2020 Free Agent pitcher Tom Bloom

Tom Bloom

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 12/28/2019

What is your name?
Tom or Tommy Bloom are the nicer things people call me.         
        
Who are you playing with in 2020, and who have you played with in the past?        
2020 Free Agent – tbloom1@hotmail.com

I was extremely blessed to play for some of the greatest sponsors the game has seen over the last 3 years. 
2018, 2019 – Tim Franks and TDB (Sonny Pilcher, John Matusik)
2017 – Dan Smith (Eddie Menosse, Steve Smith)       
        
What positions do you play and what is your best position?        
Pitcher, Infield if needed.         
        
Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?        
Couldn't even begin list. So many talented players that I greatly respect. If I've had the opportunity, they usually know who they are.          
        
Why do you like the game of softball?        
Transition from baseball (which I greatly miss!)        
        
Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?        
Not sure if they would qualify because I think they are "already there" but just on age alone I would say Josh Riley and Daniel Cayton.
Riley is an amazing teammate and friend on top of amazing talent. 
"Bama" has already accomplished so much and I'm sure there's way more to come.
        
What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?        
Boomer or Bloomy and a few others probably NSFW        
        
What is your height and weight?        
6'2" 275        
        
Where do you call home?        
Maryland         
        
What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?        
My favorite would be to not have an off weekend but that's not my choice anymore. Spending time with my family is why I live.         
        
What do you do for a living?        
Cop        
        
Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?        
Baseball, Football, Basketball in High School
D-1 Baseball in College
Independent Professional Baseball
        
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?        
Started playing with some college baseball buddies after college and independent ball while still playing semipro. (It was tough playing weekends after pitching 2 baseball games during the week!). Never would have gotten to the Upper Level without my man Chris Greinert pushing for me and Mr. Pat Dalsanders and Mr. Dan Smith taking a chance on me and keeping me around.          
        
What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?        
I think outside looking in people don't realize how talented the guys are. To hear some of the stuff said just listening in the stands or on the internet is amazing.        
        
Is there a player that you would compare your game to?        
Nope        
        
What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?        
Winning USSSA C worlds for long time Deluxe Bakery sponsor Sammy Racobaldo was amazing.
Finishing 3rd twice and 4th once at the Major is pretty cool too.
        
In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?        
My Dad has had the most significant impact on everything about the man I have become.          
        
What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?        
Have talent is a good start. After that I have no idea. My major advice would be make sure your personal life (family, work) is squared away first and treat anyone who spends their money so you can play a game like they are gold. Nothing drys the Conference up quicker then when these generous people go away.          
        
What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?        
28 or 29oz. I like to grip the bat with at least one hand until I make contact. Then I don't grip the bat with any hands.         
        
What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?        
Pretty much whatever my wife tells me to do so she won't yell at me too much about playing during the season. Then I mix in some softball related stuff.        
        
What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?        
Football – Bears, Ravens
Baseball – Orioles 🙁
Basketball – Md Terps
        
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?        
I try not to change up anything if things are going well.         
        
What would be your "at bat" music selection?        
I would find out what my sponsor's and coach's favorite song is, that way they would be happy every time I came up to bat.         
        
What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?        
The Conference in itself is amazing. For any of its flaws everyone needs to take a step back and thank USSSA for what they have created. Without it, everyone would just be an amazing league night player if they weren't banned from even playing that. I would like to see more sponsors get involved with coming up with the rule changes they want because ultimately they are the ones that make everything go.          
        
What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?        
T4T best off season tournament by far. Being from Maryland you can't beat playing in 80 degrees in December.
Sunfest in Ocean City Maryland used to be awesome but any local tournament seems to be a shadow of what it once was.
        
What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?        
Space Coast Fields are amazing
The atmosphere in Cincy is the best
Disney was memorable.
        
Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?        
I'm not picky (see height and weight question)        
        
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?        
Any weekend I'm at the fields you can bet there isn't anyone having more fun than me.

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?        
I filled out this interview to help DW because of all he gives of himself to promote softball. That is if by some small chance anyone would actually read an interview about me.