Staten Island Advance

Forty Years Later

Thursday, June 6, marked 40 years to the day since New Dorp captured its first and only PSAL city baseball crown in 1979, and starting shortstop Lou DiChiaro was as much a reason why as any.

Today, the 58-year-old DiChiaro is still teaching the game he loves for a living, but the quick-handed, slick-footed infielder starred on the diamond during the late '70s en route to a fruitful career at Seton Hall before being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.

New Dorp born and bred, he's since relocated to Woodcliff Lake, N.J, but the veteran baseball instructor took us on a tour down memory lane in reliving some of his proudest moments on and off the field, as well as some of his stops along the way.

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1979

The year was 1979, and New Dorp was set to do battle in the PSAL city title game held at Yankee Stadium, where it met Cardozo, which knocked off the Centrals in the '77 semifinals.

"My sophomore year (1977), we were a bunch of sophomores, but we were a decent team and we made it to the semifinal," explained DiChiaro. "Coming into my senior year, we expected to be in the game at Yankee Stadium. There was a lot of pressure on us, we expected to win."

In the '79 semis, New Dorp upended Thomas Jefferson, which boasted 1982 No. 1 overall pick and 18-year MLB veteran Shawn Dunston.

"We were an experienced team and we lived up to the challenge...it was kind of exciting," added DiChiaro. "To get to that game was special."

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Champions

In the title game, the senior shortstop and two-time Advance All Star walked off the field a champion, as the Centrals emerged with a 2-0 triumph.

"Going into the Stadium, the whole experience, getting off the bus, being in the Yankees dugout, you wish it would last forever," said DiChiaro. "The memories will always be there.

"We were well-coached," added DiChiaro. "Coach John Pecoraro, I have so much respect for him. He was a player's coach, a great man, and I always admired what he gave for us to be on top.

"I was hoping New Dorp would win some more," said DiChiaro of the lone title. "But I'm honored to be part of that group. We battled everyday and loved every minute of it."

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College Bound

For DiChiaro, his career was beginning to take off, and he soon found himself in South Orange, N.J., playing for Seton Hall University in the early '80s.

Former New Dorp standout and Seton Hall Hall of Famer Rico Bellini helped recruit DiChiaro to play for the late coach Mike Sheppard.

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Making A Change

But first, a position change was in order.

"The move from shortstop to second base was difficult in the beginning, I got comfortable around my junior year," admitted DiChiaro. "I kept my mouth shut, put my head down, and played second base."

Any difficulties in the field certainly didn't carry over to the plate, where DiChiaro, who eventually gained captainship of the team, was a .321 hitter over the course of four college seasons.

He stole a career high 38 bags during his junior campaign, and after belting just one home run through his first three seasons, clubbed eight long balls in his senior year -- and credits the late Sheppard for much of his success.

He finished his career with 86 stolen bases, seventh all time in school history, and posted the 10th most career walks (112).

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A Good Ride

"It was a good ride," remembers DiChiaro. "[Sheppard] was a guy that I respect totally, he took me to a different level and made me understand what preparation really means.

"He got everything out of me," added DiChiaro. "He was a special man who I truly admired and loved playing for. He taught me how to approach the game...outside of my parents, he had the biggest influence in my life."

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Draft Day

Despite his 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame, DiChiaro's tools played up, and scouts took notice as the 1983 MLB Draft neared.

"You dream of being in position to get drafted, but I never thought I would," said DiChiaro. "When it comes you hope your name comes up, but it's so difficult just to get to that point."

On draft day, DiChiaro ditched his living room to go hit -- where he was later met by his father and brother.

"They came with Orioles hats on," remembered DiChiaro. "It was the best time of my life."

A 19th round pick of Baltimore, DiChiaro was bound for Newark, where he'd join the team's Single-A affiliate.

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The Longest Walk

During his only season, DiChiaro stroked to the tune of a .283 batting average while reaching base at a .385 clip to go along with nine steals.

But in spring training the following year, DiChiaro was the victim of heartbreak when he stepped up to the team's bulletin board to see what his assignment for the day was.

"One day, I looked on the big board and my name was on the "go to the office" list...it was the longest walk I've ever taken," said DiChiaro.

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Back To Reality

When he reached the office, he was hit with the news no ballplayer ever wants to receive.

"I got released three weeks in [to spring training]," said DiChiaro. "I was so grateful for the opportunity to play pro ball.

"It's hard to put into words, knowing you want to play at that level, but at some point this game ends," he added. "No one wants their career to end, but the reality was my time was up."

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Back In The Game

DiChiaro trekked back into the real world, where he worked on Wall Street in foreign exchange for 16 years, before spending time in real estate.

But those jobs were simply stopgaps before he returned where he belonged: around the game of baseball.

"I jumped right on it," said DiChiaro when given the chance to get into coaching and instructing. "I worked at a couple of places before I decided to open my own."

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A Place Of His Own

In 2010, Lou and his cousin Michael opened Dichiaro Baseball and Softball Academy, a 5,000 square foot facility in Fairlawn, N.J.

"I guess the game never really leaves you," said DiChiaro. "I love this game so much, the strategy, the competition, camaraderie, teammates, battling to win.

"To get back in it and teach it, to be a part of the game and give what was given to me to young players is a lot of fun," he added. "We work with all types of kids and my job is to make them understand what you need to do on and off the field to get better."

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Family Affair

DiChiaro, a father of two, has made the facility a family affair.

Though Daniel, 19, is currently attending college, Christopher, 24, works at the facility.

DiChiaro served as Chris' assistant coach at Don Bosco Prep, where he coached third base from 2008-2013.

"He understands I'm not dad, I'm his boss," joked DiChiaro. "To have my son working with me is fun. He understands what needs to be done and the ins and outs of the game"

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Full Circle

Though his baseball life has come full circle, DiChiaro is not long to forget his biggest influence.

"I thank my parents, who are both gone, but they were with me every step of the way," said DiChiaro. "From Little League to the pros, when I got released, they got released.

"They enjoyed the ride, they were true baseball people," he added. "It was a hard atmosphere and I was very lucky to have them...I owe a lot to them."

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To learn more about DiChiaro Baseball and Softball Academy, or to get lessons from Coach Lou, check out www.dichiarobaseball.com