All Star Break Progress Report

By- Will Gasson

In wake of this summer’s CCBL All Star break, lets take a minute and reflect back on the 2011 Bourne Braves and how they are playing with the playoff push right around the corner.

Pitching  (A)

The Braves still have one of the most dynamic pitching staffs in the Cape League, however, following the Braves four game losing streak last week, Hyannis has taken over the as top pitching staff. The Braves enter the All Star break with a dominant 2.70 team ERA, tied with the Harbor Hawks for the best ERA in the League. Bourne pitching has struck out 309 batters and allowed only 105 earned runs over 350+ innings in 2011. Braves pitchers have surrendered a league low 99 walks, and have held opposing batters to a .242 batting average.

Western Division starter Ryan Eades (LSU) has been a primary reason for the Braves 21 wins this season and their dominant pitching. Eades is the only CCBL pitcher to hold his ERA to under 1.00 up to the mid summer classic.  The Bayou Bengal boasts a 0.84 ERA, derived from only three earned runs over 32.1 innings pitched. Eades (3-0) has surrendered only 7 walks and 19 hits this summer, while only allowing four extra base hits to opposing batters.

Josh Conway (Coastal Carolina) has also been chosen to represent the Western Division at Fenway Park. The combination of Eades and Conway has been proven to be nearly unhittable at the top of the Braves rotation. Conway (2-0) is third in the league in ERA (1.29) and has managed to strike out 26 batters in 28 innings pitched. Conway has also contributed pinch-hitting for the Braves this season, going 2-4, as well as contributing as a pinch runner.

Offense (B)

The Braves have crawled out of the team-batting cellar, and at the All Star Break have come in fifth overall in the league with a .240 batting average. Just a few weeks ago, Bourne’s bats caught fire during an unheralded eight game winning streak. In the first forty games, Braves hitters have totaled 311 total hits, including 73 extra base hits, and 14 homeruns.

Centerfielder Travis Jankowski (Stony Brook) has been the Braves go-to man for getting on base and RBI’s. The unanimous Western Division All Star, and potential CCBL MVP leads the league in batting average (.333), derived from 52 hits in his first 156 at bats. Travis has totaled 11 extra base hits this summer while totaling 21 RBI from his lead off spot. Travis has also been a valuable asset on the base paths for Bourne this summer, stealing 13 bases while only getting caught 5 times.

One Braves slugger who will not be suiting up at Fenway Park for the All Star Game will be Braves second baseman Tommy Coyle. Coyle (UNC) has been streaking as of late, climbing to the sixth best batting average (.323) in the league. Coyle has only appeared in 25 total games after arriving late this summer from his Tar Heels’ College World Series appearance. Coyle has 31 hits in 2011, including 7 for extra bags. With Coyle’s emergence in the second half of the summer, he will become a major role if the Braves are to make a championship run. Though Coyle may not be the most threatening looking Braves player, he exemplifies the expression, “its not the size of the dog in the fight, but the amount of fight in the dog”.

Defense (C)

The Braves defense is probably the biggest red flag for the team approaching the CCBL playoffs. One reason for this may be that field manager Harvey Shapiro has been playing players at different positions to account for strong batting matchups and injuries. Bourne has many star players who have yet to commit an error however, they could expect more from other star’s who haven’t played the hops as well as they could.

One person in mind would be third baseman Colin Moran. Moran (UNC) has come to Bourne after and appearance in the College World Series with the Tar heels. Moran has committed four errors this summer while battling an ankle injury that has held him out of the lineup as of late. In order for the Braves to make a late season playoff push, they will need the help of the former Baseball America’s Freshman of the Year at the hot corner.

The Braves have lived up to the preseason CCBL hype, and have proven that they are a talented group. Though they cooled off as of late, this team has the intangibles to go deep into the post season, and potentially hoist the prestigious Arnold Mycock trophy as CCBL champs. 

A Look at the Braves headed to the CCBL All-Star Game

By: Zac Vierra

Six Braves were chosen to represent the Western Division in the Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game at Fenway Park.  We will take a look at the members of the Braves who will be suiting up at Fenway this Friday. 

Ryan Eades, SP (LSU): 3-0 0.86 ERA 31.1 IP 22 K
Eades will be the starting pitcher for the West and he has been the ace of the staff all season for the Braves.  In six starts, Eades has been superb only allowing three earned runs all year.   At 0.86, his ERA is second in the league among pitchers who have a minimum of .8 inning pitched per team game.  Eades throws a fastball, slider and change-up and has shown success with all three of his pitches.

Josh Conway, P (Coastal Carolina): 2-0 1.29 ERA 28 IP 26 K
With Eades and Conway, the Braves have two of the best starting pitchers in the league at the top of their rotation.  Conway has been great as the Braves are 4-1 in his starts and his ERA is third in the league just behind Eades.  Conway has not just contributed on the mound for the Braves this season.  He is 2-4 at the plate and has pinch ran in a few games and even scored the game winning run in the walkoff victory against Cotuit on July 11th. 

John Farrell, P (William & Mary): 1-0 0.00 ERA 13.1 IP 17 K
Farrell will get a chance to pitch at Fenway Park, roughly only a half hour away from his hometown of Andover, MA.  He has been perfect for Bourne out of the bullpen, not allowing a run in 10 appearances.  Farrell has struck out at least one batter in 9 out of 10 outings and he has an average of 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings. 

