When the Major League Baseball free agent amateur draft was held in June, Jersey City native T.J. Ward didn’t hear his name called.
At that point, the former two-time Hudson Reporter Player of the Year (2013 and 2014) and three-time Hudson Reporter All-Area honoree out of St. Peter’s Prep went to work.
“As soon as the draft was over, I was sending out e-mails and making calls,” said Ward, who finished his college career at the University of Hartford after Temple abruptly ended its program after Ward’s freshman year. “I was trying to get workouts for teams.”
Ward worked out for the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League, but he was told by Jackals officials that their roster for the 2018 season was full. Ward did not get a response from the Sussex County Miners, another Can-Am franchise based in New Jersey, a team that former Hudson County standouts Kenny Roder and Gianni Zayas pitched for in recent years.
For all intents and purposes, it looked as if Ward’s chances at professional baseball had fallen by the wayside.
“Once the Fourth of July came, I figured that it was over for this year and I could try again for next year,” Ward said.
But things broke in a different fashion for Ward and in a hurry.
“Funny story, but I was at a workout for scout with the Cincinnati Reds [former Morris Knolls and County College of Morris head coach Lee Seras] and another local guy [former scout John Kroeger, who knows New Jersey baseball better than anyone] and I got in my car after the workout,” Ward said. “And I got an e-mail.”
The e-mail was from the Birmingham/Bloomfield (Michigan) Beavers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League. The team was looking for an infielder and Ward fit the bill.
“My college teammate Nick Campana is on the team,” Ward said. “I got in the car and I drove to Michigan.”
Last Tuesday, Ward was driving to Michigan. Two days later, he arrived and signed his contract. Ward was indeed a pro baseball player.
“I didn’t care where I ended up,” Ward said. “As long as I was playing, it didn’t matter.”
And the pay was a little more than what Ward was receiving working the clock for a Jersey City Recreation basketball league.
“I’m beyond excited,” Ward said. “It doesn’t seem real to me. I just wanted a chance. I knew I was good enough to play.”
Ward had been working out with former Prep teammates Matt McDermott (College of William and Mary) and Nick Camillieri (Ramapo), so he was in baseball shape.
“Not many guys get a chance like this,” Ward said. “Absolutely, there’s hope.”
Ward had to work his way back from an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee, one that he rehabbed religiously at Strulowitz and Gargiulo in Jersey City, under the watchful eyes of highly respected therapist Carl Gargiulo.
“I’m 100 percent back with my knee,” Ward said. “I feel great. Nothing will stop me now.”
Ward had some struggles in the early going as a professional, collecting just two hits and two RBI in his first 14 at-bats.
“It still hasn’t hit me,” Ward said. “This is pro ball. The team draws big crowds. It’s the real deal. Let’s see what happens.”
After the Beavers’ season ends in September, Ward is off to the California Winter League that begins play in January. His pro career is well on its way.
EXTRA INNINGS focuses on the best stories that come from local baseball and softball leagues throughout the area, from Little League action through travel leagues.
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