Article — Susan Motley | Photography — Paul Versulis
The class of 2010. High school graduates from across the city are embarking on a new phase of their lives. Many are headed off to universities near and far. Others are enrolling at local community colleges. And still others are finding their first “real” jobs.
But it’s the beginning of August and Ryne Stanek, a recent graduate from Blue Valley High School, still doesn’t know where he’ll be heading in just a few weeks. Stanek has a tough choice to make, go to a great college on a baseball scholarship, or become a professional baseball player now. It’s a choice most young men only dream about!
At BVHS, Stanek has been the star pitcher on their top ranked baseball team. His team won the State Championship this spring with a score of 12 to 1 in the final, having given up just four runs over three games.
College recruiters have had their eyes on Stanek for several years. Last summer, during showcase games in California, he was pitching at impressive speeds of 89-92 mph.
Pursued by numerous schools and receiving multiple offers, he signed a letter of intent with the University of Arkansas in November 2009. It looked like he was Fayetteville-bound.
But, this spring, in the first game of the high school season, Stanek came out throwing pitches up to 96 mph. “The next day, the phone started ringing off the hook,” says Lisa Stanek, Ryne’s mother. From that point on, it was the professional baseball clubs that were keeping close tabs on him. After a stellar performance in his final high school season, Stanek was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in June. He is now in contract negotiations with the Mariners as he tries to decide which path to take.
“It’s a tough decision,” Stanek said. “I’ve been playing baseball since I was four or five and have always loved the game. But I’m torn between two dreams. One was to play for a great college team and win the College World Series in Omaha. I thought Arkansas gave me a good shot at accomplishing that dream.”
“But, playing professional baseball has always been the ultimate goal, so to be drafted directly out of high school is an incredible opportunity.”
The rules governing baseball are different than other collegiate sports. Professional teams can draft players right after high school. But, if a player goes to a college team, he can’t be considered for the draft again for two years.
Ryne said his father, Mark Stanek, played baseball in college and instilled in him a love of the game at an early age. His father helped coach him from first grade through his freshman year in high school. Mark and Rick Drake coached his first team together. That team, the Gators, was a team Stanek would stay on through his eighth-grade year. The team played at a very competitive level of AAA and major baseball.
Ryne credits Drake and his father with helping him become the player he is today. “They always stressed the fundamentals, doing the little things right every time,” Stanek said. “We weren’t always the most talented team in the tournament, but we played hard every time and did the little things right, so we usually won.”
They also developed in him a “mental toughness” that he thinks has served him well so far and will be very important as he begins playing at the collegiate or professional level.
“Some people thought they were too hard on us when we were younger,” Ryne said. “But I’m grateful for that now. They always pushed us to do our best.”
“This has been an exciting ride for our whole family,” Mark said. “Ryne is blessed with a natural ability, but he’s a hard worker and had to be to get this far. I’m very proud of him. “Two years ago, I told Ryne that I had seen lots of people with talent who never make it. It takes more than just talent.”
Mark said Ryne took that to heart and started pushing himself more. He gave up other sports to focus on baseball. He started lifting weights in the off-season to put some more muscle and weight on his tall, slender frame.
If Ryne decides to go with the Mariners, he will start out in their minor league club system. The team has a rookie team in Arizona and a single A team in Everett, Washington. One of those would be his most likely starting point and he would probably progress through the club’s AA and AAA teams as well. The goal, obviously, is to get to the majors in Seattle.
Mark said he and his wife have tried to help their son explore his options but it’s his choice to make. “When we get the final offer from the Mariners, we will probably have a family discussion and then he will make the final decision.”
Two paths into the world of serious baseball. Both offer Ryne the chance to fulfill his long-held dreams.
Good luck Ryne. Either way, your hometown will be rooting for you! LL
FINAL ANSWER: On Aug. 16, just hours before the midnight deadline to finalize a deal, Ryne declined to sign a contract with the Seattle Mariners and announced he would honor his commitment to the University of Arkansas. When he made the late night call to the coaching staff to say he’d be playing for the Razorbacks, he was greeted with enthusiastic cheers and the celebration began. Less than a week later, the college freshman started classes on the Fayetteville campus. He will be eligible for the MLB draft in two years.
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