GOFL Player Interview - Drew Hathway
During the off season I am planning on doing some email interviews with various players in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League. First up, Drew Hathway answers some questions posed by Fitzroy Fastball.
Drew Hathway, #12, Pitcher for the Quyon COMBAT Flyers
Q: Where did you play your minor/junior softball?
I grew up playing ball in Brampton, ON in the Bramalea Boys Minor Softball Association until there weren't enouh guys to field a team at the Midget level. I finished up my midget years playing at the famous Dieppe Park that fielded some of the best teams in the game. Namely the Toronto Gators. I didn't play my first year Junior so I could play mens ball at Dieppe. A season with the Scarborough Wolverines then 2 with the Waterloo Jr. Twins ended my junior years.
Q: Who is the most memorable coach or teammate from your career,and why?
My most memorable coach would be Barry Musselman when I was playing for the Twins. Barry taught me to "keep the ball out of the power alleys and in the ball park. That's how you win ball games." At tournaments we would sit and watch games and I'd make a comment about a player I thought was good and he'd say "what makes him good? You have to have the attitude that no matter who is at the plate, you only need to look past him and into the catchers mitt and say 'you won't beat me! You won't be better than me! My best is better than your best; today and every other day!'" To this day I still find myself saying that on the mound.
Q: What is your fastball nickname, and how did you get it?
Peas! I was playing in Dieppe and was the youngest player in the league. I was on the Toronto Indians with Tom Berube and Norm Estabrooks. I was full a piss and vinegar when I was on the mound and probably threw too hard but Bill "Rookie" Fairney yelled from right field, "throw PEAS kid." Ever since then Rookie, who is a very good friend will phone me up from time to time and the first words out of his mouth are "What's up Peas!"
Q: What is your fondest memory in fastball?
Going back to my mite rep days and playing on back to back teams that went 88 wins and 0 losses! Being 9 and 10 years old and not losing a game in 2 years was pretty exceptional!
Q: What is your favourite softball park to play in?
Circle Tap in Denmark, WI. They love their ball there and the bar patio is steps from the first base dugout! Players and spectators sit on the patio and watch and cheer and jeer but the jeers are all in good fun! I highly suggest that if you can, try to get there and play in a tournament.
Q: Where is the best tournament you have ever played in?
Any time you go to the World tournament! No matter where its held, its always better than the year before! Maybe because you don't remember it as much but the ISC is always trying to improve it. The pride the grounds crew have there is awesome as well. They have something to prove every year to be remembered as the best ones to host it!
Q: Who is the toughest hitter you have ever faced in fastball?
Mark Sorenson in New Zealand. Check out his career stats and you'll understand why he's the toughest.
Q: How do you occupy your 'off-season'?
Every year has been different but this offseason will be more work than play. Being the league finalists 2 years in a row is ok, but who doesn't want to win the whole thing?!? I want to come out next season in the best shape I've been in years. Hopefully I will be able to contribute to the Flyers more than I have in the past 3 seasons and help win the Championship.
Q: If you could change one thing about the GOFL or fastball in general, what would it be?
I think the Kiwis have it right and I would like to bring their idea over to Canada. They have instructors that go around to schools teaching kids from grades 1 to 12 the basics of softball as their full time job. I have no doubt that this generates more interest in the game and has helped them produce great players and teams across the board.
Q: What is one thing that most guys in the GOFL probably don't know about you?
That's hard to say! I talk so much that somewhere along the way I have probably told so many stories that the guys are sick of hearing my voice. I suppose the one thing they don't know is that I am very passionate about cooking for my family.
Thanks to Drew for participating and being the first one - if you see an email marked "Interview" in your email inbox, don't delete it!
Drew Hathway, #12, Pitcher for the Quyon COMBAT Flyers
Q: Where did you play your minor/junior softball?
I grew up playing ball in Brampton, ON in the Bramalea Boys Minor Softball Association until there weren't enouh guys to field a team at the Midget level. I finished up my midget years playing at the famous Dieppe Park that fielded some of the best teams in the game. Namely the Toronto Gators. I didn't play my first year Junior so I could play mens ball at Dieppe. A season with the Scarborough Wolverines then 2 with the Waterloo Jr. Twins ended my junior years.
Q: Who is the most memorable coach or teammate from your career,and why?
My most memorable coach would be Barry Musselman when I was playing for the Twins. Barry taught me to "keep the ball out of the power alleys and in the ball park. That's how you win ball games." At tournaments we would sit and watch games and I'd make a comment about a player I thought was good and he'd say "what makes him good? You have to have the attitude that no matter who is at the plate, you only need to look past him and into the catchers mitt and say 'you won't beat me! You won't be better than me! My best is better than your best; today and every other day!'" To this day I still find myself saying that on the mound.
Q: What is your fastball nickname, and how did you get it?
Peas! I was playing in Dieppe and was the youngest player in the league. I was on the Toronto Indians with Tom Berube and Norm Estabrooks. I was full a piss and vinegar when I was on the mound and probably threw too hard but Bill "Rookie" Fairney yelled from right field, "throw PEAS kid." Ever since then Rookie, who is a very good friend will phone me up from time to time and the first words out of his mouth are "What's up Peas!"
Q: What is your fondest memory in fastball?
Going back to my mite rep days and playing on back to back teams that went 88 wins and 0 losses! Being 9 and 10 years old and not losing a game in 2 years was pretty exceptional!
Q: What is your favourite softball park to play in?
Circle Tap in Denmark, WI. They love their ball there and the bar patio is steps from the first base dugout! Players and spectators sit on the patio and watch and cheer and jeer but the jeers are all in good fun! I highly suggest that if you can, try to get there and play in a tournament.
Q: Where is the best tournament you have ever played in?
Any time you go to the World tournament! No matter where its held, its always better than the year before! Maybe because you don't remember it as much but the ISC is always trying to improve it. The pride the grounds crew have there is awesome as well. They have something to prove every year to be remembered as the best ones to host it!
Q: Who is the toughest hitter you have ever faced in fastball?
Mark Sorenson in New Zealand. Check out his career stats and you'll understand why he's the toughest.
Q: How do you occupy your 'off-season'?
Every year has been different but this offseason will be more work than play. Being the league finalists 2 years in a row is ok, but who doesn't want to win the whole thing?!? I want to come out next season in the best shape I've been in years. Hopefully I will be able to contribute to the Flyers more than I have in the past 3 seasons and help win the Championship.
Q: If you could change one thing about the GOFL or fastball in general, what would it be?
I think the Kiwis have it right and I would like to bring their idea over to Canada. They have instructors that go around to schools teaching kids from grades 1 to 12 the basics of softball as their full time job. I have no doubt that this generates more interest in the game and has helped them produce great players and teams across the board.
Q: What is one thing that most guys in the GOFL probably don't know about you?
That's hard to say! I talk so much that somewhere along the way I have probably told so many stories that the guys are sick of hearing my voice. I suppose the one thing they don't know is that I am very passionate about cooking for my family.
Thanks to Drew for participating and being the first one - if you see an email marked "Interview" in your email inbox, don't delete it!
posted by fitzroyfastball | 11/16/2010 06:25:00 pm
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