Riverdale's Barry Messer, Johnny Powers have shared lifelong bond with Riverdale baseball

You can't blame Riverdale baseball coach Barry Messer if he treats senior Johnny Powers like a son.

Their lives have been intertwined on the baseball field for the past 19 years, and this year, Johnny is a big reason the Warriors are atop the District 7-AAA standings entering Wednesday's games.

It all started in 2000 when Messer began assisting former coach Buddy Powers. That was also the year Johnny was born.

"Here we are, (19) years later, and we're still in the same place and I still have a connection with Buddy, (Buddy's wife) Barbara, Johnny and their family," said Messer, who has been the Warriors coach since 2008.

"It's been fun watching Johnny progress. I watched him grow up and run around the bases (after games)."

Added Johnny, "I've known him my whole life. He's been like a father figure. He's been a good leader for me and a good friend to my family."

Perhaps not surprisingly, Johnny is a team leader for the 2019 Riverdale squad. Growing up in a baseball family and in the Riverdale dugout, it was almost a destiny for the 19-year-old.

"It's been great," Johnny said. "Every day I got to go to the ball field. That was always exciting for me. I might not have always been watching the game, but it was always fun. Those are some of my favorite memories.

"My parents didn't force me into (baseball). I did start at a young age, but they always told me that if I didn't like what I was doing, then stop. But I've always loved baseball."

Buddy Powers coached Riverdale for 16 seasons, taking the Warriors to the state tournament in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006. Johnny was along for most of that ride.

His older brother, Trice, played for Riverdale under Buddy during the mid-2000s. Trice is now the baseball coach at Warren County.

"He's always been around it," Buddy said of Johnny. "Ever since he was born, he has been a part of Riverdale baseball. It's been fun to see him go through his four years here.

"Johnny has looked up to his older brother and always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He has that opportunity now. It was fun watching him interact with his big brother."

A third baseman, Powers is hitting .243 with three doubles, a homer and 15 RBIs in 66 at bats this season. 

He has signed to play baseball for Trevecca next season. That's only 30 or so miles from Mufreesboro but probably will seem much farther away for Johnny after spending his entire life around Riverdale baseball.

"Every day I get reminded of some new thing that is going to happen in the future," Johnny said. "I say, 'Man, time needs to slow down.'"

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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