For
Searcy (Ark.) pitcher
Dillon Howard, his greatest moment on a baseball diamond isn't coming up with the big strikeout or blasting a game-winning home run. It's being nearly crushed to death.
As a member of the Midland Redskins of Cincinnati, Howard was the winning pitcher at the Connie Mack World Series and found himself at the bottom of the Redskins' celebration.
"Being on the bottom of that pile is my greatest moment as a baseball player," said Howard. "We won the World Series for the second consecutive year and I was named the MVP."
Dillon Howard, Searcy
Courtesy Photo
The MVP performance was the crowning achievement of the summer for Howard, who is No. 18 on the
MaxPreps Top 100 player rankings. A big, strong pitcher with a fastball in the mid-90s, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Howard is hoping to replicate the success he experienced last summer when his Searcy team likely advances to the playoffs this spring.
"We reached the 6A state finals for the second consecutive year," said Howard. "But we were disappointed to end up as runners-up. Our expectation is to get back to the state championship and bring the trophy home this year. We have a lot of returning starters, a solid pitching staff, and strong bats. If we play each game at the level we are capable of playing, we can reach that goal."
Howard has been a baseball player for as long as he can remember. He says that his first memory involves the sport.
"I got real bases, a tee, and cleats for my third birthday. I set up a little 'field' in my back yard," he said. "When I was little, I really liked practicing my slide into home."
Howard's coach, Clay McCammon, says that Howard's knowledge of the game and tremendous ability was evident from his first game at the varsity level.
"The first time he pitched in a varsity baseball game he was throwing in the low 90's," said McCammon. "He also hit a home run in his first plate appearance. It was apparent very early that he was a special player."
McCammon adds that Howard is a very polished pitcher who has command of several pitches, including a changeup and a breaking ball.
"Dillon has been our best pitcher the last three years," said McCammon. "He has also been one of our leading hitters and he is a tremendous defensive player. He has pitched, played third, shortstop, first base and catcher over his career."
Howard has 212 career strikeouts entering his senior season and a career batting average of .395. Last season Howard was 7-4 with 92 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched. He walked just 20 and had a 2.96 ERA. At the plate, Howard led the team with a .451 batting average, a .678 on base percentage, a .747 slugging percentage and he had 12 doubles and five home runs.
However it's Howard's arm that will take him to the next level. It's a concept Howard still has a hard time believing.
"Sometimes it just doesn't seem real," said Howard. "When I started getting mail from colleges and then real offers, it started feeling real. When I signed with Arkansas, I knew I had an opportunity to play at the next level."
Howard tries to maintain balance in his life. He's a fan of many sports, playing basketball and football when he was younger and playing tennis and golf for fun. He also finds time to work on his game.
"I throw and workout with my team on days we don't have games," he said. "Other than that I just try to live a healthy lifestyle. And I spend some time doing other fun things so that the baseball is balanced in my life."
Baseball scouts have been making their way to Searcy, a small town of about 25,000 in the center of Arkansas, to watch Howard pitch. He says the attention hasn't fazed him so far.
"I don't think it affects me," said Howard. "I really don't think about it. It helps having played in front of scouts and in showcases before."
Pitchers who throw in the mid-90s are a prized commodity in the Major League Baseball Draft and Howard will likely be one of the top prep players chosen come June. While Howard has signed to play with the Razorbacks, he is not dismissing the possibility of turning pro.
"It is exciting," said Howard about the prospect of being drafted. "It would be a dream come true if that is where my family and I think is the best place for my development."
For now, Howard is setting his sights on finding his place at the bottom of another pile in the Arkansas 6A state finals.
"Our season has gotten off to a good start and I'm pleased with my performance so far," said Howard. "There's always things to work on, but our goal is to progress through the tournament and win the state championship."
