Depew High School sophomore Kyler Fenton is already making his mark on the baseball diamond, anchoring the Tigers from behind the plate and embracing the work that comes with being a varsity catcher. For Fenton, the game is as much about the people around him as it is about the final score.
“My family, they show me how important it is to work hard,” Fenton said, noting that their example fuels his approach in the classroom and on the field. That mindset fits well at Depew, where he said the program’s standard is built on effort and accountability.
Fenton’s favorite part of baseball is simple: playing his favorite sport with his friends. He said the bond in the Depew dugout is one of the things that keeps him motivated through long practices and late nights. “How coach Schinnerer teaches us the importance of hard work, and how much fun me and my teammates have,” Fenton said when asked what he loves most about Depew baseball.
As the team’s catcher, Fenton accepts one of the toughest jobs on the field. He knows the position demands toughness, focus and leadership. The most challenging part, he said, is “keeping your head down on a ball in the dirt,” a detail that shows how seriously he takes his responsibilities behind the plate. At the plate, Fenton has a clear favorite pitch to attack: the fastball middle up.
He also embraces the culture and unwritten rules that give the game its personality. When asked for his favorite unwritten rule, Fenton did not hesitate, never stepping on the foul line. It is a small sign of respect for the game he loves.
Away from baseball, Fenton enjoys duck hunting and fishing, hobbies that keep him outdoors and competitive even when he is not wearing the Depew uniform. In the classroom, his favorite subject is agriculture with Mr. Campbell, a class that reflects his rural roots and interests.
Fenton said athletics have taught him lessons in brotherhood and hard work that he expects to carry far beyond high school. With that foundation, Depew’s young catcher looks poised to be a key piece of the program for years to come.
