2012 broadcaster Sam Levitt had the chance to ask Vanderbilt’s Anthony Gomez a few questions about his college season and this upcoming summer. Gomez was a member of the 2011 Firebirds and will be returning for his second season with the team in June. The junior infielder currently leads the Commodores in batting average (.357), hits (74), and RBI (45).

Q: Fill us in on what you have been up to this offseason! How has your college season at Vanderbilt gone thus far?

Anthony Gomez: Well, our college season down here at Vanderbilt got off to a rocky start but we finally got ourselves over the .500 mark going into the last SEC series of the year. We are looking to make the best of our time at the SEC Tournament and hopefully carry that into a NCAA Tournament Regional bid.

Q: How much do you think having the experience of last season will help you on the Cape in 2012?

AG: Since the Cape is the most well-known college summer league in the country, I was pretty nervous about how I’d fair up there. With a year under my belt, I know what to expect and I can enjoy my time up there with the rest of the Firebirds, including a few of my Vandy teammates.

Q: What have you missed most about Cape Cod since leaving and what are you most looking forward to in your second season?

AG: My host family (Mary, Will, TJ, and Justin) was amazing last summer and I had a great time with them. I plan to stay with them again and enjoy the new ice cream shop that should be opening soon.

Q: What have been some of the keys to your success at the plate this spring as you continue to lead the Commodores in batting average?

AG: The biggest key to my success as the plate has been the support I’ve had around me in the lineup. When the guys in front of you get on base and the guys behind you are constant homerun threats, hitting becomes a whole lot easier.

Q: With your experience, what would be the greatest piece of advice you could offer a fellow position player if they are playing in the Cape Cod League for the first time?

AG: Enjoy every minute you have up in the Cape because the summer goes fast. Take the time to make new friends and don’t press yourself to be successful on the field. The more fun you have, the better you end up doing.

Orleans Firebirds Looking to a Big Season and a Playoff Run!

Coach Kelly Nicholson, the coaching staff, and the players are looking forward to another successful regular season. After dropping two successive playoff series to Y-D, the Firebirds are more determined then ever to go deep into the 2012 Playoffs and win their third CCBL Championship since 2000.

Coach Nicholson and his staff have assembled a talented team of Firebirds veterans and new players with the ability to perform with enthusiasm, energy, and determination.  The Firebirds will work together on and off of the field and create lifelong friendships with their teammates, host families and fans.  

The returning veterans are hungry for the season and going all the way to the CCBL Championship. Jake Hernandez from the University of Southern California; Trevor Gott from the University of Kentucky; Anthony Gomez from Vanderbilt University; Reed Gragnani from the University of Virginia; and Kyle Hunter from Dartmouth University will return to the Firebirds.  Trevor was the league leader in saves last season.  Jake Hernandez whose 2011 was shortened by injury will return after a good college season.  Anthony “Go-Go” Gomez, Reed Gragnani and Kyle Hunter will bring another year of college baseball experience to add to their CCBL background.

2012 newcomers include J.T. Riddle from the University of Kentucky who is solid both defensively and offensively; Dominic Ficociello, is a powerhouse first baseman from the University of Arkansas;  Jay Gonzalez from Auburn University is a reliable player in the outfield and at the plate; Stony Brook University’s Brandon McNitt followed a strong freshman season with strong pitching in relief this Spring; Matt Troup from the University of Arizona has had a very successful freshman season; and highly talented pitcher Trevor Williams from Arizona State University will start the season with the Firebirds and then join Team U.S.A.

             The Orleans Firebirds roster is drawn from the best collegiate baseball programs across the country.  The players have been chosen by Kelly Nicholson based on their talent, potential and personal character.  Playing in the CCBL is a unique opportunity for each young athlete looking to build his baseball credentials and pursue a professional baseball career.  Orleans Firebirds fans are looking forward to welcoming these young men to Orleans and what promises to be an exciting Summer of topflight baseball competition.

Written by Kelli Means

2012 broadcaster Sam Levitt had the chance to speak with Kelly Nicholson and ask him a few questions about his offseason, the upcoming season, and why fans should come out to Eldredge Park this summer.  

Q: What are some of the things you do in the offseason in California to prepare for the season and summer on the Cape?

Kelly Nicholson: Our recruiting for this team in 2012 was pretty much finished by October of last year. We are already kind of bearing down on guys for the summer of 2013. My busy time is really during the summer when our season is going on, and after our summer is over. That is when we are following guys in their various summer leagues, and that’s when you get calls from coaches, scouts, and whomever. Then, we compile a list, talk about guys and try to make decisions on everybody. Once we kind of fill up our roster, then it ‘s just a matter of following guys and seeing how they are doing, while getting reads on guys for the following summer. It’s kind of a never-ending process. It’s fun and exciting, but it’s kind of non-stop.

