2021 Free Agent Kyle Burkhardt
Kyle Burkhardt
Interview conducted on 11/19/2020
Who are you playing with in 2021, and who have you played with in the past?
2021 Free Agent – burkhardt_kyle@yahoo.com
2020 – Gorillas/Hart Handyman/MEE LLC
2019- B&B Drywall
What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Outfield – prefer Left or Center
Why do you like the game of softball?
The competitiveness at the high level that is hard to find once you're done with college athletics.
Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Have to go with my bp partner Conner Murray. Not just a great guy but also a good ball player.
What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Burk, guess people didn't want to say my entire last name so they just cut it a little short.
What is your height and weight?
6-0, 195 lbs
Where do you call home?
Kansas City, KS
What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Just relaxing with my wife, seeing family
What do you do for a living?
Scheduler for Electric Company
Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Baseball in high school and college
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Right after college baseball a guy my dad had played with asked me to play with his team. Then I was hooked. Every year would get bumped and then this last year was given the opportunity to play my first year of conference with Gorillas.
What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
The defense mainly. Balls that would be hits in your local tournaments are fielded and a play is being made. The pitchers as well, they can field the middle and know how to work the zone.
In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
I would have to say Barry Fentiman, he is always talking to me about hitting and approach. Has helped me tremendously half way through this last year.
What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Work on your game. When you take bp its not about hitting countless home runs, work on hitting gaps and spots.
What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Bottom hand slightly overlapping the knob with a pinky overlap on top hand. 26 oz
What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
I continue to take bp, it gets cold in Kansas so a lot of cage reps. Also try to get to the gym from time to time.
What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Kansas Jayhawks, St.Louis Cardinals and KC Chiefs are my teams. Basketball, I enjoy watching high level high school/college basketball but Chiefs football is a close second.
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Always have to mess with the box when I step in. Regardless if its dirt or turf I have to "fix" it
What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Headlines – Drake
What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Boo N Brew in Kansas City is a fun one. Tons of teams among all divisions. Play with a throw together team of great guys
What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Hard to beat Space Coast but I was a big fan of Disney.
Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Anywhere that has cold beer
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
My buddy Rodney Spillman trying to score from first on a ball in the gap after playing (drinking) all day. Needless to say he came up a little short and was made famous on social media
Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I broke my femur when I was 3, had to be taken everywhere in a wagon until my cast was taken off.
Great guy, student of the game and flat out plays the game how it should be. Burk would make a fantastic addition to any team in the conference!
I coached Kyle for many years and one of the best guys and teammates and definitely deserves his shot.