An interview with Joey Michals
Joey Michals
Who are you playing with in 2012 and what teams have you played for in the past?
Having some discussion about helping to manage a team. I would like to still be playing but am in need of a kidney transplant and it has caused me to play very little the last couple of years….Ive played with many, many teams dating back to about 1988 or so.
Clay Insulation, Doc's/TPS, Vernon's, Uniflora, Herrin's, T&R Stucco, Suncoast to name a few..
Why do you like the game of softball?
For me its all about competing…I've always been somebody that needs something to get my juices flowing, the adrenaline pumping etc. This sport allows all of us frustrated jocks to still compete at a high level with the best competition in the country.
Who was the best player in the 1970's that you remember?
Just a kid in the 70's, but being from Jacksonville I was able to see a couple of Warren Motors games and Ray Fleetwood was one I remember
Who was the best player in the 1980's that you remember?
I started playing upper ball around 1988 or so and the guys that I remember were mostly local guys like Ronnie Ford, Mike Nye…
I was playing Class A (ASA) back then….that was all anyone played (ASA) that I knew and I remember playing against Mike Macenko, Ricky Huggins, Bruce Meade
Who was the best player in the 1990's that you remember?
Probably the guys I played against on Ritch's/Superior, Lighthouse, Steeles, etc
Dirk Androff, Roberson, Huggins, Macenko, Steve Craven, Hightower…lots of great ones
Where do you call home?
Jacksonville, Florida
What do you do for a living?
Once I realized that I was never gonna be financially free working for some big corporation working 40 hrs per week for 40 years and getting a $40 watch at the end, I decided to find something I loved to do and figure out a way to make some money doing it. In 2000 I started a company called Florida Investment Group (fancy name, 2 total employees, me and a part timer) and got into real estate, buying and selling bank owned properties, fixing them up and selling/renting them. I was fortunate to meet a very smart man that introduced me to networking back in 2004 that really changed everything for me… I have had a successful Monavie (nutritional products) business for 6+ years and opened an all natural/whole foods restaurant here and we serve 8 private schools their lunches everyday. I just helped launch an online gaming business that allows people to play skill based games online in cash tournaments. Its called FantaZ. By the way, anyone interested in more information regarding FantaZ and how to participate should click on the banner that will be on the Old Scout and SoftballCenter soon. (Shameless plug, sorry) DW will be putting that up soon. Anyway, i'm into numerous things and am all about free enterprise…its what makes this country the best in the world.
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Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
I played baseball and football in high school…Baseball at Florida Community College here in Jacksonville, then Univ. of North Florida.
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
I was a product of the local softball league here in Jacksonville. IN the mid 80's we had a great league that kept stats, had crowds, mostly because of the great Warren Motors teams that played here in 70's and early 80's. I was noticed in league by Vernon Dubberly. A lot of guys around today remember Vernon and what he did for softball. His Vernon's teams were some of the best ever winning A and Major titles in late 80's and early 90's. He gave me an opportunity a couple of times and that led to more opportunities.
What position do you play?
I started in left field, but have played SS and Middle last 15-20 years
What batting grip do you use?
1, sometimes 2 fingers off the bottom
What is the best hitting tip you could give to an up and coming player?
Move up in the box, hit a good pitch….too many guys take BP and swing at everything which helps exaggerate bad habits and create some new ones.
Was softball better in the aluminum or composite era?
that horse is glue by now….i could make an argument for both.
What is your favorite sports team?
The pink Sparks, my 7 year olds girls softball team. What can I say. Oh, and Jacksonville Jaguars….
What is your favorite sport other than softball?
Golf
What was your favorite softball complex to play at?
Thomasville, way back when all the big teams would play there every year and the ball flew like crazy. The pine trees were directly behind all the fields and you hit creatures into the top of the trees. Kendrick, Rusty, Dal…you guys know what Im talking about.
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
none
What are your most memorable softball moments?
I have underwear older than some of the guys playing upper ball these days so this one is tough but here are a few:
1. First time playing at the Smoky…..
2. Doc's/TPS 1995 winning a couple Nationals/Worlds and hitting 2 game winning HR's. (The only one we didnt win that year at the A level was the ASA. We came in 2nd after losing first game with about 100 teams in the tourney and came back through and dropping the last one to SoJern ….my memory is bad but I think Wallace was on that team, maybe Helmer and 1 or 2 that are still playing today. Maybe Jeff and Brett can remember.
3. 1992, Slugfest with Ritch's at Thomasville…
4. U.S Vinyl scoring 52 runs in one inning at the Smoky against us in Winners Bracket Semifinal….that sucked
5. Meeting Dustin Roberts….lol
What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Probably limit Major players per team
What is/was your favorite non-World tournament?
Smoky
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
Some guy got mad at his coach the previous inning and the 2 were arguing when he went back out to center field and in the middle of the inning they were still yelling at each other. The center fielder threw his glove over the fence, stripped off all of his clothes except his jock. Left the uniform in a pile in center , climbed the fence and left the complex.
Joey hope your well long time been busy