Stephen Ciampa is helping rebuild Holy Cross Hawks boys baseball. (Jim Humphrey/Vaughan Today)
VAUGHAN, Ontario -
Holy Cross Hawk Stephen Ciampa is trying to help rebuild the baseball program into a contender again.
The grade 12 student has been taking the younger players on the team under his wing to help them understand the game.
Since graduating a handful of players from last year’s squad, the Hawks have had to start over bringing in a number of grade 9s, some of whom haven’t played the game before.
Ciampa has taken a leadership role, helping guide the younger players throughout the season.
“I am just trying to help them with their swings and help them develop as players,” he says. “When you come in as a grade 9, you really haven’t played much baseball. There is a lot of adjustments they need to make because they are using wooden bats now, which is a lot harder to hit than aluminum because you have to hit it square.”
There is one common flaw he finds with the younger hitters.
“A lot of grade 9s aren’t aggressive at the plate,” he says. “They will take the first two strikes and by that time it is almost too late, especially if the pitcher throws a breaking ball or an off-speed pitch.”
Having players like Ciampa step up and take an active part in the coaching process has helped head coach Peter Harrison out.
“We are dependant on our leaders this year,” he says. “It’s an important part of the game having our leaders step up and help out the younger players on the team because once they come through our system, they will be looked upon to provide assistance to those younger players.”
Ciampa can relate to what the younger players are going through and he hopes they can continue contributing to the team.
“In Grade 9 we had a good team and we made OFSAA,” he says. “Every year we continue developing our players. Our grade 9s have stepped up, whether they are helping us in the field or helping us out on the bench cheering us on.”
Making the transition was easier for Ciampa.
“I have been playing baseball since I was nine-years-old. Before that I was always playing my brother’s friends who were four years older than I was,” he says. “I have always been around baseball and didn’t discover it until I was the bat boy for my brother’s team.”
One of the strongest parts of Ciampa’s game is his ability to hit the ball and get on base.
“I am usually a consistent hitter with gap power,” says Ciampa. “I am not a big home run hitter. I contribute a lot of singles, doubles and the occasional triple. I am trying to build up my body so I can continue to hit with power and build my arm up, but it is going pretty good so far.”
The guidance of senior players on the squad has helped the Hawks earn a 2-2 record through four games this season. Both of their wins have been come-from-behind thrillers. Ciampa hopes the experience will help propel the Hawks into the post-season.
“Our first game was a walk off win in the bottom of the seventh, but our other games have been close,” he says. “We could have easily been 4-0 right now, but if it were not for a couple injuries here and there. We are set up to make the playoffs right now, so we just have to continue building towards the post-season then anything can happen.”
Once this season is finished, Ciampa will be setting his sights on playing baseball at the university level.
He has applied to two universities, the University of Calgary and Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C.
“As long as I keep my marks up where they need to be, then it shouldn’t be a problem,” he says. “The coaches have already told me they want me on the team.”
Harrison believes the experience Ciampa has gained this year will help him develop quicker at the next level.
“He is really patient with the kids who have come in this year,” says the coach. “He is like a second coach and that will help him when he gets to university because he will have a greater understanding of how the game is played.”
