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Inside the Recruitment: '15 C Nick Capiotano commits to Canisius College

January 6, 2015

Follow @PBR_Ontario

By Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Director of Scouting

Nick Capitano, C, 2015

PBR: Why did you choose Canisius?

Capitano: While looking for schools to choose from my main focus was always my academics because I do very well in school. Canisius not only being a respectable Division One baseball program but also has a nationally ranked accounting and finance program which suits me perfectly.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Capitano: I was considering a variety of schools from NCAA, NAIA, and JUCO's because I didn’t know where I was going to end up. One of my top choices was the University at Albany but they couldn’t decide if they wanted to bring in a freshman or a transfer student. Before talking to Canisius, I was talking to Coppin State in Baltimore and was probably going to sign there before Canisius talked to me. I was also in touch with Texas College, Viterbo, Lindenwood-Belleville and a couple other programs.

PBR: Where did Coach McRae first see you? How did your relationship develop with him?

Capitano: Coach McRae has been looking for a catcher and contacted my team’s college recruiting coordinator; Mike Steed. Without Steed's help I probably wouldn't have gotten this opportunity. I ended up going to visit Canisius a couple weekends ago and Coach McRae and his staff made it very welcoming for me. Coach McRae seems like a great coach and I'm looking forward to playing for him.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?

Capitano: Definitely my parents. My parents have been by my side since I was a kid and have helped me with everything from driving me places before I got my license to release hearings in order for me to play where I needed to play. Coming from Bolton, baseball is not that big here. I grew up playing "B" Rep because of how small the population is, so I had a lot of help from Pro Teach Baseball and the Etobicoke Rangers giving me the opportunity to play at the competitive level and then ultimately giving me the tools to play for the Ontario Blue Jays. I am very thankful to the OBJ for helping me develop my skills and giving me opportunity to play at Canisius.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?

Capitano: Going into the recruiting process I really did not know what to expect. At first it was tough because I did not know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go so I had to take off the year from school. Being an OBJ probably made it a lot easier than I thought the recruitment process would have been because of the help from Mike Steed.

PBR: What team do you play for in the summer and how has that helped you prepare for the next level?

Capitano: I have played for the Ontario Blue Jays for the past 3 years and I will be coming back in the summer to play for them one last time. It is literally unexplainable the help they have gave me over the past three years in order to prepare for the next level.

PBR: You are joining the Golden Griffins this January for your first semester, what plans do the coaching staff have in store for you?

Capitano: Coach McRae and his staff, I feel are excited to have me there. They lost a catcher due to injury leaving me in a great opportunity to play for them with only one other catcher who is also a freshman. As soon as I move in, they plan on working with me in order to catch me up from the training I missed all fall and I should be ready to go for the upcoming season next month.

PBR: What do you feel are the strengths about your game?

Capitano: Definitely my defensive aspects to the game. Being a catcher, I was always taught that my job is to be for the team and focus on my defense so the pitchers are comfortable pitching to you. I do struggle a bit when it comes to my offense but I have been working hard this off season correcting problems.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?

Capitano: I have so many memorable baseball moments it's hard to choose. I would have to say either being chosen player of the month by the Toronto Blue Jays or playing in the finals of the USSSA Gold Medal Games in Kissimmee, Fl.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ontario?

Capitano: Oh man, this is a tough one to answer. Ontario baseball has grown so much; so many pitchers are tough to face now. Three of my Ontario Blue Jays teammates such as Cole White, R.J. Freure, and Isaac Anesty are really tough to face. I have caught for them and hit against them in games. Love catching for them and I hate facing them. All across Ontario has tough pitchers as well from Brettell and Shields of the Great Lakes Canadians to Ianni from Ottawa.

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