An interview with Line Drive pitcher Billy Barrett
Billy Barrett
Who are you playing with in 2013?
Line Drive.
Why do you like the game of softball?
It is truly the best game in the world. To me it's a combination of baseball, basketball, golf and football/ hockey. Baseball, because of the fact you hit, catch and throw the ball but at a different pace. Basketball because typeically the game don't start until the 5th inning like the last 5 min in basketball. Golf because everyone loves how far a golf ball can be hit as well as delicately hitting a chip shop; it's the same concept of hitting a homerun or slapping the ball the other way, you need to have versatility. Football/ Hockey because you need to have firey momentum and a strong will to win.
Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
My pick is Mark Cobb from Ohio… Dude was the man. Great swing for a RH hitter. Great Arm as well. Not sure of his age today probably 46ish, but most certainly the most talented I have ever seen
Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Well my pick is Farron Miller who we picked up last year to pitch with us, he's tall, has good control, Greeattt Knuckle ball and will get allot better as he is only 27ish.
What is your nickname in softball?
BillyBarrett, both names said together… and one other GuyMoe, that's a longer story
What is your height and weight?
5', 10.5"": playing weight 225#'s, I peaked once at 240#'s
Where do you call home?
Taylor, Mi: a greatttt softball town. Softball was more important than working back in the day for many players and has quite a few of Michigan hall of famers
What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
BBQing with some beers & watching the kids mess around in the yard and jet skiing a bit, like Kenny Powers
What do you do for a living?
Engineer, work in the automotive industry: gets busy at times and cant make some Friday tornament games. I'm hoping for this softball thing to take off soon so I can focus on it 100%
Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Baseball & Hockey high school,,, Finished at the JR College level with a national record, (Most home runs for the first 6 at bats of a season). Pro- my college coach was a Mariners scout and promised me Class A or Rookie ball after the fall league because I hit .610, but the spring season I hit like .210 and he read me the riot act about how disappointed he was. I never belived him anyway but today he's a head scount for NEW YORK,,, Guess I should have took the needle…
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Keeping score for softball at age 17 and being asked to pinch hit for the Larsen Maintenace team every week and then when hardball was done I played with them from 1992-1993 class C but then played AA in 1994 with Jimmies out of Kalamazo Michigan, AA was a greeeaaattt game. The worlds there was 16 teams and I couldn't believe how intriguing the game was and wanted to stay at the high level since then.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Well I am not sure if I live by any real advice but I would say to apologize for negative actions if they occur..
What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Work out, Take allotttttt of BP, tell upper levels players you want to play the upper level as they will provide recommendations when possible and to try and have a good personal life such as a job and finances in order before the game distracts you.
What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Started as a SStop in 1992, then started pitching in 2001. Good thing I made the change as it's hard to get a SStop job at age 43.
What batting grip do you use?
Pretty much a 2.5 and 1,,, Overlap
What ounce bat do you use? 30 Ounce, Easton stealth 2 pc is what I mainly had since 2006 and it still passes at a 260. I have tried lighter but my legs and hips don't function with the lighter bats, it must be due to that they are child bearing
What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season? Racquetball tournaments, Beer league Hockey, train a little bit but need to do more for the lower back and legs. In the summer I do core work outs such as cutting grass and going on Carnival rides,,, that really does tighten you up
What is your favorite sports team? Lions, Red Wings and Tigers… All Detroit teams regardless of winning or losing, especially the Lions…
What is your favorite sport other than softball?
To play it is: Hockey, Racquetball and believe it or not, Ping Pong: Not Basketball…
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Stepping on the foul lines during games.
What is your most memorable softball moment?
The most negative moment was Getting double dipped in the A's in 2003. The most positive moment was Winning A worlds 2006. Reason was that we had most of the same guys from 2003.
What would be your "at bat" music selection?
For this year, 'Aint no future and your fronten' this was a catchy song that we had in the dugout most of the year and the dude was from Michigan
What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Bat testing, higher the frequency the less probability of hot bats seeping through. But the system is good now better than 2006
What is your favorite non-World tournament?
I'd say Vegas… First tourneys are always cool to see who returned fatter, skinnier, smaller or bigger: Plus, Vegas is Vegas….
What is the best softball field you have played at and why?
Fortune in Kissimmee. Dimensions are great, ball is not to fast due to the heat and the ground is soft
Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Man there are allot of questions,,, ha-ha: But the firehouse sub shop by the Utrip HQ's in FLA
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
2001, when Scooter faked Rulli out to look at the Ump and then pitch a strike
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