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Cape Cod Baseball League is a Grand Slam with Island Fans

By IVY ASHE

Bringing the heat for the Cape Cod Baseball League. For the first time in the three-year history of the Cape Cod Baseball League’s annual sojourn to Martha’s Vineyard, the John Connors trophy did not end up in the hands of the Falmouth Commodores. Despite leading the game for eight innings, the Commodores fell 6-4 to the Hyannis Harbor Hawks after relief pitcher Matt Summers gave up three earned runs in the top of the ninth, creating too big a deficit for Falmouth to recover. The Island game, which serves as a fundraiser for Vineyard Baseball, marked the midseason point for Hyannis and Falmouth, and it was one of just a handful of games in which the teams’ rosters have been at close to full strength. Because the Cape League is composed of the top college players in the country — Jason Varitek is a former Harbor Hawk, while Jacoby Ellsbury cut his teeth with the Commodores — many spend the first half of the season competing in the College World Series, or participating in trials for the U.S. team.
“We try to bring [the Cape League] to the Island at least once a summer so people can see this level of play,” said Vineyard Baseball president Gary Simmons, noting that the baseball field at the regional high school was built specifically with the intent of hosting CCBL games.“We’re going to try to get everybody [there are 10 teams in the league] to eventually come and play here,” said Mr. Simmons. Most Cape League games have 7 p.m. start times, making it difficult for Vineyard fans to go off-Island to watch. The 1 p.m. start time for last Thursday’s game was not without its own complications. High temperatures and a smothering humidity index of 72 per cent created less than ideal conditions for play — Hyannis players abandoned their outer jerseys in favor of their lighter UnderArmour shirts, while fans took up shelter beneath large umbrellas. Neither the game’s score nor the heat mattered to many of the game’s younger attendees, however, as they spent the afternoon running between the two bullpens trying to collect as many signatures as could fit on the surface of a newly purchased baseball (conveniently available for $5 at a tent behind the field). The fact that the children were unsure of player’s real names was unimportant — cries of “Mister 8! Please sign this!” were heard throughout the game.
For some, a signed baseball was not enough. Campers from the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, visiting on a specially-arranged field trip, offered up the bright yellow shirts they had worn to the game for players to inscribe with a Sharpie. The official autograph session was held in the dugouts after the game, but Commodores relief pitcher Cecil Tanner, returning for his second season in Falmouth, said that the stream of ongoing requests is par for the course in the Cape League. Unlike college games, CCBL matchups are played on fields easily accessible to fans.
“It was a little hectic last summer,” he said after the game, estimating that he had given over 400 signatures during last year’s matchup against Wareham. The smaller crowd this year made his autograph load a more manageable 100 signatures. While Mr. Tanner played on last year’s winning Falmouth team, the Vineyard trip is the first Island trip for most.“It was a little different experience taking the boat over,” said Hyannis shortstop A.J. Petterson, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota. The teams’ visit lasts just a day, and there is little time for sightseeing, although the brief glimpse of Martha’s Vineyard is often enough to pique players’ interest.“I think sometimes it ... makes the guys want to come back, so when they get an off day they’ll shoot over here and explore some more of the Island,” said Commodores head coach Jeff Trundy. “It’s a great experience,” he added.

