The countdown is on: just four days until Cape Cod Baseball League Opening Day and the start of Gatemen baseball in 2026. With the NCAA Baseball Tournament nearing a close, college players are beginning to head to the Cape to begin their summer season.
“It’s an exciting time. This is what everybody in the organization and everybody on the Cape has been waiting for, for these players to roll into town and start practicing,” Wareham manager Ryan Smyth said. “And before we know it, opening night is going to be here, so it's a really exciting time. Everyone's got a little bit of pep in their step.”
The 2026 Gatemen certainly have some high expectations entering Opening Day: last year’s squad was the Cape League’s best offense with 195 runs scored. Wareham also smacked a league-high 35 home runs. It was a similar story defensively as the Gatemen notched a 3.88 team ERA and allowed a league-low 86 hits. Wareham was one of just two West Division teams to reach the 20-win mark. Every year is its own story in the CCBL, but the Gatemen are fortunate to have eight returners with experience in the nation’s most competitive summer collegiate league.
“We try to bring back guys that did it the right way. Guys that were good in the community, were great with their host family, obviously guys that also produced on the field,” Smyth said. “But you bring some of those guys back, and I think just being around the coaching staff last year and the league itself, they give off kind of that savvy vet feel.”
Wareham returns its main core of stars from last summer. Florida two-way player Caden McDonald led the Gatemen with six home runs while throwing over 25 innings on the mound. Shortstop Chris Ramirez notched a team-high .380 batting average and will likely commit to a power-conference program through the transfer portal this June. Tennessee catcher Levi Clark tallied double-digit hits and RBIs to complement a .333 average. The best part for the Gatemen? The returners got even better during their college seasons.
Wareham heads to Cotuit on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. with an opportunity to avenge its season-ending playoff loss last August. This gives the Gatemen an immediate chance to start off strong in the West Division and build on their winning road record from last season.
A day later, Wareham opens Spillane Field against Hyannis at 6 p.m. Opening Day is bigger than the baseball game itself. It offers an opportunity for the whole community to rally around an unofficial start to summer and the beauty of players coming from all over the country to guard the gate.
“There's been a lot of work that's been put into Spillane Field. To see it all come together over the last two years to get to the point where we're at now is just really exciting.” Smyth said. “And obviously anytime playing at home in front of the home crowd, that always gives you a little extra edge.”
From the bleachers in the outfield to lawn chairs behind home plate, Spillane Field offers an intimate view of the game. Baseball fan or not, a Wareham game offers something for every Cape Cod resident. Fans can view the full 40-game regular season slate on Wareham’s website.
A new roster, a new slate of opponents, and a new schedule of theme nights at Spillane sprinkled in throughout the season.
Gatemen baseball is almost here.
