Tommy Eller

Why do you like the game of softball?
Because of the competitive spirit but most of all the friendships that I have formed over the many years.  In the softball world everybody speaks to one another.  Just one big happy family.

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen?
I have played a long time, and played with some great players but I am going to say Bruce Meade and Andy Purcell both great players. 

Where do you call home?
Cartersville, Georgia

What do you do for a living?
Project Manager for a construction company

What is your softball background as a player?
I played for 25 years.  Started off in church tournament ball and worked my way up to All pro carpets/ Jonquil sports.  Finished 2nd twice in the church worlds and finished in top 5 several times in men's open and B worlds.  I played catcher, first base and pitched.  I really liked to pitch.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Got my start in softball after playing 2 years of AA baseball got hurt came home and my church pastor wanted me to start up a softball team as an outreach program.  Then it grew and the rest is history.  My best friend and coaching partner Scott Henderson and Shawn Snow introduced me to Rocky Parker of Aubrey's and I started helping them coach and keep stats and after 8 years I'm still doing it and I am very thankful to the sponsors for allowing me to be a part of this life.

What does your roster and schedule look like?

Down2Earth.com/SBC/Worth - Conference 'B' out of Georgia
Drew Dubberly - Sponsor
Scott Henderson - Manager
Tommy Eller - Manager
Lee Payne
Sean Greer
Leslie Griffis
Shawn Bridger
Geno Burdick
Eric Byrum
Bruce Nail
Todd Hilton
Blaine Bolin
Jason Gilfillan
Shannon Leonhardt
Chivas Clark

SASS Winter Nationals
Boones
The Rose
Las Vegas
Florida Dual
Georgia
Music City
Smoky
Carolina
And probably some NSA around the area.
A Worlds
B Worlds
Conf Champ
Major World Series

What is your teams goal for 2012?
Be very competitive and win the B world.  Also play well in the A and the World Series.

Where do you look for talent?
It is very hard these days in Georgia because everyone wants to play E or D ball.  But I try to catch some local tournaments during the year and look at the young talent.

How do you evaluate players?
By there hustle and over all attitude.  If they are there just to drink and get away from the house I don't look twice.  If they have the talent it shows.

What is your favorite sports team?
University of Oklahoma ( Boomer Sooner) Falcons and Braves.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Yes a lot !!  One is position in the dugout, good inning I stay put bad inning I'm moving.

What is your most memorable softball moment?
It has to be last years world series where we (Taylormade/ Mizuno) went in number 16 came out number 2.  The guys really came together and played hard.  I was really excited for the players and our fans and Scott and myself.  It was fun.

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make to bring in more sponsors?
That's hard because of the economy but I think if you limited the amount of major players per team the competition would be more even.

What is your favorite non-World tournament? The Smoky

Is the game better or worse with home run limits and why?
Better!  Once the home runs are gone game on.

Who was the best team in softball history?
I would love to see Howard's in there hay day play Resmondo.  That would be a game to watch.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
There has been a lot, but the funniest was at the Smoky 6 years ago.  Rocky Parker of Aubrey's was telling me not to yell at the umpires because it made us look bad.  Well there was a call that Doc made and here goes Rocky with that high pitch voice arguing with Doc about the call finally we got Rocky stopped and said that makes us look bad remember.  Then that night on the news in Knoxville they had the hole argument on film and showed it all. Needless to say I sent that film to Rocky and well let's just say he has yet to live it down.