Thursday March 28th, 2024
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Levi Lynch

 

 

 

Levi Lynch

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 1/14/2020

Who are you playing with in 2020, and who have you played with in the past?
2020 Free Agent – levi.lynch@usssa.com – unless I am working as an independent contractor at a CUSSSA event near you!

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Player – 2B/M
Umpire – anywhere/anytime

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Jerry Thompson…
JT was one of my dad's best friends and we'd go watch him play when I was young.
That was the first time I'd ever seen the game of slowpitch.  The game has changed a lot since then, but at that point I thought he had to be the best – so why change that now.

Why do you like the game of softball?
The shared intricacies with baseball.  I love the game of baseball, and once that ends (multiple shoulder procedures) for a lot of us – this becomes our escape.  Also, the people you meet along the way – granted there are plenty of @ssholes in and around most softball complexes, and in all aspects of life – but I have met some of the best people I know, due to this goofy sport.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
With today's technology & faster, bigger, stronger – there are lots of kiddo's I see playing B & C, that just need an opportunity.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Depends on if I am behind the plate or in the batter's box (yes – the place where my back foot has to be no further towards the pitcher than home plate).  As a player – "Levi"…not a ton of Levi's running around.  As an umpire – @#$, *&$^%#, Red, Blue, Umpy…

Where do you call home?
Tacoma, WA

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Golf, adventures with the Wifey, family time and the couch.

What do you do for a living?
IT – Senior Migration Engineer | Healthcare

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Baseball/Basketball/Football – HS
Baseball/Basketball – College

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
My business class teacher in college asked a couple of us to come fill in for a league game.
Then Bob Johnson let me tag along with his Extreme Easton – A team.
Bob, this is all your fault!!!

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
Playing – speed of the game and the time these folk put into the craft.
Umpiring – dedication these guys (umpires) give to the game with absolutely ZERO in return.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Harvey – we both like Tito's
Fish – I walk(run) from home plate to 3B (but that is usually when there is a play at 3B, not before an at-bat)
Wegman/Yates – I have most recently been swinging Easton
Amanda Lynch – sexy and hits Dingers!

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
As a player – Giving other players opportunities to play at the highest level.  There have been many times we've put teams in CUSSSA events to get some guys seen…plaques, rings, trophies and t-shirts collect dust.
As an umpire – Working every MMWS Championship since I have been doing this…2017 USSSA National Umpire of the Year

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Phillip Wheeler/Jason Oberlag/Doc Beckwell
Wheeler got me started, Jred fine-tuned the trade, and Doc put me on the field.

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Everyone is watching…always.
This goes for players and umpires.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
pinky overlap, 26oz.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Get my hotel booked for Vegas!!!

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
No teams in particular – I love the sport of baseball, 2nd half of college basketball games and 4th quarter of NBA games…playoff hockey and college football.  And Sunday's are typically spent with the TV on the NFL Network – Red Zone.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Not that I am aware of – doesn't mean there are some habits mixed in…

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Probably something from the Jimmy Buffett collection

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
I plead the 5th at this time…aka " I am only here so I don't get fined."

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Tripp Roth is a great tourney in Louisiana
AWS World in Vegas is always a fun, relaxed weekend
Lonestar Softball Winter World in North Texas always pulls a ton of teams
…and of course, all the random coed tourneys me and the Wifey get to play in!

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Viera | Space Coast Stadium…hands down, the Mecca of Slow Pitch Softball

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Texas Roadhouse, WaWa or Smoky Bones

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
#CodeOfTheRoad
I wouldn't even know where to start…

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I am an IT nerd and a huge Star Wars fan…and love to read.
I've hit back-to-back HRs with Jose Canseco and homered off Braden Looper (youngsters can Google those folks).

One response to “Levi Lynch”

  1. Whaley says:

    He’s really a Texan posing as a tree hugger. I remember being shocked to see you umping in the conference and now I can’t imagine you not doing it. I hope you are doing well my man. Always great to see you on and off the field.

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