Patrick Cantwell, C (Stony Brook): .284 average 6 RBI 19 H 10 R
As the starting catcher, Cantwell has been the field general for the Braves.  He has been a solid hitter but his defense and hustle are his defining traits.  Every game it seems that Cantwell has the dirtiest uniform on the field, which shows his dirt dog style of play.  And he is not afraid to take one for the team.  Cantwell has been hit by 11 pitches this season, a main reason for his on-base percentage of .400.   Cantwell was selected by the Orioles in the 39th round of the 2011 MLB Draft and he could sign with the team before the end of the Cape League season. 

Colin Moran, 3B (UNC): .319 average 1 HR 7 RBI 23 H 7 R
Baseball America's Freshman of the Year has made an impact in 19 games for Bourne after arriving from the College World Series.  After a bit of a slow start with the Braves, Moran's average has steadily climbed to the .319 mark where it currently stands, second best on the team.  Moran has shown off his bat as of late, getting two or more hits in five of his last six games. 

Travis Jankowski, OF (Stony Brook): .338 average 7 3B 21 RBI 46 H 24 R
Jankowski has been the MVP for the Braves to this point in the season.  He leads the team in average, hits, RBI, runs, triples, walks and stolen bases.  He has been hitting consistently all season in the leadoff spot and has played great defense making a few highlight reel catches in center field.  He is only one triple away from tying the Cape League record for three baggers set by Bruce Thomson in 1993 and Ed Drucke in 1966.  Jankowski leads the Cape League in hits and is second in in average and third in RBI.

Cantwell's Toughness Carrying Over to CCBL

By- Will Gasson

Braves catcher Pat Cantwell (Stony Brook) understands what it means to be a catcher. Catchers routinely put their bodies on the line, whether by blocking a ball in the dirt or holding onto a ball during a violent collision at the plate.

Cantwell has shown several times this summer that he is well aware of his job and the bumps and bruises that come with it. On many occasions, Pat has been hit by foul tips or wild pitches, but he has never allowed these setbacks to affect his game. He quickly rises to his feet after getting banged up and refuses to be taken out of the game.

This is why Cantwell has emerged as a potential Cape Cod Baseball League All Star, and arguably the best defensive catcher in the League.

Cantwell joined Bourne after a successful 2011 season with the Sea Wolves, starting all fifty-four games behind the plate. Pat was one of the more difficult catchers to steal against, as he threw out sixteen of twenty-six would be base stealers last
spring. In 2011 Cantwell only totaled two fielding errors behind the plate and boasted .995 fielding percentage.

In addition to being one of Stony Brook’s most reliable defensive players, Cantwell shined in the lead off spot for the Sea Wolves, batting .308. He managed to hit safely in 64 of his 208 at bats, totaling fourteen doubles, two triples and twenty-three RBI. A well rounded offensive player, he scored 46 runs, accounted for 82 total bases and boasted a whopping .394 slugging percentage from the lead off spot.

This summer Pat has adopted a new number (27), but has managed to perform well under the bright lights and high expectations of the CCBL. The pride of Stony Brook has batted .288 this summer in twenty total games. Pat has totaled seventeen hits, eight runs, four doubles and four RBI this season for Bourne. The New York native has also showed patience at the plate by drawing two walks, allowing his on base percentage to reach .408, the highest among Braves hitters. He has also managed to contribute on the base paths, totaling three steals in his first four attempts this summer.

Ironically enough, Bourne manager Harvey Shapiro has not used Cantwell in his native lead off spot, allowing Stony Brook teammate Travis Jankowski the honors of batting first for the Braves. Cantwell has bounced around the batting order, but as of late has emerged in the two hole of the Braves order, where he has thrived thanks to a sound fundamental hitting approach.

The Braves will be back in action Friday at home against the Chatham Angler’s; first pitch scheduled for 5pm. For any news, stats or analysis on Patrick Cantwell, or any other Braves players visit www.Bournebraves.org.

GO BRAVES

Power Rankings Week 6 (7/15-7/21): A Team Re-Bourne

By Ian Martin


Every Thursday (or Friday before the games), the Braves Blog will (as objectively as possible) rank the league's teams. The criteria is a combination of team statistics, overall record, and how the team has done in the past week in particular. Think of the general rule as follows: Which team would you want your team to play the least right now (no. 1) to the team that would be the most appealing to play (no. 10).

1. Bourne (19-12-2, second in West)

The Braves rocket to the top spot after another near-impeccable week. Still the league's hottest team, Bourne defeated both Hyannis and Brewster in the past seven days, putting up a cool 7 runs in both games. Even though the Harbor Hawks are still ahead of the Braves in the standings, the race has tightened immensely in the last two weeks, and at 8-2 over the last 10 games, Bourne's lineup is starting to hit. Garrett Cannizaro (Tulane) has been an unexpected source of offense during the last week, with his first two home runs of the year and six RBI in the last four games.

2. Hyannis (21-12-0, first in West)

Seemingly the only worry for the Harbor Hawks is the Bourne Braves. Hyannis is 5-2 in its last seven games not against Bourne, but the Braves have taken two during that period of time — and three straight against Hyannis overall — to exert some intra-divisional dominance. When the pitching is on, though, the Harbor Hawks are tough to defeat. The team's 2.96 ERA comes mainly from starters, and Scott Firth (Clemson) has been one of the CCBL's best aces, amassing a 3-0 record with a 0.82 ERA and 24 strikeouts in six starts this summer. 

