Some players make varsity freshman year. Some only play varsity their senior year. Some players may not make varsity at all. Some players stand on the shoulders of their natural talent. Some have to fight tooth and nail for the top. Such is the story for Senior Dylan Butler, who has had quite the journey with Perry’s baseball program.

Butler tried out for the team but was unfortunately cut for the freshman season. Getting cut only made him work harder though, “it was really frustrating to get cut, but I took that frustration into the off-season and worked hard to get better,” said Butler. Bouncing back from getting cut is a hard thing to do, but Dylan put all that negative energy into improving.

He came back his sophomore year for tryouts, and despite his improvements was told the team did not have a spot for him on the roster that year. The coaches did offer him the chance to practice with the team and were made a team manager and analyst. During his time as manager, he helped with game analysis, allowing him to directly assist the team even though he was off the field. This opportunity really allowed Butler to prove himself to his coaches and earn his place on the team junior year.
Junior came around and Dylan finally got his chance. This was it. Butler was switched between Varsity and JV for the season. Switching between the teams has its benefits though, “Playing innings for varsity showed that I can perform up to that level, which gave me the confidence to elevate my game,” said Butler. After pitching at the varsity level not only did Butler’s confidence improve but his game did as well; “really what’s changed is his confidence and the way he attacks hitters, he just goes right at them,” said senior Sam Boesen, one of Butler’s best friends on the team.

Finally, his senior season has come around and Dylan is finally on the varsity roster. Not only did he make varsity, but he was also elected pitching captain by his teammates. Butler was selected because he’s an example to be followed, “he shows doing everything right on the field, his teammates can look and know that if Dylan is doing it that way that’s the way it should be done,” said pitching coach Brian Broderick.

Despite this storied climb to varsity and being a potential college baseball prospect, Dylan does not want to continue his baseball career into college. Dylan will instead focus on his academics, “I think my brains will get me farther in my life than my baseball skills will.” explains Butler. He will instead get a degree in engineering at the Ira A Fulton school of engineering at ASU. 

High school will be the end of his baseball career, but Dylan is still an incredible example of the power of hard work and perseverance.