Question # 1 – Generally speaking, where do you set up defensively ?

I’ve always preferred playing deeper in the outfield. I get the feeling that I am keeping everything in front of me. As an outfielder, I HATE watching balls soar over my head ! One of the most valuable tools and outfielder can possess, is a quick and decisive first step . Whether it’s a hard break right or left or a hard charge in, you have to be able to recognize the angle of the ball off the bat and make a quick decision. I’ve been pretty lucky to get some good breaks on balls, and somehow make the toughest play look routine. Another factor in my defensive positioning, is the location of the pitch ! I’m usually never standing still when the ball is being pitched !


# 2 - When do you decide to throw a runner out or split the runners ?

Speed, Speed, Speed ! The runner on base usually dictates whether or not I attempt to throw him out. Of course there are times when a throw all the way to a base is necessary, but there are also times that hitting the cutoff man can be just as effective !


# 3 - What is the toughest play for you to defend ? Toughest ball to Read ?

Definitely a perfectly placed ball, there is no defense for that ! There are a LOT of great hitters on the Police softball circuit, and most of the time there is no stopping them. I sit back and just hope that they miss the sweet spot of the bat and fly out ! The toughest ball for me to read is definitely a sinking line drive that is coming straight at me. There are multiple decisions to be made, and you have to make them quickly! Deciding on whether to lay out head first, or slide feet first, or play the ball on a hop. All of these things are running through my mind when im going for the ball, and I’ve got to guess right. If I don’t, ball rolls to the fence, however if I do, its Sportscenter top 10 worthy...haha.

# 4 - Do you try to get a read on batters ?

I’ve always been a student of the game. Even going back to my baseball days. I try to keep a “book” on hitters, to familiarize myself with their tendencies as a batter . Here on the west coast, we play each other all year long, so generally by summer, you’ve got a pretty good idea on where guys like to hit the ball. Of course softball is an offensive game, and good hitters are always going to find a way to get a hit! I like playing the game within the game, it keeps things interesting. I’m always looking for ways to gain a competitive edge. Simple things like where a batter is standing in the batters box, can be dead giveaways as to where he is looking to hit the ball .


# 5 - How important do you feel defense is to the game of slow pitch softball ?

Defense in this game doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves. When’s the last time we all gathered around a field to see someone flash the leather? Probably not at all. We all want to see long homeruns hit. I know this is a hitter’s game, and we are blessed with a lot of great hitters, but in my opinion taking a run or two away a game with a solid defensive play could be just as big. I take a lot of pride in putting forth maximum effort on D. I try not to take plays off, because that might be the difference in the game.

# 6 – What’s your most memorable defensive play?

A few years ago in the South Lake Tahoe tournament. I was playing on the J-Cats and we were in a back and forth game with Direct Impact. It was the bottom of the 7th inning and they had runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. The hitter hits a fly-ball to short left center and I came charging in like a bull. I went into a head first dive and somehow caught the ball (To this day I still don’t know how that ball stuck). I fired the ball to second to make 2 outs and our 2nd baseman backdoors the lead runner at 3rd, TRIPLE PLAY, GAME OVER !!! On a side-note, shout-out to Nate Baez, sickest hands in the west !!!!!!!