An interview with Pitcher Daniel Evans

Daniel Evans

USSSA Playing History

Major Watch List Player

Interview conducted on 1/10/2020

Who are you playing with in 2020, and who have you played with in the past?
Retired

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

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Helmer- stand up guy. Always been nicest guy and hammered ball off me.
Andy- not even close Greatest Ever.
Wegman- don’t know him one bit, but always plays hard all the time
KP- he’s a Freak. Best in game now.
Ben Dunn- I know I’m going to take flack for this. But no one covers the ground or has a motor like this man. He is a machine and even better dude. He’s been doing it for years and now getting to show everyone what us guys in Texas have seen for years.

Why do you like the game of softball?
Have met my best friends in life from this game. Way more then just a girls game softball

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Joe Joe, Josh Fyffe, PWag, AU or as we call him (0 time Usssa world champ), all play both sides very well. And are just great people

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Pick Up Dan- Potts, Bern and Cooper gave to me. Because I stink and my friends always have to pick me up after I stink on field

Where do you call home?
Dallas, Texas

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
With family or golfing

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
I was always at the ball park with my old man as a kid. Road trips, flights, etc. And Tarz and Linedrive gave me first shot at playing in the conference.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
I can get hits in non conference events. Conference events I got no shot.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
LC- he is by far a better hitter and pitcher. But I believe when we both get out on the field we hate to lose and give everything we have every game. Whether it’s backyard event or major worlds. He’s a warrior and love that about him.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Honestly beating Mr USA (Travis Clark) over and over and over again in the USA A nationals. He is the best by far but in my mind I’ve beat him way more then he’s beat me and never got invite to team USA. Popularity contest I don’t fall in politics of it. Also Winning worlds with my guys, we have won with 6 to 8 of our best friends that live close, go on vacations together and will be forever. Being able to share that moment with some of my best friends in life. And some of them multiple times.

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 Barnes- never forget I moved to Texas he threw a C team together for two events. We almost won the conference championship to get into the major. (The play in event). The C worlds. He didn’t know me I didn’t know him. We almost got into fist fight on the field in C worlds. And now he’s one of the guys I respect the most in the game. Trusted me when I had never won a thing.

Freddie- one of weirdest but greatest individuals I’ve ever met. Knew every food spot in every City. Always believed in me before I even did. Miss my guy

Tarz- can not Thank him enough for giving me a shot. Great sponsor along with Richie.

Lyf- introducing me to the Texas group when I was a loud mouth Detroit northern guy.

Mike, Matt, & Vicki and Xtreme gang- when I was sitting at home they gave me a shot mid year to help bring a ring to the family. They opened their home and family to me when they had no idea who I was or what kind of guy I was. One of best people in game.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Watch and learn. It seems nuts to stay at the field and watch softball. But learning where guys stand, what they are comfortable with and not. Any little advantage helps. And watch Andy, Travis, Mooch, and the best they are there for a reason. Take it in.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Live PD and Chill with wife- BGR

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Lions and Tigers. Golf

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
My son chooses every year

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
I love it. I think it runs well. Every business has goods and bads. Can’t make everyone happy. But for most part I would keep playing if I wasn’t so old and slow.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Disney, greatest place ever.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Roadhouse- Barnes – BBQ chicken and bowl chili.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
Not on the field but at C worlds Mcbryde drives car up to Osceola field to pick us up. It’s pouring. He drives to blue building in between fields. Heads out the maintenance entrance. I say hey bud go left, I think the road is left. He says no I’ll take this one to the right. He drove rental van into a 4’ deep drainage ditch full of water. Greatness!!!! Look like a road. Hahahahaha