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The Bourne Braves are a
collegiate summer baseball Collegiate summer baseball leagues are amateur baseball leagues in the United States and Canada featuring players who have attended at least one year of college and have at least one year of athletic eligibility remaining. Generally, they operat ...
team based in Bourne, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the
Cape Cod Baseball League The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL or Cape League) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. One of the nation's premier collegiate summer leagues, the league boasts over one thousan ...
(CCBL) and plays in the league's West Division. The Braves play their home games at Doran Park on the campus of Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School in Bourne. The Braves are owned and operated by the non-profit Bourne Athletic Association. Bourne won its second CCBL championship of the modern era in 2022 by defeating the Brewster Whitecaps two games to none to win the best of three championship series. The Braves and the Whitecaps joined the CCBL in 1988 as expansion teams, bringing the number of teams in the league to its current ten.


History


Pre-modern era


Early years

Bourne's baseball history is one of the longest of all teams on the Cape, dating as far back as the 1860s when the town was still part of Sandwich. In 1867, Sandwich had four organized baseball teams: the Nichols, Independent, Shawme, and American clubs. The "Independent Club" defeated the "Mattakeesetts" of
Yarmouth Yarmouth may refer to: Places Canada *Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia **Yarmouth, Nova Scotia **Municipality of the District of Yarmouth **Yarmouth (provincial electoral district) **Yarmouth (electoral district) * Yarmouth Township, Ontario *New ...
that year, winning 41–35 in eight innings. The same year, the "Nichols Club" played a series of three games against the "Cummaquid Club" of Barnstable. The first game, played "a short distance from the Sandwich Glass Company's works," was won by the Cummaquids, but the Nichols Club took the second game played in Barnstable. The third game was contested at a "neutral" site in West Barnstable, with the Cummaquid Club taking the rubber match. Of these early contests, it was reported that, "a large party from this and adjoining villages were present to witness the game, and as it was new to very many of the number, it was of unusual interest." In 1909, a team from Bourne sponsored by the Keith Car & Manufacturing Company of Sagamore played a pair of games against the Falmouth town team. In 1910, the Sagamore club was described as "one of the finest local teams on the Cape." Although the 1910 team lost twice to the powerful Hyannis town team early in the summer, the Keith squad had its revenge at the close of the season in what was billed as the baseball "championship of the Cape" at the annual Barnstable County Fair. In the four-team tournament, Falmouth defeated Hyannis and Sagamore shut out Wellfleet to set up a final game between Sagamore and Falmouth. On a rain-soaked day that produced "mud and slippery ball and bats," Sagamore prevailed in a shortened seven-inning contest, by a score reported variously as 9–3 or 10–3. The Keith team had another successful year in 1911, and again made a strong showing at the season-ending fair tournament. The Keith Car team continued to compete through at least the 1913 season, when the club was described as the "strongest team on the Cape."


The early Cape League era (1923–1939)

Bourne first joined the Cape League in 1933. The league had begun in 1923 with four teams, but over the years various towns moved in and out of the league. In 1933, Provincetown had joined the league for the first time, but withdrew mid-season. Bourne stepped in and played out the remainder of Provincetown's schedule, but won only one game in its inaugural partial season. Bourne remained in the league until the league itself folded after the 1939 season, and played its home games at the Bourne High School diamond. In 1934 and 1935, Bourne featured hard-hitting third baseman Bob "Red" Daughters, who went on to play for the Boston Red Sox, and
Freddie Moncewicz Frederick Alfred Moncewicz (September 1, 1903 – April 23, 1969) was an American professional baseball player. He played three games in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox in . Listed at . 175 lb., Moncewicz batted and threw right ...
, a longtime Hyannis/Barnstable infielder who had played for Boston in 1928. Bourne's mainstay during this period was Massachusetts native Tony Plansky, who was a league all-star for Bourne each year from 1933 to 1939. Plansky, a star fullback from Georgetown University, had played professionally in the National Football League for the
New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. ...
and
Boston Braves The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Baseball franchise, originated in Boston, Massachusetts. This article details the history of the Boston Braves, from 1871 to 1952, after which they moved to Milwaukee, and then to Atlanta. During it ...
. Prior to the NFL, Plansky had played for Hyannis in the Cape League in 1928, and when his football career was over, Plansky returned to the Cape to play for Bourne. In 1999, Plansky was ranked by '' Sports Illustrated'' as the #25 all-time greatest sports figure from Massachusetts. He was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2001. Bourne had its most successful campaign of the era in 1936, winning the Cape League title led by player-manager Larry Donovan, the team's first baseman. In addition to perennial all-star Plansky, Donovan's club featured local star third baseman Ugo Tassinari, as well as several "winning pitchers" including Frank "Quack" Escott, Al Sayce, and Ray Chamberlain. Normally during this period, the Cape League season had no playoffs; a champion was determined by the best regular season record. But as it had done in 1933 and 1935, the league split the 1936 season in two half-seasons, with the winners of the two halves meeting in a postseason series for the overall title. In 1936, no postseason was needed, as Bourne took both the first and second half titles and was declared league champion.


