Second Act For Former Rams Closer

Billy Garofalo wears his Rams jacket with pride, but you won’t see him on the field Friday when the baseball team host the NCAA Division III tournament's New York Regional beginning May 16.

One the best baseball players in program history, Garofalo’s athletic career was cut short by injury.

Garofalo has moved on. A 2006 graduate of , Garofalo is currently pursuing a Technical Writing degree at Farmingdale State. 

Garofalo went from All-Suffolk honors as a high school catcher to quickly securing the Rams' closer job, which he dominated in each of his three seasons. Garofalo achieved All-Conference honors as a freshman in 2007, All-Region honors (2008), and pitched in the 2009 NCAA Division III World Series.

Garofalo later pitched in the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League. While throwing in front of scouts, Garofalo suffered a career-ending injury in 2009 that derailed his hopes of making it to the big leagues.

“It was a smooth inning,” Garofalo said. “Two batters retired, and I was working on the last one. As I released a hard slider into the dirt, I immediately thought to myself, ‘that’s not good.’”

Garofalo tore his rotator cuff.

Despite spending the entire 2010 season rehabbing his arm and visiting with medical specialists, the next time Garofalo took the mound he tore his rotator cuff again. He threw a single pitch.

“I try not to dwell on it,” Garofalo said. “It was a little frustrating, but it’s the kind of injury that is common for pitchers. I know I went out there and gave it my best shot, and I can live with that.”

Garofalo is still Farmingdale State's all-time leader in saves, appearances, games finished and combined shutouts. He ranks fourth in ERA (2.66), sixth in OBA (.246), eighth in career strikeouts, and threw the second-most strikeouts of any Farmingdale pitcher in a single game. Garofalo also holds career records at Patchogue-Medford in single season home runs, RBI, batting average, sacrifice hits and fielding percentage.

Never discouraged by the sudden change in plans, Garofalo soon returned to the home of his beloved Rams to continue his education. When he’s not in class, Garofalo stays loose by posting on his own mixed martial arts blog, which he says is what he hopes to do forthe rest of his life.

The only thing more impressive than Garofalo’s positive attitude is his dedication to his community. Garofalo is an active volunteer for NANA’s House, an organization that aims to improve the quality of life for single parents on Long Island.

“My injury made me aware of all the hardships we face, that some people are really struggling," Garofalo said. "I have a lot more free time now, so why not? It feels good to lend a hand.”

On Thursday nights, Garofalo helps raise funds for NANA’s House by hosting Bingo Night at in Farmingville. With the money he collects each week, he and colleagues then donate meals, holiday gifts and help provide housing to those in need.

Baseball is still important to Garofalo. And he'll be pulling for the Rams as they try to reach the College World Series once again. But he's channelling his energy in a new, positive direction.

Note: Reported by Randy Stephens, a student journalist at Farmingdale State.