2017 Free Agent 1B/C/EH Justin Holt
Justin Holt
Interview conducted on 6/4/2017
Who are you playing with in 2017?
Was with FenceBrokers before team merger fell apart
Free Agent – Coach_holt20@hotmail.com
What positions do you play and what is your best position?
1B/C/EH
Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Way too many guys at the top of the game to single out just one.
Why do you like the game of softball?
Fills in the competitive void for me since my college ball days finished. The speed of the game and seeing it played correctly is very exciting to watch. It's more impressive seeing guys hit the ball all around the field than it is seeing 450gt shots.
Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
I've got to go with some home state guys. Adam Ussery is a gamer and all around great guy. He's made it to the top quickly. Great glove and works at his craft consistently.
Corey Briggs is without a doubt one of the best players in the game. Can glove it on the infield with the best but watching him play OF is fun to do. Absolute cannon.
Stuart Snell can hit it as hard as anyone.
A guy to look out for is Bryan Bryles. Guy can play and is still learning the game. Can hit it a ton and is stellar in the outfield.
What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
99% of the people who know me just call me "Holt". Atleast to my face they do!
What is your height and weight?
6'0 235
Where do you call home?
Little Rock, Arkansas.
What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
sleeping! Can never get enough of that!
What do you do for a living?
Middle School teacher/ coach. I also give private hitting/fielding lessons at D-Bat Little Rock in the evenings.
Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
yes. Played baseball in high school. Went to a JUCO for a year before transferring to a small Division 1 school in Arkansas, where I finished my career and degree.
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
My junior year of college I tore my hamstring and just worked all summer. A teammate of mine, Matt Pace, and his dad asked me to come play. So I picked up and played OF for them before moving to SS for a few times that summer. The next summer I played more often before being asked by Matt Smith to play in a local benefit tournament with Arkansas Mayhem on Baseball fields. After that weekend I went to D nationals with them and then next joined their team in C. For the next 4-5 years we made our way up to getting bumped to B.
This year Chris Walker gave many of us the opportunity to play at the conference level. It didn't exactly go as planned which lead to the split between the two teams.
What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
Just how the game is played and playing it the right way. Not hitting bad homeruns or grounding into double plays. There are so many good players at this level that you can't take anything lightly. Which is why I want to stay at this level. Every pitch matters and mental mistakes will hurt you more often than playing mistakes.
Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
I'm just myself. There are lots of guys out here who can hit the ball well. I just try to be a great teammate and play the game the right way. I don't try to be someone I'm not.
What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Lots of great moments but Winning the C division in the Busch a couple years ago was pretty cool but probably something that sticks out more was playing on a coed team out of Texas called Most Hated with some of the Derby girls. We were down by 7 or 8 with time running out as the home team so I had to give myself up to take the 3rd out to play another inning. Well the next inning we ended up batting around and I came back up and hit a walk off to win the game. Was a pretty cool moment I think.
In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
All the guys on Arkansas Mayhem always pushed me to be a better player. But when I started hitting BP with Zach Keene, it gave me a different perspective on the game. Also learning from Walker and Mike Wilson on different hitting scenarios has really helped me elevate my game. So I can't pick out a single person, it took quite a few.
What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
If you want to play up, find a team that travels to conference events and find a way to join there team. Even if it's as an extra. When the opportunity comes, take full advantage of it. Play the game the right way and be a good person and the right things will happen.
What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
27 endload. Pinky overlap.
What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
workout and take effective BP. Even if I'm hitting alone indoors I'll set up markers and move the tee all around to work on different swings just try to focus on hitting the center of the ball and towards different markers.
What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Big time New England Patriots fan but also a diehard Arkansas Razorback fan.
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I have a quirky routine getting into the box, but it helps me focus and I remind myself to swing at strikes.
I always put my right hand batting glove on first and tighten them when I'm on deck.
What would be your "at bat" music selection?
In college I had some good ones.
Lil Wayne "I run this"
Three days grace "Riot"
But currently it would be "You can't stop m" by Mineo
What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Anything related to Player Safety.
I wouldn't mind seeing bases moved back 5ft on softball fields.
What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Went to the Denison Snowball and Tripp Roth for first time this year and both were great environments to play in.
What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
As an infielder I'm going to say any complex with turf will Have to be on the list. But can never go wrong with playing at Disney.
Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
If they have wings, count me in!
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
Jason Bridges doing Harry Carry impressions are worth every second.
Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I strongly dislike driving in the rain.
What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
Signed baseballs from Both of my State Champion winning teams.
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