Dan Dillingham
Dan Dillingham
2012 Interview
Why do you like the game of softball?
fun way to compete, meet different people and make friends, see different parts of country while traveling.
Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
HR hitter-Bruce Meade, got to see him as a kid he played on my dad's league team and some tourney teams. In his prime, I would pay to see him hit any time, could hit it as far as a human could hit a ball. Most Consistent I've played with would be Carl Rose-power and base hit great ASA and usssa hitter. Light tower power- Wendall Rickard, could hit em out of stadiums like Mark Mcgwire hit baseballs. Last would be Butch Ovens, could pitch, field the middle, hit any where in lineup and was a gamer, highly competitive.
Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
I like Luis Reyna, played with him and is a great fielder, teammate, and can hit under pressure.
What is your nickname in softball?
Dilly, Double D's.
What is your height and weight?
6'2 260
Where do you call home?
Bradenton, Fl
What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
with my wife and daughter, my folks and rest of my family-playing and watching sports, cookouts, movies, fishing.
What do you do for a living?
co-owner of family business Manatee Painting with my brother Dave.
Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Southeast high, Manatee cc, Polk CC, drafted 15th rd by royals played 3 yrs A ball traded to red sox played 2 more yrs in minors.
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Played alot of A tourneys in Fl after baseball, most fun by far in late 90's until composite bats ruined the game. Went to Milwaukee with Resmondo sod AA team led with 20 hrs got signed by Cecil Alford finished the year with Lighthouse Worth in 1998. Played A ever since.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Nothin beats a try except a failure, don't be afraid to make a mistake.
What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
work hard on and off field. appreciate the sponsors and the peoples time that make it happen
What position do you play?
Of, 1b, C
What batting grip do you use?
conventional ,with pinky finger over knob
What ounce bat do you use?
28-29 oz end load
What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
workout 4-5 days week, hit at least once a week, try and play twice week in league.
What is your favorite sports team?
Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Dolphins
What is your favorite sport other than softball?
football, baseball
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
no
What is your most memorable softball moment?
Watching my father play growing up, he could out hit me at my best and he never lifted weights in his life, just country strong. Winning some tourneys with Suncoast over the years because of the gratification of alot of work and competing with inferior equipment most of the time. Remember having some cold beers with Lee Trotter and Jack Slocum and a few teammates after some good weekends, alot of good memories miss those days.
What would be your "at bat" music selection?
probably some AC/DC
What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Honesty and an even playing field, blind draws, unbiased umpires, its ridiculous to watch what takes place over a softball game. It's ok to lose every once in a while so called major players, coaches/sponsors. Watch a major team play and an A or B team start playing them even or winning, you will see more whining than a baby daycare with no cameras
What is your favorite non-World tournament?
Dudley, Texas tourney's
What is the best softball field you have played at and why?
field of dreams in Vegas and Houston, Disney also
Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
anything except fast food
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
It wasn't on the field it was off, but my buddy Norm Jewitt was wearing a Cincinnati Reds collar shirt, group of us went to a club, shoulder to shoulder people, he was feeling good telling everyone he was a scout for them, told all of us he was gonna reel the women in. He went up to the first good looking girl and said lets have a drink cutie, she grabbed his drink downed it and said there we drank and walked away. Hilarious one of many with Norm and he was a good teammate.
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