McKeon Park Opened for the 2023 Season Last Night
By: Matt Coates
At 6 pm on June 10th, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks opened the gates for their 28th season as members of the Cape Cod Baseball League. With the help of seasoned veterans and fresh-faced interns, the Harbor Hawks were able to prepare McKeon Park for another year in the CCBL.
A few hours before the game the Hyannis sky darkened and rain hit the field, but that did not slow anyone down. Players for both Hyannis and Orleans Firebirds stayed active on the field and the first pitch crossed home plate right on time.
However, work for the season started well before opening day. Baseball operations interns have been working closely with Harbor Hawks General Manager Nick Johnson to help construct this roster.
Baseball Operations intern Cole Velis stated that roster construction was a yearlong endeavor. General Manager Nick Johnson and other employees have been working on this roster since the last season ended. Velis and the other interns were brought in at the end of 2022 to aid in the roster construction.
“We’ve been varying levels of in the mix since November. And it’s just reached a peak now,” Velis said.
Velis explained his involvement, saying that the operations interns got very involved in working directly with General Manager Nick Johnson. The interns would find players that they like, and then relay that information over the GM.
“[I’m] very excited,” Velis said. “We think we have a legitimate chance to win a lot of baseball games and a legitimate chance to have a lot of fun doing it.”
However, roster construction was not the only work required. From mulching to zip-tying the net down behind home plate, it was a group effort to prepare McKeon Park.
All that hard work pays off once the stands fill and games are played. Fan Jennifer Braden traveled from Georgia just to watch Cape Cod Baseball. For her first CCBL game, she went to McKeon Park.
Braden was impressed by the ballpark and its friendly atmosphere. “The Firebirds made a really good play earlier and the cheers just sounded like you were right at a home game, and I love that about this park,” Braden said.
This culture and environment are part of what Braden loves about the CCBL. She mentioned how in the minor league games she attends, players are just trying to prove themselves.
“We get a lot of minor league games and it’s not so much learning anymore- they’re more proving at that point. Here they’re learning as they play,” Braden said.
Jenna and her family are staying on the Cape for about ten days, hoping to see multiple games and ballparks while they are here.
Even on the diamond, players needed to adjust for opening day. Natural third baseman Ben Williamson made the start today in left field for the Harbor Hawks.
As the roster is still coming together, the Harbor Hawks only had two outfielders on the Cape. The coaches asked Williamson if he would be willing to play in the outfield, and he agreed.
Good thing he did, because he may have made the play of the game. In the top of the fifth inning, Williamson sprinted back to his left and laid out to rob the Firebirds of an extra-base hit.
When describing the play, Williamson said, “And then the ball is hit to me, and I don’t remember what happened. I woke up and the ball was in my glove.”
When asked, William said he MIGHT have played centerfield once in Little League but has never played right or left field in his life.
Williams chucked when asked if that catch would give him confidence if he was needed out there again, saying, “Yeah, definitely.”
Although the Harbor Hawks fell 4-1 on opening day, there is a whole lot to look forward to for the rest of the season. The Hawks will continue to keep McKeon park ready and welcoming for all fans all summer long.
Matt Coates can be reached at coatesm@misericordia.edu or followed on Twitter @MattCoates14
