Local players join a band of Outlaws

By Mike Zummo
Posted 7/19/22

Freddie Callo and Ethan Thompson have been playing with and against each other for a very long time, since they were 10 years old or younger.

They played together for a time on the Beekman Gamers, …

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Local players join a band of Outlaws

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Freddie Callo and Ethan Thompson have been playing with and against each other for a very long time, since they were 10 years old or younger.

They played together for a time on the Beekman Gamers, but most of the time they played against each other while Thompson played on the Hit & Run Highlanders and Callo was on the Mid Hudson Tigers. Then, of course, they were on opposing teams scholastically with Callo playing for the Marlboro Iron Dukes until his 2020 graduation. Thompson graduated from Highland High School in 2021.

Now, they are playing and rooming together as they play summer baseball for the Oneonta Outlaws in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.

“Playing with these guys is an awesome experience,” Thompson said. “It’s really my first time living away from home. When I went to Marist, I commuted because it was about five minutes away. So, it’s nice to be able to get away from the parents and family a little bit and have a little bit of team time.”

This is Callo’s second year in the PGCBL. He played last year for the Albany Dutchmen, but was pulled over to Oneonta by coach John Boland, who knew Callo from SUNY Ulster.

“It’s a really great summer experience,” Callo said. “A lot of these different organizations, it’s a little bit too (serious). It’s summer ball, you’re supposed to enjoy it. Obviously, there’s a lot to focus on during summer ball, and obviously we’re working to the next level at all times, but, at the same time, you’ve got to enjoy it a little bit.”

Marist University had set up Thompson to play for another PGCBL team, the Newark Pilots, but was taking batting practice at Tony Williams Park in Highland, who offered him a contract on the spot to come to Oneonta.

“He guaranteed me playing time up here so how can I turn that down,” Thompson said.

Playing time is much of the reason Thompson has entered the transfer portal after his freshman year at Marist. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Foxes had several players who took an extra year of eligibility and it cut into his possible playing time.

He only appeared in one game for an inning. He gave up a run, walked two and struck out one.

“I decided I wanted to try to get an opportunity somewhere else where I play more and get more looks,” Thompson said. “But I’m still in the process of talking to schools right now. I’m homed in on a couple so I’m just waiting to finalize it.”

Callo is in a bit of flux, as well.

His most recent season was at Hudson Valley Community College, where he posted a 2-2 record in six starts. He is also a punter on the Hudson Valley football team. Even though the Outlaws’ website has him listed as attending Bryant University, he hasn’t decided yet.

Key in that decision is the ability to continue playing both football and baseball.

“I definitely have been talking to plenty of different schools,” Callo said. “Both sports are on the table and it’s a lot of different things to juggle. It’s hard to go and there’s a reason there’s not many guys who play both sports, It’s a lot to take in and it’s a lot of processes.”

As they work on that, their summer focus is on the Outlaws. Thompson has had four starts with what he said were mixed results. Callo has been going back and forth between starting and closing. He’s always bounced back and forth between both.

As it turns out, they pitch on a lot of the same days.

Callo threw 28 innings last spring. For Thompson, this summer has been like recovering from a missed season.
“I feel like I’m getting work in because I’ve missed out on a year of baseball as I only got a few innings over at Marist because of the situation. It’s definitely nice to get back in the swing of things and start throwing again. I like seeing this kind of competition. It’s great. I’m loving it so far.”