Four Blue Sox Heading to Newport
Wood, Catapano, Miller in Game, Law in Festivities

By: Jheremy Brown

As one reads down the West roster for the 2010 NECBL All-Star game in Newport, Rhode Island, home of the Gulls, fans will notice three familiar names from Holyoke. Starting pitchers Maxx Catapano (Bellevue), Taylor Wood (Cornell) and leftfielder Brandon Miller (Northwest Florida St) have all been selected to participate in the game. In the pre-game festivities, Andrew Law (Brigham Young) will be competing in the 60 yard dash and Miller will show off his power in both the Home Run Derby and in both the outfield and catcher throwing competition.

Brandon Miller has led the Sox in power throughout the year, launching three balls over the fence and has accumulated nineteen RBI’s thus far. On the mound, Catapano and Wood have been the go to men, leading the Holyoke pitching staff in nearly every category. Catapano, sporting a 2.48 ERA, has been able to pick up 4 wins this year and Wood, who has kept his ERA below 2 at a meager 1.67 (Team Low), has gone 2-3 in his 43 innings pitched.

In the Home Run Derby, Miller will be squaring off against 10 other competitors from throughout the league, including Derek Trent (Laconia), who is in second place in the league with 4 home runs. When he gets to the outfield to show off his arm, Miller will have 7 others throwing and from behind the dish there will be 5 catchers total.

In order to claim the leagues title in the 60 yard dash, Andrew Law will have to out run 9 other runners, 3 of whom are from New Bedford and another 3 from Laconia.

As the first pitch of the 17^th annual All-Star game is thrown at Cardines Field, Holyoke and their fans will be watching and cheering for our local boys. The game is being played on July 18^th in Newport, Rhode Island, with the start time scheduled for 6:30. Show your support and take a trip to cheer for our Sox.