Pate, Howell gain valuable experience in Cape Cod League

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on July 18, 2016 1:48 PM

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By BEN COLEY

bcoley@newsargus.com

Every summer, a swarm of talented collegiate players flock to Massachusetts in hopes of improving their skills in the highly-regarded Cape Cod Baseball League.

Recently, alumni of two Wayne County high school baseball programs have reached the elite summer league -- current North Carolina outfield and Charles B. Aycock grad Adam Pate, and Appalachian State pitcher Reed Howell.

Pate played in the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2015.

Howell is in the CCBL this season.

Comprised of 10 teams, the league has once served as the temporary home for several players currently playing in the major leagues, including 292 CCBL alumni from the 2015 season. The list also has several 2016 Major League Baseball All-Stars -- Jackie Bradley Jr., Josh Donaldson, Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, Chris Sale, Matt Wieters, Kris Bryant, Will Harris, Steven Wright, Brad Brach and Andrew Miller.

Pate, who is a rising senior at UNC, received a temporary contract toward the end of last May. CCBL teams make those offers when some of its regularly contracted players are still in season.

The speedy outfielder said the experience was everything a baseball player could ask for and more -- beautiful scenery, several scouts and packed ballparks.

"I just went up there with the mindset of this is one of my dreams I've had and goals as a baseball player, and I've got nothing to lose," Pate said. "I'm on a temp contract and I'm trying to earn my way on. And it just all worked out -- hard work and everything just came together."

As he planned, Pate solidified himself as a dangerous batter for the Harwich Mariners in 2015. In 42 games, he batted .274, stole 21 bases and smashed 10 doubles. He led the Mariners in each of those categories, and led the entire league in stolen bases. His efforts landed him a spot as a utility player on the CCBL All-Star team.

Aycock head coach Charles Davis praised Pate's abilities as a teammate and a leader, adding that he is the type of player who always seems to find success.

"Number one is instincts," Davis said. "It's something that you can't teach. And also his competitiveness. He's a competitor and he wants to win. He'll do whatever it takes to help the team win."

Rosewood head coach Jason King says the same of Howell, who has found success as a reliever for ASU.

After posting a 6-2 record for the Mountaineers this past season, Howell joined the Chatham Anglers, an offer he accepted just a few days prior to when he had to report.

Howell has tallied a 2.53 earned run average (ERA) and 12 strikeouts in 102⁄3 innings on the mound. While in the summer league, the young pitcher has tried to improve his aggressiveness on the mound, which means getting ahead in the count and dictating what pitches he wants hitters to swing at.

The talented batters he's faced have taught him to never let his guard down.

 "In Cape Cod, the hitters...anything you throw they can just hammer," said Howell, a rising junior at ASU. "So really in a nutshell, every pitch full force and throw everything with all you have and try to place every pitch where you want it. And learn how to actually pitch instead of throwing the ball."

King said he was ecstatic when he heard that his former player received an invitation to play in the CCBL.

The Eagles skipper noted that Howell has adjusted extremely well to the collegiate level, probably more than most would expect from a small school pitcher.

"The main thing for me is that (Howell) has what I would describe as a laid back attitude," King said. "He doesn't get rattled very easily. His demeanor and his character keeps him even keel whether things are going great or when things aren't going so great. It's the same Reed either way."

Pate believes the CCBL helps players reach the next level, a dream he's had all his life. Howell agrees wholeheartedly, making their time in the coveted league a cherished memory they won't soon forget.

"I had to drive 12 hours, but I would've driven like 50 hours," Howell said. "It was awesome and such a great experience."