Life in the Cape League: A cotuit Kettleers Podcast

Official podcast of the Kettleers, Summer 2019

Listen to Life in the Cape League on Spotify. Every summer since 1947, the Cotuit Kettleers and the Cape Cod Baseball League host some of the best college baseball talent in the country. Bobby Manning introduces you to the personalities on the field, their stories and the behind-the-scenes characters that make the show happen.

Kentucky’s Cam Hill takes bumps then starts strong

Cam Hill yawned before the Cotuit Kettleers’ season-opening exhibition on Saturday. He led the game off, squared to bunt from the lefty batter’s box and received his wakeup call two pitches in.

“I told a teammate I was a little sleepy,” Hill said. “I got to wake up.”

Hill expected a high, inside pitch from Eddie Campbell, Lexington’s lefty starter. The pitch zipped to that spot, so high and inside that plunked him off his head. The thump echoed and some in the crowd gasped. He whipped off his helmet, threw his ankle guard along with it toward the dugout and jogged to first base. The rising junior from the University of Kentucky got hit twice in the game by pitches while showing bunt.

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Rainouts Tiring Cape League Arms, Spirits As Coaches Discuss Change

Kelly Nicholson labored past Cotuit’s Mike Roberts near the third baseline after a July 11 tie. Nicholson asked about Roberts’ next day off as his counterpart scooped baseballs into a bucket. Roberts tilted his head up to speak too soon. One break in Cotuit’s final 15 days proved optimistic.

Then the sky opened in the hours before their game against Harwich on Monday, postponing an already-rescheduled game until Thursday. The Kettleers now play 10 times in nine days to close the season.

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Episodes —

New Mexico State’s Nick Gonzales on MVP season and scary injury

Listen to this episode from Life in the Cape League on Spotify. Part 2/2 of Episode 6. Nick Gonzales of the Cotuit Kettleers is scorching after arriving late last year. He's been Cotuit's most consistent run producer and one of the best pure hitters in the league.

Rainouts, roster concerns and Cape League all stars

Listen to this episode from Life in the Cape League on Spotify. Part 1/2 of Episode 6 of the Cape Life Pod. Three managers express concerns about rain and fielding rosters in a wacky season. One team will play 15 games in 13 days to end the year after 12 rainouts.

Former Orioles star brian roberts visits the Kettleers

Listen to this episode from Life in the Cape League on Spotify. Mike Roberts' son, former MLB star Brian Roberts, visits the Kettleers annually to work with players and inspire. Before Cotuit's game against Bourne last week, he gave a pre-game speech in the dugout, before speaking with us in between BP with his sons.

Kettleers blow 5-run lead then win on oraj anu home run

Listen to this episode from Life in the Cape League on Spotify. Oraj Anu went up and hacked away. Mike Roberts told him not to take pitches at this point. Cotuit blew a five-run lead in the eighth inning and turned it back around in 4 pitches.

Building a cape cod league roster, rainouts and World Series arrivals

Listen to this episode from Life in the Cape League on Spotify. A scout said Mike Roberts will go through over 70 players in a season. He said it's more like 40. Either way, the unique challenge of roster building in the Cape Cod League has some players arriving in July, and every day temporary players leaving midseason.

Arrival in the Cape League, Casey Schmitt and an Oraj Anu bomb

Listen to this episode from Life in the Cape League on Spotify. Casey Schmitt can't stop throwing his bat. Oraj Anu got drafted by the Red Sox, but is spending the summer hitting bombs for Cotuit. His story of growing up in the Bahamas and his massive build.

A pitch off the head, tradition and Pete Frates

Listen to this episode from Life in the Cape League on Spotify. The Cotuit Kettleers host the Lexington Blue Sox every season before their first game. Cam Hill took a pitch off the head to start the game and walked it off, and later got called out on a pitch to the foot.