Cape Cod League Baseball

A blistering hot day may have discouraged some to take in the second annual Connors Cup Cape Cod League baseball game at the M.V. high school's handsome field, Thursday. The estimated 2,000 who braved the heat saw a classic game between the Falmouth Commodores (9-13) and the (10-12) Hyannis Harbor Hawks.
The teams of the Cape Cod League are peopled by some of the country's best collegiate athletes
Falmouth struck first. In the second inning with two outs, Matt Summers of California at Irvine beat out an infield hit. Then Kyle Blustein of Jacksonville State homered over the fence in center. The Commodores upped the ante to 4-0 in the third inning as Andrew Susac of Oregon State drove in Kyle Van Tungeln of T.C.U. and Barrett Barnes of Texas Tech with a single into center. Hyannis began its come-from-behind charge in the fifth inning, taking full advantage of a Falmouth error that put two runners on base for Oklahoma's Cam Seitzer's fence clearing blast. Still trailing by one in the top of the ninth, the Hawks took the lead on four straight hits, the last one a two RBI double by Jason Nappi of Harding College, Arkansas. In the bottom of the ninth, the Hyannis closer, Dallas Gallant, earned his sixth save of the season. Hyannis Hawks 6, Falmouth Commodores 4. Cam Seitzer was the batting star of the day going 3-for-3, with three RBI, a home run and two walks. The Hawk's Middle reliever, Drew Verhagen of Oklahoma, held the fort and kept the Commodores from scoring for three innings giving up just one hit and striking out two.

By NICOLE ALMEIDA
CCBL INTERN

OAK BLUFFS ---- After a beautiful day in Oaks Bluff, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks secured the Cape League trophy as Vineyard champions for 2010.      For the past three years, the Cape League has played one game each season on Martha’s Vineyard. The Wareham Gatemen defeated the Falmouth Commodores the first year, and the Commodores returned the favor last season. This year, the Commodores were beaten 6-4 by the Harbor Hawks.
     Jo Marie Morgan of Sugar Land, Texas, comes to Massachusetts every year to see the Vineyard game. Her son, Sean, played in the league and lived with Commodores general manager Bob Clark and his wife, Christine, the president of the Commodores. Morgan has made life-long friends while coming to Cape League games and enjoys the Vineyard game most of all.      “It’s a fun thing to do and I think it brings in a lot more people from the Cape,” she said. “Last year, the stands were so packed that people were sitting up on the hill (behind the outfield).”     The game is made possible by Gary Simmons of Vineyard Baseball. A veteran coach for the Bourne Braves, Simmons had the idea for the game while building the high school baseball field.      “When I moved out to the Vineyard it was harder to get to the Cape League games,” he said. “I thought it would be great if the league came here to help build the fan base in Martha’s Vineyard. I think it’s great we have sponsors who made it possible to have a trophy and give the boys something to play for.”     The players definitely agree.      “It’s cool playing for something. Unlike the other games where you’re playing to improve, this is different because there’s more of a purpose for playing,” Commodore Taylor Wall (Rice) said.
     As for the Vineyard fan base, the loyal fans keep coming. Mark Kasprzyk of Falmouth, who serves as a host family for Commodore Kyle Van Tungeln (TCU), and Richard Johnson of Oaks Bluff are old friends from graduate school and come to the Vineyard game together every year.      “I don’t make it out to the Cape very often. It’s a nice one-time-of-year deal, and it’s great that we get to see each other,” he said.  Bob Clark has been coming to the games as long as they’ve been going on.      “It’s great and really easy to get to, and we’ll keep playing as long as they will host us. And the players really enjoy it. They were taking pictures on the whole ride over,” he said.      As for the players focus?      “I think the players see it as more of a challenge. They don’t know the conditions of the fields and they are out of their element here,” Christine Clark said.

Comeback Off the Cape: With Three in the 9th Hawks Pick Up a Victory in the Vineyard