3. Brewster (17-13-4, first in East)

Last week it appeared Brewster was poised to take control of the league after a 7-2-1 stretch. But now the Whitecaps are skidding, having lost three straight to end Week 6, including an unexpected home upset at the hands of Chatham. It may just be a pre-All Star Break slump, since Brewster still has the most hits of any team in the CCBL (289) although somehow the squad has the fewest doubles in the league (34). Tony Bucciferro (Michigan State) has been an unheralded starter this season and is one of four players to have already started seven games in the league. His 1-3 record is baffling considering his 1.70 ERA and 7 BB in 42.1 innings of pitching on the Cape. 

4. Wareham (18-16-0, third in West)

Arguably the hottest team in the league, the Gatemen are peaking at a crucial time of the year. Wareham has two separate three-game winning streaks since July 13, although the schedule has been somewhat kind for the off-Cape team over that period of time. Statistically, no aggregated team statistics are really outstanding, but individuals have been shining. Joshua Turley (Baylor) was the Pitcher of the Week for Week 5, a deserved honor for a player that has given up just 3 hits while recording 13 strikeouts in his last two starts, during which he averaged 6.0 innings pitched.

5. Harwich (17-14-1, second in East)

The Mariners, at least by my official determination — AKA my gut — are still better than the five teams below them in the rankings despite a 1-5-1 streak. Harwich has scored more than three runs just twice in those seven games, and not surprisingly it was in the win and the tie. Friday night's doubleheader against Orleans has massive implications in the East standings, and a sweep either way goes a long way in determining playoff seeding. Jabari Henry (Florida International) will be key in the final weeks, he's the team leader in RBI (15), home runs (4), and hits (28) despite an average that's, well, average (.264).

6. Falmouth (15-18-0, fourth in West)

The last week probably wouldn't be described as a success for the Commodores after a 3-3 seven-day record, but heading into the final third of the year it could be seen as encouraging. Falmouth is built on, around, and by its pitching. One of four teams in the league with a sub-three ERA (2.87), the pitchers had a newfound ally in a couple of recent games: Run support. Falmouth hung an unexpected 11 runs on not one, but two teams this week en route to blowout wins over Harwich and Cotuit. But don't expect the run-explosion to continue since Falmouth has the hardest schedule before the All-Star Break, with the team's next four games coming against each of the Power Rankings' top 4 teams.

7. Orleans (14-16-3, tied for third in East)

The Firebirds get the very close nod over the Red Sox after finally defeating YD 2-0 on Wednesday, the team's first win in four tries against the team's closest competition. The win hopefully gets the team some momentum, because, to

 quote Wiz Khalifa (good Wiz Khalifa, not the recent mess), the team recently has been the "Definition of Cold; Ice; 30 below."3-7 in the last 10 games is not good, and it may be due to a lack of runners. Orleans' .304 on-base percentage is second lowest in the league, and the Firebirds haven't been able to move runners over with a league low 21 stolen bases.

8. Yarmouth-Dennis (14-17-3, tied for third in East)

If the season ended today, the Red Sox would be the last team in the playoffs, but still a threat for a run. The team is too inconsistent to rely upon, but it also gives them a dangerous feel heading into the last couple of weeks. YD is capable of scoring, as the team has three wins in the last 10 games in which the team scored at least 8 runs. And two of those wins came against quality teams in Bourne and Hyannis. But, in what probably is just as frustrating for the team as it is the analysts, the Sahwx will follow up an 8 run game with a 2-0 stinker of a loss to a seemingly inferior team (see: July 20 against Orleans). James Ramsey has been a statistician's angel this year with the team's best batting average (.309), the league's second best on-base percentage (.446), and a perfect fielding percentage through 199.2 innings played.

9. Cotuit (12-19-2, fifth in West)

The Kettleers are still stepping on Falmouth's playoff shadow, just four points behind with two weeks to go in the regular season. But any late push will require some pitching performances that have been rare this year in Cotuit. The team still hasn't recorded a shutout, and is one of two squads — the other being bottom barrel brother Chatham — which has a team ERA over 4. Over the last eight games, Cotuit has gone 2-6 while allowing at least 4 runs in five of the losses. In the batter's box, a Week 5 Player of the Week award for Victor Roache (Georgia Southern) comes as no surprise with his continued triple crown push.

10. Chatham (11-21-1, fifth in East)

Ryan Dunne is not walking through that door. Billy Brubaker is not walking through that door. I kid, I kid, enough jesting about the Anglers, who are already suffering through a poor season, currently eight points back of a playoff spot. The team does lead the league in home runs (20) — as well as strikeouts (327) — so it appears the strategy is all or nothing this summer. Dane Phillips (Oklahoma State) is second in the league in RBI with 23, and had a trifecta — a term I just made up to mean three hits, three runs, and three RBI — in the team's 8-5 upset victory over Brewster on July 17.

Power Rankings Weeks 4 & 5 (6/30-7/14): Bourne Becomes Feared

Every Thursday (or Friday before the games), the Braves Blog will (as objectively as possible) rank the league's teams. The criteria is a combination of team statistics, overall record, and how the team has done in the past week in particular. Think of the general rule as follows: Which team would you want your team to play the least right now (no. 1) to the team that would be the most appealing to play (no. 10).


Last week's power rankings were not published due to technical difficulties and responsibilities with a makeup game at Doran Park. But now, we're back on schedule.


