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2019 Free Agent infielder Chris Arredondo

 

 

 

Chris Arredondo

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 4/8/2015


2019 Free agent – Carredondo28@gmail.com

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Infield.  Doesn't really matter where, I will play.  Best position is probably 3rd, but favorite is catcher, so I can throw people out.  Oops, wrong sport.  

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Wegman, Baker, Rulli, Purcell.  Salas and Chent are getting there, so long as they try and improve.

Why do you like the game of softball?
I am a competitive person by nature, so this helps.  Don't like losing at anything, but have done a better job of not wanting break things, or wanting to do other stuff.  Guess that comes with maturity, for the most part. 

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Can't say one person by name.  Lots of players out there coming up.  Ryan Mclanahan from OC is gonna be good when he hits puberty, as a pitcher.  Harvey from Backman is a beast.  Chent is naturally gifted, and hope he gets better.  Flip is a damn good player, and plays hard as well, gotta love that.  Gastineau from Classic can rake, and can go postal in a heartbeat.  

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
"Dondo" is my nickname.  Apparently Chris is too long a name, too many syllables, and Arredondo, people have a hard time pronouncing it, since I guess it's too hard.  I guess pronouncing every letter has become too difficult.  Started in high school, and somehow made its way here.  

What is your height and weight?
5'10' 205 

Where do you call home?
Beautiful San Diego, America's finest city, so it's said.  

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Relaxing, watching sports, going to eat, since I love that.  Spending time with the gf, and friends on occasion, and I guess family.  Lol.   Very family oriented. 

What do you do for a living?
I work at a glass shop, family business.  Family heart attack business. 

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Played football and baseball in high school, and baseball in college.  

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Just played with friends in the good ole Rosarito tournament, and played a year of E's, then gradually made my way up.  Not that I am high up, but played on some good teams, that allowed me to party and not sleep.  Lol

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
The pitching is better of course.  Defense I guess is better, but down here in SD, there are tons of talented guys who are still playing defense, and can pick it.  They just don't play up, or play much softball at all. 

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
People often compare me to Mike Stanton, or Giancarlo Stanton, whatever his name is.  Mainly because we are both are built like Greek gods.  Haha.  I am me, I don't compare myself to anyone, or have been compared.  I just play the game, better than some, much worse than others.  

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
I don't know, don't have a highlight that resonates well.   Maybe drilling the 3rd baseman from Xtreme last season, at the Dual, even though it ricocheted off him to the SS.  Interesting way to start off game.  It was also fun playing for Johnny Blaze, and beating Long Haul.  That was a good team, that got torn apart for reasons I would rather not discuss.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Tim Williams, who sponsored the old Exterminators was the best sponsor.  Carlos Vega and Jimmy Torres were great to me as well.  Jason Kreider, Johnny Bailey, Chris Chaney, all the SD guys have been great.  

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Play hard, and don't mind being an extra player.  Every person will have their turn.  

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Regular I guess, with pinky slightly overlapping.  

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Other than league night, nothing.  Pretty much like the regular season.  There isn't many spots to take bp here in SD, since fields are always being used, and because I like to do stuff with my life.  At least taking bp after work, there aren't many places, maybe during the day.  

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
San Diego Padres, Chargers, as some of you know, maybe too hard core of one, LA Lakers, LA Kings.  Yup, some Mexicans do love hockey.  

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Nope, none that I am aware of at least.  

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Lowrider or This Is For the Raza from Kid Frost, and Latin Active from Lighter Shade of Brown.  Get In Where You Fit In from Too Short.  Boys In Tha Hood from NWA, Eazy E is one of my favorites though. 

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Maybe limiting major players per team, and also fixing the damn ALTERED bats situation.  Yes, that's there, and people seem not to care, or turn a blind eye. 

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Toys 4 Tots in Cat City by far. Always top end players and teams show up for that tournament.  It's fun, and a good time.  

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Vegas turf fields are nice.  Aurora, CO complex is great as well.  Osceola is good as well.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Taco shops.  Except, there isn't any on the east coast, or many.  

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
Maybe Artie Salas, Jimmy Salas' older brother striking out at C Worlds, and missing by a foot, then kicking an opposing players ass as he walked by after a fly ball the following inning.  Literally kicking him as he walked by.  Or maybe it was Woody and Angel on a bike cab in Phoenix, poor guy had 600lbs of man, and he was struggling, poor guy.  Hahaha

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I am actually a nice guy.  Very loyal to friends.  Lovable teddy bear.  Lol.  Ok, maybe not that lovable.  






 

 

 

2 responses to “2019 Free Agent infielder Chris Arredondo”

  1. Blake Williams says:

    This guy is a lights out ball player and plays with a ton of heart!!! He will help any team that picks him up!! Good luck Dondo

  2. Cole patterson says:

    Great teammate. Great ball player would help any team out and been around the game a while. He taught me a lot coming up in the conference.

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