Thursday March 28th, 2024
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2022 Free Agent Ryan Snyder

 

 

 

Ryan Snyder

USSSA Playing History

 

Interview conducted on 12/18/2017

2022 Free Agent AA, P/2b/OF if needed. Text or call 860-384-9230

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
OF,2b… For the past 4 years I've switched back and forth from outfield to infield depending on team needs. I prefer Outfield but believe I will be playing mostly infield this summer.

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
I enjoy watching Neil Haglund play along with Steven Lloyd, they play both sides of the ball and can go line to line or hit a homerun whenever needed.

Why do you like the game of softball?
I enjoy softball because it allows me to stay competitive, there is actually a lot of strategy in it once you break it down so I enjoy the thinking part of the game. Most importantly I enjoy it because its fun, that locker room feel is the best part of playing sports, I think that will be what I miss the most once I stop playing.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
I'm going to leave this question alone haha. Don't feel like getting 100 text messages asking me why I didn't mention them!

What is your height and weight?
6'0 210 lbs

Where do you call home?
Portland, CT

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
I work second shift and every other weekend so my free time in the summer is few and far between. If I do have a free weekend I try and do whatever my wife wants to do, she doesn't give me to much crap for playing ball, which I'm thankful for. My son is 9 months, once he starts getting into sports my playing days will be over.

What do you do for a living?
I work for the Department of Children and Families in a locked adolescent psychiatric facility.

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Baseball, Basketball, Soccer and Hockey. Played 4 years of college baseball. 2 at a junior college and 2 at North Carolina Wesleyan College.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
My brother and I grew up on the softball field right across the street from where we grew up, my dad played for years and we actually run the league now. So as soon as we were old enough my dad got us playing in a Sunday Morning league and then we started playing while in college with all of our buddies.I got asked to play with Thunder in 2016 and we had an awesome summer, got bumped and unfortunately two scooped at the A worlds. I played with SIS/RAC last season and we beat quite a few conference teams and did well all year long. I stayed in contact with a lot of the Thunder guys and didn't burn any bridges so that's how I was asked to join the STARS team for this upcoming season.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
The respect level and lack of arguing at the conference level is great. I cannot stand the constant back and forth crying at the local level. It gets old quick. As far as the actual game, you are playing against the best in the country, not debatable. DW puts in a lot of time to bring attention to softball along with John Kings on social media.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
I try to watch certain players as much as I can, anyone who does the right thing at the plate, sometimes you make outs trying to do the right thing and I respect that. I've watched Neil Haglund play for years, he hits backside with no one on, not always worried about stats. If he swung like some of these other guys he'd be getting all of their awards.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Playing D, at the CT Major, we were down 15 or so to Turano Construction a conference B team, they were laughing at us. Fast forward 3 innings I hit a walk off grand slam to eliminate them from the tournament. They never played another tournament after that…..We finished 4th in that tournament, pretty cool,we had all the major teams watching us.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
We were lucky enough to be raised playing sports thanks to my Dad. But without the sponsors none of us would be playing. Angelo Fazio, Scott Delorge, Dave Gregoire, Seth Green, Joe Benanti, Rick Shiffhauer and Will Sanchez. THANK YOU!

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Don't be afraid to play up and take your lumps. I've seen some weak stuff in recent years about teams not playing in tournaments because a certain team was in it also. You have to play those teams and see why they are successful. Take advice from anyone willing to give it. Play in backyard tournaments and early spring tournaments and if you get a chance to move up, do it. Be loyal but at the same time if you really want to play up you have to take the opportunity because it's not easy getting into the upper level. If you have friends on teams and they get upset with you, then they really aren't your friends, they are softball "friends" unfortunately that's the crappy part of softball.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Normal Grip, 26oz

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Workout, play hockey and watch Doug Wenz and Mike Snyder hitting videos.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Boston Redsox, Green Bay Packers, Duke, and Rangers Hockey. Hockey is my favorite sport.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I would call them ticks haha, I do a lot of moving around on the field.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Something Country

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Realistically, move the base paths back. It would allow infielders to recover a bobbled ball. It would also keep the scores down and make the game more athletic.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
The Two Town Tester, brings all the best teams from the CT, RI, MA area together, great fields……

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Oklahoma City hands down. Field plays true, and they rake and water it after every game.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Any place that has Pizza, one bite everybody knows the rules.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
2016 Razorback now known as the cocaine worlds, can't elaborate but my boys Mike Verbasco and Jared Audet had me in tears in the batters box. Close second is my brother getting called out at home plate after getting hit in the back of the head by the ball, the ump said he purposely tried to get hit in the head by the ball haha.
 

 

 

 

 

5 responses to “2022 Free Agent Ryan Snyder”

  1. Mooch says:

    GREAT player, but more importantly a GREAT GUY.

  2. Bill Reilly says:

    A very humble and great player. I have had the opportunity to be on the same team and have play against him. Always comes up with the big hit when it is needed most.

  3. Dom Ciliotta says:

    Great player…even better friend. Best of luck this year pal.

  4. Bash says:

    Class act. Always friendly. League guys will remember this about him as much as his talent.

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