Baseball preseason practice is getting underway this week, and Marlboro’s Freddie Callo, a junior and left-handed pitcher, has spent the last two winters throwing something much heavier than a baseball for the Dukes’ indoor track team.

Callo has been throwing the weight for Marlboro, and this year he won the MHAL and Section 9, Class B titles and the state qualifier.

At the state qualifier Feb. 22 at West Point, Callo out-distanced Tri Valley’s Devin Simon by nearly 2 feet to qualify for the state indoor track and field championship with a throw of 58-feet, four and a quarter inches.
At the state meet Saturday on Staten Island, Callo was 20th with a throw of 52-feet, 10 inches.

“I actually wanted to get in shape for baseball. I thought it was a good idea,” said Callo, last week. More (success) than I expected. I went into it for the fun of it. But to be honest, I really wasn’t expecting to excel this well in track.”

Callo thanked Coach Tom Fassell for helping him to be successful doing what requires a technical awareness that the lefty needs when he tries to dominate on the mound for the Dukes.

“It’s more about technique than anything,” said Callo, of throwing the weight. “Strength is only going to get you so far.”

Lifting helps Callo throwing the weight, and it also helps him pitch for the Dukes. But there is athleticism and footwork, and track was beneficial last season helping Callo play first base when he was not pitching.

“I was able to be more athletic,” he said. “At first base, I was able to have quicker feet.”

Marlboro’s baseball team returns to defend its Section 9, Class B title, and Callo wants to improve his hitting this season. During the off-season, he continued to work on his pitching for that sectional title defense.