This week we meet John Cantwell, Pitcher for the Marlay Braves. for a few quick get to know him questions . . .

Name/ Nickname – John  / JFC

Position – Pitcher now, also 3B before that, can fill in elsewhere.

When and why did you start playing softball? 2000, when Joan Murphy put up an ad at work.

How has softball in Ireland changed over your years in the sport? There are fewer teams playing now than a decade ago, for many reasons.

 
Best Softball Memory / Moments – I only ever hit three competitive home runs, including one this year, hoping to get more. All the tournaments away have been good.

 
Who's going to win the world cup this year? Nederlands

Best player you've played with/against?  I played with the Dodder team once at an invitational and thought they were all top notch until we lost to a team of ex-baseball playing U.S. senior citizens. It’s all relative.

Favourite Blitz to play in? Cork
 
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? The USA?
 
If you could change any one softball rule, what would it be? No limits to subbing people in and out.
 
If you could run the Irish Government for one day, what would you change? Bring in a flat tax rate for everything
 
If there was a movie made about your life, who would play you? Martin Freeman (from The Office etc), some say he looks like me.

Is it true that pitchers get all the Chicks? No it isn’t.
 
What's the best piece of advice you could give a pitcher? Concentrate and relax.

If you could move to anywhere in the world, where would it be? Vancouver or “Toronno”.

 
What was the last movie you saw and what did you think of it? It was The Brothers Bloom. My review: an imaginative attempt to recreate a 1960s-style caper movie but the result was a bit disjointed. Some amusing scenes, but no chance of a sequel. Rachel Weisz played her role well. Overall, I give the film 7 out of 10.

 
Tell us something we don't know about John Cantwell? I can read IBM assembler code.

Do you have any musical talents? Yes but they are out of use. I’m saving them for when I make my concept album. 

If you could see any three Musical acts/artists/bands etc play live tonight(Dead or Alive), who would they be? I don’t recommend Dead Or Alive, I think they were one hit wonders. I’d like to see The Cocteau Twins, Sergio Mendes, and Frank Zappa.

  
Quick Questions:
What is your Favourite...

Song?  Brand New Day (Van Morrison), one of many
Food?  Walnut Ice Cream

Colour? Russet

Drink?  Gin and Tonic

City? Nice

Bar? Many candidates – The Cartoon Bar, Rathdrum wins.

Way to spend a hungover day? Out with the poison, in with the pure.

Unnecessary Indulgence?  Sunday papers
Thing to moan about? Long questionnaires?

Movie? Again, many candidates – The Deer Hunter wins.

Item of Clothing? Silk ties that I wear to work.

Physical Feature in a member of the opposite sex? Symmetry
Way to unwind? Reading or listening to music
TV Show? Currently - Top Gear