Cape League Private Showing
Ever show up early for a Cape Cod League Baseball game? No, I mean early – like 1 p.m. for a 5 p.m. game. Or 3 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. If you do, you’ll be among the very few with ringside seats for the special ritual perpetrated by most Cape League teams known as “Early Optional Batting Practice,” or “Early BP” for short. It’s a time when position players get in some bonus swings before the official team pre-game workouts begin. Did I say position players? Heck, even the pitchers sometimes take a few hacks – the only time you’ll see that all summer in this age of the designated hitter.
Tell the kids to bring their gloves. They can be home team heroes by shagging the many foul balls and home runs that leave the playing area and returning them to the field. Might even get away with a special autograph or two, although you’re really supposed to wait until after the game for that.
The nicest part about early BP is the pace and attitude – pretty laid back. The hitter in the cage is focused on his swing mechanics to be sure. But the scouts usually aren’t there yet, and neither is the opposing team du jour. So there’s really nobody to put your game face on for. You’ll hear friendly ribbing and plenty of laughter among players, coaches and support staff, interlaced with the satisfying syncopation of the whack, whack, whack of wood bat on ball. The ball yard takes on a special charm in these early game day outings, basking in the warm salt-air breezes and the childlike joy of nature’s most perfect game in summer’s most idyllic setting
