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Cape Cod Orleans Firebirds

Boyhood Dream Comes To Life for Bay State Native

July 14, 2011 - Cape Cod League (Cape Cod)
Orleans Firebirds News Release


ORLEANS, Mass. - For the average Massachusetts resident, summer time usually means at least one visit to Cape Cod.

For one current Firebird and Medford native, it used to mean a visit to a family summerhouse in Falmouth and trips to Commodore games.

That is the story of Orleans first basemen/DH Ben Waldrip, who leads the league in home runs and earlier this season was named Coca Cola Player of the Week in the Cape League.

Waldrip, better known as Big Ben by teammates, represents Jacksonville State his first year playing in the Cape League. Before playing for the Gamecocks, Waldrip was a local Massachusetts kid with a dream. Born to the parents of Dave and Juanita Waldrip, baseball has played an intricate part in his life since day one. Ben's father, was a baseball player at Central Arkansas. Growing up, Ben had family who resided in Falmouth.

"I can remember coming down here in the summer time and going to Falmouth games, which was my earliest memories of baseball in Cape Cod" said Waldrip. Ben had a dream to play in Cape Cod and in order to achieve it, knew it would take time and effort.

Ben attended Medford High School and was named MVP after his senior year, posting a average over .400 in the Great Boston League, which was a wood bat league. Leadership was a quality for Waldrip as he named team captain both his junior and senior year. He was an all-star and named Male Athlete of the Year his senior year. Waldrip also played football and basketball in high school. Before becoming a Gamecock, Waldrip took his talents to the junior college level and played at Cypress College in California. He also played two years in the NECBL. He was named to the All- Star team in 2009 and lead the league in several categories. This past season for the Gamecocks, he compiled a 344 batting average with a team-leading 10 home runs and 46 RBI and helped lead the team to a 36-23 record. Waldrip is one of the most feared batters on the Cape, leading the league with six home runs.

"It feels great (hitting a home run) and its one of the best feelings in the world," said Waldrip. "I have been able to get pitches to jump on early and it's helped contribute to my team's success."

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