Vincent Lara began playing baseball in El Dorado at age six with older brother Raymond. A few years later, in 1977, Lara became a varsity high school player as a freshman. The same year, Lara was a member of the state champion "B" Legion team and was selected as an American Legion All-State pitcher. Vincent was a four-year letterman on the high school team and three time first team All-Ark Valley Pitcher. A highlight of Vincent's career was throwing a one-hitter against Wichita Northwest in the regional finals in 1979. That year, his team placed third in the 5-6A state tournament. In his senior year, Lara became co-captain of the high school team and was the starting pitcher in the 1980 Kansas All-Star game played in Wichita. Lara's career high school records include 18 wins, 253 strikeouts, 2 no-hitters, 196 innings pitched and 38 game appearances.

Lara's collegiate career began at Arizona Western Junior College in Yuma, Arizona. He compiled a record of 8-5 and threw the first no-hitter recorded at Arizona Western. In 1983, Lara attended Wichita State University but suffered a career-ending rotator cuff injury. Vincent Lara continues to make his home El Dorado with wife, Cheri and children, Marcus, Mariah and Dominic.