New Team —> Classic Glass OF/IF Josh Carter!

Josh Carter

USSSA Playing History

GoSoftball.com Player Page

Who are you playing with in 2015?
Classic Glass

2014 Interview:

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
I play anywhere on the field at a high level, pitcher included, but if you ask my ex-teammates they will say right field.

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Hands down its gotta be Bryson Baker. His skill set is off the hook, Good dude too, we play backyarders together.

Why do you like the game of softball?
I grew up around the game my father played for years, and there was a 5 year stretch that I was able to play SS right next to him.  It's a fun, fast paced game. And I'm a competitive sport junky. Can't get enough of the game.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
There's a lot of them. I'd have to say as a dh/hitter definitely Brian Lipman. Guy kills it. I'll throw my boys Isaac Gonzales and Tyler Espland out there too. Isaac kills the rock and plays hard.. And you can't match the speed and routes Tyler has.  But I have a dark horse in the "up and coming player" race… Me 🙂

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
baby bhudda I got earlier in my playing days. Got it from my dad's friends.. Last year they were calling me all kinds of names. Captain red beard is pry my favorite.

What is your height and weight?
6' 1" 220

Where do you call home?
Good ole Yuba City, California.

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Usually trying to better the myself at the game I love. There are no off weekends, no time for laziness.

What do you do for a living?
I'm a siding installer

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
I was a three sport captain in high school. Football, baseball, and basketball. I was scouted by a couple teams but I chose to start working as soon as I graduated. It also helped that my pops was still playing softball. Not many people can say they got to go to war with their father.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
I got my start at 16 playing league with my pops. I always would go take Bp with his team when I was younger. When my dad "retired from the game I got picked up to play B with Classic Glass in '08 and the following year we joined the conference.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
No surprises really. The difference is the defense. There's nobody you can pick on up at this level. Everyone can play well.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Probably wegman, he can play anywhere and he isn't a selfish player. You don't see him hitting solos and two runners, he does the team thing and always plays hard.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Probably beating Dan Smiths major team in '09 at the Concord major. We put up something like 16 runs with two outs and they switched pitchers like 3 times that inning. It was nuts, and definitely something I'll never forget. We ended up run ruling them.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Definitely my pops. I'm blessed to have such a patient old man.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Just keep working at your game and playing up as much as possible. Can't be seen if you're not there.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Pinky off then knob and the top hand pinky pro-gripped. I prefer a 27 oz end loaded bat

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Run and work out with a heavy dose of Bp.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Ugh.. So embarrassing sometimes to admit. The Oakland raiders and football is my favorite sport. I love contact.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Just a routine in the box. And if we win I hate changing anything as far as my uni goes.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
No doubt, "Hey MR. Carter"-lil wayne

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
I don't get into the politics of the game, I enjoy showing up and playing as hard as possible

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Summer slam in Red Bluff California, and midnight madness.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Nobody believes me.. But the best field I've ever played on is in my home town. I play league every Wednesday there, and they're hands down the best fields I've played on. Great infields and outfields and we have an ex-ball player taking care of them. He does an amazing job

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
There's a bunch of places, can't go wrong with Cracker Barrel .

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
To many to name them all, but it has to be any game Oscar Shipley was in. That guy is a riot. He challenged Coop to a foot race in Seattle last year, I couldn't stop giggling. To Coops credit his come back was pretty funny. He challenged Oscar to a spelling contest.