Sept. 17, 2010
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Over the summer, several UCF baseball players traveled across the country to compete in collegiate wood-bat leagues. One of those Knights was sophomore outfielder Ronnie Richardson, who was invited to play in the prestigious Cape Cod League in Massachusetts.
Spending time with the Harwich Mariners, Richardson got to play in the Cape Cod League All-Star Game at Fenway Park, and eventually finished with a .267 average and 13 stolen bases against some of the best pitchers in the nation.
Now back in Orlando and in the middle of the fall semester, Richardson had the chance to look back on his experiences in the Cape.
By: Ronnie Richardson
I got called into coach Jeff Palumbo's office one day. I had no idea what it was for. I was just hoping I wasn't in trouble. When I got in he told me they were sending me to play in the Cape. I was relieved and also excited to get the opportunity to play in the Cape Cod League. It was an honor for me because normally they don't send guys to the Cape to face that level of competition after their first year of college baseball. I know the coaching staff here at UCF believes in me and has high hopes for me as a player. They were doing what they felt was best for me.
After I got out of coach's office I called my dad and gave him the news. He was excited for me as was my entire family.
The first few days living up there was very different. It was very chilly in the summer compared to what we were used to so we were wearing sleeves. I had no idea it would be like that. I was better prepared than Beau Taylor (who was playing for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox) because he got up there a couple of days before I did and I gave him a call and asked what the weather was like. So I had a heads up.
The living is different than living in Florida where I grew up my whole life so I had to adapt. For example the people there love the outdoor shower which we don't have here but after taking one it was kind of awesome. I also had to get used to the accents they have up there and the slang they use.
I lived with a host family in the town of Harwich. They were an older family but they were pretty chill. They just wanted us to enjoy ourselves while we were in the Cape. They gave us maps and showed us different places that we should go take a look at. They also showed us where all of the best restaurants were at.
And my teammates were awesome. I played with some of the best guys from all over college baseball and everyone got along great. We had no problems; just competition. From playing with these guys, I have made some lifetime friends because we got along so well.
We were kind of short on time because we played everyday, so everyday was pretty much the same. We'd wake up, go to the little league camp, work out, maybe to the beach for a couple hours, then game time. We had a couple of days off at the beginning but after we got going we had a lot of make-up games due to rain outs and fog outs. But I got the chance to go to Boston a couple times to see the city but didn't get to do much because lack of time. I did a little shopping though, and we also played a tremendous amount of mini golf because they were everywhere so I became pretty good. So if anyone wants to challenge me I'm up for it.
I would find out I made the all-star team when one day I got a phone call from my head coach saying congrats. I was like, "On what?" He told me I made the all-star game, and I was pretty excited to know that I was selected to play in this game because the Cape is known to be the best summer league of college baseball - they call it the major leagues of college baseball - and by me getting selected it shows me that I can compete with the best of the best.
The trip to Fenway Park was awesome too. It was actually the second time going for the summer with the first time just doing a showcase for some scouts. Getting to take batting practice, run the 60 and infield/outfield, it wasn't much but that was the first time going and I thought that was great. I never thought I would get the chance to actually play a game there.
On the day of the all-star game, it was an awesome experience because we all meet up and we got on the bus together and drive from the Cape into Boston. They gave us lunch then off to the field we went. It was an all day event. We had so many events taking place with the media, batting practice and pictures. And the part I enjoyed the most was signing all the autographs for the kids that looked up to us.
The game was pretty fun. I was a reserve so I came off the bench, but just to get out there, represent the University of Central Florida, and be a part of an event as big as that was just an honor for me. I think it was over 10,500 people there - it was a big crowd. My team came out on the losing end but the experience was all worth while. It was definitely an event I will never forget, and will get the chance to share it with my family, friends and kids as I get older.
I know that playing out in the Cape you have to bring your A game at all times and you can't take any breaks because those pitchers are out to beat you. I will always remember the town of Harwich because they showed a lot of support to the team and myself from day one. We had big crowds at almost every game. They loved to watch baseball. From the adults, the kids and the whole staff of the Harwich Mariners, I will always remember my summer I spent playing there. Hopefully I get the chance to go back next year for another year. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where I will be going after this season when we are done winning a lot of games and taking this UCF baseball team towards winning some championships.