Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /home/stparch/public_html/headmid_temp_main.php on line 4394
Newspaper Archive of
Barnstable Patriot
Barnstable, Massachusetts
HOME Browse Search List Of All Titles New! Global Image Search
Free Search  Subscribe  Sign In
August 4, 2006     Barnstable Patriot
PAGE 12     (12 of 35 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
© Publisher. All rights reserved.     Upgrade to access Premium Tools
 
PAGE 12     (12 of 35 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
August 4, 2006
 
Newspaper Archive of Barnstable Patriot produced by SmallTownPapers, Inc.
Website © 2025. All content copyrighted. Copyright Information
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Request Content Removal | About / FAQ | Get Acrobat Reader




Fans enjoy an All-Star day with CC Baseball League Autograph sessions and a home run contest are highlights By Kathleen Szmit kszmit@barnstablepatriot.com THE MAN BEHIND THE BOOK - Steve Weissman,author of Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats, a book about the tamed Cape Cod Baseball League,signs a copy tor a fan at the All-Star event at Red Wilson Field in South Yarmouth. KATHLEEN SZMIT PHOTOS GETTING A DOSE OF HERO WORSHIP - Cotuit Kettleers pitcher Cory Gearrin prepares to sign the brand-new bat of a young fan during the Western Division autograph session at the CCBL All-Star Game last Saturday. Gearrin's family was in town for the momentous occasion. THE TWO CHARLIES - Mets pitcher Charlie Furbush signs an autograph for Charlie Clark, 5, of West Barnstable. Furbush was in the spotlight several times at the All-Star Game, talking with both CN8 and NPR about his recent no-hitter. KATHLEEN SZMIT PHOTOS STILL SMOAKIN' : Justin Smoak of the Cotuit Kettleers takes a crack at the ball during the home run contest at the All-Star game. At Red Wilson Field Saturday, it was about All-Stars, autographs, hot sun and Hurlers when the Cape Cod Baseball League All- Star Game came to South Yarmouth. When the gates opened at 11there was already a size- able crowd milling about in anticipation of the event.By noon the air was heavy with the scent of grillingburgers, hotdogs and fresh popcorn. In spite of the already sweltering sun, fans lined up along the dugouts, eager for autographs from players they hope will someday become famous, though the hero worship began long ago. Shortly after noon the men of the Western Divi- sion team emerged, much to the delight of those clutching newly purchased Barnstable Bats and spe- cial silver Sharpies. Munching on sunflower seeds, players practiced their signatures repeatedly, not once growingweary of the attention, and continuing to sign books and bats even while heading to the field for batting and fielding practice. The Hood folks were mighty popular for a few hours, handing out free ice cream that helped to beat the heat, if only for a mo- ment. When the home run contest commenced, it was standing room only along the sidelines as fans of all ages crowded together to see which one of their sum- mer sluggers would win. At first it seemed that the contest would go long as batter after batter chalked up five homers each. Then Wareham's Steffan Wilson took up his bat, clobbering 10 over the fence. Wilson wasn't the walk- off, though. He and Mitch Moreland of the Bourne Braves went head to head with Moreland emerging victorious with a whopping 25 homers in all. Brandon Faucher reigned victorious, too, but not for hitting home runs. Faucher earned a place in CCBL histo- ry for eating the 1000th Hurler burger, a specialty of the grill masters at Red WilsonField. After wolfingdown the burger on ajelly doughnut topped with Easy Cheese, the proud Faucher was given a t-shirt and a certificate to commem- orate the occasion. When the game began at 4 p.m. after a rousing rendi- tion of the National An- them by the Hyannis Sound fans took their seats and scouts raised their radar guns, keeping careful watch on noteworthy players. In the end, East took West 7-2, but it wasn't about who won or lost. It was about havingfun in the sun and givingthe fans a chance to see the best of the best do- ing what they do best.After all, what would baseball be without its fans? We "Donut " know how they do it CHEW CHAMP - Bob Phillips takes a moment with Brandon Faucher to celebrate Faucher's eating of the 1000th Hurler burger since its creation by Phillips three years ago. Faucher