Q: Do you ever get to go see any of the players on the upcoming season’s roster before the summer?

KN: I do. I live in Los Angeles so I’m obviously close to USC, UCLA, Loyola, Pepperdine, and Long Beach. If a guy is coming in to town, I’ll normally try to at least introduce myself and say hello, and if I can watch him play I’ll do that as well. I don’t always get an opportunity to go see everybody, but I try to at least say hello when I have an opportunity.

Q: What are you most excited for this upcoming season with this particular roster of players?

KN: I’m excited to get the season underway and see this new group of kids play. I’m excited that we have hopefully a couple of returners. Trevor Gott (Kentucky) was with us last summer, as was Anthony Gomez who is having a big year at Vanderbilt. Reed Gragnani (Virginia) did a solid job for us last year, and then Jake Hernandez (USC) caught for us a little bit before leaving early because he had some injury problems. It’s going to be nice to have some familiar faces back on the Cape, and then to have some new faces is always an exciting thing. We’re pretty excited to have Dominic Ficociello (Arkansas) who played for Team USA last summer, and when you can get a kid of that caliber, you’re pretty excited to watch him play. It’s a new summer, a new group of guys, and I’m just looking forward to watching them play.

Q: Are you looking for improvement in any particular facet of the game this season?

KN: Everybody can get better whether you are a player or a coach; we all want to get better. If Gragnani, Gomez, Gott, and Hernandez come back to Orleans and have the kind of performances they did last summer, we would be really happy. Those kids did a really good job on the field and off the field, and that’s why they got invited back. They’re good players and outstanding young men. We would like to get better in all aspects. We’d like to pitch a little bit better, swing the bats better, and always play solid defense. We are always looking for that perfect game where it all comes together.

Q: What’s the #1 thing you miss about the Cape in the offseason?

KN: The people and relationships I have with the players and coaches. Being with Benny Craig and Jason Brown day in and day out for an entire summer really means a lot to me. I’ve been doing this for a long time and it’s really nice to win championships, but the relationships are the things that last. Those are the things that I’m going to take away from the Cape, always remember, and I’ll always be most proud of the friendships that I’ve developed and the players that have passed through Orleans. I’ll be ever indebted to Sue Horton, who gave me an opportunity to manage in 2005.

Q: What’s the #1 reason fans should come out to Eldredge Park for every game this summer?

KN: I think people go to Eldredge Park and to all the other teams on the Cape because they know that the kids they are watching will be in the big leagues one day. When they do see them on TV and in the big leagues, they can say: “I saw them at Eldredge Park.” I think that’s pretty exciting. The fans can interact with everybody on the field afterwards, have nice conversations with the players, take pictures with them, and get autographs. I think that’s the beauty of the Cape. It’s amateur baseball at its finest, super pure, and highly competitive. They are the best college players in the best summer league in the country, and I think that’s pretty exciting to the people who come and watch Cape League games.

Each year the Firebirds hire a group of interns that help the organization and Cape Cod Baseball League be as successful as it is
today. Many of the interns come from all around the country and have trouble finding accommodation. If you know of any possible leads for accommodation in the Orleans area, please let us know and email us at
moc.liamgnull@nnamlhurnairb. Thank you and the season will be here before you know it!

By Katy Fitzpatrick
CCBL Staff

When you’re looking at Cape League rosters, it’s not very often you come across a local kid from New England.  It’s even rarer to see that local kid break into the big leagues.  But for Milton, Mass., native and former Orleans Firebird Alex Hassan (Duke) he’s proving local talent has what it takes to be successful after his first couple weeks with the Pawtucket Red Sox.  “I got my first invite to MLB spring training this year and it was really exciting,” Hassan said.  “I learned a lot from the staff and players and got some good work in down there.”  Hassan, who currently plays outfield for the PawSox, played in the Cape League for Orleans in 2008 and briefly in 2009, before signing a contract with the Boston Red Sox. He’s made his way up through the organization, and after a stellar year in 2011 with the AA Portland Sea Dogs, he got promoted to AAA and is one step closer to the big leagues.  “No matter where you’re coming from, playing in this organization is a huge honor,” Hassan said.  “They treat their players very well.  It’s exciting for my family and friends because I’m from the area and it’s exciting for me because it’s a great staff.” 

