An interview with Yuenglings Eric Heinrich!

Eric Heinrich

USSSA Playing History

GoSoftball.com Player Page

Who are you playing with in 2015?
Yuengling.  Non conference "C" team out of Dayton, OH.

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
1B, C, EH.  Hopefully just C/EH this next year.  Tired of having softballs scalded at me.  Too old for that now!

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
I would say Purcell, but he was a little bit of a prick when we (Cooper) almost beat them at the Last Chance Major last year.  So, I'll say Wegman.  Had an OBP of .800+ in the conference last year.  That's quite an accomplishment. 

Why do you like the game of softball?
An outlet for me to stay competitive and only be 290 lbs instead of 420 lbs.  

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
I'll say a few guys from the old Cooper group.  Bryan Daniel, Josh Kirsten & Jesse Solomon…all playing with Cash House/Vivid this year.  Both have the potential to be outstanding both defensively and offensively.     

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
"Big E" or "Big Ticket"  Some call me "Big Tissue" as well because I cried at my wedding.  LOL.

What is your height and weight?
6'1" 290lbs of pure sex appeal.

Where do you call home?
Huber Heights, OH.  

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
I love anything sports related…and I like to do projects around the house.

What do you do for a living?
Property, Casualty & Life Insurance Agent at Meridian Insurance in Dayton, OH.  Call me for a quote on either!!!  #freeplug

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Baseball, Basketball & Football up through 10th grade.  Then I just played baseball my last 2 years.  Had some opportunities to play D3 baseball but was too stupid/lazy to capitalize at the time.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Started out playing with and organizing an "E" Rec team with a bunch of high school buddies.  I remember not being able to sleep at all the night before tournaments.  Just really fell in love with the game.  A couple of us that started on that team (Mike Cruea, Brian Ankney & David Potter), just kept building and getting a little better each year.  In about 6-7 years we were the best team in the area.  Amazing that we started that low on the totem pole and ended up being "C" world champs and playing Conference "B" for a season.  

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
EVERY single ball was crushed at you as an infielder.  There are very few "dribblers".  Luckily I'm not too proud to side step a hard groundball.  

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Not really.  I'm pretty unique.  Big guy….who hits for average and very little power.  It's all about making as few of the 21 outs as possible.  Doesn't matter how you do it.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Playing in, and winning, the "C" World Title in 2013. 

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
I guess it's Mike Cruea.  Him, as a coach, and I, as a player, kept moving up the ranks slowly.  He comes off as a prick, but he's really a good dude who's done a lot for our teams over the years.  

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Have FUN and enjoy the game.  No matter the level of softball, when it comes down to it, it's about having a good time and hanging out with your boys.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Standard Grip with pinky hanging slightly below the knob.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Watch football & watch basketball.  Especially my DAYTON FLYERS!!! I do play basketball a couple days a week to stay obese instead of MORBIDLY obese.  

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Love the Dayton Flyers…Bengals….Buckeyes & Reds.  Ohio born and raised.  My favorite sport to play other than softball is basketball.  I'm still pretty decent for a fat white dude.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I chew a lot of gum.  So, if I make an out with a piece of gum in, I'll never go up to the plate with that same piece of gum in.  I can remember chewing the same piece of gum for 4 or 5 hours on certain "hot streaks" of hitting.  

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
I think it's great the way it is.  The conference experience last year was really cool.  

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Cincy Major.  Just a cool atmosphere down there at Mid-American.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Berliner would be awesome if they didn't play all the softball games on the baseball fields.  If we wanted to play baseball….we'd play baseball.  I can understand the major being played out there…but a "C" nationals shouldn't be played on 350-400 ft fences.  It's a totally different game.  Disney has to be the best complex though, obviously.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Roosters is always good around these parts.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
Hard to pick one out.  Probably when our Assistant Coach, Phil Watkins, climbed the fence at Mid American and fell on his face.

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I was a two time national champion in "Biddy Ball" basketball when I was in 4th & 5th grade.  This is pretty lame, but I couldn't think of anything else.  Sorry. #glorydays #bragpost

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
Has to be my USSSA world championship ring.

2014 'B' Conference Team

2013 USSSA 'C' World Champs