The Upper and Lower Cape League era (1946–1962)

The Cape League was revived after World War II, and the new league began play in 1946 with 11 teams playing in Upper Cape and Lower Cape divisions. The town of Bourne was represented in the Upper Cape Division by Bourne and Sagamore teams. Bourne's team became known as the Bourne Canalmen, and Sagamore's as the Sagamore Canal Clouters, or Sagamore Clouters. The Canalmen played in the league until 1950, then after a decade-long hiatus, returned to the league in 1961. The Bourne team of the 1940s featured CCBL Hall of Famer Jack Sanford, a hard-throwing lefty who went on to play with Sagamore until 1954, winning a career total of 60 games in the league, including a no-hitter in 1953. The Clouters played at Keith Field, just steps from the
Cape Cod Canal The Cape Cod Canal is an artificial waterway in the U.S. state of Massachusetts connecting Cape Cod Bay in the north to Buzzards Bay in the south, and is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The approximately canal traverses the neck o ...
in the shadow of the Sagamore Bridge. Keith Field had been dedicated in 1936 and named in memory of Bourne native Eben Keith, a Massachusetts state senator and head of Keith Car & Manufacturing Company, once the Cape's largest industrial plant. The field was constructed privately by the Marconi Social and Athletic Club on land previously occupied by the Keith plant. The Clouters were initially led by CCBL Hall of Fame manager Pat Sorenti, who later served as president and commissioner of the Cape League. CCBL Hall of Famer George Karras was Sagamore's player-manager from 1948 to 1954. Karras' teams starred CCBL Hall of Famer Tello Tontini, the team's popular infielder, who was a seven-time all-star for Sagamore from 1946 to 1952. Karras was followed by fellow CCBL Hall of Famer Manny Pena, who had played in the league for Falmouth and Sagamore from 1946 to 1955, and skippered the Clouters from 1956 to 1961. Sagamore was a league powerhouse throughout the decade of the 1950s. To fans, it seemed that Sagamore would reach the league championship series every season, usually to face the Lower Cape's dominant team, Orleans. The Clouters claimed league titles in 1951, 1954, 1956 and 1959. At a time when most Cape League teams generally abided by the unwritten rule of using predominantly local players, Sagamore led the way in recruiting collegiate talent, and so set the stage for the league's modern era. The Clouters first reached the title series in 1950, when they were downed by Orleans, but Sagamore had its revenge in the 1951 title rematch. In the most drawn-out championship series in league history, the best-of-five 1951 CCBL championship series was scheduled with just one game each week, and so began in late August and ended on the final day of September. The Clouters were on the verge of being swept after dropping Game 1 at home, 4–2, and Game 2 at Eldredge Park, 2–1. A classic Game 3 saw Sagamore turn the series around on a last-minute rally. Orleans had scored early in Game 3 at Keith Field, and Sagamore manager Karras brought in CCBL Hall of Fame hurler Jack Sanford, just back in his first game after a tour in Korea with the US Army, for long relief in the second inning. Sanford kept the game close, but the Clouters found themselves trailing, 5–4, in the bottom of the ninth. Needing only one final out to secure the series, Orleans committed a throwing error that scored Walt Stahura from third base. With the bases loaded and the score now tied, pinch-hitter Bill McCabe drew a walk that sent CCBL Hall of Famer Tello Tontini across the plate with the winning run. The Clouters started Sanford on the mound in Game 4 on the road, and came away with a 10–8 win highlighted by a six-run fourth inning that was manufactured on just two hits. Sanford got the call again in the Game 5 finale at neutral Lowell Park, and twirled a six-hit complete game 8–4 victory to give the championship to Sagamore. Sanford's impressive final line for the series included three wins on the mound, and a 5-for-12 performance at the plate. Orleans topped Sagamore in the 1952 and 1953 championship series, but Sagamore rebounded again as the two clubs met in the title tilt for the fifth consecutive season in 1954. Games 1 and 2 of the 1954 championship were played as a doubleheader. In a matchup of CCBL Hall of Fame hurlers, Orleans took Game 1, 4–3, with Roy Bruninghaus outdueling the Clouters' Jack Sanford. Sagamore answered in Game 2 with a 5–3 victory behind moundsman Dick Smith. The Clouters took Game 3, but Orleans knotted the series with a 10–6 Game 4 victory, setting up a decisive Game 5 to be played on the neutral
Chatham field Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is a commercial and military-use airport in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Savannah/Hilton Head International provides travelers with access to Savannah, Georgia, and Hilton Head Island, South Car ...
. In the finale, the Clouters held down Orleans early, leading 5–0 after seven behind a masterful performance by Sanford. Orleans rallied to score three in the eighth, and with two down in the ninth, pushed across another and put the tying run on second. With the series on the line, Sanford put Orleans batter Johnny Linnell in the hole with two quick strikes. Linnell managed to foul off the next five offerings before Sanford finally whiffed him on a high ball to claim the crown for the Clouters. From 1955 to 1958, the Clouters featured Billy Cleary, the 1958 Upper Cape MVP, and his brother Bobby Cleary. The Clearys were
Harvard Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...
ice hockey standouts who went on to lead the US ice hockey team to a gold medal at the
1960 Winter Olympics The 1960 Winter Olympics (officially the VIII Olympic Winter Games and also known as Squaw Valley 1960) were a winter multi-sport event held from February 18 to 28, 1960, at the Squaw Valley Resort (now known as Palisades Tahoe) in Squaw Vall ...
. The Clouters were back in championship form in 1956 as Pena's men faced Cotuit for the 1956 Upper Cape title, and swept the Kettleers in two games. Sagamore jumped out early in Game 1 at Lowell Park with a six-run second frame, and hurler Johnny Karras made it stand up, tossing a complete game in the 7–5 win. The Clouters pasted Cotuit at Keith Field in Game 2, striking in the second once again with an eight-run frame, and riding the strong arm of Dick Smith to the 13–2 victory. The win sent Sagamore to the Cape League title series against the Lower Cape champion Dennis Clippers. Smith twirled a two-hitter in Game 1 of the title tilt, and the Clouters downed the Clippers at Dennis, 7–1. Game 2 was a tight pitcher's duel early, but Sagamore scratched out a 5–3 win to secure its third Cape League championship in six years. Sagamore's 1958 and 1959 teams featured Bill Powers, who earned the Upper Cape Division's Most Valuable Pitcher Award in both seasons. Pena's Clouters reached the championship series again in 1958, but were downed by
Yarmouth Yarmouth may refer to: Places Canada *Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia **Yarmouth, Nova Scotia **Municipality of the District of Yarmouth **Yarmouth (provincial electoral district) **Yarmouth (electoral district) * Yarmouth Township, Ontario *New ...
, then bounced back in 1959 to claim another CCBL championship. Sagamore finished atop the Upper Cape league in both halves of the 1959 regular season, earning a spot in the title series against their familiar foe, Lower Cape champ Orleans. The Clouters jumped ahead in the best-of-three 1959 championship series as Powers went the distance on the mound in the 14–4 Game 1 rout at Keith Field. Sagamore completed the sweep in Game 2 at Eldredge Park, scratching out a 5–3 win to give the Clouters the title. The 1959 series was the Clouters' final championship matchup with longtime foe Orleans, and Sagamore's win evened the score at three titles apiece over the teams' six title tilts in the decade. In a repeat of its 1958 title loss, Sagamore was again downed in the 1960 championship series by Lower Cape champion
Yarmouth Yarmouth may refer to: Places Canada *Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia **Yarmouth, Nova Scotia **Municipality of the District of Yarmouth **Yarmouth (provincial electoral district) **Yarmouth (electoral district) * Yarmouth Township, Ontario *New ...
. The 1962 Clouters featured CCBL Hall of Famer Wayne Granger, who hit .329 with six homers.


