Waterford's Ben Jerome playing key role as Sea Unicorns pursue elusive FCBL playoff berth
Jul. 9—NORWICH — Ben Jerome first strapped on the catcher's gear in Little League.
And he's been behind the plate ever since.
A Waterford High School graduate, Jerome is wearing the tools of ignorance for the Norwich Sea Unicorns for the second straight summer.
Jerome can thank his father, Tim, for leading him down the catcher's path.
"Back in Little League, I just remember my first experience in baseball was my dad throwing me in catcher's gear from a very young age and I loved it," Ben said while sitting in the Dodd Stadium dugout Saturday before Norwich's game. "I loved it right away just because you're involved in every play. There's not a play where the catcher doesn't touch the ball.
"And I'm still lucky enough to be catching."
Jerome is one of three catchers on the roster for Norwich, which resides in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. He's taken advantage of his opportunities, batting .324 with two doubles and eight RBI in 12 games.
He's on a tear, going 6 for his last 13 with four RBI in his last four games.
"He's swinging the bat well," first-year Sea Unicorns manager Kevin Murphy said. "He's doing a good job managing the staff for us."
Murphy met Jerome at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass., where they spent a season as teammates.
Jerome will be a senior this fall.
"Ben is the best," Murphy said. "He works hard. I played with him at Nichols for a year and we got to work together a little bit. He comes from a great family; His mom and dad are great people. He's just a reflection of what a great job that they did with him."
At 5-foot-9, 150-pounds, Jerome isn't built like a typical catcher — big and stocky.
But his size never prevented him from excelling at his position. He's speedier than most catchers, stealing a team-high 16 bases last season for Nichols. He also played some outfield last college season.
"It's nice having a little bit of speed," Jerome said. "It's another way to help my team out. I wear (my size) as a badge of honor, just being a smaller guy just means you have a lot more to prove. I like playing with a chip on my shoulder a little bit."
Jerome realizes his baseball career is winding down.
This will be his last summer playing in the FCBL. He's enjoying every minute of it, especially living at home in Waterford.
"I'm lucky enough to live at home during the summer and play, because a lot of guys don't have that privilege because they travel from all parts of the country to play," Jerome said. "It's nice having a very good league in your backyard where I can still spend time with the family and also play really good baseball."
Jerome also is happy to have three fellow Waterford High School graduates as teammates — pitchers Jared Burrows (Bryant), Payton Sutman (Holy Cross) and Robert Zawacki (Western New England). Another former Lancer, Ryan O'Connell (St. Bonaventure) is working his way back from an injury and will join the team sometime this month.
"A lot of local guys, which is awesome, that I haven't played with since high school," Jerome said. "It's great to have a reunion with them. And it makes it fun."
Jerome's days can be long.
He works for a landscaping company before heading to the ballpark, putting on his catcher's gear on his game days and then returns home later at night.
"It's a very active day, but I'm young, I should be able to do it," Jerome said.
The Sea Unicorns are in the hunt for a playoff spot. They are 24-15 and in third place following Sunday's 11-9 win over first-place Worcester (28-11). The top four finishers qualify for the postseason, something Norwich fell short of accomplishing in their first two seasons in the FCBL.
"We have a really good team this summer — a lot of talent and we jell really well in the clubhouse," Jerome said. "I think we do some damage in this league.
"Going into the summer, I wanted to have a fun summer. You can't play baseball forever, so I've got to make the most of it and hopefully win the league and bring the first championship back to Norwich, which hasn't been done yet. I think we have the team to do it this year."
Jerome, who dealt with a broken wrist last spring but still played in 34 games and batted .268 with one home run and 16 RBI, is hoping for a healthy senior season at Nichols.
"The past two years have been tough for me because I've had a lot of injuries. Going into next year, my main goal is to stay healthy and help my team win the (Commonwealth Coast Conference) championship."
A corporate finance major, Jerome is on track to graduate next season.
He plans on staying involved in baseball some way or another after graduation.
"Maybe down the road, we'll see if I end up coaching, but it's definitely a thought," Jerome said.
