Chape Leads Team to Championship Victory

Chape was the story in the trophy game. He took advantage of some mistake pitches to put his team ahead early, and in the late innings he made two game saving catches to prevent BJ, Gus and Jake from getting back into the game.

It was a perfect day for a Championship at the Ballpark in Nottingham. Saturday was the first game in the park, which is the best park we have seen during the 2006 season. With long fences in left and right, short grass on the infield, and a long doubles line, this park was definitely made to favor good pitching and good defense.

Chape was there to show off his defense and prove that he is the five-tool player that he was billed as when he came up to the bigs two months ago.

In the sixth with two runners on he made a diving catch to his right on a ball Gus hit hard down the left field line. The catch was Coco-Crisp-like in style and importance, and definitely saved two runs.

In the seventh with runners on again he made a home-run saving catch on BJ. Running at full speed with his back to the plate, he dove and caught the ball at the fence as the crowd went wild.

Chape's offense and defense were the clear difference in the game, and he was unanimously awarded the MVP, which will now be known as the Chape Trophy for Distinguished Play (CTDP).

In early friendly action the teams played to a 4-4 tie in seven innings. BJ was a defensive standout, making plays all over the field.