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04/13/2017 12:00 AMSenior Brett Camilleri hasn’t put up huge numbers with the Valley Regional baseball team to this point in his career, but his approach at the plate and hard-working nature suggest that this year will be different.
Brett, a Chester native, made the seldom-seen conversion from catcher to outfielder following the emergence of sophomore backstop Josh Ross last season. While his position has changed, Brett’s grind-it-out approach to his at-bats has not. With his discerning eye and a quick bat at the dish, Brett is looking to help get the Warriors back to the Shoreline Conference final and then make a run at a state title this spring.
Brett is a prototypical No. 2 hitter because of his ability to take the ball the other way and move runners along. Last year, Brett hit .240, but he only struck out twice in more than 80 at-bats. He constantly got bat on the ball; it just seemed as though it often headed directly to a fielder. Still, Brett kept working hard with the hope that more balls would start dropping in this season. So far, they have been, as Brett is 6-for-12 to start the year.
“Up until recently, I’ve been pretty quiet. I think this year is going to be a big year,” says Brett. “For me, it’s focusing on hitting and, overall, getting better. I’m just focused on working my hardest to get there.”
Along with his .500 batting average, Brett has four RBI with a pair of stolen bases on the young campaign. Brett has produced at the plate regardless of where Head Coach Gary Marineau has put him in the lineup. In the first three games, Brett has already batted leadoff, second, and third. Although his year is starting off well, Brett knows there’s a long way to go. He believes the Warriors have a great shot at getting over the hump after losing to Cromwell in the 2016 Shoreline final.
“Last year, getting to the final was a pretty big accomplishment. Unfortunately, we didn’t pull it off, but it was a lot of fun along the way,” says Brett, whose club is 2-1. “I have high hopes this year. We have a good squad with good chemistry. Everyone is working hard every day, looking to make it deep into Shorelines and deep into states. I think we’ll make it.”
Valley has to replace some major players that graduated from last year’s team if it expects to make it back to the conference final. Brett knows the Warriors have their work cut out for them, but he also feels the squad is being underestimated.
“I don’t think people expect a lot from us this year,” says Brett. “People know we lost a few good players. I think people are sleeping on us a little bit. We have a lot of talent and we play for each other.”
Brett feels the fact that the Warriors’ athletes are so close is a huge asset for the team. According to Coach Marineau, Brett’s demeanor has been integral in terms of fostering the camaraderie that many great teams possess. Marineau not only sings Brett’s praises as a hitter, but also as a young man.
“Since I met him, he’s just a hard-working kid, and not just in baseball. Like, if you need help rebuilding the mound or raking the field, he’s there,” says Marineau. “One time, I said we could use a tarp for the plate, and he came back the next game with a 30-by-30 foot tarp for the batter’s box. He’s just that kind of guy.”
On the other hand, Brett isn’t manning left field for the Warriors because he’s a great with a rake. He clearly has the skills to thrive on the diamond, specifically his eye at the plate. Coach Marineau thinks this is the year that Brett puts it all together.
“He has fast hands with an inside-out swing, and he puts the ball in play all the time,” says Marineau. “He won’t swing at a bad pitch. This year, he’s got a chance to put up All-State numbers.”
While Brett would love for this to be a huge year for himself, he’s more concerned with the Warriors hoisting the Shoreline Conference championship trophy and then making a deep run in states. As far as Brett is concerned, Valley has the right mentality to make that happen.
“I think the majority of it is just being positive. Everyone on this team really enjoys being around each other and that’s a huge part of it,” says Brett, who thanks his father for helping him become the person and player that he is today. “I wake up and I can’t wait to get on the field or in the cage or in the gym because of that. Everyone’s always laughing while they’re working. It’s just a whole lot of fun to be around.”