Chris Diesso hit a walk-off HR in the bottom of the 7th to give Hauppauge a 4-3 win over North Babylon pic.twitter.com/mldNedVh6H
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 18, 2022
Injuries are a part of the game of baseball, but sometimes they can be especially cruel. We always hear about the success stories in amateur baseball but sometimes we get desensitized to the real emotional roller coasters that high school kids go through during their prime recruiting years.
Hauppauge catcher Chris Diesso is a tremendously talented player that has been hit hard with some bad luck but is now entering his senior year of high school and is fully healthy for the first time in a while. He will be an X-Factor for the Eagles as they look to make a deep playoff run this year with a talented roster that was led by underclassmen the past two seasons. He transferred back to the school after attending the Stony Brook School for a year.
Over a 50-game summer stretch he compiled these stats:
.312 AVG/.481 OBP/.910 OPS/8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HRs, 18 RBIs while throwing out 25 percent of attempted base stealers and a fielding percentage of .993.
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
As a two-sport athlete, how much work does it take to maintain your performance for both sports?
As a two-sport athlete, I’ve got to say it is not easy by any means managing and balancing football, baseball and – most importantly – school. Though the balance is tough I have learned many great things and I am a better person today because of it. I believe that time management is THE MOST important skill one can have not only as a student-athlete but as a person who wishes to succeed in this world. Though it was difficult to maintain my grades and level of play in both sports, there is nothing I would rather do. I love a challenge and any chance I get to challenge myself, I do.
Who are some people that have had a positive influence on your career?
Well I would have to say the people who have had the most positive influence in my life has got to be my mother and father. They have always pushed me to be great and have never put pressure on me to perform but only pressured me to keep working hard and be the best version of myself on the field. I was never forced to play baseball or forced to hit in the cage but I was encouraged. I feel that encouragement from one’s parents is something that this great sport lacks. My parents have never pressured me but rather encouraged and guided me to be the player, and man I am today. Also, I would like to attribute Hauppauge alum and recent Hauppauge Hall of Fame inductee, Matt Reistetter. Matt has been training me since I was very young and he has taught me everything I know. I am so blessed to have been taken under the wing of a big league caliber player. Matt refers to me as his, “catching padawan”. Also, I would like to mention Frank Catalanotto as he was my first ever hitting instructor. Frank is the reason I wear Number 27 today. I aspire to be like him and Matt.
What has your time at Hauppauge been like? Can you give us a brief outlook on the 2023 season?
Recently transitioning from a private institution, The Stony Brook School I have found it to be a rather smooth phase back into my old life in the public school setting. I have made great relationships with people I would have never expected to meet. I met the love of my life, Aurora, at Hauppauge and she was an exchange student here so that is one of the best things to come out of my transition to Hauppauge. I have to do long distance with her which is really a challenge in itself. Other great things that came from my transition is football. I will say, there is no feeling like playing football. It was a true honor to play for my school and our great coaching staff. And an even greater honor to have been selected for the All Star Game. As of now, I am working towards getting myself as great as I can in baseball and focusing every last once of my effort in baseball and school. I want to be the best I can be for my team and lead them to a Long Island Championship. We have the makings of a great team here and an incredible coaching staff.
What has been the most thrilling moment of your playing career?
I would have to say that the most thrilling moment of my playing career was when I came into the game as pinch-hitter and hit a walk-off HR in the bottom of the 7th inning against North Babylon in a tie game. I pinch-hit because I was out with an injury awaiting a follow up with the hand specialist, resulting in a broken hand bone. Despite the broken bone, that home run is something that every kid dreams of.
How difficult has it been dealing with some injuries the past couple years? Are you feeling 100% now?
It was very difficult especially because of these crazy injuries. It’s not like it was baseball injuries we see often like a torn rotator cuff. I had my whole right side of my face broken requiring 3 small plates to be placed to repair the bones. At my post-op visit, my first question was “can I go back to playing?” She didn’t let me just yet but gave me hope that within a couple weeks I’d be back. Then with the okay from the surgeon I was back to catching quickly and barely missed a beat. My priority was getting back where I belong – on the field. Then after several month, a small bone in my hand was broken that prevented me from hitting and swinging setting me back yet again. There were moments that I questioned why do I keep getting injured? But, even after these injuries, there’s nothing like being on that field. Thankfully, I am 100% now and I pray that I don’t face anymore freak accidents. I am not one to be injury prone, I mean I survived 9 starts on the defensive line this year against some of the best competition on the island without getting hurt. So I am not worried.
Who are some pitchers that you’ve faced that are the toughest?
I would probably put Josh Knoth and Jason Decaro at the top of my list of the toughest pitchers I’ve faced. Josh was a sophomore at the time as was I and he pounded the zone with a dominant fastball and had incredible command over his breaking ball – we knew then he was going to be a star.
And Jason is one special player. I wound up having, I believe, three at bats against him and they were all good battles, per se. But you can just see with his live arm and dominant breaking pitches, the ceiling is very high for his future.
Favorite player in Major League Baseball?
Shohei Ohtani
Favorite app on your phone?
My guitar tuning app.
Favorite TV show or movie?
My favorite TV show is Naruto Shippuden and my favorite movie is Baz Lurman’s incredible biopic “Elvis”.
Favorite meal?
I really enjoy a dry aged steak.
Favorite musical artist?
Elvis Presley, I have been infatuated with him since I was 8-years-old.
Best baseball trip you’ve been on?
The Georgia Perfect Game tournament.
Goals for 2023?
My goals for 2023 are to work hard, have fun, and have a great season. Help my team reach our goals together by being the best teammate I can be.
