An interview pitcher Tara Salcedo!

Tara Salcedo

USSSA Playing History

Member of Womens Major Players List

Interview conducted on 12/16/2015

Who are you playing with in 2016?
Derby Girls/Combat

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Pitcher/ Infield

Pitching has become my go to, but still have a lot to learn

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
In the women's game… best hitter, Christan Dowling.  I am fortunate enough to call her my teammate and sister.  She is a great person and great ambassador for the women's game.

Why do you like the game of softball?
Like?  More like love softball.  Softball has given me the opportunity to travel all over the USA and to Canada and Australia.  I have also been able to meet great people around the country that I wouldn't have ever gotten to meet.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Most people call me "T" but on the field lately I get "T-Sal" & "Salcy"

Where do you call home?
I live just outside Phoenix, AZ

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
"Off weekend"… What's that?   Living in the desert, I am able to hit and pitch with my husband when we aren't playing or traveling.  I also enjoy doing things around the house.

What do you do for a living?
I work for a general contractor that specializes in restoration for floods and fires.

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
I played 4 years of Varsity softball at Mayfair High in Lakewood, CA and played 4 years of softball at Cal State University, Bakersfield.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
I've been playing since I was 6.  Both my parents played ball.  I had no intentions of playing slowpitch until I filled in for league one night.  From there I started playing more and more.  I really didn't start to get to the upper level until I met my husband Ronni.  He has really helped me progress with technique.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Career highlight would be winning USSSA Women's B Worlds this past September.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Again my husband Ronni has had a significant impact on my game.  He encourages me to be better and when he is able to watch tournaments, we talk about the things that were done well and the things that could have been better.  He has really helped me look at the mental aspect of the game.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Always work on your game.  You never know when you will get your shot to move up.  There is always someone watching.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
I use a overlap grip.  That was probably the toughest adjustment to get used to, but it has made my hands so much faster.  I typically swing an endload that is 26.5 or 27.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
"off season" is where i work on tweaking things that will help technique.  Last season I changed grips and this season I have gone back to the gym and have been working on using my lower half more when I swing.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Favorite team is the Angels, and Baseball is my other favorite sport.  I think the MLB channel is on just about 24/7 in our house.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I always have the same routine when I get in the box.  I used to have others but they have mostly gone away.

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
For the women making stronger divisions and making good teams play up.  From what I hear that is currently in the works and I look forward to seeing some new teams play up.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Toys for Tots in Palm Springs, CA.  There are a lot of people that go to that tournament that I don't always get to see and its for a good cause.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
There is a complex up in Reno, NV that is all turf that I love playing on.  I also like the BLD in Vegas because the infield is turf.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Coop and Shannon's house!

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I'm pretty crafty.  I enjoy sewing and making decor for the house.