"But we should be getting some more wins."
Casey coach Tim Ellis said Howard has done his part as a leader for a team that is grasping for any sort of success.
"He has impressed me as far as stepping up as a leader," Ellis said.
He's putting together a good season as well. Howard is hitting about .430, stealing bases and playing well in center field, the best of several positions he has been asked to try this season.
He said he has always loved baseball, and he continues to enjoy it even in a trying season.
"I've been playing it since I was little, and I've loved it ever since," he said.
Howard said he was realistic about what this season might be like with a first-year coach, a young lineup and injuries to Casey's best pitchers. But he said he certainly didn't think the Rebels would still be looking for their first win in the fifth week of the schedule.
Taking ownership
"I did not expect this at all," he said. "I knew it would be kind of a tough road, but we should be doing better than we are. We've got more talent than this."
Ellis said he noticed right away that Howard would be a leader.
"In practice, if they miss a ground ball, he's the first one to step up and tell them to run a lap," Ellis said. "He's taken ownership of this team."
Howard has played several positions on the field this season as Casey has tried to find its best lineup, including pitcher, catcher and on the infield as well as his regular spot in center field.
"And never once has he questioned anything," Ellis said. "Along with showing leadership, he's also showing how to be a team player, and we've got other seniors on the team (who are) doing the same thing.
"That's what makes this job fun for me. Even though we've not won a game, these boys are gaining leadership skills that are going to make them good leaders throughout their lives."
Howard, a three-year starter, said he has been willing to try anything but prefers center field.
"I get to cover more ground and show off my arm a little bit," he said.
Throwing arm and speed
He said that arm hasn't been quite as effective in the times he has been asked to pitch, though he said he did his best when asked.
"They've called on me a few times. I don't think they liked what they saw, though," he said.
Howard said his throwing arm and his speed might be his best assets, and they're especially important when playing center field in Casey's spacious park.
"It's a little tougher, but I don't play to the size," he said. "They're going to hit it the same no matter what ballpark we're at."
No matter who or where Casey has played this season, the result has been the same in every game.
"We've had a couple of close games, but an error here and an error there and we give it away," Howard said. "We can't seem to finish."
Still, Howard said he sees signs of progress since the season has started.
"Some of the younger players are starting to get more comfortable with it," he said.
Howard also played football for Casey, but he said he has always been more comfortable with baseball. And he said he hopes to have the chance to keep playing beyond this season.
"Oh, God, yes," he said when asked if he would like to play in college. "I'm hoping I can go to college and play."
He said he has talked to coaches at a couple of schools and hopes to talk to others.
"I don't really care (where)," he said. "I just want to play."
