Seth Bowles, RHP, Mason HS, Class of 2013

PBR: Why did you choose Ohio Dominican?

Bowles: I chose Ohio Dominican because they have the majors that I am interested in, which is the most important thing about college. The coaches were awesome when I met them, the players spoke highly of the school, and the field was beautiful. The location is perfect because it is in Columbus, an hour and a half away from my parents, and an hour and a half away from Ashland where most of my extended family lives. The dorms were perfect because they have a bathroom and shower shared between four people with a community room. They have cable and Wi-Fi. The class sizes are small, which is important to me because I like getting to know my teachers well and creating good relationships. I love it and am very excited to go there. Also, you can have your car on campus as a freshman.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Bowles: I was also considering Mount Vernon Nazarene, Thomas More, Bellarmine, Centre, Ohio State, Miami Oxford, and the University of Cincinnati.

PBR: Where did Ohio Dominican first see you? How did your relationship develop with Coach Page?

Bowles: I am not sure where Ohio Dominican first saw me pitch. I met Coach Page when I visited a few weeks ago and I liked him a lot because he has a top 5 priority list (God, family, academics, baseball, social life) that he talks about, he sat down and talked to me for a long while, informed me a lot about the school, and was very nice. He seems like he knows what he is talking about. He has a lot of experience and reminds me of Coach Gray of Mason High, who I respect and care about very much. Most of my initial contact with ODU was with the pitching coach Matt Davis.

PBR: Coach Page has made Ohio Dominican a baseball powerhouse. What will it be like to play under the legendary coach?

Bowles: Playing for a coach with around 900 wins is a special opportunity.  I think it will be awesome because I think he will help me become the best baseball player I can be, create great relationships that will last a lifetime, and will teach me more than I can imagine about the game.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?

Bowles: The coaches expect me to be a great student, and work my hardest at all times. They expect me to listen and to play my best, and depending how well I do and what is needed by me from the team will determine where I pan out with the pitching staff.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help Ohio Dominican?

Bowles: I think my biggest strengths as a player are that I am very hardworking, I don't give up, I try to be positive at all times, I cheer for my team, I listen and do what I am told. For pitching in specific, I rarely walk hitters and have good control with all pitches. I think I will help Ohio Dominican by being a great student of the game, great team player, and can be trusted to go in, throw strikes, and get outs whenever needed.

PBR: What summer team do you play on and how has travel baseball helped your development as a player?

Bowles: I play for the Cincinnati Flames. Travel baseball has helped me a ton because of the competition, the experience, and the great coaching I received. I am very grateful for all the help I've gotten from travel teams, my Dad, and high schools I've played for.  Pitching against the tougher competition has taught me to be a smarter pitcher to get the better hitters out.

PBR: What was the most memorable experience from this summer?

Bowles: I'll tell you the most memorable experience from the previous summer because it was amazing and will be remembered the rest of our lives. We were in Texas in a big tournament, down by around 6 runs, bottom of the last inning, 2 outs, nobody on, and we came back and won. I pinch ran that game, and I went in the last inning to pitch with bases loaded, no outs, and recorded 3 outs in a row, not letting a run score. It was an insane comeback.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Bowles: A few people have really impacted me as a baseball player. My father, first of all, because he has been there all along, pushing me and helping me along the way. My pitching coach from San Diego, Dom Johnson, because he helped me a lot and always had faith in me. The pitching coach for the Flames, Scotty Stocker, because he has always been there to help, and has faith in me as a pitcher, and helped me become smarter with the use of my pitches. Coach Gray at Mason because he has helped me, given me advice, and is a great guy who I'll be friends with for life. Coach Bly at Mason because of his passion for the game and his motivational speaking ways that re-energized my love for the game. Also, Bill Schomaker, at CHCA, for great training workouts and his knowledge of life.  

PBR: What were your stats for this spring season at Mason?

Bowles: Including a spring trip to Tennessee, I had seven starts and finished with a 4-2 record with one no decision. I had a 1.69 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. I pitched 2 complete games with one shutout. I averaged walking only one hitter every 6 innings pitched.    

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter that you have faced in Ohio?

Bowles: I honestly can not answer this question because I have only lived here for one season. I moved from California last June. There was no single hitter that stood out to me more than others.