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Kyle RoweValdosta High SchoolValdosta, Georgia by Devis Hodges photography by Hope Baldwin |
When Valdosta High’s Kyle Rowe was just three years old he begged for (and received) a pair of cleats, even though the smallest size available had to be stuffed with paper in order to fit his feet. Then he begged to play organized baseball. Shortly before his fourth birthday, the tiny tot began playing on a “real” baseball team- with seven and eight year olds! Rowe did well in the coach-pitched league despite his age and size. In an impressive first season, he struck out only four times. “He almost always hit, but his legs were so short that he never made it to first base,” laughs his father, Ricky Rowe of Valdosta. Passing on video games and action figures, Rowe had a passion for baseball. At age ten, Rowe’s team, the Valdosta Mudcats, played their way into the Georgia Recreation and Park Association State Championship. Proudly coached by his dad and Herb Reinhard (now Athletic Director for Valdosta State University), the Mudcats brought home the first place title. Additionally, Rowe participated in football with the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta. Rowe played mostly defense the first year, but was moved to the quarterback position the following year. After making the All Star team, Rowe went on to play in the Turkey Bowl in Tifton, Georgia. When Rowe began middle school in the sixth grade, there was no baseball team for him and his buddies to play on. Seeing a need, Ricky Rowe organized and coached the middle school baseball team. The first year was a bust as the team won only one game the entire year. The following year, they took second place in the region. In his final year on the middle school team, they won the region championship. Not only did Rowe play middle school baseball in the eighth grade- he also played on the ninth grade baseball team as well. Ricky says, “Kyle’s group is the first to reap the full benefits of a middle school baseball team,” considering all the experience and knowledge they gained playing at a young age. Rowe tried out for football during his eighth grade year, and on the first day of practice he was moved from defensive back to receiver to quarterback. Unfortunately, Rowe broke his growth plate on his left wrist before the season even started. Nevertheless, he only missed one game and played as defensive end for the rest of the season with a cast on his arm. “He was trying to figure out a way to take a snap with a cast on,” says Ricky, laughing. Just a few days before the first football game of his freshman year, Rowe was practicing with his ninth grade team when he was informed by Coach Darlington that he was going to be starting in the varsity scrimmage against Camden. “The coach basically said, “Get ready, you’re gonna play!” Despite the pressure, Rowe scored the only touchdown that night. After his impressive performance, Rowe stepped in and played in several varsity games as a quarterback during his freshman year. Rowe began baseball season as a starter on the junior varsity team during his freshman year. Rowe started at third base on the varsity team in his sophomore year, and midway through the season, he began to come into his own as a pitcher. A highlight for the young sophomore was pitching the entire game against Lowndes and walking away with the first win against the Vikings in four years. Last year, Rowe alternated pitching duties with senior Earl Daniels. Both athletes had 12- 1 records, made All Region as pitchers, and they also made Team Georgia (top 20 players in the state). In the playoffs against Kell, Rowe pitched an incredible three- hit shutout. |
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According to Rowe, his father is his biggest influence athletically. Having been his coach, Ricky Rowe knows that his son’s greatest asset playing baseball is his concentration. “He doesn’t get rattled and has tremendous control,” says his father. “He stays focused from the first pitch to the last.” Rowe says he tries to maintain his composure on the field and that he enjoys the competition.
Rowe credits VHS coaches Rick Tomberlin and Bart Shuman for keeping him motivated to do his best. He also gets advice and training from Michael Smith, a graduate of VHS and VSU. Smith played in the Detroit Tigers minor league organization, and has worked with Rowe during the offseason to help him improve his game. Rowe’s discipline is demonstrated academically as well, and he appreciates his mother, Leah, for her influence. With a current GPA of 3.85, he has maintained As and Bs throughout his education. A member of the Beta Club, Rowe says he has to study some but he can ‘get away with just paying attention in class.’ His mental strength is a huge part of his sports success. There have always been big expectations for Valdosta High School football, and this year is no different. Coming in behind a four year starting quarterback, Rowe says his plans for the season include utilizing his offensive line and receivers. Rowe is still modest, though, and has no prediction as to how far they will get. “I don’t want to jinx anything!” he insists. Coach Rick Tomberlin says of Rowe, “On a scale of 1-10, if you are measuring academic strength, athletic ability, leadership, reliability, and character, he’d be an 11.” Tomberlin has also been impressed with Rowe’s ability to maintain his composure while under intense pressure, and says Rowe leads by example and doesn’t get rattled. Rowe plans to get a scholarship to play baseball in college, and while he has talked to Valdosta State University, it is still too early for him to make a final decision. He is considering majoring in business no matter where he ends up. His advice for younger athletes is to stay focused and to study, a mantra most student-athletes believe in wholeheartedly. As a child, Rowe dreamed of having the baseball career that he does now, and being talented is just icing on the cake. Kyle Rowe is proof that even if the cleat doesn’t fit, you can still wear it well. • | |
January 2012
Robert Preston Jr. 
Micki K Photography 
