Printer Friendly Version - Dominic Fusco Plays Baseball the Right Way

Dominic Fusco recently finished his first collegiate season of baseball at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and returned to the North Haven Senior American Legion baseball team this summer. Dominic’s attitude has been a huge positive for Head Coach Charlie Flanagan’s squad and he recently had a walk-off single when Post 76 beat Orange 3-2.Photo courtesy of Dominic Fusco

Dominic Fusco was brought up with baseball and taught how to play the game the right way by his father and coaches. Dominic learned early that hard work pays off in the long run and he’s worked hard throughout his time playing for North Haven High School, the Post 76 American Legion program, and in college at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he recently wrapped up his freshman season.

“He has a unique quality about him where he’s a fighter wherever you put him. He’s not vocal, not loud, but usually, his hard work and approach, whether pitching, playing the outfield, or batting, puts him in a leadership role within the team’s framework,” says Senior Legion Head Coach Charlie Flanagan. “He always shows up to play. He works hard in practice, is competitive in the game, and is always trying to get better. When you have a kid with that kind of discipline and drive, he’ll be successful more times than not.”

Dominic plays the outfield and pitches for the Post 76 Seniors. His dad was a pitcher and Dominic says that pitching isn’t necessarily his forte, although he’s been relied upon on the mound for the Legion team and also recorded two wins with two saves to help the high school squad win the Class L state championship as a senior last year. Along the way, Dominic threw a complete game when the Indians beat Hand 4-1 in the quarterfinals.

“I’ve always kind of been pitching my whole life, but it’s never been my main position,” says Dominic, who throws a fastball and curve. “Pitching never came that easily to me. I was never just a pitcher. As I got older, I understood the mental side of it better, so that helped me, but it was never my thing.”

Dominic says he’s still in disbelief about North Haven’s Cinderella run to the state title. North Haven had a veteran team that struggled at the tail end of the regular season, but then put it all together at the right time. Dominic batted .352 for the Indians that year.

“That was unbelievable when you think about it. Coming into the year, all the kids thought we had a chance at it, but nobody picked us to win anything. We had a good team, everyone stepped up, and we put together a great season,” says Dominic. “That was great because all the seniors have been playing together all our lives. That being our last year, to go out winning with them was great.”

Dominic says he talked to a few different schools about the possibility of playing at the collegiate level. WPI, a Division III program, made the most sense for Dominic due to the school’s strong academic reputation, plus the connection between WPI’s coach and Flanagan, who lauds Dominic for his work ethic.

“He’s never taken anything for granted and his approach is always the same. He’s trying to do the best job he can for the team. He’s an easy guy to coach. You don’t have to yell at him. He knows what he has to do. He knows what the situation is and how he has to react to it,” says Flanagan. “A key ingredient in him is his work ethic. He wants to get better and you can’t teach that. You either have it or you don’t. He keeps his nose clean, his mouth shut, and he works hard. I’d take nine of those kids morning, noon, and night.”

It took Dominic a little while to crack the WPI lineup, but he wound up seeing time at all three outfield spots for the Engineers in his freshman year.

“I put my academics first, so I found a school to fit better there first before I continued my baseball career. I got lucky. It just fit me,” Dominic says. “The whole recruiting process was long. It’s definitely a big transition from high school baseball. There’s more to the game when you’re playing. The kids are bigger, faster, and stronger, but it’s been a good transition. I’ve got some time and good experience, so I’m ready to go back and get at it.”

Dominic has enjoyed playing baseball in North Haven throughout his life and that’s why he decided to come back and play Legion ball in his last year of eligibility this summer.

“I enjoyed my time in North Haven, playing for the high school,” says Dominic. “I’m grateful for that, playing in this town.”