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Stebbins star is quite a catch

Miami-bound catcher Nate Bowles is a strong defensive presence.

Stebbins catcher Nate Bowles is one of the most fundamentally-sound catchers in the Miami Valley. Bowles has earned a baseball scholarship to Miami University.

Staff photo by Jan Underwood Stebbins catcher Nate Bowles is one of the most fundamentally-sound catchers in the Miami Valley. Bowles has earned a baseball scholarship to Miami University.

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By Ron Jackson, Staff Writer Updated 3:46 AM Tuesday, April 28, 2009

RIVERSIDE — He may play the nastiest position on the field, but that suits Nate Bowles just fine.

One minute, he could be blocking the plate to prevent a run from coming home, and the next bruising his finger in the dirt trying to catch a wicked pitch.

Why would Bowles or anyone want to do it?

“I like being in on every pitch and controlling the game’s tempo,” said the Stebbins senior. “You know what’s going on the whole game, you’re a part of every pitch. I get more satisfaction out of blocking balls in the dirt than anything else.”

Bowles has a high pain threshold. Ask him his injuries and he’ll list them.

“Three concussions, elbow surgery, shoulder surgery with a slight tear in the labrum. But that’s all part of the game. The scrapes, and the bruises.”

What about that first concussion as a sophomore?

“From what I was told — it was a play at the plate and I caught a cleat across my eye from a base runner making a hook slide,” Bowles said. “You get beat up as a catcher, but that’s a small price to pay. There’s no other place I’d rather be. You get plowed a lot, but as long as you hold onto the ball.”

Bowles donned the gear for the first time as a nine-year-old in the Riverside Amateur Baseball Association.

“I studied martial arts before that and earned a green belt,” Bowles said. “That experience really disciplined me and kept my anger under control. You have to stay composed, and keep your head in the game. Little slip-ups can cost you.”

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Bowles is considered one of the most fundamentally-sound catchers in the region. He earned a baseball scholarship to Miami University.

“My footwork separates me from other catchers,” Bowles said. “I pride myself on being durable and having some speed.

“I like to get inside a hitter’s head, know what he’s looking for after one swing and then know what pitch to call.”

Bowles. a rare switch hitter, hit .571 last season and earned All-Central Buckeye Conference. Opponents don’t run on his gun. He nailed 13 of 19 would-be base stealers last year. Through his first six games, he was hitting .333 with one home run and six RBIs.

“Nate is very good fundamentally and as he gets more swings in, his hitting will come along,” said Indians first-year coach Paul Neves. “He sets the tone for us. He’s so dedicated to the game and has a passion for it, spending time to go to clinics, camps and seeks out the best instruction so he can continue to develop.

“He cares a lot about the game and has a coach’s feel on why you do things,” Neves continued. “He can coach himself at the plate, adjust his own swing.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2478 or rjackson@DaytonDailyNews.com.