Kappaz Signs with Holy Cross Baseball

With the talent and guidance that Paul Kappaz has, it's no surprise that he will be playing college baseball next fall.

The senior has signed on to continue his academics and baseball with Holy Cross in Indiana next year. Kappaz's decision was announced at Grosse Pointe North's student union on May 19.

Kappaz has a cast of supporters behind him that preach a consistent and unwavering message of academics first, baseball second. Parents Paul Sr. and Rosalie Kappaz, GPN varsity baseball coach Frank Sumbera, club coaches and administrators are all on the same page. 

And, it doesn't hurt that Paul's mentor is 1984 World Series champion and former Detroit Tiger first baseman Dave Bergman.

Bergman is founder and leader of the Grosse Pointe Redbirds baseball organization and has been a mentor to Kappaz on his path to college study and ball. 

"I've enjoyed watching Paul grow up from a little boy when he first started playing with us into a fine young man," Bergman said. "He used to very much be a pouter when things didn't go his way. He's learned to bring discipline into his game now and that the game is very difficult. You have to work hard and persevere. Paul's talent level has always been there and now he's starting to put it together mentally and physically. As a result of his hard work, he's getting a chance to play collegiate baseball."

With the Redbirds, Bergman and his coaches stress the importance of being good students and respectable young men, a fact that is particularly appreciated by parents.

"Dave has been a strong role model to Paul and the other boys," Paul Kappaz Sr. said. "He not only teaches them the finer points of the game of baseball, he also teaches them how to conduct themselves on and off the field."

Kappaz has played shortstop and second base for the Norsemen.

"We are very pleased for Paul," Sumbera said. "He's a fine young man, our captain and he's done a great job for us. I've know the Kappaz family for about 25 years so I've watched Paul grow up. It's been a pleasure coaching him."

Kappaz is proud, appreciative and looking forward to his new adventure.

"I'm feeling great right now and am really excited for next year," said Kappaz. "Playing college baseball has been my goal pretty much my whole life. Dave Bergman has been teaching me a lot in baseball but he preaches education and academics too. I'm very thankful to him, all of my coaches and my parents."

Sometimes it takes a village to raise a ballplayer.