July 8th, 2010
By: Dylan Vazzano
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Oaks Bluff, MA:
        The Hyannis Harbor Hawks traveled to Martha’s Vineyard for a special game against the Falmouth Commodores, and with two outs in the 9th the trip was destined to be remembered for the bright sunshine and warm weather.  That was until second basemen AJ Pettersen stepped up to the plate with the Hawks down 4-3 and only one out away from defeat.  Pettersen refused to be denied as he lined his third single of the game off Commodore closer Matt Summers to give Hyannis a chance.  A chance was all the Hawks needed as the quest for a comeback picked up momentum after first basemen Cam Seitzer walked to put runners on first and second for cleanup hitter and third basemen Casey McElroy.  McElroy, who missed a golden opportunity to put the Hawks on top in the 7th after striking out with the bases loaded to end the frame, was looking for some redemption…and a good first pitch to hit.  “They had just walked Cam, so I came up there looking for a first pitch fastball and I got it,” said McElroy of his approach to the pressure packed situation.  The third basemen from Auburn took the first pitch heater and smacked it up the middle to bring around Pettersen and tie the game at four.  Next up to the dish came left fielder Jason Nappi who was looking for some redemption of his own.  In the midst of a tough slump and an even tougher game, (0-4 with two strikeouts) Nappi put together a battle for the ages.  The left fielder from Harding went down 1-2 in the count and fouled off three straight pitches before roping a double to deep right center knocking in two and giving the Hawks an improbable 6-4 lead.  “I just needed that.  I was having a pretty tough go of it and that hit was a big confidence boost going into the next stretch of games,” Nappi commented on his clutch at bat.          The clutch hitting in the 9th was the key for Hyannis, yet it was an exceptional day at the plate by Hawks’ first basemen Cam Seitzer, and an outstanding performance from the bullpen which allowed the team to even think about a comeback.  With the Harbor Hawks trailing 4-0 in the top of the fifth, the first basemen from the University of Oklahoma stepped up with runners on first and third and two down.  Seitzer, who was already 2 for 2 on the day, put together a gritty at bat which ended in a three run blast over the centerfield wall to cut the lead to 4-3.  After the game Seitzer acknowledged the significance of his 5th inning homer and gave us insight to his mentality in the batter’s box.  “I was trying to get us going.  I didn’t try to do too much with the pitch and it just ended up going over the wall.”  Seitzer ended the day going 3 for 3 with two walks and three rbis.       
        As far as the bullpen is concerned, they were given the opportunity to succeed after Hyannis starting pitcher Justin Wright put the team in an early hole by allowing four runs over only four innings of work.  The bullpen needed to pick up the slack and they did in a big way.  Unsung hero of the game Drew Verhagen pitched three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while striking out two.  The middle reliever from the University of Oklahoma knew what his role was and took it in stride which helped lead to the successful outing.  “I tried to keep us in the game to give us a chance to come back” said Verhagen on his crucial performance.  Set up man Tyler Mizenko built off Verhagen’s success by pitching a scoreless inning of his own giving him his second win of the season and improving his record to 2-0.  Closer Dallas Gallant picked up his sixth save of the season after pitching a near perfect 9th.           Today’s victory which was capped off by the Hawk’s dramatic 9th inning comeback might have changed the team’s season and according to manager Chad Gassman it was a necessity.  “It was a must; we had to have that win.  I was proud of the way we bounced back and hit in the clutch” said Gassman on his team’s resiliency.  Hyannis will try to build on the momentum of their thrilling victory on the Vineyard as they come back home tomorrow (July 9) for a rematch of today’s hard luck loser, the Falmouth Commodores in McKeon Park at 7:00pm.

