Showcase gives ballplayers place to show their stuff

The dream of virtually any high school baseball player in Massachusetts is to get an opportunity to compete at the next level Dan Donato is hoping to make various of those dreams come true For the third straight year Donato has spearheaded the New England Elite Showcase designed for high school baseball players looking to get noticed by college coaches at all levels The two-day event will take place at Boston College on June - The numbers are coming in but we appear to be ahead of last year s pace declared Donato the head baseball coach at No -ranked Dexter Southfield I think we ve gotten to the point where this event is a must for any kids who want to play in college A two-sport standout at Catholic Memorial Donato went on to play hockey and baseball at Boston University Following college Donato had a minor league career in both the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays organizations getting as high as Triple-A In his travels as a member and later as a coach Donato noticed a growing number of baseball camps and clinics popping up in the south He often wondered why a similar format couldn t work in the north leading to the creation of the New England Elite Showcase You would go to places like Georgia and see these great showcases Donato stated The reality of the situation is that percent of the kids who play high school baseball around here are likely going to play college baseball somewhere in New England The early success of the camp has allowed Donato to bring in particular of the top local high school coaches to help run things Among those on the staff include Rick Forestiere who climbed on board from Day Jonathan Pollard Austin Prep David Cunningham Belmont Hill David Cataruzolo Roxbury Latin and former major leaguer Matt Duffy a group which has more than years of coaching under their collective belts The first day serves as a showcase for kids to display their talents in a variety of drills The next day will consist of a series of games in which every kid is guaranteed a minimum of three at-bats a contest and every pitcher would get an opportunity to throw - pitches Donato thinks this is more than sufficient for a player to showcase his skills in front of a bevy of coaches from the likes of Harvard Dartmouth Boston College Northeastern Bryant as well as Saint Anselm and the NESCAC This is a great opportunity for kids who want to play college baseball to be able to have that chance to do it locally Donato reported They re going to get a chance to be seen by coaches from Division and No matter what you are as an athlete there is a home for anyone who wants to play college baseball All I am trying to do here is help kids achieve their dreams of playing at the next level It s hard enough to play college baseball and it s become even harder because of the transfer portals I ve coached for years and I just want to do anything doable to help kids get to the next level whatever it happens to be for them For further information contact Tim Fledderjohn at fledd premierfootballconsulting com