Sharks Descend Upon Martha's Vineyard

In 2007 the Cape Cod League visited ’s baseball diamond for an exhibition game. Back then the idea of an amateur baseball team of the Island’s own seemed a far off dream. No more. Last month onstruction began on a new field house and batting cage at the high school field, to be used by a new wooden-bat team, the .

The Sharks, one of four teams that currently comprise the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England (FCBL), will showcase the nation’s best collegiate players in a 50-game season. The first pitch will be thrown on June 10 at 5 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Field.

The nonprofit Sharks are swimming in a national pool of enthusiasm for amateur and minor league baseball. Three minor league teams in Lowell, Brockton and Pawtucket, Rhode Island together drew more than one million fans last season, operating within 40 miles of entertainment-rich Boston. Some context: in 2005, the Rolling Stones sold 1.2 million tickets worldwide.

Club officials are hopeful that replicating that already-proven formula will attract both residents and visitors and benefit the community. They’ve estimated that a night with the Sharks—with Island-prepared food, tickets et al.—will cost a family of four less than $75. Tickets are $3 for kids, $5 for adults. Little Leaguers and Boys & Girls Club members are free.

Not only will high school baseball and softball teams gain the use of a new state-of-the-art field area, now  dubbed the , but logo hats, T-shirts and sweatshirts have been designed to generate new sources of revenue for Island service agencies down the road. Twenty-three Island communities and nonprofits have signed up for promotional nights.

The business community is rooting for the Sharks, vice president of operations Bob Tankard told Patch recently. “We've got 20 to 30 sponsors signed up already, including restaurants, the mascot sponsor. We're getting bids from Island vendors to run food concessions. I think this is gonna be a winner,” he said.

Off-Island Inspiration

The Sharks were born from that 2007 Cape League game and from Darren Harrison-Panis's instincts. Harrison-Panis, a longtime summer resident at grandmother Rose (Roz) Harrison's place on Sengekontacket Pond, is the president of Carminucci Sports Group in New York. The Carminucci group operates minor league teams, consults on the business side to other minor league teams and identifies talent for pro teams.

Last year, Harrison-Panis sought a Cape League franchise. When the Cape League passed, citing travel hassles as a reason, the Carminucci group formed the FCBL. Since then, the Carminucci group and a team of investors have put in front-end money—“at least $75,000,” Tankard said—to spruce up the field and add amenities. The Carminucci group is consulting to the start-up, working on the “teach a man to fish” theory.

In keeping with that theory, the Sharks will rely on a mix of Islanders and non-Islanders, professionals and volunteers, to run the operation.

Martha’s Vineyard resident Jerry Murphy is general manager. Norton High School baseball and football coach Ted Currle is the head coach and MVRHS varsity baseball coach Gary Simmons is assistant coach.

The 26-player roster is nearly complete, said Murphy, and will feature center fielder Tad Gold, a MVRHS grad who plays college baseball at Endicott College. The league showcases players who may be pro prospects for CSG teams or for other pro clubs. “Half the roster are New England kids or kids playing in New England. [There’s also] Division 1 guys and junior-college kids as far away as Texas,” said Harrison-Panis.

Community members will also be involved. Last year Vineyarders were asked to vote on the team’s name. Going forward, officials hope that community volunteers will host visiting players in their homes, sell tickets and run concessions and the facility.

“This is the Island's team and I hope it's here long after we're gone,” said Harrison-Panis.

“We wouldn't be here without Gary Simmons and we won't be anywhere without the community support.”

Want to swim with the Sharks?  Player home hosts are needed. Volunteers may call 774-563-8752 or visit www.mvsharks.com.