Butler Twins Share Passion for Playing Ball

Ten- year-old twins Matthew and Melissa Konopinski, of , are like many twins: exact opposites. Melissa is right-handed, Matthew is left-handed. Matthew loves watching sports, while Melissa only enjoys playing them. However, they do have one thing in common and that is the love of playing sports that involve hitting balls with bats. Both of them play in the Tri-Boro Little League and for the traveling teams for their age groups. We caught up with them last week to ask them some questions.

Q: Who is older?

A: Melissa: Matthew is older by two minutes.

Q: How old were you when you first started playing your sports?

A: Matthew (plays baseball): I started off playing tee ball at five years old

A: Melissa (plays softball): I started a year after him. I chose to play soccer originally.

Q: What is your favorite position to play?

A: Matthew: I enjoy playing first base the most out of all the positions I play.

A: Melissa: I like pitching the best, but if I am unable to pitch I like playing short stop.

Q: Who’s your favorite professional team?

A: Matthew: The New York Yankees. Derek Jeter is my favorite player.

A: Melissa: I don’t really watch sports.          

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: Matthew: I want to be a baseball player.

A: Melissa: I want to be a veterinarian.

Q: What is your favorite subject in school?

A: Matthew: Math is by far my favorite.

A: Melissa: I love science!

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Matthew: Pizza

A: Melissa: Nachos

SHOUT OUTS

Melissa on Matthew:  “Matthew helps me work on my fielding, especially ground balls in the short stop position. We play catch in the front yard two to three nights a week to help me get better.”

Matthew on Melissa:  “Melissa is incredibly fast.  She was in the state track finals last year. I wish I could beat her in a race.”