Baseball is the Spitaleri family business and, right now, business is booming.

Led senior Sean Spitaleri, Glen Rock is back in the North 1, Group 2 sectional final June 5, taking on Ramsey. Spitaleri is a pitcher/first baseman with a 9-1 record on the hill, a team-high 15 doubles and 28 RBIs. He’s the North Jersey Male Athlete of the Week, presented by HSS.

Spitaleri couldn’t escape baseball even if he wanted to – news flash, he doesn’t – his father, Steve, is the Panther’s head coach and his brother Jack is a starting outfielder.

“I am not here without my teammates or my coaches,” Spitaleri said after getting home from the Panthers sectional semifinal win in Vernon on June 3. “My whole team deserves a lot of recognition. I’m super lucky to be surrounded by a bunch of great guys, our bench guys bring energy and effort and that fires me up to give 110 percent.”

Sean has heard the question his entire high school career: What’s it like to have your dad as a coach? The answer is he loves it. Steve was a standout at Dominican University and runs a private baseball academy. Sean remembers being exposed to baseball growing up but not overly pushed in that direction.

“All three of the boys in the family love baseball now,” said Sean, who is the oldest of five siblings. “It turned into a home run for my dad because we all got so close with each other and bonded over something we love.”

As far as dealing with critics believing he may have gotten a shot just because his dad is the coach, Sean is confident in his own abilities.

“Yeah, no, I think I’ve earned it,” Sean said. “Even if I did hear that from somebody, I know I can just block it out and work on controlling the controllables and be the best teammate I can possibly be.”

Sean was a catcher growing up, but began to pitch around COVID. He now calls it his favorite thing to do.

“I feel like the spotlight is on me and I like the high-pressure moments,” Sean said. “It’s one thing to be pitching in a lopsided game, but I know I’ve worked hard to be thrown in where it’s a 1-0 game or a tie game. Nothing will stop me from working hard.”

Sean’s focus in practice is about working on his weaknesses and turning them into strengths. He said he’s improved his speed a lot and laying off off-speed pitches.

“It’s hard to mock a good curveball,” Sean said. “But it just takes reps and reps and tons of patience. People want good results quickly, but baseball doesn’t work that way. I’ve learned that myself and it’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s true.”

When not playing baseball, Sean likes to take his siblings fishing near the arboretum in Glen Rock. It’s another thing the family likes to do together, just like baseball.

It has started to hit Sean that his high school baseball days are closing. He’s signed with St. Bonaventure to play next year. He likes the area and think he will get a chance to play right away. If a pro baseball career doesn’t pan out, he wouldn’t mind working with young players, like his dad does.

“My coach – my dad – my coach, he’s been with me every step of the way and I’m honored for him to have been my coach, not a lot of people get to play with their brother and their dad,” Sean said. “We have had such good times together.”

Sean Spitaleri

Sport: Baseball

School: Glen Rock

Class: Senior Age: 18

Accomplishment: Spitaleri pitched in two wins, including a playoff shutout against High Point. He allowed two runs in 9⅔ innings and also went 3 for 7 at the plate.