Tuesday March 26th, 2024
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Free Agent infielder Chris Frankum

 

Chris Frankum

GoSoftball.com Player Page

Who are you playing with in 2013?
Free Agent – Christopher.Frankum@biomet.com

Why do you like the game of softball?
Competition and friends.  After high school sports I didn't really have an outlet for competition.  Softball has been a great opportunity to develop relationships and compete.

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
I know all the major guys are super stars and I've watched them play, but I'm going to say the local guys I've seen.  Travis Dale and Brandon Dillon are just unbelievable.   They can both play anywhere on the diamond and hit with the best of them.  They play hard, are good guys to play against, and are starting to get heavy recognition at the national level.

What is your height and weight?
6' 240

Where do you call home?
Warsaw, IN

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
With my wife and/or my buddies.  Best weekend would be going to a baseball game or playing golf.

What do you do for a living?
I'm a Product Manager for Total Knee Reconstruction with Biomet Orthopedics.

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
I played baseball, basketball, and football in high school.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
My dad planted the seed for me when I was younger.  We spent two nights a week and two weekends a month at a softball park.  I loved watching the game.  After high school a group of us from school started playing.  There are 3 of us that have been playing together now for about 10 years.  We've come a long way as players and friends since then. I love playing softball with friends, but have a STRONG desire to play at the next level.  I want to play conference softball, and I spend most of my free time working to get there.

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
I pitch and play first. I play both equally.    

What batting grip do you use?
I like thick handles.  I'll put tape over a stock grip and knob cuff.  Grip is standard baseball with my pinky on the knob.

What ounce bat do you use?
This doesn't matter to me at all.  I've swung from a 26oz to a 32oz (scale weight).  For me it's all about having a relationship with a bat.  Until I have a game with a bat where I'm hitting missiles all over the field I bounce around what I use.  But once I have that relationship, I'll use a bat until it breaks.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Weight lift heavy and often.  I played 180 games this past year and it's pretty hard on my body.  I try to get myself as strong as possible so I can last through the season without any injuries.  I try to at least dry swing or hit off a tee in my basement once or twice a week while I'm lifting so my swing stays steady.

What is your favorite sports team?
The only teams I follow religiously are the Chicago Cubs and Indianapolis Colts.  I'm also a Notre Dame football fan and an IU basketball fan.

What is your favorite sport other than softball?
Baseball and football

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I think every former baseball player has some superstitions.  I already talked about having a relationship with my bat as one.  The other is right before I step into the batting box.  I like to level off the dirt/sand and then step back and take one practice swing.

What is your most memorable softball moment?
It's sad but I really don't have one.  Every weekend is memorable for me.  From the anticipation for the weekend to the celebrating with teammates when we're done playing.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Rob Zombie – Never Gonna Stop

What is your favorite non-World tournament?
There is a local tournament in Kokomo, IN called the Haynes Apperson.  It's usually in the middle of July, hot as sin and 3 days long.  It's a relief usually to just finish the tournament but it's a fun three days.

What is the best softball field you have played at and why?
Berliner park in Columbus, OH.  Beautiful fields and lots of them.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Buffalo Wild Wings!  Mango Habenero boneless wings and a Budweiser!  Maybe a Jager bomb if we just won the tournament.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
Oh this is easy.  Playing in a tournament two years ago we were in a tight ball game.  Bases loaded and a ball is hit about 299 on a 300 foot field.  Our centerfielder and my best friend, Troy Hudson, tracks this ball down right to the fence, catches it, runs into the fence and then drops the ball on the home run side.  The ump correctly calls a four base error (this would have been the third out) and everyone is pissed.  Troy comes into the dugout after the inning ends, looks at all of us and says "guys, I just really don't think that was an error".  It sucked at the time but it's pretty hilarious to look back at now.

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Video from Combine HR Derby


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