1. Brewster (16-10-3, first in East)


Since I last typed on this blog, the Whitecaps have become the class of the CCBL. Seven wins and one tie in the team's last 10 games is just the beginning. Brewster has Week 4 Offensive Player of Week Jason Monda (Washington State), whose .387 average and 10 runs scored are part of the best hitting lineup in the league. Here's just some of the categories that Brewster leads: Batting average (.273), team slugging (.359), hits (255), and runs scored (117). Oh and the pitching isn't bad either. A team ERA of 2.58 has been supremely helped by starter Brandon Love's (Mercer) 1.52 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 23.2 innings.


2. Hyannis (18-10, first in West)


Although this is the first week of the power rankings where the Harbor Hawks aren't number one, this fall certainly wasn't fatal. Hyannis simply hasn't been as hot as Brewster or Bourne over the last couple weeks of games, although my honest gut still has the Braves losing to the Harbor Hawks in a three-game series. Although it's 5-5 in the last ten games, the team possesses the league's only four-win pitcher (and only 4-0 pitcher for that matter) in Dylan Floro (Cal St. Fullerton). Games that Hyannis does win rely on pitching, and getting three or more runs is essential to defeat the West's best.


3. Bourne (15-11-2, second in West)


Anyone whose watched the last two weeks of the CCBL knows the Braves are jumping from bottom to top not just because of the name of this blog. Winners of six of the last seven games — with the only loss coming in a shortened game against Brewster — Bourne has been winning pitcher's duels and pitcher's nightmares alike. Offensively, it's actually the leadoff hitter with the best numbers, as Stony Brook's Travis Jankowski has 18 RBI and a league high 5 triples as the pace setter. On the mound, Bourne has the league's only starter with an ERA under one, the phenomenal Ryan Eades (LSU). Along with an ERA of 0.68, Eades had a perfect game through 5.1 innings at Falmouth on July 12, and eventually got his third win of the year giving up just two hits.


4. Harwich (16-11, second in East)


The hitting hasn't been overwhelming for the Mariners, who have been relatively consistent at 6-4 in the team's last 10 games. This means the wins have been coming from the mound. The staff has given up the fewest hits in the league (185) and has an impressive .212 batting average against, not to mention the Week 4 pitcher of the week Taylor Rogers (Kentucky) who pitched 7.0 scoreless innings while giving up a mere two hits against Orleans on July 9. The next seven days are moving week for the Mariners, with some "sure" wins against Chatham and Cotuit, then important tests against Brewster and Bourne. It's those victories that could get Harwich the East Division crown.


5. Wareham (14-14, third in West)


The only true .500 team in the league, Wareham embodies the "average." The Gatemen are 5-5 in the team's last 10 games, fifth in the league in team batting average (.239), and sixth in the league in runs given up (118). With the playoff push upcoming, Wareham is eight points out of first, and eight points ahead of the last place team, so don't expect too much movement in the standings unless the Gatemen tear off wins against good teams. In the next week alone, Wareham is at Hyannis and Brewster, so consider those opportunity contests. 


6. Falmouth (12-15, fourth in West)


The Commodores are by far the hardest team to understand in the CCBL. After an 0-7 start, the residents of Arnie Allen Diamond were a game under .500, but now have lost four of the team's last five games. Bourne in particular has disturbed Falmouth's rise back to contention after defeating the Commodores three straight times dating back to July 9. Hitting is the problem when Falmouth has off days, and only one hitter on the team is hitting over .300 (that would be St. John's Jeremy Baltz). As a team, the squad is second worst in the league in batting average (.228), and is last in the league in total hits (193).


7. Yarmouth-Dennis (12-14-3, tied for third in East)


The Sahwx get the close nod over Orelans for defeating the Firebirds (and putting up 15 runs in the process) on Monday. Otherwise, not much distinguishes these two squads, which at this juncture are just jockeying between the third and fourth playoff spots in the East. Neither should fall to fifth because of Chatham's poor play. For YD, another LSU player is making his impact on the league. Mason Katz has a team-high 14 RBI, tied for fifth highest in the league.


8. Orleans (12-13-3, tied for third in East)


A very similar report to that of YD, especially since Chatham's off year will likely mean a playoff spot barring an historical collapse. But moves could be made, since Bourne is the only team on the Firebirds' schedule in the coming week with an over .500 record, although the offense needs to increase if a win streak is to happen. The .225 team average is the league's worst, and oddly Orleans is the only team in the league this year with just a single triple. The next lowest total is Falmouth's three. On a positive note, Ben Waldrip (Jacksonville State) is the only person currently in the way of Victor Roache's triple crown (see Cotuit's section below) with his six home runs.


9. Cotuit (10-16-2, fifth in West)


Even though the team is in last place, I'll give you two words that are reason to go and see the Kettleers in action: Victor. Roache. The Georgia Southern standout has a legitimate shot at the triple crown, currently leading the league in average (.390), RBI (24), and second in the league in home runs (5). He has a power hitter's frame at 6-1 and 225 pounds, but routinely hits RBI singles along with extra base hits. As far as the team, the Kettleers aren't out of the playoffs yet, just two points back of fourth place, but the team needs to stop losing close games. In their last three games (all losses), Cotuit has lost by two runs or fewer each time.


