Christofori: Seasoned veteran
BELMONT — Cal Christofori is an athlete for all seasons and he has the letters to prove it.
The Belmont High senior has been a four-year starter on both the football and baseball teams. He started on the hockey team as an eighth-grader and earned four varsity letters there before trading in his skates for a pair of sneakers and a prominent role on the boys basketball team.
The future Yale baseball player scoffs at the notion that one must specialize in one particular sport in order to get to the next level.
“I think playing multiple sports gives you multiple skill sets,” Christofori said. “I just love playing different sports. At the end of one season, I’m looking forward to the next season. All the different sports kind of come together and make you a better athlete.”
Not only is Christofori the rare 13-letter winning athlete, he’s also been a major success in the classroom. An outstanding student, Christofori shows just as must pride in his GPA as he does his batting average, as evidenced by his commitment to an Ivy League university.
“School has always come first for me and sports come second,” Christofori said. “I’ve always kind of prioritized the two, they go hand in hand. It’s nice to go through school, then come out here and practice before going home to do homework.”
When Christofori tried out for the varsity baseball team as a freshman, there was a glaring need behind the plate. Coach Jim Brown didn’t think twice about throwing the untested ninthgrader into the fire. It’s a decision Brown has never regretted.
“You could see his poise right away and his physical tools were amazing,” Brown said. “With his maturity, Cal was more like a junior in his freshman year.”
Christofori has helped lead the Marauders to a 39-27 record and three straight trips to the Division 2 North quarterfinals. This season, Belmont is off to a 9-2 start and recently earned recognition as one of 33 schools on the Super Eight watch list. He has guided a largely inexperienced pitching staff to an impressive start.
“I just love the intricacies of the position,” Christofori said. “As a catcher, you are in the play every time and I also love the mental side to it.”
It certainly helps when your player is among the most respected kids on the team and in the school. Brown raves about the well-round senior standout.
“In all my time here, he’s one of just a few two-year captains,” Brown said. “He’s not just a coaches’ leader, but he’s a players’ leader as well. He’s just a good, respectful kid.”
Regardless of the season.