Hassan was equally as excited when he learned four years ago that he would be playing in the Cape League.  He said growing up as a kid, he used to attend the games and he knew about the good reputation the league had before he suited up in an Orleans uniform for the first time.  For most, the Cape League proves to be a valuable learning tool for college players because it helps them get used to playing baseball everyday. And for Hassan, his first season in 2008 was a humbling experience.  “My first summer, I really struggled for the first time ever and it taught me a lot about handling failure,” he said.  “I don’t think I would be playing professional baseball had I not played in Cape Cod.”  2009 marked a much more productive summer on the Cape for Hassan.  Prior to arriving in Orleans, he was selected as a 20th round pick for the Red Sox in the 2009 MLB Player Draft as a pitcher.   Not only did he lead Orleans in saves that season, but he also led the team in RBI’s and provided solid defense in the outfield when needed. He boasted 33 hits, 19 runs and a 1.18 ERA in 2009.  It was this versatility that led to a contract signing with the Red Sox at the end of July, cutting his Cape League season short.

Hassan has always been a Red Sox fan. He loved the team so much, in fact, that his parents helped him construct a mini Fenway Park, complete with a Green Monster and Citgo Sign, in the backyard of his Boston suburb home just 12 miles away from the real park.  Growing up, there was no doubting what he wanted to do.  “Playing baseball is always something I’ve enjoyed doing,” said Hassan.  “I’ve always wanted to be a baseball player.  I can’t even pinpoint one experience that made me feel this way.  It’s something I’ve always wanted.”  But you rarely hear success stories of local guys getting a chance to play in the big leagues, let alone for the teams they grew up idolizing.  Lou Merloni, Rocco Baldelli and Rich Hill are just a few names out of hundreds that have played for the Red Sox in the past decade and before that there were players like Tony Conigliaro, Wilbur Wood and Rich Gedman.   So what is it about this region that leaves baseball players few and far between?  “Well number one, there are just not as many people playing baseball period,” said Hassan.  “And number two, the climate is a lot colder, which makes it tougher to play all-year around.  There are good players from the northeast, there’s just not as many of them.”  Hassan hopes to join the ranks of the local player success stories, and so far he is off to a decent start. While he’s still looking to hit his stride at the plate and he’s only batting .179, he has still managed to drive in two runs.  His great awareness of the strike zone and patience at the plate have earned him nine walks. Defensively, his accurate and strong arm in the outfield has helped the PawSox big time with run prevention.   While Hassan is making progress achieving the Major League dream and proving himself on the professional baseball circuit, he knows he’s a work in progress.  “I will be working on my overall game,” said Hassan.  “There’s not one specific thing overall.  I need to work on every area of my game so eventually I become a well-rounded player.  That will serve me best.”
-ccbl-

Click Here for a video interview with Alex talking about his return to Pawtucket this season.

Orleans alum LHP Everett Teaford from the 2005 Championship team with Coach Nicholson in Anaheim.  Another “Bird” who’s made it to the big leagues.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ed Mooney.  Ed was the voice of the “Cardinals” for many years and the announcers booth will always be “Ed Mooney’s Birds Nest”.

Ed Mooney
1923-2012
The Voice of the Orleans Cardinals

Thursday, April 5th, 2012 was celebrated as MLB Opening Day by baseball fans, but it was tinged with sadness locally as Orleans and the Cape League lost the legendary Ed Mooney.

Ed was the epitome of a self-made man. During World War II, he served in Europe as a motor pool dispatcher with the 3626th Quartermasters’ Trucking Company (Easy Company, or the Red Ball Express), later writing an account of his experiences in his memoir Too Far Back To Get Shot At, a chapter of which was included in Tom Brokaw’s An Album of Memories. After the war, Ed built a career in marketing, sales, advertising, lecturing, writing and publishing, eventually starting his own successful publishing business after holding positions with national companies. In 1982, he was recognized with a degree from the University of Hard Knocks, an honorary society (sponsored by Alderson-Broaddus College in Phillippi, WV) with a mission to recognize people who have made a success of their life without the benefit of higher education.

