Dewaine still chasing his dream
Ex-Montville star will play summer baseball while looking for new college home in fall
Buddy Dewaine figured that he'd play baseball this summer.
He just was unsure where with limited opportunities due to the coronavirus related cancellations.
Then he got a call from his former high school coach, Phil Orbe, who through another Montville connection helped land Dewaine a roster spot on the Brockton (Mass.) Rox, a member of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.
Dewaine, who played four seasons at Central Connecticut State University, signed a contract about a week ago.
"I was supposed to go play for Pittsfield in Massachusetts but their season got canceled," Dewaine said. "After that, Phil Orbe gave me a call and said that Tom Tracey, a former Montville guy who is the GM at Brockton, was looking for another third baseman. I thought it would be a great opportunity.
"Originally, I was thinking I wasn't going to be able to play anywhere, maybe join a men's league or sometime. I knew the Futures League was filling up quickly because there is nowhere else to go, so I'm very excited. I know there's going to be a lot of good competition there.
"Summer ball is always a fun time. I think being this old (22), I've really got to make my mark in summer ball and open up some more scouts' eyes before I go off and play my last year."
The Futures League will feature six teams — Brockton, Worcester, North Shore and Westfield in Massachusetts, Nashua in New Hampshire and New Britain in Connecticut. Opening day is Thursday, July 2.
Dewaine is hoping to use the Futures League as a springboard to his next college baseball season. He's taking advantage of another year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the fact the spring college season was cut short.
After entering his name in the transfer portal, he's narrowed his choices down to Stetson (his top choice), Penn State, University of New Orleans, North Carolina Central and Oakland University.
He's hoping to improve his draft stock before the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft.
"I'm not trying to knock CCSU, but I'd like to play at a higher level," Dewaine said. "It will definitely help my chances of getting drafted. It's a lot harder to be a northeast guy playing in the Northeast Conference and trying to get drafted out of there, so I'd like to get out of the region. Somewhere nice, hopefully. Maybe open up some eyes in a different region and play at a better level just to prove myself."
Dewaine had a productive CCSU career, batting .277 over four seasons with six home runs and 85 RBI in 157 games.
During his junior season, he helped the Blue Devils capture the NEC tournament championship and earn an NCAA bid in 2019. He made the all-conference tournament team, hitting .457 with a team-best six, and also was named to the NCAA Fayetteville Regional All-Tournament team after going 5 for 13.
In his shortened senior season, Dewaine shared the team lead in home runs (two) and RBI (six) with close friend and former Montville teammate TT Bowens.
Dewaine is ready for his next baseball adventure. He's attended only one Rox practice so far due to the fact he's living at home in Montville. He's waiting to find out about staying with a host family in the Brockton area.
After an extended break from pitching, Dewaine is back on the mound again. He hopes to be a reliever this summer as well as play third base.
"I took three or four years off after I had Tommy John (surgery)," Dewaine said. "It just opens up more opportunities for me professionally if I start doing both."
He got the itch to pitch again last summer while playing in the Futures League for the Bristol Blues. He pitched just one inning during the season but threw some bullpen sessions during the all-star game.
"That's when I caught some scouts attention and I stuck with it after that," Dewaine said. "I'm trying to work out with (Mystic Schooner pitching coach) Dennis Long as much as possible and just improve my mechanics."
Earlier this month, Dewaine traveled to Texas to play in the College Summer Baseball Invitational, which was held over a three-day period. Eighty-five players were invited to participate. He competed in three games, serving as a left fielder, pitcher and designated hitter. He threw three scoreless innings and didn't allow a hit.
"It was a really cool experience," Dewaine said.
Another really cool experience for Dewaine was when Bowens recently signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles. They've played baseball together for their entire lives and shared the goal of becoming a pro.
"I'm overwhelmingly happy for him," Dewaine said. "I've watched him blossom from four years old to 22. I've been happy to play with him every step of the way and I'm very excited for him and I know he's going to do well." g.keefe@theday.com