While playing minor baseball in his hometown of Hamiota, Rylan Gage was always drawn to the ballpark to watch the town's senior team.
The Hamiota Red Sox, a member of the Southwest Baseball League, are a storied organization in the league which includes teams from Boissevain, Deloraine, Rivers, Wawanesa, Oak River, Reston, Virden, and Elkhorn.
He first played baseball when he was nine and every year on the diamond, he helped his team win regionals which meant Rylan had the opportunity to play in the provincial championships every season. This past year was Gage’s third with the senior team and his most impressive to date.
"It's always so cool playing for the Red Sox, this is the team I grew up watching," said Gage. "People will stop us around town to talk; it's a pretty special feeling."
The Red Sox went 5-11 last season and missed the playoffs by four and a half games. The team scored 77 runs and the Hamiota star was a big reason why batting a career-high .296 with five singles and a pair of doubles. Gage also had three runs batted in and an on-base percentage of .367.
Rylan was put into a bigger role with the team and certainly made the most of it.
"I thought things went pretty well, this was the first year that I took the next step at the senior level," offered Gage. "I did a solid job of putting the bat on the ball; I'm very pleased with how things went."
While Hamiota did not make the playoffs in league play, they did advance to Baseball Manitoba's provincial 'A' championships which they hosted earlier this month.
Hamiota opened the event by dispatching Carberry, 6-1. They then lost to Oak River in a thriller, 7-6, before responding by putting up six runs in a victory against North Winnipeg. That win saw Hamiota advance to the semi-finals where again, they would go up against Carberry and the Red Sox were not denied as they put up 15 runs in a victory.
The only team standing in the way of Rylan and the rest of the Red Sox becoming provincial champions was the Oak River Dodgers. The same team they lost to earlier in the round-robin, but Gage says they were ready for this challenge.
"We were pretty confident, we had played Oak River tight all season," offered Gage. "We knew what we had to do to get the job done, so we went in with the right mindset."
Brady Waddell pitched a gem for Hamiota and Rylan came to play at the plate. He went 2-for-3 with an RBI single and a triple, which he later scored, in a 3-0 win against the Dodgers.
The Red Sox ended their season by winning a provincial championship on their home field
"It was such a great feeling to win," said Gage. "I'm so happy for Brady, he pitched a gem, and we couldn't have done it without him."
Rylan’s efforts saw him being named player of the game.
"It was very exciting and unexpected to win that," said Gage "It was a great game to play in, I felt like I was young again."
Now that the baseball season is long over, Gage is well into his second season of junior hockey with the Kings and it’s off to a tremendous start. Following the team’s 3-1 win over Swan Valley on Wednesday, they’re now in a tie for second place in the league with a record of 14-4-1. They’re also two points ahead of the Blizzard for first place in the West Division.
“We’re a very confident group, we know what we’re doing and what needs to be done,” said Gage. “I believe we will get to the top spot in the league, I am very confident in that.”
Rylan’s season started with a bang as he was named one of the team’s assistant captains. He is one of the hardest-working guys you will ever meet and the nod is certainly well deserved.
“It was a huge honour, I am thrilled to represent the team as an assistant captain,” commented Gage. “I was very excited when I found out and will do anything to lead by example.”
Rylan also spoke about what it means to be a King.
“It means everything to me, this organization is amazing and I am so pleased to be here,” continued Gage.
Gage, who sealed Wednesday’s game with an empty-net marker, has four goals and three assists this year. He’s one goal away from surpassing last year’s total.
“I would say I’m pleased with how things are going for me,” said Gage. “For me, it isn’t all about points. If I’m not scoring, it’s about finding other ways to help the team succeed, whether by killing a penalty or anything else.”
You can hear Rylan’s full interview with Darnell Duff during the Dauphin Kings Power Play Show on Friday afternoon following News Now at 4. You can then head to Credit Union Place on Friday night as the Kings open a two-game home stand against the Neepawa Titans. That home stand continues on Saturday when Swan Valley comes to town.
Get to know the Hamiota Star:
If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be and why? I would say Kevin Hart. He’s an incredible actor and so many people love him, so I think that would be very cool.
Are you a traveller? I haven't been in the past but would love to go to Europe, I’ve heard so many amazing things.
Do you have any superstitions before a game? I would say no.
What other sports do you enjoy? I was really big into volleyball and badminton when school was on. Now it’s mostly golf and of course, hockey.
If you were on a 2-on-1 with any teammate this year, who would it be and why? I would say, Joshua Schmidt. I know I would pass him the puck and he would score.
A blossoming friendship, the bond between Rylan and Joshua has become very tight-knit.
“I love him so much. He was one of the first friends I made when I first came to Dauphin last year and we got tighter as the season went on,” ended Gage. “He means everything to me and I’m extremely grateful that I get to play with and spend time with him.”
What is one of your favourite childhood memories? The one that sticks with me the most is winning in double overtime to win the provincial championships in U-13.