Name: Owen Tilden
School: Canby High School
Grad year: Class of 2023
GPA: 3.9
Summer team: NW Futures
Positions: Primary: Catcher, Secondary: Second Base
Throw (right or left): Right
Hit (right or left): Right
1. What are some areas of your game that you have been focusing on lately to improve upon?
The areas of my game that I have been focusing on are explosive strength and the mental performance aspect of baseball. My goal over the next year is to gain 30lbs. of muscle and improve my explosiveness. Fortunately, my trainer Logan Walters at ROKKE Performance Therapy has built a challenging training plan for me and my parents keep the fridge stocked with food! Baseball is a game that can be mentally demanding and yet is overlooked in training. I have learned to recognize game situations for what they are, and I have developed routines that help me stay focused in the moment. Routines keep me grounded.
2. What are some goals and dreams you hope to reach in the next couple of years?
A goal I have for next year is to help Canby Baseball reach the playoffs in a stacked Three Rivers League. This will require a lot of off-season work but work is something we are not afraid of. I’m also excited to play summer baseball for NW Futures. The coaching staff at NW Futures are knowledgeable and push me to develop my skills and game IQ. I am hoping to make an impact this summer during the tournament season.
Ultimately, I have a goal to play college baseball. I am looking to play baseball for a university that has a strong baseball program and a major that I am interested in. D1 through D3 or perhaps a JUCO program. We are just beginning to explore the opportunities. Academically I am interested in Business, Sports Management/Law, Physical Therapy, or Engineering. These all seem pretty interesting to me.
3. How long have you been playing baseball and what got you started in the game?
I’ve been playing baseball basically all my life. I think my most memorable team was the “Screamin’ Donkeys” T-ball team. I have always been a kid who has played multiple sports. My parents encouraged and coached me and baseball has become my favorite sport of all.
4. What are some of your favorite things about the game of baseball?
It’s always awesome to spend time with the boys playing ball and laughing in the dugout. I love that the game of baseball provides moments were on any given day a team can win despite being overmatched. If you have prepared and you are ready to bring the energy good things happen. As a catcher I love to steal strikes with a good frame. The called third strike and a crisp “around the horn” is a thing of beauty.
5. Who in your life has helped push you to be your best on the field?
My parents have always been supportive, they encourage me but are also not afraid to point out areas that I can improve on. My brother and my sister have helped me develop my competitiveness. I have had many great coaches over the years Rich Evans, Mike Robinson, Steve Pierson and Tom Scott during my JBO baseball years. Each of them helped me build my basic skills. Coach JJ Stolsig has been a big influence on me during my short high school baseball career and my catching coaches Scott Ackerman (Bat Company) and Ben Koerner (NW Futures) have improved my catching skills from technique to calling my own games.
6. Addition thoughts
If there is one thing that Covid taught me was to not take anything for granted. I was disappointed to lose my Freshman year of baseball, but this didn’t stop my baseball development. I turned the disappointment into an opportunity to get better and learn to control the things that really matter which were my attitude and effort.
Youtube Links and social media profiles:
Youtube: Owen Tilden Baseball Channel Owen Tilden Baseball
Twitter: @OwenTilden
Instagram: @OwenTilden14