story by Steve McCarthy
photos by Marc Lachance
July 10, 2010
 |
|
James McCann
waits to drive a pitch for the Cotuit Kettleers. |
University of
Arkansas sophomore catcher James McCann faced a tough
decision this spring: Accept an invitation to try out
for an opportunity to represent his country and compete
in tournaments around the world, or spend the summer
with the Cotuit Kettleers franchise of the prestigious
Cape Cod Baseball League.
The choice to
become a Kettleer was not made overnight. Both routes
present the best talent in college baseball and a stage
in front of Major League scouts. McCann's numbers at
Arkansas gave him a legitimate shot at playing time with
either club.
“The fact that
Team USA gets to travel across the world is an
unbelievable thing that not many kids can say they
did,” McCann said Thursday before a CCBL game in
Cotuit. “Playing with the USA across your chest is
something that very few people have the ability to
say.”
McCann consulted
with Arkansas teammate Zack Cox, the sophomore
All-American third baseman who was the 25th overall pick
in this year's MLB Draft and Most Valuable Player of the
Kettleers last summer. While striving to remain
unbiased, Cox relayed the knowledge he absorbed from
Cotuit field manager Mike Roberts and staff, which
helped boost his draft stock 19 rounds from 2008.
“The experience
(Cox) had led me to believe that the Cape was the place
to be for the summer,” McCann said. “The experience
the Cape has to offer was just something for the
betterment of my future and my personal success as a
player.”
 |
| Arkansas catcher
James McCann stands with a young fan during the
National Anthem before a Cape Cod Baseball
League game. |
McCann said he
called Roberts before the Razorbacks made their
postseason run to the NCAA Super Regionals to commit to
Cotuit for the entire summer. Brief Cotuit teammates
Zach Cone (Georgia) and C.J. Cron (Utah) chose the Team
USA option and left the Kettleers during the first week
of July. If they do not make the team, they may return
to the Cape.
“Growing up, it
was something I always heard of, the best college
players going to play (on the Cape),” McCann said.
“It's something I've always wanted to do.”
The 31st round pick
of the Chicago White Sox out of high school batted .286
with nine home runs in 59 games this spring, helping the
Razorbacks reach the Super Regionals for a second
straight year. He gunned down 30 of 39 potential base
stealers and backstopped a pitching staff which finished
with the third lowest team earned run average in the
Southeastern Conference.
“The chemistry
among the pitchers and with me as the catcher, being
able to work together, was a huge key,” McCann said.
“Trust and hard work will take you a long way.”
McCann hopes to
improve his consistency with the wood bat on the Cape
while facing quality pitching every night. As of
Saturday, he had just two hits in 24 at-bats. His first
went for a home run.
“I've been
working with Coach Roberts quite a bit, just trying to
get comfortable with that wood bat and get my swing
back,” McCann said.
Roberts trusts
McCann to call his own games behind the plate, something
McCann did in high school and during his second season
with the Razorbacks.
“It's that
confidence factor within each other,” McCann said.
“No matter how good a coach is, they can't be on the
field. It allows for pitcher and catcher to create that
relationship.”
McCann grew up in
Southern California before being courted by Arkansas. He
started 35 games as a freshman and appeared in 49. He
also started four College World Series games.
“I knew I had a
chance to go in there and play as a freshman and I took
it as a goal and was determined to become the starting
guy,” McCann said. “Growing up on the West Coast, it
was kind of surprising to hear Arkansas recruiting me,
but when I went there I fell in love with the place.
Playing in the SEC, playing with those facilities, that
number of fans, it's an unbelievable atmosphere
there.”
Out of his
catcher's gear, McCann is active in community service.
He was named to the 2010 SEC Community Service Team for
his participation in Arkansas' Sweat Hawgs and Book Hogs
programs, which place Razorbacks athletes in local
elementary schools to assist with reading lessons and
physical education classes.
“I've always been
involved in my community in one way or another, so I
guess it was nice to get recognition for what I've
done,” McCann said. “At the same time, I enjoy what
I do, working with kids throughout the community, and
it's something that I'll continue to do.”
McCann was listed
on the SEC Academic Honor Roll this year to follow his
Freshman Academic Honor Roll selection. To be eligible,
student-athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point
average above 3.00 or for consecutive semesters.
“Not many people
really understand what it takes to be a student-athlete
at the collegiate level,” McCann said. “It takes a
lot of hard work and dedication, but I enjoy every
minute of it.”
|
