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SPRINGBORO — Tony Campana has been chasing his childhood dream 90 feet at a time.

He reached it June 6 when the Chicago Cubs selected him 13th in the amateur draft with the 401st overall pick.

The University of Cincinnati stolen base king reported to Boise, Idaho, to play for the Cubs' short-season A team, the Hawks in the Northwest League.

"It's been almost a surreal experience," Campana said. "This is what I've always wanted to do since I was a little kid. I just love the game. One of the first things I did was go out and buy a Cubs cap (snug size 7). I'm watching the Cubs closer now after being a big Cleveland Indian fan all my life."

Now, he is playing baseball for a living. He earned a $5,000 signing bonus and will make $1,100 a month.

"I've talked to some former UC players now playing in the minors and they told me to be ready to play every day," Campana said. "That's what I wanted to hear. They also mentioned the six-hour bus trips."

Campana entered the draft as one of the top local prospects on the strength of his base-stealing prowess. The 5-foot-7 leadoff hitter made a huge impact in the Big East, batting .338.

He swiped 44 bases 55 attempts to rank fourth in the NCAA.

His contributions helped the Bearcats to the championship game.

"We're thrilled to have Tony in the fold," said Chicago Cubs scout Lucas McKnight. "He brings a lot of energy to the game and creates havoc for the defense. He realizes it is his speed game that makes him go. He stays within himself and plays to his strengths. What a great story."

The base-path bolt runs the 60-yard dash in 6.3 seconds, takes three steps off the base, reads the pitcher and pffftt he is off.

"I want to put the pressure on the pitcher," said Campana, who speaks reverently of Kenny Lofton. "A lot of my success is based on speed, but I do a good job reading the pitcher's moves and I know when to steal in the count. I'm at full speed after two steps.

"I had a contest with (Bearcats) teammate Josh Harrison (who is also a member of the Boise Hawks) on who would have the dirtiest uniform at the end of the game."

Campana honed his game last summer playing in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League for Southern Ohio Copperheads in Athens and made the all-star team.

He ranked among the team leaders in hitting (ninth, .349).

"I actually hit better with wood than aluminum," he said. "I just hit the ball and run fast. My hits find their way through the infield.

"Playing in the Great Lakes League is when I started to feel like I was capable of playing at the next level."

At Springboro, the 2004 graduate starred in baseball and football as a special teams returner.

He credits his parents, Mark and Faye, for his athletic success. His father played football at Eastern Illinois University and his mother excelled as a gymnast at Indiana State and coaches at the Gymnastics Training Center of Ohio in Franklin.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2478 or rjackson@DaytonDailyNews.com.