Modern era (1963–present)


The 1960s and 1970s

In 1963, the CCBL was reorganized and became officially sanctioned by the NCAA. The league would no longer be characterized by "town teams" who fielded mainly Cape Cod residents, but would now be a formal collegiate league. Teams began to recruit college players and coaches from an increasingly wide geographic radius. The league was originally composed of ten teams, which were divided into Upper Cape and Lower Cape divisions. The Clouters and Canalmen joined Wareham, Falmouth, and Cotuit in the Upper Cape Division. Bourne reached the playoffs in 1963, but was bumped out in the first round by Wareham. In 1964, CCBL Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello became Bourne's 21-year-old player-manager. Lamoriello had played in the Cape League since 1961 with
Harwich Harwich is a town in Essex, England, and one of the Haven ports on the North Sea coast. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the north-east, Ipswich to the north-west, Colchester to the south-west and Clacton-on- ...
and Orleans. His 1964 Bourne club starred CCBL Hall of Famer and league batting champion Harry Nelson, who hit .390 for the season. Sagamore's 1963 team featured future major league all-star Billy Grabarkewitz, but the team finished in last place with only six wins on the season. The two teams from Bourne merged for the 1965 season as the Sagamore Canalmen. The 1965 team was skippered by Lou Lamoriello, now no longer in a player-manager role. Powered by an array of talented ballplayers, including league MVP Ron Bugbee, and CCBL Hall of Famers Dan DeMichele, shortstop Bob Schaefer, and pitcher Noel Kinski, who won 10 games for the team. The 1965 club went 25–9 in the regular season and met Lower Cape champ Chatham in the best-of-five CCBL title series. Kinski got the 4–3 win for Sagamore in Game 1 at
Veteran's Field Veterans Field is a baseball venue in Chatham, Massachusetts, home to the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). The ballpark is located in downtown Chatham along Massachusetts Route 28. Nestled within a natural bowl of embankm ...
, but the Canalmen lost a 16–14 slugfest as the teams combined for nine home runs at cozy Keith Field in Game 2. Kinski was on the mound again on the road for Game 3, and tossed a complete game three-hit gem in the 2–1 Sagamore victory. Chatham again knotted the series with a Game 4 win, setting up the Game 5 finale back in Chatham. Making his first start of the season on the mound, the Canalmen's Bob Ritchie overcame Chatham's four-run first inning to scatter nine hits in a complete game 5–4 win that gave Sagamore the league championship. In 1967, the club reclaimed its former moniker Bourne Canalmen, and the late 1960s saw two more CCBL Hall of Fame players on the team. Former Bourne High School baseball star Jim Prete played several seasons in the CCBL with Bourne and Wareham.
Notre Dame Notre Dame, French for "Our Lady", a title of Mary, mother of Jesus, most commonly refers to: * Notre-Dame de Paris, a cathedral in Paris, France * University of Notre Dame, a university in Indiana, United States ** Notre Dame Fighting Irish, th ...
slugger Dick Licini was league MVP in 1968, leading the league with a .382 batting average. Bourne withdrew from the league for the 1970 season, but was back the following season. 1971 and 1972 saw the return of 1965 Sagamore shortstop Bob Schaefer, now the pilot of the Bourne team. Schaefer's 1972 team featured CCBL Hall of Fame pitcher
John Caneira John Cascaes Caneira (born October 7, 1952) is a retired professional baseball player who played two seasons for the California Angels of Major League Baseball. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Caneira went to Naugatuck High School in Naugatuck, ...
, who racked up 119 strikeouts as the league's Outstanding Pitcher. The team folded after the 1972 season, beginning a 16-year period when Bourne did not field a team in the league.


