By Chris Cox

While a lot of high school athletes play multiple sports, not many star in multiple sports. But Dale High School senior Dallen Forsythe does just that. He stars for the Pirate’s baseball team as a pitcher, center fielder, and second baseman. He also played point guard for the Dale Pirate’s powerhouse basketball team.

Forsythe says that his penchant for playing both sports started at a young age.

“It was just bred in me,” Forsythe says. “I’ve always loved playing both sports and the competitive nature of it.”

Dale has a history of success. The Pirates and Lady Pirates have a total of 50 state championships across all sports and that expectation of excellence continues today. 

While some might not want that kind of pressure, Forsythe believes it fuels him and his teammates.

“Sometimes it’s something you can feed off of knowing your school has been so good at both sports for so long,” he says. “But other times you do have to forget about it because that history won’t win you any games.”

On the diamond, Forsythe says his role as one of the team leaders is to encourage the younger players and make sure they are ready to carry on the Dale legacy after he graduates. One of those younger players is Dallen’s brother Dayton, which makes preparing that younger class to continue building Dale’s legacy all the more important for Dallen.

“I try to set a good example for the classes below me,” Forsythe says. “I’m real close with all of them. All of the classes are close because we go to such a small school.”

That leadership mentality is a direct result of Forsythe’s character.

“Character is trying to do the right thing all the time, even if others aren’t or no one is looking,” he says. “Character is deeper than what other people see. It’s who you are.”

Forsythe, who is also involved in student council and FCA, will be graduating in May. He plans on playing basketball and studying pre-med in college.