Friday March 15th, 2024
TEXT_SIZE

2020 Free Agent pitcher Steve Myers

 

 

 

Steve Myers

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 9/23/2019

Who are you playing with in 2019, and who have you played with in the past?
I play Military A with JTF Legacy/Anarchy/Sis and with Heroes Sports locally.

2020 Free Agent – firemanbutch@yahoo.com

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Pitcher

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
I've seen a lot of guys play but I had the pleasure of having Tommy Melton as a teammate for 3 years in the military circuit and he's one of the best at that position in the country and a great teammate. Others that I've watched or played with are Flip Washington, Jason Legault, Wegs, Helmer, Chad Augistin, Bubba Mack just to name a few.

Why do you like the game of softball?
I grew up playing baseball and then transitioned into softball right after high school. My dad actually got me into the game and have been playing ever since and love it. Love the competition and especially the camaraderie of the military circuit.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
Matt Brady is a stud!! He's super humble and is one of the best up and coming offensive and defensive players I've seen. Andrew Faunce is ridiculous in the outfield. He's as fast as anyone I've seen in a long time, has a cannon and is a student of the game and is only going to continue to get better and better. Dante Love has some of the smoothest hands I've ever seen on an IF and hits it well too. Derek King is another young and up and coming player. He's got raw talent and is strong and quick. He's got a passion for the game and is a student of the game and will definitely be in the conference sooner than later!! Love having Dante, Derek and Matt as teammates on JTF Legacy!!

What is your height and weight?
6', 215 lbs

Where do you call home?
Rio Rancho, New Mexico

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Love watching my daughter compete in track, she's competing at the collegiate level next year. Playing golf with my two stepsons and spending time with my family and friends.

What do you do for a living?
Firefighter

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
5 year letterman in baseball and 4 year in football in High School

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
My dad got me into softball in 1997. I played intramural in the Air Force and have played as high as C althought I have an NCC B bump from 2017. Have been playing Military A since 2013 but looking for my chance to move up to the conference level. I don't get much exposure living in New Mexico as we don't have very competitive teams who want to travel out of state.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
Consistency is definitely the most recognizable difference to me. Having played in many conference events, everyone hits. The entire lineup from 1-10 are going to hit. You can tell that people put in the work off the field and it shows. Also, the defense is much better but that's a necessity as if you give teams a chance by making errors, they are much more likely to capitalize on those errors but that's at any level. You have to make the plays they give you!!

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
I don't feel like there is a specific player I would compare myself to. There are players I've watched and tried to learn from as I've developed as a pitcher. Obviously, Andy Purcell is one of the best in the game. Another pitcher who I watched when I first started pitching Utrip was Dustin "DK" Kentzell. The first time I saw him pitch was in 2012 right after I switched over from ASA to Utrip and I tried to emulate him. Jeremy Guillory taught me how to throw a curve and a cutter and at the time, I didn't even know you could do that with a softball.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
In 2013, myself and a buddy of mine, Cody Hynes, put together a team for the Military Band-Aid tournament in Colorado. It's a dual and we took 4th in the first tournament on Friday and didn't finish until about midnight. Came back Saturday morning at 8 a.m. for our first game. We lost our second game of the tournament and then won 10 straight and double dipped Government Issue to win the tournament. Played 19 games in 54 hours but was one of the best weekends of ball I've ever been a part of. I pitched all 19 games. 

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Rich Lawton was the first coach I had when I was in the Air Force. I was young and fiery and loved the game. I learned a lot from him and he gave me a chance to succeed. He's been a great friend throughout the years and is one of the top pitchers in the military circuit, still at 52. Now, I love competing against him and the GI guys and also with him on the Over 40 team we play on together. 

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Put in the work off the field. People don't realize how much work it takes to get to the upper level. I take hundreds of cuts a week whether it's off a tee or live bp. Get out and play every chance you can.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
One finger off the knob and one finger overlap and a 27 oz. endload.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
I'm a gym rat, have been my whole life. My dad was a bodybuilder so I grew up in the gym. I do HIIT and weight training and have a balanced diet. I keep in shape all year and have also competed in bodybuilding competitions as well. Also, as a firefighter I have a lot of down time so I hit off a tee 3 times a week and practice pitching as well as live bp whenever I get a chance. It's pretty warm here in NM most of the year but we also have a really nice indoor facility to take cuts as well.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Niners in NFL, Cubs in MLB and Irish in NCAA. I root for NMSU also as my mom, dad and sister are all alumni.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I wouldn't really say I am superstitious except when I'm playing on a dirt field, I always clean off the rubber before each inning. Idk why but just something I do.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
All The Way Up by Fat Joe or When Legends Rise by Godsmack

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Not necessarily upper ball but, in my opinion, I believe all pitchers at every level should be required to wear a mask. It's too dangerous, the bats are more live than ever and the balls are hard. I've seen too many people injured and it could've been prevented if they had a mask on. I don't know if it's required in the conference but if it isn't, it should be but from what I've seen, most, if not all pitchers are upper levels wear masks.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Military Band-Aid for sure! The military softball community is like a big family. Between the lines, it's game on but between games the camaraderie is like nothing you'll ever see anywhere else. It's a brotherhood.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
I love Spacecoast except for the weather delays and lightning. Skyview in Colorado Springs is awesome or any complex that is all turf really. The new complex in Albuquerque is gorgeous and would love to see a conference event there.

Non turf is definitely Botetourt Complex in Roanoke VA.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Wherever the team wants to go. I'm easy and I love food. Anywhere I can go with my teammates and relax and laugh and cut up.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
I was pitching against Lackland AFB in the Band-Aid last year and we had one out. A flyball was hit to my center fielder, Jason White who caught the ball on the run near the fence and proceeded to jump up and slam dunk the ball over the fence. He said he thought it was the third out, was the dumbest and funniest thing I've ever seen. Love you Jason…haha.

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I stopped a car from running my mom over when I was 5 years old. If you see me, ask me and I'll tell you the story.
 

 

 

2 responses to “2020 Free Agent pitcher Steve Myers”

  1. Tommy Melton says:

    Steve’s a competitor. You want him as a teammate and you don’t want to face him. He’s one of the rare pitchers that throws a 3-1 knuckle consistently. He also hits for average and power. It’ll be great to see him with a shot. Good Luck Brother. You’ve earned it.

  2. Steve Myers says:

    Appreciate it Tommy. Fingers crossed brother ????

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.