Jack Piatt
Daily Egyptian
The Cape Cod Baseball League has showcased some of the best talent in baseball since 1885. This pays a great compliment to two of SIU's own, pitching coach Ty Neal and outfielder Sal Frisella.
Neal and Frisella traveled to Cape Cod in the beginning of June and will play an average six games a week until the beginning of August.
The two were welcomed by host families they will stay with throughout the summer.
Barbara Elsworth has been hosting players and coaches since 1978. Neal is staying with her this summer.
Elsworth said SIU baseball head coach Dan Callahan sends the right players and coaches to the league.
"Coach Callahan is earning respect in this league for his judgment," Elsworth said.
Elsworth hosted Callahan in 1987-88 when he coached in Cape Cod.
"It was a thrill to coach in the league," Callahan said. "I am excited for our guys. It is a great experience and prelude to professional baseball."
Neal is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio where he was a pitcher for the Redhawks. He is entering his third year here at SIU as an assistant coach. Neal is the pitching coach for the Yarmouth-Dennis Redsox, currently in third place in their division.
Six players that competed in the College World Series are on Neal's team.
"Day in and day out you see the No. 1 pitchers and hitters from teams across the nation," Neal said. "It is a great experience and exposure."
Frisella, a senior on the Salukis, led the Cape Cod League in hitting the first two weeks of play. He is on the Falmouth Commodores.
"The league is known for the pitching you face," Frisella said. "These pitchers don't make mistakes."
The host family he stays with is made up of a mother and her two sons.
Frisella said he has never been a big brother, but he takes on that role with the two boys.
Playing in the league is exciting for Frisella, who describes the old high school fields they play on as nostalgic.
"Cape is a pinnacle you want to reach," Frisella said.
One out of six current professional baseball players have played in the Cape Cod league on one of the 10 franchise teams, according to CCBL statistics.
In 2001, 184 former Cape Leaguers played in the Major Leagues. Among those players were stars such as Frank Thomas, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Tino Martinez, Mo Vaughn, Todd Helton and Nomar Garciaparra.
The Cape League had 30 players from 2000-01 in the top 50 of Baseball America's College Prospects. The league is considered the premiere summer league in the nation with plenty of fans and scouts watching the games.
"The competition doesn't get better," Callahan said.
The Cape League experienced national attention with the Warner Bros. film "Summer Catch" which starred Freddie Prinz Jr. swinging the bat as a Cape Leaguer who falls in love with a local girl.
The league is a great opportunity for aspiring baseball players to gain the competitive experience needed to reach the next level.
Cape Cod has a long tradition of summer league baseball by the beach and will likely continue to host some of the best players across the nation year after year.
"If you enjoy the game of baseball and the sound of wood, this is the best place to be," Neal said.
Reporter Jack Piatt can be reached at jpiatt@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