Falmouth falls to Hyannis on Island, rematch tonight at 7 in Hyannis

Falmouth (9-13) lost its fifth straight game after a 6-4 defeat against Hyannis (10-12) at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The Commodores started their scoring in the 2nd inning with two out and no one on base. Matt Summers (UC-Irvine) legged out an infield single to keep the inning alive. Then Kyle Bluestein (Jacksonville State) slugged a two-run homer to left, his second of the year, to put Falmouth up 2-0. Falmouth continued its success scoring with two outs in the next inning. Barrett Barnes (Texas Tech) singled to left, which set up runners on 1st and 2nd with Andrew Susac (Oregon State) coming to the plate. Susac singled to left to drive in Kyle Von Tungeln (Texas Christian University) and Barnes to extend the lead to 4-0. Miguel Pena (San Jacinto JC) shut down the Harborhawks in the first four innings, but then with two outs in the fifth gave up a double, a single, and then a three-run homer to first-baseman Cam Seitzer (Oklahoma) to cut the Falmouth lead to 4-3.
Pena sat down Hyannis in order in the sixth, but he ran into trouble in the seventh. After getting the first two outs of the inning, two men reached base after an error at first by Susac and a AJ Pettersen (Minnesota) single to left. Jeff Trundy then summoned lefty Doug Simmons (Rice) to work out of the jam. He walked Seitzer to load the bases, but he struck out Harborhawks cleanup hitter Casey McElroy (Auburn) to end the inning.
Summers (0-2) came on to close the game in the ninth, and he quickly got Zach Osbourne (Tennessee) to ground out to first and John Ruettiger (Arizona State) to strike out looking. Then Summers allowed a single to Pettersen and walked Seitzer to put the tying run in scoring position. McElroy struck out with a chance to tie the game two innings earlier, but knotted up the game at four with an RBI single to center. Jason Nappi (Harding) came up with two men on and crushed a double to left to give the Harborhawks a 6-4 lead.
Hyannis closer Dallas Gallant (Sam Houston) was called on to pitch the 9th, and he only allowed a two out single to Chris O’Brien (Wichita State) before getting B.A. Vollmuth (Southern Mississippi) to fly out to center to end the game. Pena went 6.2 innings and allowed three runs, nine hits, walked one, and struck out seven. Vollmuth went two for four with a single and a double, and O’Brien also went two for four. Summers suffered the loss after allowing three runs in the ninth. Tyler Mizenko (2-0, Winthrop) picked up the win after pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Gallant earned his sixth save of the season. Our next broadcast is Friday, July 9 when Falmouth takes on Hyannis for the second day in a row at McKeon Park. Coverage starts with our pregame show at 6:45 with first pitch at 7:00

By CAPE COD TIMES
sports@capecodonline.com
July 09, 2010
OAK BLUFFS – Someone must have scripted the game.
Hyannis and Falmouth made the journey out to Martha's Vineyard and the fans were not disappointed. The saw it all: suspense, drama, home runs, quality pitching and a late comeback.
But the story of the Harbor Hawks' 6-4 Cape Cod Baseball League win over the Commodores was how each team grabbed a stranglehold on the game when opportunities presented themselves. Given extra chances, each team delivered. Falmouth was the first to strike. With two outs in the second inning, the Commodores next batter hit a grounder and barely beat it out for an infield single as the crowd let the umpire know just how close a call it was. The next batter, Kyle Bluestein (Jacksonville State), and he put a charge in the ball and sent it straight for the scoreboard in left center. The Commodores (9-13) got a two-out, two-RBI single from Andrew Susac (Oregon State) in the third after the Hyannis first baseman dropped a ball that would've been the second out.
“In the first four innings, I felt that we gave them, well you can't say ‘give' because they took it,” Hyannis field manager Chad Gassman said. “When you have two outs and nobody on you've got to close the door. We didn't play real good baseball the first four innings.” The Harbor Hawks (10-12) woke up in the fifth, and were given new life when a botched ground ball gave them two runners on with two outs. Cam Seitzer (Oklahoma) lifted Hyannis up with one swing of his bat and hit a three-run homer. “I say it all the time, big players come in big moments,” Gassman said. “Cam Seitzer got a big time hit and that's what big players do. “That's what got us going. You got to have some guys that every once in a while, when things aren't going well, say ‘OK boys, jump on my shoulders I'm going to take you.' “He's only been here four or five games, but we've been hopping on his shoulders.”
In the top of the ninth, four straight Hyannis batters reached base with two outs. The last of which was Jason Nappi (Harding), who hit the winning two-RBI double. Nappi's hit ended a thrilling game on a beautiful day on the island. “We gave them some good baseball,” Gassman said. “It was fun that we could treat the island, treat Martha's Vineyard to a good game.”

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