Overtime

Michael Megale signs his first major league contract as his uncle, Robert Rybnick Jr. (left), and grandfather, Robert Rybnick Sr., watch.

Michael Megale last played competitive baseball five years ago, but his emotional attachment to the sport, though tested, remained true.

“I never lost my love of the game,” the former Stamford High School star said. “I decided I was going to get myself into the best baseball shape I could and hope for a tryout.”

Though his primary association was giving lessons at Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy, Megale went back to displaying the same devotion that made him one of the best scholastic players in Stamford history.

And that is the reason why Megale, at 27, is keeping his dream alive playing for the Sussex Skyhawks of the Can-Am League.

“It feels so great to have this opportunity,” Megale said. “I hope to make the most of it.”

Megale, an All-State shortstop, graduated from Stamford in 2001 after helping to lead the Black Knights to the CIAC Class LL championship. He played for a season at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and the Community College of Rhode Island before moving on to play at the University of Pittsburgh.

Megale turned down an offer from another team in the city: the Pirates.

“I wanted to try and increase my stock,” Megale said.

Megale ended up leaving Pittsburgh and came home to work in his family’s wood recycling business, started his own recycling business, worked at Bobby Valentine’s and then worked out late at night, putting an end to what were often 18-19 hour days.

Megale earned a tryout this spring with the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League, and made it until the last cut. But he impressed the Bears’ manager, former major league star Tim Raines, who helped get him an invitation to try out with the Skyhawks, who play in an independent league with roots back to 1936.

Megale earned a spot on the roster and signed a contract on May 23. One week later, this past Sunday, Megale singled for his first professional hit.

“It felt like I never left,” Megale said. “It was one of the proudest moments of my life. My family was there and to see the smiles on their faces meant the most.”

Megale scored his first run yesterday. Still,the odds of him making it to Major League Baseball are slim.

But not many people would have given Megale a chance of still having his dream alive; every other Sussex player was with a team last year.

“I’m still going to work to get the job done,” Meagle said. I’m still trying to get better every day.”

I’ll have much more on Megale’s great story soon in The Advocate.