To most people, the true test of an athlete is not how easily the sport comes to him, but how much work he puts into it. By this definition, Ryan Bower can be considered one of the best pitchers in the Los Padres League.
Bower, a senior starting pitcher for the Lompoc Braves, can’t remember a time he wasn’t out on the field.
“It’s a family sport; my father coached my little league team,” said Bower, who’s been playing baseball since he was 5.
When asked if he had any other hobbies or interests, Bower flashed a smile and said, “Baseball is my life.”
For the past two summers, Bower has been a member of the Wahoos, a local scout team that’s had such notable members as Danny Duffy (Kansas City Royals) and Devin Lohman (Cincinnati Reds) drafted by major league teams.
Even when Bower isn’t on the pitcher’s mound, his mind is never far away from baseball. He spends his free time either practicing or relaxing and getting ready for the next game. Somewhere in between, he manages to find time for school, maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
All these years of practice have paid off, with Bower helping his team advance to the division championship game against Oak Hills, a first for the Braves.
This victory happens just in time for Bower, who graduated this spring. Next year, Bower will be playing for the Allan Hancock College Bulldogs after turning down an offer from Nevada State University.
For the pitcher who considers his team to be part of his family and hopes to play major league baseball one day, this is only the beginning.
This article appears in Jun 9-16, 2011.