Cape Cod Senior Softball Holds Inaugural All-Star Games

by Brad Joyal

The Cape Cod Senior Softball League held its first All-Star Games in league history on Saturday, as players from four different divisions represented their teams — and age groups — as All-Stars at Memorial and Potter Fields in Harwich.

Team American scored nine runs in the final inning to earn a 21-20 victory over the National Team in the Cassidy/Division 1 All-Star Game for men ages 51-75. Chuck Arvantis of Team America and Cranberry Valley Golf Course was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after hitting a three-run home run in the win.

The game was attended by Yarmouth Fire Department firefighters and paramedics Derrick Irving, David Caruso, EMT Shawn Bent, Lieutenant Jason Berry and player Shawn Piche, who performed life-saving CPR on Andy Madden after Madden went into cardiac arrest after a July 11 game in Yarmouth. Both Madden and Piche took part in pregame ceremonies.

In the Simpson/Division 2 game for ages 53-77, Abe Gorelick of Team Grolnic was the winning pitcher and MVP after helping Team Grolnic earn a 22-212 win over Team McCluskey.

“Prior to the game, we honored the years of contributions to the league of Steve Grolnic and the late Big Mike McCluskey,” said Simpson/Division 2 President Rich Archambault.

John Krause of Team Simmons and Cape Cod 5 was named MVP in the Winnett/Division 3 Game (ages 57-83) after he finished 4-for-4 with two doubles in Team Simmons’s 9-4 victory over Team Hastings.

In the Rose/Division 4 Game (ages 60-89), Chuck Fletcher of Team Powers and Van Rensselaer Restaurant was named MVP after hitting a home run as a part of a 4-for-4 performance at the plate. Fletcher and Team Powers held on to earn a 12-11 victory over Team Hanafee.

“This was a really nice showcase of the talents of our best older players,” said Rose/Division 4 President Van Khachadoorian.

In addition to the games, the league honored some of its Hall of Fame inductees, including Jim Devoe, Bob Buck, Peter Strand, Charlie Salerno, Terry Moran and Terry Brooks.

Visit capecodseniorsoftball.com for more information about the league.