Mundelein teacher subs 2nd chance at pro baseball for high school gig

After spending the last eight months teaching English, physical education and other courses as a substitute instructor at Mundelein High School, Kyle Zaleski is packing up this week to return to his true love: baseball.

Zaleski, a 2000 Mundelein grad who went on to play ball at Illinois State University and in the minor leagues, has signed a one-year deal to pitch for the Sioux Falls Canaries in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. It's an independent team without any affiliation to a Major League club, much like the Schaumburg Flyers here in the suburbs.

But it's professional baseball, and that's what matters to Zaleski, who hopes to make it to the majors one day.

"I definitely don't play just for fun," the 27-year-old right-hander from Mundelein said. "The reason I play this game is that I want to be in the big leagues."

It'll be Zaleski's second stint in the minors, following a 2007 arm surgery and more than a year of rehabilitation.

He'll likely finish at Mundelein High on Wednesday and head to South Dakota and the Canaries by Friday, when he has to report for training camp.

Zaleski has played for several teams in several independent leagues during his young career in baseball. He spent the most time with the Joliet JackHammers, who play in the Flyers' Northern League.

Specializing as a relief pitcher, he had a 4-4 record and a 5.01 ERA between 2004 and 2007, according to baseball-reference.com.

An elbow injury led to surgery in August 2007, and he started teaching at Mundelein High this past fall to earn money while recovering and preparing to return to baseball.

Zaleski also managed Elite Power Pitching, a baseball training operation in Libertyville.

Zaleski said he's enjoyed working with the students at the school and the young athletes at the training facility.

"I love this age group," he explained. "I like teenage kids. They're fun."

Zaleski's students at Mundelein knew about his baseball roots and would ask questions about the teams he played for and the towns he visited.

They also tried to take advantage of his athletic prowess.

"A lot of them wanted me to get involved in dodgeball games, but I stay out of it," he said. "I don't want something freaky to happen (to me)."

Mundelein High Athletic Director Perry Wilhelm, who was Zaleski's basketball coach during his student days, called the athlete's return to pro ball exciting.

"I don't know too many coaches out there who wouldn't want to see really nice things happen to their players," Wilhelm said. "Hopefully things will go well for him."

Zaleski landed with the Canaries after speaking with a former JackHammers teammate who now plays in Sioux Falls. The team, which won the league championship in 2008, lost several pitchers to other teams during the off season and was in need of fresh arms, the friend told him.

Zaleski fit the bill.

Sioux Falls is a long way from Chicago - and the Canaries are a long way from the big leagues - but Zaleski's focused on making it to the majors.

Taking the mound in Wrigley Field, he said, would be fulfilling a dream.

"You (work hard) for that moment," he said. "I still see that moment within reach."

The Canaries' season opens May 14 against the St. Paul Saints. For more information about the team, visit canariesbaseball.com.

Pros from Mundelein High

Baseball

• Joey Olker (1981 graduate)

• Tom Kinkelaar (1973)

• Charles Boothe (1975)

• Kyle Kessel (1994)

Basketball

• Shawn Harlan (1991)

Football

•Rich Boothe (1972)

•Adrian Herry (2003)

Source: Mundelein High School