14 July, 2004

Owings a double-threat for Braves

     If Micah Owings was a bird, he’d be listed in the Audabon Society’s field books under the subheading of Rare Species. Since he’s a ballplayer, though, Owings can be found in the sports news in the unique category of pitchers who can also hit.

     There have been some pitchers of note in the National League who have wielded a decent bat. And other times, of course, they can just get lucky. Roger Clemens, while with the Astros, has displayed some power, and Tom Glavine of the Mets is batting .241 this season with an on-base percentage of .333. The list starts to dwindle after that, however, making Owings a rare find.

     “It’s something I’ve always done and always loved to do, being able to pitch and hit. I’ve been fortunate that my coaches at [Georgia] Tech have allowed me to do both and I wouldn’t mind at all continuing to be a pitcher and a DH.” Owings went in to the 2004 season at Tech as that team’s No. 1 starter, showcasing his 90-mph fastball and tight command. 

     He came to Bourne this summer with a hefty list of credentials, aside from his ERA and batting average. An all-American, Owings played for the United States on Team USA last summer, where he picked up a silver medal at the Pan Am games in the Dominican Republic and a chance to be part of a major league rotation-in-the-making.

     “I describe it as the best and worst summer of my life,” says the 21-year-old Yellow Jacket. “It was the best in that I met so many talented players and coaches. The worst part, though, was the waiting around and not being in the line-up every day. That’s not something I’ve experienced before and I wasn’t used to it. It was tough not to be able to play every day.” 

     The Brave hasn’t had to worry about down time this summer, his first on the Cape. Although he had driven through Boston once before, Owings had never even been to Cape Cod before joining the Bourne franchise, yet he was anxious to be part of the baseball tradition that is embedded here. Through the first half of the season, Owings is leading the Braves with a .333 average and a 0.69 ERA through 13 innings. 

     “Fitting in has been pretty easy here,” he explains. “I’d heard so many wonderful things about it. I knew I’d be foolish to not take advantage of having the opportunity to play here. The fans have been great and the coaches who are here were a big draw for me.” 

     The discipline that Owings shows both as a premiere pitcher and a formidable batsman, transfers to other parts of his life. With faith being a central element in his life, there is also the importance of making time for studies while at Georgia Tech, as well as connecting with family and friends.

     “My parents weren’t strict with us about school, but they set an example that we were expected to follow. It’s not easy at a school like Tech to do well. You really have to work at it. But it comes down to doing things and doing them well. 

     “I have two brothers and two sisters,” he continues. “There wasn’t a lot of pressure, but we were guided down a path of taking pride in whatever we do. My parents set an example and we feed off that. It’s not stress, just more about living a certain way.”

     Owings has earned enormous respect from fans and opponents this summer. He applauds his host family, Jack and Colleen Tkowsky and son Stephen of Bourne, for opening their home and making his stay so enjoyable. “They’ve made me feel right at home,” he says. Owings’ easy manner and approachability have undoubtedly helped that process along. 

     “This summer, I didn’t really have specific goals. It’s been more about coming up here after a tough year at school, with the team not being where we wanted to be at the end of the year. This summer I wanted to come up and do what I love to do and have some fun.”