It could have been a lost summer for Cape Elizabeth baseball players Cam Brown and Kyle Danielson.
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They had no place to play American Legion ball this season until they were given a chance to try out for two-time defending state champion Nova Seafood.
Brown and Danielson could be in the Portland-based team’s lineup when play starts today in the Legion state tournament at the Wainwright Complex in South Portland.
Nova Seafood, made up primarily of players from Deering High, will open the double-elimination tournament with a game against Bessey Motors of Oxford Hills.
Ordinarily, Cape Elizabeth players play for Morrill Post, but there was no room for either Brown or Danielson on the South Portland-based team, so they had to find somewhere else to play.
“Morrill Post already had two catchers, so I kept looking for a place to play,” Danielson said. “I just wanted to play baseball somewhere.”
“It was either not play baseball at all or play just a few innings for Morrill Post,” Brown said.
As it turned out, Danielson and Brown have been valuable contributors in Nova Seafood’s drive to capture the Zone 4 championship and earn a berth in the eight-team tournament, which runs through Sunday.
(Brown) has been a great utility player for us,” Coach Mike D’Andrea said.
Brown has played four infield positions and has been one of six starting pitchers the team has used.
In the Zone 4 playoffs, Brown pitched all nine innings in Nova Seafood’s 7-4 win against Westbrook-based Stockhouse.
“We had him penciled in to go five innings and he just got tougher as the game went on,” D’Andrea said. “That kid’s a competitor. He hates to lose.
While Danielson has been behind the plate, played first base and served as designated hitter, his biggest impact has come with the bat in his hands.
“He’s been one of our top hitters,” D’Andrea said. “Over the second half of the season, he led our team in doubles.”
Brown and Danielson are glad to get the chance to play for Nova.
“It’s a great feeling to be on a team like Nova Seafood,” Danielson said. “They’ve won so much in the past. I’ve really had to keep my ears open. I’ve learned a lot.”
D’Andrea has been impressed with the attitudes of the two Cape Elizabeth players.
“Both of those kids have worked hard to become a part of our team and I respect them for that,” he said. “Nothing has been given to them. They have had to work hard for it.”
Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com
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