Baseball Life: What are your first memories of baseball?


Robby Rowland: My first actual memories of baseball came when I was 3 years old believe it or not. I remember always grabbing my dad’s bat and swinging it around the house until it would hurt to hold it. When that time came, I would then grab his catcher’s glove and wear that around the house while wearing his jerseys. I remember always begging to my mom about her throwing the ball to me so I could hit it then run around the yard.


BL: Did you grow up playing the game through Little League, travel ball and such? How much did your dad’s pro-career influence you in deciding to play?

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RR: I was always playing the game. To be honest, I could never get enough of it. Having my dad playing the game when I was young just meant that I was always around it. Either we were going to his games or sitting in front of the TV watching or radio and listening.  I fell in love with the game at a very young age just from being around it so much and have loved it ever since.

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BL: Were you always a pitcher or did you play other positions?

 

RR: Oh no, I played everywhere. I really started to love pitching when I turned 9 and got promoted to play with the 11 and 12 year olds in “majors”. I just remember being so young and striking 12 year olds out and thinking it was the coolest thing ever. Also, having my big brother catch me at that age was pretty neat. But being that my dad was a catcher I always caught growing up. Whatever position got the ball the most I wanted to play there.

BL: Who was your favorite MLB player and MLB team as you grew up and why?

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RR: My favorite player of course was my old man and whatever team he was on because I was always rooting for him and watching or listening to his games.

 

BL: In addition to baseball, you also played basketball. Was there ever a doubt as to which was your first love?


RR: Oh yeah. I honestly didn’t know which one I really wanted to play for the longest time. I absolutely loved basketball. It is such an action sport and I love how one individual can change the course of a game. But once I started getting a lot more phone calls and letters for baseball I figured that baseball would be the best decision for me.


BL:  Your imposing stature, 6’6”, bodes well for a pitcher as well as a basketball player. You scored 2,568 points in your Cloverdale High School career: the 26th all time high in California high school history. That achievement may only be topped by your high school baseball accomplishments on the diamond! As a senior you went 7-1 with a 0.32 ERA and struck out 117 in 65 innings. What was your proudest accomplishment during your high school athletic career?


RR:  My proudest accomplishment would probably have come my freshman year. Making the varsity team for both sports and getting the opportunity to play them with my brother was pretty awesome.



BL:  You committed to the University of Oregon and then there was the 2010 Draft. You were chosen in the third round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Describe that day and what you were doing, how you got the news you were drafted and how did you celebrate?


RR:  Well it was all getting pretty hectic with the rumors on where I was going to be going but at the same time it was such a fun process that I was really enjoying it. It was June 8 and I couldn’t sleep very good. We brought the laptop out and hooked it up to the TV just waiting for my name. My phone kept ringing with different teams saying this and that. When the Diamondbacks finally called it was just such an unreal moment knowing that all the hard work I put in during high school had paid off. After that we worked out a deal for my brother to sign with the D’backs then we went and threw.

BL:  Transitioning from high school to the minor leagues, what was the most challenging hurdle you had to overcome?


RR:  I think that the biggest adjustment for me was learning how to pitch. In high school I did a lot of “throwing” not necessarily pitching. I could throw the ball belt high and get away with it because of the velocity of the pitch. Now in pro ball I face hitters who are capable of catching up to the fastball and have an idea at the plate. I have now taken the approach of “smarter, not harder.” Just being able to locate the fastball down in the zone and throw breaking ball pitches for strikes.



BL: Though the first few years with Arizona had a few ups and downs, you made mechanical adjustments and things started to come together. How were you able to keep that positive mental attitude and grind everyday?


RR:  People ask me this all the time about how can you stay positive when you are getting hit around a bunch and I simply reply with “I just truly love what I do day in and day out and am on a constant grind to get better every single day”.  I want to become a master of my craft therefore I have to put in the extra hours to see results.


BL: In March of this year, you got the call from your farm director giving you the news that you had been traded. This season with the Pirates organization has been pivotal for you. You were the Power’s most effective starter. What do you attribute the turnaround to?


RR:  The pitching coordinator with the D’backs and I sat down in Fall Instructional league last year and made a minor mechanical adjustment in the way I throw the ball. It is more natural now, more free and easy. From then on I have taken it upon myself to become a real student of the game. If it’s watching film or spending a few extra hours in the mirror feeling out my mechanics.


BL:  What pitches are you packing in your power arsenal? What is your go to pitch?​

RR: Well I throw a sinking fastball, 4-seam fastball, curveball, slider, and circle change. I rely mostly on the sinker because it is the pitch that I throw the most and am most comfortable with.​

BL: . Do you have any pregame rituals?

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RR: I have plenty of pregame rituals but it’s one of those if I told you I would have to kill you type things... hope you understand. (Sounds like a James Bond answer to me!)



BL:  If you could be any super-hero, who would you be and why?

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RR:  This is probably my favorite question.. I love super-heros! I have loved Captain America since I was a little kid! I would love to be him because he looks like a normal dude with powers and gets to rock a sweet costume. I would also like to be the Hulk because who wouldn’t want to turn green and be shredded like he is... He probably throws the hardest out of all the super-heroes.



BL:  Do you have any guilty pleasures or obsessions?​

RR:  ummmmm.... I don’t know if I have any guilty ones.



BL:  What type of music do you like? Who is your favorite artist?


RR: I guess I like all types of music. I’m finally starting to get on that country music bandwagon after being in the East coast. I prefer classic rock though,  the music that I was raised on.



BL:  Who has had the most influence on your life?


RR: My family forsure. My family has always been with me and motivated me through the good times and bad. They have pushed me when I needed to be driven the extra mile. They are the reason why I am who I am today.


BL:  Do you have a particular life verse, quote or motto that you live by?


RR:  “Life is only as bad as you make it.” Basically means to live life to the fullest no matter what situation you are in. If you know me or have seen me you would understand.


BL:  How do you plan to spend your off season?


RR: Spend time with the family and dedicate myself to getting better day in and day out.



BL:  Where do you see yourself in five years from now?


RR:  I would like to say in the big leagues but you never know. I’m going to work my tail off to get there and good Lord willing things will work out!



BL:  How do you want to be remembered? What do you want your legacy to be?

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RR: I want to be remembered as the guy that played the game the right way and never took anything for granted. Someone that truly loved the game and worked hard to get what I got in life, not to mention did it all with a smile.

I want to take this time to thank Victoria for the opportunity to answer these questions and the audience for taking the time and reading what I had to say. You can follow my dream on twitter: RobbyRow_12
Thanks,
Robby Rowland