GAMES — Wildwood’s Mike DeMayo Takes ‘em for the Team

Often when a pitch comes dangerously close to a batter’s body, his teammates shout from the security of the dugout for him to “wear it” or “take one for the team.”
They never say that to Mike DeMayo.
They don’t have to.
The Wildwood High catcher is a throwback to a time when personal statistics and aches and pains took a back seat to team accomplishments.
When the South Philly native is not courageously crowding the dish with a bat, he uses every ounce of his catching gear and considerable guts to fearlessly block 58-foot pitches. Detergent companies would be hesitant to accept the challenge of cleansing his post-game uniform.
“I was an outfielder in tee ball and I hated it,” said the 17-year-old National Honor Society inductee. “When we moved up to a pitching machine my dad taught me how to be a catcher and I’ve loved it ever since.”
He’s never missed a Warrior game in his three seasons because he won’t let Wildwood head coach Rich Hans rest him, not even in the nightcap of a twin bill. “He never complains even though he takes a beating back there,” said Hans. “He wants to catch every game.”
DeMayo earns everyone’s respect by his stellar work with the pitching staff. He saves his team precious bases and runs by keeping errant tosses from sailing to the backstop.
This season he’s also raised the level of his offense by pounding 11 hits in 20 trips for a .550 batting average at the break. He’s always earned bases with an uncanny number of “hit by pitch” situations but his hitting has improved remarkably from his days in the seventh or eighth batting slot.
“If he stays healthy and keeps this pace he’s going to put up impressive offensive numbers,” said Hans, “But he’s not about that. He’s not worried about individual stats. He couldn’t tell you what his numbers are. He wants to win and encourage his teammates.
The son of Michael and Danielle DeMayo, Mike knows what he faces each time he crouches and hears the umpire yell “play ball.”
“You have to be prepared to get beat up,” he said. “I’m bruised pretty good. My knees, my wrist, my arms are all sore. You do it for the team, to be the best you can be for them.”
DeMayo said the catching position requires “quick feet and a good arm.” His position is the quarterback of the baseball team. “You need to be a leader,” said the Warrior captain. “You’re running the game on the field.”
DeMayo puts his time into the weight room, treadmill and his bicycle to keep his precious legs sturdy and ready for the dings his pads don’t prevent.
DeMayo, who plans to join the U.S. Army Reserves within the next year, has a special place in his heart for the freshmen. Wildwood relies upon first-year players more than most squads and as a starter for all three years DeMayo hasn’t forgotten his rookie campaign.
The juniors and seniors were tough but they cared about me and showed how it should be done,” he said. “Our freshmen are doing great. It’s the best freshman class we’ve had.”
A goalie in soccer and a shot putter in winter track, DeMayo is a vibrant member of the Wildwood High community.
“We’re a family,” he said. “We see each other in the hallways. There are no cliques here. We give each other hugs and high fives. It’s the best part of being in a small school.”
An avid surfer, skateboarder and snowboarder, DeMayo spends his summers working with a beach concession business doling out umbrellas and chairs to sunbathers. He also keeps his skills sharp with off season baseball for American Legion Southern Cape Post 184.
Hans is already concerned about what he’ll do two seasons from now when his wall behind the plate graduates and Wildwood searches for another catcher.
“He’s started since his freshman year,” said Hans. “I don’t know what we’ll do without him in two years. It’s very rare to have a catcher like him for four years.”
Hans and assistant coach Randy Sturm are especially appreciative of DeMayo’s skills and leadership ability. Three freshmen start for the Warriors and the staff must continually monitor the younger players during game action.
“You try to do your coaching in practice, ideally,” said Hans, “but with young guys starting we have to watch them constantly. We’re doing a lot of coaching for them during the game and I feel confident in letting Mike call the game.”
DeMayo displays his courage and wears his bruises with pride. He is accustomed to watching things “through the cage” of his mask. He insists that speeding, diving baseballs strike his body rather than bound to the backstop
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“You have to suck it up and be tough,” he said. “There’s no crying in baseball.”
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net
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