Jose Marte of the Dominican Republic fulfills dream of playing baseball in America

Last year Bogota High School Baseball Head Coach Daniel Limone received the news about a player from the Dominican Republic transferring to the school. In his seventh year as the school’s head coach, Limone said he had heard that story plenty of times before but there was something different about Jose Marte. “He was very committed, a respectful young man and had good grades in school, said Limone”

For Marte the tranisition and journey from his home country to America would be a difficult process, leaving his Mom and not possessing a solid command of the English language. However, with Marte’s father, brothers and aunt living in Bogota helped ease any anxieties he would have.

In his first season with the Buccaneers Marte dominated both on the pitching mound and at the plate with the bat. On the mound finishing the year with a 3-2 record in 44 1/3 innings and 50 strikeouts. Splitting time as both a centerfielder and shortstop, Marte batted .355 with two home runs and 20 RBI’s.

“He worked very hard, our clean-up hitter batting .355 and second-team all-league, Limone said. He threw the ball 87 to 90 miles per hour. He lifted up our team when we played other schools and opposing coaches noticed how good he was very every time. We may not be the best team in the league but he has proven to be the best pitcher and one of the top five hitters in the league. He is the best pitcher I have ever seen in our program and top three hitter”

“The school(Bogota High School) is very grateful to have him and he displays the same respect he shows on the field to his teachers’ in the classroom. Last year when he came here he didn’t know any English but worked really hard at it and now more comfortable this year. He feels more at home opposed to last year where he felt out of place. He has worked on building a rapport with the community in Bogota, New Jersey”

Entering his final season on the team, Marte has picked up where he left off last season hurling 5 1/3 shutout innings against Wallington on Monday April 1^st while striking out 10 hitters. At the plate  Marte is 3 of 6 with three RBI’s, scored six runs and swiped five bases. “He has picked up two to three miles per hour on his fastball, participated in off-season training so he is in good form and shape, said Limone.

Looking ahead to the future, Marte is set to attend Monroe College in New York this fall. “I think he has a really good chance to play at the next level, it’s just not the talent that separates him but his commitment, work ethic and during the off-season in the weight room every day and respects the game, Limone said. His overall demeanor is very professional”

Bogota High School Assistant Baseball Head Coach Jared Deutsch on the job Limone has done and impact Marte made on the school, “Bogota High School baseball hasn’t really had anything going on good but since Dan Limone took over he has changed the program and made the state playoffs five out of seven years”

“When Jose fell into our hands was huge and maybe now people will know now Bogota High School baseball is not a joke anymore and these kids play both in the summer and fall. Jose is a very respectful kid who shakes the coaches hands before and after every practice and game and we really hope he does well in college”