WEST YARMOUTH, Mass. — The Cape Cod Baseball League’s annual ‘First Pitch Brunch’ was held at longtime league partner 99 Restaurant in West Yarmouth on the morning of Thursday, June 12. The coaching staffs from the league’s ten teams gathered with league officials as anticipation builds for the 2025 season.
The meeting, officiated by league commissioner John Castleberry, served as a formal kickoff to the summer. Among those in attendance were the Cape League’s three newest managers: Dennis Cook (Chatham), Loren Hibbs (Cotuit), and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Falmouth), each bringing a unique background to the league.
As is tradition, WEEI senior writer and Boston Red Sox broadcaster Rob Bradford emceed the event, introducing each of the managers as teams prepare for another summer.
“I appreciate all the people at Cotuit giving me the chance to do this,” Hibbs said. “I’m ready to compete against everybody and honored to be around such great baseball people.”
Cook added, “It’s an honor to be part of this league. This is the best college league around. I want to thank all of our volunteers with Chatham, all the guys that worked so hard behind the scenes over the offseason.”
“I’m excited to compete against everyone this year,” Saltalamacchia said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the championship pennant to the Harwich Mariners, led by longtime manager Steve Englert, in honor of their 2024 Cape League title. It marked another milestone for one of the league’s most consistent and respected leaders.
“I really enjoy it up here,” Englert said. “I’m looking forward to competing out there this summer, and I wish all the franchises the best of luck.”
League president Andrew Lang also announced the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. This year’s inductees include Gary Alexander (Orleans, 1986), Nick Gonzales (Cotuit, 2019), Travis Jankowski (Bourne, 2010–11), Pat Pinkman (Wareham, 1999–2000), longtime coach, manager, and administrator Bob Stead (Yarmouth-Dennis & Bourne), and William Walker (Chatham, 1957–58).
In addition, Gary Ellis, a longtime member of the Y-D Red Sox organization and advisor to the Hall of Fame Committee, was posthumously honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Larry Egan, who served as a Cape League broadcaster from 2002 to 2022, was recognized with the Peter Gammons Award for his contributions to the league’s media coverage. Additionally, Senior Deputy Commissioner Ted Lekas was named Executive of the Year for the 2024 season.
With opening day set for Saturday, June 14, excitement is building across the Cape as players, coaches, and fans prepare for another summer of baseball.
(Photos via Wyatt Hasse)
