An interview with Victory/Demarini player/manager Rodney Munoz
Rodney Munoz
Why do you like the game of softball?
It started out being for fun but got "Addicting" just fun being with the guys on the road stuff we missed growing up playing ball…
Who is the best softball player you have ever seen?
Wow… Many, many I have seen… Since I have yet to experience the conference, many So-Cal players have caught my eye… Matt Pesso, Chent Granados, Jesus Sital, Sean Boldt, Mike Cervantes, Greg Barrios, Rego Nieto, Lil Ray Ray is an up and coming player, Jake Valdez, Ed Lovato, Mike Jones, Yayo Villegas and Charlie Case oh yeah Allen Wayne.. I am sure I will see some guys in the Conference that will kill it this year..
Where do you call home?
Saugus Ca.. However Grew up in the 818 also known as the San Fernando Valley…
What do you do for a living?
I work for a company called Medtronic based out of Northridge Ca, been here for 14 yrs.. I am also a So-Cal USSSA Director.
What is your softball background as a player?
I played baseball my whole life, and then experienced playing softball, enjoyed it more cause you can play 3 softball games in the same time as one baseball game.. Don't get me wrong Baseball has always been my true love, but softball is just a hobby.. Well maybe a love too.. Lol.. I started playing Softball in the late 1990's back then there was no divisions it seamed to me you played who ever.. I started getting serious in 04-05 played with No Limit, and Hartzel Dentistry for a quick stint, then came Victory…We moved up every year…the way it should be…
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
We Victory Custom Athletic got our start in the D division in 2009, we won ASA Nationals in Farmington New Mexico, fell a lil short in Oklahoma.. Oklahoma was a great experience, however last year 2010 we made a run in USSSA C worlds took 5th out of 96 teams played some good teams.. Disney Complex was amazing… This year I figured why not move up, we have some good talent and we will be a competitive team..
Who are you managing/sponsoring in 2011?
Victory/Demarini
What does your roster and schedule look like?
We are playing a B tourney in San Diego this month, and will make stops in Vegas, AZ, Colorado, TX, Seattle, Concord and Florida
Roster
Rodney Munoz
Aaron Ingram
Sean Boldt
Travis Thurmond
David Nowak
Ron Ayola
Brian Lang
Mike Cervantes
Greg Barrios
Mike Calise
Alexander Montano
What is your teams goal for 2011?
Our goal is to beat all the teams we should beat and give the upper teams a run.. We hope to b a top 5 B teams…
Where do you look for talent?
Believe it or not, I like taking chances on Raw young players that are coming up.. I have yet to this year but I am sure one will catch my eye…
What is more important, talent or attitude?
In my book Attitude! You can have the most talented player but if he is a cancer and a problem, it wont be good for the team…
How do you evaluate players?
Attitude, poise, if the player hustles and if he is hungry… And not for a hamburger..haha
What is your favorite sports team?
NBA-Lakers, NFL-Redskins, MLB-Dodgers, NCAA-Tenn
What is your favorite sport other than softball?
Baseball
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Only one, if I lose the coin toss I send a different person the next time…
What is your most memorable softball moment?
Even though Oklahoma was great, gotta be last year USSSA C worlds, we didn't have the most talented team but played with a lot of heart…
Is slowpitch softball a sport or a game?
It's almost a sport, but it's a game…
What is the best improvement upper level softball could make to bring in more sponsors?
Have incentives for teams when the place in tournaments that will help pay for travel, help teams with hotel rates, and travel expenses… There are many C team in So-Cal that I'm thinking wont take that step to conference because of the travel expenses..
What is your favorite non-World tournament?
Considering I have yet to play the conference, and I am sure I will have a new favorite this year, but local tourneys in So-Cal like T4T Palm Springs the Avocado when it was in Ojai was fun, TOC was always fun, Civil War always brings some Nor-cal teams out… Our goal is to bring a major tourney to So-cal. So many good spots to have it.
What can be done to improve the Conference Championships?
Can I tell you if we go? lol
Is the game better or worse with homerun limits and why?
I say with limits.. Give B & A teams a shot to beat an Upper team…
Who was the best team in softball history?
Resmondo that year they didn't lost that many games, forgot the year… (probably 2007)
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
Me getting only a few at bats last year in USSSA worlds and hitting a ball 380 opo for an out! &^%$$#…
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