Clay Smitherman

USSSA Playing History

GoSoftball.com Player Page

Who are you playing with in 2012? 
Linedrive 
Why do you like the game of softball?
I like the competition you get every weekend play softball, keeps that competitive drive in me, And gives me a opportunity to meet new people, some of my closest friends today I have met playing this game...
 
Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
have to say hitters: left handed Helmer.. right handed: Connell and defense infield no one plays harder than Don DeDonatis Jr.... the outfield: got to go with Bobby Hughes.. all around you have to say Brian Wegman dude is a beast
 
Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Honestly there are a lot of guy deserving, but if i have to pick one i would have to say my Boy Kevin Ballard... one because we have played on some of the same teams so i know what he is capable of doing on the the field and especially at the plate, brother hits it well all over the field
 
What is your nickname in softball?
well in baseball it was diesel... softball nothing never really stuck lol
 
What is your height and weight?
6ft. 235

Where do you call home?
Mcalester Oklahoma

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
I'm a full time single dad, so when I'm not play softball my 10yr old daughter Jada and I have traditional Friday night diner date and movie, and Saturday we spend it at home, park or zoo because she loves animals...

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level? 
well was about two yrs. out of baseball, got a itch to play again so i went up to the school to take some bp. and a guy was driving by and i hit his truck as he was passing, he stopped to see who was hitting came up and asked if i wanted to play in a softball tournament with him... at first I laughed and said no because it that's a women's sport, but he convinced me to play and at that tournament I met a guy by the name of Cody Tucker that got me hooked up with at C team fully loaded... then the next yr started out playing with triple JB Played in the TX. legends Major, where Pace tps saw me play and asked me to join them... Just want to give thanks Pat Kehoe sponsor of pace tps for giving me my first shot at the upper level..
 
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Well First one was from my dad, Son nothing in this world is given to you, you have to earn it... And in my sports career it was from Tony Gwynn practice doesn't make perfect... perfect practice makes perfect...
 
What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Work hard and play even harder because someone is always watching
 
What position do you play?
outfield

What batting grip do you use?
baseball with bottom finger off knob

What ounce bat do you use?
30

What do you do in the off season to prepare for the next softball season?
GYM and BP
 
What is your favorite sports team?
Saints and Yankees

What is your favorite sport other than softball?
Baseball

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I make whatever team I'm playing with pray before every game... I draw my dad's initials in the on deck circle and i tap the plate three times as i set up... lost my father on thanksgiving day of 07... and i tap the plate due to the FATHER the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT, I'm a born again man of God, so thanks my way of giving him thanks
 
What is your most memorable softball moment?
coming in 2nd to Resmondo in Houston major last yr.

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
keep it like it is...

What is your favorite non-World tournament?
snowball and watermelon festival
 
What is the best softball field you have played at and why?
Vegas bld... awesome fields and scenery

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field? 
I have to say I've seen a lot of funny things... but I'm going to with when Kevin Ballard and I was playing with crown 52 a local team out of Paris TX.. we was playing in a memorial tournament in Ardmore Oklahoma... wind was slightly blowing in from right and when he hit it the ball he thought he hit a bomb so he turned to the ump and said do we touch first or sit... right fielder catches the ball and the ump said sit bc your out.... haha classic