SWAMPSCOTT — There wasn’t a game. There wasn’t an election. But, there was a grand slam of a crowd.
If you spent your Saturday morning on Forest Avenue in Swampscott, you would have seen a lot of hugs, laughs and smiles. That’s what happens during the formal dedication of Frank DeFelice Diamond, named after the legendary Swampscott baseball coach who helmed from 1966-71 and 1977-2005.
Behind Swampscott Middle School, where the high school team plays, came the unveiling of the sign: a blue, rectangular piece unveiled by current members of the varsity team. The sign was donated by the Jauron Family Foundation.
You could hear the applause and iPhone camera snaps for minutes on end.
And when you see that name, just know that it came with 465 wins, a state championship in 1993, three sectional championships, eight Northeastern Conference titles, and Hall of Fame nods from Swampscott and Winthrop High, as well as the Mass Baseball Coaches Association.
“Baseball has always been a passion,” said DeFelice, 82, who still serves as a team consultant with Endicott College, the No. 1-ranked team in NCAA Division 3. “Even though I loved football, baseball has always been a passion.”
But beyond the runs, wins, and trophies, came the DeFelice philosophy – one of accountability and town pride.
Those qualities – and many, many more – were on full display as those closest to DeFelice spoke about his impact prior to the unveiling.
After a musical selection from the Swampscott High School Marching Band, emcee Paul Halloran spoke in front of hundreds gathered around the diamond’s infield.
“This is a great thing that is happening today… If you’re here, you probably know the story,” said Halloran, who assisted DeFelice from 1989-92 and 1997-2005 and led the Swampscott American Legion team to back-to-back state championships in 1995 and ’96. “ With Coach DeFelice, it was baseball all the time … He held people accountable, and there are many players out there who would say he was tough on them, but they are better off for it.”
And with all the gifts DeFelice has given throughout the years, it was time to return the favor. Varsity captains Jason Bouffard, Luca Croft, and Will Roddy presented DeFelice with a blanket, team-signed baseball, quarter-zip, and hat.
It was the least they could do, according to Swampscott baseball coach Joe Caponigro, who spearheaded the initiative alongside Steve Bulpett, a Swampscott High grad and former Boston Herald sportswriter.
“You helped make men out of us,” Caponigro said. “Discipline, teamwork, dedication, and loyalty, just to name a few.”
Bulpett sees it the same way.
“It struck me that, here’s a guy still contributing to the community,” he said. “Being here for the players and coaches – that’s who you are.”
Other speakers were Swampscott Selectman David Grishman, Nelson Woodfork, Middle School Principal Jason Calichman, and Athletic Director Kelly Wolff.
“Since I was first hired, I heard all the stories,” said Wolff, who played softball at Bishop Fenwick for another legendary coach, Ed Henry. “Teaching them how to be men – that’s what athletics is all about.”
Bob DeFelice, who retired from coaching Bentley University’s baseball program in 2022 after 54 years, said his brother’s influence on him is “immeasurable.”
“If these kids who played for him got 1/10th of what he did for me, they’re millionaires because he set a standard for me that I could never reach,” he said. “People talk about tributes, and here’s my take on it: 20-plus years removed and people still remember him. To me, that’s the real tribute.”
Dick Jauron, arguably Swampscott High’s greatest athlete ever and 2001 NFL Coach of the Year with the Chicago Bears, jumped right into his early days with DeFelice.
“We played in the summer league in Boston, the Intercity League, for the Boston Typos… Frank played first base, I was playing shortstop, and Frank’s brother, Bob, was catching. It was just the best. Great baseball and great baseball people.” Jauron said. “He had the persona as a tough guy and he was a tough guy, but if you followed the rules and worked hard, you were his guy.”
Legendary former North Reading High coach and a contemporary of DeFelice, Frank Carey, said he was amazed at how many people were in attendance.
“Everything that was said was right on target,” Carey said. “He wanted to make sure you played correctly, but it’s really about the life lessons. You couldn’t have played for a better man.”
Like the local celebrity you could say he is, DeFelice was met with handshakes and photo requests until the end of the event, which was followed by a reception in the middle school, with the refreshments donated by Michael Dilisio of Dunkin’.
“Thank you for your dedication to generations of baseball players,” Caponigro said.
