Nolan “Lefty” Walker
Nolan “Lefty” Walker is the Rangers’ 12U power hitter with a glove for almost any job. He studies Nolan Ryan on the mound, dreams big watching Ohtani at the plate, and usually wants one more round of practice. Ben brought a lawn chair. Nolan brought plans.
Behind the character
Nolan Walker grew up around a dad who enjoys baseball, values the local ballpark community, and wants the game to fit into a good family life. Ben brings perspective and steady support. Nolan brings a glove, a desire to hit, and an increasingly long list of things he wants to learn. He plays for the Rangers in a rec league that uses MLB team identities. He is comfortable moving between positions and takes pride in being useful. He pitches, plays first, catches with a left-handed catcher's mitt, and enjoys shortstop when that is where the team needs him. His willingness to move around gives him a different relationship with positions than Mason, who strongly identifies with being the shortstop. At the plate, Nolan wants to drive the ball hard. He is a power hitter who sometimes gets so interested in clearing a fence that he forgets a simple line drive would do the job. He studies Nolan Ryan's pitching highlights and admires Shohei Ohtani as a hitter and two-way player. He wears number 34 in tribute to Ryan. Nolan's ambitions may grow beyond the baseball schedule Ben initially imagined. Their relationship explores how a relaxed, supportive parent responds when his child asks for more training or stronger competition. Nolan can enjoy rec baseball and still be curious about what else he could do. The Yard Born community complex is a shared setting for his family and the travel families. It includes baseball and softball fields, indoor facilities, cages, a pro shop, a used-equipment shop, and a restaurant/icehouse. Nolan's rec team has its own Rangers identity while his friendships and family activities connect him to the larger Yard Born world.
Around the dugout
- Wears number 34 because of Nolan Ryan.
- Watches old Nolan Ryan pitching highlights that look ancient to his friends.
- Calls being a pitcher and hitter his “Ohtani plan.”
- Owns a left-handed catcher’s mitt and enjoys the surprised looks when he puts it on.
- Has a game bat and a completely different favorite bat for imaginary walk-offs.
- Keeps a mental list of the backyard fences he has cleared.
- Usually answers “Where do you want me?” when a coach needs to move players around.
- Has asked Ben for extra practice while Ben was explaining that kids need downtime.
- Gets his freckles from his mom and his easygoing smile from his dad.