Fitzroy Fastball Interview with Joel Langford
A few years ago I ran a series of interviews with guys about their fastball careers. I though I would bring back that format with an interview with Joel Langford, who was recently named to Team Canada for an upcoming Pan Am ISF qualifier in Argentina from October 24 to November 1. Thanks to Joel for agreeing to answer my questions!
Q: Where did you play your minor and junior softball?
A: I grew up in Orleans and played for the Orleans Rebels from Mite to Midget. In Junior I played with Fingal for 3 seasons, and then played my last year with Napanee.
Q: Is there a coach or teammate that has had a significant impact on your softball career?
While my parents, Jeff and Joanne, never really coached – they had a very positive impact. Whether it as playing catch after dinner when I was younger, hitting me balls so I could work on my fielding or driving me to and from games and tournaments – I am very grateful for the support they’ve provided. We also had a great core of guys on the Orleans Rebels teams growing up so we had some great times at tourneys and doing ‘Derbys’. Guys I played with in Mite are still some of my best friends to this day.
Q: What is the best / most memorable tournament in which you have played?
There are a few that come to mind – my first Canadians in Midget with Orleans in Prince Albert SK, finishing 3rd at the ISC II's with Quyon. But I would have to say winning the Junior Canadians in St. Croix, Nova Scotia in 2010 was the most memorable. I was playing with Fingal that year and we lost to Joran Graham and his Napanee team in the game to go to Nationals at Elims. I had played with Joran on Quyon so I think he put in a good word with the coaches and they used one of their pickups on me. Going in, the expectation wasn’t really Gold or bust – there were some very good teams there (Owen Sound, Newfoundland, Saskatoon, BC, and the host Nova Scotia) – but we got on a run early and finished with only one loss in the round robin. Going into the playoff round we knew we could play with and beat every team left. We lost the undefeated game Saturday night to the Host, but came back with 2 wins on Sunday. They had over 4,000 fans out for the final so beating them on their field was something I’ll never forget.
For good times – nothing beats Elkland.. haha
Q: Who is the toughest pitcher you have ever faced in fastball?
That’s an easy one – Adam Folkard. I had some good at bats against him early in the season at the Snapper Shootout, but every time I faced him as the season went on, he was getting stronger and stronger to the point where he was pretty much unhittable. He’s had a lot of success at the ISC level so he knew what he was doing building up to August. He doesn’t make any mistakes over the plate, and his pitches have that extra bit of movement that makes all the difference. He’s in a class of his own. Paul Koert is another pitcher that I haven’t had much success against – very tough on lefties.
Q: What is the best softball facility in which you have played?
I love the throwback feel of Elkland. For World Tournaments – I really liked Kimberly, Wisconsin.
Q: The Toronto Gators have an iconic name going back 20+ years when it comes to the men’s fastpitch game. Tell us a bit about how your 2014 season went playing for the Gators in the men’s open circuit.
Yes I think it’s great for the game to have a guy like Jack Fireman back sponsoring a team. I remember seeing highlights of them in Fastpitch: The Movie so to be playing with them now is really cool. It would be hard to classify the season as a success since we finished 9th at the World Tournament – but leading up to the WT we had either won or made the final in almost every tournament. We just ran into two tough teams (Scarborough Force and Hallman Twins) and it wasn’t meant to be this year. At the same time, it was our first year together and I think there are a lot of positives to build on. Hill United didn’t win their first year either so that shows how tough it is. We have a great core with Ben Enoka, Brad Rona, Ryan Boland, and Sean Cleary so I think we’ll come back stronger next year.
Q: As a player who has participated in the past in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League and currently in some southern Ontario leagues (Golden Horseshoe, Oshawa District), what are some of the differences (and maybe similarities) you have noticed between the leagues in the Ottawa-area and the Toronto-area?
I’ve only played a handful of games in the Oshawa league but in terms of similarities between the GHFL and GOFL, I would say that both leagues are very competitive between the lines and then once the game is done both teams will drink some beers and have some laughs. I love that about the game. The calibre of the two leagues is similar, I think if both leagues were to put together All-Star teams they would be evenly matched.
Living in Toronto certainly makes it easier getting to and from tournaments – but I definitely miss playing in the GOFL.
Q: It must have been exciting to first be named to the 40-man roster for Team Canada, then be actually named to the team to play in the ISF Pan-Am Qualifier. Tell us a bit about how you found out you were “on the list”, the process involved, and then how you were told you made the team.
Yes it definitely was! They announced the 40-man this past winter and I wasn’t initially on it, I think in part because I wasn’t able to play in the ISCs or Canadians last summer because I started a new job. I spoke with Don Bates (Head Coach) around that time and he said I was on the bubble but those are the ‘big two’ tournaments that they look at when putting the 40-man together so it was understandable. A couple months later I got a call from him and he told me they were adding me to the list. It was a great experience to attend the Camp in Brampton in May and play with the best in the country. I had a good season with the Gators and played well at Canadians but I still thought it was a bit of a long shot. About a week after Canadians, I got the call to say I was on the team for Argentina.
