Byron Burns is a senior pitcher and shortstop for the Lake Highlands baseball team. Burns, a captain, is in his fourth year as a varsity starter. Byron’s older brother, Taylor, played baseball at LH for four years and his father, Bobby, is the superintendent of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district.
Q: Which do you enjoy more, pitching or playing shortstop?
A: Shortstop is definitely my favorite position. Although pitching is more active, I just feel a lot more comfortable at shortstop.
Q: What is the best thing about being a captain of the baseball team?
A: Knowing that my teammates voted me to be a captain. It is really cool to know that my teammates look up to me and see me as a leader.
Q: What are the advantages to being a four-year starter?
A: I have a lot of confidence thanks to my experience on varsity. I’ve seen so many quality pitchers over the years, and that has definitely helped my hitting this year.
Q: Who is your favorite major league player?
A: Right now, my favorite player has to be Elvis Andrus. He is an incredible player for someone so young. His fielding is very smooth, his swing is awesome, and he has great speed.
Q: With your dad being superintendent of the Carrollton schools, whom does he root for when LH plays Creekview?
A: He roots for us. It is kind of a weird situation, but there’s no chance I would let him get away with rooting for Creekview against us.
Q: Do you plan to play baseball next year?
A: I do plan on playing baseball next year, but I’m not quite sure where yet.
Q: With there being so many seniors on the team [eight], how much would it mean to win your first district championship?
A: Winning a district championship would be awesome. I have not played in the playoffs in my high school career, and it has always been a goal of mine not only to make the playoffs, but also to win a district title. We definitely have the talent to do it and it is our number one team goal. All the players, especially the seniors, have been working hard towards that district championship.
(Lake Highlands plays at Richardson at 7 p.m. Friday)
