Elizabethton's Bowers invited to prestigious baseball camp

By Ivan Sanders
STAR CORRESPONDENT

   The saying goes that "every big dog has its day." That statement carries a lot of weight for Travis Bowers, a hardballer on Elizabethton High School's baseball team, that is more affectionately known as "Big Dog."
   The young man will have his day on the weekend of November 1-3 traveling to represent Elizabethton High School and the state of Tennessee in the National Battle of the States at the Tampa Bay Devil Rays spring training complex in St. Petersburg, Fla.
   There will be over 400 of the top players in the classes of 2003 and 2004 showcasing their talents for over 80 colleges and 24 pro teams. This event produced the top draft pick in last year's Major League baseball draft, so there is a lot riding for many of these young men.
   Play will involve 20 teams of prospects who have earned the right to wear the colors of the Blue-Grey Baseball classic. Each team will play a minimum of four games up to a maximum of seven during the event.
   Teams scheduled to participate come from the following regions: New England, New York, New Jersey, Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Heartland and Mid-America.
   Although the major focus for each participant is on college scholarships, the major focus from a team prospective is to win the tournament. Blue-Grey World Series championship rings will be presented to the players and coaches of the winning team.
   Bowers, who had a banner year as a sophomore for EHS, has also played for the Tennessee Mudd Dogs AAU squad this summer, with the team making an excellent showing in the AAU 15 & under National Tournament competing against 64 teams from across the nation.
   This is not the only prolific camp Bowers has been invited to participate in either. In July of this year, he also was invited to and participated in the "Young Guns" regional showcase in Greeneville, S.C. where 200 of the southeast region's top prospects competed in a three day event.
   Bowers participated in the Clemson University Baseball Fall Camp in Clemson, S.C. as well.
   "I just want to thank my coaches this past year for all their help and encouragement," stated Bowers. "Steve McKinney, Mike Hooks, Johnny Burleson from Elizabethton and Mudd Dog coaches John Patterson and Jon Minton have been very instrumental in my achievements and success."
   Bowers added: "I also want to thank a special friend, Dino Senesi, for all he has done to help me as well."
   Travis is the son of Glenn and Cheryl Bowers of Elizabethton and the nephew of Chuck Bowers, who has been a special support person in the background of his success.
   Good luck to Travis as he represents EHS and Tennessee at this prestigious event.