Number 3 on the diamond, David Kessler, otherwise known as “Dinger Dave,” is a BPHS junior shortstop who has that nickname for a reason.

David has been playing baseball for 13 years and brings palpable intensity to every game. His energy on the field is extremely contagious and positively impacts every game he plays.

Through April 28, Kessler has an incredible batting average of .628 and has one homerun.

When Bethel Park played Peters Township on Monday, April 19, Kessler went 2 for 3 in the batter’s box and was a key factor in the victory.

Then on April 22 against Upper St. Clair, David hit 2 for 3 and made big plays for the team when needed. Sitting at 9-2 for the season, the Black Hawks are in serious contention to win the WPIAL, which they are leading at the moment.

In the summer, David plays for the Pittsburgh Outlaws (AAU team), Creekside Fitness (league in Ohio), and Target Freight Titans (McKeesport Daily News League).

Kessler’s favorite memory in baseball is when he went to Cooperstown Dreams Park when he was 12 years old with his baseball team (Steel City Force). They ended up finishing 7-0 in pool play and then later on making it to quarterfinals. In all, they finished sixth out of 104 teams. Another thing he enjoyed at Cooperstown was trading pins with the other teams and umpires that were there. David hit nine home runs that week.

Dave isn’t entirely sure what he’s doing after high school, but he plans to play baseball in college and go on to study some type of engineering.

David’s dream school would be going to play baseball for the University of Pittsburgh.

In his free time, he plays a variety of sports and games like spikeball, frisbee golf, basketball, football, and nuke em’. He also enjoys listening to music and just hanging out with friends.