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07/24/2015 12:00 AMLeo Konopka has ambitious dreams for his baseball career, such as competing at the professional level one day. Leo has a lot of playing to do between now and then, though, as he’s currently a member of North Haven’s Prep American Legion team who plans to join the Indians’ program in his freshman year at the high school next spring.
“My No. 1 goal is to be a professional baseball player. Any kid’s chances are slim to none, but you never know,” says Leo, 14. “With Prep Legion, we’re doing very good this year. We started a little rough, but as the season progressed, we’ve gotten to be a better team.”
North Haven’s Prep Legion squad is 12-8 and has earned a spot in the State Tournament coming down the regular season’s home stretch. Leo notes that he and his fellow Prep 76 teammates take their practices seriously in order to prepare for a busy slate that sometimes sees them play up to six games a week. North Haven’s Prep Legion program is in its second season and gets players ready for the Junior and Senior Legion levels of play.
“The most rewarding part is that we have a chance to play for American Legion baseball. That’s just good right there,” says Leo. “We have the chance to compete against good teams, which is a good way to bring up our skill level. It’s also a chance to use wood bats, which is a new experience for all of us.”
While he’s certainly enjoying the wood bats, Leo started pitching when he was eight and is best known for his work on the mound.
“Growing up when I watched professional games, I always focused on the pitcher because he controls the speed and pace of the game,” says Leo. “I’ve always been a better pitcher than hitter. As a kid, I wasn’t the best, but as I grew up, I worked harder and developed more skills by playing year-round.”
Leo started his baseball career with tee-ball at age five and played for the town’s rec teams until he was 12. Leo then began competing for North Haven’s travel squad with East Shore before joining the Prep Legion club this summer.
Post 76 Coach Jake DeRosa has been pleased to not only see what Leo’s skill set offers his club, but also what his positive attitude and energy bring to the team.
“The team really rallies around him,” says DeRosa. “When he steps on the mound, he’s going to give 100 percent and, because of that, the whole team behind him gives 100 percent.”
Leo has played baseball year-round for some time and hones his skills by competing with travel and rec teams during the spring, summer, and fall. Leo has also trained with Senior Legion Coach Charlie Flanagan at his winter workouts at the Connecticut Sportsplex. Leo credits his coaches and his family for helping lead him to success.
“My coaches for American Legion have helped me learn different and new things,” says Leo. “My dad has gone out and played with me more than a thousand times and my mom gets into the games the most and tells me how I can improve.”
While he’s currently concentrating on a strong finish with Post 76. Leo is also thinking about getting to North Haven High School, where he will be a freshman this fall. Along with looking forward to joining Indians’ baseball, Leo will continue playing basketball—another sport he’s been playing in the town’s recreation and travel leagues for several years.
“I’m excited for a better school and a better experience for both sports and education. My goal is to make varsity as a sophomore for both sports,” says Leo. “[Baseball is] America’s pastime and to me, it’s the greatest sport. When you have a great game, it’s a great feeling.”