College agrees with Thorold lefty
Kyle D’Angela’s experience at Bethany College has been short on game time but long on learning.
The 19-year-old Thorold resident just completed his sophomore season at the small West Virginia institute, where he is a member of the Bisons baseball team while majoring in economics with a minor in criminal justice.
D’Angela, a left-handed pitcher, appeared in only one game in his freshman season before the schedule was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bisons were able to complete a 37-game schedule this season which saw them compile a 16-21 mark playing in the Division 3 Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
D’Angela saw action in four games, including one start, going 0-1 with a 6.43 earned run average in seven innings.
“I’m having a great time down there,” the Denis Morris graduate said. “My favourite part has been building relationships with teammates, roommates, classmates. I’ve never had this much fun hanging out with people, playing baseball and even going to class.
“I’m enjoying college more than high school because of the atmosphere and the people around me.”
D’Angela, the lone Canadian on the Bisons, would love to see more game action, but understands the situation.
“I’m a pitcher and we have an above-average pitching staff,” he said. “It’s really competitive and hard to get innings. It’s tough to get innings when guys are throwing complete games. You can’t get upset because they are pitching their ass off. You’re happy for them. It’s a good thing for the team but it’s hard to get innings. I’m OK with it because we’re winning.”
D’Angela played most of his minor ball in his hometown before moving to Team New Era in 2018 and the Western New York Prospects out of Buffalo in 2019. He was discovered by Bethany while pitching in Columbus at a tournament for the Prospects.
“Compared to high school and there, this is a lot more competitive,” he said. “There are guys coming from Ohio, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“Bethany lost in finals the year before I got there so they are attracting more and more players because we’re a winning team. You have to earn what you get, which is also a good thing.”
D’Angela, who figures he throws in the high 70s, said his off the field training has also taken a big step forward thanks to his teammates who helped him workout a plan.
“I’ve learned so much weight lifting-wise I never knew before,” D’Angela said. “It’s easy to stick to and it has made me feel better about myself. I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better compared 2019. I throw a lot harder. Even thought I’m fighting for innings, I feel I’m way better than before I came to college.”
Off the field, D’Angela is enjoying his courses and was a member of the PAC Academic Honour Roll.
“My ultimate goal is to get employment in law enforcement field,” he said.
He hopes to be hired by Niagara Parks for a student summer position and plans to play senior ball for the Thorold Anchors this summer, COVID permitting.
He is also continuing to workout on a treadmill while also lifting weights. He has also had a mound installed in his backyard so he can continue to throw.
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