Cape League: Bourne picks former Brewster pitching coach Landers to become field manager

Brewster pitching coach Scott Landers embraces starter Mason Black as the pitcher comes off the field against Harwich in a Cape League game in 2019. Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times File

The Bourne Braves signed former Brewster Whitecaps pitching coach Scott Landers to a two-year contract this week as the next field manager following the departure of longtime field manager Harvey Shapiro last month. 

"I want to thank Bourne for the opportunity they are giving me and I am excited about it," Landers said in phone conversation Friday. 

Bourne general manager Darin Weeks said a handful of candidates were interviewed and a key part of the process was finding a coach who could encourage his players to stay and not leave early. 

"He is going to make sure these kids are motivated to stay and finish the whole thing," Weeks said Friday. "That was really the final line for us as far as the difference between Scott and other folks." 

Landers said he always wanted to be a head coach in the Cape League, but wasn't sure when it would happen.  

"The Cape League is very prestigious and being a head coach is one of the best jobs you can have in college baseball," Landers said. "It excites me to have another program to myself and get going and try to bring a winning culture and good relationships to Bourne." 

Weeks said he is looking forward to seeing Landers help his players reach their potential. 

"He has that intangible that connects with these young ballplayers to help get the best out of them that separated him from the rest," Weeks said. “He's the type of guy that makes you want to run through a wall after speaking with him." 

Landers became the pitching coach for Brewster in 2019, his first season in the Cape League. This summer, the league champion Whitecaps allowed the second-fewest earned runs during the regular season with 119 while recording a 3.52 earned-run average. They also gave up the second-fewest hits (258), ranked second-best in walks allowed (114) and had the fifth-highest strikeout total on the Cape (349).  

"I want to thank [Brewster field manager Jamie Shevchik] for letting me coach with him, the rest of the coaching staff and everybody else involved with Brewster from the general manager to the president," Landers said. "The community made it really enjoyable for me the past couple of summers." 

Landers said the transition from pitching coach to head coach won't be a difficult one because of his experience at Oswego State in New York, where he has been the head baseball coach for the past 10 years.

Landers led Division III Oswego State to three State University of New York Athletic Conference championships (2017-2019) in seven appearances and three trips to the NCAA College World Series. 

"I want the players to have the opportunity to get better and to make and have different relationships outside of their regular programs," Landers said. "A lot of those guys are there to increase their stock in the draft so for me and the other coaches, I want to be another resource for them to let those dreams come true."