Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Justin Hunter
Baseball has always felt right to Colton Glass. He tried other sports as a kid, but nothing stuck like the game he grew to love, one that has shaped him into the athlete and teammate he is today.
Now a freshman at Sumiton Christian School, Colton has already carved out his place on the varsity team. Last season, as an eighth grader, he started every game and found himself on the mound with the championship on the line. In that moment, pressure didn’t shake him. He got the save and helped secure the state title, a moment he says he will never forget.
That kind of poise does not come by accident. Colton has spent years refining his skills, particularly as a pitcher and first baseman, working with Coach Ricky Bowen since age eight. His commitment shows in the numbers; with a school-record-setting earned run average and 67 strikeouts last season, he has proven to be a force on the field. But statistics only tell part of the story.
What sets Colton apart is his mindset. In sixth grade, he faced a major setback when a partial rotator cuff tear forced him into nine weeks of physical therapy. An injury like that can be a defining moment for a young athlete. It can be a reason to slow down or a test of resilience. Colton chose the latter.
“I took it one day at a time,” he says. “I didn’t let it discourage me. I just kept grinding, stayed positive, and kept working.”
That perseverance extends beyond baseball. A 3.5 GPA student, Colton is also involved in student government and serves as a school ambassador.
His love for the sport also extends beyond school ball. After playing with the Birmingham Stars for two summers, he is now gearing up for a new chapter with USA Prime Southeast. His sights are set on a future in the game—college ball, ideally in the SEC, and eventually a shot at the pros. For now, though, his focus is on the present and leading his team back to another championship.
For Colton, playing is not just about winning. It is about the people beside him. “The brotherhood on this team, you just can’t match it,” he says. “I’ve never been on a baseball team with a bond like this.”
That connection fuels his drive to keep improving and to keep chasing greatness. He knows that in baseball, just like in life, the moments that test you the most are the ones that define you. And if his past is any indication, Colton Glass is just getting started. WL
