Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Oriana White | U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Konapelsky, the Senior Paralegal and Security Manager...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga.-- U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Konapelsky has loved baseball for almost as long as he can remember.
"I started playing baseball with my father at two years old," Konapelsky said. "When I turned six, I started playing organized baseball and played through high school and college. Now I play for the Lehigh Valley Baseball League (LBVL) on Sundays."
Konapelsky, the senior paralegal and security manager for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, smiled as he recalled one of his favorite memories from childhood.
"Growing up, I watched my father play fast-pitch softball," Konapelsky said. "I went to the field with him and met all the guys. I remember how much fun it was to hang out with my dad and play ball."
The thirty-four-year-old Bethlehem, Pennsylvania native downplayed his skills on the baseball field, casually mentioning that he'd been selected out of dozens of the league's top players to throw the opening pitch for the LBVL all-star game at Coca-Cola Park, the home stadium of the IronPigs, the triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
But what really mattered to Konapelsky was that his six-year-old son, Alek, would be at the game to share that special moment with him.
"I wanted my son there to see me pitch," Konapelsky said. "Alek came onto the field with me and we hung out in the dugout together. He loved it."
Alek recently began playing baseball too, and in keeping with family tradition, he wears the same jersey number that his grandfather and father wore before him.
"Nine was my father's number when he played softball, so I also wore 9 growing up. Now Alek wears the number 9- his "favorite" number," Konapelsky said with fatherly pride.
U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Casey Sullivan, the assistant supply and services officer for HHC, 213th RSG, has known Konapelsky for over 12 years.
"I knew him as a friend first and then as a colleague second. He is hands down one of the most empathetic, kind-hearted, fun-loving human beings I know and will always be there for you if you need something. But he's also very professional and strives to exceed the standards," said Sullivan with a playful grin," said Sullivan. When it comes to baseball, he gives it 110%. He gives his best to everything he does."
Sullivan said she watched her friend navigate through all the complicated phases of fatherhood with the exact dedication and energy he had devoted to sports.
"I held that newborn baby, and I've watched Konapelsky grow so much as a father," Sullivan said with admiration. "He went from being absolutely terrified to the phenomenal father he is today. He's as selfless as it gets. His kid will always come first, no matter what."
Konapelsky confessed that his time in the spotlight is short-lived due to sports injuries, but he doesn't seem to mind. He's focused on making memories with Alek.
"This could be the last time I'm ever the starting pitcher for an all-star game," Konapelsky said. "My shoulder's shot. I used to throw really hard, and now I throw in the low 80s, so I feel like the timeline to bring my son to games is small."
According to him, however, the most exciting part was having his son there.
"It was awesome to play catch with Alek on a professional field and hear him cheering from the stands during the game. It was a great experience for him, and I think he'll be even more excited to play in the future."
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.01.2023 10:11 |
| Story ID: | 450375 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 421 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldier shares all-star pitch with son, by SFC Oriana White, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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