Klafczynski Featured in Keene (New Hamphire) Sentinel
Derby Dandy?
July 18, 2010
By Shawn Cyr
Sentinel Staff
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Keene Swamp Bats center-fielder Ben
Klafczynski is probably the only person in New Hampshire who
can say they've won a home run derby at Progressive Field, home of
the Cleveland Indians.
The left-handed swinging Klafczynski, an Ohio native and
then-recent Medina Highland High graduate, beat a field of 10
players to win a derby for area high school All-Stars in 2007. He
is hoping for a repeat performance today in the NECBL Home Run
Derby at Cardines Field in Newport, R.I.
The 6-foot-3 Kent State junior jumped at the chance to compete when
he heard Bats Coach Marty Testo was looking for a left-hander to
represent the team - despite the fact that he hasn't hit a home run
this season.
"It's only 285 feet down the right-field line so it really suits a
left-hander," Testo said. "I know he has power because he has so
much bat speed. We're just hoping he can get some up and hit them
out. I think he'll hold his own."
Klafczynski is one of the six Swamp Bats participating in today's
NECBL All-Star festivities, the others being Mark Onorati, Jeremy
Baltz, Tyler Bernard, Tyler Maloof and Alex Wood. In addition to
tonight's All-Star Game, Klafczynski is one of just three players
competing in the game, the Home Run Derby and throwing competition
- Sanford's Mike McCann and Holyoke's Brandon Miller being the
other two.
If he's a dark horse to win the Derby, he's the a shoe in to win
the throwing competition, Testo said. Along with his speed in the
outfield and ability to generate bat speed, Klafczynski also has a
big-time throwing arm.
"I feel good about both (contests)," Klafczynski said. "I'm just
going to go out there and compete. Maybe I'll have a shot at both
of them."
If he had to chose between hitting a home run or throwing a out a
runner at the plate, Klafczynski (pronounced Klaf-chin-ski) said it
was too close to call.
Last summer Klafczynski played for the Bourne Braves of the Cape
Cod League. Since arriving with the Bats in mid-June, he's hitting
.279 with five doubles and 12 RBIs and proven to be worthy of his
selection to the NECBL Western Division team.
"It was one of the things I wanted to do when I got out here, and
that's get off to a good start," he said. "It's going to be a good
experience. I'm honored to be in it."
Though Klafczynski plays primarily right field at Kent State, he's
been playing center field for the Bats. His ability to jump over
and fill the gaps has provided stability in the outfield, Testo
said.
"He just brings it to the park every day," Testo said. "He's one of
those kids whose name a coach likes writing down in the lineup
every day. He's been everything we expected and more."
Klafczynski's also been bumming a lot of rides. He doesn't have a
car, so he relies on others to get him to and from Bentley Commons,
where he's staying. Tom Conley, Tim Fontaine and fellow Wood also
are staying at the relatively new senior living facility in
downtown Keene.
"I like it a lot," Klafczynski said of his living arrangements.
"It's like a hotel. They treat us well."
Between games, Klafczynski, a sports management major with hopes of
becoming a PGA club professional, spends a lot of his free time
teeing it up at Bretwood and Keene Country Club.
"I'm okay," he said when discussing his golf skills. "My best round
was a 74, I think."
Life isn't all about just golf, baseball and nice summer
accommodations, and Klafczynski is reminded of that often at Kent
State. The Akron, Ohio, school had a memorial in May for the 40th
anniversary of the 1970 Kent State shootings - when Ohio National
Guard members opened fire at students protesting the American
invasion of Cambodia, killing four and wounding nine others.
"It was a big thing for the University," he said. "It didn't really
effect us as baseball players, but if definitely gave us something
to always think about."
Note: Klafczynski's power was on the display during the
NECBL's Home Run Derby, as he went on to win the
competition.
