Thursday March 28th, 2024
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An interview with Doerflinger Software/TSC/Pro-Coat/Combat manager Strojan Kennison

Strojan Kennison

ASA Playing History

USSSA Playing History

Why do you like the game of softball?
I have a passion for the game, and I love the competition.  My softball addiction is my crack, alcohol, caffiene, and nicotine combined.

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen?
Too many to single out… my favorites to watch were and are Jason Kendrick, Rusty Bumgardner, Johnny McCraw, Jeff Gare, Rich Plante and Andy Bottin.

Where do you call home?
Seattle, Washington

What do you do for a living?
I am a Firefighter/Paramedic for Shoreline Fire Department.

What is your softball background as a player?
As a player I have only played for five programs since 1984:
1984 Price Enterprises – I played OF as an 11-year old because two players got hurt and a coach was kicked out of a charity tournament in North Bend, Washington.

Northwest Sheet Metal 1989-1995

R Gang Softball – We played Mens and Coed locally here in Washington from 1993-2001

Trojans Softball Club – We played nationally from 2002-2008

Nu Ray Metals – I made cameo appearances with our team in 2010.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
I was raised from birth at a softball complex and started as the bat boy and scorekeeper for Raintree, then Mercury Cleaners, then MPM and was fortunate enough to be keeping book for my dads team Price Enterprises 'A' World Champions in 1984.  Having these opportunities allowed me to learn from some great softball players and people.

As I got older, my dad retired from coaching the game and I started playing league and tournaments at Age 16.  I ran my first softball tournament at Age 20 (It is now called The BBQ).  I have continued running approximately 20-25 softball tournaments a year. I have also assisted building mens, womens and mixed softball teams in Washington the past 10 years.

In 2002,  we formed Trojans Softball Club that has helped sponsor multiple mens, womens and mixed softball teams.  Trojans "Mens" softball team progressed from the recreational level to being competitive on the national scene.

In 2009, Trojans Softball Club joined forces with Combat Sports Group to win a 'B' World Title in our first year within the Conference and playing above C.

Who are you managing/sponsoring in 2011?
Doerflinger Software/TSC/Combat

What does your roster look like?
Management:
Coach: Strojan Kennison
Asst. Manager/Sponsor: Ric Doerflinger
Asst. Coach: Tim McQuery

Players:
#31  Robert Sena – P
#42  Cal Ford – 1B/OF
#9   Joey Smith – OF
#23  Julio Salazar – 3B
#1   Aaron Martinez – M-Inf
#2   Brian Plenkovich – OF
#71  Jared Goetz – M-Inf
#24  Wes Archie – C/EH
#25  Daniel Van Daele – C/1B
#13  Brian Munson – OF
#26  Sean Bagley – M-Inf
#3    Shawn Pederson – M-Inf/OF
#21  Jack Weaver – P/Inf
#16  Frankie Griffin – Utility
#0   Josh Fulton – Utility

What is your teams goal for 2011?
Be better every pitch and win a ring.

Where do you look for talent?
No borders when searching for talent and sometimes its not looking, its listening.

What is more important, talent or attitude?
Attitude.  It's simple for me, "Be a good teammate and fight for the colors you wear and the guys in your dugout."

How do you evaluate players?
I look for a skill set, then I background check the player to confirm he will fit into our teams plans.  I have had some great softball minds here in Washington to learn from in Don Cooper, Jose Sanchez, Kerm Strickland and Donnie Wilson.

What is your favorite sports team?
University of Washington Huskies

What is your favorite sport other than softball?
Baseball and Soccer

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Before Dry-fit, it was just that I would iron my uniforms.
Now,  there are too many to count.

What is your most memorable softball moment?
Winning the 2009 World Championship in the same year as 3 other Washington Sponsor Based Teams was pretty incredible.

Is slowpitch softball a sport or a game?
Slowpitch softball is a game with in a sport.

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make to bring in more sponsors?
If USSSA National could somehow workout deals with Airlines, Hotels, and Car Rental Company for a larger group deals for those plane tickets that need to be purchased within 30 days.  Also, finding ways to get a better Tax Write-off.

What is your favorite non-World tournament?
The King of The Northwest

What can be done to improve the Conference Championships?
I believe we should be allowing ALL teams from the conference to compete within their respective MAJOR, A, and B divisions to be crowned 'Conference Champion'.  To be able to compete in the MWS, A or B Worlds as a Conference Team, you MUST play in the Conference Championships.  I think the event should be played alternating years from eastcoast to westcoast, or move the event closer to the condos.  Also, I would move the banquet dinner to Sunday night, after the conference championship games.

Is the game better or worse with homerun limits and why?
Better because it has improved the teams defenses.

Who was the best team in softball history?
I don't think I have the qualificatons to answer this question.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
July, 2009 – Aurora, Colorado – Rocky Mountain Major
Northwest Combat vs GTL

Too many things happen in this game that were funny to pick just one.   What made this game stand out for me is that it was two Washington-based sponsored teams with northwest ties that will be able to talk about that game until we are all in a nursing homes. I will close by saying, our plate umpire for the game was under 5 feet tall, it was the field umpires first game over D level, and the Aurora Police Department were trying to stop the game because of a City Ordinance Curfew.


2009 'B' World Champs – Northwest Combat

 


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