Tuesday March 26th, 2024
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Chris Geron

 

 

Chris Geron

USSSA Playing History

GoSoftball.com Player Page

Major Players List Player

2015 Interview

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
I can take up space at most positions with average to slightly below average results so as you can imagine I worked myself to the wonderful catcher position this year. Its a lot safer back there anyways. Except when some of the "little too excited" runners coming home decide to throw some bows.

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Andy Purcell. For one person to be able to impact the game as much is he does I do not see anyone else even close. Since i started playing at the higher level I think he should have been the MVP each of those years just based on his role in regards to Resmondo's success. I do not believe any other player has been as important to his teams success and Resmondo has had the most success.

Why do you like the game of softball?
I'm decent at it. I usually don't like doing things I'm not good at so since i am ok at softball i have chosen to spend most of my free time doing it. Plus softball life on the road with the teams i have been lucky enough to play with have given me some of the best memories i have to date. I was there for the first "Swing Set".

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
I don't really pay too much attention to other teams and players beside paying attention to where they hit. I never remember names though. One i would watch out for is my well spoken teammate Frank Fracek. He has as much power as most out there and tries to get better at other aspects of his game all the time. If he ever gets his head out of his ass he will be a top level player one day.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
CG, Dakis, and Eddie. 

What is your height and weight?
6' 220lbs

Where do you call home?
Stickney. A suburb boardering Chicago.

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
I just recently had my first child and I want to spend every second with him now. This year and for the rest of my life I will probably be doing that. 

What do you do for a living?
I am a part owner of a transportation company in Chicago. Signature Transportation Group. Like us on Facebook. (Boom, free plug)

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
I played basketball a little in high school and stunk so I stopped (see why i play softball question). I also played baseball in high school and college for a small division III school.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
My uncle invited me to play league night with his buddies the Ice House Dogs. I think they played D or E for tournaments and asked me to come out. I played with them a few years and then a  couple friends I played against in 16" softball asked me to play some mess around tournaments in Wisconsin with Todd Ankney and Travis Clark. I had played against them a few times in the past and couldn't stand losing to them in our dome league. From there I think I played part time with EWS in 2009 and then more of a full time schedule the following year.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
How much harder the ball is hit in and through the infield. IT IS TERRIFYING. Ever since we played GTL in the infamous "Lightning Rod" game in Joliet in 2011 I have tried to avoid getting in front of the ball. Ground balls were going to the fence in the gaps. That should never happen but it does at the upper levels.

NOTE TO TODD/BILL: please keep me at catcher

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
I don't know enough players to be able to give a good answer. Plus anyone I name may take it as an insult. 

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
2013 B Worlds against PRI. We were up by one in the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs and a man on 2nd and 3rd. I think their 2 or 4 hitter was up. I was playing 3rd (not fun) and he smoked a ball down the 3rd base line. I just reacted, threw my glove out as it was hopping by me, caught it, and threw him out at 1st to end the game. I felt like a young Chris Sabo.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
I hate to say it but Todd Ankney. He cares so much about his players and the teams success that you almost don't want to disappoint him. Now he goes overboard quite a bit as well and has to hear about it (turfs shoes) but we all know he means well. His tips and advise are one of the few peoples that i actually pay attention to.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Don't take it too serious. Softball is supposed to be fun. When you keep it fun you want to practice more and get better. Other than that play as many mess around tournaments as possible where the best players in your area play for fun. They will see you and you will eventually get your chance if you are good enough.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
It changes all the time. I've tried to full overlap but that hurts my fragile wrists too much. Most of the time i used a modified overlap though. This year i used a more baseball grip.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
workout a litle a hit in the cages as much as i can.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Blackhawks

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
A lot. One is that i take the same number of practice swings before every at bat. I DO NOT take forever to get in the box though. Seriously guys can we please agree to try a little harder cutting down the time spent during your walk up routines. You know who you are.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Drake-Trophies was my choice this year but they played the wrong part.  

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Quit complaining about things that are not going to change. People are gonna shave bats and there will be clear favorites to win like anywhere in the world. Life isnt always fair so why should softball be any different. We get to get out of the house, travel for free, play a kids sport, and we still find something to complain about. Don't take it for granted.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
16" No Glove Nationals.  Best tournament I play in every year.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Disneys atmosphere can't be beat

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Cum and Go. We do it so often it has to be best by default i guess.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
The L5. Those who need to know, know.

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
When watching sad movies or tv shows I cry more than my wife or pretty much anyone else in the room. When the guy in the Green Mile was gonna get executed at the end and he asked to not wear the mask because he was scared of the dark I sobbed so hard people in the theatre were laughing at me. It was quite the scene. What can I say, I'm a sensitive guy.

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
The first year we were given free Easton stuff when playing with EWS in 2011. I had always heard about teams/players getting free stuff and now I was one of them. I have to admit it was a pretty cool feeling.

 



 

 

 

2 responses to “Chris Geron”

  1. huummm says:

    did they put the whole team on the watch list?? They did whoop a lot of ass!

  2. huummm says:

    haha! John Coffae, like the drank, but not spelled the same… Nice!

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