Wednesday March 27th, 2024
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Brian Zirkle!

 

Brian Zirkle
 

USSSA Playing History

ASA Playing History

Major Players List

2011 interview

Why do you like the game of softball?  
I like WINNING and COMPETING against the best, giving 100% all the time!!! Playing defense is at the top of the list as well.  At the upper level you have ample opportunities to make or break a inning with a defensive play.  Games are fast paced and never boring.  Also nice to get out of the house; compete, travel, and meet new friends all while having fun doing it.  
    

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
After two years in the conference I'd have to say Brett Helmer is the best hitter I've seen.  There are a lot of game changers on the defensive side of the ball – JR/Pesso/Dress/Lopez/Roen. There is talent across the country tapped and untapped…Back home Kevin "Redbone" Kronst (50+) puts in work…    
    

Where do you call home?
Kankakee, IL
    

What do you do for a living?
I am a Sports Performance Coach at Oak Athletic Development in Bourbonnais, IL (<http://www.oakathleticdevelopment.com/>     

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
HS-Football, Basketball, Baseball; College-4yrs of Basketball, 2 yrs of Baseball; Semi-Pro-Basketball (ABA-Chicago Rockstars 2007, IBL-Kankakee County Soldiers 2010/2011)
    

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Started playing with my cousin "Greg Patterson" on a local D team "The Hangover" in 2004.  Won 2 states my first year that included a 22 game tournament winning streak over the course of 4 tournaments, won 8 tourneys that year), followed by two more state titles the following year with "Gimmiedat".  Played with JDenny for one year then merged with Commission (Gonzo was a big part of that and helped me get to the upper level of softball) to add talent,  won 4 more state titles (Two years ago with Commission we played NSA B, ASA B, ISA C, and USSSA D) We decided to play USSSA in 2008 because we were tired of playing the same 3-5 teams in all the other sanctions.  There were plenty of USSSA tournaments and tons of teams.  Got a chance to play with Pipac/R&M after Buddy Dubois (whom played a little with Gimmiedat) hooked me up.  I had a blast the last two years playing with R&M/Troupe, Special thanks to Hump, Zach, Troupe and R&M.  My teammates have all been great dudes the last two years, Staats gonna miss ya dogg. Dat-Dat!!!   
    

What position do you play?
CenterField
    

What defensive advice can you give a cf playing in a 3 man?
Don't listen to your catcher, Sorry Staats, lol…You and your middle have to work together and I believe I have played with two of the best, Scotty Roen, Sammy Lopez.  Get a read on the pitch, a great jump and bust ass after those lasers.  Hit your cutoff man and watch the fun happen.  Oh and get in shape, it's no fun chasing missiles off the fence for an entire tournament with rubber legs…
    

What batting grip do you use?
Normal
    

What is your favorite sports team?
Chicago Bulls, Bears and Cubbies
    

What is your favorite sport other than softball?
Basketball
    

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
I draw me a little 'z' in the back of the batters box before every AB for my son "Cash" because he's my Little "z"
         

What is your most memorable softball moment?
Back in 2004, "The Hangover" went to Rock Hill S.C with 10 guys (one a dad of a player 50 plus who couldn't run the bases), went 7-2 took 7th place and had a blast. All we had for jerseys were our faded t-shirts, shorts and mismatched pants.  We had two bats Easton Synergy 2's – 26oz and a 27oz, every team we played accused us of worked sticks, hell none of us knew what a worked stick was back then.  We only had two bats because that's all we could afford and believe me they were definitely broke in…That was my first Super World and definitely will always be remembered.
    

Is slow-pitch softball a sport or a game?  
I believe its a sport, anything with a set of rules, competitive players and physical activity is defined as a sport.
    

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
Haven't been here long enough to make a suggestion, but the bat situation is getting ridiculous.  Glad I'm in the OF.
    

What is your favorite non-World tournament?  
Have to be the Gumby (Down in Springfield, IL) Upper and Lower tourney always a good time.
    

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?  
Lets just say it had something to do with Water Balloons.

      


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2 responses to “Brian Zirkle!”

  1. Nelly #84 says:

    Good luck Zirk Zirk!!

    • Wolf#13 says:

      My Derrty Zerk! Great teammate and a great ball player! ALWAYS POSITIVE and a even better person, goog luck with your new team and takecare Derrty!

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