After his retirement in 1986, Ed brought his considerable communication skills to the Orleans Cardinals, where he was the home game announcer for 18 years. He named the original announcer’s booth “The Bird’s Nest” not just for the Cardinals, but because it really did have birds nesting in the eaves where chicken wire allowed for ventilation. The new press box, built in 2003, was officially dedicated as “Ed Mooney’s Bird’s Nest” in his honor. Ed coined the phrase “Where the stars of tomorrow shine tonight” to aptly describe the Cape League, and the slogan is still in use today. As the author and publisher of the team’s media guide until 1994, Ed set the standard for the league, using the booklet as a fundraising tool and as an effective means to educate fans about the league, building support for and pride in the local team and its volunteer organization. In 2004, the Cape League Hall of Fame honored Ed with its Fred Ebbett Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ed was at his best with the microphone in his hand, announcing games in a professional yet warm, humorous and homespun manner. He’d compliment an opposing player on a fine defensive play, and then follow with a cautionary “Don’t do it again!” The lucky fan who won a raffle would be congratulated with, “The party’s at your house tonight!” When fellow volunteer Bud Baldwin set up his organ on the clubhouse deck and Ed had to compete with him for between-inning time, Ed nicknamed Bud “Nine Fingers” which the fans loved, although Bud was not amused. Once, during John Castleberry’s tenure as Field Manager, a player named Dave Schoppe (Oregon State) expressed a wish to play every position during a single game. Coach Castleberry agreed, and Ed and official scorer Dave Mitchell were notified. Each inning, as Schoppe changed positions, Ed came up with different adjectives for him – talented, versatile, multifaceted, stalwart, ubiquitous – on and on, while Dave’s scoresheet looked more like a wiring diagram, earning him the wrath of the league’s statistician, the late John Wylde: “This is not funny!” But the fans, as always, enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

Adjectives for Ed Mooney? All of the above, plus incomparable, unforgettable, and irreplaceable.

with thanks to the Mooney Family, Tom Yankus, John Castleberry, and Gillian Drake

The Firebirds on-line store is now open for business.  It’s easier now than ever to get your Firebirds Hats, T-Shirts, and Hoodies.  Just click on the ORDER ONLINE link to get to the STORE and shop away.  All items are available in both Adult and Youth sizes.

    The future Firebirds players are well underway with their college baseball season preparing for a big summer in Orleans. The Firebirds organization is also looking for another big summer under our newly assembled intern team. This summer’s intern team is made up of a group of highly qualified students looking to make a large impact on the organization, and further their development in their given area of expertise. The Firebirds pride themselves on giving responsibility and freedom to the interns to help out Firebirds Nation in as many ways as possible.
    Our Broadcasting team will be announcing every game this season and hopefully calling the championship series also. Our team consists of Sam Levitt from Northwestern, Kevin Fitzgerald from Syracuse Univeristy, and Suzi Mellano from Texas Christian University.
    Our intern group which plans to make large leaps in the area of media includes Scott Yogodzinski from Gonzaga, Kelli Means from Texas Women’s University, Jade Goodenow from College of Charleston, Kerrie Borque from Fairfeld University, Annie Lagasse from Saint Joseph’s University, Michael Breen from Marquette University, and Nathan Garran from Nauset Regional High School.
    We will be receiving some much appreciated help in the pre and post game duties from our new Junior Intern group this summer. The Junior Interns will include Brad Means, Allison Garran, Russell Daly, and Michael Daly.
    The Firebirds organization is looking forward to see what this large group can accomplish this summer. It’s “Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight”.

On the morning of November 27, 2011 Russell Ford of Orleans, MA, formerly of New Canaan CT, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and the dogs whom he rescued.

After moving to Cape Cod, MA in 1974, he dedicated 4 decades of service to the Cape Cod Baseball League. From 1978-83 Mr. Ford served as Cape League President and during that span helped foster the growth and popularity of the league. During his tenure as League President, Mr. Ford and CCBL executives gained support from Major League Baseball to switch from aluminum to wooden bats, the use of which continues to this day. In 2002 Ford was elected to the CCBL Hall of Fame along with fellow inductees, Buck Showalter, Ron Darling, Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek. The outstanding relief pitcher in the CCBL is called the Russ Ford Award in his honor.

From 1958 to 1961 Mr. Ford served as City Planning Director at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill where he worked on the early phase of development of the World Trade Center. A graduate of Yale University, class of ’45, and the Yale School of Architecture, Class of 1951, Mr. Ford and the late Taylor Gates, partners in the firm of Gates & Ford, designed homes in New Canaan, CT, several of which are on Connecticut’s current list of Historical Mid-Century homes.  Mr. Ford is a past president of the Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, CT.

During World War II, at age 22 Lieutenant Russell Ford piloted an A-26 bomber in the European campaign, earning the Air Medal for meritorious achievement and heroism, the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and the Purple Heart.

His wife of 57 years, Hope McWilliam Ford, died in September, 2002.  He is survived by his son Russell, Jr of Westport, CT and daughters Holly Ridgway of Chester, CT, Lucia Ford of West Groton, MA and Catharine Daly of Dover, MA; and six grandchildren.

Mr. Ford generously supported numerous national and local charities.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests one of the two following charities:  1)  the Orleans Athletic Association/Cardinals, c/o Dave Mitchell, PO Box 521, Orleans, MA 02653 to benefit the players and coaches of the baseball team.  2) The Orleans Conservation Trust, PO Box 1078, East Orleans, MA  02643-1078.

Services will be held at Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Road in Orleans on December 17, 2011 at 11am.