It was painfully symbolic that the first three days without Cape League Baseball were dark, rainy and dreary around here. It’s probably a good thing that they didn’t have to get in any games in on those days, but it was a sad stretch nonetheless. Onward and upward, though: roughly 298 days until the 2012 Cape Cod Baseball League season.
Some notes to brighten things up . . .
For anyone who was at game one of the championship series: wasn’t that a great one? I love baseball, but if I’m not keeping score and focusing on paying attention, my mind will drift a little bit. It didn’t drift at all during that game. I was hanging on every pitch. Cape League Baseball at its finest.
Mike Garza took home playoff MVP honors and was certainly deserving. But it could have gone to a number of guys because it was a very solid all-around effort for the Mariners. John Wooten had two homers in the championship series, Jake Davies hit .370 in the playoffs and Austin Wilson drove in five runs in the playoffs.
Wilson was a key part of the championship run, which is pretty good considering the start he had. Wilson, perhaps the most highly-touted freshman on the Cape, hit .143 in his first 18 games. After that, though, he steadily built himself up and hit .286 the rest of the way, including playoffs. He had a hit in all but one playoff game.
On the subject of awards, I say this every year but I continue to be mystified by the announcement process. I understand the desire to keep things a surprise and present the players with the awards at games, and I understand the desire to get a full feature story up on the league site about the award-winners, but in between those two things, is it possible to get some sort of news brief announcing the winners? As it stands now, awards get mentioned in game stories and on twitter, and they kind of get lost in the shuffle as a result. In case you missed it: MVP – Travis Jankowski; Pitcher of the Year – Ryan Eades; Top Prospect – Victor Roache; Top Relief Pitcher – Trevor Gott; Tenth Player – Ben Waldrip; Sportsmanship – Patrick Cantwell; Top New England Player – Nate Koneski; Top GM – Bill Bussiere, Hyannis; Top Manager – Chad Gassman, Hyannis.
I was wrong on all of my midseason awards picks. In my defense, Victor Roache was a shoo-in for MVP until his scuffles at the end. And I still like Joe Bircher as much as Ryan Eades.
The deadline for signing MLB draft picks passed yesterday, and the results were interesting to watch, as always. Only one first-round pick went unsigned and he’s a New Englander. Right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede hails from Groton, Mass. He was taken 21st by the Blue Jays but it appears he’ll be heading to Vanderbilt in the fall (and maybe Cape Cod next summer).
Other early high-school picks who were unsigned (with college commitments):
2 (34) – Brett Austin – C – NC State
3 (92) – Kevin Cron – 1B – TCU (brother C.J. played for Cotuit in 2010)
3 (102) – Connor Barron – SS – Southern Miss
4 (133) – Tyler Palmer – SS – Georgia
5 (169) – Andrew Chin -LHP – Boston College
5 (174) – Brandon Woodruff – RHP – Mississippi State
5 (180) – J.D. Davis – 3B – Cal State Fullerton
6 (204) – Derek Fisher – OF – Virginia
Will, I needed that! I have been bummed out since Saturdsy night in withdrawal! thanks
Both games of the Championship Series were thrillers, Will. And the withdrawal is terrible. Thanks for starting the countdown to the ’12 season, and great job as always covering the CCBL with your outstanding insights, information, and writing skills. Bravo!
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