By Roy Reiss
May 10, 2013

Leading off

While GM Bruce Murphy and Coach Mike Roberts continue to monitor the happenings of the proposed Kettleers roster this summer, the toughest job in May falls to Joanne Crossen and Jodie Cabral-Petzold, the housing co-directors for the team. It’s a hectic month for the pair as they try to match up a player with a host family thru an extremely detailed process. Earlier this month Cabral-Petzold and Crossen met with the host families and went over the handbook of policies. A question and answer period followed with GM Murphy. Subsequently the two co-directors try and visit the actual homes after reviewing the family questionnaires that are filled out. While this is going on, the prospective players must fill out forms answering specific questions that help determine what could be better matches. Tracking down players from across the country can be a most challenging task. All this research is then studied and by the end of the month, Crossen and Cabral-Petzold along with GM Murphy and Coach Roberts assign the 2013 Kettleers player to a host family. Quite a process that more often than naught winds up with the player and host family establishing a life long relationship.

Jodie Cabral-Petzold, housing coordinator, with her family and “summer sons of 2012” Tim Mayza and Adam McCreery

Finishing the Job

Steve Kady hard at work installing engraved bricks at Lowell Park.

It was a beautiful April Saturday when several workers from Steve Kady Masonry Construction Company of Falmouth descended on Lowell Park to add many new engraved bricks to the picturesque patio surrounding the press box building. The 2012 project was such a big hit, the Cotuit Athletic Association and coordinator Don Palko are once again offering anyone the opportunity to order engraved bricks that’ll be ready for the 2014 Kettleers season. If interested, you can pick up a brochure at any Kettleers home game or simply visit this link on the Kettleers web site … HERE

Call to the Bullpen

Did you ever see the look on any kids face when they get that toy they’ve long desired? There’s nothing Coach Roberts likes better than the side arming relievers who keep the hitters off balance. Remember last year when submarining Ryan Connolly of Coastal Carolina was simply unbelievable in relief, leading the league in wins, second in strikeouts and 4th in era while throwing over 50 innings. Seems as though Coach Roberts may have Connolly’s successor this year in sidearming Brian Miller of Vanderbilt. Miller has been just what the Commodores need in closing out victories on their way to a post season berth. Miller has allowed opposing hitters to bat just .188 in 22 appearances with a miniscule 0.72 ERA. You’ll probably see an awful lot of Miller this summer!

7th Inning Stretch

• For those looking for an early glimpse of the 2013 Kettleers, Mike Roberts troops will play an exhibition series against the Lexington Blue Sox at beautiful Lowell Park Saturday and Sunday, June 8th and 9th, starting at 2 PM.

• A special Kettleers tip of the hat to Jack and Lori Kelliher of SportSite Health and Racquet Club in Sandwich as the Kettleers will once again use their facility for summer workouts and training.

• While tipping that stylish Cotuit hat, how about Martha Johnston who for the umpteenth time will work her magic on the 2013 Kettleers Yearbook which will be available for sale at the June 12th home opener against Orleans.

• We can start to count down the days until the magical moment occurs during the 7th inning stretch when precocious 7 year old Gabrielle Chevalier lights up the crowd with her stirring rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. I can hardly wait!!!!!!

Kettleers Korner will be anything and everything that might interest fans, past and present, about the Kettleers. Roy Reiss, who started his career working for Curt Gowdy Broadcasting, was a former sportscaster on Channel 7 and several radio stations in Boston. His son Mike now covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com.