Del Rio Rams lean on 13 seniors to rebound in District 30-6A

Del Rio High School’s varsity baseball program is counting on experienced leadership as it pushes for a District 30-6A rebound. The Rams enter the season with 13 seniors and a roster unveiled at a Jan. 19 Rams Baseball Media Day at the Mayfield Baseball Club off Kings Way, where speakers included Mayor Al Arreol.

Organizers set a clear tone for the season. “The overall message to the team was simple – hard work and teamwork are the biggest keys to a successful baseball season.” Coaches and staff emphasized that continuity and effort will be critical as Del Rio seeks to translate veteran leadership into wins and a return to the playoffs.

The schedule gives the community early chances to rally around the Rams. The program kicks off with its annual alumni game on a Saturday at The Bank & Trust Ram Field at noon, then stages four scrimmages between Feb. 3 and Feb. 13, including home dates versus Eagle Pass CC Winn on Feb. 7 and Fort Stockton on Feb. 13. Del Rio officially opens the regular season at home against Uvalde on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.; that contest is Del Rio’s only home game until district play begins. The next listed home/district date is March 13, when Del Rio hosts Laredo LBJ.

Seniors such as Mason Hanselman are being positioned as on-field leaders who can help younger players absorb what coaches have emphasized throughout their development with the Rams. Senior Tyler Madera stressed the importance of offseason preparation and individual accountability. “It’s very important to stay active during the offseason,” Madera said. “If the last time you swung a bat was last high school season and now you wanna start swinging a bat again this high school season and you didn’t swing a bat the whole in between you’re going to be very rusty and its gonna be hard to get back into your natural swing and you’re probably going to lose a lot of your mechanics.”

For Val Verde County, the Rams’ campaign is about more than wins and losses. Local games bring families together, support small businesses near the ballpark, and keep teenagers engaged in structured activity that promotes physical and mental health. The gap between the lone early home date and the start of district play also highlights equity questions familiar to rural athletics - travel costs, practice access, and offseason training resources can affect whether every player arrives to spring ready to compete.

Del Rio’s veteran core and early schedule set the stage. Fans should mark Feb. 16 and March 13 on their calendars, and community leaders and parents can help by supporting access to training and transportation so all Rams have a shot at that playoff rebound.