At just five years old, Dylan Walden picked up a bat for the first time—and he hasn’t looked back since. “I played on a league team for a couple years before my parents realized I needed to be challenged by stiffer competition, so I started playing travel ball,” Dylan said. “My dad is a basketball coach, my grandfather was a coach and played college baseball, so it was never a question if I was going to play.”
The Oktaha High School standout credits much of his passion for the game to his family. “My grandpa inspired me to play because I always heard stories of him playing baseball,” Dylan said. “My grandpa and my dad were my biggest influences because they hit with me almost every day growing up and hit me thousands of fly-balls.”
With a supportive team around him, Dylan appreciates the bonds they’ve built. “I would say our team chemistry is pretty good—we are all pretty close,” he shared.
And when it comes to his own impact on the team, Dylan embraces the responsibility. “I would say I am one of the leaders on the team, and I just go out and try to lead by example,” he said.
The goal this season is crystal clear. “To make the state tournament and win another championship,” Dylan said.
His work ethic is a big part of what makes that goal possible. “I usually hit with either my dad or other teammates during one of my off hours at school or during lunch,” he said. “I lift three to five times a week and then we have baseball practice every day and try to go to bed at a decent time every night.”
Dylan’s journey hasn’t come without setbacks. “Last spring, when we were the number one team in the state and I was playing really well and found out I fractured my foot. I had to get surgery and was out for the season,” he recalled. “I tried to be the best teammate I could be for the rest of the season and when I got released in July, I worked really hard to get back to where I was.”
Next up for Dylan: college ball. “I am signed to play college ball at Connors State College next year.”
