No wrong answer: Esposito torn between baseball, football

The last weekend in June illustrated Joe Esposito's whirlwind summer of sports quite nicely.

After spending three-and-a-half days at the University of Maine football camp, the Georgetown three-sport standout and upcoming senior zoomed down I-95 late in the afternoon and arrived in Saugus just 20 minutes before Newburyport Legion's Sunday game.

"The week before, he (Esposito) told me that he didn't think he'd make the game," said Newburyport coach Tim Southall. "I told him we were going to be down three players already and I could tell he felt bad about it. He said he wasn't sure he'd have time to make the game, but he'd try.

"Not only does he make it to the game, but he gets a double the first time up. That's the kind of kid he is. Whatever the occasion, he gives it his all."

That weekend was a little crazier then most, perhaps, but it's been a balancing act all summer for Esposito. An excellent center fielder and a solid hitter (.306, .390 on-base percentage) for surging Post 150 (8-0 in Legion district play, 12-2-1 overall), who hit .377 for the Royals in the spring, Esposito plays for the Legion team nearly every other day of the week.

When he's not playing baseball, Esposito is preparing for his senior season in football following a junior campaign in which he rushed for 946 yards, passed for 1,191 yards, scored 18 touchdowns and was both the Commonwealth Conference Co-Player of the Year and a Daily News All-Star.

What that translates to is weight-lifting workouts in the gym, speed and agility workouts outside and sessions with various Georgetown wide receivers, like Mike Ruh or Anthony Conte. Esposito might also work out, giving hand-offs and delivering passes to younger brother Chris, an upcoming junior who is being switched from lineman to fullback.

And then there are the football camps. He went to the Rhode Island Quarterback and Receivers camp last month and later this week he's headed to Holy Cross for a two-day kicking camp.

"The summer is fun and it's great to switch it off between sports," said Esposito, who also works part-time for his father in financial planning. "If you focus on one sport, you can get overwhelmed and start pressing. You go to another sport for a day and you take your mind off any problems you might be having."

Moreover, Esposito — who is also a solid contributor in basketball as a starting guard for the Royals — feels that he must spend time with both sports because he's not sure which he'll play in college. At this point, he'd rather not choose.

"I'd hate to pick one sport or the other now," said Esposito, an above-average student with a weighted 3.62 GPA. "I like them both too much, and I want to keep my options open.

"If I get a Division 1 or Division 2 scholarship to play football or baseball, I'd probably go with the one sport. If I go Division 3, I'd love to do both sports. It's up in the air."

Based on last fall, and his performance at football camps, plus his play on the diamond, he will definitely get attention from college coaches in both sports.

"There are a few 1-AA schools looking at him, but he couldn't play quarterback there," said Georgetown football coach Matt Bouchard. "But he has quick first step and understands the game and he could make it as a slot receiver.

"At a smaller school, he could play quarterback, especially if a school has a roll-out, sprint-out offense. A place like Springfield College would be perfect. Putting him in space makes him more dangerous."

"I honestly think he can play at a Division 2 school (for baseball), definitely Division 3," said Southall, who is in his ninth season as Post 150's coach. "He's probably the purest outfielder I've ever had. He gets a great jump on the ball and has a good arm. And he's very disciplined at the plate and hits the ball hard."

Georgetown basketball coach Mike Rowinski, who probably wishes Esposito had more time to devote to basketball, is confident that he will more than make the grade in one sport or the other.

"Joe is one of those special athletes who is going to be successful regardless of what sport he chooses," said Rowinski. "He could probably play small college basketball if he committed himself to it. The kid is a winner and as coachable as you get."

For now, it's football or baseball in Esposito's future, and maybe both. Until decision-time comes, he'll strive to do his utmost in both sports, focusing on making the Legion playoffs this summer while looking ahead to his senior season on the gridiron.

"With us going (from the Commonwealth Conference Small) to the Cape Ann League Small, that's going to be a lot of fun," said Esposito. "We're looking to have a really good year, and we definitely want to get back at Manchester (which shocked the 8-2 Royals, 27-7, on Thanksgiving)."

Football — Three-year starter at quarterback, Daily News All-Star and Commonwealth Conference Small Co-Player of Year last year while rushing for 968 yards, passing for 1,119 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns.

Baseball — Two-year starter in center field for Royals, hit .377 last spring, hitting .306 with .390 on-base percentage for Newburyport Legion this summer.

Basketball — Starting guard and defensive whiz, helped limit Lynnfield star and CAL small MVP Mike Kennedy to two points.

Photos

Newburyport Legion's Joe Esposito has been busy this summer with both football and baseball on his agenda. Staff photo