For Bartlett Patterson, the standard has never been about numbers on a stat sheet.
“I have been fortunate to have coaches that stressed ‘a great player’s goals should always be to go out and compete every day,’ giving their team the best shot to win,” Patterson said. “Any kind of personal accolades or even statistics will fall into
place if a player does that.”
That mindset fits a Stuart team loaded with experience and postseason history. “We are a very heavy senior loaded team,” he said. “Having been to the OSSAA State Tournament the last five seasons and the SemiFinals the last four seasons, I think everyone is pretty excited to go give it a last shot at getting a ring.”
The junior middle infielder and pitcher has seen growth across the roster, especially from younger players. “While the underclassmen have continued to get better, I think the biggest improvement is the fact that we had multiple young players who stepped up and played some huge roles that ultimately led us to some big wins in the fall season,” he said.
The goal is clear inside the clubhouse. “I think everyone is sold out on going and getting Stuart Baseball its first championship banner since 1983,” Patterson said.
Experience and depth define the group. “Our biggest strength is several things,” he said. “We have a lot of upperclassmen with a lot of experience, guys who have been through the system year after year producing for Stuart Baseball. Defensively, you are going to be hard-pressed to find any small-school Oklahoma baseball teams that have a deep and just as experienced pitching staff. We have an athletic and talented defense behind our just as talented pitchers.”
When he steps on the field, perspective grounds him. “Honestly, I’m just thankful that God has given me the chance and
ability to play a game that I love, and not to waste that opportunity so I need to be focused and give 100% physically and
mentally,” Patterson said.
He hopes his legacy stretches beyond wins. “I wanted to be remembered as a great person and a great teammate,” he said. “I would like to be on the team that bring Stuart a state championship, but the other stuff is what matters the most 10 years, 20 years, 50 years down the road.”
Patterson hit .388 in the 2025 fall season with 34 runs, 16 RBIs and 15 stolen bases while earning five wins across 36.1 innings pitched. He plans to play baseball collegiately and pursue a degree in history/ political science, with hopes of becoming a coach or entering the legal field.