The 1980s: the Braves are born

In 1988, the Cape League expanded from eight teams to ten, adding the Brewster Whitecaps and Bourne Braves, and forming two new five-team divisions. The drive to secure a team for Bourne was led by CCBL Hall of Famers
Jack Aylmer John Francis Aylmer (January 27, 1934 – July 8, 2018) was an American politician who served in the Massachusetts Senate and later served as President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Early life A native of Barnstable, Massachusetts, Aylmer ...
, president of Bourne's Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a former state senator, and Maritime head baseball coach Bob Corradi. Aylmer had spearheaded the Cape League's addition of an expansion franchise in Hyannis in 1976, and their positions at the Maritime Academy afforded Aylmer and Corradi a similar opportunity in 1988. The Bourne Braves called the Academy's Hendy Field home from 1988 to 1995, when they moved to Coady School Field next to Bourne High School. In their inaugural 1988 season, the Braves were skippered by Maritime Academy assistant coach Jim Watkins. Worcester, Massachusetts native and Dartmouth College product Mark Johnson played for the Braves in 1988 and 1989, and went on to play several seasons in the big leagues. In 1989, just the Braves' second year in the league, Watkins' squad finished the regular season in first place atop the West Division, but was bumped from the playoffs in the West finals by Hyannis. The 1989 Braves starred infielder Bob Rivell, the league's 10th Player Award winner, who led the league with a .358 batting average, and also featured Cape Cod native Jeff Handler of
Harwich Harwich is a town in Essex, England, and one of the Haven ports on the North Sea coast. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the north-east, Ipswich to the north-west, Colchester to the south-west and Clacton-on- ...
, the team's starting third baseman from Eastern Connecticut State University.


The 1990s

Bourne struggled throughout the 1990s, and fan support was low at times. The team made the playoffs only twice, being ousted by Wareham in the West Division finals in both 1997 and 1998. Notable players of the decade included local product Steve Corradi of Sandwich and
UMass-Amherst The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst, UMass) is a public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts and the sole public land-grant university in Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded in 1863 as an agricultural college, it ...
, who was a league all-star for the Braves in 1990, and returned to the Braves in 1991 and 1992. The 1991 Braves featured two future CCBL Hall of Famers: Framingham, Massachusetts native Lou Merloni, and tall righty Bill Wissler, who returned from the 1990 team and was named the league's Outstanding Pitcher in both seasons. Wissler had posted an 8–2 record with a 1.56 ERA in 1990. In 1991, he led the league in innings pitched with 92, and posted a 1.96 ERA with seven complete games and three shutouts. The 1991 squad also featured slugger Bobby Higginson, who went on to an 11-year career with the
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
. Bill Mueller was a Cape League all-star with the 1992 Braves, then went on to win an American League batting title, and was starting third baseman for the World Series champion 2004 Boston Red Sox. 1992 Braves hurler Ron Villone left the team mid-season to play for Team USA at the
1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs Olímpics d'estiu de 1992), officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XXV Olimpiada, ca, Jocs de la XXV Olimpíada) and commonly known as ...
in Barcelona, and 1994 Brave
Mark Kotsay Mark Steven Kotsay (born December 2, 1975) is an American professional baseball manager and former outfielder. He is the manager for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). As a player, Kotsay appeared in 1,914 MLB games for the San ...
won a bronze medal with Team USA at the
1996 Atlanta Olympics The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and commonly referred to as the Centennial Olympic Games) were an international multi-sport event held from July 19 to August 4, 1996, in Atlanta, ...
before going on to a 17-year major league career. Future major league all-stars Brandon Inge and hurler Mark Mulder were CCBL all-stars for the Braves in 1997.