I know there are a few guys who are hanging up the cleats after the Pan Am games in Toronto next summer so the Program may be on the verge of a youth movement. Obviously it’s something that I would love to be a part of for a long time – just need to keep getting better every year!
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about participating in the tournament in Argentina? Do you have any specific personal goals set?
I can’t wait to get down there. They had some great crowds out when the Jr. ISFs were there a couple years ago so it should be a great atmosphere. I am just looking forward to playing in my first international tournament, being around the best in Canada and learning from them.
I wouldn’t say that I have any personal goals per se – the only goal would be to contribute when my number is called and help the team repeat as Gold Medalists.
Q: As someone who was under close scrutiny at the time for Team Canada, you played (and excelled) at the Senior Canadians in PEI for East Hants, NS out of your regular position, at shortstop instead of second base. What did you enjoy most about your experience at the Nationals playing as an “import” for the Nova Scotia team?
It was kind of a shame that no Ontario team attended but that obviously had something to do with the Worlds being in Kitchener. I had a great time that week. I had played with Schofield, Whynot and Archibald on the Gators so I knew a few guys going in – but the rest of the team was a great bunch of guys. They were a young team that had been playing together for a long time. Schofield pitched very well for us all week. It was unfortunate to lose to Kelly’s Pub in playoffs after beating them in the round robin – but it was a testament to how even the tournament was.
Q: Imagine you had a nine-year old second cousin once removed who aspired to make it to Team Canada men’s softball team just like you. (You don’t really have to imagine this, it’s actually true, the Caveman is a relative.) What advice would you give him on how to have a chance to play at an elite level?
Hahaha good luck to him!
I think hitting is a skill that has to be developed, and natural ability is less important than people think. So to play at an elite level, the key is to get as many reps as you can – play as many tournaments as you can, challenge yourself against the top pitchers, and continually make adjustments. Eventually the game will start to slow down. At that age, the best thing to do would be to play wiffle ball or something similar to develop the hand-eye coordination. I know when I was that age my cousin and I played hundreds of 1-on-1 games with a foam bat and tennis balls at my Grandma’s house in Woodlawn and that probably helped just as much if not more than games and practices did.
It truly is a great game and the more you play it, the more you will love it.
Thanks again to Joel for taking the time to participate in this interview and the blog will be following Team Canada's progress closely at the event in Argentina.
Q: Where did you play your minor and junior softball?
A: I grew up in Orleans and played for the Orleans Rebels from Mite to Midget. In Junior I played with Fingal for 3 seasons, and then played my last year with Napanee.
Q: Is there a coach or teammate that has had a significant impact on your softball career?
While my parents, Jeff and Joanne, never really coached – they had a very positive impact. Whether it as playing catch after dinner when I was younger, hitting me balls so I could work on my fielding or driving me to and from games and tournaments – I am very grateful for the support they’ve provided. We also had a great core of guys on the Orleans Rebels teams growing up so we had some great times at tourneys and doing ‘Derbys’. Guys I played with in Mite are still some of my best friends to this day.
Q: What is the best / most memorable tournament in which you have played?
There are a few that come to mind – my first Canadians in Midget with Orleans in Prince Albert SK, finishing 3rd at the ISC II's with Quyon. But I would have to say winning the Junior Canadians in St. Croix, Nova Scotia in 2010 was the most memorable. I was playing with Fingal that year and we lost to Joran Graham and his Napanee team in the game to go to Nationals at Elims. I had played with Joran on Quyon so I think he put in a good word with the coaches and they used one of their pickups on me. Going in, the expectation wasn’t really Gold or bust – there were some very good teams there (Owen Sound, Newfoundland, Saskatoon, BC, and the host Nova Scotia) – but we got on a run early and finished with only one loss in the round robin. Going into the playoff round we knew we could play with and beat every team left. We lost the undefeated game Saturday night to the Host, but came back with 2 wins on Sunday. They had over 4,000 fans out for the final so beating them on their field was something I’ll never forget.
For good times – nothing beats Elkland.. haha
Q: Who is the toughest pitcher you have ever faced in fastball?
That’s an easy one – Adam Folkard. I had some good at bats against him early in the season at the Snapper Shootout, but every time I faced him as the season went on, he was getting stronger and stronger to the point where he was pretty much unhittable. He’s had a lot of success at the ISC level so he knew what he was doing building up to August. He doesn’t make any mistakes over the plate, and his pitches have that extra bit of movement that makes all the difference. He’s in a class of his own. Paul Koert is another pitcher that I haven’t had much success against – very tough on lefties.
Q: What is the best softball facility in which you have played?
I love the throwback feel of Elkland. For World Tournaments – I really liked Kimberly, Wisconsin.
