In control, and under control

Diabetes fails to slow Braintree's Melchionda on his march to BC

Anthony Melchionda left his Braintree home last summer and headed south, spending two months in Georgia playing in one of the premier youth baseball leagues in the country, East Cobb for the 17-and-under Cubs.

Out-of-state trips often are viewed as a stage to perform in front of college coaches and scouts, but Melchionda had already made his college choice. He verbally committed to Boston College the summer before his senior season at Thayer Academy, and used his time in Georgia to improve his skills.

"It was a relief to know that I was going down there and playing in front of scouts, and I didn't have to make a great impression," said Melchionda, a shortstop who hit .500 with five home runs and 16 RBIs as a senior at Thayer, helping power the program to the Independent School League title.

He earned league and Globe All-Scholastic honors.

That type of consistency, along with his defensive range, caught the attention of other Division 1 programs, including St. John's University. But his mind was made up. Boston College's academic reputation, along with the Eagles' affiliation with the Atlantic Coast Conference, made the Heights his "dream" destination.

So when BC offered an athletic scholarship, he quickly accepted.

"I couldn't believe that this was happening to me so quick, and at the same time this was my dream school," Melchionda said. "I felt on top of the world."

The day Melchionda signed with BC was not only an achievement, but a reminder of how far he has come living with Type 1 diabetes. That day marked the 12th anniversary of his diagnosis with the disease at age 6.

He has learned how to test his blood sugar levels several times a day. When the level is too high, he uses a pump the size of a cellphone to boost his insulin. If it is too low, he takes a glucose pill or drinks juice.

While Melchionda has learned how to incorporate the routines into his life, there have been times this year when he has felt weak or shaky during warmups. But diabetes wasn't a reason to give up baseball.

"I never thought of it that way," he said. "The best thing for a diabetic these days is to be active. Being out there and playing is good for my health."

Melchionda said his family and friends have been supportive, learning everything they can to help him and educate others. He is one of three children. His brother, Robert, just finished his junior baseball season at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. His younger sister, Juliana, will be a ninth-grader at Thayer Academy in the fall. He said that she is a diver who earned regional honors this past season.

Wanting to hang out with family and friends made staying close to home this summer more important to Melchionda. He not only plays for Braintree American Legion squad, but on off days picks up a game or two with the Braintree White Sox in the Cranberry League. And if that weren't enough, during the day he is helping out with Thayer's youth baseball camp.

Once his season begins at BC, Melchionda is not sure if he will get the chance to play American Legion baseball again, so he is going to enjoy this summer.

He said he loves Legion ball "because it's all the town guys and kids I grew up with," he said. "A lot of people tend to shy away from Legion these days. I think they think AAU is where it's at, but there is a lot of talent in Legion and it's good competition."

Braintree Post 86 was off to a 3-3 start this season, and Melchionda's bat has been the difference in two victories, according to manager Dan Fabrizio.

"He is our main guy and he's been driving in most of the runs that we've had," said Fabrizio, adding that Melchionda was hitting roughly .500 with two home runs.

The offensive numbers may gain attention, but Melchionda, at 5-11 and 175 pounds, said he takes pride in defense.

Melchionda said between the White Sox and Post 86, he is hoping to get as many swings in as possible before joining BC this fall.