10. Chatham (8-19-1, fifth East)


Fielding statistics are like spare tires. They're always there, but if you're talking about them, it's probably not a good thing. Well, the Anglers fielding statistics may be more telling than anything else about the 2011 season. The team's 56 errors are 13 higher than the next team, and have led to the league's only fielding percentage under .950. On offense, Anglers hitters also have an astounding 69 more strikeouts than the next highest team. If Chatham even wants to sniff the playoff race, wins need to happen immediately, since YD is a whole ten points ahead (essentially five games).

Coats, Jankowski Lead Bourne’s Offense At Midway Point

Written by- Will Gasson
Edited by- Dan Kroening
Looking back on past summers and the first half of the 2011 season, the Bourne Braves are often associated with dominant pitching and stellar defense. This summer, Bourne is ranked second to last in team batting average (.227), while only totaling a .297 slugging percentage, and only forty eight extra base hits.

However, Braves fans look at these midseason numbers with delight after Bourne started the season last in team batting average, and managed to score only two runs in their first four games.

Much of the Braves mid-season emergence can be attributed to Braves outfielder’s Travis Jankowski (Stony Brook) and Jason Coats (TCU).

Jankowski is back for his second season with the Bourne Braves. Travis was brought to Bourne as a replacement player in 2010 to fill a hole in the Braves outfield, and he has roamed center field at Doran Park ever since.

Travis may have started off the season slow, going only 2 for his first 9, but the transition phase into a wood bat league inevitably wore off for Jankowski, as he is now 6th in the CCBL in batting average, boasting a strong .320 average. Travis has two doubles and four triples in 2011, driving in 16 runs from the lead-off spot. Mostly known for his speed on the basepaths, Jankowski has managed 9 steals on 12 attempts.  Much of Travis's success this season can be attributed to increased patience at the plate.  The Stony Brook product has walked eleven times this summer and has been an effective table-setter for the Braves.

Also in his second season with the Braves, TCU Horned Frog Jason Coats has made a significant offensive impact this summer.  Coats has settled into the third spot in the lineup and has become a consistent run-producer for Bourne.

This summer Coats is batting .309, which is the ninth highest batting average in the CCBL. Coats has emerged as the most dependable Braves hitter, always managing to come up with big hits in important situations. Jason has driven in twelve runs this season, while also racking up nine doubles in his first season for the Braves.

While Jankowski and Coats have been the fuel behind the Braves' recent offensive surge, their defense has also played a major part in Bourne's success. This summer neither Jankowski or Coats has committed an error in the outfield.  These two everyday stalwarts, combined a platoon involving Johnny Bladel and Blake Crohan, have created one of the best defensive outfields in the league.  

Hit Parade: A look at some of the greatest hitters to play in the Cape League

In honor of Derek Jeter reaching 3000 hits, we are talking a look at some Cape League alumni with the most hits in the Major Leagues. 

By: Zac Vierra


1. Craig Biggio: 3060 hits

Biggo is the only man on our list with 3000 hits coming in at 20th all-time with 3060.  Biggo played for the Y-D Red Sox in 1986 and just two years later, he was playing for the Houston Astros, the only team he would play for.  Biggo went to Seton Hall University where he played with a pair of former Red Sox and Cape Leaguers, Mo Vaughn (Wareham 1987 & 1988) and John Valentin (Hyannis 1988).  Biggo had a .281 career average and was a seven time all-star and was only the ninth player to get all 3000 hits with the same team. 

2. Harold "Pie" Traynor: 2416 hits

Who could forget Pie Traynor whose stint in the Cape League came with Falmouth in 1919.  The Framingham, MA native played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1920-1937 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1948.  Harold was given the nickname Pie because as a young child, he would frequently ask for pie at a grocery store so the owner started calling the boy "Pie Face."  The name was shortened to Pie and it stuck with him for the rest of his life.  Traynor hit .320 in the majors and was an excellent contact hitter striking out only 248 times in 17 seasons. 

3. Carlton Fisk: 2356 hits

Pudge played for Orleans in 1966 and was drafted by the Red Sox a year later.  Fisk made his major league debut in 1969 and became a regular for Boston in 1972 when he was unanimously voted American League Rookie of the Year.  He offered one of the most dramatic hits in Red Sox history with a walkoff home run in game 6 of the 1975 World Series, which is best described here (1 min mark): Fisk Home Run Good Will Hunting.  In 1980, Fisk signed with the Chicago White Sox where he would play until retiring in 1993.  His number 27 was retired by the Red Sox and number 72 retired by the White Sox and Pudge was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000. 

4. Todd Helton: 2323 hits

Helton has a great shot of jumping up to second on this list.  He is the the only active player in our top 10 and is still going strong posting a .321 average with the Colorado Rockies this season.  Helton played with Orleans in 1994 and went to the University of Tennessee where he received a scholarship to play both football and baseball.  In the fall of '94 Helton started a few games at quarterback for the Volunteers but was sidelined by a knee injury and was replaced by a guy named Peyton Manning.  After that, Helton stuck to baseball and has been pretty successful as a five time all-star along with four silver slugger awards for the Rockies.

5. Jeff Bagwell: 2314 hits

Oh what could have been.  Bagwell was drafted by the Red Sox in 1989 and was traded away a year later to the Houston Astros for 36-year old relief pitcher Larry "the guy who got traded for Bagwell" Andersen.   Andersen pitched 15 games for Boston while Bagwell went on to play 15 years with the Astros and hit .297 with 449 home runs and four all-star appearances.  Bagwell played two years on the Cape with Chatham in 1987 and 1988. 

