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.

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