Q: You have a strong southern accent. Where are you originally from ?
Derrick: I'm from a small town called Water Valley, MS
Q: I knew you were from Mississippi so I had to get you some music from a homeboy. Who is it man.?Tell em!
Derrick: You already know. That is David Banner. He is repping the 'Sip".
Q: How did you get up here to the Quad Cities?
Derrick: I moved up here for work.
Q: Besides the cold and snow, what's the biggest difference between here and there?
Derrick: The pace. Believe it or not, it's slower in Mississippi.
Q: How long you been up here and how did you get hooked up with softball in this area?
Derrick: I have been up here about a year now. I got into softball in this area when I went up to the Dugout to watch some games. I ended hooking up with a team called Bleacher Bums. I played on a few other teams as well in leagues. From that exposure, I moved on to other teams.
Q: What is your experience with the "circuit"? How many different teams have you been on that played BASA?
Derrick: I lived in Peoria about a year before I moved here. While I was there, that is where I met E. West and those guys. They put Top Shottas together. We played Super Rec back then. Back home in Mississippi, I played with the Atomic Dogs. When I was in the service, I played a couple of months with the St. Louis Esquires.
Q: How do you feel about this team? Top Dawgs?
Derrick: I love it. I really think this might be the most talented team I've been on.
Q: Any championships or individual awards?
Derrick: I once got the MVP in a "C" ASA tournment in Florida
Q: What is your biggest asset you bring to the table?
Derrick: I play with all my heart.
Q: If you are not playing softball, what are you doing my man?
Derrick: I mainly chill out with my kids and play a little basketball.
Q: Any shout outs?
Derrick: I want to shout out to all the teams on the circuit. Let them know I'm coming at 'em hard. I look forward to playing this season.