The 2000s and the Braves' first championship

Bourne's 2001 team featured CCBL Hall of Fame reliever Ryan Speier, winner of the league's Outstanding Relief Pitcher Award. Speier set a league record with 16 saves, and allowed only 10 hits, one walk, and one earned run in his 20 innings of relief. The team made the playoffs, but was once again ousted by Wareham. 2003 saw the arrival of CCBL Hall of Fame manager Harvey Shapiro. In his first year with the team, Shapiro led the Braves to their first appearance in the league's championship series, where they were defeated by Orleans. The Braves were led by the microscopic earned run averages of Kyle Schmidt (0.55) and CCBL Hall of Famer Eric Beattie (0.39). Beattie went 4–0 and struck out 51 while walking only six on the season, and was named the league's Outstanding Pitcher. The team again reached the championship series in 2005, but was again shut down by Orleans. In 2006, the Braves moved from Coady Field to a new field constructed behind Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School. The following season, the field was dedicated as " Doran Park" in honor of George Doran, Sr. The 2006 team was powered by future Boston Red Sox slugger Mitch Moreland, who won the league's annual All-Star Game Home Run Derby. In 2009, the Braves finished in first place in the West Division, and featured the league's MVP in CCBL Hall of Famer Kyle Roller, who hit .342 with 33 RBIs and a league-best 10 home runs during the regular season, and Pierre LePage, the spark plug of Shapiro's club, who was the league's 10th Player Award winner. In a year when playoff seedings crossed divisional lines, Bourne faced old nemesis Orleans for the right to advance to the championship series. Game 1 of the semi-final series did not look good for Bourne, as Orleans hurler Jorge Reyes dominated the Braves through eight innings at Doran Park, and took a 2–0 lead into the final frame. But with one out in the ninth, Bourne's Scott Woodward singled, and LePage drew a four-pitch walk that marked the end of Reyes' night. Roller then lined a shot off the shortstop's glove into left field that allowed Woodward to score on a close play at home. LePage scored the game-tying run on a wild pitch, and Stefan Romero belted a long sacrifice fly that brought in Roller from third with the walk-off score. Game 2 at Eldredge Park was not as dramatic. Braves starter Seth Maness set down 10 straight Firebirds to open the game, and Bourne got solo shots from LePage and Roller, going on to shut out Orleans, 8–0, and sweeping its way into the CCBL title series against Cotuit. The championship series opened at Doran Park, with the Braves starting
Alex Wimmers Alex Michael Wimmers (born November 1, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins. He played college baseball at Ohio State. Career Amateur Wimmers attended Archbis ...
on the mound for Game 1. The Braves proceeded to jump all over the Kettleers, scoring seven in the first, and another six in the second, on a total of eight hits and eight walks in the first two frames. Cotuit managed only one run through five innings, but had begun to make noise in the sixth when the game was interrupted multiple times and finally called due to heavy fog, a 15–5 Braves victory. In Game 2 at Lowell Park, LePage again was the spark, belting a two-run single in the third, then stealing second and drawing a throw that allowed Woodward to score from third to put the Braves up, 3–1. Bourne never looked back. Starter Eric Cantrell tossed five plus, then gave way to Logan Billbrough and closer
Kevin Munson Kevin Lee Munson (born January 3, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Before beginning his professional career, Munson attended James Madison University and played college baseball for the James Madison Dukes. He was draft ...
, who shut down the Kettleers' attack. Bourne took it, 5–1, to complete the sweep and earn the Braves' first CCBL title, and the first for a Bourne team since the 1965 Sagamore club. Roller took home playoff MVP honors, having hit .500 with eight RBIs in the postseason.


The 2010s

The Braves reached the playoffs in nine of ten years in the 2010s, advancing to the West Division finals five times. Bourne was back in the title series in 2017, but was downed by
Brewster Brewster may refer to: People * Brewster (surname) *Brewster Kahle (born 1960), American computer technologist *Brewster H. Shaw (born 1945), American astronaut Places * Brewster Park (Enniskillen), Northern Ireland *Brewster (crater), The Moon ...
in a matchup of the two 1988 expansion franchises. Skipper Harvey Shapiro continued to pilot the team throughout the decade, his total years with the Braves surpassing the total of all previous managers combined. In 2010, Bourne featured the league's Outstanding Pro Prospect and Outstanding Relief Pitcher,
Tony Zych Anthony Aaron Zych (; born August 7, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball from 2015 through 2017. Zych is notable as the last player in alphabetical order among a ...
. Zych allowed only two runs while striking out 29 in 20.1 innings, posting an 0.89 ERA with 12 saves, and contributing a shutout inning in the CCBL All-Star Game. Joining Zych on the 2010 staff was the league's Outstanding Pitcher, Grayson Garvin, who went 5–0 with a league-leading 0.74 ERA in 36.2 innings. The Outstanding Pitcher Award went to a Brave for a second consecutive season when Ryan Eades took the 2011 honor. Eades posted a 3–0 record with an 0.84 ERA in 32.1 innings, and was the West Division starting pitcher at the CCBL All-Star Game. Bourne boasted the league MVP twice in the decade, as Travis Jankowski took home the honor in 2011, and Max Pentecost won it in 2013. Jankowski hit .329 and stole 15 bases, and led the league in hits, runs and triples. Pentecost was among the league leaders in all three triple crown categories, finishing with a .346 average, 6 homers and 29 RBIs. Braves hurler Jeff Thompson spun a no-hitter in a rain-shortened six-inning game against
Harwich Harwich is a town in Essex, England, and one of the Haven ports on the North Sea coast. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the north-east, Ipswich to the north-west, Colchester to the south-west and Clacton-on- ...
at Doran Park in 2012, and pitchers Austin Gomber, Josh Laxer, and Ryan Harris teamed up for a combined no-hitter at Cotuit in 2013. Bourne's Spencer Brickhouse was West Division MVP at the 2018 CCBL All-Star Game, going 2-for-2 with a homer, double and two RBI's in the West's 4–3 victory. A pair of Braves hurlers were named co-recipients of the league's Outstanding New England Player Award in 2018, as Justin Lasko of
Stratford, Connecticut Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is situated on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. Stratford is in the Bridgeport–Stamford–Norwalk Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was settled ...
and the University of Massachusetts shared the honor with Methuen, Massachusetts native Jacob Wallace of the University of Connecticut. University of Hartford lefty Nick Dombkowski provided the highlight of the 2019 season when he tossed a perfect game for Bourne in a 5-inning rain-shortened 6–0 win over Yarmouth-Dennis at Doran Park.


