A Clarkrange High School sophomore is aiming to achieve historic milestones for the Buffaloes baseball program by pursuing a Mr. Baseball title and a return to regional competition.
Sophomore Mason McWhirter said he began playing the sport at two years old before developing a deeper passion for the game around age seven. McWhirter said his father and head coach Greg McWhirter has served as his primary trainer and mentor throughout his entire life.
“I’m hoping I can be Mr. Baseball one day,” McWhirter said. “Hoping we can make it to the regions. And just really, and be district MVP.”
McWhirter said he serves the team as both a shortstop and a pitcher after spending most of his life focused on the infield. McWhirter said his transition to the mound became more prominent as he got older and realized his natural arm strength allowed him to throw harder.
“I feel like when I was little, I think I was more athletic in the field than everybody else and I just had a better arm than everybody else,” McWhirter said. “And shortstop’s a pretty far throw, and I was pretty quick when I was little, so I think I knew when I was little I was going to be a shortstop. But as I’ve got older, I’ve thrown harder and just pitching’s coming along the way now.”
McWhirter said he began learning the fundamentals of pitching and pickoff moves at eight years old before seeking advanced instruction from professional-level coaches. McWhirter said the mental aspect of the game is a primary focus because baseball is often defined by failure.
“He always told me don’t, it’s a game of failure, never let it get to your head,” McWhirter said. “It’s a big mental part and that just let it, it’s a big mental part and everything like that.”
McWhirter said a regional appearance would be the first for the Clarkrange program since approximately 2014. McWhirter said the school has no known history of a player ever receiving the Mr. Baseball honor.
“I don’t really have a favorite,” McWhirter said. “I mean, everything. I mean, it’s fun just coming out here and playing with these guys. They’re all fun and they’re funny and they’re just, they love being out here with me and I love being out here with them.”
McWhirter said he intends to continue working hard and ignoring outside negativity as he progresses through his high school career.
