ALLIANCE - Like for so many boys in their youth, playing high-level baseball was a dream for Caden Bates.

“Since I was a kid, baseball has been my love,” the Alliance High School sophomore said. “I played baseball in my backyard, wiffleball, anything baseball related. I watched baseball every morning to see the highlights from the night before. I watched the College World Series. Baseball has been a passion my whole life.”

Now it is part of his future after a commitment to Bowling Green.

“For me and my family, this is very special,” the ninth-rated 2023 shortstop in Ohio related. “It brought my dad and mom and me to tears when I officially announced. It’s a feeling unmatched. It’s more than baseball, it’s a life accomplishment. It’s really special.”

The offer from BG came months ago, but Bates took his time in making the decision.

“The first time I was talking with Bowling Green was in August around my birthday,” the 16-year-old noted. “I believe they saw me on a twitter video. Then the Future Games came and they offered a week later.”

The PBR event was memorable for Bates.

“It was very beneficial,” Bates explained. “I really got to see the other great talents out there and made me push to get better. It humbled me a lot. I learned how to carry myself better being around the other talented guys.”

The 36th-ranked sophomore in the state weighed the offer from BG carefully.

“I really took my time making the decision, it was four months,” Bates said. “I was talking to Kent State as well and had some interest from Ohio State.”

But it was Bowling Green which stood out in the eyes of Bates.

“I liked everything about BG,” Bates pointed out. “The coaching staff with (assistant) coach (Ryan) Shay and (head) coach (Kyle) Hallock. It’s close to home so my family can come watch. I also know players that are committed there that are great guys. I just really love BG.”

A trip to the university located just short of three hours from his home in Alliance added to the excitement.

“We went there and walked around to see the campus,” Bates reflected. “It really felt comfortable. Everything was close that was in the career I’ll be choosing. It just felt so comfortable.”

The BG coaches saw a great deal in the 5-11 175-pounder that could help out the program.

“The two coaches I talked to really like my swing,” Bates noted. “They really believe I can be a special player at BG in the future.”

The idea of playing baseball at the next level became realistic last year for Bates, a 3.68 student planning on physical therapy as a major.

“I saw during my 15U year with the Warhawks the opportunities that could come from baseball,” Bates explained. “I wanted to get after it and get better to pursue those opportunities.”

Improvement followed for the 14th-rated uncommitted 2023 position player in Ohio prior to making BG his future home.

“I’m doing something every day to get better whether it’s dry cuts in the backyard or just some small stretching,” Bates pointed out. “Getting my body right every day, eating right, attacking the weight room, just having a purpose when going into practice. I believe that focusing on making my swing better and making my footwork right is how I got better.”

Now Bates looks forward to what he can do for the Mid-American Conference program.

“I feel I can bring not just skills baseball-wise, but great leadership and being a great teammate,” Bates said. “I really like to have energy when I’m playing. Even if we’re losing 10-0, I’m still going to put up a fight.”

That is something Bates has learned growing up.

“My father always pushed me to be great,” Bates said. “He wants me to do well and is super proud of me. My mother is the same way and so is my brother … the whole family.

“All my coaches have also been a big part of this, pushing me to get better. My friends and teammates have all pushed me to make this happen.”

Even with the difficulties brought on by covid, Bates had the work ethic to make it a reality.

“The virus made it tough on me,’ Bates said. “It changed the way recruiting was done and what I thought it would be, especially for me. I’m not a showcase guy but believe I can bring a lot of other great qualities. The virus definitely gave me a disadvantage when it came to that, but I stayed to my grind and got an opportunity out of it.”