Sunday March 24th, 2024
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2018 Free Agent pitcher Dustin Arruda

 

 

 

Dustin Arruda

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 10/14/2017

Who are you playing with in 2017?
2017- South Shore

2018- Free Agent – dustin.arruda@gmail.com

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Pitcher

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
When I first started playing, local guys like Jerry Parent, Chucky Moniz, Jeff Silveria, Chris Carr, Mike McGoogan, John Willis and John Hickey amazed me on how they hit a softball.

John "Alfie" Valcovic did things on the mound I did not think were possible.

On a national level, it's easy to see that Purcell is the most dominant player.

Why do you like the game of softball?
I highly enjoy competing and hope I can do it against the best one day.  I also love the relationships you make with all the different people you meet.  Some of my best friends I have, I made through softball.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Nick Campbell aka "Soup", he does everything right on the field and has the best attitude towards the game. Never gets too high or too low.  I am convinced he has been the best outfielder in the park at any tournament we have been to together.

Honorable mention would have to be my SS, MM, and 2nd Baseman for the past two years.  Ryan McElhinney, Corey Batista, and Brett Wallingford.  All young and do it on both sides. "

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Not really sure if I have an official nickname but my buddy Brett Fagan called me "Dutty" before and I hear it from time to time on the field.

What is your height and weight?
6'0ft 250lbs

Where do you call home?
Tampa, Florida

Moved from Massachusetts last year

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Usually try to find something to do with my roommates.  It might be a food/music festival or a sporting event.  Can always count on my buddy Kyndrich wanting to hit BP too.

What do you do for a living?
Creative Director/Sales for All The Way Live Designs

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
I only played Soccer in High School.  Baseball team asked me but I was "too cool" for Baseball and chose to ride BMX instead.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
A friend of mine called me and said they were short a guy.  Showed up and it was wooden bat on an open field.  Did not play again for a couple years.  My brother got me on a team in our hometown.  Following year the team broke up and I started my own.  From that point, I was addicted.  Learned about travel ball a couple years later.  Ended up becoming the President of the softball league in my hometown and now I am living in Tampa because of softball.

Highest I have played is B.  I would not say I have made the upper level yet.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
I would not compare myself to just one player.  I try to watch the Upper Level pitchers as much as I can to gain knowledge.  I have also picked up useful knowledge from players in my area throughout the years.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Have not won a worlds yet, so I would have to say it was winning Le Pif this year.  We came up short the year before, so it was awesome to get redemption.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
When John Hickey talks about the game, you listen!  I have learned from him directly and indirectly.

My coach Adam Souza and I have been through a lot over the years.  I respect everything he has done for me and our team. I have learned from him on and off the field.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
It's a Team Game.  If you are good enough, you will get noticed by the right people.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Conventional Grip and have bats from 25-27 ounce

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Well there really is not an off season anymore since I am in Tampa now.  So will just continue to hit BP, play in any available tournaments and workout.  Trying to tell myself that working out is a year round thing, I seem to only be good at it in the off season.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Baseball-Red Sox
College Basketball-Gonzaga Bulldogs
Football- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Nothing major but I like to buy new socks before tournaments.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Rush by Talib Kweli

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
I feel balls and bats keep getting better and better, which makes almost anyone a threat at the plate.  It would be nice to see something change to help the pitchers and defenders.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Back in Massachusetts it would have to be The Windmill.  Here in Florida I would have to say the Super Draft.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
I have been to OKC but did not get to play.  Other than that, I would have to say Muncie, Indiana will always be a special place to me.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
That would all depend on what city we are in.  But you can never go wrong with DQ or Chick Fil A

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
I can not pick out just one thing, but it for sure would have to do with a player back home named Steve Johnson.

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
My first flight ever was to a softball tournament.

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
One of my best friends dads started playing softball because of us. He started to play in more leagues and travel teams than we did.  He won a big over 50's tournament and was awarded a medal.  Days before I was about to move to Tampa, he pulled me aside and gave me his medal for good luck.  It meant so much to me because he told me that was his first sports award he won in his whole life.
 

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