2018 Free Agent infielder Mark Cridland
Mark Cridland
Interview conducted on 10/20/2017
Who are you playing with in 2018?
Steel… last 4 years
2018 Free Agent – Cridlandm@yahoo.com
What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Infield … 1b and 2b …C
Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Ryan McClellan… tremendous power / stadium power
Why do you like the game of softball?
Keeps me active and love to travel … meeting new people who eventually become life friends
Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
John Rice… tremendous athlete Can play any position 5 tool player
What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Crid
What is your height and weight?
6'-3" 240
Where do you call home?
Galveston , TX is where I call home but I live in Friendswood TX
What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
At home with my animals
What do you do for a living?
Process Operator at a Chemical Plant
Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Baseball and Football … college and pro baseball
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Got started with Slapaho then was asked by Mitschke and Kirk Laird to play on Texas Miken … Scott Kirby asked me years earlier but I declined because I thought softball was a horrible game
What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
The competition by far … some great players in the game today
Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Jeff Janecka … he's a local legend
What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Winning A Worlds this year with Steel
In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Not really. I always try to play th game the right way.
Would like to tell Mark Holsenbach thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking me in 4 years ago to the Steel family. We had a hell of a run.
And Kevin Cooper for being a great sponsor as well with Texas Miken and PowerHouse
What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Work on hitting. Hit every chance you get
What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Pinky off the knob
What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Nothing … just try to stay in some kind of shape
What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Texas Longhorns … golf
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
What ever did work the game before do it again .. if it didn't work try something different
What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Beast of Burden … Rolling Stones
What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Raise the bat passing limit to 240 or so …
What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Little Rock …. Busch Classic Love the food and the atmosphere
What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Vegas … love the scenery
Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Anything Mexican
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
Not sure but playing with Kevin Ballard and Bobby Mitchell was a hell of a good time this year. Always kept me laughing. They are some Goons
Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I'm a bit different lol
What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
Probably being named team MVP and team Captain at The University of Texas
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