Thursday March 28th, 2024
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Lee Daniels

 

Lee Daniels

USSSA Playing History 2010-2013

USSSA Playing History 2004-2009

GoSoftball.com Player Page

 

2014 Interview

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Utility and 3B

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Earl "Squirrel" Bryant.  He has been a model of consistency for years on both sides of the ball. He is one of the most clutch hitters I've ever seen. He's an even better person which speaks volumes to me. Greg Connell is one of the best hitter I've ever seen as well.

Why do you like the game of softball?
After 9 years of professional baseball this was the closest thing to it. I had no idea how big of an entity softball was and I fell in love with it once I began. I love the competitiveness!

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
I love watching Jeremy Yates play the game. He plays fast and hard.. The way it should be played. Rashard Brown (CF) from my Primetime team has unbelievable talent and unlimited ability. He's going to be a hot commodity… already is.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
My coach Tony Goodson calls me "Leader". Coach Greg Blackburn from Jean Shoppe gave me that name during my years with them and it's kind of stuck. Being a Former pro athlete and high school coach I've always been a leader.

"Prophet" – being one of the elder spokesmen on the team, one of my teammates started calling me that a couple of years ago. Guess I'm getting old!!!"

What is your height and weight?
6'5  235 lbs

Where do you call home?
Home will always be in Rochelle, Ga, Wilcox Co. I currently reside in Douglas, Ga, Coffee Co.

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Relaxing in my recliner watching TV. It doesn't happen often but I'm a TV fanatic.  I coach 3 sports, run behind my son with his AAU basketball and still play softball. Gotta have my TV!

What do you do for a living?
Educator/ Coach

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Yes.  I was an All State QB and All State baseball player. I was also all region basketball player while attending Wilcox Co. High in the late 80's. I attended Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Ms. For 1 year before signing professionally.  I was a drafted out of high school by the Toronto Blue Jays.  I played 9 years total, 5 with the Blue Jays, 2 with the Atlanta Braves and 2 with the Chicago White Sox.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
A friend of mine mentioned my name to a coach in Macon, Ga and he asked me to come try out for a Class B team. I made the team and a couple of years later Greg Blackburn called me out of nowhere to play for Jean Shoppe in the Twitty and then it took off from there!

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
The offensive power was definitely different but most surprising was how athletic guys were and that they actually played defense at the upper level which use to be overshadowed by the offensive outputs.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
In my younger days in the outfield I would compare my defensive skills to what Matt King use to be. Offensively, it's hard to say. I've evolved over the years and just try to improve steadily and do whatever I can to help my team.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Winning my first black world tournament in 2003 alongside my brother Kenny Key (RIP) in Columbus, Oh. Also winning the ASA B World in Oklahoma City with Jean Shoppe in 2005 was awesome. That was a special special season! We beat some top teams that season even upsetting the #1 team Benefield in the USSSA A World.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Yes.  Kenny Key. I use to pull everything hard no matter how many men they put on the left side. He encouraged me to work on hitting the ball everywhere and he helped me tremendously by doing that.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Continue to work hard on your game. Stay true to who you are and do things the right way.  If you're good enough they will find you!

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
I use the regular grip. Being a baseball player I could never get use to the overlapping of hands and fingers.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
I use to play basketball all the time but my joints won't let me do it as much. So I run on my own and do various workouts like Insanity and Billy Banks stuff. I hit as often as possible even during the winter.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
FSU – Go Noles!!! National Champs!
Miami Heat- LBJ fan.
LA Dodgers
LAST BUT NOT LEAST. PITTSBURGH STEELERS. Love the black and yellow like no other!!"

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
No.  Don't really believe in them since I've gotten older. Believe only in hard work giving u the results. U get out what u put in. That's my belief!

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Roy Jones – Can't Be Touched or Mystikal -Here I Go

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
I think it's moving in the right direction. The playing field has gotten better and even more competitive. I'm glad to see a lot of the younger guys getting opportunities!

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
I enjoy the duel. It's early in the year and I get to see a lot of guys that I haven't seen in months and it's very competitive!

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
I love playing at Disney! They do a good job keeping the fields up to par. The new complex at Myrtle Beach is awesome. That would be a great place for a conference tournament.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
TGIF!!! Sizzling Chicken and Shrimp!

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
So many… In a Co Ed tournament the girls were out hitting the guys and they began to give the guys girl names. Earl Bryant had enough of it. He hit a line drive so hard to LF and the girl literally ran away from it…. Dang near tore the fence down. He turned to the dugout and said that's enough of that Earline stuff. It was hilarious!




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19 responses to “Lee Daniels”

  1. Chad Loudon says:

    Straight BALLER!!! Great player and friend!!!

  2. chad folsom#31 says:

    My man Lee great interview you are a great teammate and leader. I learned alot from guys like yourself, squirrel & Fru. Best of luck to you and Primetime this year.

  3. Pony Vinson says:

    One of the best men in the game!! Good luck to you and the fam in 2014 LD!!

  4. Don Munford says:

    One of my all time favorites, pure TEAM player. Professional in every way!!

  5. Clay Dickey says:

    One of the ultimate professionals of the game.

  6. Nelly84 says:

    Goodluck this year Leader! Always a pleasure taking the field against you and chatting with you. God Bless

  7. Donta #13 says:

    Great Interview LD. Thank you for being a leader and mentor on our Primetime Team. I want to personally thank you for all the wisdom and knowledge you have given me in the game of softball and the game of life. Lets have a great year this year fam.

  8. D Mitchell says:

    Class in every aspect of the word, proud to know you. Keep doing what you do & good luck this season.

  9. Thumper says:

    One of the best men i have ever encountered on and off the field!!! Amazing attitude, wonderful friend and outstanding athlete!!

  10. Wolf#13 says:

    Great interview Derrty and good luck in 2014!

  11. Kenny owensby says:

    Played a bunch of games with Lee daniels great guy and nothing but a class act great leader just an outstanding guy all the way round.

  12. D Gunn says:

    Great job Mr.Class Act!!!!

  13. Gillyshaw says:

    One of the most humble guys I’ve met and definitely a class act… One of the good guys who always shows love even to us little guys… I always wish you the best of luck MrBaseball14…

  14. Lee Daniels says:

    WOW!!! Very humbled. Thanks for the kind words. They are greatly appreciated.

  15. Missy14 says:

    Great Interview “One Four”. One of the classiest guys I have the pleasure of knowing. Great ball player too!!!

  16. Johnny Standifer says:

    Roommate, I see you are still doing your thing and touching lives of others.. Hope you and the family are doing well? I still tell people my experience knowing a great humbling person as your self and our experience on the baseball field.

  17. Lee Daniels says:

    Johnny…my man. Been ages since I have seen or heard from you. If you get this message, email (mrbaseball14@hotmail.com) me brother so we cam exchange numbers and catch up. Hope all is well!

  18. gator says:

    A great player, but most important a great person. He is one of the good guys. Glad to see you are still playing lee.

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