KELNDORFER STEPS AWAY AFTER SIX SEASONS
Posted April 22, 2015
Earlier this month, John Kelndorfer, a NCABL All-Star in 2013, announced that he would be stepping away from the team after a six season career with the Axemen. Since joining the team in 2010, Kelndorfer was a force both at and behind the plate for the Axemen and was a big part of the franchise turnaround. A competitor at all times, the veteran south paw catcher will remain in baseball for the 2015 season, taking time to coach his kids in the Camrose Minor Ball Association.
The former Killam Braves catcher, Kelndorfer joined the team in 2010 due to the recruitment efforts of former Axemen player/manager and Governor Wes Harrison. Kelndorfer joined fellow Battle River Baseball League players in Cal Zimmer (2008) and JJ Straker (2009) as the team began to build a strong veteran core to turn around a team who finished 12-22 over the 2008 and 2009 season. The Axemen completely re-tooled the catching position during the 2010 season with both Kelndorfer and Kris Johnson joining the team to provide the Axemen with one of the best catching duos in the NCABL. Kelndorfer would set the Axemen franchise record for plate appearances in 2012 coming to the plate 115 times, a testament to his reliability.
Kelndorfer’s offensive ranks since becoming an Axemen in 2010;
370 plate appearances (third)
94 hits (first)
24 doubles (first)
5 home runs (tied for first)
79 RBIs (second)
21 times hit by pitch (first)
131 total bases (first)
29 extra base hits (first)
While the offensive stats are impressive hitting in the middle of the lineup most nights, Kelndorfer’s experience and poise behind the plate helped the Axemen pitching staff take the team to back to back pennants and three playoff appearances in a row. Offering leadership to young pitchers like Cory Martz, Kyle Muzechka and Joe Pasychnyk while offering a quality target for veterans like Steve Ofrim, Paul Ofrim and Ryan Mehler.
The Axemen will miss the veteran Kelndorfer as the 2015 team is shaping up to include a much younger roster with the additions of Riley Guntrip, Dylan Borman, Tyrel Majeski, Braedon Majeski, Chance Wheatley and Joe Pasychnyk. Behind the plate the Axemen will now more turn with confidence to the duo of rookie Riley Guntrip and veteran Kris Johnson to lead the pitching staff to what the team is hoping to be the fourth straight NCABL Playoff appearance. The team is still awaiting the word from 2012 NCABL All Star catcher Dennis Landriault on whether the health of his leg will be good enough to move behind the plate in 2015. Landriault suffered a fractured leg in the winter of 2014 and hasn’t played since due to complications from the injury.
The team wishes John the best of luck in the upcoming baseball season as Camrose Minor Baseball will greatly benefit from having a ball player like him involved with coaching the game. Axemen fans will without a doubt see John around the baseball diamond ready to talk baseball this summer.