Chase Miles says he enjoys playing outdoor sports, so he has enjoyed his time with the Seymour football and baseball teams.

This spring he has played in the outfield, pitched in one game, and has been a designated hitter.

“I’ve played mostly left field,” Miles said. “I enjoy being able to see the whole field, seeing the crowd, and knowing that a ball could be hit to you at any time. Normally, after their first at bat, we can tell where they’re going to hit it. We just wait for their first at bat and see what they do from there. Our coaches look at their swing, if they’re getting to the ball and move us over or put us back.”

When he bats, Miles said he wants to stay ahead of the pitcher on the count.

“I look for the first good pitch, and that’s normally a fastball,” he said. “Not many pitchers at the high school level are going to throw off-speed stuff as their first pitch. So if it’s anywhere in the zone I’m swinging. I’m mostly just a contact hitter. Every once in a while I can get behind it.”

Miles’ pitching assignment came against Columbus East.

“I throw a fastball, a changeup, a two-seam and a curve ball,” Miles said. “I love being on the mound. It was always my favorite thing as a kid.”

For the Owls to continue to win Miles said, “We need to work on the fundamentals. We’ve got to learn to focus on the little things, and the big plays and I think we’ll be okay.”

Miles recalled having a memorable hit against Jennings County.

“I got to pinch hit and I actually hit a pretty nice shot in the gap for a double and scored a run,” Miles said.

Last fall, he played safety, and saw action on special teams, mainly on the punt and punt return units.

“Normally, each safety had middle of the field over, and anybody that would come out or run straight I would just take them,” Miles said.

He said when opponents sent two receivers into his area, “I would get help from the other safety, or even a corner or a linebacker. Communication is really key. It’s what keeps the game going per se. It’s the biggest thing in football, pretty much.”

Miles said preparation during the week was key.

“We worked on game plan a lot during the week,” he said. “It was, more or less, every day. We had our own defensive days, and offense had their offensive days. On Thursday we would do our defensive plan for the next day.”

Last fall he made 16 tackles, 19 assists and had an interception.

He said he enjoyed the home games and playing on the turf.

“I’m really going to miss it,” Miles said. “It was the best time of my life. I really enjoyed playing at Brownstown. They have a really nice field and just being able to go over there and get a win with that rivalry was just awesome. The Jackson Bowl was probably my favorite experience.”

The senior has enjoyed attending SHS.

“All my teachers have been good to me,” Miles said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them and my coaches. I’m definitely going to remember the classrooms and all the games and everything, but mostly just my teammates and being able to go out there and play with my best friends. That’s what makes sports the best thing out there.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Miles file” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Name: Chase Miles

High school: Seymour

Parents: Chris Miles, Elizabeth Heyne

Siblings: Maddie, Keia

Sports: baseball 4 years, football 4 years

Athletic highlights: football defensive most improved

Organizations: Seymour Christian Church youth group

Plans after high school: attend Franklin College, play football

Favorite food: chicken

Favorite TV show: Blue Mountain State

Favorite musicians: Juice Wrld

Favorite movie: Step Brothers

Favorite team: Chicago Cubs

[sc:pullout-text-end]