Alan Bowers

 

Vital Statistics

Position - Catcher and Third Baseman

Bats - Right, top of the order

Experience - ** years with the Strikers

The Numbers - 2nd best batting average on the team in 2003 season (.417), 3rd in 2002 (.424).

 
   Statistics from the 2003 season : 	Batting Average .417		On Base Percentage .472		Slugging Percentage .604		12 RBI's		17 Runs		9 Doubles

 

Recent News

9th May 2004 - Alan pushes Barnsley to 2 hard fought wins Today Alan stole the show with a great batting performance against Bolton. Whilst the rest of the order were hitting lazy fly balls, Alan managed to get on base all but twice (OBP - .818), and was stealing second and third at will, helping the Strikers come back to beat the Brewers in the second game of the day.
10th August 2003 - Alan one of Barnsleys best hitters again in 2003 Whilst Alan failed to top a hitting category for the first time in years this season, he was always among the leaders in all, despite missing games against most of the weaker teams in the league. Second only to D.Kilkenny (.453) for the batting title by .36 points, and also second in doubles and runs, Alan continues to perform with the bat. Further highlighted by his 12 RBI's (4th) despite hitting at lead off most of the year. Uncharacteristicly, Alan didn't challenge for top spot in the stolen base category this year, perhaps due to only playing the top northern sides, although he still produced some base running magic at times.
27th July 2003 - One of the best hitting performances, ever! Today, against local rivals the Sheffield Bladerunners, Alan had one of the best hitting performances ever for a player in the Barnsley “uniform”, going 4 - 4 ... with 4 doubles! As with most streaks this went relativly unnoticed by all, untill Alan decided to jinx himself by telling everyone before his last at bat. Luckily for him his final double was the biggest hit of them all, a one hopper over the left field fence. As this day was of the double header variety, Alan had a lot to live up to in the second game... he didn't dissapoint.. hitting a further two doubles going 3 - 4!! 6 doubles going 7 - 8 over the day, that is certainly a tough act to follow! 5 doubles in a row, how can anyone top that?

 

The Player

Alan has improved greatly at catch in the past season, allowing far fewer passed balls and improving his accuracy to all bases. His arm does help Barnsley catch more baserunners than ever before, especially when coupled with Kris Allott, who are now able to work confidently and succesfully together. Catching the completly different pitching style of leftie pitcher C.Hewitt proves more difficult for Alan, with more passed balls with him to blame, although again these are decreasing. When on form Alan catches straying runners at third and certainly shorterns all but the best baserunners leads. Alan still isn't afraid to try and pick runners off even when they haven't strayed too far, but the decreased the number of errant throws means this is far more effective than in past seasons.

At bat Alan performed well last season, with a few incredible performances. He has good power and fantastic speed, always pushing for that extra base. He has made a great lead-off hitter for Barnsley when the injury prone Nigel Whitehead can't start, and is a solid 2nd placed hitter when he does, great at setting that table. This year Alan still produced those heroics on the basepaths, although suprisingly getting caught once or twice this year. Alan shouldn't let this stop him as every team needs that suprise element, the one suprise being that Alan didn't push for the lead in steals this year, although this may be due to him only playing the top teams through the season, you know those ones with the organised pitch outs and bullet arms.

2003 Profile - Last season Alan made the transition from third to Catch, now being our first (only) choice. Al has one of the best arms on the team and isn't afraid to use it should base runners stray too far (and often when they don't). His defensive skills at this position have improved impressively quickly. When paired with Kris Allott he makes half a battery pairing which from rubber to plate to second is the fastest Barnsley have ever had.

Alan has hit at or near the top of the order for years, able to use his speed to great affect often leading the team in stolen bases. Coupled with this Alan loves forcing opposition into mistakes by pushing his leads to the maximum. He makes outs on the base paths sparsely, whilst producing 'heroics' often.