Tuesday March 26th, 2024
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Free Agent infielder Nick Utley – Can drive to SMOKY

 

Free Agent can drive to Smoky

softballguy20@yahoo.com     618-218-5372

 

Nick Utley

USSSA Playing History

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
I am an infielder. Can play any position. Played ss with Taylormade/Mizuno in 2013

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
I've only been in the conference a year and a half, but if I had to pick an infielder and outfielder it would probably have to be Jeremy Yates and Kevin Kennington. They both play extremely hard and are one of the best at their positions. Not to mention they both kill it!

Why do you like the game of softball?
It keeps the competitive edge in me. I played college baseball and minor league baseball, so it keeps me playin the game I grew up playing at an extremely high level of competition.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Jackie Corn hits it like no other and Brian Logan can flat out track it down! Also some love for a young player back home, Gabe Pirtle, still playing college baseball, the kid can run it and and has hands at the plate like I have never seen.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Utley, "ut"  no big reason, just easier than saying Utley.

What is your height and weight?
6'1" 210lbs

Where do you call home?
Madisonville, KY

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
If it's not playing pick-up around home, then it would probably have to be out on some golf course or with my brothers or buddies hitting the gym.

What do you do for a living?
I am a personal trainer and I work at a restaurant distribution company

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
5 years of college baseball and played 4 years in the minors

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Church league softball with Randell Ramage here at home is how I started. I played a few pick up tourneys and then moved to Florida. It took me a couple months to find softball in Florida but eventually I got on a pick up team with Chad Hickman and the boys. Middle of next summer I was playin with Scotty Langford, and soon after I was with Westshore Pizza. In 2013 I was with Taylormade Mizuno. I was originally signed to play with Reds Astros in 2014 but some big changes came about and I was on the unlucky end of things.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
The pitching

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Beating Shoppe Friday night at the conference championships and then going 3-0 last year on Friday night!

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
26-27 end load. Pinky over laps bottom knob

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Indy, hit and train with my little brother who is still playing college baseball

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Atlanta Braves and Chicago Bears and I like college football and college basketball

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Never step on the white lines and if you win don't change anything.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Probably the Smoky…you can grip and rip

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Disney by far, and the ones in Chattanooga

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
BWW

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 responses to “Free Agent infielder Nick Utley – Can drive to SMOKY”

  1. Brooks says:

    I thought he was with Reds???

  2. Herb Price says:

    Nick is a solid player. He was in our plans originally but with some other teams folding we added some solid guys who were part of the A World champs last year (beating us in the finals – darn you anyway). With a little more conference experience he can become a really good player for an A team. I like him a lot and it was a tough call for both Nick and our team. He would have gotten some playing time but a player of Nick’s ability and at this early point in his conference career needed to play regularly. With us bumped up to A, we felt we needed to add some A championship level experience and we got a couple really good ones (Scott Zaciewski, Andrew Collins) and some stadium pop (power lefty Buddy Wolf). He is too good to sit ane with us he would have been platooning. He was willing to do that but after we kicked it around some decided he would be better off playing. Hope he gets an opportunity with an A team or a good B team on the rise.

  3. Mac says:

    Geez. Why can’t there be more managers like Herb?! Well said, void of drama, and straightforward.

  4. Brooks says:

    Can’t argue with that.

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