Mike Policastro displays love for Bloomfield baseball

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BLOOMFIELD – Mike Policastro learned the game of baseball while growing up in Bloomfield.

As a first baseman, he went on to have a great career at Bloomfield High School, and an even better career at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Policastro continues to instill those lessons he has learned to Bloomfield youngsters every year for the past decade.

After completing his 10th season as the BHS head varsity baseball coach, Policastro once again is busy this summer teaching youngsters in grades 2-8 the game of baseball at his Bengal Baseball Camp.

Now in its 10th year, the three-week camp began July 18 and is held at Bloomfield Middle School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The final week is August 1-5.

After he was graduated from BHS in 1989, Policastro continued his baseball career at FDU where he became one of program’s best players. In his FDU career, Policastro batted .342, eighth in program history, with 144 hits in 138 games, being named to the All-North East team for three years from 1991-93. He also ranks third in FDU history in career homers with 25 and seventh in doubles with 38. Policastro also finished with 118 RBI.

Policastro, who went on to play minor league ball in the Chicago Cubs system as an undrafted player, will be inducted into the FDU Hall of Fame this fall. He was notified of the good news last month by FDU head baseball coach Gary Puccio.

The push to get Policastro into the Hall of Fame started in February when he and his former FDU teammates, whom he hadn’t seen in quite a while, attended the FDU First Pitch Dinner honoring FDU’s All-Nineties Decade team, of which Policastro was a member. During Puccio’s speech, he mentioned how Policastro was a Hall-of-Fame type player. Afterwards, Policastro’s former teammates wrote letters on his behalf.

Policastro, indeed, feels honored to be inducted.

“It’s nice to be recognized for having a really good career,” said Policastro last week at his camp.

For Policastro, it all started when he was a little boy. His father used to take him and his brother to the park. But an 8-year-old Policastro had no interest in playing baseball. Instead, he wanted to play in the sand box. But that all changed when Little League coach Lenny Celluro convinced him to play baseball.

Policastro eventually grew into a standout at BHS, crediting the Bengal coaching staff during his four years. During American Legion ball in the summer, Policastro played for the late Joe Cucuzza, whom Policastro considered as “second father.” Cucuzza introduced Policastro to Dennis Sasso, who at the time was the FDU baseball coach. Sasso, who also helped out the Bloomfield legion team, had one remaining scholarship and offered it to Policastro, who accepted it.

“He was a big influence on me,” Policastro said of Sasso. “He kind of honed my skills and made me the player that I was.”

Another big influence on Policastro was his Moonachie Braves summer coach, Steve Dembowski, also a former FDU player who still holds the NCAA record for most hit-by-pitches in a career.

Dembowski changed Policastro’s perspective on baseball. Policastro used to feel like he was better than certain players. But one day, Policastro drove his car into a ditch. He was with his teammates and coach at the time, arguing with them. But the coach told him that he could either have them help him, or turn in his uniform. Policastro realized that he needed their help.

“It made me realize that nobody is bigger than the team,” Policastro said.

It’s an anecdote that Policastro likes to tell to his players and campers, underscoring the theme of teamwork.

Policastro, indeed, is glad to be back in Bloomfield. In 2002, he applied for the BHS head baseball coaching position, but didn’t get the job. He applied for it again in 2006. This time, he got the job.

In his first year in 2007, the Bengals were runner-up in the state North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 tournament. The following year, they returned to the North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 tournament final, but this time, they won. The Bengals also were North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 tournament runner-up in 2015. In all, Policastro has guided the Bengals to a 165-116 record.

Make no mistake, Policastro can’t see himself anywhere else than in Bloomfield.

“I think it was fate,” said Policastro about being back in Bloomfield. “Fate brings you back in circles. I was always meant to be here. It’s a town I love. It’s a town I grew up loving. It’s obviously where I played here. I just think that this where I want to be. It’s where I started here and this is where I want to end. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

NOTES – Along with the baseball camp, the Bengal Softball Camp also was held at Bloomfield Middle for grades 2-8, July 11-15 and July 18-21.

For more information about the baseball camp, contact Policastro at [email protected].

  Mike Policastro