by, Wally and Kathy Grove

2022 will be a very special year for the Cotuit Kettleers as we celebrate the 75^th year of baseball on Cape Cod. Many people have contributed over the past 75 years-players, donors, house parents, coaches, volunteers and of course the many fans who have flocked to Lowell Park to watch and cheer for the Kettleers. This is another in the series as we recall the many memories people have of the Cotuit Kettleers!

Kathy and Wally Grove-House Parents to Mike Roberts since 2005

Having been introduced as his house parents by Mike Roberts at one of the opening Kettleers skits and dinner was the ultimate compliment.    How lucky can one be to be a house parent to Mike. 

Mike has resided in a cottage on our property since 2005.  Can I tell you how grateful we are to have Mike and his family in residence.   We totally consider him as a member of our family.    He even gets to share a lobster dinner once in a while.

Wally Grove in his 1904 Olds with Coach Robert’s grandchildren, Brock and Tyler.

I can tell you Mike is one of the hardest workers we know.  He is working out early in the morning.  And he’s up very late at night planning his team moves for the next games.   He is consistently on the telephone with coaches from various schools and players.  One never sees him sitting around.    At the same time, Mike is at the library reading at Children’s Story Hour on Tuesday mornings.   In addition, he still dons a bathing suit and enjoys “slip and slide” going head first into the shampoo side covering the tarp with Kettleers campers every Friday morning.

Mike coordinates the July 4^th activities at Lowell Park for families and is the first person for kids to throw to splash in the Dunk Tank!   What a good sport!!!

These are just some of the things the ordinary person does not see of Mike Roberts.  We are so lucky to have him as part of our community!!!  What a role model!!

The yard has been a place for cookouts for the players when there is a little free time.  Or the yard is filled with his grandchildren and the neighborhood kids playing baseball while Mike tosses the baseball.   He consistently works with kids no matter the age if they show the slightest interest in the game.  Mike is so dedicated to the game on and off the field.

We so enjoy having his families from Dallas and Sarasota  visit.  Mike’s children are the best.  And his son Brian is a retired major league baseball player.  He, too, has spent time with the Kettleers when visiting.  No surprise if you know Mike.  And  all of his grandchildren Tyler, Brock, Jax, Nash, and Cru are wonderful to have around.

Not only is Mike an outstanding coach and person, but the time he has spent fundraising is absolutely astounding.  Look at all of the accomplishments and improvements to Lowell Park including new stands, new refreshment stand, new bathrooms, new scoreboard, and a new left field bull pen.  There is a new walk of Championships being built this Spring. 

Mike continues to fundraise presently for a  total renovation of the field scheduled for Fall 2022. Donations are always welcome!  If you have traveled to other fields, I think you will agree Lowell Park is the best.   The Kettleers are such an important part of our community thanks to Mike.  The summer of 2020 was a disaster with no games.  Everyone missed the players, the coach, and the games and dinner at the field.   The summer was just not the same.

Of  course, one of the highlights for us was to see Mike and his team win the Championship on August 9,  2019.  Many hours of dedication come to fruition.  Such a happy moment for all!!

Mike has probably been out on the water a total of six times in the 18 years.  There never seems to be time for those fun activities.   He is so dedicated to the town, his job as coach, and to the players and residents of Cotuit. How lucky can a community be???

We are so looking forward to the 2022 season!!

Wally and Kathy Grove

Lucky House Parents