It’s universally acknowledged that the Cape Cod Baseball League (Cape League) is the top summer baseball league for college players, known for showcasing future Major League stars. Traditionally dominated by American players, the league has recently seen an influx of international talent, adding a new dynamic to its rich history.

The increasing presence of international players from countries like Australia, Germany, Japan, Canada and Great Britain is transforming the league. These players and coaches bring unique skills and diverse playing styles, reflecting the global growth of baseball. This infusion of talent is raising the competition level and enriching the cultural experience of playing in the league.

For many, the idea of packing up and moving halfway around the world is an extreme measure to accomplish athletic goals. Blake Cavill, Paul Schmitz, Itsuki Takemoto, Charles Davalan and Connor Baxter, knew the importance of taking this next step in their journeys within baseball and they haven’t looked back.

BLAKE CAVILL (HYANNIS HARBOR HAWKS): AUSTRALIA

The Australian pipeline to the Cape League is in its second and strongest year, following the success of 2023 Falmouth Commodores' (and now MLB first-rounder) Travis Bazzana. This year, the Cape League has welcomed two new "wonders from down under": Stanford's Jimmy Nati (Falmouth) and Troy’s Blake Cavill (Hyannis).

The idea of playing baseball was always in the back of both players' minds, Cavill especially expressing it, having earned a spot on Team Australia’s Little League roster at the age of 13. The Sydney native has always known baseball, although it may not have been relatively well-known at home.

“My dad played baseball, and then my mom's brother played. So, when my older brothers played, it just fit perfectly for me to play. Even my mom played softball, so really, it was always there.”

For Cavill, when asked when the last time he was home, with a casual smile he said Christmas. For the average person, this response would come as a shock to them, however, he said that the idea of packing up and spending time away is initially a scary thought. Cavill made a point to express that growing up playing baseball became part of himself and reminded him of his family, so now the idea of playing baseball offers a deep sense of home.

"Being away from home isn't as hard because I have baseball. Since I play at home too, I don't get homesick because I'm constantly playing… We live out of suitcases. So, it's not that hard once you get used to it."

Photo by Nola Gallagher

PAUL SCHMITZ (HYANNIS HARBOR HAWKS): GERMANY

Hyannis also has recently welcomed a new addition to its bullpen, University of Houston pitcher Paul Schmitz.

Born and raised in Bonn, Germany, Schmitz has been dominant on the bump in the states and has posed a major threat to hitters across the board. But it's not every day you hear of baseball being popular in countries such as Germany. So what drew Schmitz to the sport?

“My family lived in Seattle from '95 to '97. I have four siblings, including my oldest brother, who started playing baseball while we were there. Seattle had a great baseball scene at the time, and the whole city was into that vibe,” Schmitz laughed. “When we returned to Germany, my brother wanted to keep playing baseball, so we searched for a local baseball club and found one in our hometown, the Bonn Capitals. My brother joined the team, and I would always tag along to watch his games. Growing up around baseball, I naturally wanted to follow in my big brother's footsteps, so I started playing too.”

The recruitment process for playing at the collegiate level is already stressful for athletes, but adding an international factor introduces an entirely new level of difficulty. However, Schmitz knew that playing collegiate baseball was a dream of his, and willing to do whatever it took to get the opportunity to play in the United States, he fell back on his close friends and teammates for help and guidance.

“Through a friend I've played with since I was 11, I got connected with Houston. We both played for the under-18 national team. When our coach, who was also a recruiting coordinator, asked my friend if anyone on the team could play for Houston, he mentioned me, saying, 'Yeah, we have this tall guy who can throw pretty hard.' The recruitment process happened entirely through social media, YouTube videos and data from systems like Rapsodo and TrackMan. They decided to take a chance on me.”

Attending Houston after attending school in rural Germany offered quite a culture shock for Schmitz, who expressed three major takeaways from his time so far in the States: Texas is much bigger than he expected, the American spirit is contagious and everyone seems to own a pick-up truck.

“In Texas, it's almost impossible to get around without a car because everything is so far apart. Texas is three times the size of Germany, which is pretty mind-blowing to me. The culture and approach to life are different too, with the American dream spirit emphasizing hard work to achieve success. And, of course, there are a lot of trucks driving around down there,” Schmitz laughed.