6. Tino Martinez: 1925 hits

Martinez played 16 years with the Mariners, Yankees, Cardinals and Rays and played for a season with Falmouth in 1986.  He won four championships during the Yankee dynasty and was named an all-star in 1995 and 1997.  Martinez was on the 1988 US Olympic baseball team that won the gold medal in Seoul, South Korea along with the next man on our list....

7. Robin Ventura: 1885 hits

Known more for his glove than his bat, Ventura played for 16 seasons and had enough hits to make the seven spot although he was a career .267 hitter.  Ventura played for Hyannis in 1987 and was a 3-time All-American at Oklahoma State University.  The same year he played in the Cape, Ventura had a 58-game hitting streak while playing for the Cowboys which is still an NCAA Division I record. 

8. Chuck Knoblauch: 1839 hits

Although he sometimes struggled at throwing the ball to first, Knoblauch was a solid hitter in 12 major league seasons batting .289 with the Twins, Yankees and Royals.  He played for the Wareham Gatemen in 1988 and played his college ball at Texas A&M. 

9. Nomar Garciaparra: 1747 hits

Nomah played for Orleans in 1993 and was named a Cape League all-star (above picture is Nomar hitting in the all-star game while Jason Varitek catches) and was inducted into the Cape League Hall of Fame in 2002.  Nomar was a .313 carrer hitter but struggled to stay healthy in the big leagues, but when he was at his best, he was a sight to see.  Garciaparra hit .357 in 1999 and .372 in 2000 and his toe-tapping, batting glove fixing, routine quickly became known by children throughout New England.  Nomar played college ball at Georgia Tech along with Varitek who also played in the Cape League with Hyannis in 1991 and 1993. 

10. Mark Loretta: 1713 hits

The last spot on our list belongs to another former Red Sox, who played for Falmouth in 1991 and 1992.  Loretta hit .295 in 15 major league seasons with five different clubs.  He was named an all-star in 2004 and 2006. 

5 Names to Watch
These guys have a chance to one day make it on this list. 
Evan Longoria: Chatham 2005
At age 25 Longoria has 508 hits in three and a half seasons with the Rays. 
Mark Teixeira: Orleans 1999
He will make the list in a few seasons; he already has 1400 hits at age 31.
Chase Utley: Brewster 1998, Cotuit 1999
When healthy Utley is one of the best second basemen in the game and will add to his career total of 1139 hits. 
Ryan Braun: Brewster 2004
Braun has hit .309 in four and a half seasons with 809 hits for the Brew Crew. 
Kevin Youkilis: Bourne 2000
Had to throw a former Brave on here.  The Youkah has 900 hits in eight seasons with the Sox.

Bourne starting to look good

By: Zac Vierra

There was a lot to like about the Braves 5-1 victory over the Orleans Firebirds Friday at Doran Park.  Bourne was clutch scoring all five runs with two outs and got great pitching performances along with offensive production from some old names and some of the new guys. 

Travis Jankowski (Stony Brook) had the big hit for the Braves in the sixth with bases clearing triple.  With the runners going with a 3-2 count and two outs Jankowksi hit an absoute laser into the right-center gap.  He ended the night 2-4 and continutes to set the table for Bourne.  Along with his hot bat, Jankowski has been playing great defense.  He has excellent range and is a reliable center fielder. 

Josh Conway (Coastal Carolina) picked up the W in his second start of the season.  Conway looked solid pitching six innings striking out six, not allowing an earned run on two hits.  He looked most impressive in the sixth inning.  After loading the bases Conway struck out the number six hitter Rudy Flores on three pitches and got Ronnie Shaeffer  to fly out to right to end the threat.  It is great to see a pitcher bear down like that and end their night on a high note.

A pair of North Carolina products, Tommy Coyle and Colin Moran, both started their second game for the Braves.  Coyle had two hits and scored a pair of runs and Moran had an RBI single in the third.   Moran and Coyle were the only Tar Heels to hit over .300 this year, batting .355 and .311 respectively.  These guys could really help the Bourne offense as the Braves came into the game hitting a league low .209. 

The Braves bullpen again looked good in the win.  RC Orlan (North Carolina) relieved Conway and didn't allow a hit in two innings of work.  Orlan pitched with the Braves last season and posted a 1.62 ERA in 13 appearances and he has proven to be a great lefty option out of the pen.  Tyler Maloof (Georgia) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning and has yet to allow a run in six appearances.  With Orlan, Maloof and Slade Smith (Auburn) to go along with the closer RJ Alvarez (FAU), the Braves now have some great options out of the bullpen.  Just like last season, the bullpen could be one of the strengths for Bourne this year. 

Overall the Braves are looking good.  With the win they are now over .500 (8-7-2) and there is a lot to be opimistic about with this team.  The pitching staff has been great all season and may only get better, the offense should improve with the new additions and despite three errors in this one, defense has been solid all year for the Braves. 

Player of the Game:  Josh Conway-W, 6 IP, 6 K, 3 BB, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 87 Pitches (52 strikes)
It was a quality start for Conway and he showed some grit getting out of the bases loaded jam at the end of his night.  With a trio of Conway, Chris Pickering (URI) and Ryan Eades (LSU) pitching well right now, the Braves might have found three starters they can rely on on a regular basis.

Power Rankings Week 3 (6/23-6/29): Falmouth Goes Streaking

Every Thursday (or Friday before the games), the Braves Blog will (as objectively as possible) rank the league's teams. The criteria is a combination of team statistics, overall record, and how the team has done in the past week in particular. Think of the general rule as follows: Which team would you want your team to play the least right now (no. 1) to the team that would be the most appealing to play (no. 10).


