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2020 Free Agent pitcher Jarrid Hurst

 

 

 

Jarrid Hurst

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 12/4/2019

Who are you playing with in 2020, and who have you played with in the past?
2020 Free Agent – Jarridhurst@yahoo.com

No one as of right now. And I’ve played with the old B team in SoCal named Toe2Toe

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
I Pitch and play 1st. Some 5 man as well.

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
That’s tough. I’ve always been a fan of Daniel Sanchez.

Why do you like the game of softball?
I like it because of the competitiveness and the crazy bond we all share. It’s like when we’re all out here playing we’re not just people or dudes playing we’re a family who gets to enjoy something we all love.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Best up and coming would have to be my good buddy. Joseph Roseli

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Penguin. Haha funny story when I played my first open tourney I was all suited up and geared up to be hit and hit at when pitching. So I was so padded up and everything I couldn’t move and walk normal. And I was a little heavier then, so I waddled like a penguin would. So they started calling me the penguin.

What is your height and weight?
5’9 195lbs

Where do you call home?
Orange, CA

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Relaxing with family and bbq in the back

What do you do for a living?
Work for the Honda center in Anaheim, CA.

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

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
I started playing one day with a buddy. I went to the field and helped him take ground balls and I ended up playing that night and they asked me to play for the season. I got asked to play B’s team just by a friend. Ended up pitching for them.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
Definitely the atmosphere. And skill level. Not even just that they hit the ball harder but they’re more precise on where they’re hitting the ball and spotting the ball.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Not really. I'm a left handed pitcher who can hit anywhere he wants to in between the lines

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
State championship. Couple years back bases loaded 2 outs down by 3 I come up to bat. Pitcher throws 2 straight strikes. Then throws junk to load the count to full. Throws the perfect hanging knuckle. Hit a walk off grand slam to win the state championship.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
My older brother. Sam Marquez. Even though he doesn’t play upper ball he has been the influence of my later career. He’s helped me see through situations and talked me through the toughest situations. Helped me shake the nerves and emotions. Don’t know if I would be playing upper ball if it weren’t for him.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Work hard and don’t stop thriving. Don’t let one play mess up your whole game. Move on to the next. Push yourself to become that person you watch on videos streams. Don’t give up ever keep grinding.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
I use a double overlay grip. I swing a 27-26oz bat depending on how the bat is loaded I’ll switch in between.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
A lot of training. Like pitching practice. A lot of bp. Meaning working on hitting certain spots and working on overall hitting.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Favorite sports team well football is the saints and baseball is cardinals. But favorite sport other then softball is probably football.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Ever since high school I never touch the white chalk line walking on or off the field.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Undeniable by Seckond Chaynce

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Definitely patience.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Toys for tots in Palm Springs, CA it’s overall the best tourney it’s so much fun to have some of the best of the best there playing for a good cause. And watching all the lower teams battle for the title as well.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Probably goosetown. In anaconda, Montana. All cuz it’s an old school legion field. And brings back the old times feeling of the wood bleachers. It just has history.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
I’m big fan of sushi. So any where I can get some bomb rolls.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
I was playing one year in Texas. An older dude was pitching having a good time he tried to be fancy and juked too hard and ball slipped out of his hand. It went about 3’ above his head and hit him on top of the head. I don’t think there was a single person who wasn’t on the ground laughing.

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I have Tourette’s syndrome. Only way you’d really know is if you watched me and or asked me why I did certain things.


 

 

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