Cape Cod Baseball League

root, Root, ROOT for the home team…

Even if you don’t have an actual `home team’ to route for, seeing a Cape Cod Baseball League game is really fun. We saw the Cotuit Kettleers play the Falmouth Commodores at Lowell Park in Cotuit.

Lowell Park is a picturesque home town field of dreams. Surrounded by Cape Cod woods, the perfectly manicured field is the back yard lawn every home owner aspires to. Two sets of bleachers sit behind the dug outs, and there is plenty of room around the fence to bring your own lawn chair. A press box and snack stand complete the atmosphere.

The Cape Cod Baseball League is world renowned for its level of talent. Considered a stepping stone to the majors, many players have moved on to become professionals. What this adds up to is some really exciting baseball.

As relaxed as a baseball game can be – once you hear the crack of the bat, players spring into action like a well oiled machine. Being so close to the field you can hear cleats digging into the sand, and the wiz of the baseball rocketing towards the first baseman’s mitt. Casual and hard-core fans alike will be thrilled and impressed.

Baseball is truly a multi-generational sport. Old men reliving their past are side by side with young boys dreaming of their future.

You don’t even have to watch the game to enjoy the experience. Kids with their own mitts play catch with their dad behind the bleachers, toddlers run around in circles entertaining themselves, and there’s even a radar gun tent to measure your fast ball. As one of the most fun Cape Cod summer things to do, it’s surprising to find that it’s free to get in! Donations, however, are welcome. Grandparents bring your grandchildren. They will love it!

I can’t even tell you who won the game. I found myself rooting for the play – a close call at first base, safe or out – a pop fly caught or finding a hole, any good play got my applause no matter the victor. It is a display of young talent and determination for the entertainment of young and old.

For schedules of a game near you, visit http://www.capecodbaseball.org/

Farmer's Markets

Want super fresh produce?

You could start a garden in your back yard: till the soil, put down fertilizer, plant the seeds, water everyday – weed every other, try to keep the local varmints out, turn the squash, support the tomatoes…surely we all have the time for that.

We’ve managed a few tomato plants over a few seasons. Four or five tomatoes was hardly worth the effort. Granted, we didn’t tend to them as needed, and they weren’t getting quite enough sun or water - or weeding. This season we’re trying banana peppers, on the deck in a pot. Surely we have the time for one pepper plant!
If you’re exhausted just thinking about the work it takes to grow fresh produce, do what we did – check out your local farmer’s market.

We went to the farmer’s market in Osterville on the Historical Museum grounds. It’s there every Friday and Saturday, 8am-12pm throughout the summer. Although a little smaller than some we’ve seen, there was still plenty to choose from.

These markets are not limited to just produce either. You will find local bread makers, jams and jellies, hand-made soaps and lotions, plants, a local lobster pound and a famous local fish smoker. All quality – all fresh.

All the folks manning their tables were super friendly, and will chat you up whether you buy anything or not. They are all very passionate and informative about their products, and often have samples for you to try. We tried some fresh snap peas right out of the pod and promptly bought 2 pounds. Steamed with a little salt and butter, they were better than any canned or frozen peas you can find.

There are several advantages to buying local products: We support the Cape’s economy, we help the environment by not shipping so much from thousands of miles away, we get fresh, high-quality products, and we meet some of our neighbors we may not have otherwise met.

We'd love to hear about your farmer's market finds! Here is a link to a website that lists the local Cape Cod farmer's markets: http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farmersmarkets.php?zip=02601