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05/18/2022 12:00 AM

Golia Loves Leading the Easties on the Ballfield


Dom Golia feels honored to be leading the East Haven baseball team as a senior captain while playing first base for the Yellowjackets this season. Photo courtesy of Dom Golia

From a young age, Dom Golia has always loved being on the baseball diamond. After joining the East Haven baseball team last year, Dom quickly made a name for himself and was named a captain for the Yellowjackets in his senior season.

Dom started playing baseball in Momauguin Little League at the age of four. Dom’s father Don was often one of his coaches during his youth days. Dom found that having his dad by his side helped him get acclimated to the game.

“I just loved it. As soon as I got on the field, I just had a lot of fun,” says Dom. “My dad was always one of my coaches. That helped me a lot. He was always right there. It made me enjoy it more.”

Dom played in the Momauguin league through his 8th-grade season. When he was nine, Dom joined the CT Angels Baseball Club. Dom was coached by Jerry Shea, who proved crucial in his development. Now competing in two different leagues, most of Dom’s time was occupied with baseball. However, for Dom, there was no better way for that time to be spent.

“There were some summers where it was baseball every day. I was playing for one or two teams. Sometimes, I’d have six games on a weekend,” Dom says. “It was always a big part of my life. It was where I always found peace and it was fun.”

During his freshman year, Dom decided to play another season with the CT Angels rather than try out for the high school team. He was planning on trying out as a sophomore, but the season was canceled.

When he returned as a junior, Dom not only made the varsity team, he was immediately entrenched as the Yellowjackets’ starting catcher. Thrust into the lineup, Dom had to adjust to the speed of high school baseball.

“It was definitely new,” says Dom. “I had to get used to the pitching more. It was a lot faster than I was used to. But I picked it up pretty quickly.”

When Dom entered his senior season, he was given two new roles with the Easties. One of those roles was a new position. Playing catcher his entire life, Dom says that his knees took a bit of wear and tear. So, as a senior, he moved over to first base. Dom’s experience behind the plate helped him find his footing at first.

“It’s kind of like the same thing. You’re still scooping balls out of the dirt. It’s not much harder than catching,” Dom says. “I’m used to catching obviously, but first base isn’t that bad.”

Along with the position change, Dom was also selected as East Haven’s senior captain, joining junior Ryan Vallie in the captain’s chair. Dom sees himself as a vocal leader who is devoted to guiding his teammates in any way he can.

“When I was a freshman, I was very quiet. I was just going through the motions. Now, I’m very vocal,” says Dom. “I always make sure people are doing what they’re doing and that they’re doing it the right way. It felt really good being named captain. I love leading this team.”

Head Coach Butch Johnson has taken note of how much Dom has grown as a leader. Johnson describes the senior as a selfless captain who is willing to do anything to help the Yellowjackets, including suiting up in the catcher’s gear when teammate PJ Carrangelo suffered an injury.

“Dom brings leadership by example. He puts the team in front of himself,” Johnson says. “He even caught a game when PJ went down and did a great job.”

For the past two years, Dom has been able to represent his hometown as a key member of the East Haven baseball team. Dom is proud of that accomplishment and feels especially proud that he got to share the experience with his Easties’ teammates.

“It’s great. It means a lot to me,” says Dom. “I’m very proud. I have all the passion. I just love it. This is my hometown. I love this team.”