Chase DeLauter (OF/James Madison U.), Andy Blake (IF/Columbia U.), Garret Guillemette (Catcher/U. of Southern Calif.), and Tyler Locklear (IF/Virginia Commonwealth U.) demonstrate the fine art of leaning and bubble blowing in the Firebirds’ dugout.
It was a long wait for opening day at Eldredge Park in Orleans, since it was canceled last year. The fans who turned out were ecstatic.
Traditions were on display during the opening ceremonies. This year, a new tradition made its debut. Masks, worn by some players and fans, reminded everyone that the virus still lingers. Mike Chaves Jr. (Worcester State U.) and, masked, Kostas Vouriotis (Southeastern U.).
If there are records to be set this year, it might be by the Ritchie family — they’ve been coming to Firebirds games for 45 years. Three generations were there at opening night. In front is Noah, 7, and his brother Owen, 10. Behind them is their grandfather Hank, their dad, Andy, and their uncle Rod and his son, Joe.
Ryan Amerault, 13, of Orleans, who pitches and plays first base for the Dugout Dawgs, wears the colors of his favorite Cape League team.
Edward Boches is a Boston and Cape Cod based documentary photographer. He has photographed inner-city boxers, former gang members, Black Lives Matter activists, transgender men and women, pro-life and pro-choice advocates, homeless writers and, in recent years, Wellfleet’s shellfishing community.
