Friday March 29th, 2024
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2019 Free Agent SS/IF Tyler Wiles

 

 

 

Tyler Wiles

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 10/9/2018

Who are you playing with in 2019?
2018 – Crunchtime/HaterzAthletics
2019 – Free Agent – wilesjonathant@gmail.com

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Infield anywhere other than first. Been playing SS mainly but can move to middle, 2nd, 3rd comfortably

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Too many to mention just one. But watching all of the Major guys in person the past couple years; they're very impressive and motivating.

Why do you like the game of softball?
Coming out of college baseball it keeps up the competitive edge, and the softball community is enormous so meeting new people and establishing relationships is endless.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
The Carolinas are overflowing with talent these past couple years with guys trying to make it to the conference/upper level.

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Wiles (Last name), Red Beard (always keep a little ginger on the field)

What is your height and weight?
5' 8", 210#

Where do you call home?
Burlington, NC

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Hanging out with my wife and son, watching sports with friends and family, fishing.

What do you do for a living?
Certified Athletic Trainer with Murphy Wainer Orthopedics

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
College baseball for 3 years at Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
My girlfriend at the time (now wife) invited me to play coed while I was still in college and was hooked. Started playing men's fully in 2013. OJ/Juice/J'Gawd Gibson picking me up to play B/C (Briggs Collision) in 2017 off a D team giving me and another guy an opportunity to move up.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
I haven't made the conference jump fully yet, but playing in a couple conference tournaments, I'd say the pitching and defense and the overall attitude of the game. Not as much bickering, complaining, mouth as in the lower level/backyard tournaments.  Also you gotta make the routine defensive plays because the good teams are going to turn an error into multiple runs!

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Not that I would compare to directly, but I look up to Reyna and Ussery. Smaller guys but scrappy, hard nose infielders and good hitters that have excelled in the conference.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Winning the B World this past year with Crunchtime/Haterz. 100% underdogs going into the world's.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Juice Gibson/OJ Mcfarland for giving me an upper chance, Casey Jones/Jeremy Vaughn/Bradley Scott (local guys we put in the work together in league and BP) anyone else that I've asked advice and given me their honest/non biased opinion

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Keep grinding, attitude goes a long way, and this game is humbling. Can't let a few bad games, tournaments , or any slumps keep yah down. And find someone better/higher up than you to chase and work with.

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
2 finger overlap grip. 27oz endload or 28oz balanced.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Lift, workout, hit and throw throughout the winter. Indoor swings or outdoor depending on the weather.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
Anything UNC Tarheels, Boston Red Sox and Carolina Panthers. College football is always exciting to watch on a Saturdays.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
My at bat ritual/set up is always the same just because I try to always stay in the same midset every at bat. Not stepping on the lines coming onto and off the field. (It's a baseball thing I guess)

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Probably anything Eminem. His music is raw and intense. It'd get anyone fired up.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Friday night 1 pitches are always a good time! Halloween Havoc, Toys for Tots, and 250' states are always fun to end the season and play with buddies you've been playing against all season.

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
For scenery – The Summit in Tennessee
For playing surfaces – Space Coast Complex Vierra, FLA

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Cookout! Everytime. Makes a long day and a long ride home worth it
 

 

4 responses to “2019 Free Agent SS/IF Tyler Wiles”

  1. Bad Draw says:

    Tyler is a very good ball player. He has been a big part of two great teams from the Carolinas. He was with Briggs in 2017 and with the B World Champs; Crunchtime in 2018. He works hard at his game and would be an easy player for any sponsor to manage. –Cash

  2. ORenthal J Gibson says:

    Tons of potential one of the best hitters you’ll find around when he’s hot. Bar None one of the best teammates I’ve ever play with super spirited never negative toward anyone.
    Great friend.

  3. O.J. McFarland says:

    Tyler is a true hitter. Dedicated and works at his craft. Will not miss tournaments and extremely reliable. He plays a very solid shortstop, and would be plus defensively at third or second. Hard to find a better teammate. Constant team guy, which is rare for a guy who has the skills he does.

    One of my favorite players ever.

  4. Tyler Wiles says:

    I’m strictly speaking in a sense of on field abilities. I don’t know him or any of major guys personally so what I see on the field is what I see. On the field he is one of, if not the best infielders in the game.

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