Chatham Anglers Build Community, One Meal At A Time

CHATHAM – Boyish fun and professional athletics converge every summer in the Cape Cod League Baseball League. The Chatham Anglers carried this passion for fun, sportsmanship, and brotherhood to the Chatham Filling Station for a team dinner sponsored by The Chronicle last Wednesday night.

Despite the game getting called due to fog, the players carried a jubilant air from the dugout to the diner, singing Pearl Jam songs and slapping each other on the back the whole way.

Laura Caskey, the post-game meal coordinator for the Anglers, is working to prioritize the well-being of the players, whether by providing them with healthy meals or working in other ways to foster a sense of comradery between the players.

“That’s exactly what my goal is,” said Caskey. “Promoting a sense of community and taking care of the boys.”

She continued, “These boys work so hard. They get here really early, and then they stay and do the game, and then they are exhausted, and everything is closed up in Chatham. So to provide them with a healthy meal is one of my goals.”

Like many people living on and visiting the Cape, Caskey finds great enjoyment in the Cape League games and feels meals like this are a great way to pay the boys back.

“We want to take good care of them because they are doing something fun for us,” she said.

Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger, affectionately known as “Sheets,” is similarly dedicated to unifying his players.

“For us, to be in this community, to be around these special people, to have things like this [dinner] to be provided, we are all just beyond blessed and fortunate to be a part of this,” he said. He finds that building a strong team relies heavily on the development of a deep connection between teammates. “They have to connect with each other. They can’t just play for their own personal desires, they have to play for each other.”

Through bro hugs and a lot of quality time with the team, what Sheetinger has created is undeniable. The Anglers this season seem to have fallen into a brotherhood as natural and obvious as the connection between childhood friends, despite many of them having never met before this season.

Looking over the dining room filled with laughing, muddy, exuberant athletes, it is hard to miss what Caskey and Sheetinger have accomplished in creating a strong team.

“It’s a really special experience,” said player Luke Cantwell, “being a part of this group and being a part of the town of Chatham… It’s been really special meeting some of the guys from all across the world, making new friends, and having the opportunity to play baseball on Cape Cod.”

Through sponsorships from businesses and individuals, Caskey and her team provide at least 44 meals to the players during the season. To contribute, visit the Angler’s website or email Caskey at laura.caskey@att.net. Anglers Players line up for food at the Filling Station Counter. EMMA BLANKENSHIP PHOTO