WAPPINGERS FALLS - Cody Crowell is used to the spotlight.

The Auburn Doubledays, most consistent reliever was a standout pitcher in high school, college and even the Cape Cod Baseball League. But in the moment that he should have been basking in his first professional accolade, it lasted less than five minutes.

As one of nine pitchers for the American League affiliate All-Star team at Dutchess Stadium on Tuesday, Crowell knew he wouldn't see a ton of action on the mound. When he finally took center stage in the sixth, the start was great when he struck out Collin DeLome of Tri-City, swinging. Austin McClune of State College knocked a single, possibly prolonging Crowell's time in the game, one batter before his teammate, Manny Rodriguez ruined everything with an unassisted double play. Not that Crowell was really complaining.

“It's always fun to get the first guy out and that we got them out straight,” said the Cape Cod, Mass. native. “Then (Manny) just fell on the ball and it was awesome. He got on the bag and it was a quick inning. I wasn't out there long. Just as soon as I got out there, I was dragging back into the dugout. It was a great experience though.”

Crowell knows all about great experiences. Growing up in one of the greatest baseball towns in the United States led him to become the pride of his high school, Harwich High, where he graduated from in 2003 after amassing a 30-5 record and leading his team to three straight MIAA south sectional finals. He then spent two summers playing the baseball league in Cape Cod, to the envy of thousands of other players. But to him, he was just playing at home.

Playing there was amazing,#8 said the lefty.I went to all the games growing up there, then I got to play there for two years during college. It was crazy the first time I played there, because it was on my high school field. I loved it there, I loved playing at Vanderbilt, the coaches were great and it's been great playing in Auburn.

After graduating from Vanderbilt University last spring, the southpaw was picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 14th round of the Major League Baseball draft. Since then, he's racked up a 5-1 record with three saves in over 30 innings pitched, proving himself to be one of the best relievers in a revolving bullpen.

It's been great, even though we had a few other guys in the beginning of the year, Crowell said. All the guys get a long, I don't know what we're going to do next year when we get split up, but it's been really nice.

When it comes to the recipe for his success this year, Crowell said it's simple. Sort of.

It's about getting ahead and trusting my catcher, especially JP (Arencibia), Crowell said. Coming in, I kind of knew how I wanted to work hitters and it's been good. We're getting a lot of hitters and kind of keeping them off balance. That's been the biggest thing because they don't see what's coming a lot of the time.

It might seem obvious, but Crowell said that other than Arencibia and the other catchers, pitching coach Antonio Caceres has helped him the most in the bullpen.

He's really helped me tighten some things up, Crowell said of Caceres. We're out there working every day and your skills are enhanced just by being out there.

And even though it didn't last long, Crowell's nomination to be a New York )Penn League All-Star in a league where there are many great pitchers, is a sign that he's capable of being a great professional baseball player. Which is good, because even though he graduated from Vanderbilt with a Business degree, doesn't mean he's ready to put it to good use just yet.

(If I wasn't playing baseball). I might be an entrapaner of some sort, because I'm young and I kind of like that stuff, Crowell said. But hopefully, I'll continue with baseball for at least a couple more years.