By Roy Reiss
July 31, 2014
The matchups for the playoffs are going to be set this weekend so after a long, grueling season, what have we learned? Some general observations, thoughts and a little insight from what’s transpired.
Hidden Gems
Jackson Glines, a Kettleers Gem
We read the box scores every day. We also read game stories and side bars in an effort to understand what happened on the playing field. Yet there are many times when something very special doesn’t appear in any of these or just doesn’t get the amount of attention it truly deserves. For lack of a better phrase, how does hidden gems sound? An example would be Jackson Glines (Michigan) at bat versus Chatham in a late July game. The Kettleers had battled back from a 5-2 deficit to tie things up in the 7th inning when Glines stepped to the plate with 2 outs and the bases loaded. The lefty quickly fell behind in the count 0-2, yet worked the count full before fouling off several pitches. On the 9th pitch of the at bat, Glines drew a walk and forced home the game winning run. In a game that saw 4 home runs hit, 2 of them back to back, and had drama galore, the Glines at bat gets lost in the shuffle yet it was the most important at bat in the entire game and the subject of conversation amongst umpires Tim Carey, Steve Koneski and Rick Emerson after the game.
Great Debate
One of the issues that’s usually debated in the Cape baseball circles is the number of off days at the end of the regular season. There are some who feel that players are here to play baseball and further enhance their stock for the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft. As a result they should be ready to play on a daily basis just like the major leaguers do. Meanwhile the other side maintains that the college kids play weekends and maybe one other day of the week during their collegiate seasons. Many feel that the players come to the Cape nicked up and not in 100% physical condition and therefore need more rest to heal their bodies, especially at the end of a long Cape season. It’s an interesting topic that has merit on both sides!
Changes Coming?
The last time there was a coaching change in the Cape Cod Baseball League was back in 2011 when John Altobelli took over the Brewster program. However, there’s a link on the Brewster web site that advertises a ”Head Coaching Vacancy” to start in 2015 with the application deadline July 31st. Meanwhile don’t be surprised if two veteran coaches from other teams step down this offseason, which would be quite surprising for a league that prides itself on the stability and length of service time for their head coaches. In fact Coach Mike Roberts who’s in his 11th year at the helm of the Kettleers only ranks 8th in service time amongst the ten head coaches in the CCBL
Changes Here
As every team comes to Lowell Park, they marvel at the new grandstands and dugouts. It’s easy to forget that the Arnold Mycock Press Box building was built in 2004 and is probably the most modern in the Cape Cod Baseball League. And just so we don’t forget, we’ve uncovered a few pictures of what the press box looked like in the 1960’s up to the present. Makes for interesting viewing!
Lowell Park Press Boxes through the years.
Questions, questions, questions
Why doesn’t the CCBL combine the stats of players (Jackson Glines for example) who have played for 2 teams in one summer? … Have you ever seen an inning where a team scores 5 runs without the benefit of a hit while the opposing team commits 5 errors in that frame? … Has anyone told Rhett Wiseman (Vanderbilt) that he has to slow down while he rounds the bases after slugging a home run? … how could Logan Taylor possibly be left off the All Star team for the West? … Did you read the superb feature on Kettleers reliever Adam Whitt that intern Sam Blum penned (HERE)? … Just wondering how many players have been on the Kettleers roster this summer?
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.