Lowery Gets No. 300

by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond

Tim Lowery did not have a lot to do growing up in Irvington, Virginia.

When he wasn't playing baseball he was fishing.

When he wasn't fishing he was playing baseball.

These humble beginnings, though, spawned a career in baseball that recently produced a tremendous coaching milestone.

On Saturday, Lowery earned his 300th coaching victory as Cosby defeated Benedictine 9-7.

"It was really special to celebrate it with my family there," Lowery said. "All these guys are my family but it was nice to have my wife [Lori] there. It really meant a lot. Family is the most important thing to me."

Lowery's two sons, Jake and Luke, are players in the Titans' program. Jake is a catcher headed to play at James Madison next year, while Luke is on the junior-varsity team.

The father-son relationship was an important influence on what initially got Lowery interested in America's pastime.

"It had always been a goal and kind of a passion of mine to coach," Lowery said. "Baseball was a big part of how I connected with my dad. I enjoy passing the game along to younger people."

This is Lowery's 21st season as a head coach and he spent his first 19 at Clover Hill where he won a state championship in 1994. He has been named Dominion District coach of the year six times, including last season when he led Cosby to the Central Region semis in the school's first season.

"It was a great year, '94. We had a lot of good ball players," Lowery said. "But every year I am proud. I get to coach a lot of good players."

In his teenage years Lowery played shortstop, pitched and caught some at Lancaster High School. By his own accounts he was, "not anything great, just average."

He was good enough, though, to play two years of baseball at Longwood under current coach Buddy Bolding.

With his college degree, Lowery has also taught Health and Physical Education for over two decades impacting the lives of many more than just his players.

"I really consider myself a teacher first and a coach second," Lowery said.

Fourteen of the 21 teams Lowery has coached have reached the regional tournament. He has had a lot of success over the years and now with No. 300 under his belt is 400 victories a possibility?

"I can only take them one at a time. That is too far off for me to see," Lowery said. "I never thought I'd get 300. Getting the first 100 was tough and 200 wasn't easy. You just never know."