D Wash steals the show!

It’s not easy to excite the Defensive Specialist. When you’ve seen and dealt with 100mph fastballs, when you’ve snared angry one-hop line drives in the field like it’s nothing, when you’ve hung in at second base with a base runner barrelling down in order to turn a pair there comes a time when nothing surprises you anymore and it gets difficult to raise your pulse. While maintaining an even keel is what led the Defensive Specialist to the top of the heap, every once in a while it’s nice to get that tight sensation in the sphincter, just to show you that this game still means something to you.

Well this week, the Defensive Specialist was in a heightened state of arousal as he sat down with one of Deep in the Hole’s favourite sons – David Washington, or D Wash as we like to call him. For three hours the Defensive Specialist went one on one with the US speedster who made Adelaide his home this past summer. Here’s what went down:

• Can you give a brief background of your baseball journey? Where did you grow up, play highschool and college baseball. Professional experience? 

I will try to make it as brief as possible but its been a LONG journey. I am originally from the Bronx, New York and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I played high school baseball at Chamblee High School in Atlanta as a catcher but was not recruited by a single college. I graduated from high school in 2004 and attended Tallahassee Community College and walked on to their baseball team in the fall. I didn’t want to redshirt so I transferred to Lurleen B. Wallace C.C. in Andalusia, Alabama in the spring of 2005. I injured my right shoulder in the preseason so had to redshirt anyway. I wasn’t happy there during the spring or summer so I transferred to Jefferson Davis C.C. in Brewton, Alabama in the fall of 2005. I played there for 2 years and was only recruited by Savannah State. I played there for 2 years and in April of 2009 signed with the El Paso Diablos. 

• How did you end up at Savannah State? What was that experience like? 

I emailed every division 1 college and even sent out letters with stats and schedules in order to find a school that I could play for. My thoughts on baseball are that nobody knows who you are so it’s your job to tell them. I had offers from some division 2 schools and a few walk-on offers from some division 1 schools but Savannah State made the best offer and in my eyes the only offer. As far as my experience there, I loved it. I enjoyed playing under Coach Hardy and even though the facilities weren’t the best, I worked extremely hard everyday and learned a lot just by playing. 

• Is this your first time in Australia? What brought you to Australia? 

Yes, this is actually my first time overseas. I have a hunger for baseball and if I can play all year I will. So I asked my manager about playing winter baseball and he mentioned Australia. I was only a rookie in pro ball so playing in South America would have been a stretch. One of my teammates in El Paso played club ball in Adelaide last season and helped get me on one of the local teams.  

• Stepping off the plane in Adelaide – first thoughts? 

Uncertainty. Not nervous or scared, just a bit unsure of how the next 6 months of my life would be like. I knew I would be having a son in December and would miss his birth but it’s a decision I was comfortable making because I was thinking into the future of my life as well as his. 

• How are you finding the ‘Aussie’ lifestyle? 

I’m pretty much accustomed to everything now. I think I have adjusted fairly well to the prices, food, language, and the people in general.     

• You’re from the Bronx NY. Adelaide has to be a little different? How so? 

New York of course is fast paced and you can blink and miss an entire day. Adelaide is real laid back and easy. 

• Where are you living and what do you get up to off the field in Australia? 

I live with a teammate on my club ball team. Off the field I usually keep everything baseball related. Lifting weights and hitting as much as I can and talking with friends and family back home. 

• Describe Australian club baseball? 

It’s fun. That’s how I describe most of the games. The level is not what I’m used to but its still baseball and I’m able to work on a lot of things. I don’t feel as much pressure to perform and I relax a bit which is good for my game because I put everything I have into every game and it drains me somewhat. 

• What would you tell other American’s if you could speak to them before they headed down under? 

To prepare for a great vacation or at least a great time. It’s a lot of sights that I haven’t been able to see but hopefully before I leave I can visit a few more places. 

• You’re a Deep in the Hole favourite, for those who haven’t seen your game can you describe it to the readers? 

Fast. Speed is what makes my game special but behind the speed there is passion and intensity that very few players show in baseball. I play like an NFL style of baseball. I was taught that with the things I lack on the field, I can make up for it with heart and by leaving everything on the diamond when the game is over. 

• Thoughts on the Claxton Shield competition? 

Excellent. I enjoyed the crowds and travelling around the country to play. I’m glad I was able to compete this year especially with the ABL starting next season. 

• How did that level of play stack up to what you have seen in your career?

I would say almost the most competitive I have played in aside from professional ball in the US. I am only one year removed from college so playing against guys that are in affiliated baseball or former pro guys, was challenging but beneficial for me. I will definitely be able to take what I learned out here and apply it to my game when I return to El Paso. 

• What does the Australian Baseball League need to do to attract professional players from the US. 

Players who want to play baseball during the winter in the US are motivated to play because they love the game. However, being so far away from home I think the league would have to fairly compensate guys that travel here to play. I think the word of mouth in the next few years will attract many players especially those in affiliated baseball. 

• How would you rate your season in the Claxton Shield? 

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give myself a 7. I had some great games and I had some terrible games. I let some things effect me off the field which in turn had a negative impact on the field. I play with pressure on me sometimes to be the “man” and to make the team go and I would get frustrated when I didn’t perform well. The coaching staff was proud of my performance and the fans were as well so I can’t be too upset. 

• You lead the league in stolen bases. Although base stealing has become somewhat of a dying art, does it still have a place in the game? 

I definitely hope so. I have been disappointed with how baseball has turned in a different direction when it comes to speed and small ball. The game was built on those qualities and players who use performance-enhancing drugs have really made it harder for players like me. I hope that my speed keeps me around the game for many years. 

• The Defensive Specialist did not believe South Australia could win a championship. How far away is the ball club? 

Well we were two wins away this season. Unfortunately Victoria was just a better team this year. I think with a few pieces in a few positions we could contend again for the championship and definitely win next year. 

• Favourite ballpark to play in this season and why? 

Too easy, Norwood Oval. The crowd made us play with a lot of intensity and being a fan favorite made the season a lot of fun. 

• You got to see a few different Australian cities travelling with SA - which one stood out? 

I liked Perth because our schedule allowed us to visit the city during the day. The hotel we stayed in had a great view and the stadium was nice as well. 

• Will we see D Wash back down under next season? 

I would like to return next season. I have spoken with my GM and manager and they want me to come back next year. Every fan and follower of the Claxton Shield has expressed their interest in seeing me back in centerfield so we will see what happens. 

• Australian music – what do you think? 

I have started listening to the radio more. At first I just drove with my iPod and played it everywhere I went. I’m used to the music now and some of it is pretty good.

D Wash ladies and gentleman! The Defensive Specialist wants to thank David for taking the time to sit down and rap so that the fans can get an understanding of what the speedster experienced during his stint down under. Hopefully we’ll see D Wash in centrefield next season, shattering all baseline hand clapping records!

The player blogs continue to roll. Be sure to check in here to stay up to date with our lads overseas.

On another note, the Defensive Specialist started up an AFL Dream Team league as a means to engage the grey matter over the offseason. Clearly many people have been intimidated by the Defensive Specialist’s intellectual prowess and have been too scared to sign up. As it stands there are 12 available spots left in the league, so the Defensive Specialist suggests that if you like AFL and have an ounce of testicular fortitude, click on this link http://afl.virtualsports.com.au/ and enter league code 625080. If you’re scared, the Defensive Specialist encourages you to purchase a dog.