The 2020s: Braves claim their second championship

The 2020 CCBL season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Shapiro's 2021 Braves began the season with an 11-game winning streak, followed it up with another 8-game streak later in the season, and finished the regular season in first place atop the West Division, but were downed in the playoff finals by
Brewster Brewster may refer to: People * Brewster (surname) *Brewster Kahle (born 1960), American computer technologist *Brewster H. Shaw (born 1945), American astronaut Places * Brewster Park (Enniskillen), Northern Ireland *Brewster (crater), The Moon ...
. After the 2021 season, Shapiro stepped down as Bourne's manager after 18 seasons. The 2022 Braves were led by first-year pilot Scott Landers and hitting coach and former Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Bourne featured league MVP Matt Shaw, who led the league in batting (.360), and became the first CCBL player in 11 years to hit for the cycle when he accomplished the feat at Hyannis. The Braves finished the regular season in first place atop the West Division, and after disposing of Falmouth and Hyannis in the divisional playoffs, met the Brewster Whitecaps in the CCBL championship series for a second consecutive season. Braves skipper Scott Landers, who had been the pitching coach for Brewster during their 2021 finals victory over Bourne, was now poised to help his new club exact its revenge. In Game 1 at Doran Park, the Braves rode a shutout performance by hurlers Matt Duffy and Seth Keener, and scratched out three runs against strong Brewster pitching to take the opener. On the road for Game 2, Bourne jumped out to an early lead with a four-run first inning and never looked back. Shaw and Ryan Enos added late-game homers to give the Braves a series-clinching 8–1 win to secure the club's second CCBL crown of the modern era. Playoff MVP Bryce Eblin batted .458 in the postseason, and went 4-for-5 in the Game 2 finale.


CCBL Hall of Fame inductees

The CCBL Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and
hall of fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...
honoring past players, coaches, and others who have made outstanding contributions to the CCBL. Below are the inductees who spent all or part of their time in the Cape League with Bourne.


