From today’s Sunday Globe ...
The Cape Cod Baseball League is not under the umbrella of MLB’s “One Baseball” system but will continue to receive some of its funding from MLB through a grant request.
But instead of primarily competing with Team USA for players, the CCBL will have to contend, at least to some degree, with two MLB-affiliated prospect leagues.
The Appalachian League, once a rookie-level pro league, is now a wood-bat amateur summer league for incoming college freshmen and sophomores. There’s also a new six-team MLB Draft League for draft-eligible high school and college players.
The new amateur leagues will play in professional-level ballparks and have professional-level coaching and umpiring.
But commissioner Eric Zmunda sees the CCBL remaining a destination for the best rising college juniors.
“Ultimately, as always, it’s up to the college coaches as to the best fit for their athlete,” he said. “I feel the coaches nationwide know that the Cape is the best place for their player.”
The Cape has tradition on its side and is a favorite stop for scouts. But its long-term future will be tied to improving its facilities.