Jeff Bagwell Craig Biggio

2. CALLED TO THE HALL.

Baseball’s ultimate honor is enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. The Cape League is well represented: five former players have bronze plaques in Cooperstown. Most recently, Jeff Bagwell (Chatham 1987-88), Craig Biggio (Yarmouth-Dennis 1986), and Frank Thomas (Orleans 1988) were inducted. Other Cape leaguers in the hall are Carlton Fisk (Orleans 1966) and Pie Traynor (Falmouth 1919).

FUN FACT: Lou Lamoriello, president of hockey operations for the New York Islanders and architect of three Stanley Cup champions, is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Before he turned his attention to the ice, he was a Cape League all-star player and manager and is also in its Hall of Fame.

3. NAME GAME.

What do Kevin Cash (Tampa Bay Rays), Joe Girardi (Philadelphia Phillies), Mike Matheny (Kansas City Royals), Buck Showalter (New York Mets), Aaron Boone (New York Yankees), David Ross (Chicago Cubs), Scott Servais (Seattle Mariners), and Mark Kotsay (Oakland A’s) have in common? They’re all field managers of Major League teams and they all played in the Cape League.

FUN FACT: Showalter played for the Hyannis Mets in 1976 and was league MVP and batting champion (.434). He also had a day job painting fences around the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port.

4. CRACK OF THE BAT.

The league’s prestige was enhanced in 1985 when it mandated a return to wooden bats. Until then, aluminum bats were the order of the day. The change was heralded by the major leagues and their scouts, who could better evaluate the potential of hitters and pitchers using the same tools of the trade as professionals.

FUN FACT: In 1983, Cory Snyder hit 22 home runs for Harwich with an aluminum bat. The wooden bat home run record was set by Dave Staton, who belted 16 for Brewster in 1988.

5. SCOUT’S HONOR.

When you’re at the ballpark, check out the guys behind home plate. Most will have notebooks and pens and be aiming radar guns toward the field. They’re scouts searching for uncut gems to become polished jewels. Scouts watch games differently than most spectators. They assess “tools,” code for baseball skills. Players are graded on speed, power, batting average, arm strength, and fielding. Pitchers are assessed on velocity, arm action, delivery mechanics, breaking ball, and changeup.

FUN FACT: Kris Bryant played for Chatham in 2011 and hit only .223 with three home runs. But he had tools. Four years later he was the National League Rookie of the Year and, in 2016, led the long-suffering Chicago Cubs to World Series victory.

6. SIGHTS AND SOUNDS.

On a leisurely summer day, arrive early at the park. Bring a lawn chair, set up behind the back stop, or pick a comfortable spot in the bleachers and watch the rhythm of the game unfold. After warmups, don’t be surprised to see the players and coaches grooming the field with rakes and watering hoses.