Cotuit Kettleers History

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 (annual 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 clinics for youngsters. The Cotuit Athletic Association also 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 five baseball teams in local community recreation departments.

The Cotuit Kettleers organization was voted the Best Amateur College Program of the Decade by “Baseball America” in 2000. The Cotuit Kettleers have won a record 17 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 for the enjoyment of baseball games and baseball clinics in the community every year. The Cotuit Athletic Association, a non-profit corporation, depends entirely on private donations for its support of the Cotuit Kettleers baseball team, community youth programs and maintaining Lowell Park. In fact, Lowell Park is the only Cape Cod Baseball League playing field and Town of Barnstable field maintained by private funds. Raising money for operating and capital improvement budgets is a year-round, non-stop effort for our volunteers..

More than 300 years ago, according to legend, the Indians bartered with the early settlers for the land on which the villages of Cotuit and Santuit now stand. The terms of the sale were a brass kettle with a hoe thrown in for good measure. Thus, the Cotuit baseball team's nickname, “Kettleers”, was derived from that early real estate transaction. The story is told that Ed Semprini, former Sports Editor of the Cape Cod Standard Times, coined the Kettleers' name in his coverage of the Cape Cod League games in the late 1940’s.

Ruben Amaro, Brian Anderson, Matt Andriese, Garrett Atkins, Mark Bellhorn, Charlie Blackmon, Darren Bragg, Rex Brothers, Damon Buford, Curt Casali, Will Clark, Michael Clevinger, CJ Cron, Ron Darling, Scott Erickson, John Franco, Cory Gearrin, Joe Girardi, Yan Gomes, Danny Goodwin, Matt Grace, Jason Grilli, Justin Grimm, Aaron Harang, Josh Harrison, Chase Headley, Joe Hesketh, Luke Hochevar, Ken Howell, Jeff Innis, Tony Kemp, Jeff Kent, Jason Kipnis, Derek Lilliquist Jeff Manship, Deven Marrero, Mike Matheny, Justin Maxwell, Dave McCarty, Lou Merloni, Tim Naehring, Steve Pearce, Jeff Reardon, Gary Redus, Tim Salmon, JB Shuck, Tony Sipp, Justin Smoak, Scott Spiezio, Ed Sprague, Drew Storen, Terry Steinbach, Tim Teufel, Chase Utley, Greg Vaughn, Chris Widger, Dan Wilson, Bradley Zimmer.

Fran Maycock, President; Stacy Wardwell, Vice President; Scott Hill, Vice President; Cheryl McPhillips, Secretary; Jared Palmer, Treasurer; Bruce Murphy, General Manager; Alan Blanchette, Paul Logan, Becky Manikas, Sue Pina, Leah Ridpath, Roy Reiss, Andy Bonaker, Chuck McKenzie, Ken Jones.

• This former Kettleers player accomplished a rare feat in 1992, winning two separate awards for the Cape Cod Baseball League season. This player won the batting title that year with a .321 average as well as the Daniel Silva Award for sportsmanship. He is also a former WEEI radio network broadcaster. Lou Merloni
• This former Kettleer was named the Cape League's Outstanding Pro Prospect in 1980. The Massachusetts native is one of two Ivy Leaguers to win the prestigious award. He went on to a 13-year Major League career as a pitcher and has since been inducted into the CCBL's Hall of Fame. He also won the 1986 World Series as a member of the New York Mets. Ron Darling
• Which 1984 Cotuit Kettleers catcher is a four-time World Series champion and the winner of the 2006 National League Manager of the Year award? Joe Girardi
• Which 1988 Cotuit Kettleers infielder was the 2000 National League Most Valuable Player as well as a five-time All Star and four-time Silver Slugger? Jeff Kent
• Name the former Kettleers infielder who went on to play in 1,976 MLB games over a 15-year career. Will Clark
• Name the five former Kettleers who participated in the 2016 World Series. Justin Grimm, Jason Kipnis, Yan Gomes, Jeff Manship and Mike Clevinger
• Which former Cotuit Kettleers player broke up the near-perfect game bid by Armando Galarraga in 2010 that was incorrectly ruled a hit? Jason Donald
• Name the five Kettleers from the 2010 Championship team who went on tho play for Major League teams. A.J. Achter, Deven Marrero, James McCann, Josh Spence and Nick Tropeano
• Which 1993 Kettleers infielder went on to a 10-year Major League career, capped off with a World Series appearance with the Red Sox in 2004? He happened to be featured on a Sports Illustrated cover during that series. Mark Bellhorn
• This former Kettleers infielder from 1987 went on to play for the Red Sox for eight seasons and had a career batting average of .282? Tim Naehring
• What former Cotuit player holds the record for most hits in a Cape League season? Here's a hint, he had a 14-year Major League career as a catcher, most of those with Oakland. Terry Steinbach had 75 hits in 1982
• Who were the last three Kettleer players to win the Cape League batting title and in what year? Jarren Advincula in 2024 with a .392 average, Patrick Biondi in 2012 with a .388 average and Pete Stonard in 2002 with an average of .348
• Who was the last Kettleers player to win the Cape Cod Baseball League's Most Valuable Player Award? Nick Gonzalez in 2019, hitting .351 with 7 HR's, 33 RBI's, and 54 hits in 42 games