Fitzgerald Headed To Dayton To Play Baseball

BRAINTREE, Ma. - A life-long dream to play college baseball has now been reached by Jack Fitzgerald.

“I remember since a young age it has been a goal of mine,” Fitzgerald reflected about his thoughts of playing after high school. “My dad played baseball in the minors with the Brewers and Mets and he’s really encouraged me. He told me what it took to get to the next level and that’s what I’ve wanted to do ever since. I’ve worked hard and he’s pushed me so much. He’s played a big role in my career.”

The next stop after high school will be the University of Dayton for the Braintree senior, who did not take long to make a commitment once the Atlantic 10 Conference school showed an interest.

“I was at the Area Code tryouts in Falmouth and they happened to be there,” Fitzgerald related. “They texted the day after and a couple of days later asked me to talk and come on an official visit. I went and absolutely loved it there.”

Five days after the first conversation with Dayton a commitment was made.

“The tryouts were my first big exposure event,” the top-ranked 2023 first baseman in New England said. “After that I got other interest from D-I schools. I’ve gone to PBR every year since my freshman year and I was able to gauge my skills and see how I stack up with other kids. It let me know where I was and gave me some confidence.”

Dayton liked what the 6-4 195-pounder showed on the field.

“He liked my power,” Fitzgerald said of Dayton head coach Jayson King. “I’m a tall and athletic first baseman and he saw I could field it as well.”

Recent improvement that has the 17-year-old jumping to 23rd in the 2023 ratings for New England proved beneficial in the recruiting process.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work,” Fitzgerald pointed out. “I worked with my hitting coach Jamie Walsh and I’ve become a better overall hitter. I know the situation better, hitting the gaps and putting the ball in play and when to swing for the fence.”

Fitzgerald also gave credit to the Braintree Baseball Club where he works out as well as high school coach Bill O’Connell for helping make college baseball a reality.

“My high school coach has really been supportive and, honestly, baseball is really big in my town of Braintree,” Fitzgerald pointed out.

Now the opportunity to play at the next level has come to fruition for the 14th-ranked senior from Massachusetts.

“This is really relieving, I’m so happy,” Fitzgerald said of making a college commitment. “I’m so proud to make my parents happy and to see their reaction.”

Going to school a 12-hour drive from home is not a big deal according to Fitzgerald.

“It doesn’t seem too bad, there’s another kid from Massachusetts committed there,” Fitzgerald noted. “The distance didn’t affect my decision at all.”

No matter how far away it is to college, Fitzgerald is confident about what he can bring at the next level.

“I’m ready to make an impact right away in any way I can,” Fitzgerald said. “I just need to keep doing what I am now, have a good high school season, play on a good summer team and keep working to be ready in the fall.”

The current plan for Fitzgerald, who carries a 3.1 GPA, is to major in business at Dayton.

“I’m just looking forward to playing baseball every day and being surrounded by others just like me,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s going to be fun to be able to get in the gym with 30-plus other guys and work for a spot.”