Cumberland High School's Ryan Behling leads by example.
CUMBERLAND - The Cumberland High School baseball team sits in the middle of the pack this spring in the Heart O' North Conference.
The Beavers have a strong reputation with a veteran coaching staff of Mark Fuller, Joe Waite, and Randy Bielmeier. But this season, one of the quiet leaders on the team is drawing praise.
Junior Ryan Behling has been working his way up the ladder the past three years. A utility player, the 17-year-old has been covering the outfield and picking up duties at second base.
Soft-spoken and far from flashy, Behling is stable, strong and known for his smarts.
“As a young man he’s one of the best kids I’ve taught in 25 years and I’m not making that up,” said Waite.
He credits Behling for playing the game the way it should be played, with heart.
"I told his mom one time, if we could clone his heart and put it into the bodies of other kids then we’d have something special," he said.
Waite has coached Behling since the fourth grade and said he's always been a student athlete who tried to find ways to be better.
"He’ll do anything to help the team," said Waite.
“You know I wish he would be a kid who would flunk high school about 10 years so we could keep him around."
STRONG STUDENT…
Flunking is not a word in Behling’s vocabulary. A student of the game, Behling is also serious in the classroom and carries a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average.
Teammate Tommy Zappa said nothing ever gets past Behling.
“He’s definitely focused and smart and knows what to do with the ball and brings 100 percent to every game.”
Zappa said the best thing about Behling is watching the competition underestimate him.
“A lot of people move in on him and they don’t think he can hit it, but he’s surprised a couple of teams so far this year.
“He just plays to his best ability,” said Zappa.
Waite said Behling has a ball player’s wits about him.
“He won’t swing at a first pitch because he has the confidence that he’s not going to strike out,” he said.
“He just understands situations, he’s always in the right place he knows his role on this team. He doesn’t hit for a high average but his on base percentage is 500 and he’s a kid that just does everything well.”
Zappa sees the same thing – a studious player who doesn’t make mistakes.
“If the ball is hit to him with a person in scoring position he knows to look the person back or throw it over if he has the chance,” said Zappa.
“Ryan as a player is definitely self motivated, he’s a hustle type player and a positive role model for the team.”
BEHLING THE PLAYER..
Behling wears number four on his black and red uniform.
Hard pressed to smile, it’s difficult to tell when he’s having fun on the field.
But for Behling, fun takes a back seat to serious baseball.
“I’ve learned how to deal with situations better,” said Behling when questioned about how his game has improved the last year. Patience is another aspect where he’s tried to improve.
Dubbed by his teammates as a “quiet leader,” he’s deemed an inspiration.
“He always tries hard and just, when he gets on base, that makes the rest of us try hard,” said sophomore Adam Bielmeier who also carries a strong 3.7 GPA.
Across the small community of Cumberland, Behling is a fan favorite.
“I’m always rooting for him,” said Bob Cifaldi owner of Cifaldi Motors and former president of the baseball association.
Cifaldi had three sons go through the Beaver’s baseball program; he praised Fuller and Waite for their strong coaching prowess and threw unprompted support to Behling.
“One thing I’ve noticed is his intelligence on the field,” said Cifaldi.
“He’s a hard worker, hard-nosed, he’s out there to win the game and he’s always thinking ahead on plays and just a good all around player.”
Coach Fuller echo’s Cifaldi and said Behling is what all coaches look for in a player.
“Ryan's value lies in his sacrifice for what is best for the team,” he said.
“He can play any position well and his on-base average is his strength.
“He is unafraid to hit with two strikes and rarely strikes out.”
Fuller noted Behling has drawn 17 base on balls on the season.
“He is a joy to coach.
