Schools teams don't have injured reserved lists but if they did, that's where Owen Huffman spent last season for Fort Madison.
This season he is playing for the high school baseball team and doing very well.
Huffman was instrumental in handing Burlington its first league loss June 26.
Huffman set down six Grayhounds on strikes in five innings. He allowed three hits and three earned runs despite walking six, half of his season total of bases on balls.
Huffman helped his cause with a run-scoring triple in the fifth inning.
He caught the final out on a popup playing third base.
The freshman pitcher is tied for second in the Southeast Conference in runs allowed.
Huffman, the °®¶¹app Athlete of the Week, has made up for missing out on a year of baseball by playing travel ball and winning a state title and by performing well for the Bloodhounds.
Huffman has an earned run average of 3.04 which is eighth in the SEC. He has the fourth most strikeouts in the SEC at 31 and just 12 walks, almost a 3-to-1 ratio of strikeouts to walks.
When Huffman wasn't busy with baseball the °®¶¹app caught up with the Athlete of the Week to learn a little more about him.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Track and Field.
What is something learned from a coach that you will always remember?
Practice the fundamentals early on and the strength and power will come later.
What is it that you like about baseball?
The feeling you get after you get a good hit and the memories I will never forget with my teammates.
What is your best memory in baseball?
Winning the state championship in travel ball with my childhood friends.
What is your most embarrassing/worst moment in baseball?
When I hurt my elbow and was out for the season last year.
Who is the funniest person on the team?
Karson Dixon, because he has the best chirps and keeps the dugout alive.
In what ways do you and your teammates make practice fun?
We make jokes with each other and try to make drills as fun as possible so people give full effort.
Do you have any pregame routines/superstitions and if so, what are they?
I wear my belt backwards every single game because I accidentally started doing it when I was younger.
Who is your biggest role model in sports?
Tate Johnson, because I grew up watching him succeed so much and improve a lot throughout his career.
Who is your biggest role model in life?
My dad, because he has taught me so many lessons and always corrects me when I do something wrong so I can improve on it.
If you had free concert tickets, who would you see?
Nelly.
Who is your favorite team?
Iowa Hawkeyes (Go Hawks) .
Favorite player?
Xavier Nwankpa.
What is your favorite meal at a restaurant?
Nachos with jalapeƱos.
What is your favorite meal at home?
Biscuits and gravy.
What is your favorite TV show?
Henry Danger.
What movie could you watch over and over?
Christmas vacation.
If you won the lottery, what would your first purchase be?
Jetski, because I love going out on the lake .
What is your biggest pet peeve and why?
When people leave a room in your house and they don°®¶¹appt turn the light off. I don°®¶¹appt know why this just always annoys me.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Invisibility, so that I could go to famous places and be all up in the action when stuff is going on.
What is your favorite motivational slogan or quote?
Hard work beats talent.
What are your plans for college/trades/other? Possible career?
Go play college baseball somewhere, or go to the University of Iowa. I want to do something with sports for my career one day.
In 25 years I see myself ... doing what?
Having a very nice family and helping my kids train to become very good athletes.
What is something about yourself that would surprise people?
I am really good at NCAA college football video game (I never lose).