NOTE: Because Thursday is typically a scheduled off day for the CCBL, that is when the week is considered to begin for the power rankings


1. Hyannis (11-5, first in Western)


Three straight weeks, and still no change at the top, even though the Harbor Hawks didn't have as good of a week as usual. Parity was the theme of the last seven days, and having the best record and finishing the week on a two-game winning streak was good enough for the top spot. An easier next couple games ahead — a Friday night fight with Chatam and a home-and-home against YD stand out — could get the team's offense back on track after scoring a mere 2 runs during a three-game losing streak last week.


2. Harwich (10-6, first in Eastern)


The Mariners five-game winning streak was finally snapped last week, and the squad actually finished the week having lost two straight games (hence Hyannis' hold on the top spot). In the scope of the whole season, Harwich has won despite having underachieved on offense, recording the fewest hits in the league (101) and possessing the second worst team batting average (.214). Darnell Sweeney (Central Florida) is making an impact in his first seven games with the team though, already having recorded 5 RBI and an unthinkable .381 average.


3. Falmouth (8-9, fourth in Western)


It seems ludicrous that the fourth-best team in what was initially thought to be the much worse conference would be this high. But for once in baseball, that number lies. The Commodores are 8-2 in the team's last ten games, and in the team's last five victories they have given up more than 2 runs just once. Falmouth also had the Week 2 Coca-Cola Pitcher of the Week Joe Bircher (Bradley), well deserved since he has 25 strikeouts in 16 innings this year, and in three starts has recorded a 2.25 ERA. Expect success to continue at Arnie Allen Diamond for the foreseeable future.


4. Brewster (8-6-1, second in Eastern)


The team with arguably the best offensive potential in the CCBL is finally putting together wins, recording victories its last three games. The Whitecaps have the league's two best hitters by average, Andrew Toles (Tennessee) and Taylor Davis (Morehead State) who are hitting .383 and .381 respectively. The Independence Day week slate is a test for Brewster though, with two games against Orleans and tonight's game against Falmouth.


5. Orleans (8-7-1, third in Eastern)


Just 2-4 over the last week, the Firebirds gave up at least three runs in all of the team's losses, but still have the league's best ERA (1.87). Essentially, the last week should be an anomaly, and expect them to come back during the important Fourth of July stretch. Ben Waldrip (Jacksonville) grabbed Week 2 Player of the Week likely because he's tied for the league lead in home runs (3) and is tied for third in the CCBL in RBI with 10. His teammate Steve Selsky (Arizona) also has 10 RBI in 15 games.


6. Wareham (8-8, second in Western)


The Gatemen will see a lot of the rival Braves in the next week, with four games against Bourne in 9 days. The first match already took place (an 8-4 victory for Wareham), but the next three will be important in solving the close Western race. Robert Refsnyder (Arizona) leads the league in triples (3) and is one of four Wareham hitters batting above .300. Pitching has been decent for the Gatemen too, and the team leads the league with three complete games.


7. Bourne (7-7-2, third in Western)


The Braves continue to get better, and considering the lack of separation the Western (three teams currently have 16 points), this team could be near the top next week. An 8-4 loss to Wareham ended an otherwise good week in Bourne in which the team went 4-0-1 behind good pitching. Currently, the Braves lead the league in shutouts, holding teams scoreless 4 times in 2011. On offense, Jason Coats (TCU) is a mainstay in the essential three-spot, and leads the team in batting average (.333) and doubles (4).


8. Yarmouth-Dennis (7-8-2, fourth in Eastern)


Probably the worst of the four teams that currently have 16 points in the CCBL, the Red Sox have won 3 games out of its last 10. Even worse news for YD, the next four games are against the Power Ranking's top three teams, including a home-and-home with Hyannis. Still, the Sox are in the Eastern race (and currently in the playoffs thanks to Chatam), but need to quell the team's pitching woes. Its 152 hits given up are the worst in the league, as is its .274 average against.


9. Chatam (5-10-1, fifth in Eastern)


1-4 in its last five games isn't what the Anglers need to climb back into the playoff hunt, and games in the coming week against Harwich and Hyannis probably won't help either. Neither the offense or defense is terrible in Chatam, but neither are overwhelming. Only one player that's played in a majority of the team's games has an average over .300, and the only starter with four games started (Wake Forest's Tim Cooney) has an ERA of 7.13.


10. Cotuit (5-11-1, fifth in Western)


The Kettleers are just 2-8 in the team's last 10 games, perplexing considering its offense. Hitting .257 as a team, second in the CCBL, and possessing two of the league's best hitters Kyle Wren (Georgia Tech) and Victor Roache (Georgia Southern). But even the best offense needs a good defense, and that hasn't been provided from the pitchers. They're the only team in the league with a staff ERA over 4, despite the work of Bobby Wahl (Ole Miss), who has 16 strikeouts in 8.2 innings of bullpen work this year.

Dominant Pitching Carries Over From 2010 Season

By- Will Gasson

After last season’s lights out pitching performances from Grayson Garvin, who led the Braves to the fifth best team ERA in 2010, many were wondering how the 2011 pitching staff would perform. The Tampa Bay Rays drafted Garvin in the 2011 MLB draft, leaving a large window of opportunity for new hurlers to emerge into the Bourne spot light.

