FIRST PERSON STORIES
In My Own Words: Why I Joined the Marines
Editor’s Note: Chris Deddo is a 2018 graduate of SUNY Maritime. He was a major reason in why the Privateers were able to turn a dormant program into Skyline Conference Champs in 2017. He participated in our 2018 Axcess Invitational, shortly after joining the United States Marines. The following words are his own…) In May of 2018, I found myself pinning on the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and becoming a member of the most lethal fighting force in the world. The United States Marines. The decision to become a leader of Marines was something that did not just happen overnight. It was a long process that started from when I was a little kid. I was fortunate to be surrounded by a family of people who dedicated their life to service. My father Michael Deddo Jr., retired from the NYPD with 32 years of ...
Ty Orologio: Why I Chose a JUCO
(Editor’s Note: Ty Orologio is a 2020 graduate of Longwood HS and the younger brother of Camden–who played at Adelphi University. He was with us at the August 23 Showcase at Ducks Stadium. Yesterday he announced his commitment to attend Dutchess CC. The following words are his own.) People who know me, know exactly why I chose to attend a JUCO. It’s because I don’t prepare for the now, I prepare for the future. I want to set myself up for a successful future, whether it’s on the baseball field or not–I want to be successful. Going to a JUCO, mentally I feel relieved and my drive for determination and success on the baseball field could not be any higher. I’m going to go there and work–that’s it. The first thing I saw when I got out of t...
My First Full Season in Pro Ball
by Bobby Honeyman (Editor’s Note: Bobby is a 2014 graduate of Massapequa HS and 2018 graduate of Stony Brook University where he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 29th round. He just finished up his second season in pro ball. So far, he has compiled a batting average of exactly .300 over 186 games. He has an OBP of .349. He was named an All-Star this year. We the Mariners in the midst of a heavy rebuilding period, Bobby has a chance to progress through their system. The following words are his own.) Going into my first full season of pro ball I was not really sure what to expect. After the 2018 draft I played short season for the Everett Aquasox in the Northwest League. Even though I had success in my first season I knew that I still had a lot of improvements to make over t...
Patience
by Christian Tessitore (Editor’s Note: Christian Tessitore is a 2019 graduate of SUNY Old Westbury, he signed with the Empire Pro League shortly after. He has a great story of grit and perseverance.) Patience. The capacity to except or tolerate delay without getting angry or upset. Not just a word or a mindset, but a lifestyle so very important in achieving what we want. My professional career may have officially began this year however, my professional mindset has been cultivated by some of the best baseball minds on Long Island for many years. If it wasn’t for people like Glenn Mitchell I would not be anywhere near the position I have put myself in the last few months. Talking pitching within what is our circle of guys including names such as Justin Dunn and Alex Vargas has ...
Brock Murtha: What Mother’s Day Means to Me
(Editor’s Note: Brock Murtha is a 2020 graduate of Sayville HS. He is one of the top players in the region and is committed to the University of Notre Dame. He currently leads all Long Island high school players with seven home runs included a walk-off three-run home run earlier this week. The follow words are his own…) Brock Murtha hits a walk-off 3-R home run (7th of the season) to deliver a 6-3 victory for Sayville pic.twitter.com/sjy2XjB5pu — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 8, 2019 As an athlete, my mom, (and all moms) play a very important role in our lives. I am lucky enough to have a mom that is the real superstar. My mom is my greatest cheerleader, and my #1 fan. There are countless things my mom does for me, to make my life easier and to show me how much she l...
Johnny Castagnozzi: What I’m Thankful For
(Editor’s Note: Johnny Castagnozzi is a 2020 graduate of Massapequa HS. He was the first player in Tom Sheedy’s tenure to start as a 9th grader. All he’s done is lead them to back-to-back Class AA Long Island Championships including a NYS Class AA Championship this past June. He committed to the University of North Carolina as a sophomore. The following words are his own…) Thanksgiving is a time of year to look back on the many things that we have in our lives that we appreciate. For me there are so many things that come to mind. First, I have been blessed with an incredible family. They support me in every aspect of my life. My Mom and Dad who do everything possible to help me to develop as an athlete and as a person. They’ve given me strength even when things are ...
