It didn’t take long for Nick Campana to make an impact on the professional level. On July 4, in the second at bat of his minor league debut, the outfielder laced a single up the middle to record his first professional hit.
But although the moment was an indelible one for the Eastchester native, Campana, who graduated from Eastchester High School in 2014, is hoping that there will be plenty more as he embarks on his pro career.
“My first at bat wasn’t too good, I was a little nervous and grounded out,” Campana told the Review. “I just had to clear my mind out, remember it’s still the same game and get rid of those nerves; it was a pretty cool experience.”
Campana had signed with the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League a few days earlier, fresh on the heels of wrapping up a standout career at the University of Hartford.
As a member of the Hawks’ program, the speedy outfielder’s 2018 campaign was one for the record books. Campana hit .385—good enough for 21st in the nation—and set school records for both total bases (127) and stolen bases (22).
Campana’s play, which earned him Division I Second Team All-American Honors, was so good, in fact, that he believed there was a chance he would be selected in the 2018 MLB Draft, which took place between June 4-6.
“When the Major League Draft came around, I had been talking to some scouts and I thought I was going to hear my name called,” he said. “But when that didn’t happen, I just continued to train and knew that I had to work hard to get to where I wanted to be.”
Just a few weeks later, he got a phone call from Chris Newell, the manager of the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers, one of four teams who play in the Detroit-based United Shore Professional Baseball League, an Independent Minor League organization, and knew that his dream was still alive.
“When I heard from [Coach Newell] I knew that this was an amazing opportunity,” Campana said. “So I just needed to keep working hard in the hopes that this can turn into something bigger.”
That “something bigger,” Campana admits, is catching the eye of one of the Major League organizations that passed on him in June’s amateur draft. So far, he’s off to a torrid start as the Beavers’ leadoff hitter, batting .400 and driving in five runs in his first three games as a professional.
“In terms of maturing, my baseball IQ has gotten better, my power has gone up, and I’m seeing the ball well,” he said. “By the end of college, my strikeout-to-walk ratio was better than it’s ever been.”
But early successes aside, Campana knows that making the jump to affiliated baseball won’t be easy. While several of his Beavers’ teammates are—like himself—younger players hoping to catch their first break, some of the team’s veterans are trying to get back to that level.
“There are guys on the team who have gone as high as Double-A ball in the Yankees and Cardinals organizations, and they say it’s a great time,” he said. “But they also talk about how much of a struggle it is, so I know that I’ve got to keep on improving.”
And while Campana understands the path forward won’t be easy, he said he has been appreciative of all the support he’s received from well-wishers back home.
Texts from friends, family and former coaches have helped to motivate him on his quest, but he also wishes he could have shared his success with legendary Eastchester baseball coach Dom Cecere, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 75.
“It’s 100 percent bittersweet because Coach Cecere was like a second father to me and did so much for me in my life and career,” Campana said. “But I know he’s looking down and smiling.”
No matter how his journey to the big leagues turns out, Campana said he’s one day hoping to come back and encourage young local ballplayers to aim high.
“I’d love to come back some day and work with kids, older or younger, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “Those kids are looking up to you and I’d like to teach them that living out your dreams is attainable.”
