He’s catching on

Charlie Joe Owen one of two freshmen to make varsity

In his first MAC Alumni Game, freshman catcher made a big impact, applying this tag to thwart a double steal and then stroking a two-out RBI single to tie the score at 4. Photo by Dave Winter.

February 19, 2018

The Shield: How long have you been playing baseball?

Charlie Joe Owen: Pretty much all my life, honestly, since I was about 4.

TS: Where did you play?

CJO: I’ve played for Northwest Little League and a few other select teams.

TS: What were the baseball tryouts like this year?

CJO: We basically had two days to try out, a Friday and Saturday.

TS: How did you feel when you found out that you made varsity this year?

CJO: I was really happy.

TS: Were you expecting to make varsity?

CJO: I don’t really know what I was expecting, but I was really hoping that I would be able to.

TS: How did you find out?

CJO: Coach told everyone what teams they made a few days after tryouts.

Owen watches his single fall safely into the outfield driving in Davis Roe from second with the game-tying run in the Alumni Game on Saturday at NW Pony Field. Photo by Dave Winter.

TS: What do you think it’s going to be like being a freshman on varsity?

CJO: I’m going to try to treat the games as just any other game, but I think it’s going to be higher level.

TS: What position do you want to play?

CJO: I really like playing catcher.

TS: What is the hardest part of that?

CJO: I think the hardest thing for me is probably blocking; yeah, definitely blocking.

TS: Is there a specific person that you catch for?

CJO: I guess I catch for almost anyone. I’ve caught fast pitchers before, but now in high school the pitchers are a lot faster. I think I can just catch for anyone.

TS: How has the team been getting along so far?

CJO: Pretty good. I really like a lot of the older guys; they seem really nice.