Ryan Maskey got a huge surprise when he arrived at Optimist Park in Jonesburg on July 5.

The 43-year-old from Wellsville saw numerous people wear gray T-shirts with Rally For Ryan written in yellow in honor of the East Central Starz 12-and-under baseball coach, who will be starting his third fight with cancer.

A total of 64 T-shirts were made by several team mothers for three hours on the morning of July 4. All of the players, fans and coaches – including Maskey – wore them at a Lincoln County Athletic Association game against Sellenriek Construction.

“This is new to me,” Maskey said. “I didn’t know anything about them until tonight. It’s awesome.”

After the Starz defeated Sellenriek Construction, Maskey took a picture with the team with a yellow banner that said Rally For Ryan. Then, he received a card that was signed by many people wishing him a speedy recovery.

Maskey said he enjoyed the huge support from the community.

“I have a great group of parents and coaches,” he said. “They make my job easier.”

Six years ago, Maskey was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a malignant tumor that is composed of cartilage-producing cells. He was diagnosed with cancer a second time last year. In June, he learned that the cancer has reached Stage 4 and has spread to his spine.

Maskey, who has been working at Land O’Lakes Purina Feed Plant in Montgomery City since the mid-2000s, said despite the dreadful news, he will continue to fight.

“I’m just staying positive and going into every day thinking that we’re going to get through this,” Maskey said. “I guess it was brought down to me from my father and my mother. My dad has always been a fighter. He molded me.”

Maskey said his wife, LoisAnn, has helped him stay upbeat.

“She’s my rock,” Maskey said. “She makes sure that everything is going good.”

Maskey graduated from W-M in 1998. He started coaching youth baseball in the early 2000s. He’s part of a Starz coaching staff that includes Earl Burton, Jake Sewell and Chad Schofield.

“I love it,” Maskey said. “It keeps me going. It keeps me busy.”

The Starz are made of players from Wellsville, Montgomery City and Martinsburg. One of those players is Andrew Maskey, who is the coach’s son, is one of the Starz players. The 12-year-old Andrew said he enjoys playing with his father.

“He’s a very smart coach,” said Andrew, who plays first base. “He’s nice, fun and enjoyable.”

Chason Sachs, another player on the Starz roster, said he was happy that he got an opportunity to play under Ryan Maskey for the first time.

“He’s my favorite baseball coach I ever had,” Chason said. “When he and dad were growing up, they were like best buds in school. It kind of combined me and his son to be really good friends. We’ve been hunting together and some other things, which I think it’s really fun.”

Tyson Sewell, who plays third base for the Starz, said Maskey has been helpful ever since he started coaching him two years ago.

“He made me into a better player and a better person,” Tyson said.

With the win over Sellenriek Construction, the Starz remain in first place in the 12 and under standings at 10-0 and will wrap up their regular season at 8:30 p.m. on July 12 against Hawk Point, which will be played at Optimist Park in Jonesburg. They will compete in the LCAA playoffs later this month.

Andrew Maskey said he hopes his team will continue to play strong for his dad.

“We’re very motivated,” he said. “We’re going to go and give it our best shot.”