Notable alumni

*
Nick Ahmed Nicholas Mark Ahmed (born March 15, 1990) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). Amateur career Ahmed attended East Longmeadow High School in East Longmeadow, Massachuset ...
2010 * Keegan Akin 2015 * Pete Alonso 2015 *
R.J. Alvarez Roy Emilio Alvarez (born June 8, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics and New York Mets. Career Alvarez atten ...
2010–2011 * Brian Anderson 2001 * Harrison Bader 2014 * Bryan Baker 2015 *
Brandon Bantz Brandon Bantz (born January 7, 1987) is an American former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners. A native of Arlington, Texas, Bantz attended Mansfield High School where he was teammate ...
2008 * Mike Bell 1993 * Travis Bergen 2014 * Vic Black 2008 * Joe Blanton 2001 * Brennan Boesch 2005 *
Ryan Boldt Ryan Andrew Boldt (born November 22, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He previously played college baseball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and played professionally f ...
2015 * Justin Bour 2008 * Alec Burleson 2019 * Daniel Cabrera 2018 *
John Caneira John Cascaes Caneira (born October 7, 1952) is a retired professional baseball player who played two seasons for the California Angels of Major League Baseball. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Caneira went to Naugatuck High School in Naugatuck, ...
1972 * Chris Capuano 1999 * Andrew Carignan 2005–2006 *
Tim Cate Timothy Alexander Cate (born September 30, 1997 in Manchester, Connecticut) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Washington Nationals organization. Cate pitched in college for the University of Connecticut Connecticut Huskies baseb ...
2017 * C. J. Chatham 2015 * Billy Cleary 1956–1958 * Bobby Cleary 1956–1958 *
Jason Coats Jason Leavell Coats (born February 24, 1990) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox. Career Amateur Coats played college baseball at Texas Christian Univer ...
2010 *
Dusty Coleman Dustin Michael Coleman (born April 20, 1987) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres. Amateur career Born in Sioux Falls, South Da ...
2008 *
Dylan Coleman Dylan David Coleman (born September 16, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021. Amateur career Coleman attended Potosi High School in Potosi, Mi ...
2017 *
Reggie Crawford Reginald David Crawford (born December 4, 2000) is an American baseball pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. He was drafted in the first round, 30th overall, by the Giants in the 2022 MLB draft. High school Crawford grew up in Frackvi ...
2021 *
Michael Crotta Michael John Crotta (born September 25, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NP ...
2005 * Ryan Cusick 2019 * Bob "Red" Daughters 1934–1935 * Henry Davis 2019 * Greg Deichmann 2016 * David DeJesus 1998 * Jason Delay 2015 * Mark DeRosa 1995 * John Dockery 1965 * Ryan Eades 2011 *
Jeremy Eierman Jeremy Austin Eierman (born September 10, 1996) is an American professional baseball shortstop in the Oakland Athletics organization. He played college baseball for the Missouri State Bears. Amateur career Eierman attended Warsaw High School in ...
2016–2017 *
Jud Fabian Judson Edward Fabian (born September 27, 2000) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Amateur career Fabian attended Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Florida, where he played baseball. In ...
2019 * Kyle Farmer 2011 *
Ryan Feltner Ryan Donald Feltner (born September 2, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021. Amateur career Feltner attended Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahog ...
2017 *
Joe Ferris Joe Ferris was an American college baseball pitcher who won the 1964 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award while a sophomore at University of Maine. He is the only player from University of Maine to win that award. In 1964, he playe ...
1964 *
Paco Figueroa Francisco "Paco" Figueroa (born February 19, 1983) is an American former professional baseball second baseman and current coach. He is the first base, outfield, and base running coach for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). ...
2004 *
Foxy Flumere Emanuel A. "Foxy" Flumere (June 17, 1912 – September 20, 1990) was an American football, basketball, and baseball coach. He served as the head football coach at Northeastern University in 1942, compiling a record of 0–5–1. Flumere was also ...
1939 * Eddie Gaillard 1991 *
Herb Gallagher Herbert Wendell Gallagher (January 30, 1911 – October 25, 1992) was an American ice hockey and baseball coach and college athletics administrator. He served two stints as the head ice hockey coach at Northeastern University, from 1936 to 1942 ...
1939 * Grayson Garvin 2010 * Jeremy Giambi 1994 * Austin Gomber 2013 * Billy Grabarkewitz 1963 * Wayne Granger 1962 * Chad Green 2011–2012 *
Justin Grimm Justin Scott Grimm (born August 16, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers ...
2008 * Ben Guez 2007 * Jerry Hairston Jr. 1996 * Mitch Harris 2007 *
Thomas Hatch John Thomas Hatch (born September 29, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Career Amateur Hatch attended Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma. As a junior, he went 7–2 wi ...
2014 * Jimmy Herget 2014 * Bobby Higginson 1991 *
Bryan Hoeing Bryan Jerome Hoeing (born October 19, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022. Amateur career Hoeing attended Batesville High School in Batesville, I ...
2017–2018 *
J.P. Howell James Phillip Howell (born April 25, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays. Career A ...
2002 * Jed Hoyer 1995 *
Tim Hummel Timothy Robert Hummel (born November 18, 1978 in Goshen, New York) is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Cincinnati Reds in and . He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2nd round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Dr ...
1998 * Brandon Inge 1997 *
Joe Inglett Joseph Steven Inglett (born June 29, 1978) is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 2006 and 2011 for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Houston Astr ...
1999 * Conor Jackson 2001 * Travis Jankowski 2010–2011 * Mark P. Johnson 1988–1989 * Tommy Kahnle 2010 * Ryan Kellogg 2013 * Grae Kessinger 2018 *
Mark Kotsay Mark Steven Kotsay (born December 2, 1975) is an American professional baseball manager and former outfielder. He is the manager for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). As a player, Kotsay appeared in 1,914 MLB games for the San ...
1994 * Marc Krauss 2008 *
Tommy La Stella Thomas Frank La Stella (born January 31, 1989), nicknamed TL and 3 AM, is an American Infielder, professional baseball infielder in the San Francisco Giants organization. He previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Ang ...
2010 * Lou Lamoriello 1964 * Brad Lincoln 2005 * Jacob Lindgren 2013 *
Brendon Little Brendon David Little (born August 11, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cubs in 2022. Amateur career Little graduated from Conestoga High School i ...
2016 * Jaron Long 2012 *
Vimael Machín Vimael Machín (born September 25, 1993) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder for the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics. Career Amateur Machín atte ...
2014 *
David MacKinnon David MacKinnon (born December 15, 1994) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels and Oak ...
2016 * Seth Maness 2009 * Jake Mangum 2017 *
Richie Martin Richard Allen Martin (born December 22, 1994) is an American professional baseball shortstop who is a free agent. He attended the University of Florida and played college baseball for the Florida Gators before the Oakland Athletics selected h ...
2014 * Justin Maxwell 2003 *
Mike Mayers Michael Christopher Mayers (born December 6, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Kansas City Royals organization. He previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels. Amateur career Mayers attended Gr ...
2012 *
L. J. Mazzilli Lee Louis Mazzilli, Jr. (born September 6, 1990), known as L. J. Mazzilli, is an American former professional baseball second baseman and shortstop. Prior to playing professionally, he played for the University of Connecticut. He is the son of ...
2012 * John McDonald 1995 * Brendan McKay 2015 *
Mark McLemore Mark Tremell McLemore (born October 4, 1964) is an American former professional baseball second baseman and utility player in Major League Baseball (MLB). Early years McLemore grew up in Southeast San Diego, where he went to Samuel F. B. Morse ...
