Playing catcher in baseball is like being a signal caller in football. You get the play from the coach, and you relay that to the team, all while dealing with the pitcher, batter and sometimes the umpire. For Blanchard High School senior Vaughan McIntyre, it’s exactly where he wants to be.
“I am looking forward to making one last run at winning the 4A state title. I’m excited for the last season with my teammates. We have a trip to Pensacola in March that is always fun,” McIntyre said. “From getting there, playing baseball against the best teams and players from all over the country and just hanging out with my best friends. I love the feeling of knowing that our team has prepared for competition and going out and executing.”
Known for being scrappy behind the plate, McIntyre said he has continued to work on his skill set and is ready to showcase what he can do this season.
“I think one of the strengths to my game is my arm behind the plate. I know it makes it difficult on players from all over the state to steal bases. They know they can’t get too big a lead or try and steal a bag to get runners in scoring position. Most have learned, I will throw them out. I think my power at the plate has improved a lot,” said McIntyre.
As a team, the Lions are working hard to make that dream of a 4A state title come to life.
“Nearly the whole team gets together from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. weekdays before school and we lift weights and run for about two months leading up to the season. I feel it really sets us apart and proves that we are willing to work harder than our competition. Our confidence as a ball team comes from our preparation in the offseason. We take off season workouts and practices as seriously as our games, so it makes it easy to just get out there and play relaxed and confident,” said McIntyre.
McIntyre said the list of people who have helped him reach his goals is long.
“My parents have played a huge role. The countless hours with my dad in the garage getting tee work in, the pep talks when I thought I didn’t have much left to give and how he holds me accountable for the work I am putting in. Then my mom, she is my No.1 supporter. No matter how I play she is always there with a hug and encouraging words. She was a state champion softball player at Yukon and set the bar high for me. I work hard to try and live up to her legacy as a ball player,” McIntyre said. Then a few coaches like Cliff Brumbaugh and Cory green, who have been my travel ball coaches since I was nine years old. They both saw in me at a young age a ball player and really encouraged me to work hard. Coach Brum knows the game so well and I am so thankful he passed that knowledge onto me and so many others. Coach Green taught me what it is to really compete, to not shy away from hard work. Coach Raney at Blanchard has been one of my biggest supporters as well. He works so hard at making us great men and ball players so it would be great to repay him with a State Championship!”
