Brandon Dillon
Brandon Dillon
Major Player
2013 Interview
Why do you like the game of softball?
It allows me to stay competitive and travel across the country to play a game that I love. I have met a lot of my close friends from softball and I also like to play against the best in the country every tournament.
Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
There are really too many to name. It just depends on who is on top of their game at the right time. The easy answer would be Purcell, Spike, Helmer, Wegman, Buck, Connell, Filby.
Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
There are a bunch of up and coming players for sure. I don't know if you would say up and coming because he has obviously made it but I know he is young is Bubba Mack, the guy hits the ball square every time and can play anywhere on the field. Another one from around my area is Travis Dale with Reds Astros, the kid is young and wants to win and is a leader on the field and can also play anywhere on the diamond and can play anywhere really well.
What is your nickname in softball?
B Dill, Dilly, really there are too many to remember them all
What is your height and weight?
6'1" 210
Where do you call home?
Anderson, Indiana
What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
I would like to say sitting at home on my couch not doing anything but I usually get talked into playing somewhere every weekend. I like playing with my buddies when I can so I try to every opportunity I get.
What do you do for a living?
I own a tobacco shop in my hometown
Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
I played all through High School and played 4 years of college ball, got 3rd in the college world series then blew out my knee so my baseball days were over…..they didn't want a 24 yr old with an ACL surgery in the pros
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
I was playing in a little tournament in Indianapolis and didn't know what competitive softball was. I had a couple guys ask me to play with them. But it was really Tony Maxwell who gave me a shot. I have got better and better every year and Brian Puckett got me on Sinister in 2010 and I went from there.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Always play hard because you never know who is watching.
What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Always keep the force plays on. Don't try to show off your arm every throw because it will catch up to you in the long run trust me!
What position do you play?
Centerfield
What batting grip do you use?
Athletic Tape lol….I hang my pinky off and put my ring finger on the knob but use a standard grip with no overlap
What ounce bat do you use?
28oz
What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
I workout 4 or 5 times a week, I try to hit as much as possible outside if it is possible if not in the cages
What is your favorite sports team?
The colts but they suck this year
What is your favorite sport other than softball?
Football
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I have way too many to name, I usually end up turning everybody I play with superstitious as well
What is your most memorable softball moment?
It has been a great year for me this year, I would have to say winning the USSSA A world, and to get MVP was amazing! We had a great bunch of guys that all loved playing together and played for the team……I also won back to back NSA B Super World titles so that was pretty incredible too. And we just won the GSL B World recently so that is 3 world titles in one year for me along with making the Major All-World team……needless to say this has been a great year!
What would be your "at bat" music selection?
It changes all the time last year it was Master P, make em say uhhhh……but this year it changed and I have no idea what it was. Any kind of rap works for me!
What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Find a way to better the bat testing, I would like to see someone come out with removable end caps but I don't think that will happen.
What is your favorite non-World tournament?
There are a few tournaments around me that I like to play in one of them being the winchester all nighter, but it usually falls on a weekend I play something big in conference. I am going to toys for tots this year and I heard it was fun too.
What is the best softball field you have played at and why?
I like playing at Disney, it is the best playing surface and I like the bigger outfields better
Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Anywhere, I can't eat when I play so usually I am so hungry that anything sounds good
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
I would have to say it is something to do with Keith Anderson this year…..he comes up with some stuff to say that is incredible lol! He also hit a 500' homerun for an out this year to left center field at the ASA A and came back to the dugout and I was staring at him and I said what was that……then he said man I just missed it….I was trying to hit the six hole. I about started crying I laughed so hard!
Added Oldscout interview questions 2/3/2016
Have you ever missed tournaments unannounced, team jumped, quit, etc?
Never missed a tournament….if I say I am gonna do something then I will do it for sure
And I did team jump last year I guess but that was different circumstances then most
Name one mistake you've made in upper level softball and what did you do to correct/learn from it?
I had some issues come up last year with my family that was really hard for me and really slacked off on all aspects of my game and it really hurt me…..obviously I was with the best group of guys I could ask for and I messed that up…..but u live and u learn and I promise that will NEVER happen again
Are you willing to sacrifice your average for the betterment of the team?
100% if your not then u shouldn't play…..it should always be about winning not personal numbers
Has softball interfered with your Job?
I own my own tobacco shop so no it doesn't interfere with it at all
Has softball interfered with your family?
They know what I do and support me so it actually brings us closer together
Have you knowingly used altered equipment?
No
What sort of unusual training methods have you used to improve your hitting?
I swing a 18 lb jimmer stick 20 times in the cage before each round
Then swing a 12 lb for 15 swings…..then a 5 lb for 10 swings then swing my regular bat…..then while outside hitting I set up cones and spend full rounds hitting the hole I want
What kind of practice do you do to get better?
A lot of weight training and cardio this year
Are you a good teammate?
That is a huge deal to me…..i think chemistry wins as many games as talent…..so anyone I have ever played with will hopefully tell u the same
Do you think Worlds should be rotated around the United States each year? Which state(s) would you like to see them be in?
Nope keep it the same
What is 1 thing you would change about the game and 1 thing you would not change?
Change the umpires taking so much shit from the players….if someone is caught cheating ban them for life
How many divisions do you believe softball should have? (Currently M, AA, A, B, C, D, E)
It is good how it is now
Tell us your best travel war stories (Flights, Cars, Rooms, etc..)?
Waaaaaay too many to start in on
Do you think worlds at all levels should go back to 32 – 48 teams only and teams should have to qualify?
I think the lower teams should all have to qualify….there aren't enough upper teams to put that in effect
What do you plan on doing when your softball days are over?
Opening up a hitting facility in my hometown and working with kids and possibly coaching high school or college baseball
Have you ever been cut by a team?
No
Do you go on the old scout message and post without your name?
No
Do you consider yourself a "role model" when it comes to young softball players/kids that watch you play?
Yes….i try to play the game the right way….normally you will not hear me say a word unless someone starts something with me….if u have to tell people u r good then ur not! And I will never turn away someone that wants to ask me questions
Where do you see softball/yourself in 10 years?
If I can still function at that age I'm sure I will be playing at some level but i don't think the knees will cooperate
When do you feel you will hang 'em up?
Prob 5 or 6 years
Has softball opened any doors for you?
Opened up a ton of doors for me….mainly from meeting some great people and from there it has lead to different job opportunities
Do you prefer to play tournaments in baseball or softball fields?
Baseball fields
What is your philosophy/routine on hitting/bp sessions?
Hit backside the most……then go to middle…..then pull some on the ground……next round go for gaps…..then leave around 10 or so balls and hit them out
What's your feeling on bat testing?
They should do it all the time….before at bats if they want……they can test mine anytime during a tournament……too many firesticks out there for sure
What do you want to be remembered as when you walk away from the game?
1) a great teammate
2) a winner
Who is the one player who you enjoy competing against the most?
Purcell…..i either suck against him or i do well….just can't find the happy median yet
But he is the best so if you don't want to play the best you shouldn't be at this level
What are your goals for this year?
To win…..wherever we play and whoever we play doesn't matter
Do you love to win or hate to lose?
Both
What do you find the most challenging in playing?
Being gone about 80% of the summer….it is fun but not when u just move and need to get stuff done around the new house
What makes you nervous in a game?
I am nervous every first at bat…..i think once u lose that u should shut it down
What is your favorite position in the field? Least favorite?
Centerfield is my favorite…..my least favorite is on the bench
If you were not playing slowpitch what would you be playing?
Table Tennis
What is your number you wear on your uniform? is it special to you and why?
#3
My dad's favorite number was 4 so he told me to pick my own and I have worn that number ever since I started playing. If I can't for some reason have that number I can't play because I am very superstitious also
Bottom of the seventh, down 1, two outs, no HR's left, runner on 2nd. Who do you want batting in that situation?
Bryson Baker or Kevin Filby
Who's the best sponsor you've ever played for?
Brett Helmer
Who are the toughest pitcher(s) to hit against?
Purcell of course and Billy Messina
What's your favorite bat of all time?
Gray and teal easton long barrel…..think it was 2012 model
3 responses to “Brandon Dillon”
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Kids a great athlete & nice guy. Good luck this year. Play hard & have fun!
Thank You Brandon,it has been my privilege to watch you play!! , Wish you the best on and off the field!
One of my favorite players to watch play the game. Plays the game the right way and plays all out!!!