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John Bowers hadn’t played baseball for six years – work took priority.
When Center City-based Philadelphia Electrical and Technology Charter School decided to field a squad two years ago, the resident of Front and Wolf streets wasted no time in signing up.
‘We heard there was talk around the school that they were getting a baseball team," Bowers said. ‘I figured we might as well try and go out for the team. We liked it. I missed the game."
Coach Chuck Puchon said Bowers quickly established himself as a key player.
‘John really stepped up and really became a team leader," Puchon said of the starting shortstop.
This season, in its second year of Public League varsity competition, PET won the Division C title with a 9-1 record and qualified for the playoffs. The team advanced to the May 19 District 12 AAA championship game against Swenson, but lost, 16-8. Bowers, who bats third, tallied two doubles and four RBIs in that game.
‘I think we had a pretty good season, but it was a disappointing loss," he said.
A win would’ve been preferred, as it would have qualified the school for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association AAA tournament. At the same time, the squad, which includes 10 South Philadelphia players, has come a long way in two years.
Last season, PET enjoyed a successful 14-2 mark, but didn’t make the playoffs. This year, the Public League expanded the AAA playoff field from four to six teams. The squad, who plays home games at FDR Park, 20th Street and Pattison Avenue, opened the tournament May 9 with a 11-1 win over Strawberry Mansion, followed by the May 16, 8-5 victory over Franklin Towne Charter.
Unfortunately, the loss marks the end of Bowers shortly revived baseball career. Work once again takes the forefront when he joins the Local 98 Union Electricians.
‘Definitely after this year, I am not playing baseball anymore," Bowers said. ‘I am going to miss it."
