Senior Cal Birchfield is leading the charge to bring another state baseball title to Rattan as the Rams focus in on the playoffs. With a record of 22-8 and the No. 3 ranking in Class A at this time, Birchfield and his teammates know the role baseball plays in this small town that has captured 13 state titles between fall and spring baseball.
“My dad was a baseball coach before we moved to Rattan and we quickly found out about the baseball tradition here. Winning in baseball is an expectation and it feels like a disappointment if you don’t win it all even if you make the state tournament.”
That disappointment was felt two years ago, the last time there was a spring season, when they fell in the state title game to Wright City.
Birchfield is a four-year starter for the Rams and does a great job on the mound or at shortstop according to his coach Michael Clay.
“He’s come a long way in the past couple of years,” said Clay. “I think he’s one of the best shortstops in the state and has one of the best arms in the class on the mound. He hits leadoff for us and he does a great job of getting on base. He draws a lot of walks but he’s also hitting around .400 and has some pop in his bat with six homeruns. He’s a hard worker who leads the team by example.”
Even though baseball is often put down for being too slow, Birchfield feels that’s a bad rap.
“I like baseball because you have to be ready on every pitch because anything can happen. People who criticize the game don’t understand that as a player you’re always mentally working.”
As a pitcher, Cal says he has always admired major leaguer Justin Verlander.
“I grew up watching him when he was still in Detroit and he’s always been my favorite pitcher.”
Cal also grew up in a baseball-oriented family with a dad who coached and two sisters that played college softball.
In addition to baseball, Birchfield, who also plays post for the Rams basketball team, is a member of the National Honor Society, is on the school leadership committee, and is valedictorian of his senior class. Cal has signed to play college ball at Eastern State next year and is talented enough as both a shortstop and pitcher that they’ll look at him for both positions.
