By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SCIO, Ore.–  2021 Western Christian-grad Rylan Webster can’t remember how his love for the game of sport of baseball started, but he’s been around the game as long as he could remember.  T-Ball, Wiffle Ball, etc.  Webster has done it all.  So it’s weird to think that this Summer will be the last season of his playing career as he returns for his fourth season with the American Legion Withnell Dodgers.

“This is the last run.  It’s definitely bittersweet.  I’m just trying to enjoy it,” “I almost didn’t want to come out, especially because of my shoulder and some other things.  But just being out here and being with the guys again, it’s been super fun.

“Ever since I could remember…I’ve played wiffleball, T-Ball and things like that.  I’ve been able to enjoy it for a long-time.  So I think it’s been a good way to wrap it all up.”

Webster spent a year with the Corban baseball team before deciding to focus on academics, where he’ll be transferring to Oregon State University this Fall to major in Business.  Saturday the Dodgers played a nine-inning exhibition game at Scio High School where Webster caught the last two innings of the contest, enjoying the last few games he has with a baseball uniform on.

The past few seasons, Webster has been playing on a torn labrum.  He played with it last Spring when he helped the Pioneers to a fourth-place finish in the 2A/1A showcase.  Rehab to strengthen around the joint, extensive taping around the shoulder, all to ensure he’s able to play on gameday.

“I’m happy I don’t have to go through surgery, but that means I have to do more stuff to get it healthy and stable.  So right now I’m just playing as much as I can until it hurts I guess,” smiles Webster.  “I’ve been on this team for a while and I think it’ll be a good way to wrap it up and have a last time of something I really enjoy, hopefully pain free.”

After a slow start to the season, the Dodgers hope to slowly turn things around Monday when they host Eastside for a nine-inning game before hosting the Sherwood Lobos for a single seven-inning game on Tuesday.  Both games are at Scio High School.

“We’ve had a couple tough little patches at the beginning of the season, the first couple of games.  But after this one, we’ll pick up some momentum and it’ll be a good way to lead into the games next week,” Webster said.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald