Sharks Add Shortstop To Roster

Published on February 1, 2012 under Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
Martha's Vineyard Sharks News Release


Cale Hanson is a sophomore from Yale University, which is located in New Haven, CT. He lives in Katy, Texas, which is about 30 miles west of Houston, Texas and last season played summer baseball in Hawaii. This summer he will be playing for the Martha's Vineyard Sharks. Not a bad life. Cale was asked a number of questions pertaining to his nomadic baseball life.

Last summer you played for the Kamuela Paniolos in Hawaii. Are you trying to break the Guinness World record for accumulating the longest distance playing for two summer teams from one year to the next?

My teammates at school thought I was going for the "visit the most beautiful places on earth" record. Looks like I can get two records at the same time. But honestly, I am just blessed with a Coach who put a ton of effort into my summer league selection. I told him I wanted to play in the best league I could and was lucky enough to land in Martha's Vineyard with the Sharks.

Was the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League a wood bat league?

Yes, which is something I love about summer leagues. When we are kids we can't wait to use wood bats because we want to be just like the pros. Hawaii was my first chance to use wood bats for an extended time and I had a blast. I learned not to break them as soon as my parents said I had to buy my own!

What was the competition like in the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League? How did it compare to your college competition?

I would compare the talent level in Hawaii last summer as similar to the level I play against at school. It was great for my first summer league experience and I would gladly recommend it to any young player who is looking to improve.

Were the games played on different islands within the state and, if so, how did you travel from island to island?

I didn't have a chance to visit the other islands. All of the games were played on 6 fields that were all near Honolulu. It was a real convenient set up for all of the players in the league since it allowed for a ton of time on Waikiki beach!

I understand the Paniolos won the champion series. Are you going to guarantee a championship for the Sharks?

Nothing would be more enjoyable than winning a championship this summer with the Sharks. Being on a winning team makes the experience much more memorable and I can guarantee that we are all going to be giving our best effort to bring a trophy to the Vineyard.

You had a .962 fielding percentage playing shortstop while batting .285. Do you consider yourself a better hitter than fielder or vice versa?

I don't consider myself a master in either area but I am very comfortable as a fielder. However, offense is my favorite by far. If you asked me whether I wanted to take batting practice or groundballs, I would be in the batter's box before you finished your question.

At Yale as a freshman, you started all 42 games batting .278, lead the team in runs scored (37), HBPs (9) and sac bunts (9) and were second on the team in home runs (2), walks (18), stolen base attempts (12), and third on the team in hits (44), total bases (56) and stolen bases (7). All very impressive statistics. What area of your game will you concentrate on improving during the upcoming baseball season?

From the looks of it I need to improve my ability to avoid being hit by pitches! I will put effort into all areas but I feel I can improve the most in my ability to hit for average. I will try to be more consistent in that area so that I can return to school a better offensive player.

Have you ever been to Martha's Vineyard? Will your family travel from Texas to the Vineyard to see you play?

I have never been, but I can't wait to be there this summer. I have heard from dozens of people of its incredible beauty and stories of the great times they have had there. In regards to my parents visiting, you must be joking. They were more excited than me when I told them I would be playing for the Sharks. They may never leave Martha's Vineyard.

What is your goal while playing in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League this upcoming summer?

Any time I am playing my goal is to help my team win games. On a personal note, I love baseball and I want to play as long as my ability lets me. Therefore, my goal is to play as many games as possible, improve as a ball player and try to ready myself for the next level.

Are you ready for the minor-league like traveling when you play for the Sharks? Charter boat rides back to the Vineyard from Cape Cod at 1:00 and 2:00 AM in the moonlight?

Bring It On! As cliché as it sounds, I try to look at the negative parts of playing baseball, such as long travel days, as our payment for getting to play ball. In a season there are absolutely times when you wish you didn't have to ride a bus for hours after a long game. But at the end of the day you get to PLAY Baseball every day. The least I can do is catch a ferry and a bus to the game.

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Futures Collegiate Baseball League Stories from February 1, 2012


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