Weston Baseball is the name of the new summer baseball program

Ever since he came to town, head baseball coach Ryan Carpenter had faced the desirable problem of too many kids wanting to play summer baseball.

In the past, there was no way to accommodate everyone because of costs.

Then the baseball program received a miracle from the Weston family.

While the summer baseball team has typically been funded through the Diamond Dinner, the Weston family stepped forward offered to sponsor the varsity team.

"Since we have 28 kids playing summer ball this year, we were able to divide it into two teams," Carpenter said. "The Diamond Dinner pays for the junior varsity team, and the Weston family pays for the varsity team."

The team, simply referred to as Weston Baseball, is made up of the varsity players in line to return next season as well as any younger players who have a chance to make the jump next spring.

Weston Baseball plays in junior state division one, which is the highest level of high school summer baseball.

"Our goal is to see good baseball and play against good teams because, ultimately, that's how you get better," Carpenter said. "And with the exception of weather, we have games just about every day."

The team plays a 33-game season that began in the first week of June and runs through the middle of July. In total the team will play more games this summer than it did in the spring season.

"I'm excited about our season because I think the great thing about where we are is that we have a really young baseball team," Carpenter said. "I'm excited to see the personality and the way these young guys come together as a team."

To explain just how young the Rangers are, Carpenter started four freshman and three sophomores against Gladstone last week.

"The freshman group is talented, but we have a long way to go with development," he said. "This will be great for their identity, though, just learning the game of baseball and coming together. Early on we'll take our lumps, but by the end of the season, we'll be competitive."

The Rangers are led by seniors-to-be Ryan Vauthier, James Smith, Jordan Rohling and Dakotah Runyan as well as junior-to-be Brandon Beck.

Members of the Weston family have long been supporters of Estacada baseball, dating back to their days as students at EHS.

"They have a true heart for baseball and the kids in our community," Carpenter said. "It's with great pride that our kids wear that Weston jersey on their chest."

For more information about the team and to keep up with their progress, visit erangerbaseball.com.