Vanderbilt University Wins College World Series

 

Vanderbilt University
Image: Vanderbilt.edu

An experienced investment executive, Scott Bushley serves as a partner at Granite Point Capital in Boston. In addition to his professional pursuits, Scott Bushley enjoys coaching youth baseball and is the Cohasset Major League coordinator. His undergraduate alma mater, Vanderbilt University, won the 2019 College World Series (CWS).

The 2019 CWS took place in Omaha, Nebraska, and wrapped up on June 26 as the Vanderbilt Commodores registered an 8-2 victory over the University of Michigan Wolverines in the third and deciding game of the series. Pitcher Mason Hickman recorded 10 strikeouts through six innings in the win, while catcher Philip Clarke led the way offensively with three hits. Vanderbilt trailed 1-0 after the first inning, but scored runs in the each of the following three innings to take a 6-1 lead. Freshman Kumar Rocker, who pitched in Game 2, was named the CWS Most Outstanding Player.

While it was Vanderbilt’s second CWS victory in six years, this one was particularly special as Game 3 was attended by the parents of Donny Everett, a one-time star pitcher with Vanderbilt who tragically drowned just prior to the 2016 playoffs. Everett’s parents, Teddy and Susan, joined the players on stage for the trophy presentation.

Record Participation for Little League Safety Program

Cohasset Youth Baseball and Softball Association
Image: cybsa.net

A Massachusetts-based investment-management professional, Scott Bushley guides finances and business operations at Granite Point Capital, in addition to participating in its monthly performance estimations and managing its fund services. Outside of his professional pursuits, Scott Bushley is a youth baseball coach who also serves as coordinator for the Cohasset Major League.

The Cohasset Major League is one of the four baseball leagues managed by the Cohasset Youth Baseball & Softball Association, which falls under the Little League umbrella. As the largest youth sports program in the world, Little League boasts millions of registered players and in excess of 1 million adult volunteers in any given year.

In addition to building character, courage, and loyalty among its players, Little League works to ensure the safety of all its players. One of the ways in which it accomplishes this is through its A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP). In its 24th year of existence, ASAP was employed by 94 percent of US Little League programs in 2019. ASAP, sponsored by AIG Insurance and Musco Lighting, has reduced injuries by 80 percent since its implementation. Moreover, leagues that have the program enjoy lower insurance costs.

Braintree’s Hollingsworth Park

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Scott Bushley of Cohasset, Massachusetts, draws upon more than 20 years of investment management experience in his role as the finance and business operations partner at Granite Point Capital in Boston. Beyond his professional endeavors, Scott Bushley serves on the Board of Directors of the Cohasset Youth Baseball & Softball Association (CYBSA).

The CYBSA plays its games at more than a dozen locations throughout Massachusetts, one of which is Hollingsworth Park in Braintree. Often referred to as Hollingsworth Playground, the facility had playground equipment that was installed in the 1980s before it was torn down as a result of safety concerns. However, the Town of Braintree received $145,787 from the state to construct a new playground in 2014.

Regarding baseball, Hollingsworth Park’s Michael F. Dunn Little League Complex has five baseball diamonds, including Christopher Duffy Field, which is designated for tee-ball. The others have dimensions that are suitable for players ranging from 8 to 12 years old. The largest diamond, William G. Brooks Field, has lights and is often used for premier summer travel games. The park also has a snack bar that was constructed by volunteers in 2011.

Little League Baseball Playing Field Dimension Requirements

 

Little League Baseball
Image: LittleLeagueBaseball.org

The recipient of an MBA with an emphasis in finance from Boston College’s Carroll Graduate School of Management, Scott Bushley held financial analyst roles with Sunflower Capital Partners and Atlantic Trust before joining BNY Mellon Investment Management in an executive capacity in 2007. Now a partner responsible for finance and business operations at Granite Point Capital, Scott Bushley enjoys coaching youth baseball in his free time.

To ensure competition is even across all levels and age groups, Little League Baseball employs a number of stringent rules and regulations. Playing field dimensions are of particular importance. For the Major division and below, the infield should be a 60-foot square, whereas the distance from home plate to the nearest fence or other obstruction between the two foul poles should be at least 200 feet.

From there, the pitcher’s mound should be 6 inches higher and 46 feet away from the back edge of home plate. There also should be at least 25 feet of open space between the fence and home plate as well as all base lines. Second base is required to be 84 feet and 10 inches in a straight line from home plate, while first base is 60 feet from home down the right side of the base line. Third base, meanwhile, should be measured 60 feet down the left side of the base line from home plate. The distance between first and third, then, should be the same as that from home to second (84 feet and 10 inches).