Baseball
Favorite athlete: Maikel Franco
Favorite team: Philadelphia Phillies
Favorite memory competing in sports: Winning the Montco Junior American Legion Championship in July of 2013.
Most embarrassing/funniest thing that has happened while competing in sports: I was playing first base during a baseball game in fourth grade, and I fainted on the field. I had to be taken off the field by an ambulance and the game was canceled because of it.
Music on iPod: Country
Future plans: Graduate from college and hen go on to become a physical therapist
Words to live by: “Every day is another chance to do something great.”
One goal before turning 30: Go to Mexico
One thing people don’t know about me: I am color blind.
By GORDON GLANTZ
Sports are not always about winning and losing and star athletes setting records.
And coaches will be the first ones to attest that their favorite athletes are not always the ones running for touchdowns, sinking 3-pointers or hitting home runs.
They are the role players, like Plymouth Whitemarsh senior Kyle Chandler, the Univest Featured Athlete of the Week, who form the true heart and soul of a program.
This is Chandler’s first year at the varsity level, working his way up through the school’s storied and stacked baseball program. His contributions go beyond answering the call from his coach, Chris Manero, to pinch hit, pinch run or grab a glove and play the outfield.
“Every coach knows that it takes a lot of hours and a lot of effort to run a successful high school program,” said Manero. “But watching a player like Kyle helps me to realize the impact all of those hours can have. Whether it's an approach during an at bat, a play in the outfield, or the mechanics of running the bases, Kyle demonstrates everything that our coaching staff has taught him in each rep he takes.
“He is the epitome of a fundamentally-aware player. When you teach players certain nuances of the game, like how to properly bunt, how to take a lead from second base, how to get behind a ball in the outfield --and then you see a player doing everything exactly the way it was taught -- well, that makes you feel good as a coach. And Kyle does just that every time he is on the field.”
Chandler calls himself a “home-grown guy” who “doesn’t want to go too far away” to college. He’s looking forward to two more seasons – as a starter – with the Whitemarsh American Legion squad – and is already eyeing adult baseball and softball leagues in the area.
“I want to be able to keep the game in my life,” said Chandler, who began playing baseball at age five. Even though he played football and still plays basketball, along with golf for fun with his friends, it is clearly his No. 1 passion.
Although he spent a year on the freshman team and two at the junior varsity level, only to get to the point where he plays sparingly as a senior, there are no regrets.
“My mindset has always been to just keep on getting better,” he said. “Even though I’m not playing much right now, I’m always trying to stay in the game.”
Chandler will likely attend Temple – even if he attends Montgomery County Community College for a year or two - and says he has drawn most of his inspiration from his family.
Beyond his parents, Tina and Keith, there is Aunt Leigh Chandler and Aunt Colleen and Uncle Bill Gallagher.
“They have gotten me to where I am today,” he explained. “They tell me to just keep having fun, and to keep on working hard, and that my chance will come.”
And now he is out to help his younger brother, Zach, who is on the freshman team, to uphold the same standards.
“He’s with a different group, but I’m always checking on him, making sure he is working hard to get to where he wants to go,” said Chandler.
Baseball and Chandler are an ideal fit, as it is a game that lends itself to the year-round dedication he relishes.
“I enjoy baseball, any time – 24/7, all-year long,” said Chandler, who particularly enjoyed spring trips to Vero Beach, Fla. the last two years, calling the six-day trip, which includes two games and a scrimmage, as well as daily practices, the “highlight” of his career.
But he is more than willing to pay the price, all year long.
Fall ball? He’s there. Off-season conditioning? Check. Spring? Every day, ready to go. Summer? Legion ball.
“Kyle has worked hard each of the past four years, taking advantage of every opportunity in our program to improve,” said Manero. “He has been a regular attendee at our off-season strength and conditioning workouts, he has played in our fall program, and he has played American Legion baseball in Whitemarsh each summer.”
As much as he is appreciated by the coaching staff, Chandler credits the coaches for keeping him feeling like he matters as well.
While it is easy for coaches to zero in on a few select players, all on the roster have received mentoring on their game and their personas as representing the team in the hallways and classrooms of PW.
“They really help each individual player,” said Chandler. “They have helped make me a better person in life, with better life skills. We have to respect our parents and our teachers. What we do represents the whole program, and not just ourselves.”
If he had gone to a different school, it may have meant a quicker ascension to varsity and more playing time.
But he shudders at the thought. It’s just not who he is.
“I’ve always loved this program,” he said. “And I would have hated ever leaving my friends.”
In the end, it is a matter of perspective.
“Here and there, it has gotten hard,” he said, of his lack of regular playing time. “But you’ve got to look at the big picture. Baseball isn’t going to be there forever.”
But while it is, Chandler is focused on representing himself, and the team, the best he can.
Manero, who insists on his players wearing shirts and ties on game days, knows that Chandler gets it and is not just going through the motions.
“As a person, he demonstrates the high character and values that we want our players to show,” he said. “I receive compliments about him from teachers and, whether it's on the bench or in the field, Kyle approaches each game like it is all business.”
Part of his “business,” though, is keeping his teammates loose.
“He has found a way to do that with a certain level of levity,” said Manero. “In short, Kyle is hilarious and always seems to have the quick witted comment or the sophisticated one liner that can lighten up even in the most tense atmospheres around the clubhouse.”
Added Chandler: “I’m always trying to keep my teammates with a positive attitude – happy, relaxed and having fun.”
And while the fun will end soon, the laughter will echo within the program.
“Kyle is one of a large group of seniors on our roster this year,” said Manero. “But, because he has done so much with us over the past four years, at times, it feels like he has been around even longer than that. He was a player that I enjoyed working with from day one, when I became the head coach in his freshman season, and it will be odd not having him around next year. Fortunately, he has a brother who is currently on our freshman team, so it will be nice to have another member of the family to work with over the next four years.”
