Friday March 29th, 2024
TEXT_SIZE

2018 Free Agent infielder Jeff Rowe

 

 

 

Jeff Rowe

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 12/24/2017

Who are you playing with in 2018?
2018 Free Agent – jeffrygrantrowe@gmail.com

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
3rd, 2nd, and 1st better at the corners

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Too many to name, the best players play Conference.

Why do you like the game of softball?
Its a good break from the work week. The competition is good, and honestly, I love the game. No one game is ever the same.  Any team can beat any team any time.  That's why we play the game..

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
John Paul Verver "Chito"  or Nick Stark.  They both play game the right way give it 100% all the time.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
J-Rowe…First letter of my first name and last name.  I don't know when people started calling me that, but they have been doing it for forever.

What is your height and weight?
5'10  220lbs

Where do you call home?
Thorndale, Texas

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Sitting on the couch with daughter watching football, or playing Golf.

What do you do for a living?
Drive a lumber truck for Builders First Souce.  I drop the wood all over central Texas.

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Golf.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Started a team when i was 20.  I was the oldest outside of our pitcher who was 40.  our ages ranged from 15-20.  We were called the Chopstix. Just played local and one a few tournaments, and got picked up by the Austin Freaks.  Team has been around since about 1995.  Started playing with them in 2003.  Got bumped to C for a few years and dropped down.  I wanted to play upper, so i play with a C team Call Your Shot "CYS", got bumped to B in 2016.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
Well i have not made the jump all the way.  I'm looking to do that.  I have played against alot of Conference teams though.  Big thing i noticed is the ball gets to faster in the infield, and they respect the game more in Conference.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Not really, i have my own style, right down to my swing.  Once you see it, you will never forget it.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Winning State in 2006.  We were an under the radar team that came in and dominated every team we played.  Made the team in the championship walk off the field after we batted around almost 3 times with no outs.

Winning Class C rings in Texas in 2016.  We lost our pitcher earlier that year to a heart attack on the field.  He went on and on about how special this team was.  Turns out he was right.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
George Alba, He is the so called CEO of Freaks Softball.  He picked me up to play with the Freaks.  He taught me how to play the game, and respect the game.  Taught me loyalty goes along ways and to never forget where you came from.  He taught me how to be patient at the plate and how ti hit a softball.  Since day one he has always helped me better myself to get to the next level.  Trust yourself and your game, and everything will work out.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Take lots of BP.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Thin bat tape 27/27.5

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Play league night and take lots of BP

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Dallas Cowboys and Notre Dame sports.  Football and playoff Basketball

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I clear the chalk line by the plate before i get set.  Resembles clearing your mind.  Really sucks on turf, just looks stupid trying to wipe it, but i still do it.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Also Sprach Zarathustra…its Ric Flairs entrance music

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
More tournaments and teams in the Austin area.  Cut the E division in half and move everyone up.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
It would have to be Thorndale Cook-off Tournament.  Its my home town tournament.  gets around 24 teams and its all played on one field.  The high school baseball field.  The locals all gather to watch the show case teams play on Friday night, and you cam smell the BBQ cooking starting the pits and buning wood..

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Its hard not to say Big League Dreams just because its turf and they have the inside part to watch games.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Easy, Whataburger…nothing hits the spot after a long day at the fields like a double meat double cheese burger and fries with spicy ketchup.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
2006 USSSA Worlds in Kansas City.  I dont think the sun ever came out or the rain ever stopped.  We played in water that covered our shoes.  We had a guy, rather large fella, trying to score from third on a ball to the fence.  He took 3 steps and fell, got up took 3 more and fell again.  Got up and got about 15 feet from the plate and fell again.  could not get up so he tried crawling to the plate and never could get a grip.  got tagged out about 5 feet from home.

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
It's nothing special but i worked hard to get it there, my golf handicap is 11.

What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
Prolly the ring we won in Texas at the Battle of the Rings.  Couple of team mates bought my Ring for me and gave it to me as Wedding Gift later that year.
 

One response to “2018 Free Agent infielder Jeff Rowe”

  1. Freak 3 says:

    J-Rowe is a great teammate that I hope gets a shot with a Conference team. He spent the later part of his 20’s playing with a team that at best was an average “D” team…he could have easily jumped shipped…but his loyalty to the team kept him around…he chose to play with friends instead of chasing wins!

    This guy will leave it on the field for you…young guy with an old school attitude!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.