Athlete 1969 - 1972
In baseball a catcher is arguably the most underappreciated player on the field. His grit, tenacity and balance of emotions behind the plate are expected at all times. Ron Webb shone brightest during the post-season, producing one of the most decorated careers in Linfield baseball history.
Webb, from the class of 1972, was a four-year letterwinner for the Wildcats from 1969 until 1972, a span in which he started 100 games. Leading Linfield to a national championship in 1971, Webb produced behind the plate and in the batter’s box. The school’s second NAIA title came because of a dominant season by Webb. He hit a team-leading .401 average with seven home runs. He was chosen to represent Linfield on the NAIA All-Region, All-America and National Tournament teams. Yet the highest individual accomplishment he achieved was being named Most Valuable Player of the national tournament, helping Linfield edge Lipscomb (Tenn.) 9-8 in 10 innings for the title.
Webb received all-NWC and all-district honors three consecutive seasons from 1970 through ’72, but it was his magical ‘71 season when Webb truly was a cut above the rest.
As the playoffs arrived, Webb always seemed to elevate his game to another level. His combined playoff statistics reveal some remarkable numbers. In 12 postseason games, he hit .428 with 20 RBI, two doubles, a triple and two home runs. During the 1971 NAIA World Series, he tied a tournament record with 13 hits across six games. Defensively, he spearheaded one of the most memorable, if risky, plays of the year: a pickoff throw to the Wildcats’ freshman shortstop to tag out the leadoff runner in a tense, late-inning, tie-game situation.
Visitors to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. will find some Linfield Wildcat memorabilia along with Webb’s photograph from the 1971 season. Not many players can say they share the same Hall of Fame as Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig. In 1976, Webb was chosen as a member of the NAIA 20th Anniversary All-Tournament Team.
Prior to his senior campaign in 1972, Webb married his sweetheart Sharon. They have been together for 45 years.
After graduation from Linfield, Webb continued to remain involved in athletics. He played baseball professionally, first with the Portland Mavericks in the summer of 1973. He then competed for three different semi-pro teams over six seasons. Webb also was an assistant coach at Linfield, Hillsboro and Glencoe high schools before taking the head coaching job at Glencoe. In 1997, Webb was appointed Century athletic director, a job he held until his retirement in 2004.
Webb’s efforts in the community stretch far beyond what would be considered typical. He served as a volunteer fireman, coached Little League camps, and directed and coached Hillsboro “Little Guy” baseball camps. An educator for 30 years for the Hillsboro School District, Webb has touched the lives of many youth in his community.
Today, Webb spends his days in retirement as an accomplished fisherman and duck hunter.
