Cape Cod League All Star Game- Video Highlights & Interviews

For the first time in 22 years, the Cape Cod Baseball League played their annual All Star game at Fenway Park. The Cape League is known as one of the premier collegiate summer leagues and has been playing top notch baseball for an unbelievable 114 years!

The Cape League is basically a league of all stars as it draws the best collegiate players from throughout the country. When you then form an all star game from this group, it's the cream of the crop.

I arrived in Boston that morning and while the weather was not perfect (cold, rainy), it was great to get in the park early, watch batting practice and mingle with the pro scouts and reporters in attendance. Hall of Fame reporter Peter Gammons was holding court and talking baseball with scouts on the field and players posed for pictures all around historic Fenway Park.

Down on the field I was able to spend some time with Lou Merloni, former Red Sox infielder who was the Honorary Captain of the West Division all star squad. It was great talking with Lou, who was nice enough to take a few minutes to talk baseball with me.

The Cape League attracts the best of the best in college baseball and has a long list of alumni who have gone on to play in the big leagues. These players were extremely excited to get the opportunity to play at Fenway Park. The energy among the players was unreal.

Here's an interview with Jedd Gyorko from West Virginia University and Brewster Whitecaps:

Brian Fletcher from Auburn University and Falmouth Commodores:

Noah Scott (Cotuit Ketteleers assistant coach) from the West Division:

After batting practice, it was the Home Run Derby..... You'll notice that I was lucky to be on the field at Fenway and see the HR Derby from up close.

Six contestants- Jedd Gyorko from West Virginia University and Brewster Whitecaps, Brett Eibner from University of Arkansas and Wareham Gatemen, Harold Martinez from University of Miami and Brewster Whitecaps, Hunter Morris from Auburn University and Brewster Whitecaps, Connor Powers from Mississippi State and Harwich Mariners and Cameron Rupp from University of Texas and Cotuit Ketteleers.

Here is some on field video highlights from each contestant:

Jedd Gyorko from West Virginia University and Brewster Whitecaps:

Cameron Rupp from University of Texas and Cotuit Ketteleers:

Brett Eibner from University of Arkansas and Wareham Gatemen:

Connor Powers from Mississippi State and Harwich Mariners:

Harold Martinez from University of Miami and Brewster Whitecaps:

Hunter Morris from Auburn University and Brewster Whitecaps:

After the first round of the Home Run Derby, it was Connor Powers and Cameron Rupp moving on to the finals. Both guys put on quite a show in first round, especially considering it was raining, cold and the wind was blowing in at Fenway Park. Both powerful right handed hitters also found out quickly that the Green Monster in left will knock down some very well hit balls.

as the HR Derby finals began, I spoke with Cameron Rupp:

Here are the video highlights of the Home Run Derby Finals:
Cameron Rupp from University of Texas and Cotuit Ketteleers (HR Derby Finals):

Connor Powers from Mississippi State and Harwich Mariners (HR Derby Finals):

The winner of the Cape Cod League All Star Game Home Run Derby is... Connor Powers from Mississippi State and Harwich Mariners. Congrats to Connor and all the contestants. It was quite a show!

It was now time for the main event, the Cape Cod League All Star Game. In front an impressive crowd of 14,317 (in the rain), it was the West Division, led by impressive pitching from Brandon Workman (Wareham, Univ of Texas), Jack Armstrong (Wareham, Vanderbilt), Eric Pfisterer (Wareham, Duke), and Stephen Harrold (Bourne, UNC Wilmington) who combined to surrender only one hit and no runs over the four-and-a-half inning game.

While the game was rain shortened, there was no shortage of talent on the field. Zach Cox (Cotuit, Univ of Arkansas) earned MVP Honors. Cox finished the night two for two with a triple and two runs batted in. “It’s a great experience (playing at Fenway),” said the MVP Cox, “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I just wanted to make the most of it.”

The rain could not stop the fun and great play provided by the Cape Cod League All Stars. Many thanks to the Cape Cod Baseball League and the Boston Red Sox for putting on a great event.

Remember the names you just read and the videos you just watched because there's a strong chance that you'll be watching many of these guys in MLB uniforms in the future.