Andrew Veit: Why I Chose Saint Peter’s
Great arm action from Bellport Andrew Veit pic.twitter.com/TE3GNqFtvJ — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 20, 2017 (Editor’s Note: Andrew is a 2019 graduate of Bellport HS. He is the younger brother of Michael, who is an outfielder at Farleigh-Dickinson University. He is a middle infielder that helped Bellport make a postseason appearance in 2018. He announced his commitment to Division-I Saint Peter’s in New Jersey. The following words are his own.) The recruiting process is not an easy process, it takes a lot of time and effort to attend as many tournaments and showcases as possible. Making sure you’re working to your full potential while at the tournaments is necessary because you never know which college coaches are there watching. It’s important to pick the ...
Veterans Day: Brandon Stahl On Deciding to Join the Army After Baseball
(Editor’s Note: Brandon Stahl is a 2010 graduate of St. Dominic HS, where he was an Under Armour All-American and three-time All-League selection. He attended Div-I Old Dominion in Virginia before transferring to Adelphi, where he enjoyed a breakout season in 2013 with a .309 AVG and .356 OBP. The following words are his own. This was originally published November 11, 2017) By Brandon Stahl Deciding to join the military was definitely one of the harder decisions I have ever had to make in my life to this point. Many people talk of a “calling” when it comes to this line of work and one day that calling hit me and I never looked back. In my personal opinion, serving and defending this country is one of the most honorable endeavors a person can immerse themselves in and my passion for this ha...
Dante Interlandi: Why I Chose Queens College
(Editor’s Note: Dante is a 2019 graduate of Farmingdale High School, where he helped guide the Dalers to a postseason appearance. He recently announced his commitment to Queens College. The following words are his own.) In my whole life as a baseball player, getting to this stage of playing was only a small dream I never thought I could reach. This past Sunday, November 4th, I decided to make the next decision to better my future and commit to Queens College. I couldn’t have been able to make this decision and get to this point in my life without my family, all of my coaches and my teammates. Before I even learned about the entire recruitment process, I would occasionally flip to college baseball games, football games and basketball games and see kids starting to live out their child...
Brady Doran: Why I Chose St. Anselm
(Editor’s Note: Brady Doran is the younger brother of George Washington University SS Logan Doran. Together, they formed an outstanding double play combination and top-of-the-order duo. He recently committed to St. Anselm College and he took the time to describe his decision. The following words are his own…) The recruiting process was a tough process in many ways; traveling all summer to showcases and tournaments. This process also helped me grow as a player and a person. Ultimately in the end, Saint Anselm College is the perfect place for me. The moment I stepped foot on the Saint Anselm campus, I fell in love with it and really wanted to go there. Shortly after arriving, I met Coach Cenatiempo and Coach Sumner and then got ready for the workout. After the workout, one of the...
Matt Yip: Why I Chose UNC-Wilmington
(Editor’s Note: Matt Yip is a 2019 graduate of Herricks HS. He has an outstanding junior season in which he was among the Long Island leaders in home runs. He participated in our Home Run Derby in August at Baseball Heaven and recently committed to UNC-Wilmington. The following words are his own…) The thought and desire of wanting to attend UNC-Wilmington had stayed with me since the beginning of my junior year. Coach Hood had watched me first play at the 16U Perfect Game WWBA tournament down in Georgia. Our first game was at the PG complex vs the East Cobb Astros 2020 team. Mid game, a dear friend and teammate that had been flown in from Arizona to play with for most of the summer, Bryan McKinsey had came into the game as relief. Bryan became the star of the game as soon as he...
Mike Draskin: Why I Chose NYIT
(Editor’s Note: Mike is a 2019 graduate of Half Hollow Hills West HS in Dix Hills. He is a very talented C/3B that recently committed to NYIT following a strong season for the co-League 4 Champs. The following words are his own…) From the first time I had stepped foot on campus, met the coaching staff and heard the opportunities within the program, I knew it was a dream to play for the Bears at New York Institute of Technology. Over the summer, I had reached out to my high school coach for Half Hollow Hills West, Coach Tom Migliozzi, saying that I needed more connections with colleges that he was close to. I told him NYIT was somewhere I would love to play, especially because they has just hired Long Island baseball legend Frank Catalanotto. I met him when I was only ten years ...
