Mohegan - A video chronicling their journey to Major League Baseball through Norwich Free Academy was playing prior to a session they were leading Friday at the 12th annual World Baseball Coaches' Convention at Mohegan Sun.

And Eric Campbell of the New York Mets and Dom Leone of the Seattle Mariners were both watching the story intently, grinning.

"These two guys, they don't forget where they came from," said former NFA baseball coach John Iovino of Campbell and Leone. "Along with Andrew Carignan (another player with major league experience who went to NFA), they all went to the same elementary school.

"... To witness that (footage of Leone pitching to Campbell last season) is an amazing thing. Two guys that have known each other their whole life, that was special."

Campbell and Leone each made their big league debuts last season, as did Jesse Hahn, a Fitch graduate, with the San Diego Padres, giving southeastern Connecticut a total of six players in the major leagues.

Friday's session, which Campbell and Leone conducted along with Iovino, was called "Setting Your High School Players Up For Success On And Off the Field After Graduation."

Both players spoke of what they learned from Iovino at the high school level.

Campbell said that at Iovino's baseball camps, which he attended growing up, Iovino made everyone play an inning at every position. That's a role Campbell, a 27-year-old right-handed utility player, still fills with the Mets, too.

Leone said he often draws on an Iovino quote: "Yesterday's yesterday, today's today and tomorrow's tomorrow."

"In Little League, I was a typical hothead. I had the typical anger issues of a 12-year-old kid," Leone said. "I'd cry if someone got a hit off me. Then, when I got to high school, I realized this isn't a game, this is serious. This is about life. This is taking it past high school."

Several of the local pros live in the area during the offseason, as does Campbell, who married his wife Kristin in December. Campbell, Leone and Rajai Davis, the New London native and Detroit Tigers outfielder, worked out together Friday morning, in fact.

Iovino has one theory as to why players from the area have been so successful.

"Look around the room," Iovino said, alluding to the presence of UConn Avery Point coach Roger Bidwell and former top high school coaches Gil Varjas (New London) and Ed Harvey (Fitch) in the audience.

"These are phenomenal people. I'm lucky enough to sit up here and talk to them. Are you kidding?"

Leone, 23, a right-handed pitcher, called it a blast to take part in the convention along with Iovino and Campbell.

It was suggested that now that East Lyme native John McDonald has retired after a 16-year major league career, Leone and Campbell could help carry the torch for the locals.

"I take a lot of pride in being a guy from Connecticut," Campbell said. "Before a series, I always look at the roster and see if there's anybody from Connecticut on the other team. ... I think there's a different toughness."

"You understand the hardships and the hard work you put in," Leone said. "It makes you a certain type of baseball player. You've got to be tough. People will find you if you work hard enough."

Waterford resident Pete Walker, now the pitching coach for the Toronto Blue Jays and a former major league pitcher from the area, is a co-director of the World Baseball Coaches' Convention. He called the local major leaguers he has gotten to know "quality people."

"Baseball's secondary," Walker said. "The kids in the area can look up to these guys, they have someone they can emulate. Hopefully they will."

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Twitter: @vickieattheday