Thursday March 14th, 2024
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2022 Free Agent William Blue

 

 

 

William Blue

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 10/29/2021

Who are you playing with in 2022, and who have you played with in the past?
Free Agent for 2022 looking for Conference Team – 2021 Free Agent – wblue3512@gmail.com

Played with Team Bryce/GTF in 2021

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Play 1B, 3B, and C…. Best position is 1B

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
I still say Filip Washington.  He keeps getting better each year.

Why do you like the game of softball?
It’s my stress relief, but I also have gained a new family by playing softball.

Who is the best up and coming player in softball and why?
I have 2! Josh Jones and Brandon Newton really made a big splash this year, but even though they’ve been playing for a while, they definitely are gonna be the next big names at the pitching n MM positions.  They’re also showing they can swing the bat. Very proud of both of them..

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
“Blue”…Pretty Easy! My last name..

What is your height and weight?
6’2/240

Where do you call home?
Pensacola, FL

What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Sitting around the house and being with my daughter.  She keeps me busy!

What do you do for a living?
Retired Air Force and loving it…

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
I was mainly baseball until I got to High School and then I played Football until I graduated.

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
It started with being cut at base team tryouts.  I was totally Raw and had no clue about softball.  I chose to get better and made it my passion ever since.  Making it to the upper level took a lot of work, but also a lot of good people opening doors for me at the upper level.

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
The most surprising difference were the umpires.  They were more consistent with their calls and definitely more strict.

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
I can say that I’m 1 of 1… Those who know me can understand my reasoning for that.

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
2 at this point.. Winning USSSA “B” Worlds and Winning BSC NIT Worlds with my GTF family following the unsuspected passing of our coach Bryce Johnson.

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Easily would be the late Bryce Johnson.  He told and showed me that I was more than a ball player.  He held me at a higher standard as a team Captain and Leader.  LLBJ

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
WORK!!! Don’t think that you’ll get anything handed to you.  Grinding gives you opportunities!

What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Standard grip with bottom pinky overlap on the knob.

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
REST and a lot of strength training of my back and legs.

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
The Super Bowl Champs Tampa Bay Bucs.  Football is hands down my favorite sport.

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Don’t cross bats and I never touch the foul lines.

What would be your "at bat" music selection?
Stick Talk – Future

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Getting rid of Pro M and bring back the Classic M ZN and use Stadiums only at Space Coast in Viera.

What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Tripp Roth in Louisiana.  The atmosphere is unreal and the competition is always better each year. 

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Myrtle Beach… Turf Fields and everything is close to the complex.

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Well, speaking for my buddy Brandon Patzig, it’ll be Taco Bell.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
Seeing a player get sniped going around 1st base and limping back!

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I’m very content on being a mentor and motivator before being considered a ball player.
 

 

 

 

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