Josh Davis has returned to his second home in the starting catcher’s domain for the Bothell High baseball team.
“Behind the dish is where I like to be. I’m really excited, got a good pitching staff ready to work with,” said the senior Cougar backstop, who plays the position for his summer team. The third-year varsity player caught a few games last year, but spent most of the season at first base, where he earned second-team 4A all-KingCo honors.
Davis soaked up crucial knowledge of high school catching from stellar Cougar starters Jake Peoples and Austin Baek the last two years, and now it’s all systems go.
While reeling off his staff of pitchers, Davis — who was selected captain by his teammates — turned on a smile as the snow lightly fell on the Bothell field on March 6. There’s Jackson Gould, Caden Baker, Austin Cartwright, Kassin Matson and Zack Yenter — a solid group of hurlers, Davis said. Top returners in the field are Dylan Gerard at shortstop, Cameron Ley at second base and Cartwright also holds down the center field position.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with my friends. Most of the starting lineup I’ve played with my whole life, so it’s one last season with the boys, going out and having fun,” said Davis, who enjoys playing for head coach Kent Schaefer.
Bothell finished 10-6 in KingCo and 12-8 overall last season, getting knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by league tournament champ and state-qualifier Inglemoor. That defeat still burns deep for the Cougars and they want to get back at their rival this season, Davis said.
Davis and a few of his teammates were on the Bothell state-qualifying squad a few years ago, and that experience will play a role in the Cougars reaching for success in 2019.
“I think our senior leadership, we got a good core throughout the middle of the field that’s gonna really need to lead everybody and show them the way,” Davis said.
The Reporter asked Davis a series of questions for a behind-the-scene glimpse into his life:
What’s your favorite restaurant in the area?
Oh, gotta be Mongolian Grill in Woodinville.
What’s something that kind of annoys you?
That’s a good one. Not running in between our drills, ‘cause if we don’t run in between our drills, then we’re gonna be running poles after practice. Schaef’s kind of wanting me to step up in that leadership role a little bit and get the guys always bouncing around.
What’s something unique about yourself?
That I play hockey. I know around here it’s not very big, and I’m a multi-sport athlete so I take a lot of pride in that. I’ve been playing it since I was 5, so I’ve always just grown up loving the game.
What’s your dream vacation spot?
I went there actually a couple weeks ago, down into Arizona and just watched spring training for like a week. That’s all I really wanna do. You get in, cheap seats and get to watch good baseball. That was pretty much what I love — if I could do it again, I will, go right back there.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Never give up. I know it’s cliche, but a lot of things, especially in baseball, you’re gonna have a down game, you’re gonna have a bad AB (at-bat), but you’re always gonna get another one if you don’t give up. You get four ABs most games, you’re gonna get one of them if you keep believing in yourself. I think that’s really big, because if you go up with confidence and hit the ball hard, you’re gonna get on base.
What’s your favorite kind of music?
I’m a pretty open book, but when I’m working out I like some pretty heavy metal stuff. But pregame, I like some relaxing music. Snow Patrol, I listen to before the games. I get excited for the games, but catching, it’s such a big mental battle back there every play, so I like to be relaxed and really focused. That kind of just calms me down and gets me ready for the game.
What’s your favorite movie of all time?
“Sandlot” is a really good one that I like. “American Sniper.” And “Superbad,” that gets me laughing.
If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?
Jocko Willink, he’s a former Navy SEAL. I really like listening to some of his podcasts. His self-discipline, I think everyone can learn so much from how he lives his life and what he does. If anything, it could rub off on me. I think it would make me a lot better as a baseball player and as a person.
