Kyle Karaffa, C, Wadsworth HS, Class of 2013

PBR: Why did you choose Heidelberg?

Karaffa: The coaching staff and I exchanged messages and eventually set up a date for me to come down and visit. I really enjoyed being on campus, they had the degree that I was looking for, and I liked everything I heard from the coaches about their program and how they run things. What I really liked about the coaching staff was the constant contact that they kept with me, checking in to see how I was doing and seeing how my decision process was going with college.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Karaffa: Heidelberg has been at the top of my list for quite a while, and I had been pretty sure that is where I would choose. I visited Muskingum and did a little bit of research on some of the other OAC schools, but Heidelberg, I felt, would be the best fit for me.

PBR: Where did the Coach Palm first see you? How did your relationship develop with the rest of the coaching staff?

Karaffa:  The Heidelberg coaching staff saw me at the Nischwitz tournament this summer and contacted my summer coach. The constant calls from the coaches really helped me to see who they were and what they were about, and after meeting with them on my visit, it reassured me that they would be coaches I would enjoy playing for.

PBR: Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?

Karaffa: I want to be leader that everyone in the program is able to look up to and follow my example. I want to improve myself in all the different aspects of the game, but also be a teammate who is able to go around and help out some of the younger guys. As a team, with all the experience that we will have, I expect us to have a very good year. We have all played as a team for two, some three, years now and our team chemistry should be something that really stands out this season. This is our year to make a run and leave our mark on the Wadsworth baseball program.

PBR: Heidelberg baseball has had a lot of success in the OAC.  How does it feel to be a part of such a great baseball program?

Karaffa: Going into a program that has had that kind of success will be both awesome and challenging. It is great to know that I am going into a program where the coaches and players know how to work hard and can have success on the field. Knowing that, I realize there will be many expectations and a lot of hard work that I will have to put forth in order to be successful to help out the team the best I can. And I am ready for the challenge.

PBR:  What role does the coaching staff expect from you in your first year on campus?

Karaffa: The coaching staff expects me to come in day one and work hard, on and off the field, get better everyday, and compete for my position. They explained to me that the best players that work hard are going to play no matter what year they are.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was the most memorable experience from this summer?

Karaffa: This summer I will be playing with the Ohio Longhorns. My most memorable experience from this past summer was playing in the Worthington Phoenix Wood Bat tournament. It was when we were playing our best ball as a team, and we made a great run against some strong competition.

PBR: What were your stats this spring season at Wadsworth?

Karaffa: Last season I had a .340 BA, 6 doubles, 7 stolen bases, 20 runs scored, 15 RBI’s, 158 innings played, and a .979 fielding percentage.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?

Karaffa: The toughest pitcher I’ve faced would be Suburban League foe Tucker Linder from Tallmadge. I also had the privilege to catch Connor Ryan of Strongsville for a couple summer seasons. He is one of the best pitchers I’ve ever caught for.