Leading in the Last Inning: Rocco DeMaio III

Leading in the Last Inning: Rocco DeMaio

Rocco DeMaio III ’26, alongside Sean Studley ’26 and Tommy O’Connell ’26, will lead the Hopkins Varsity Baseball team as they look to build upon last year's 13-win season. A senior captain, DeMaio III has been dedicated to Hopkins baseball since eighth grade, steadily growing into one of its most seasoned leaders. Studley noted how “[everybody] knows how much experience he has.” 

DeMaio III has been playing baseball since he was six years old. He said, “I always loved playing baseball and wanted to bring my passion for the game to help build a winning culture for our baseball team." He mentioned that playing for his father, Rocco DeMaio II ’86, was another driving factor in his development. Athletic Director and Varsity Baseball Head Coach DeMaio II, who has coached his son at Hopkins since eighth grade and “his whole life in the backyard,” stated that DeMaio III “was always in the dugout as a young kid learning from the many great players and leaders before him.” That early exposure helped shape DeMaio III’s understanding of what it means to carry on the legacy of Hopkins baseball, saying that “[by] learning from captains and leaders before me, I want to continue the tradition of Hopkins baseball competitive excellence.”

On the field, DeMaio III leads the charge, batting at the top of the lineup and playing shortstop. Hopkins Math teacher and Varsity Baseball Assistant Coach Robert Studley, who has coached DeMaio III since he was nine, said that he “gets our team going on offens[e],” and that at “shortstop, [he] puts himself in the middle of our most defensive plays.” Additionally, Tommy Corwin ’27 added that DeMaio’s spot at the top of the lineup allows him to “always [be] the first guy in the dugout explaining what he’s seeing from the pitcher,” and that he takes full advantage of the opportunity to lead from that spot by discussing an “approach we should take.” This season, Studley anticipates that DeMaio III will also add the ability to pitch to his skill set, further increasing his impact on the team. 

DeMaio III’s coaches and teammates have nothing but high praise for him. DeMaio II described him as a “positive and steady leader,” while Coach Studley said that he “brings great energy to practice and the other players feed off of this energy.” That presence helps unify the team, with Eliot Atlee ’27 noting that it “helps keep us together in games,” and Studley mentioning that “when it is time to get to work, he takes charge.” 

Beyond his performance on the field, DeMaio III’s leadership emerges in how he is able to connect with teammates and set expectations, with those around him noticing the results of his growth. In everyday interactions, Atlee mentioned that DeMaio III “always keeps it light and leads mostly as a friend, but [...] can switch gears and make sure that we are being responsible and supportive during a game or practice.” That balance between approachability and seriousness is echoed by others. Justin Gnidula ’28 described him as a “great leader [...] that takes baseball seriously,” while Co-Captain Tommy O’Connell ’26 added that DeMaio III gets the team “fired up through [his] speeches.” Together, these qualities of DeMaio III reflect his ability to balance authority with amiability. Silas Kennedy ’27 observed that DeMaio III can “command respect while listening to [others],” creating an environment where players can stay focused yet feel comfortable. 

These leadership qualities have also shaped DeMaio III’s perspective on the broader lessons of the game. He believes that the lessons he has learned over the years extend beyond baseball. “I have learned how to work hard and have a positive approach through any circumstance,” he said, elaborating that the sport teaches players “how to be a part of a team and work together for a common goal.” 

With those lessons in mind, for younger students who may be looking to be a part of the sport, DeMaio III emphasized the relationships that it brings: “Baseball [offers] friendships that will last a lifetime,” and provides the chance to compete in an environment that is both “fun and competitive.” As he enters his final season at Hopkins, DeMaio III sums up his mindset in a single phrase: “Go Hop[!] Looking forward to a great senior season.”

Looking ahead, DeMaio III’s expectations for the season are clear: “Coming off of a 13 win season last year, we are looking to improve upon that and win a championship.” After graduation, he will continue his baseball career at Trinity College, where he hopes to “continue to excel at the next level and keep growing as [an] athlete and an individual.”