TBR Interview- Tyler Tewell

It was three years ago my son came home from coaching a young South Charlotte Panther’s team and he said, “Pops, you have to check out Tyler Tewell from Butler. This kid never gets cheated on his swings. His bat speed is amazing!” Since then, I have been watching Tyler destroy pitchers and teams from East Cobb to Jupiter, Fla and every city in between. But getting to know Tyler, I discovered two traits that are equally impressive as his hitting: He’s a very humble kid with a huge heart. He puts his younger teammates under his wing and shows them how to act like a ballplayer. He is quick to direct praise towards others, yet you will not find anyone more competitive. He is a young man that you hope your son can emulate.

I found Tyler nursing a dark blue bruise above his elbow; where Alex Wood plunked him with his 90 mph fastball, and he was laughing that AWood would see him again, but this time Tyler would be pitching (I told you he is competitive.)




Congratulations on your decision to attend Appalachian State University. What made you decide to go there?

The Appalachian coaches are the best; they made me feel comfortable every time I talked with them. The field is awesome and I have done well each time I have played there. Most of all Appalachian is a college I would attend if my baseball career ended tomorrow.

What has playing for the South Charlotte Panthers been like for you?

Super! Coach Hutchins took our ’09 team to places that I don’t think I would have ever attended had I not been on the Panthers. He has helped in so many ways, I can’t thank him enough and I have many memories that I can look back on.

When did you realize that you had a passion for baseball?

When I was around 2 years old I had a Nerf ball and bat. My dad would come home from work and throw BP in the living room; I would hit and run around the coffee table. The Braves would be on TV and I would try to imitate the batters. I loved it and the videos are hilarious. My dad even yelled at me back then!

Have you played other sports?

I played football in 8th grade, tight end believe it or not.

 

Part 2

Who has influenced you the most in baseball?

I’ll have to say my dad; he has put in a lot of hours helping me improve and still throws BP to me. He doesn’t yell as much any more but I don’t think he’ll ever quit completely. Ha Ha

What has been your greatest memory, so far?

Hitting for the cycle twice last year was beyond anything I could have imagined as far as an individual baseball accomplishment. Especially the second cycle because I needed a homerun to finish it off and I had 2 strikes on me in my 4th at bat. Sometimes luck and everything else all comes together.

Has there been a certain player that you have always admired?

I have followed Atlanta’s Chipper Jones since I was young and wear #10. But the person that I admire the most is Emily Rose, a good friend of mine who passed away of Leukemia on December 20th of 2008. She was an unbelievable person and I miss her every day. RIP Emily

If someone asked you to describe Tyler Tewell, what would you say?

Quiet competitor, leads by example, plays hard, funny and sometimes a little goofy. I would hope that pitchers would want me as their catcher, base runners would hate to see me behind the plate and my coaches would want me at the plate in a tough situation.

Do you have hobbies?

I like to hang out with friends, Texas Hold’em, hunting and fishing.

Tell us the role your family has played in your life?

Glenda (mom), Nick (dad), and Jesse (brother) have supported and been there for me every step of the way. We have gone on baseball vacations too many times to count. I couldn’t ask for a better family.

If there were one moment in time that you could go back and change, what would it be?

When I was 15 and catching at a showcase in Columbia, SC; I was involved in a collision at the plate which left me with a broken wrist. It was bad enough that I had to have surgery and had a plate with 6 screws put in my arm. It really wasn’t anyone’s fault, but I wish that play had never happen; it knocked me out of an entire summer of baseball.

What advice would you give to the young players that read this board?

I know they’ve heard it a million times, but keep the grades up. I have increased my GPA every year and will graduate with a 3.6 or 3.8 this year and I’m no wiz kid, but you’ve got to do it. As far as baseball, work hard but have fun. Just be the best that you can be and don’t worry about anybody else. Stay humble!

Is there anything you would like to say to the TBR members?

I’d like to thank Braves for asking me to do this interview. Thanks also to those who write nice things about me on TBR. At least I think they write nice things, my dad won’t let me read TBR; he says some of that junk might go to my head. I’ve got to start thinking of a screen name, next year at APP State I can go on TBR all I want!

Junk!!! How dare he say something sacrilegious? You go right ahead and start your screen name (ASB—App State Bombs) and start posting! Congratulations to Glenda and Nick for raising a fine young man, but you don’t have to look far down the family tree to discover his brother, Jesse, is impressive, too. The Tewell family has the right recipe in how to raise good kids.

 

I got the pleasure of meeting Tyler this year and therefore I have watched him more closely. My first impression of him was the velocity and torque with which he swings the bat. My second impression, and the one that sets him apart, was his acceptance speech at the Hot Stove Banquet and his dedication of his award. What a tremendous demonstration of character and modesty.

As a competitor, holy cow! He goes to the plate from the left side against us and struggles big time against our pitcher. So what does he do--in his 4th at bat he turns around and hits from the right side and proceeds to double down the left field line.

Good luck at App St Tyler, but struggle at the plate against us this Friday would you, please?

 

I have known Tyler since Michael and he played together with the MARA Cubs back when they were 11 years old. I have said this before, and will say it again, even at that early age, you could see the talent and drive that Tyler possessed. I have also had the pleasure of getting to know Tyler the young man, and believe me, this guy is the real deal. I wish him nothing but the best of luck at App and beyond. Congrats to Tyler and his family!
PS Nick, will I have to buy him another Subway anytime soon???????

 

Twell, you will always be my favorite. No one has wanted it more or worked harder to make the next level than you. Stay focused and keep makin it happen!

 

I was very honored to be the one to name Tyler as the Greater Charlotte Hot Stove Player of the Year. He gave an acceptance speech from the heart and it moved the entire room

This is a fine young man

 

I was cracking up as I read this about the nerf ball and the bat! But especially the Braves game and imitating the batter. I used to do that as a kid with a mini wooden bat you can buy at baseball games, and those little plastic practice golfballs! Ah memories...

Congratulations to an amazing player as well as a class act.