Maceda Makes Father Proud With Commitment To URI

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Ma. - Following in his father’s footsteps to Rhode Island is a dream that has now been realized by Derek Maceda.

“My dad played there and I’d always followed the baseball team,” Maceda explained about his interest in URI. “It was a big part of his life and he’s very excited and very proud of me.”

While interest in the Atlantic 10 Conference school has always been there for Maceda, attention from Rhode Island heated up only recently.

“I’d been to a bunch of camps there over the years and went to another one this summer,” the fourth-rated 2023 outfielder in New England reflected. “Coach said he liked me and saw potential and invited me back to a fall camp. I went to that camp and afterward they gave me an offer.

“They like my athleticism, my swing and that I’m good in the field,” Maceda added. “I have a good arm and I’m good at tracking balls. But mostly they liked my athleticism.”

Offers had already been given by Endicott, UMass Dartmouth and Salve Regina, but a week after the offer from URI the North Attleboro High School senior made a commitment.

“Other offers were on the table from good D-III schools, but I definitely wanted to go to URI,” Maceda related. “I’ve always loved the school in general and I really love the environment there.”

An improved game proved beneficial in helping the left-handed hitting Maceda draw interest from Rhode Island.

“It was all about continuous work, getting stronger and working on my skills,” the 64th-ranked senior in New England said. “My dad was always pushing me and always in the cage with me hitting. With the love I have for the game, I wanted to put in the work to be able to play D-I baseball. To be able to play at URI now is a blessing.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process was not easy on the 17-year-old.

“It was very stressful trying to get yourself out there for coaches to see you,” Maceda noted. “It was fun but stressful. I went to a bunch of PBR events to get my name out there and also sent out a lot of emails.”

While there were coaches that helped the cause, Maceda reiterated the fact of how important his father was in his journey to play college baseball.

“My dad has helped get me to where I’m at today,” Maceda said. “When I was three-years-old my dad would put a bat in my hand and I’ve loved the game ever since. He’s always pitching to me, doing the most that he can to help me in whatever way possible and it’s paid off. He’s a big part of where I am today with all that he’s done and the time he’s put in for me.”
When a commitment became final, it was a joyful feeling for the 38th-rated senior in Massachusetts.

“It’s very exciting to be able to say I’m committed to a school like URI to play baseball,” Maceda said. “It’s very stress relieving. My dad was really happy for me and very proud of me. It’s a very exciting feeling to know that I’m going to be able to play baseball at URI.”

A 3.5 student at North Attleboro, Maceda has plans to major in business at Rhode Island, a school located an hour from home.

“It’s exciting to know I’m going to go on and play a lot of baseball, that’s what it’s all about,” Maceda concluded. “Practicing every day, traveling places, being with the team … playing at the next level is going to be a good time.”