Athlete of the Week: The Second Baseman

Connor Clowes, who comes from a sports-oriented family in Northborough, first started playing baseball at four-years-old, when he joined the tee-ball team and had a peculiar habit of falling in love with his swing.

Fourteen years later, the second baseman was presented with the 2011 Baseball Senior Award and Jack Flynn Scholarship by the Northborough Baseball and Softball Association. What Clowes appreciates most about the NBSA is its community-centered environment and cohesiveness, which he says is a significant contrast to what he's used to in high school. "I am able to work with others much easier than I would have otherwise, because of the lessons I learned early in the NBSA," said Clowes. 

Northborough Patch: Congratulations on being awarded with the Jack Flynn Scholarship based on your contributions in the Northborough Baseball and Softball Association. Can you describe the feeling?

Connor Clowes: I was very excited when I heard about winning the award because I remember hearing all of the previous winners speak at opening day and looking up to them. Those kids were where I wanted to be one day, and winning the award made everything come full circle.

NP: What has baseball taught you most?

CC: Baseball has taught me to be patient and how to be part of a team. Being part of a team is probably the most important lesson I have learned from baseball, because it has also helped me in the classroom. “Patience is a virtue” is a saying my mother always reminded me of, and at a young age I learned that it came in handy - especially, on the baseball diamond. It has allowed me to help others get better instead of getting frustrated with someone if they could not do something. 

NP: Now a senior at ARHS, do you plan to keep in touch with the NBSA and former teammates during college?

CC: The Senior Babe Ruth program does not have kids age out until 19, and I was fortunate enough to make the age cut off.  I will be able to play again next summer after my freshman year of college. Also, a few of my best friends were my baseball teammates and we have already planned trips to go visit each other despite us being very far apart.

NP: When you're not playing baseball, what else are you doing to occupy your time?

CC: Growing up, I played every sport I possibly could including: golf, soccer and basketball. Even though I was only able to play baseball past my sophomore year in high school, I still enjoy playing pick-up basketball with my friends and hitting the links once in a while.

NP: You've dealt with a couple nagging injuries in your lifetime. What motivated you to keep going in the face of all the difficulties you encountered?

CC: The first one was back in first grade when I fractured my ankle. I was still in Farm League back then, but not being able to play with my teammates was a very difficult thing for me. My main motivation was to keep going, just being out and playing baseball with my best friends was all I wanted to do. The other injury actually occurred just two weeks ago. I suffered an eye injury and had to miss the last four games of my high school career. Ever since, I have just been looking forward to getting back to playing Senior Babe Ruth baseball with my friends.  This injury has made me appreciate baseball for what it is, and now more than ever, I just want to play for the love of the game.

NP: Looking back over time, what has been your most memorable moment in the NBSA?

CC: My most memorable moments in the NBSA were winning the homerun derby in 1999 at the age of 6, winning the Casey League Championship in 2002, and giving up my first homerun to Graham Henningson in Little League. To this day, I still think that ball is going!