Cotuit Kettleers Information

The Cotuit Athletic Association was organized in 1947, primarily as a sponsor for the Cotuit Kettleers baseball team. The Cotuit Athletic Association was chartered in Massachusetts as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1963, and has grown tremendously in its scope since that time. The Cotuit Athletic Association tax-exempt IRS identification number is: 04-6064917. Cotuit Athletic Association members fully maintain the Lowell Park baseball facility (field maintenance and capital improvements), find housing and jobs for the team members and coaches, provide uniforms and baseball equipment for a 44-game schedule, and operate baseball/softball clinics for youngsters. The Cotuit Athletic Association provides college scholarship assistance to local students, awards high school MVP trophies in both boys and girls baseball and hockey programs, donates baseball clinic camperships and sponsors seven baseball/softball teams in local community recreation departments.

The Cotuit Kettleers were selected by the Cape Cod Baseball League as the first recipient of its Franchise of the Year award in 1990 and in 2000 was named the Best Amateur College Program of the Decade by “Baseball America.” The Cotuit Kettleers have won a record 16 Cape Cod Baseball League championships. The officers, directors and members of the Cotuit Athletic Association devote their time and energies as volunteers, working year-round to raise funds and organize activities which provide the enjoyment of baseball games in the community every year.

The Cotuit Athletic Association depends entirely on private donations for its support of the Kettleers baseball team, community youth programs and Lowell Park maintenance. In fact, Lowell Park is presently the only Cape Cod Baseball League playing field and Town of Barnstable field maintained by private funds. Raising money for field maintenance and capital improvements is a year-round, non-stop effort for our volunteers. Accumulation of capital resources for these expensive capital projects is a very slow process.

The Cotuit Athletic Association gives back to the community in many different areas:

• Provide free baseball games at Lowell Park with 20 home games plus playoffs.
• Prepare field for use by Sturgis East Public Charter School varsity & JV teams' games and practices, prepare field for use by Sturgis West Public Charter School games, prepare field for use by Barnstable American Legion games, prepare field for use by local Barnstable AAU teams games.
• Hold five weeks of clinics for youths ages 6-17 in Cotuit and Centerville.
• Provide free July Fourth Activities at Lowell Park.
• Award four (4) scholarships annually to local high school seniors.
• Coordinate several Stargazing Nights at Lowell Park with the Cotuit Library during the summer and fall.
• Prepare the field for ad hoc use by residents during the spring, summer and fall.
• Free year-round maintenance of Lowell Park (the entire property) saves the Town of Barnstable approximately $145,000 annually between labor and materials.

Free capital upgrades have saved the Town of Barnstable approximately $3.2 million since 2003.