1. Welcome to the Hot Seat Khurram Syed. Tell us a little about yourself off the field. What do you do for a living? What hobbies? Etc.
Would putting strippers through Medical School count as a living? What? They tell they like me and they only work there to support themselves so they can become future doctors to save lives…. just kidding…. lol …. kinda…. I work for myself with 2 partners and we started a consulting company about 2 years ago. We are still with our first client and things have gone really well.
2. What sports did you play growing up? Who did you model your games after in each sport? What would you say was your peak years?
Growing up, I was always around sports. Baseball, Basketball, Football. Basketball I loved John Stockton! Tells you how old I am! Baseball – Roberto Alomar was my guy. 40 is the new 20 Anwar. So my peak has just started…
3. When did you start in the league and how did you hear about SASL?
I started in the league a few years back with Dynasty (I know that question is coming) – One of my friends at the time told me about it. And years later, I am still here……
4. You have always been one of the better Shortstops in SASL. Do you pride yourself more on offense or defense? Why?
Always pride myself on defense. In any sport, that’s the game changer. When you see someone make an amazing defensive play, it takes a lot out of your opponent. And most of SASL now knows not to hit it my way lol … except this past week smh.
5. Your nickname is Chris. How did that come about? Does everyone call you Chris or Khurram?
Unfortunately, I ran into some hard times in my early 20’s – things I am not too proud of & Chris was born….. just kidding…… Actually, this Is a true story. On my first real job, I was at orientation and it was time to take the picture for company ID. The girl asked me for my name, I said “Khurram Syed”. She said “what?”. I said my name again….. she said “do you go by a different name?”. The guy in front of me his name was Chris so I just said Chris. She printed my ID as Chris Syed – that really happened! Chris & Khurram have now become interchangeable based on who I meet lol.
6. 2018 SASL held the first World Cup. You dropped out of playing from Team Pakistan and also did not play in 2019 World Cup. Why didn’t you play either years?
In 2018, I feel I didn’t really align with the group. In 2019, I def played – where were you? I played in the opener with Team Pakistan (great group of guys) but had a prior work commitment so had to leave after the opener. But it was fun beating Team India lol (I only say that because I know majority of those guys really well).
5. 2019 was an especially tough year for your team Shooter McGavins. In the regular season you guys surprised a lot of people with your stellar play. But in the Semifinals, you guys lost to the underdog Hit Squad in 3 very close games. What happened?
Tough Year? We went 18-6 – surprised the league. Wouldn’t really call that a tough year. Yes, we lost In the semi-finals but it was still a very successful year. Became friends with amazing people – so definitely not a tough year. What happened, why we lost? We didn’t execute at the end. We beat ourselves and Hit Squad made enough “noise” to beat us. Moved on… water under the bridge…
6. You also got into it with Hit Squad player Solyman. What happened there? Any history behind it?
No history what so ever – don’t know the guy and don’t care to know the guy. I have no issue with teams making noise.. cheering for each other.. getting excited… but when you direct an insult or say something directly to one of my teammates, I am not going to stay quiet. At that time, I addressed what I felt was inappropriate. I find it comical he can be so big and bad in SASL – let me see him talk that ish if this was any other league. Wouldn’t have the you know what – they would be in his a**. And the other thing, I think Solyman actually grabbed his ba**s while going to first base after drawing a walk – a walk in softball… lol — that makes you tough for sure. And one more comment on this…. The fact AMMAD was present for all this and took absolutely no action and allowed it to continue as a formercommissioner when things got heated… SMFH…. great job Commish!
7. You led Suicide Squad (2017) and Nature Boys (2018) to back-to-back Fall Ball championships. Tell us your experience on both of those teams separately. What made each team special?
The 2017 team was more talented than any other team. We won on pure talent. The 2018 team never quit. We got down, we fought back. I believe all our playoff wins that year including the Championship games were comeback wins. It was awesome!
8. You were in Dynasty team for a long time. Why did you leave from Dynasty? There were a lot of rumors of locker room factions. Sort out the rumors from the facts.
It was not fun being on that team. Making the same mistakes week in week out, playing favorites & I am pretty sure this is where my negative “perception” started too. It was time to move on. They continue to be a solid team so good for them. That team wasn’t my cup of tea.
9. You have been part of the league for a long time. Who would you say are the 3 best defenders (any position) and 3 best hitters in SASL history?
My answer is only based on individuals I have actually seen play. Defense wise: Dheeraj is nasty in the OF, Hash is a beast at SS & TK for sure. No disrespect to anyone else… just may have not seen you play. Hitters wise: Dan for sure, Ramy Is a monster and finally- my personal favorite hitter that strikes fear into his opponents everytime he steps to the plate… the man they call Baba a.k.a Flop … love ya brotha 🙂
10. Do you feel there is a certain perception of you around SASL circles and is it fair?
Perception in softball… lol… am I supposed to care? Softball is less than 1% of my life. I could care less about my perception around people I don’t even know. But for sh**s and giggles.. lets address this! That negative perception for sure was started by a certain team. Hence not on that team anymore & that team still hasn’t won anything. They need to realize when all the students are failing that it’s the teachers that need to change vs. blaming others. Great leadership fellas lol.
11. After a decade in SASL, you are still playing SS at a very high level. Tell us your training regimen to stay active all these years. Also, what drills can a young player do to be a better infielder?
