Orleans Firebirds

Five Firebirds to Play in All-Star Game, Two to Start

By Tyler Maland

July 17, 2009

Orleans, Mass. – For the first time in 22 years, the Under Armor Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game will take place under the bright lights of Boston’s Fenway Park. The Orleans Firebirds will send five players to play on that big stage. Left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen (UCLA) will lead the way as the East Division’s starting pitcher, Gary Brown (CS Fullerton) was also named a starter, and Alex Hassan (Duke), Casey Gaynor (Rutgers) and Elliot Glynn (Connecticut) were honored as all-stars as well.

Rasmussen has made three starts on the year, and is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in three starts and 18.2 innings pitched. The 5’11” lefty has had pinpoint control all season, walking just three hitters while striking out 26.

Two other Orleans pitchers will suit up at Fenway Park: righthander Casey Gaynor and lefthander Elliot Glynn. Gaynor has made five starts for the Firebirds, and is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA, 27 strikeouts and seven walks in 30 innings pitched. Glynn has been equally impressive with a 2-1 record in four starts with a 1.05 ERA, 19 strikeouts and five walks.

Orleans field manager Kelly Nicholson, the 2008 manager of the year, has once again molded an outstanding pitching staff. The Firebirds led the Cape League with a 3.10 ERA last season, and are once again on top of that category with a 2.78 team ERA in 27 games this year.

Brown missed the first nine games of the season because he played in the College World Series, but has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in the league. He will enter Friday’s contest with Harwich batting .353 with two home runs, nine RBI and seven stolen bases. He leads the team with 17 runs, an average of more than one per game.

Hassan is playing his second summer in Orleans, and is again being utilized as both an outfielder and a relief pitcher. He is batting .272 with two doubles and one home run and is tied for a team-high 15 RBI, also good for a third place in the league. As a closer, he has made five appearances and has two saves and a 1.50 ERA in six innings pitched. The Milton, Massachusetts native will not only be playing in his own back yard, but he’ll also be playing on the field of the team that just drafted him in the 20^th round.

The game is set to begin at 7:05 p.m. on July 23^rd, and will be broadcast on the New England Sports Network (NESN). Tickets are general admission and cost only $10, and can be purchased at any of the league’s 10 parks, or through the Red Sox (call 617-REDSOX9). Gates open at 3:00 p.m., and there will be a Home Run Derby prior to the game beginning at 5:15 p.m.

This site is powered by c4.net, a division of Cape Cod Computer, Inc.
Sponsors of:	SearchCapeCod.com	Cape Cod & Islands Search Engine
	CapeEvents.com	Current Events
	CapeCodIslands.com	Regional Business Directory
	CapeCodChambers.com	Available Accommodations



Home Firebirds News Game Day Central Roster Statistics Coaching Staff Sounds of the Game Clinics Volunteer Alumni Contact	Five Firebirds to Play in All-Star Game, Two to Start By Tyler Maland July 17, 2009 Orleans, Mass. – For the first time in 22 years, the Under Armor Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game will take place under the bright lights of Boston’s Fenway Park. The Orleans Firebirds will send five players to play on that big stage. Left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen (UCLA) will lead the way as the East Division’s starting pitcher, Gary Brown (CS Fullerton) was also named a starter, and Alex Hassan (Duke), Casey Gaynor (Rutgers) and Elliot Glynn (Connecticut) were honored as all-stars as well. Rasmussen has made three starts on the year, and is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in three starts and 18.2 innings pitched. The 5’11” lefty has had pinpoint control all season, walking just three hitters while striking out 26. Two other Orleans pitchers will suit up at Fenway Park: righthander Casey Gaynor and lefthander Elliot Glynn. Gaynor has made five starts for the Firebirds, and is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA, 27 strikeouts and seven walks in 30 innings pitched. Glynn has been equally impressive with a 2-1 record in four starts with a 1.05 ERA, 19 strikeouts and five walks. Orleans field manager Kelly Nicholson, the 2008 manager of the year, has once again molded an outstanding pitching staff. The Firebirds led the Cape League with a 3.10 ERA last season, and are once again on top of that category with a 2.78 team ERA in 27 games this year. Brown missed the first nine games of the season because he played in the College World Series, but has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in the league. He will enter Friday’s contest with Harwich batting .353 with two home runs, nine RBI and seven stolen bases. He leads the team with 17 runs, an average of more than one per game. Hassan is playing his second summer in Orleans, and is again being utilized as both an outfielder and a relief pitcher. He is batting .272 with two doubles and one home run and is tied for a team-high 15 RBI, also good for a third place in the league. As a closer, he has made five appearances and has two saves and a 1.50 ERA in six innings pitched. The Milton, Massachusetts native will not only be playing in his own back yard, but he’ll also be playing on the field of the team that just drafted him in the 20^th round. The game is set to begin at 7:05 p.m. on July 23^rd, and will be broadcast on the New England Sports Network (NESN). Tickets are general admission and cost only $10, and can be purchased at any of the league’s 10 parks, or through the Red Sox (call 617-REDSOX9). Gates open at 3:00 p.m., and there will be a Home Run Derby prior to the game beginning at 5:15 p.m.