Dillan Abbate is another standout baseball player from Bow High School who has spent his summer evenings playing for Concord’s American Legion Post 21 team.

So far, his batting average is through the roof and his infield defense been very solid. Abbate also rises to the occasion on the mound and recently threw a complete game against North Conway, allowing only three hits and striking out eight batters.

He helped Bow win the NHIAA Division II state baseball championship as a junior and most recently had a strong senior season that earned him a place on the D-II All-State Second Team. He’s been staying sharp this summer to continue his baseball career at New England College in the fall.

Q: Tell us about your earliest memory of playing sports?

A: The earliest memory I have was my dad taking me to a parking lot to practice ground balls and hitting.

Q: What are your three favorite sports to play or watch? Why did you pick those?

A: I played stickball with my friends in elementary school and intermediate school. It was really fun. I like to watch the Alpine racing and mogul competition in the Olympics. I ski, and this is why I like to watch the mogul and Alpine racing. I like to play basketball with my friends. I played pewee soccer.

Q: How do you strike a balance between school and sports?

A: During school hours, I like to get all my school work done. I usually spend my lunchtime eating, doing homework and studying. This allows me to concentrate on baseball after school. I will go to the weight room, have hitting practice and fielding. If it’s a game day, I usually hit the cages for live rounds off the machine. After the game I study on the bus ride home, do homework, have dinner and go to bed.

Q: What kind of music helps you lock in for a big game?

A: Hip hop and some Spanish hip hop. Some of my favorite artists are Bad Bunny, Futur, and Drake.

Q: What's your favorite part of baseball and why?

A: I just like the competition level. I love the competitive aspect of this sport. The mind aspect. It’s a very big mind game. It’s a tough skill to do and work at. For me it’s the most challenging sport, and I love it.

Q: What have you enjoyed most about summer baseball playing for Post 21?

A: My favorite part is meeting new group of guys, just making new friends with fun memories.

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?

A: Probably my mom and dad.

Q: Who are some of your mentors and how have they helped you?

A: My dad and my grandpa, they got me into the sport and they are still coaching me to this day.

Q: What’s your favorite post-game meal and what makes it the best?

A: My grandmother’s dish called ropa vieja. It’s shredded beef dish served with fried plantains, white rice, beans and her homemade special hot sauce.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of playing sports?

A: It has to be wining the N.H. state championship in 2024 with the Bow Falcons. My other favorite memory is when I lived in New York. I was the pitcher and shortstop playing for the Little League team for District 19. We won the district championship in 2018.

Q: If you could play professional sports for any team, what would it be?

A: I would play for the Yankees. I grew up in the New York City area, and I have always wanted to play for them.

Q: What will you miss most about Falcons baseball?

A: I miss that team because we always had a winning attitude. The team did a really good job with team building and team bonding. We always were building the team chemistry.

Q: What excites you most about continuing your career at New England College?

A: I am excited to face college-level playing. It’s going to be an even tougher level of competition. I love the competition of facing tough pitchers. I can’t wait to see what it has in store.

Q: How have you worked to improve as a baseball player?

A: Hitting the weight room to work at getting stronger and getting faster. I keep working on skill level of hand-eye coordination and foot work with fielding.

Q: What does your training regimen look like?

A: It’s a combination of legs and cardio, alternating with upper body and cardio, then core muscles and cardio. I go to Body and Mind Fitness in Concord.