Mike Bowden’s infatuation with baseball traces back to the very start.
“I remember my first T-ball practice,” he said. “I was playing second base. A teammate hit it to third base, and I ran all the way across the field to get the ball.
“I just loved to play the game. I was so excited to play. If I had a 4 p.m. game, I was dressed at 12. I just knew that’s what I wanted to do.”
The Waubonsie Valley pitcher has grown so good at his game that he has earned a scholarship to perennial power Arizona State. However, Bowden wants more. He wants his ultimate goal–to pitch in the major leagues. Some project the senior being drafted in the top three rounds with a potential big payday in the amateur draft this June.
At the heart of Bowden’s quest is a fierce determination.
“He’s a very unique kid, very unique,” Wildcats coach Dan Fezzuoglio said. “His competitive drive is just amazing.”
Through hard work and maturity, the right-hander went from throwing a fastball in the middle to high 80s during a 7-2 sophomore season to being clocked at 94 m.p.h. during an incredible junior season.
The first-team Tribune All-Stater won 10 games, nine by shutout. He surrendered only two regular-season earned runs. He held a 0.16 ERA for the regular season and finished at 0.46. Bowden recorded 124 strikeouts and walked only 11 in 71 innings.
“Unbelievable control–he doesn’t walk people,” said Fezzuoglio. “There aren’t many 3-1 counts. He really worked on his slider last year, which became a huge pitch. His curveball–it’s got a nasty, sharp break.”
National notice began after he played last summer with the Indiana Yankees select team, based in Ft. Branch, Ind. Subsequent showcase appearances led to preseason second-team All-America recognition by Baseball America.
The attention hasn’t gone to the head of the 6-foot-4-inch, 215-pound Bowden.
“I still don’t think I’m good enough,” he said.
This season he’ll pursue his team goal of a deep run in the state playoffs and personal goal of a perfect ERA.
The next scene in Bowden’s dream is tantalizingly in sight.
“I knew that something was going to happen if I kept working as hard as I did, even if no one saw it then,” he said. “[Pro baseball] has been my goal. I did everything to achieve it. I’m still doing everything to achieve it.
“That’s all I want to do, all I’ve ever wanted to do. My goal is to play professional baseball.”
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Dave Surico’s Top 10 baseball teams
RANK, TEAM
1. Oak Park
Bobby Fratto (third base) and Mike Cunningham (shortstop) anchor left side.
2. St. Rita
In last at bat in 6 of 7 2004 losses, Mustangs had tying or winning run at plate.
3. Lockport
If pitching comes through,Porters could leave many opponents in shambles.
4. Lyons Township
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, that’s what all other programs have for LT.And rightly so.
5. Minooka
Regional final upset as No.1 more motivation for Indians’ mission to Geneva.
6. Joliet Catholic
Hilltoppers ready for another run. SS Mike Stalowy (.364 avg., 37 RBIs) key.
7. New Trier
Pitchers Miles Clauss,Danny Martinez great starting point for tough Trevians.
8. Sandburg
Mike Kaffel (22 extra-base hits) leads Eagles, who eye 4th consecutive sectional.
9. Hinsdale Central
Ps Eric Binder (NU),Doug Pilcher (Illinois football), and OF Chad Bisnette keys.
10. Brother Rice
Missouri-bound David Cales tops six starters returning from 29-10 team.
On the verge: Notre Dame, Mt. Carmel, Carmel, Naperville North, Wilmington.
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25 OTHER NAMES TO KNOW
NAME, SCHOOL, YR
Tim Dennehy, Oak Park, Sr., Eyes of Texas on 6-1, 190-lb lefty Longhorn recruit.
Nick Mitidiero, Lockport, Sr., Switch-hitter set school batting mark (.590 avg.)
Kenny Smalley, St. Charles North, Sr., Transfer can hit (.483, 12 HRs, 55 RBIs), pitch (9 W’s)
Ryne White, St. Rita, Sr., Hit .509 (14 HRs, 59 RBIs), had 9 wins on mound.
Couri Benz, Lane Tech, Sr., RHP had 79 K’s, 1.37 ERA in 53 IP; also hit .473.
Miles Clauss, New Trier, Sr., Texas-bound righty has 18-2 career varsity mark.
Quinn Ewert, Crystal Lake C., Sr., Central Michigan signee had 10 wins and 100 K’s.
Brett Graffy, Joliet Catholic, Sr., Future Notre Dame righty had 2 Elite 8 saves in ’04.
Ethan Hollingsworth, Plainfield South, Sr., Righty blends nice mix of heat and off-speed stuff.
Tanner Roark, Wilmington, Sr., One win off state mark with 17-1 record last season.
Dan Sorce, Lyons Township, Sr., Left-hander went 8-2 with 2.04 ERA last season.
Andrew Wolcott, Warren, Sr., This 6-5, 210 RHP went 7-0 with 1.62 ERA in ’04.
Rick Zagone, Prairie Ridge, Sr., Lefty was 9-3 with 2.32 ERA. Signed with Missouri.
Justin Behm, Downers Grove N., Sr., 3-year starter had 45 hits and 34 RBIs last year.
Kevin Dubler, Downers Grove S., Sr., Sweet-swinging lefty led team in hitting last 2 years.
NAME, SCHOOL, YR
Brett Lancaster, Libertyville, Sr., 6-4, 210-pounder hit .438 with a school-mark 9 HRs.
Tony Vercelli, Wilmington, Sr., Over last 2 years, catcher has 19 homers, 88 RBIs.
Dan Brewer, Lyons Township, Sr., Bradley-bound SS hit .470 in injury-shortened year.
David Cales, Mt. Carmel, Sr., Caravan key had 7 homers, 8 doubles and 45 RBIs.
Bobby Stevens, Guerin, Sr., Speedster hit .470 and scored 53 runs last season.
Thomas Dore, St. Ignatius, Sr., OF and NIU recruit hit .411 with 7 homers, 37 RBIs.
Jason Kipnis, Glenbrook North, Sr., Runner-up for CSL player of year, OF hit 11 HRs.
Bryan Porter, Rolling Meadows, Sr., OF tough at plate (.458) and on mound (8 wins).
Ryan Scheidt, Minooka, Sr., UIC signee hit .444 and recorded 8-1 pitching mark.
David Reed, Simeon, Sr., Hit .488 with 14 HRs, 44 RBIs for Public champs.
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HISTORY LESSON
Last year
The East Suburban Catholic swept the top three spots in Class AA with Notre Dame winning it, Joliet Catholic taking second and Carmel third. In Class A, Harrisburg wrecked Wilmington’s repeat hopes, routing the Wildcats 17-3 in the semis and then beating Quincy Notre Dame in the title game.
Recent champions
2003: Lyons Township
2002: Sandburg
2001: Bradley-Bourbonnais
2000: New Trier
1999: St. Charles
1998: Edwardsville
1997: Schaumburg
1996: Chatham Glenwood
1995: Morris
1994: Joliet Catholic
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Class AA regionals: May 23-28
Class AA sectionals: June 1-4
Class AA supersectionals: June 6
Class AA quarterfinals: June 10
Class AA semis; title: June 11, Geneva
Class A regionals: May 16-21
Class A sectionals: May 25-28
Class A supersectionals: May 30
Class A quarterfinals: June 3
Class A semis; title: June 4, Springfield
