Original link: http://pointstreaksites.com/view/necbl/news-1185/news_535517
The Mystic Schooners are naturally part of a military community on Connecticut’s shoreline.
The team’s Fitch High School baseball field is a short 15-minute drive from the United States’ primary east coast Naval submarine base, as well as the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton.
It only makes sense that the Schooners have a student-athlete who attends the U.S. Naval Academy on their roster this summer in Christian Policelli.
For the 2021 New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) season, those who attend one of the five federal United States service academies will have the opportunity to play summer baseball while being given the flexibility to meet their military obligations. These institutions include the aforementioned Division I Naval Academy alongside the U.S. Military Academy and the Air Force Academy, plus the Division III Coast Guard and Merchant Marine Academies.
In the past, teams in the NECBL were often forced to allow military servicemen the chance to play baseball in the summer without making difficult roster decisions when it came time for the individuals to leave the team to complete their military duties.
This summer, all 14 NECBL teams are allowed two exemptions outside of the normal 35-man roster for individuals who attend one of the academies and do not count toward the roster limit. Teams are given the flexibility to bring on these student-athletes and allow them to enrich their organizations and communities.
Due to their military commitments over the summer, most student-athletes will only be able to play in the league for about half of the season. However, this does not diminish their impact on and off of the baseball diamond and around New England.
“The quality of individuals we find at our service academies is top of the line,” said Mystic general manager Dennis Long. “They are natural leaders on the team and represent the best of what summer collegiate baseball is.”
Policelli has made major contributions to his Schooners squad through just a couple of weeks, and in more ways than one. The utility player, who has already played the infield, outfield and as a catcher for Mystic, has been a regular starter this season and has recorded 7 hits in 9 games as of June 18, launching his first home run on June 16 against the Ocean State Waves.
The versatile senior has not only made an impact on the field in his short time as a member of the NECBL, but in other facets of baseball. He is a natural-born leader and immediately earned immense respect from his teammates, coaches and everyone else in the Schooners organization.
Policelli has reminded everyone he comes into contact with why it is so important to give military academy individuals a shot at the dream: playing baseball at the highest possible level. His unique perspective of what it means to be a leader on a baseball field or not is something that his fellow teammates, coaches and executives can take with them in life.
Unfortunately, his time must come to an end as a member of the NECBL; Policelli will leave Connecticut on June 26 and head to Pensacola, Florida, to attend flight school.
The student-athlete’s departure will be difficult for all who grew to know him, but his presence will be felt for the rest of the summer and beyond within the Schooners organization and Mystic community.
“He is a special person,” said Long. “He’s already made a profound impact on his team, host family, and community.”
Policelli is not the only individual to come through the NECBL this summer as a student of one of the five academies. Included in that list is Vermont Mountaineers catcher Zachary Stevens also of Navy as well as North Adams SteepleCats infielder Braden Golinski of the Military Academy.
“Zach Stevens has been a true gentleman”, said Mountaineers GM Brian Gallagher. “He has been a great teammate and the coaches speak highly of him.”
Gallagher also added that the two-player exemption rule has benefitted the team in regards to NCAA baseball tournament play. Many organizations see some of their players arriving late to the league through the month of June due to the college championship, so having an extra glove and/or bat on hand helps fill out the roster in the meantime.
Similar to Policelli and the rest of the individuals who attend military academies, Stevens’ time with the Mountaineers will come to an end and will be departing Vermont on June 24 to fulfill his military duties.
Stevens’ and Policelli’s impact is something that will resonate in the NECBL for years to come. Their short-but-meaningful time with their respective teams not only benefits the student-athlete and their organization, but also benefits the local community and its veterans and reminds them that the league is very supportive of the U.S. Military.
It’s safe to say that its popularity among all parties involved will continue to bring more and more military student-athletes to the NECBL for many summers to come.
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