Words by Skylar Lara | Images by Ryan McGill
Roughly twenty years ago, in the small town of Sumiton, Ricky Bowen had dreams as vast as the sky. He cherished the thunderous applause that followed every high-powered fastball he threw and the sweet fragrance of the freshly cut grass on the field, meticulously tended by legendary Coach Lance Blair. His athletic prowess flourished as the star pitcher for the Sumiton Christian Eagles baseball team, leading them to their first state championship in 2004. After playing at Mississippi State University, the 6’3″ right-handed pitcher achieved his lifelong dream as the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in the 43rd round of the 2009 MLB draft. Now, back at Sumiton Christian, Bowen has taken over as head baseball coach after Blair’s retirement.
After retiring from professional baseball, Bowen decided to give back to the local community by opening Bowen Baseball in Sumiton, helping young and aspiring baseball players train, learn, and grow their skills. As time passed, Bowen and his wife began to wonder who would coach their son when he started playing school ball. They were worried about finding a coach that they could trust to develop their son’s potential, especially as the best coaches in the area were nearing retirement age and might not be available when their son needed them the most.
But one day, while teaching a young player how to bat, Bowen’s thoughts wandered to his son. He imagined his son standing at the plate, ready to swing at the ball. But who would be his coach? The thought lingered in his mind, and he couldn’t shake it off. As he watched the young player hit the ball, he wondered if he wanted to be the coach for his son and other kids in the area. This could allow him to continue sharing his passion for baseball and mentor young players, just as he had done at Bowen Baseball.
“I know I didn’t get to where I was because people kept secrets about becoming a better baseball player; it’s because they shared the information. So, I felt obligated to pass that along,” says Bowen. “I think one of the secrets to success is going off to play and coming back to share that knowledge and pour it into the next generation.”
As for Bowen Baseball, success can be likened to a tree that bears fruit season after season. Bowen attributes this success to the growth of his players, who leave to play big-time baseball and then return to share their knowledge with the younger generation. It’s like the tree’s branches reaching out and spreading its seeds, creating fertile ground for better ballplayers throughout the area. The result is a canopy of talented athletes who continue to elevate the level of play, much like the tree’s canopy that provides shade and comfort to those seeking refuge.
It all started when he found himself at Sumiton Christian School, helping to set up an upcoming home run derby event. While arranging the equipment, he noticed clouds gathering in the sky and feared the event would be canceled. However, something miraculous happened. The rain seemed to circle the campus, leaving the event area untouched, and the sun broke through the clouds, shining brightly like a sign from above. The home run derby was a huge success, but the biggest news of the day came when Coach Lance Blair announced his retirement from the team. As soon as the news hit the locker room, the players began speculating about who would take over as the new coach. Bowen’s name topped their list, and they hoped he would accept the role. After much prayer and family discussions, Bowen accepted the new baseball coach position at Sumiton Christian. The players were overjoyed, and Bowen was ready to start a new chapter in his life, filled with endless possibilities and exciting challenges.
Bowen quickly realized his role as a coach was more than just leading a team. He was tasked with managing a program that involved many tasks, such as scheduling, prepping for summer workouts, filling out paperwork, obtaining certifications, and much more. It was a daunting responsibility, but Bowen found solace in the tools passed down to him by his mentor and former coach, Lance Blair.
“I wouldn’t have achieved the things I achieved without Coach Blair,” Bowen shares. “He’s been one of my closest friends who knows me better than I know myself. He’s always been there to guide and support me both on the baseball field and off.”
With Blair’s guidance, Bowen is navigating the complexities of a program, building it brick by brick to create an environment that would help his team thrive and make Coach Blair proud.
The first game of the Ricky Bowen era will take place on February 15th, as the Eagles travel to J.B. Pennington. However, due to AHSAA regulations, the team can only spend two hours a week for ten weeks practicing in the offseason. Despite this, Bowen has had his team spend numerous hours in the weight room. Leading the charge for SCS are two UAB signees, Justin Hicks and Landon Schumate. Bowen has also been impressed with his shortstop, Caden Parrish, who has progressed tremendously this offseason in his defensive, offensive, and mental abilities, letting the game come to him. According to Bowen, “Caden and Justin have stepped up as leaders for us, being vocal and setting the example for our younger guys.”
Speaking of the younger guys, Colton Glass, an eighth grader at SCS, has unlimited potential and was trained by Ricky Bowen when he was younger. “Colton is a very polished 8th grade pitcher and a solid hitter. I am expecting big things from him this year,” said Bowen.
This year, the Eagles have extra motivation to succeed. Yancey Young, a senior baseball player at SCS, has been battling lymphoma. As Young plans for a comeback, Bowen is enthusiastic about his return, saying, “When we get him back, it’ll be a game-changer. I think he can play at the next level. He’s a good hitter, a good outfielder, and has a good sense of the strike zone.”
As Young makes baseball functions as he is able, the Eagles have rallied around their teammate, supporting and lifting him in prayer. Bowen shares, “About a week ago, we hit as a team, and he came to join us. Seeing everyone get so excited for him to be there was amazing.”
As Ricky Bowen begins his new chapter as a baseball coach at SCS, he envisions a team that plays hard as a cohesive unit, with utmost class and sportsmanship. He dreams of a team that bounces back from setbacks and strives for excellence on and off the field, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. But most importantly, he wants his team to share the joy of playing baseball, to feel the sun on their faces and the grass beneath their feet, as they work together towards a common goal.
As fans eagerly await the dawn of a new era in SCS baseball, their minds are filled with images of pristine green fields, the sound of the ball hitting the bat, the cheers of the crowd, and the sight of players giving their all to win. And amidst all this excitement, they can take comfort in knowing that the program is being guided by the most skilled and dedicated hands, ready to lead the team to victory. WL
