WHS varsity baseball’s Rulman receives accolades early in athletic career

By Matt Pascarella

During Windham varsity baseball’s awards night at Windham High School on Thursday, June 18, sophomore Mason Rulman received Southern Maine Activities Association First Team All-Conference centerfielder award as well as the team’s Most Valuable Player award, which are strong accomplishments, especially so early in Rulman’s athletic career.

Windham High sophomore Mason Rulman, left, is
congratulated by Windham varsity baseball coach 
Chris Doughty after Rulman was honored with team
MVP and Southern Maine Activities Association
First Team All-Conference centerfielder awards
during the Windham varsity baseball sports banquet
at Windham High on Thursday, June 18.  
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“As a sophomore being recognized as one of the top nine or 10 players in the most competitive league in the state is remarkable because you’re competing with many juniors and seniors with more experience in varsity baseball,” said Windham varsity baseball coach Chris Doughty. “He was consistently one of the best players in the league all season both offensively and defensively. Mason’s centerfield play was something many coaches talk about around the league. For a player his size to cover the ground he does and make tough plays look easy is very impressive.”

Rulman began playing baseball when he was 5 years old. He would go into his back yard and hit tennis balls as far as he could. From there he fell in love with the sport and played Windham Little League and in middle school before he made the varsity team in his freshman year of high school.

“It means a lot,” said Rulman about winning both awards. “I put a lot of work in over the offseason, to have a big sophomore year and I did. I’m proud of myself for doing that and I’m just glad the coaches believed in me enough to give me the award. I was shocked (to win MVP); I think this shows teams that I’m going to give them my best every time I go onto the field to play; I’m going to work 100 percent every time I go out there to play.”

Doughty said Rulman’s success is a perfect example of what happens when talent meets hard work, determination and good attitude. He said that center field is one of your leaders on the field as a captain and leader of the team and Rulman is the perfect fit to take control of the outfield.

According to Doughty, Rulman’s speed increased over the season, and he anticipates it to continue doing so over the next two years.

“He leads our team and his performance on and off the field sets a good example for us,” said Windham teammate and freshman Ryan Manning. “He sets the level of excellence that we all try to copy. He can pick you up after a bad play in the field but also can give you advice to help your game. His play in the outfield says it all. He can track any ball and throw any kid out. He was very protective on offense with the best batting average on the team.”

Some of Rulman’s impressive statistics include throwing out nine runners from the outfield during the season, as well as having a batting average of .410 and his on-base percentage was .479.

“No one works harder than Mason,” said Doughty. “He plays hard, hustles on and off the field, doesn’t let one failure dictate his mindset and consistently shows up in big moments. His play and leadership are a huge piece in turning around the programs record and culture. His future in baseball is very bright and I’m excited to see where he leads this team the next two years and where this game takes him after.”

Awards like these motivate Rulman to work harder and continue to stay with it, he said. His long-term baseball goals are to continue having success at the varsity level and eventually play at the college level and he’ll see where things go; hopefully make it big. <