PROFILE | Dan Leonard Cardinals ace leads by example

Canfield's leading hitter and pitcher also excels in academics.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- Dan Leonard has his priorities in the right order.
That's why the senior baseball player is a success story at Canfield High, and the reason he will enter college this year with great expectations.
"We got so many kids that you deal with that are great athletes," Canfield baseball coach Tony Ross said, "but [Leonard] is a better person than he is an athlete.
"He's the type of kid [who] will leave back more than he will take away [at Canfield High]," Ross said.
Specifically, Ross said Leonard helps younger kids.
"The time he gives to our youth organization [is gratifying]," said Ross, noting that Leonard "will help out at the Canfield youth baseball camp. He will take time away from school to help younger kids."
Well-rounded
But not only is Leonard a soft-spoken gentleman who treats everyone with respect -- and gets it back -- but he also is the team's top hitter and pitcher and has a 3.96 grade-point average that ranks No. 21 out of 271 in his graduation class.
And he wants to go to medical school to become an eye doctor.
Even baseball coach Steve Rohan of Poland High has high regards for Leonard.
After Leonard pitched Canfield to a 7-3 win over Poland last week, Rohan commented, "[Leonard] doesn't say five words and he goes out and does what he is supposed to do. He's tough in the clutch. He's a competitor."
Leonard, who leads the team in batting average (.469), hits (30-for-64), RBIs (32) and pitching wins (4-1), admits that he is a gentleman -- and is glad for it.
"I think I have a respectful attitude, [to] not only my coaches and players [but] everyone that is around that's part of the game," Leonard said.
"If I am given an assignment to do, I try to do the best I can," Leonard said.
Student of game
A four-year team member and three-year starter for Canfield, Leonard said he believes his main asset as a player is his understanding of the game, which makes him versatile.
"I think my strength is knowing the game of baseball, knowing all the situations that can occur. I can play any position," said Leonard (6-foot, 175 pounds), who also has scored 23 runs and hit four home runs, helping Canfield to a 17-6 record.
Although Leonard is a strong and efficient pitcher -- "Every pitch I throw has purpose," he said -- he doesn't plan to continue on the mound in college.
"I love hitting and I want that to be the emphasis more than the pitching," Leonard said. "I am going to play the infield in college."
His academic plan
Leonard wants to get his bachelor's degree in exercise science, and then go to medical school.
"I have always liked science and the study of the human body and I am interested in medicine. I just like [studying] the eyes and it's something that I would like to specialize in," said Leonard, the son of Diane and Ken Leonard. Dan has a sister, Sara, who is a senior at Ohio State.
Leonard still hasn't made up his mind about what college he will attend.
"I am considering several colleges. I want to play baseball in college. I still am in the process of selecting the right school," he said.
Wherever he goes, that place will become better.
kovach@vindy.com