Profile on ORHS baseball player, Durbin Feltman

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- When all of the high school baseball preseason prognosticating/evaluating starts about how the upcoming baseball season will be for area teams, you look no further than the catching situation. Mark my words here and hold me to them because I believe the team who wins the District 16-6A title this year will be the team that possesses the best backstop.

The folks over at Oak Ridge feel they have the best catcher and...big surprise...the best team in the District. If they do win the district, it will be the first time since they moved up from 4A almost a dozen years ago.

So, what are the qualities of a good catcher? Well, he better have good leadership skills seeing as he is the coach on the field. In other words, is he a good communicator?

Is he fearless? Does he care that he might get hit with a foul tip off of a 95 MPH fastball in areas not suitable for discussion in this article? Take my word for it, if you get hit "there" with a ball traveling that fast even with protection, you're singing soprano for a while.

Let's see, does the catcher have all the physical traits and skills the most important position on the field demands?

In the case of Oak Ridge catcher, Durbin Feltman...absolutely. He possesses all of the above and then some. You don't sign with Texas Christian University because of politics. Major college programs can't operate like that because they'd lose every game. Coaches like to keep their jobs. Yes, Feltman is the real deal. Just ask third year Oak Ridge coach, Mike Pirtle.

"Durbin is one of our senior leaders this year. He's had a terrific arm behind the plate and on the mound and is a great kid much like his brother RJ who played for us two years ago. RJ was valedictorian his senior year and Durbin is competing for the same spot. We are very lucky to not only just have his talent but also his great attitude and work ethic here at Oak Ridge. We are looking for Durbin to have a great senior season for us before he goes off to TCU."

Feltman is looking forward to the season in hopes he can help the War Eagles win this tough district. What will he miss about his time at Oak Ridge?

"The things I will miss most about ORHS are varsity football games, getting to see friends I have grown up with every day and going to class with a room full of familiar faces." Feltman continued..."The one thing I will miss the most is playing baseball with friends I have known since elementary school."

What is he looking forward to after he graduates and moves on to the next level?

"The things I look forward to next year include being able to be on my own, getting to play with the best talent in college baseball against the best talent. I also look forward to developing time management skills to help me juggle school and baseball at the same time. I look forward to being able to live with some of my friends away from home."

Will he miss the people who have helped him along the way?

"I could not have accomplished being able to go D1 without help and I would like to thank my family, coaches, and close friends for their support through the years. You can never forget where you came from and I'll always call Oak Ridge home."

Speaking of home, do you think his parents are excited and anxious to see what the next chapter in Durbin's life holds for him? Mr Feltman elaborated for us...

"Tatia (Mrs. Feltman) and I are very proud of Durbin’s academic and athletic accomplishments during his high school years. Durbin set high goals for himself many years ago and he has worked hard in the classroom and on the playing field to reach success. Durbin’s mother and I tear up thinking about watching that six year old little league player at ORWALL playing t-ball on the Indian’s. He has grown up to be an exceptional young man playing his last year of baseball at Oak Ridge High School. We will miss traveling throughout Texas and the rest of the country with the entire family, watching him play in tournaments with lifelong friends. Even though the day-in day-out baseball routine is ending at home, we are thankful the journey is not over. Durbin has been blessed with the opportunity to play on and will continue to be successful as he puts forward the effort to accomplish his goals in college. He has made us very proud to be his parents and we look forward to watching him play baseball at the next level."

Everyone you talk to who knows Durbin from either side of the highway will talk highly of his exceptional baseball skills. However, the most glowing compliment to Durbin will be the one everyone agrees on in that he is a great human being always looking out for those he is closed to. Durbin is both a great player and person and that will be his legacy here in Montgomery County. Those two qualities make up the definition of Durbin Feltman.

However, if you know Durbin you know that if he had to choose one or the other, he'd choose the latter. That is what make his parents and those close to him most proud.