2001 * Lou Merloni 1991 * D. J. Mitchell 2007 * Gabe Molina 1994 *
Freddie Moncewicz Frederick Alfred Moncewicz (September 1, 1903 – April 23, 1969) was an American professional baseball player. He played three games in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox in . Listed at . 175 lb., Moncewicz batted and threw right ...
1934–1935 * Colin Moran 2011–2012 * Mitch Moreland 2006–2007 * Robert Morey 2009 * Mike Morin 2010 *
Cody Morissette Cody Hodsdon Morissette (born January 16, 2000) is an American professional baseball second baseman in the Miami Marlins organization. Early life and amateur career Morissette grew up in Exeter, New Hampshire, and attended Exeter High School, w ...
2019 * Bill Mueller 1992 * Mark Mulder 1997 *
Kevin Munson Kevin Lee Munson (born January 3, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Before beginning his professional career, Munson attended James Madison University and played college baseball for the James Madison Dukes. He was draft ...
2009 *
Scott Oberg Scott Michael Oberg (born March 13, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He currently serves as a special assistant to baseball operations for the Colorado Rockies. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 5 seasons wit ...
2009 * Peter O'Brien 2010 *
R. C. Orlan Robert Charles Orlan (born September 28, 1990) is a left-handed-throwing, right-handed batting professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. In high school in Virginia, he was All-District as a pitcher as a junior, All-State as a u ...
2010 * Micah Owings 2004 *
Richie Palacios Richard Jordan Palacios (born May 16, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder and second baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Guardians and St. Louis Cardin ...
2017 *
Robb Paller Robert Paller (born May 21, 1993) is an American-Israeli professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. On the international level, he represents the Israel national baseball team. He played college baseball for the Columbia Lions baseba ...
2015 * Blake Parker 2005 * Jordan Patterson 2012 * Max Pentecost 2013 * Tony Plansky 1933–1939 * Justin Pope 2000 *
Hugh Quattlebaum Hugh Quattlebaum (born June 26, 1978) is an American former baseball infielder who served as hitting coach for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2021. Playing career A native of Methuen, Massachusetts, Quattlebaum attended Amher ...
1999 * Luke Raley 2014 *
Chris Ray Christopher Thomas Ray (born January 12, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners. Early life ...
2002 *
Dan Reichert Daniel Robert Reichert (; born July 12, 1976) is a retired professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays. Reichert pitched at Turlock High School in Turlock, California, a ...
1995–1996 *
Jack Reinheimer John Patrick Reinheimer (born July 19, 1992) is an American professional baseball shortstop who is a free agent. He played college baseball at East Carolina University and played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and New ...
2012 *
Greg Reynolds Gregory Adam Reynolds (born July 3, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Colorado Rockies and the Cincinnati Reds. Amateur career Reynolds was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies ...
2004–2005 *
Jacob Robson Jacob Charles Robson (born November 20, 1994) is a Canadian former professional baseball outfielder. The Detroit Tigers selected Robson in the eighth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut for the team in 2021. Care ...
2015 *
Josh Rogers Joshua Cole Rogers (born July 10, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Colorado Rockies organization. He has previously played in MLB for the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. Career Amateur Rogers attended Ne ...
2014–2015 * Kyle Roller 2008–2009 * Stefen Romero 2009 *
Dalton Rushing Below is a partial list of Minor League Baseball players in the Los Angeles Dodgers system. Players Drew Avans Drew Avans (born June 13, 1996) is an American professional baseball Outfielder in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Avans w ...
2021 * Josh Satin 2007 * Warren Sawkiw 1988–1989 * Bob Schaefer 1965 *
Cody Sedlock Cody Austin Sedlock (born June 19, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles. Amateur career Sedlock attended Alleman High School in ...
2015 *
Rob Segedin Robert Mitchell Segedin (born November 10, 1988) is an American former professional baseball player. He played first base, third base and outfield in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 and 2017. Career Amateur Seged ...
2009 * Brian Serven 2014 * Travis Shaw 2010 *
Joe Simokaitis Joe Simokaitis (born December 27, 1982) is an American college baseball coach and former professional baseball shortstop. After playing with the Cornhuskers, Simokaitis played for four years in the Chicago Cubs system. He retired in 2010 and ret ...
2004 *
Eric Skoglund Eric Lawrence Skoglund (born October 26, 1992) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals from 2017 to 2019. Playing career Amateur Skoglund attended Sarasota High Scho ...
2013 * Greg Smith 2004 * Tommy Smith 1969 *
Nick Solak Nicholas Blake Solak (born January 11, 1995) is an American professional baseball second baseman and outfielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves. ...
2015 * Andrew Sopko 2014 * Ryan Speier 2001 *
Ryne Stanek Ryne Thomas Stanek (born July 26, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He attended the University of Arkansas, where he played for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team. He was ...
2011 *
Mickey Storey Mickey Charles Storey (born March 16, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current manager of the Houston Astros' Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. He has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for th ...
2006–2007 * Joe Thatcher 2003 * Jared Theodorakos 2002 * Matt Tolbert 2003–2004 * Devon Travis 2010 * Robert Tyler 2015 * Ron Villone 1992 * Cayden Wallace 2021 * Andrew Wantz 2016 * Robbie Widlansky 2005 *
Alika Williams Alexander David Williams (born March 12, 1999) is an American professional baseball shortstop in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Amateur career Williams attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California, where he played baseba ...
2018–2019 * Gavin Williams 2018 *
Alex Wimmers Alex Michael Wimmers (born November 1, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins. He played college baseball at Ohio State. Career Amateur Wimmers attended Archbis ...
2009 * Connor Wong 2016 *
Austin Wynns Robert Austin Wynns, nicknamed Winnie (born December 10, 1990) is an American professional baseball catcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. He played college baseball at Fresno State University. He was drafted by the Baltimore Or ...
2012 * Kevin Youkilis 2000 *
Tony Zych Anthony Aaron Zych (; born August 7, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball from 2015 through 2017. Zych is notable as the last player in alphabetical order among a ...
2010


Yearly results


Results by season, 1933–1939

* During the CCBL's 1923–1939 era, postseason playoffs were a rarity. In most years, the regular season pennant winner was simply crowned as the league champion.
However, there were four years in which the league split its regular season and crowned separate champions for the first (A) and second (B) halves. In two of those
seasons (1936 and 1939), a single team won both halves and was declared overall champion. In the other two split seasons (1933 and 1935), a postseason
playoff series was contested between the two half-season champions to determine the overall champion.
In 1933, Bourne joined the league mid-season after Provincetown withdrew.


Results by season, 1946–1962

* Regular seasons split into first and second halves are designated as (A) and (B).


Results by season, 1963–1972


Results by season, 1988–present


League award winners

(*) - Indicates co-recipient


All-Star Game selections

''Italics'' - Indicates All-Star Game Home Run Hitting Contest participant


No-hit games


Managerial history

(*) - Season count excludes 2020 CCBL season cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic.


See also

* Bourne Braves players


References


External links


Rosters


2000











































Other links


Bourne Braves official siteCCBL Home Page
{{Massachusetts Sports Cape Cod Baseball League teams Amateur baseball teams in Massachusetts Bourne, Massachusetts