813Preps at the Cape – Day 3: Chatham

Wednesday, July 13, 2022 – Chatham Anglers

Wednesday’s non-baseball highlight was watching my travel partner Brandon take to the links at Barnstable Fairground Golf Club – serving as his caddy (by which I mean I drive a hell of a golf cart). Beautiful scenic course, even better weather, 0% humidity. Afterwards, seafood of course and another bowl of chowder (good, not great this round).

Wednesday evening was a fun one as we traveled to the eastern most of the Cape’s 10 teams Chatham to see the Hyannis Harbor Hawks take on the home team Anglers. This game was more of a sit-back-and-enjoy situation, leaving the camera behind for a night. Arguably this might have been a poor choice, as Veteran’s Field was an awesome setting – right on the coast, with an outfield berm in right that stretches up to a town square, a three-story green wooden press box, right next to the backyard of a house with a railing along the third base line stands, where the homeowners host nightly gatherings of friends for the Anglers’ games. down the right field line was a playground that was alive with kids playing – adding to the family feel of these games, which are free to attend. One of the highlights was seeing Coach Beattie’s family, including watching sons Jaxson and Tate play ball on a youth field adjacent to the big field – Jax crushing tanks (bat-flip game is super strong) throughout.

Brian Holiday during his senior season at Land O’Lakes HS.

Though the game didn’t feature any 813 alums, we did get to see some Tampa-tied players as University of Tampa IF Anthony Nunez and USF C Nelson Rivera played, and Land O’Lakes alum (and FHSAA 2021 state strikeout leader) Brian Holiday tossed an inning.

While perusing the merchandise stand behind the press box (I may have bought a hat from all five home teams we saw during our trip), I noticed a shirt that read, “Chatham – Home of the 5th-inning Fog.” And didn’t really get it. A few innings later, it all came into focus as the left fielder started slowly disappearing in the dense fog that rolled in off the Atlantic Ocean.

And joining Beattie’s coaching staff as pitching coach, we caught up with Newsome pitching coach Kevin Ohme, who also had his family (including Wolves alum and North Florida pitcher Will Ohme) visiting while we were on the Cape.

Final: Hyannis 7, Chatham 3
Chowder count: 3

Monday, July 11 – “Fenway Day” (Newsome alum Cole Stallings, Fenway Park visit)

Tuesday, July 12 – Harwich (Bloomingdale alum Brock Wilken, Stallings and Family)

Thursday, July 14 – Hyannis (Coach Beattie, USF’s Drew Brutcher, and a bunch of folks from the 813)

Friday, July 15 – Wareham (Sickles alum Chase Centala, CCC alum Blake Wright)

Saturday, July 16 – Orleans (Plant alum JD Urso)