Hauppauge Ball Player Signs Contract with Washington Nationals

A Hauppauge all-star ball player will get his shot to play in the national leagues. 

Matt Reistetter signed a free-agent contract with the Washington Nationals on July 17, Newsday reports. Under the contract, the Nationals will pay for his last year of college at Hofstra University and give him a $10,000 signing bonus. 

"It feels great," Reistetter told Newsday. "I really take into consideration everything on and off the field. Live life to the fullest in everything you are doing." 
He reported to the National's spring training facility in Florida before joining up to play for the Auburn (N.Y) Doubledays, a Class A team short season team of the New York-Penn League.

Reistetter was recently named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association first team, after leading Hofstra in batting in 2013 with a .326 average. The junior started 47 of the team’s 53 games and posted 58 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 25 runs and 34 RBIs.

Reistetter was a nominee for the Johnny Bench Award, which is awarded to the top catcher in Division I, as well as the Gregg Olson Award, which is presented to the Breakout Player of the Year in college baseball. He was also named the CAA Player of the Week on April 1 after batting .556 (10-18) with a double, triple, home run, seven runs and eight RBIs in five games, all Hofstra wins. 

While at Hauppauge High School, Reistetter was named named an All-County catcher after his freshman year. 

Read more on Newsday [subscription required] of Reistetter's history playing baseball and the challenges he's overcome.