An interview with Team Albicocco / The Scene outfielder Ryan Parfitt

Ryan Parfitt

USSSA Playing History

Who are you playing with in 2015?
Team Albicocco / The Scene we are playing Major in 2015

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Outfield / Center Field 

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Brian Wegman, Bryson Baker and Andy Purcell

Why do you like the game of softball?
Softball is addictive and a blast. I play with and against some of the closest people in my life. Being able to play against the best of the best every weekend is fun for me. Id like to thank USSSA for providing such a high level of competition in the best facilities around the country.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Cory Large. Unbelievable talent, plays through injury and is a great teammate. I think David Miller could have a huge upside as well for just starting out.
Steve Whaley will probably be on the major list after this season, great player and teammate that brings a lot to whoever he plays for.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
RP
Buster all year and Robotron after A world by Troupe (doubt they’ll stick) but can’t let the motor stop! I had a lot of fun with Troupe and Kenny in 2014

What is your height and weight?
5'9 190lbs

Where do you call home?
East Norriton PA (right outside Philadelphia)
I am NOT from New Jersey

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
GYM, BP and Hanging out with Family and friends

What do you do for a living?
I am a carpenter for Frank Kenny Construction out of East Norriton PA
Frank is also a softball sponsor and a great friend
I live around the corner from Steve Dimitry who is very knowledgable about softball.

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Baseball and football in highschool
Baseball in college at LaSalle University
Small independent minor league run with Maine Grays

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Played in my first tournament in 2009 with a pick up team of friends from Philadelphia. Jamal Herrin and Nick Trofa saw me play. Introduced me to Mark Brenza who was the sponsor of TriState in 2009 ( a local NJ B team). Tom Paturzo who was the 2014 offensive MVP for the USSSA C World Champions Deluxe Bakery was my teammate on TriState and asked me to play in the Firecracker in Connecticut with The Scene as a pickup tournament with him. That's where I met Mooch, I was shocked with how he pitched, it was fun playing Center field for him.  Mooch hooked me up with Doug Wood and Wood Law mid season 2010. I owe Mooch and Mark Brenza everything. I was surrounded by GREAT players from the start that helped me through the years.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
For sure the strength and talent the conference guys have. The speed of the game is probably intimidating to those who criticize the conference. It was a huge adjustment for me to elevate my game physically and slow the game down mentally. Playing against the best each weekend you have to have a game plan and attack it. I watch a ton of videos on YouTube and USSSAlive to learn all the hitters in the conference tendencies. Preparation is what separates a conference softball player from a non conference player.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Brian Zirkle and Nic Santana. These guys bring more than just hustle and talent. They also show leadership and will do whatever it takes to win.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Winning the A world for Tarz, Roger, Troupe, Kenny, and the Nation. An MVP honor was pretty awesome as well. You can't win an award like this without awesome teammates and of course sponsors. Thank you guys. TN 4 life

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Player I have to say Mooch, he is so knowledgeable about this game and we talk all the time. Jamal Herrin coached me into the outfielder and hitter I have become. Having the experience playing this level is also key and more important than anything. But the most influential person in my career is Tarz from LineDrive. He is such a great sponsor and friend. When he and Fred Budnarowski brought me onto LineDrive I knew I had to work harder than ever in my life because of what they put into their teams. They both, along with the Nation deserve it back with great leadership and play.

When I first started playing I had absolutely no bat control. Watching Tom Paturzo murder base hits through the holes was so impressive I used to go hit BP after tournaments with my buddy Jarred Gardner. 

Cory Large and Steve Whaley always do a good job of keeping me grounded.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Best advice is hit a lot of BP and train to never get tired because a conference season is a grind like no other with fatigue, heat and humidity. Everyone says the balls a rock. When it's 85 degrees plus it's really not as hard of a ball as you think. Work on the swings you don’t have in BP until you have it in the bag.

Anyone can go to league and go 4-4 make plays in the field and be a stud when your in your comfort zone. But, can you fly or take a long drive to a tournament, play the best competition in the country at a high level with the speed the conference is played at? Take the hard shot off the chest, make a diving catch or get a base hit off the best pitchers in the game when the home runs are out and you need to string a few hits to win the game in the late innings? While the sponsor who is flying you around the country to play is watching. 

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Baseball grip 26oz past 2 seasons
This year I'm swinging a 27oz Easton Brian Wegman.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Lift heavy, cardio and BP all year around. I train so the heat will never get the best of me and if I get gapped in an inning I have the legs to come off the field and get a base hit. I eat pretty clean as well. 

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and Miami Heat
Football is my favorite sport

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I do the same thing in the on deck circle every time preparing for my at bat.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
The Who- Baba O'Riley
When I heard Jorge Posada come out to this at Yankee stadium it gave me chills.

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
I really like it the way it is. Maybe a cap on how many Major players on a team?  I don't know why there is so much hate on the conference recently. It isn't watered down, in fact the competition seems to get better each year as many players do.
I know it's expensive for sponsors but if they didn't want a team in they wouldn't have one.

If ASA could offer something like the Conference with frozen rosters and a major schedule with a rank or point system might help some states and teams.

I want to thank SoftballCenter and The Old Scout for covering us. Your great for the game DW.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Smoky

Locally the 4thefallen tournament we had in DelCastle by Wilmington Delaware this fall. 

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Fortune Road. 320 all around, beautiful fields and the heat softens the classic M so you really have to get it for a homerun. The game seems to be on a level playing field there. There's always upsets. I also love playing in Champion Stadium in Disney. I train to be a beast in Florida. If you can play at a high level in August in Florida then your game is on point. Coming from a northeast guy.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Anywhere with Healthy food. I barely ever eat red meat in season.

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I really enjoy snowboarding. I used to be pretty hardcore with it my whole life. I broke my ribs and collapsed my lung filming a movie when I was 26 years old and that's what brought me back to the gym and playing ball again.

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
I'm a huge Eagles fan so my family including me into the season package. The gift that keeps on giving. The tickets have been in the family since 1948. I've been going to the games for 28 years now. Go Birds!