They have not disappointed.

The 2011 Braves pitching staff has combined for the second best team ERA in the CCBL (1.79), while holding opposing teams to a .230 batting average. Bourne pitching has also compiled 106 strikeouts in 2011, while only allowing a league best thirty-one walks, over 126.0 innings.

Bourne has many pitchers to thank for such an impressive start; namely Chris Pickering (Rhode Island), Ryan Eades (LSU), and Slade Smith (Auburn), all of whom are ranked amongst the top ten pitchers in the league.

Pickering has shined so far this summer, hurling 16.2 innings for Bourne over three starts. Pickering is ranked second in the CCBL in ERA, boasting a nearly untouchable 0.54 earned run average. The URI standout has only allowed fourteen hits in his three starts, while only surrendering one run. He has also managed nine strikeouts and allowed only four walks.

Chris picked up his first win of the season on Sunday night as the Braves upset Western Division leader Hyannis Harbor Hawks by a score of 5-0. Pickering allowed seven hits, struck out four batters over 5.2 innings pitched in the upset.

Ryan Eades has been keeping pace with Pickering this summer as he ranks third overall in ERA in the CCBL. Eades has compiled 0.64 earned run average over 14 innings pitched in three starts for the Braves. Eades has only allowed seven hits this summer and has surrendered only one earned run. The LSU Tiger has also managed eleven K’s while only allowing 3 three walks over his first three starts. Eades, like Pickering, is also 1-0 in the young 2011 season with two early season no-decisions.

The final Brave amongst the top ten pitchers in the CCBL is Auburn Tiger Slade Smith. Smith has had Bourne fans screaming “War Eagle” as he takes the hill, a sign of respect to the University of Auburn’s athletic teams. Smith boasts a 1.20 ERA coming out of the Bourne bullpen, pitching fifteen innings in six total games in 2011. Smith has allowed ten hits and three runs (two earned) this summer, while boasting eight strikeouts, and only allowing two walks.

Bourne has also seen great pitching from hurlers John Farrell (William and Mary), Kyle Brady (Clemson) and RJ Alvarez (Florida Atlantic), all of whom have contributed to the Braves second ranked pitching staff.

The Braves will be back in action Tuesday as they travel to Harwich in search of their seventh win of the season. Game scheduled to begin at 7pm.

Braves look good in shutout of Hyannis

By Zac Vierra

Everything was working for the Braves in an impressive 5-0 win over the first place Harbor Hawks Sunday at Doran Park. 

Chris Pickering (URI) got the start for the Braves and looked good pitching 5.2 shutout innings allowing seven hits while striking out four and walking none.  Through three starts, Pickering has allowed only one earned run in 16.2 innings pitched.  He has been the most consistent starter for the Braves this season and is proving to be someone Harvey Shapiro can rely on to keep the team in the game. 

Travis Jankowski (Stony Brook) had a great game for Bourne.  He threw out a runner at third to end the top of the first and lead off the bottom of the inning with triple and scored on Garrett Canizaro's RBI groundout.  Jankowski would later add an RBI single to give the Braves a 3 zip lead.  Travis has really been swinging the bat well as of late and his combination of contact and speed makes him the perfect leadoff hitter.  His average has jumped up to .308 after a slow start and after he was demoted to the ninth hole for a few games; it looks like Jankowski has cemented his spot as the leadoff man. 

Zach Alvord (Auburn) hit his first homerun of the season in the third inning to left center.  The solo shot was a towering blast, one that did not look like it was leaving the park off the bat but kept carrying and carrying until it landed over the fence.  Alvord has had flashes of power during batting practice regularly pulling bombs to left.  Although Alvord has shown great potential with the bat, his defense has been shaky.  He has a team leading 5 errors including two on Sunday, one on a throw and one on a ball that got under his glove.  You have to wonder if his poor defense could limit his playing time, although there is always the option of playing Alvord at DH, which would keep his bat in the lineup.

The Braves bullpen looked good in the win.  John Farrell (William & Mary) relieved Pickering in the top of the 6th with runners on second and third.  He quickly got out of the jam getting a groundball to first.  He got into some trouble in the 7th after a pair of hit batters and an error loaded the bases, but he got a flyball to left to end the inning.  Kevin Brady (Clemson) pitched well in the eighth striking out a pair.  He looks like he has the type of stuff to be the 8th inning man for the Braves. 

After Colin Kish (Florida Southern) gave the Braves some insurance with a two RBI single in the 8th, the closer, RJ Alvarez (FAU), came in and shut the door yet again.  Alvarez pitched a one-two-three inning with a pair of strikeouts.  He was throwing in the mid 90s and the Harbor Hawk hitters had trouble catching up to the heat.  Alvarez's fastball is just filthy.  It has late life and hitters just can't seem to touch it.  He doesn't throw much breaking stuff but when the fastball is so good, there is no reason to throw any other pitch.  Right now Alvarez is blowing away hitters like Jonathan Papelbon when he first became closer for the Red Sox, which is quite fitting since Alvarez's intro song is now Shipping Up to Boston. 

Player of the day:  Travis Jankowski 2-3 RBI R great throw to third
This is a tough one as it was a great team effort by the Braves.  There were contributions by many different players on offense and the pitching was great.  Jankowski really changed the momentum early with the great throw and the leadoff triple which allowed the Braves to get the on the board early.  His single RBI single was a clutch two out hit which gave Bourne a nice 3 nothing cushion.