Photo by Aidan Conrad

ITSUKI TAKEMOTO (ORLEANS FIREBIRDS): JAPAN

Orleans Firebirds' Itsuki Takemoto has undertaken a similarly long journey to Cape Cod, traveling not only from the University of Hawaii but also from his home in Osaka, Japan. With a year away from home already under his belt, Takemoto has adapted to life in the United States.

When asked about any initial barriers faced in his time starting baseball in the States, Takemoto expressed two challenges: adapting to baseball being played much more intensely and learning English quickly.

“The style of baseball in Japan is different. They use smaller baseballs, and a lot of bunting and hitting are involved. Here, everyone hits very well. So, it's hugely different.”

Aside from adapting to playing in America, adapting to speaking the language was next on Takemoto’s list. When asked what helped him learn English so quickly, Takemoto laughed.

"Thanks to my programs. Sometimes I couldn't understand, so during the summer, I took time to learn more. My teammates and coaches are very kind and understanding," Takemoto said. “I learned more and more just by talking and watching movies like 'Anyone But You' and 'Super Mario Brothers.'"

In case anyone is wondering, "Anyone But You" comes highly recommended by Takemoto, who emphasized that it was the superior film between the two.

Photo by Aidan Conrad

CHARLES DAVALAN (COTUIT KETTLEERS): CANADA

This summer, it looks like there are more Canadian baseball players than ever appearing in the Cape League. The league, which usually pulls in top college players from across the U.S., is now seeing a growing number of Canadians bringing their style and skills to the game. The Cotuit Kettleers have seen this in their own Charles Davalan, who had recently transferred from Florida Gulf Coast University to Arkansas State.

When asked about the entire recruitment process, especially jumping from Canada to Florida at the start of his baseball career, Davalan explained:

“One of our Canadian coaches moved to Florida and that's how a lot of players got the connection and that's how I ended up in Florida and he got my offer from Florida Gulf Coast down… I spent three of my high school years in Canada, and then the spring of my junior year, I went down to Florida.”

When you think of Canadian athletes, hockey usually comes to mind as the primary sport (and Davalan had spent his share of time on the ice), however, he expressed his interest in both hockey and baseball, but the love for baseball was far greater.

Photo by Nola Gallagher

CONOR BAXTER (Y-D RED SOX): GREAT BRITAIN

The Y-D Red Sox have been unstoppable this season, thanks to a formidable roster and an equally impressive coaching staff. While most of Y-D's coaches come from California, one member stands out. Assistant coach Conor Baxter has been immersed in baseball his entire life, thanks to his father and best friend. However, what sets him apart isn't just his passion for the game, but the fact that he's from Great Britain.

“I started playing baseball when I was 8. My dad was American and my best friend growing up was American. So, they introduced me to it and then I played for the U15 Great Britain National Team,” Baxter explained. “I started getting serious about it then. And then kept playing, played for the U18 National Team twice, and started looking at playing college baseball in the U.S. and ended up just sending a lot of videos.”

Baxter’s baseball career took him to Kentucky, where he played at a small Division III school. Then, a friend who had coached for the Y-D Red Sox two summers ago recommended Baxter for an analytics job. The job was a no-brainer in Baxter’s eyes, who took on that role last year while aiming to get into player development and coaching. He then secured a graduate assistant position at Southern Arkansas and was invited back to coach on Cape this summer.

When asked what it means to offer representation from Great Britain within the Cape League from a coaching perspective, Baxter, with a smile, said:

“The opportunity gives me a unique perspective on baseball, seeing high-level talent every day, and working with them is a privilege. It just proves that there's a pathway from there. Our head coach always emphasized that you can make it from anywhere, and being able to do that is pretty sweet.”

Photo by Danielle Stockwell

Each one of these athletes’ journeys, the challenges they have faced and the cultural adjustments they’ve navigated as international baseball players highlight the global nature of the Cape League.

They provide valuable lessons for aspiring players and fans alike as they continue to strive for success in their careers while reflecting the broad and diverse world of baseball.