Pitcher stayed close to home for college

Welcome back to the final week of Rounding the Bases, a chance to interact with members of the Kane County Cougars, the Class A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, who play at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva.

Each week, we take questions from readers for the players.

Christine Bolin, who is in her fifth year covering the Cougars for the Daily Herald, asks those questions and writes the column for each Wednesday's Neighbor section.

This week, Bolin spoke with Travis Banwart, a pitcher who is a native of Iowa.

Q:Of all the colleges you could have attended, why did you pick Wichita State?

A: "It's right by my hometown. I was recruited by other places, but I grew up watching them and thought, 'This is where I'd like to go.' It all worked out for me."

Q:What is your first memory of playing baseball?

A: "In my first game, I pitched for my dad's team -- he actually coached me (when he was 8 years old). I really didn't even know what was going on, I just threw the ball."

Q:Obviously the end of the season is coming up. Who do you think you will miss the most in the off-season?

A: "I'll miss (Nick) Walters. He's my roommate whenever we are at home, not on the road. We have fun messing with each other."