Training regimen… lol.. what’s that? Those days are long gone Anwar. I just show up now, play and pray I don’t pull a hamstring lol. For an infielder though, Knowing all your situations (if the ball is hit to you, where are you going with It?), cutoffs and communication. Make sure your defense is alert at all times.
12. Tell us your thoughts on the cap system. SASL has now used it for 4 seasons. Do you feel it works for parity or does it hurt teams staying together.
Let me ask you a question. How the heck is TK a 12? Dan a 13? Joking right? That clearly shows the flaws of this system. Ofcourse, it is going to impact teams staying together. I understand why it’s in place but there has to be rhyme and reason how people are ranked.
13. SASL is back to 1 division. Looks like at least 8-9 teams are in contention for the championship. Tell us your outlook on Shooter McGavins. You guys have added TK to an already impressive team. What does he bring to the table?
Shoooooooterssss! Love this team. We are talented across the board and no doubt should be in contention for the chip. What does TK bring to the team? A 1986 Mets attitude, beer, chocolate pudding and his love for diversity lol. TK was ranked a 12 right? Lol. That’s what he brings….a 12 rating! Makes up 80% of our cap smh.
14. Which teams do you feel are your biggest competition this year? And why?
I feel this year will be competitive across the board. Every week, you need to be on your A+ game. A lot of good teams. Especially looking forward to this week tho for sure… Ajaaaa Pavy & Hash …..
16. Week 1, Shooter McGavins got swept by MonStars. What happened and what are you doing to improve moving forward?
Here is what happened: It starts with me playing hot potato at SS with the ball. I think I made like 10 errors at SS – so much for being elite SS lol. Rich was fighting Thanos in another Galaxy the night before so his back was hurting. Flop was sober. TK ate too much chocolate pudding the night before. VJ was jumping around like a ballerina in the OF. Joel just got engaged so he was coming out of a therapy session before our game. Mike forgot what the term MVP meant. Jojo was placed in Weight Watchers for the last 30 days by Flop. Nick decided he wanted to learn what a 5 hole is in softball. Ronak tried his attempt at being Mariano Rivera and failed. Z was concerned about when Lunch was being served. So yeah that’s what happened. But in all seriousness…we were sloppy, defense was horrendous & we all know that. But it was only week 1 and we move on. I know we will be fine! Credit to the Monstars. They made the plays when it mattered and took advantage of all our miscues…especially mine smh. We had no right even losing games by 1 run and 3 runs I believe.
15. You have played in other leagues as well. What makes SASL different than other leagues? Do you keep up with your stats and the content on the website?
The biggest difference is the level of engagement that SASL has. Other leagues, I would show up and play. In SASL, def more involvement – I keep up with the content for sure & stats as well.
16. Who was/were the best captain/s you every played for and why? What makes a good leader?
Leadership is about 3 things: Accountability, Communication & Explaining the WHY’s when you make a decision so your people understand the decision. They don’t need to like it but at least they understand. One of my favorite leaders when I worked for a Corporate Company. Have led that model for the last 10+ years.
17. How have you kept busy during the quarantine? What did you miss most not being able to do?
First 2 months were rough for sure. Paid some dude to use his gym in his garage. Started running again which is good. Some positives have come out of this pandemic. Miss the most: Calling the Sprinter at 11pm! Hahaha de de!
18. If you could change anything about SASL, what would it be and why?
You get enough feedback on this. I am not adding anything here.
19. Three words or less: Describe these players
- Sajid Kakana: Loves Dynasty
- Asad Hamdani: Works out everyday
- Rich Yun: Where they at!
- Zulfikar Musliwala: Is lunch ready?
- Aasheesh Shravah: Sholay Amitab 49ers
- Masoom Siddiqui: Great Hitter
- Mike Velez: Kamini’s gone wild
- VJ Samaroo: Fun Fun Fun
- Tom Kahn (TK): Loves Chocolate Pudding
Yamin Patel: Really nice guy - Ammad Sheikh: Not touching this
- Ahmad Halimi: Snowflake (he knows why lol)
20. Rapid Fire Round:
- Best SASL memory: Beating Dynasty in 2018 Fall Finals – 2 comeback wins… Dynasty intentionally walked the batter ahead of Sanjay to load the bases… Sanjay hits a bases loaded clearing triple… that was awesome!
- Worst SASL memory: Losing to Flop first time ever in SASL – we heard about it forever smh
- Most Talented SASL team ever: I can say that I have been on was Suicide Squad – the team was ridiculous
- Funnest SASL team you been part of: SHOOOOOOOTERS!
- Favorite teammate ever: Mike Spizzy (played 2B for Dynasty one year)
- Worst SASL jerseys ever: the extra tight ones from last year
- Team you love facing the most: Dynasty of course lol
- Most overrated player in SASL: Solymon: that 3 rating too high
- Most underrated player in SASL: Nick on Shooters- ajaaaaaa
- Best ASA bat ever: the one I get a hit with
- Favorite Nassau softball field: anyone with dirt fields.. hate turf infield
- 3 words to describe you: Black Label, 1942, Sprinter (in that order) lol
- Most swagy player: No clue….
- Your favorite vacation you been to: Baba’s 40th – too many memories lol
- Next vacation destination: Iceland – northern lights are a must
- Favorite TV Show: The Office
- Best beard in SASL: No idea – I don’t look at dude’s beards and say “wow he has a really nice beard”
Thank you Khurram Syed aka Chris Syed. You are OFFICIALLY off the Hot Seat!