has eaten several of the doughnut burgers and admits that he "kinda likes them." REALITY BITES? - Cayce Gearrin,sister of Cotuit pitcher Cory Gearrin,visitingfrom Chattanooga, Tenn indulges inanother bite of her first Hurler burger, which she said "tasted pretty good, really." We'll take your word for it, Caycel Smoak ignites Cotuit's fire Homer makes history, secures top spot for Kettleers By Kathleen Szmit k8zmlt@barnstablepatrlot.com Wherethere'sSmoakthere's fire, at least for the Cotuit Kettleers, who with Justin Smoak's help secured first place in the Western Division onTuesday night,arelief after a roller coaster week. In spite of sweltering heat the Kettleers took to their Lowell Park field against the Chatham As. Thanks to a sweet home run from Smoak, and stellar pitchingfrom Dave Duncan,Dan Runzler and Cory Gearrin, the Kettleers defeated the visitors 2-1, so- lidifying their top spot. Withpowerfulpitchingfrom both sides, the first three in- nings whizzed by in record time.It wasn't until the fourth when Smoak stepped to the platethat the faceofthe game changed. With the count one and two, Smoak took advantage of a wayward pitch by the As Ricky Hargrove, sending it flying nicely over the right field fence. The run marked Smoak's 11th homer of the season, put- tinghimintothe Cotuitrecord books as the player with the most home runsin one season using wooden bats. Smoak'shomer alsoput the Kettleers up by one run. Al- CONTINUED ON PAGE A:13 Pitching woes hamper Hyannis Depleted bullpen leaves Mets with few options By Kathleen Szmit kszmit@barnstablepatriot.com With the Mets bullpen de- pleted and the heat across Cape Cod bordering on op- pressive this week, it was little surprise that the boys in blue found themselves struggling. On Monday night the Mets fell to Orleans 8-1 as their pitchers grappled with a for- midable Orleans offense. The Cardinals came out swinging, garnering three quick runs in the first inning against starter Steve Porlier, wholastedjust oneinningdue to stiffness in his shoulder. After a two-run single by Cardinal Joe Mahoney, Or- leans tacked on two more runs in each of the next two innings, putting the Mets behind 7-1. David Macias had the solo run for the Mets in the top of the first inning. After crack- ing the first of three singles, Macias took second on a sacrifice by Jared McGuire and third on a grounder from Matt Mangini.When Jackson Williams sent a single past the Cardinals' first baseman, Macias crossed the plate. On Tuesday night the Mets didn't fare much better againstHarwich,fallingto the Mariners 4-1. Jared McGuire, returning to thefield whereheplayedballfor Harwich High School, thought CONTINUED ON PAGEA:13 Best of the West fall to Beasts of the East CCBL All-Star game a hot time for all By Kathleen Szmit kszmit@barnstablepatriot.com The sun setm-and for -the west Saturday as the Cape Cod Baseball League Eastern Division All-Stars trounced their opposite numbers, 7-2, at Red Wilson Field in South Yarmouth. Lookingsurprisinglyfreshin spite of the sultry afternoon , the All-Star teams took to the field just after 4 p.m. for a spirited match. The West was the first to light up the scoreboard in the top of the third when Cotuit's Eric Farris crossed the plate after a nice hit by fellow Ket- tleer Jeff Rea. Not to be outdone,the East responded with a run of its own on a sacrifice fly by An- tone DeJesus,whobrought in Reid Fronk. The East was set to drive in several more runs when they loaded the bases, but a nice divingcatch bythe Mets' Matt Mangini stopped them in their tracks. While neither team was hurting for strong defense, pitchers were another story, Both teams started out short due to doubleheaders that co- incided withthe playoff races on the League schedule. After starting with Mets southpaw Charlie Furbush, still heady from his recent no-hitter,the West quicklyran through its roster, recruiting home run champMitch More- land to take the mound. The East followed suit with a recruitment of its own of Matt LaPorta. Unfortunately for the West, the batters of the East were undaunted and quicklytook advantage ofthe lack of experience. With the crowd roaring behind them, the East beast the West 7-2. ScoutsatthegameselectedJosh SatinoftheEastandBradChalkof the West asthe game'sMVPs. The All-Stars returned to regular play this week, continu- ingto aidtheir teamsinfighting for playoff spots. After a well- earned day off, playoffs begin on Tuesday.