Featured Athlete of the Week: Kyler Badten, Baseball, North Putnam High School
Kyler Badten, 18, is an accomplished senior at North Putnam High School. He is involved in National Honors Society and is on the suicide prevention team in school and says he doesn't have a favorite food but likes Mexican food the best. His favorite subject is AP biology in school. His favorite band to listen to is Florida Georgia Line and his favorite song is Buffalo Soldier by Bob Marley. Kyler's favorite sports teams are the Seattle Mariners and the Seattle Seahawks. In his spare time he likes to watch baseball games, hang out with his friends and lay on his hammock. Kyler holds the all-time hits record with over 120 hits in his career for North Putnam.
Banner Graphic: Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Kyler Badten: Bryce Harper (outfielder for the Washington Nationals) because he goes all-out on every play.
BG: Who inspires you most?
KB: My parents. They never let me give up on anything and are always more than willing to help me with whatever I need.
BG: Who introduced you to baseball?
KB: I'm not really sure who introduced me to baseball but my mom always said that my first sentence was "Mom, I want to play baseball."
BG: What is your training like?
KB: I do a lot of pitching and hitting workouts during the winter in Indianapolis. Our school ball team does workouts every winter about two times a week in the high school gym. During the season we would practice every day right after school until 6:30.
BG: How much of an impact have your teammates had on you this year?
KB: My teammates have really been there for me this year. When I'm on the mound I know that I can trust them to back me up. We have strong team chemistry and hope to make it far into the tournament.
BG: What life lessons have you learned from baseball?
KB: Baseball has developed me into a more mentally tough person.
BG: What do you find the most challenging in playing?
KB: I feel that the most challenging part of being a pitcher is having a strong mind. You have to be a good "guesser." You need to pick the pitches to throw that the batter does not think are coming.
BG: What professional player do you try to imitate?
KB: Bryce Harper because of his work ethic and how hard he plays the game. He gives 100 percent every time he is out on the field.
BG: What are your plans after high school?
KB: I either plan to attend Hawaii Pacific University or West Hills College in California.