Cape Cod League questions

Someone whose son has been there will surely pipe in, but how I understand it is that the league needs players for the first several weeks until the CWS is over until those CWS players are able to get to the Cape.   I have read on this site that contracts can be "for 14 days", and then they are released.  Whether some are kept on for the remainder of the season, I do not know.

I am pretty sure any player can be released at any time, however.  Some players ask to be released.

As for a meat market for position players,  hitters will be up against some of the best pitching in the country.  You hit, or you sit.  Like any other college baseball game/team/league.

Good response keewart!

A contract player is under contract. They cannot play for any other league unless they are given a release.  And some players are asked to join a team if needed. That doesn't happen until teams go to Omaha. And yes, there are programs that send players year after year, and chosen carefully. I believe their are open tryouts each year, but not 100% sure on that.

I didnt  consider it a meat market, keep in mind this is a summer league for top prospects, so coaches really don't want players over worked and injured.

Hope that this helped.

Hard game,

please explain you words "meat market"

Bob

hardgame posted:

Can anyone expound on the "contract players" versus invited or temporary players in the Cape Cod League? I assume it is like scholarship and non-scholarship players in college but how do you get a "contract"? It clearly does not appear to be based on (just) college results and more about the college connections with the teams in Cape...i.e. State U has been sending kids to a team in the Cape for years and years and they get contracts as their players are trusted. State Tech just started getting kids invited and they come in as temp players to prove themselves and once that pipeline is established, they will get more automatic contract players? Is this correct?

Finally, how many temp players do they bring in and is it a meat market for position players? I assume it is for pitchers but just trying to understand the dynamics behind it all.

Thanks in advance!

When my son was at the Cape I observed players coming in under a contract to fill holes in rosters.  As was mentioned before the contract period can be short to fill a roster spot of a player they're waiting on to finish their college post season play.  Then there are also players that are released for various (voluntary or otherwise), very often those pitchers who've had a very active season and will limit their time at the Cape.  

Not sure, but it seemed that those selected for contract came from the pool of college coaches they are in contact with.   Never heard of any tryout to get on a roster spot, but don't really know about that one way or the other since my experience is rather limited.

PS:  I did observe a couple contract players at the Cape who did so well they got to stay longer than their contract called for.

My son signed a contract to play on the cape with Falmouth. I think that is what he means by contract player?  I think everyone signs a contract.

The cape holds an invitational try out end of May. You can find the info doing a Google search.

TPM posted:

My son signed a contract to play on the cape with Falmouth. I think that is what he means by contract player?  I think everyone signs a contract.

The cape holds an invitational try out end of May. You can find the info doing a Google search.

I remember son filling out a form and signing it, like at the end of fall ball, but not sure it was something in the form of a "contract."  Seems it like it was health and commitment form.   

"10 day", or "temporary contracts", are just that...and there's no guarantee of anything. Players have signed these and then been released 2 days later without touching the field when the player for whom they are "filling in" comes earlier than expected because his college team lost in the regionals. There are players that have shown well and stuck for the summer, but a whole lot more  are released pretty quickly.  The Cape is the #1 league-some guys take a chance on the short term, others worry that no spots in any other good leagues will be available when they are released by the Cape team.   Every college player would love a shot at the Cape so the teams can pick and choose, or sign and release, as desired.  We've had a few players from our team in the Valley League receive invites for the following summer, and most of those received full season contracts.    I think short term players pay their fees (yes, the Cape has those and they aren't cheap) by the week until it's determined if they are sticking for the summer.   Pretty much any team in any league can release a non-performing player whenever they want, if they really want to.   

What are the fees for the Cape?  How is housing manged, especially for the short timers on 10 day contracts?  

Really just wanted to bump this along so it does not get lost.  I have a feeling there a quite a few out there that could contribute their experiences.

2017LHPscrewball posted:

What are the fees for the Cape?  How is housing manged, especially for the short timers on 10 day contracts?  

There are no fees for the players as league and team expenses are supported by donations and any revenue that's received at games.  The league is a non-profit organization supported by the local community.  Players ARE expected to pay for their own housing, which is typically a weekly fee paid to host families for room rent and the host families very often provide food and in many cases, transportation too.  For a player to get to the Cape, the league will even reimburse a player a portion of the cost to get there.  Also, for players that may need extra cash for general living expenses or whatever, the league provides players a way to earn money in their off time (often doing things around the ball field in their off time).

From one Cape Cod (Cotuit) team's handbook: 

"Room and Board
It is required for all players to pay room and board during their stay while playing amateur baseball. If they do not pay room and board or any other expenses incurred during their stay they would be jeopardizing their NCAA eligibility. All non-payments of bills and expenses will be reported to the College Coach, Parents, the Cape Cod Baseball League and the NCAA.
Do not accept rent payment directly from your player. The Association is responsible for collecting players’ rent payments. Families will be paid by the Association in 3 installments over the course of the summer. Those dates will be as follows: June 29, July 20 and 1 week after the last game. Please let us know if this is a problem for your family.

· Room and board for their stay in Cotuit is $810 for the regular season. An additional $90 will be added to cover playoffs bringing the total amount to $900. This amount is due upon arrival. The $90 will be paid to the families or given back to the players if we do not make it to the 1st round of playoffs.
· Checks from the player need to be made payable to CAA or Cotuit Athletic Association.
· Players that do not have a permanent contract will be allowed to pay $90 a week in advance on Saturday or Sunday.
Once a permanent contract is given, the balance will need to be paid.
· If a player is released or arrives late the Association will make adjustments to the amount of rent to be paid.
· Please help us! We sometimes make mistakes with the amount to be collected from a player that arrives late or leaves early. Let us know if the amount does not seem accurate.
· If a player has been released from the team for any reason they cannot stay with your family. They must leave within a reasonable amount of time 24-48 hours.
· If for any reason they are not able to pay in full for room and board upon arrival, arrangements can be made with the General Manager and Residential Services.
· If they do not pay their rent they can be benched or suspended."

^^^ So it looks like to avoid NCAA eligibility problems, a player needs to pay money to the league.  The Cape Cod League chooses to reimburse $810/900 or $90 weekly to the host-families since they are non-profit and get hefty local support.  Other leagues (Northwoods/Hamptons/Valley/others?) collect fees for operating expenses/salaries, and depend on host families to donate room and board. 

So, all leagues are charging some sort of fee to the players.  Not that price should be a driving issue to join or avoid a team, but I know I would like to see a listing of leagues/teams fees just for comparison.  If someone has this already, please post.

If I do the research, I will post in another thread.  Now, back on topic.....

I think all teams do things differently. At the time son went it was 50 a week. He worked at the field and then the team paid the host family. Policy is no money can exchange hands. Sons host family in turn donated back to the league.