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08/29/2017 12:00 AMAfter suiting up for the Guilford High School baseball team as a freshman in the spring, John Petonito gave everything he had on the field with the town’s Junior Legion squad this summer. John was predominately an outfielder, but also saw time at third base and on the mound for Post 48.
“I was willing to help out the team any way I could. We had a big roster, so I had to be willing to fit in wherever the coach needed me,” says John on his role with the Legion team. “For high school, being a freshman, you have a role on the team. For me, I was a pinch runner. My job was to basically do my part.”
John was one of the leaders for Guilford Junior Legion and helped the team have a successful season while batting out of the No. 3 spot. John says that he liked the responsibility of being counted on to drive in runs from the middle of the order.
“My approach came along well this season. I made sure I worked the count. Being the three hitter, I saw a lot of offspeed pitches, but when I was in a hitter’s count, I was able to drive the ball,” John says. “I was one of the older kids on the team, so I was a leader for the younger guys. Helping them out throughout the season was my main job. Being the three hitter put a lot of pressure on me, but I like the pressure, because it gave me opportunities to help out with RBIs in big spots.”
John finished with a .344 batting average and a .494 on-base percentage for Post 48, which placed second in its zone and won 16 games on the season, including two in the State Tournament. John also scored 23 runs, worked 19 walks, and struck out just four times. Quite often, John used his speed to his advantage by getting on with a single or walk, swiping a bag, and then scoring on a base hit.
“Speed is one of the biggest parts of my game. Every time I get on, my goal is to score,” says John, who also posted an earned-run average of 1.05 in 13.1 innings pitched. “I’m locked in, making sure I get where I’m supposed to be, so a guy behind me can knock me in.”
Guilford Junior Legion Head Coach Jon Reinecke says he loves the attitude and energy that John brought to his squad on an everyday basis.
“He’s the type of guy you want on the team. He’s an intense player and played hard. He’s an old-school guy,” says Reinecke. “I almost think of him as Pete Rose type of player. He’s making a grounder to second a bang-bang play. He’s in the outfield making diving catches. He just gives 110 percent all the time. You don’t see many players like that anymore. It’s nice to see a throwback player like that.”
John appreciates Coach Reinecke’s comparison to Rose. John knows that his skipper made the comparison because of how hard he hustles on the field.
“It means a lot, because guys like that give 100-percent effort, and that’s what I’m all about. That’s what I do on the field,” says John, who is also a point guard in Guilford’s basketball program. “Leaving it all on the field is the main thing.”
John’s experience throughout the past few months can only help him as his baseball career unfolds. John earned varsity time as a freshman, saw his leadership skills flourish with the Junior Legion team, and wants to be a leader for the Indians one day.
“I think it’s definitely going to help. Playing varsity as a freshman, I was able to look up to the older guys and put what they did into our team. Being a leader was big and a role I really liked, because I was able to help out the younger guys,” John says. “I had a good first season in high school. I’m still young and learning new things. I’m hoping I’ll be the leader someday when I get older. I’m looking forward to that role.”