Life Around Baseball Continues For Dooley

WEST HARTFORD, Ct. - Joe Dooley has been around baseball for most of his life. That will continue once graduating high school after making a college commitment to Hartford.

“My dad’s been a pro broadcaster for 22 years and I started traveling with the team when I was five-years-old,” related Dooley, whose father Jeff is the play-by-play announcer for the Hartford Yard Goats. “I started hitting with them at the age of 10. It’s been such a cool experience. Seeing pro guys working every day and the time that they put in definitely influenced me.”

It brought on a desire to play baseball for as long as possible.

“I’ve wanted to play college baseball since I was a young age,” the 13th-rated 2022 third baseman in New England reflected. “My dad’s always been with baseball and my uncle also announces for the San Diego Padres, so it’s in my family. I went to games to see the New Britain Rock Cats (now the Hartford Yard Goats) before I could walk.”

With a commitment to Hartford, Dooley will go to college just five minutes from where he lives.

“I never thought I’d end up going to school so close,” Dooley admitted. “I’ve gone to baseball and baseball games there so it feels like home, which is kind of funny.”

It was a long recruiting process for the 172nd-ranked senior in New England, who also had strong interest from a half-dozen other schools in the northeast.

“It took awhile, but it was definitely worth it,” Dooley noted. “Through PBR, my coaches’ contacts and showcases, I met so many kids the past two years that influenced me. You create new bonds through all these experiences.

“I enjoyed the opportunity of doing a few PBR showcases which was great,” Dooley continued. “They were ran very well and it’s nice to see where you compare with others and where you need to get your numbers better. I also played legion ball and was invited by my coach to go to a showcase in which Hartford was there.”

A prospect camp at Hartford in September was followed by a visit to the America East Conference campus.

“It’s a great private school with facilities that are very impressive,” Dooley said. “They have a winning tradition and a great culture. They said they’ve followed how I’ve progressed the last few years and it’s right by me so they’ve seen me play in high school as well as at showcases and legion ball.

“The facilities kind of pushed it to another level,” Dooley added about what helped make his decision to choose Hartford. “The diamond is one of the best in the northeast and I love the culture they have of winning and sending players to the pros.”

The opportunity to be a two-way player helped persuade the 6-2 210-pounder.

“They like my hitting and pitching abilities,” the 17-year-old pointed out.”They said I could do both and that kind of pushed me over, the fact that I could play third base and pitch.”

In addition to his parents, Dooley credited high school head coach Nick Marsh and high school pitching coach Scott LaRock, who pitched at Hartford, along with American Legion coach Rick Sanford with playing vital roles in his development and recruitment.

Improvement aided the quest to play at the next level, according to Dooley.

“Overall I’ve gotten stronger, my arm is better, I hit the ball harder and I’ve gotten smarter,” Dooley related. “My coaches really helped me become a better athlete and a smarter athlete.”

That is something that Dooley, who carries a 3.97 GPA at Hall High School and is planning on majoring in business in college, believes he can provide the Hartford program. 

“I’m committed to learning and I have a lot of determination overall,” Dooley said. “They have a culture of winning and I’m going to give it all I’ve got.”

It has Dooley both relieved to have a commitment final while looking ahead to his days at Hartford.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air to finally be over and know where I’m going,” Dooley concluded. “I’m happy to fulfill my dream of playing baseball, my favorite thing to do, and to be able to do it for the next four years. I’m excited to be a Hawk.”