Brave new world for Compitello

A brush with a baseball legend gave Dave Compitello quite a rush when he visited Bradley University.

The Schaumburg senior shortstop got to tour O'Brien Field, the downtown stadium where the Bradley Braves play their games. So do the Peoria Chiefs, the Cubs' Class A affiliate managed by Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.

"That was amazing," Compitello said. "We went down there to see the clubhouse and the whole building and it's amazing. We were 30 feet away from Ryne Sandberg hitting ground balls."

It was all part of the right feeling Compitello had as he became the latest area player to make a verbal commitment to Bradley and new head coach Elvis Dominguez.

Prospect senior shortstop Jason Leblebijian and Fremd senior outfielder Mike Tauchman have also committed to Bradley. Recent Prospect graduate Tim Scanlan asked for his release from Eastern Kentucky when Dominguez left and followed him to Bradley.

"The three new coaches (Dominguez and assistants Jonathan Hadra and John Corbin) have a pretty good track record," Compitello said. "I liked (Dominguez) a lot and he's going to make you work."

Compitello is a two-time Daily Herald All-Area pick who was promoted to the Schaumburg varsity at the end of his freshman year. He could also play second base or center field.

"As long as it's somewhere up the middle it's not a problem for me," Compitello said. "The biggest reason why they wanted me is my speed and versatility."

Compitello, who has a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and plans to study business, also talked to Illinois State and was expecting a scholarship offer from Eastern Illinois.

Playing in the Missouri Valley Conference, one of the nation's best for baseball, was also a big lure to Bradley.

"I didn't think it was going to work out this quick," Compitello said. "Once I got the offer I kind of wanted to get it out of the way."