Henry Kaczmar staying home for Ohio State baseball
AKRON, Ohio (BVM) – Henry Kaczmar was originally committed to Michigan but after the departure of Wolverine head coach Erik Bakich, the Walsh Jesuit shortstop decommitted. He then made his family very happy and decided to stay in state and play for Ohio State baseball.
“My family’s definitely excited they’re not going to have to put on another blue shirt any more,” Kaczmar said.
The fact that a lifelong Buckeyes fan would be willing to go to Michigan shows the high regard Kaczmar held Bakich and his coaching staff in.
“Those guys were kind of the main factor as to why I committed there,” Kaczmar said. “I’m a big believer in being led by great people and following great people.”
That same belief is what brought him back to Ohio State baseball. The Buckeyes hired TCU associate head coach Bill Mosiello back in June and after Kaczmar opened up his recruitment again, he made sure to talk with Mosiello.
“He’s just an awesome guy,” Kaczmar said about Mosiello. “He’s got a great will to win. I love his mentality on and off the field… I went down on a visit and I couldn’t think of any negatives.”
Henry Kaczmar committed to Ohio State baseball on June 29 and announced it via Twitter. Soon he’ll put on a Buckeye jersey like he did as a kid, but this time, it will be for real.
“I’ve always been a Buckeyes fan,” Kaczmar said. “I grew up a Buckeyes fan. I have pictures of me when I was 3 years old with Buckeyes uniforms on. I couldn’t be more excited. I feel like it’s the perfect fit for me.”
Around the same time he was putting on his first jersey, Kaczmar was beginning down the road to loving baseball.
“Ever since I could hold a bat I’ve been playing baseball,” Henry said. “Ever since I had the ability to pick up a ball and throw it. My dad always wanted me to play baseball.”
His father, Chris, played baseball growing up and has been the head coach at Walsh Jesuit High School since 1997. Chris and the rest of the Kaczmar family have played a huge role in Henry becoming the player he is.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it without my parents or my siblings,” Henry said.
As he continued to play, Henry slowly fell in love with the game with every moment he spent out on the field. Although he played catcher and according to him, had the build to be a catcher, Henry dreamed of being a shortstop. His favorite player was Derek Jeter so he tried to model his defensive game after Jeter.
“I would tell everyone I was going to be a shortstop,” Henry said.
Henry finally got his shot at shortstop and by the eighth grade was realizing he had a shot at a collegiate career. From there, Henry continued to train and to work on his game, all the while using the people he knew supported him as motivation.
“There’s a bunch of people who believe in me,” Henry said. “Every day that I don’t get up and work hard that day and get better that day I just think I’m letting those people down who believe in me.”
That includes his cousin, Mason Eckelman, who is in the Class of 2023 and a top catcher prospect. Eckelman played with Henry at Walsh Jesuit and the pair helped the Warriors to a 22-6 record this past season as well as an appearance in the OHSAA Division I state semifinals.
Eckelman was also committed to Michigan but decommitted in June. Since then, Henry has been talking up Ohio State baseball as much as he can.
“Definitely trying to push him towards the Buckeyes,” Henry said.
It makes sense to keep the family ties going to Columbus. This past year with Eckelman was special not only because it was his last year at Walsh Jesuit or the last one with his cousin, it was also his dad’s last season.
“It was definitely something else,” Henry said. “To know that he had been there for such a long time and I was getting to witness the final years was awesome.”
Chris announced his plans to retire prior to the 2022 season. Now he is free to watch his son play in Columbus. Henry plans on making sure that is sooner rather than later.
“I believe I’m trying to start,” Henry said. “I feel like that’s always my goal when I’m on a team. Honestly, anywhere they need me, anywhere I can make an impact, anywhere I can make the team better I’ll be happy with.”
Ohio State baseball is getting a shortstop that is ready to bring the program to the upper echelon of the Big Ten.
