Jeff Pruis
Interview conducted on 11/6/2018
Who are you playing with in 2019, and who have you played with in the past?
RDI/Miken, Gameface
Free Agent – pruisj@yahoo.com
What positions do you play and what is your best position?
P/MI/OF – Best P
Why do you like the game of softball?
I like to competition, its fast paced and I like hitting. Lol
What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
Prius – My last name is Pruis, so everyone accidentally says Prius all the time
What is your height and weight?
6'2" – 210
Where do you call home?
Springfield, Missouri
What's your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
With my daughter
What do you do for a living?
Remodeling
Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Yes – Basketball/Baseball in High School , Basketball in College
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Started my own league team on the competitive night. Of course, we didnt win a game but by the end of the year I was being picked up for tournament ball. From there I took some opportunities with teams at the next level and slowly got noticed. Kept taking those opportunities until an opportunity turned into running a team. Be able to keep my tournament team going for the past 8 years and compete at the C level the last two.
What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
Of course the hitting, ball speed but what really stood out for me was the umpiring and strike calling. Conference is more true to actual slowpitch softball then modified fastpitch.
In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Chris Abney – He knew exactly what I needed to improve my hitting and paved the way for me to continue to learn and improve.
What type of batting grip do you use and what ounce bat?
Overlap – 27
What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Hit indoors, take grounders, travel to warmer places to play
What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
St. Louis Cardinals – Baseball
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Not really
What is your favorite non-World tournament and why?
Midwest Border Wars – it's a new series/tournament but the intensity it has brought to the Championship is crazy.
What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
BLD Mansfield – Turf
Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I was born in Indiana
What was your favorite sports related gift you have ever given or received?
Don't know if I can call it a gift but in high school a kid that was hanging out by the fence in left field came up after the game and asked for my name and autograph. By far the most favorite sports related