7th Inning Stretch: Dryden Howse

Dryden Howse and his Dawgs Academy teammates from Okotoks are having quite the year.

After winning the 18U BCS National Championship in July and being a part of Perfect Game’s third best travel team in North America, Howse has reunited with several of his Dawgs colleagues at the Tournament 12 (T12) in Toronto.

The Sept. 17-21 showcase event at Rogers Centre, hosted by Blue Jays Baseball Academy, features 150 of the best 14-19 year old baseball prospects that Canada has to offer.

Howse was kind enough to make time for us and answer seven questions as part of our 7th Inning Stretch profile series. Here’s a look at what we chatted about:

1. Last time we caught up with you, you were named Alberta’s Bantam AAA Player of the Year. What have been the baseball highlights for you since that time?

Going to T12 the past years and playing with the Dawgs this year. We won some big tournaments and one of the more memorable ones was winning the Perfect Game tournament in Florida, where we went 8-0.

2. As you mentioned, you’ve been to the Tournament 12 before. What are your goals and expectations for the T12 this time around? Have they changed since the last time you were there?

I am just planning on doing the same thing I’ve done in the years before. I am going to keep the same mentality – just play like I would play anywhere else. Nothing really changes. It is just another tournament.

3. Put yourself in a scout’s shoes for a minute and give us the scouting report on Dryden Howse. What do you see in your game?

If I was a scout I would see a kid who loves to play baseball and a guy who will play the game hard and always hold himself accountable.

4. Who has had the biggest influence on you as a baseball player so far and why?

I would have to say my parents have been the biggest influence on me. My mom is always pushing me to be better. No matter if I have a good game or a bad game, there is always something that I can do better and they have helped me become the baseball player I am today.

5. What is your favourite baseball memory?

One of my favourite baseball memories was going to the Cal Ripken World Series when I was 12 years old. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Playing in front of that many people, in that kind of environment, was an experience I will always remember.

6. What is the best baseball advice you’ve received?

The best advice I’ve received from one of my coaches is just to stop thinking so much – just relax, play the game, and don’t worry about anything and let your talent do the work.

7. What is your favourite baseball movie and why?

My favourite baseball movie is 42. I like that movie. It’s interesting to see what people were like back then and how much the game has changed.