Checotah High School’s Mason Rainbolt
Standing on the mound or patrolling the outfield for Checotah High School, junior Mason Rainbolt brings a steady, blue-collar presence to the Wildcats’ baseball lineup. He is the kind of player who studies the game, values his teammates and embraces the small details that can tilt a game’s momentum.
Rainbolt, a pitcher and outfielder, said the hardest part of his job on the hill is trusting his instincts pitch to pitch. “The hardest thing about pitching is knowing what to throw in certain counts,” he said. “Luckily our coaches are pretty good and we think alike.” At the plate, he keeps his approach simple and aggressive, hunting 0-0 and 2-0 fastballs he can drive.
That “keep it simple and never give up” mindset is something Rainbolt credits to athletics as a whole. He leans on lessons learned from his biggest inspiration — his dad. “My dad, he has sacrificed so much to allow me to play this game,” Rainbolt said. “So, I want to be as selfless as he is.”
In the classroom, Rainbolt gravitates toward math, but his favorite teacher is history teacher Coach Capps, reflecting the strong ties between academics and athletics at Checotah. Away from school and the diamond, he spends his free time hunting ducks and fishing, a contrast to the daily grind of practices and games.
Rainbolt said the best part of wearing a Checotah uniform is sharing it with the same friends he has grown up with. “Getting to play with a bunch of guys that I grew up with and strengthening that bond,” he said. “Winning helps!” He points to twins Cam and Tate Ferguson as the most vocal voices in the dugout, while teammate Ethan Glover “keeps everyone laughing.”
“The chemistry is the best it’s been so far,” Rainbolt said. “The brotherhood is tight.” After high school, he hopes to play college baseball, chase a professional opportunity and eventually come back home — where the ducks and the diamond are both calling his name.
