Friday March 29th, 2024
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New Team —> P&P 333 Joe Horvath

 

 

Joe Horvath

USSSA Playing History

GoSoftball.com Player Page

Interview conducted on 10/7/2016

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Outfield or Everyone's favorite C/EH….

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
The best player is a guy by the name of DD Hudnall.  The guy could flat do it all, hit for power, base hit and the best infielder I have ever seen.

Why do you like the game of softball?
I used to travel and play basketball and softball a lot when I was younger.  I gave up basketball about 10 years ago so this fuels my competitive side.  I have also been traveling for softball for 19 years and have made a lot of friends all over the country and softball is the only time I see some guys.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
I would have to say our Streetkids Center fielder from last year Korey Carpenter.  Last year was his first taste of playing some Conference events and I believe he can compete at a high level if he wants to.  The kid has all 5 tools.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
I don't really have a nickname…. I've been called a lot of things but never given a nickname.

What is your height and weight?
6'3  215 lbs

Where do you call home?
South Bend, IN

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Spend time with my Wife and kids.  My son is playing high school football so I really enjoy my time with him.

What do you do for a living?
I handle hazardous waste and work on spill cleanups in the midwest.

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

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
I played leagues with a few local guys and they formed a traveling team that after a few years became known as Mid-South out of Indiana.  We had a pretty good run in the early 2000's.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
Speed of the game and not very many mishits……

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
no….. I just play like me.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
one thing that sticks out to me is we made a run in 2001 in the NSA Super B and we end up finishing 2nd.  The one thing I remember is that a team from AZ we played our first game we beat 56-55 and they scored over 50 runs their next game and went 0-2….

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Al Fischer had the biggest impact on me.  He always had time to pull me aside and let me know that my pitch selection sucked.  He always said you are an .750 hitter if you stop swinging at terrible pitches.  You would think I would have learned from him..lol

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Take your time and hit BP…  The biggest asset you have is the veteran players who are around you.  Listen to them, they may be old and slow, but they know the game.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
overlap grip with pinky dropped off.  27oz

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
I hit the gym 5 days a week sometime 6 year round.  I try and lift heavier in off season and try to more leg work in the winter.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Notre Dame Football is it.  I am more a college sports guy than I am a pro guy

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
none

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Rappers Delight… my go to

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Make the bats so they can't be tampered with……

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Topeka IN 4th of July tourney.  2,000 + people turn out to watch.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Disney…. enough said

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Texas Roadhouse

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
My teammate Hank slid into home at the Bash for Cash and his pants went down to his ankles when he stood up.  

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I actually have a twin brother that is a more gifted athlete than myself.  He decided to go with volleyball and walk away from softball a long time ago.  To bad, because he could flat out play the game.

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
I don't know if there is one.  My best sports related thing ever given was the couple of days between my dad passing away and his actual viewing I decided to go play in the NSA 35+ world series to take my mind off of things. I made the all world team so I decided to have that award buried with my dad.  

 


 

 

 

2 responses to “New Team —> P&P 333 Joe Horvath”

  1. Teddy BallGame Panagakos says:

    One of best flat out competitive players I’ve ever played and coached Joe is very hard on his self clutch hitter

  2. Myles "Chilly-Mac' McPherson says:

    Good luck brother! Hope you have a great 2017 season. Chilly

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