PW's Tomassetti to Play Baseball at Gwynedd Mercy

Plymouth Whitemarsh senior Anthony Tomassetti was recognized for committing to continue his baseball career at Gwynedd Mercy University. (Photo provided courtesy of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School/Dave Sherman)

Anthony Tomassetti – Gwynedd Mercy University (Baseball)

Major:  Marketing/Art

Final list of colleges:  Gwynedd Mercy, Thomas Jefferson, Temple, Marywood, Coastal Carolina

Reasons for choosing Gwynedd Mercy:  “I applied to Thomas Jefferson, Temple, Marywood and Coastal Carolina, but I decided to play baseball and chose Gwynedd. Baseball played a role in my decision but also the coaching staff that I talked to when I was on my tours. Also, being close to home – I’m very close to my family. I don’t know what I’d do without them. They’re something special, and we all connect really well. That was a big factor, but I wanted to experience the college environment.”

What was the progression that led you to competing in baseball at the collegiate level?  “I’ve always said – I’ve played this game since I could walk, and I’ll play it until I can’t walk. I love baseball. Baseball is life. Playing college baseball is another blessing to have. I’m not there yet, but I am looking forward to it and thankful for the opportunity to play because I didn’t know if I was going to play.
“When I had Tommy John surgery, we were driving to the hospital – my dad was driving, and I wasn’t necessarily crying about the pain. I was crying about not being able to play baseball again. That chance of never being able to play baseball again was tearing me apart inside. Thanks to my doctors, my family, friends and coaches for helping me through all of that.
“My eyes are a battle every day – being able to see clear enough to see a pitch and to see the difference between pitches, which is very challenging. As you move up, pitching gets better and better and better. It’s something I’m looking forward to, and it’s going to be a challenge, but challenges are fantastic. Someone believes in me enough to give me the opportunity kids dream of having is a huge perspective. Some kids take it for granted. I have friends that are going to big-time schools, and it’s almost like – man, really appreciate that opportunity because kids all over the world would be dying for the opportunity to get in front of those coaches, getting some knowledge from those coaches. Things like that are really important to keep in perspective.”

Coach Chris Manero says: “Anthony was our third baseman. When he came into our program, I think the very first time he ever played for us was a game in our fall league and he caught. We always thought he might be our future catcher, but he sort of evolved, and by his junior year, he became our starting third baseman. I would say this year defensively he was the best third baseman in the league, but, of course, I’m biased but I think he was.
“Anthony, to me, was probably the symbol of this year’s senior class for us. Just the way he carries himself, the motivation that he has and the work he puts in, and he really has developed over the past four years into a tremendous leader. What sets him apart is he is the kind of guy others will follow, not just how they play but how they carry themselves, how they act on and off the field. He’s a player since day one you could tell he wanted to play, he wanted to play at the next level. He had to overcome a lot of adversity and injuries to do that, but from a strength standpoint – I was working with one of our incoming 10th graders last week and I had Anthony working with him. I said, ‘I look at you and I look at Anthony, and you’re already bigger and stronger than Anthony was when he was your age but look at him now. There’s a reason he’s as strong as he is now going into college, and that’s because of how hard he worked. Look at him as sort of motivation for what you can become.’ I think Anthony has that drive and he has that vision, and he will make an outstanding college baseball player.”

About Anthony:
Favorite food: 
Coffee Ice Cream
Favorite movie:  Forrest Gump
Favorite TV show:  Friends
Favorite music:  Jimi Hendrix/Oldies 

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