the best of the league, is pretty great,” says Hetzel.

The All-Star game has always been the highlight of the Cape League’s regular season.

Fans are often drawn to the large area behind home plate that will be filled with radar guns and scouts taking long looks at players.

The game is also usually the most watched game of the season, with often more than double the fans than attend any other Cape League game.

Last year, the All-Star game at Clem Spillane Field in Wareham was attended by 5,500 fans as the East took home a 3-2 victory.

Located on the elbow of Cape Cod, in many ways Chatham has become one of the more recognizable teams from the Cape League.

The subject town of the movie “Summer Catch” about a player on the A’s, Chatham has been the home of a number of popular current Major Leaguers, including Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox and Evan Longoria, who played in this season’s Major League All-Star game at Yankee Stadium in New York, where he competed in the homerun contest.

Veterans Field has also been the home of a number of other memorable baseball games. Along with their four previous All-Star games, the field has been the home to the 2000 Team USA game, which drew an estimated 10,000 people.

The East is looking for its sixth win in a row against the West squad and their ninth in 10 years.

If you’re going

What: Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game

When: Saturday, July 26, gates open at 2 p.m.; game time, 7 p.m.

Where: Veterans Field, Chatham

Directions: Veterans Field is located just west of Chatham Center. From Route 6, take Exit 11 (Route 137, Chatham). Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Route 137 and follow 137 until it intersects with Route 28. Take the left onto Route 28 toward Chatham Center. Follow Route 28 for several miles. Veterans Field is behind the old Chatham Elementary School on the left. Longtime fans will notice that the old elementary school has been remodeled into a state of the art community center. Parking at the community center is limited. You may also enter the park from Depot Road near the Chatham Fire Station.