BASEBALL AMERICA: Bond Is Unbreakable For Betts And Molnar

Chris Betts (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

Bond Is Unbreakable For Betts And Molnar

March 11, 2015 by Les Lukach

www.baseballamerica.com

LOSANGELES—Baseball has a way of connecting people through its strategy, sights, sounds and smells. Whether it’s a father and son playing catch in the yard or a group of people watching from the stands, baseball has a way of captivating one’s senses.

Often, though, the greatest connection happens on the field, where players ply their craft and form a brotherhood that extends well beyond the diamond.

For a pair of Southern California’s top draft-eligible high school prospects, their connection is rooted on baseball fields around the region.

Chris Betts, a catcher from Long Beach Wilson High and Kyle Molnar, a righthander from Aliso Niguel (Calif.) High, have been playing together on the travel ball circuit for seven years, and that familiarity has led to their unbreakable bond.

“I think I’ve only shaken him off once or twice,” Molnar said with a wry smile and Betts sitting a few feet away. “Since we’ve grown up together we know everything about each other.”

Betts sees it from the receiver’s end.

“Since 11 years old it’s been the same catch partner every summer,” Betts said. “We are always on the same page.”

It didn’t take long after the two began playing together with California Baseball Academy for the seeds of their friendship to be planted. Separated by 25 miles of Southern California freeways, the two often would spend the weekend at each other’s homes.

In the summer of 2014, it seemed as though Betts and Molnar were joined at the hip. In addition to tournaments with CBA, each was selected to play in the prestigious Area Code Games as well as the Under Armour All-American Game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field and the Perfect Game All-American Classic at San Diego’s Petco Park.

These events allowed them to recognize just how close their bond is.

“It made it comfortable,” Betts said on what it was like participating in those events with Molnar. “At Area Codes everybody knew it was the Chris and Kyle show. When Kyle pitched everybody was on the rail to see what we were going to do.”

For two guys who are polar opposites in terms of personality—Betts is the loud jokester while Molnar is a quiet thinker—baseball is the bond that brought them together.

Jon Paino, program director of CBA, has had a significant impact on the growth and development of each player. Each player recognizes and is thankful for that.

“I think I’ve learned everything there is to learn about baseball from Jon Paino,” said Betts, who has committed to play at Tennessee if the draft doesn’t work out.

Molnar shared a story of one of the first times they played for Paino and the players were told that the first one to a position gets it. It instantly created an internal competition, one that carries on today.

“He lets us play out there,” said Molnar, who has committed to UCLA. “Once you make a mistake he’ll teach you how to correct it.”

Paino deflects the praise and instead directs it to the parents. He emphasized that both sets of parents have made baseball important, but not the most important thing in their lives.

It is that kind of upbringing that has allowed Betts and Molnar to remain humble and grounded despite the attention heaped on them the last few years.

As Molnar put it, “being humble will get you a lot further in life.”

Both players have attacked their final high school offseason differently. Betts lost 25 pounds by changing his diet and working out with Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki, a product of nearby Cal State Fullerton. Molnar stayed in shape by leading his high school basketball team to the playoffs.

For both, draft day will probably consist of time with family and close friends. There will also be a lot of texts between each other.

For Paino though, the scene will be a lot different.

“It will be an extremely happy day for me and my family,” Paino said. “These kids have become a part of my family. I will be happy for them on the level that any parent is happy for their own son.”

Les Lukach is a freelance writer in Los Angeles