Ferrara wrapping up Ramapo HS baseball season as he prepares to join the Fairfield Stags
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — Ramapo High School baseball player Dean Ferrara decided to bench his quiet demeanor during a game this season.聽
鈥淚 faced a top pitcher who throws a 99 mph ball and I got a hit,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淚 was pretty excited since he is an amazing player who may become a professional one day.鈥�
The shortstop is also excited to take the infield and 鈥減lay ball鈥� this year.
鈥淚t was disappointing not having a baseball season last year due to the pandemic,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淚t鈥檚 now my senior year and I want to play, have fun, and win.鈥�
Dean says this year鈥檚 Raiders team began bonding during winter workouts at Teels Baseball and Softball Training Center.
Asked about a memorable game, Dean looks back to the 2019 season and a win against Mahwah High School in the Bergen County quarter-final tournament.
鈥淚 had a Willie Mays style diving catch and my throw to third base resulted in a double play,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淚t helped the team advance to the county semi-finals.鈥�
Dean turns to music for his pre-game ritual.
鈥淚 listen to rap music and it pumps me up and gives me energy,鈥� said Dean.
His time in the dugout is spent offering encouragement and enjoying camaraderie.
鈥淚 tell the underclassmen not to get discouraged sitting on the bench and to always give it your all,鈥� said the team captain. 鈥淵our chance will come and never give up always give 110%.鈥�
During the Summer and Fall 2020 season, Dean kept his mitt warm and bat hot on the Time to Sign (TTS) club baseball team.聽
鈥淚t was great playing on that team,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淚 had a blast.鈥�
Dean also feels that great coaching has helped him become a better player.
鈥淩amapo coaches Garrison Ward and Mike Esposito are encouraging and bond with the players. They really love the game of baseball,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淭hey both want to win every game.鈥�
Parents Lea and Chris are united in cheering for Dean and the rest of the Raiders roster, however, they are not in agreement when it comes to MLB teams.
Lea is a New York Yankees fan, Chris is a New York Mets and Dean is a Los Angeles Dodgers fan.
鈥淢y favorite player is LA Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager,鈥� said Dean. 鈥淚 admire his style of play and his attitude on the field.鈥�
The family will have a new team to cheer for in聽 September when Dean joins the Fairfield University 鈥淪tags鈥� baseball team.
鈥淚 have been watching the live streams of the baseball games and I can鈥檛 wait to be a part of them,鈥� said Dean.
Until his collegiate baseball career begins, Dean is focused on wins for the Ramapo Raiders.
鈥淲e really want to win the county title and go on to the state championship,鈥� said Dean.
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