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The Best Way to Learn About the Cape League Aug 02, 2006
At the 2006 Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game at Red Wilson Field (South Yarmouth, MA), I finally picked up the book Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats by Steve Weissman. Steve was parked behind home plate, as usual, in a tent selling and autographing copies. He is a very down-to-earth friendly guy, and graciously personalized my copy of the book.
The day after the All-Star Game was nice and sunny, so I headed to Covell's Beach (Centerville, MA) to start reading the book.
Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats begins with Steve's first encounter with the Cape League and explains the history behind the league. Then, the book looks at each team, their field, and other facts (e.g. Does the field have lights or not?). Steve then goes into details behind the off-season and the beginning of the season. Sprinkled throughout are player profiles with interesting facts about individual members from various teams. The latter half of the book is filled with tidbits about the league (e.g. The 50/50 raffle), and goes into detail about the season and playoffs.
Because I know a lot about the league, I was initially concerned that Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats would not tell me anything new. But, I was pleasantly surprised to learn quite a bit. The author has a great knack for unveiling interesting facts. For example, I had always wondered about the history behind the Orleans Cardinal's mascot, Mr. Cardinal. I don't think the other Cape League books I read even mention the team mascots ("Homer" in Falmouth and "Mr. Cardinal" in Orleans).
The story of the 2004 Cape League playoffs is told in great detail in the chapter "The 'Second Season'." The playoffs last less than a week, but consist of the most exciting games to watch, and I am glad that Steve decided to narrate them.
The book finishes with personal notes from players in the Cape League, a list of former Cape players in Major League Baseball, a list of Cape players drafted in 2004, and a plethora of fascinating black & white photos.
Overall, I think this book is the best option for anyone who has been, or plans to go to a Cape game and wants to learn more about the league. After reading this book, I would then recommend watching the Cape League documentary Touching the Game. For those looking for more of a story that follows an entire Cape season, look toward The Last Best League by Jim Collins, or the novel Slider by Patrick Robinson. And for those looking more for historical information check out Baseball by the Beach by Christopher Price. The only book I have not yet had a chance to read is Cape Crusaders by Mike Thomas, which apparently is filled with interviews and accounts from players, coaches and volunteers.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
The book for all lovers of the sport of Baseball Jul 05, 2006
Light easy read. Bought it for my Dad, who is a huge lover of baseball and an ex-college baseball coach. The whole family read it while on vacation in Cape Cod this summer. We found the writer's review of the history and the "business" of running this league fascinating. The personal anecdotes of past players also helped the author convince you of the special place that this league holds in the history and the future of our favorite national sport.
My advice...read the book and plan your summer vacation in Cape Cod. Then, using this book as your reference, see how many Cape Cod baseball games you can attend at as many fields in as many towns as you can. Life doesn't get much better than this!!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Well-written, colorful, informative Sep 03, 2005
As a frequent visitor to Cape Cod for over 30 years and a baseball fan, how could it be that I've only recently attended my first Cape Cod Baseball League game? But it took just one visit and I'm hooked. Why? Maybe it's the friendly atmosphere or the colorful townies cheering on their teams along side the vacationers or the sense of community that enhances the opportunity to watch the best college players in the country playing their hearts out and showing everyone what they've got. It is a great take for the whole family or for the single fan. And it's priced right ... admission is free. Where can you get that in America these days?
Steve Weissman's book "Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats" is not a history of the CCBL (although there is enough to give you the basics), but the book goes beyond the baseball and captures the Cape League experience. It looks at the players, the teams, the host families, the fans, the volunteers and everything that makes the league tick. And best of all, it answered all of the questions I had about the CCBL. Did you know that there is a Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame in Sandwich? Did you know that many of today's major league players once played in the Cape Cod League? Did you know that many of the players are being studied by major league scouts right before your eyes? "Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats" explains it all from many different angles and makes this book a compelling, feel-good read.
I read this book twice this summer while at the beach in my beach chair. Then I'd head out to a few games afterward armed with a little more knowledge of what I was witnessing. And you know what? I may end up reading it again this winter when I want to recapture a little of that summer magic.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
for baseball fans old and new May 18, 2005
I am a huge fan of the Cape Cod Baseball League and the more I learn, the more I love it! If you know nothing about the league or even baseball itself now, you will become a fan as you read. This book really captures the great human stories and the inner workings of the league. It is so wonderful to experience the game at this level...to read about so many great players on the cusp of making it to the major leagues. When I meet people who don't know why baseball is still America's pasttime, I show them this book...it is great that such a pure baseball experience still exists and we can all enjoy it! A great slice of Americana!
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