Friday March 29th, 2024
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2016 Free Agent singer Josh “El Cinco” Rhoades

 

 

 

El Cinco

USSSA Playing History – None

GoSoftball.com Player Page -None

Interview conducted on 10/12/2015

Who are you playing with in 2016?
Played with a team called Smith Co. for most of the year. We had some talented guys but we just sucked all year.  I finally got tired of it and cut my whole team. I am undecided on my 2016 team but hope to play with a talented team full of guys who actually like each other.  Wish me luck.

Free Agent – jwrhoades1@yahoo.com

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
I play OF when I have to but prefer to catch.  I am the best defensive catcher in the southeast if not the entire nation.  Really quick hands on balls that bounce off the corner of the plate, quick feet for balls that unexpectedly stay down and a really quick release when throwing the ball back to the pitcher.  I am also pretty talkative behind the plate so I usually make friends with the umpire and opposing batters are often giggling during their swing.

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Well I have seen all of the major guys play so its really tough.  There are several guys I could mention here but I will go with Wayne "Pdab" Lyles.  This guy can do it all!  Hell, I even saw him hit a home run one time in an NSA state that made the other team win!  That's quite an accomplishment in the IF game, the 11th game of the weekend!

Why do you like the game of softball?
I love the opportunity to compete and softball is one of few sports my body will still allow me to play.  I also enjoy meeting new people and have made a lot of friends through the game even though I don't like people in general.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
This is a tough one.  Again, there are some young players in the game that are all around studs and it is tough to narrow it down to just one.

If I have to, there is a young man that I saw pitch at the Florida Superdraft last year named Kevin "KJ" Johnson.  Excellent pitcher who also has a great approach at the plate.  His mental approach to the game make him seem very wise beyond his years.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
My Nickname is Cinco.

So my real name is Josh Rhoades.  Throughout my life, most people just called me Rhoades, even my friends parents.  The first year I ever played softball I was picked up to go to worlds by a team where I didn't know most of the players.

My first at bat, the legend, P Dab, who I didn't know at the time yelled out, "Whatya say Roach?"  From that point on, a lot of the guys would call me Roach.  The next year, Chad Johnson changed his name to Ocho Cinco at which point I became Rhoacho Cinco.  Eventually as I became more popular, I just became Cinco.  Kind of like P Diddy eventually just became Diddy.

What is your height and weight?
Short and Fat

Actually I am 5'8 and weigh anywhere from 175 to 190.  It depends on the time of year, my current diet and drinking habits and how motivated I feel to lift the weights.

Right this moment I am about 185 and carrying the weight a little more in my belly than in previous years.

Where do you call home?
Cumming, GA.

Yeah, grow up!  It really is a place.

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Huh?

What do you do for a living?
I work for a software development company that works with school districts across the US.  I am a Business Development Manager, not one of the nerds :).

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

I had a chance to play both at a D1 school but injuries derailed my college and professional career.  I'm just kidding but, that's just the popular answer, I wasn't quite good enough so I dominated intramurals in college instead.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
I got my start in softball when a guy I used to play legion baseball with constantly mentioned me playing when I would see him at the gym.  I always told him, man I'm not playing old man beer league softball.  Over time, the guy (Robert "Roc" Scott) and I became really good friends and i finally gave it shot.  I was hooked from the first tourney.

As far as making it to the upper level, I don't really have a prayer.  I did convince my team to play a conference tourney this year and we got waxed but I still enjoyed it.  "

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
The defense and consistent power.  I know a lot of guys who can hit the ball hard and far but the ability to do certain things on command is a difference.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
I am actually going to give a somewhat serious answer here.  I don't have the same skill set by any means but I like the way Zirkle plays.  I don't take the game quite as serious as I used to but when it comes to tourneys that are more than a rinky dink local tourney, if there is one thing you can count on, I'm leaving my heart on the field.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
All World at NSA Eastern Worlds with my boys the 2nd year I ever played.  When I first started playing I immediately played on some pretty decent D/C teams.  It was fun to learn the game, work on improving and see it pay off in a big tourney.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Robert Scott or Gary Cress

These are the two who took BP with me 3 to 5 times a week back in the day.  It took a while but I finally learned to hit backside :).

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Make sure you sign up to get frequent flyer miles.

Seriously, I would say if you have that sort of talent, make sure to still always go hard.  One thing I notice about good teams is not only are the players talented but they still make it a point to play extremely hard.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Pinky on the knob with a golf style grip. I use a 27 balanced or 26 end load.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Eat

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
I have lived in several places so I am all over the place in regards to favorite teams.

NFL-Panthers
College Football and Baseball-Texas Longhorns
College Basketball-Duke
MLB-St. Louis 

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Take my meds and have 3 budlights before 1st game.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Well, I make song remixes about softball so I would probably pick one of my own tunes.  Picking just one would be pretty tough!

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Hmm, Id like to see the top players spread out a little bit in hopes that there would be a more competitive major division.  I would also like to see a bat and ball combination that represents hitters true abilities.  I am more impressed by guys who can consistently pick holes or drive gaps than hit homeruns with this technology.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Florida Softball Super draft!  I like the draft format to even out teams and loved that we were able to drink cold beers at the complex.  It's not at the same complex every year but last year I really enjoyed the train that rode directly through my hotel room as well.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Disney.  I love the atmosphere and the fields are very well manicured.  I almost feel fast again on that grass!

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Anything with variety and beer.  Wild Wing, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chilis, Applebees etc..

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
This is way too tough to answer.  Maybe the tale of the tea kettle or the shoe flip incident.  Those who were there know it!

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I have webbed toes on my right foot.  We almost cut them apart on a drunken night in college.  I'm glad we didn't, I can swim like hell!

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
Vince Young autographed picture as he steps across the goal line against USC in the NC.

 

 

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