Q: The Toronto Gators have an iconic name going back 20+ years when it comes to the men’s fastpitch game. Tell us a bit about how your 2014 season went playing for the Gators in the men’s open circuit.
Yes I think it’s great for the game to have a guy like Jack Fireman back sponsoring a team. I remember seeing highlights of them in Fastpitch: The Movie so to be playing with them now is really cool. It would be hard to classify the season as a success since we finished 9th at the World Tournament – but leading up to the WT we had either won or made the final in almost every tournament. We just ran into two tough teams (Scarborough Force and Hallman Twins) and it wasn’t meant to be this year. At the same time, it was our first year together and I think there are a lot of positives to build on. Hill United didn’t win their first year either so that shows how tough it is. We have a great core with Ben Enoka, Brad Rona, Ryan Boland, and Sean Cleary so I think we’ll come back stronger next year.
Q: As a player who has participated in the past in the Greater Ottawa Fastball League and currently in some southern Ontario leagues (Golden Horseshoe, Oshawa District), what are some of the differences (and maybe similarities) you have noticed between the leagues in the Ottawa-area and the Toronto-area?
I’ve only played a handful of games in the Oshawa league but in terms of similarities between the GHFL and GOFL, I would say that both leagues are very competitive between the lines and then once the game is done both teams will drink some beers and have some laughs. I love that about the game. The calibre of the two leagues is similar, I think if both leagues were to put together All-Star teams they would be evenly matched.
Living in Toronto certainly makes it easier getting to and from tournaments – but I definitely miss playing in the GOFL.
Q: It must have been exciting to first be named to the 40-man roster for Team Canada, then be actually named to the team to play in the ISF Pan-Am Qualifier. Tell us a bit about how you found out you were “on the list”, the process involved, and then how you were told you made the team.
Yes it definitely was! They announced the 40-man this past winter and I wasn’t initially on it, I think in part because I wasn’t able to play in the ISCs or Canadians last summer because I started a new job. I spoke with Don Bates (Head Coach) around that time and he said I was on the bubble but those are the ‘big two’ tournaments that they look at when putting the 40-man together so it was understandable. A couple months later I got a call from him and he told me they were adding me to the list. It was a great experience to attend the Camp in Brampton in May and play with the best in the country. I had a good season with the Gators and played well at Canadians but I still thought it was a bit of a long shot. About a week after Canadians, I got the call to say I was on the team for Argentina.
I know there are a few guys who are hanging up the cleats after the Pan Am games in Toronto next summer so the Program may be on the verge of a youth movement. Obviously it’s something that I would love to be a part of for a long time – just need to keep getting better every year!
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about participating in the tournament in Argentina? Do you have any specific personal goals set?
I can’t wait to get down there. They had some great crowds out when the Jr. ISFs were there a couple years ago so it should be a great atmosphere. I am just looking forward to playing in my first international tournament, being around the best in Canada and learning from them.
I wouldn’t say that I have any personal goals per se – the only goal would be to contribute when my number is called and help the team repeat as Gold Medalists.
Q: As someone who was under close scrutiny at the time for Team Canada, you played (and excelled) at the Senior Canadians in PEI for East Hants, NS out of your regular position, at shortstop instead of second base. What did you enjoy most about your experience at the Nationals playing as an “import” for the Nova Scotia team?
It was kind of a shame that no Ontario team attended but that obviously had something to do with the Worlds being in Kitchener. I had a great time that week. I had played with Schofield, Whynot and Archibald on the Gators so I knew a few guys going in – but the rest of the team was a great bunch of guys. They were a young team that had been playing together for a long time. Schofield pitched very well for us all week. It was unfortunate to lose to Kelly’s Pub in playoffs after beating them in the round robin – but it was a testament to how even the tournament was.
Q: Imagine you had a nine-year old second cousin once removed who aspired to make it to Team Canada men’s softball team just like you. (You don’t really have to imagine this, it’s actually true, the Caveman is a relative.) What advice would you give him on how to have a chance to play at an elite level?
Hahaha good luck to him!
I think hitting is a skill that has to be developed, and natural ability is less important than people think. So to play at an elite level, the key is to get as many reps as you can – play as many tournaments as you can, challenge yourself against the top pitchers, and continually make adjustments. Eventually the game will start to slow down. At that age, the best thing to do would be to play wiffle ball or something similar to develop the hand-eye coordination. I know when I was that age my cousin and I played hundreds of 1-on-1 games with a foam bat and tennis balls at my Grandma’s house in Woodlawn and that probably helped just as much if not more than games and practices did.
It truly is a great game and the more you play it, the more you will love it.
Thanks again to Joel for taking the time to participate in this interview and the blog will be following Team Canada's progress closely at the event in Argentina.
Labels: Elkland, GOFL, ISC, ISF, Other leagues
posted by fitzroyfastball | 10/07/2014 11:34:00 pm
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