Page 14 - North Haven Magazine Issue 28 Spring 2023

Following
Following
by Nick Giordano

A LEGEND
A LEGEND
A LEGEND
A LEGEND

New Head Coach Joseph Romanelli

hen Joe Romanelli thought “My coaching philosophy is to be ag- organized, communicating, respect
Wabout his first Varsity Base- gressive whenever possible. I want the and being a good teammate. Not ev-
ball Head Coaching job, he probably players to be aggressive in the box and eryone is going to play college baseball
wasn’t thinking about taking over for ready to swing and I want them to be and for some kids this might be the last
a living legend. But that’s exactly what aggressive on the bases whether that is time they play organized baseball, but
happened when he was named Head stealing, hit and runs, or making sure the skill set that sports provide you can
Coach of the North Haven Night- we take the extra base. On top of being stick with you for the rest of your life.
hawks, succeeding long time coach- aggressive, I want to be a fundamental-
ing legend Bob DeMayo. Hailing from ly good baseball team on defense, on So on top of trying to win every day
Baldwin, NY on Long Island and a the mound and in the box. On defense and teaching the game of baseball, I
graduate of the University of New Ha- that means minimizing errors and make sure that the athletes know that
ven, Romanelli, 31, spent the last sev- making smart decisions throwing the these skills are important not only on
en seasons as an assistant under Don ball and on the mound it means throw- the field but off the field as well.” By
Martone at perennial power Notre ing strikes and making quality pitches applying these principles and project-
Dame of West Haven. When Bob De- and in the box it means being a good ing them to his team, Romanelli seems
Mayo stepped down after 64 seasons at situational hitting team which includes to have the building blocks in place to
the helm of North Haven, speculation being able to bunt.” Romanelli brings carve his own legacy into the storied
was that the school might have trouble with him an experienced staff. baseball history of North Haven High
naming a successor due to the enor- School. There are many eyes on him,
mous shoes that had to be filled and the Mike Antonini is the pitching coach. but it does not appear the pressure will
inherent pressure of replacing some- A New York Mets draft choice in 2007, get to this young man. It will be in-
one who has coached the team for over Antonini reached AAA ball with the teresting to see the progression of the
six decades. Romanelli says he had no Mets and Dodgers and spent two years ballclub this year and years to come.
reservations about accepting the job. “I on the Notre Dame staff with Romanel-
did not have any reservations follow- li. Chris Demorais is the hitting coach.
ing coach DeMayo as I have wanted to Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in
be a High School head coach for a very 2014, Demorais was most recently an
long time. I felt that me being the 6-12 assistant at the University of New Hav-
Math Coordinator in the district made en where he helped lead them to a con-
it a perfect opportunity for me to fufill ference championship. Rounding out
that goal.” the staff are JV Coach James Manzo,
Freshman coach Angelo Romano and
When asked about the attendance of volunteer assistant Travis McHugh.
Coach DeMayo at home games Ro- Romanelli understands the balance of
manelli immediately brushed it off winning and teaching life lessons on
saying, “I do not feel any added pres- the field. “Obviously one of the main
sure when Coach attends games.” Ro- goals as a coach is to win on the field,
manelli brings an aggressive coach- but a big part of my job that I take se-
ing style to North Haven, one that is riously is to have the athletes learn life
in sharp contrast to his predecessor skills that will help them throughout
who often relied on patience at the their life. Some of the life skills include:
plate and utilizing the bunting game. being on time, being prepared, being

North Haven Magazine - Spring Issue 2023
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