And just back from New Zealand-Derrick and the team finished 7th out of 16 countries at the World Championships.
“Unbelievable the first time putting the uniform on and competing for team USA-having USA across the chest is just an honor. I’ll have stories to tell my son when he grows up, just that I was a part of something unbelievable,” said Derrick Zechman.
“It’s a great honor for him to be part of Team USA. He’s worked hard. I’ve known him for a long time. You don’t get a better guy than that,” said Garth Watson.
Derrick wrestled and played baseball here at Warrior Run Area high-school. It wasn’t until he was 16 when the interest for softball started to grow.
“Without my father playing the game I wouldn’t be aware of it. A lot of people who play fastpitch they got involved because they had a family member or a father playing the game. It’s unfortunate because there’s a lot of players out there with the skill level. I wasn’t even aware of a national team when I was younger playing. They have a junior team that competes against other countries as well and it’s just trying to get the game promoted,” again said Derrick.
Derrick is always working to stay at the top of his game. In the next several months he will be traveling to tournaments here in the United States as part of his PA Power team, and then in July it’s back out to South Bend Indiana for camp and once again trying to make that USA men’s fastpitch softball team.
“As long as I stay sharp and produce like I’m capable of doing hopefully I’ll be able to be on the team again for 2015,” added Derrick.
“Everybody talks about the twitch when their hitting. Obviously when you we’re throwing to him he’s got a pretty fast twitch? Yes! You got to be ready to get out-of-the-way. The screen is not big enough when he’s hitting them back at you. He hits missiles that’s for sure,” added Garth.
The next big event for Team USA is the Pan American games in 2015 in Toronto.