Thursday March 28th, 2024
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An interview with Nightmare outfielder Bryan Daniel

 

 

 

Bryan Daniel

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 2/9/2018

Who are you playing with in 2018?
Nightmare/Miken

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
I’ve played all outfield positions between baseball and softball.. I’m usually in one of the corners for softball though…Sometimes I wish my best position was catcher/eh

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Hard to narrow that into one… Going to represent Ohio though; Brian Wegman. 

Why do you like the game of softball?
It’s always been a way for me to stay competive after finishing baseball. Also enjoy getting to compete against friends all over the country. 

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
BD… Just what everyone has always called me at the ball fields. 

What is your height and weight?
Height- 5’9 Weight-180lbs

Where do you call home?
Dayton, Ohio

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Spending time with my family or at the golf course.

What do you do for a living?
I work for a county in Ohio as a service and support administrator, I help people who have developmental disabilities. 

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
I played baseball and football at Northmont High School in Ohio.
I played college baseball at Owens Community College in Ohio as well

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Chris Day got me to started playing softball after I finished baseball in 2010.
The following year Mike Cruea (coach of Cooper) asked me to play.
2 years later with Cooper, we won Usssa C worlds and got an automatic bump to the conference.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
The difference in pitching… Just don’t ever try to explain in to someone to doesn’t play ball lol

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Any lefty that gets jammed between 2 donkeys in the line up. I think they want me to hit down lol. 

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Winning Usssa C worlds in 2013

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Shout out to my big homie, Mike Cruea.. If it wasn’t for him giving me a chance, I may have never had the opportunity to play conference ball… He also has always pushed me to keep putting in the work to get better. 

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Put in the work. League nights are a waste of time… If your going to be at the park for 2 hours get a couple hundred swings in, instead of 8 swings in 2 hours lol
Good luck

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Normal batting grip.. 26 ounce

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Always get my swings in… Hit the weights when I can… Cardio- ONLY when season gets close

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Favorite teams- Cincinnati Reds and the Green Bay Packers.
Favorite sport besides softball is baseball.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I’m superstitious when it comes to pre-game and plate appearances routines. I can’t give my exact superstitions, they may stop working… Trick no good 

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Depends on what type of mood I’m in.. Rap or Country… Anything with a good beat will get the job done.

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
I don’t get into all of that..I have been blessed to travel the country and play under-hand slowpitch softball, not debate improvements to the game.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Tough question..I’ll say that the Cincy major is probably my favorite because I love the park atmosphere. It’s also the first major I had the opportunity to play in, but the Smoky is hard to beat too.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Disney- ESPN World Wide Sports Complex … Always enjoyed playing in the stadium. 

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
I always like to get a local pizza and head back to the hotel.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
People actually letting KP hit balls at them running across the field at the snowball. 

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I love to hunt and fish in the off season.

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
New bats are always the best
 




 


 

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