- Welcome to the Hot Seat Omar. Please briefly tell us about yourself. How many years in SASL, what you do outside of softball, etc. Let’s get to know you a little bit.
My name is Omar Hernandez, I’m from the Dominican Republic. I work as a Lead Product Engineer for a Lightning manufacturer located in Suffolk County. I’m married to a wonderful wife and next month we are going to be welcoming our second child. This was my 3rd season in SASL, but my first season I just played a few games after breaking my elbow at the beginning of the season. I love to be active and play sports since I was a kid and outside of that I just like to spend time with family and friends.
- What is your fondest memory of SASL and why? What has been your worst memory of SASL and why?
I have lots of good memories but I’m just waiting to win a championship, that’s the one that really counts. Now on the bad memories, it has to be between losing the finals in fall ball 2018 and losing to the Bengals in the playoffs this season.
- What makes SASL different than any other league you play in? What are some opportunities to change you can think of that you would like to see change in SASL?
SASL Website and all it’s content, and the balance between the teams in the league. Great job by the commissioner and whoever is helping to run this league.
- You played for The Ones and they went to the Finals last year. Why did you depart in the offseason and join Dynasty? Do you feel like it was the right choice looking back?
I was playing against Naeem in a different league when he recruited me almost a year before the season started. That same year I played Fall Ball with Dynasty, we made it to the finals and I liked the chemistry in the team but I kept my word and played for The Ones. Now, this season I thought I’ll have a better chance with Dynasty, but at the end of the day, we both lost in the first round.
- The 2019 Dynasty team was one of the favorites to win the NL championship. However, they lost to Bengals in a 3 game classic. How did that series play out and why did Dynasty lose?
Losing this series was tough. I believe that we were one of the top 3 teams in the NL. We just had a bad series, my pitching was terrible, I couldn’t find the strike zone in the whole day. On top of that, we didn’t hit the ball well, Jerry couldn’t make it to the game and we lost Amit after the first game. Congratulations to the Bengals, they were the better team last Sunday, good luck in your next games.
- Generally, when we think of the best pitchers in SASL, we think of Yasar, Sid, Wahid, Scooby, etc. You came away with the National League 1st team selection at the P position. Why are you pitching and not playing another position? Clearly, you are gifted athletically.
It feels nice to be selected to the NL 1st team. I have been playing softball for 5 years, before last season I always played in the outfield, I have speed and good reflexes so the captains always want me to play there. After losing a few finals in a different league, I realized that I could help my team more if I pitch, just by making defensive routine plays like catching a fly ball or a ground ball hit to the pitcher. So I forced myself into becoming a pitcher, threatening to leave the team. Then when playing with The Ones our starting pitcher Nader missed a few games and I became there starting pitcher, now here I’m. I really have a lot of respect for all the pitchers especially Yasar and Wahid, It is not easy to stay consistent game after game and they have been doing it for a long time. I definitely can play at any position and if my team has a decent pitcher I’ll go and play in a different position.
- You also joined Troopers midway thru the season and Troopers went 2-22. How was that experience? It must have been tough for anyone. Do you feel like you can compete with the American League’s best teams?
It was a fun experience, thanks to Mo and Sunil to let me join the team. I didn’t know what to expect from the team when I join them, I thought that we were going to have a better chance to win a few more games but there is good competition in this division. We had a lot of good players in the team but been honest I believe that Troopers belong to the NL. I have seen some guys complaining that there should be only one division, but there’s no way that a NL team can compete against the top teams in the AL, it’s not fun to play when you are losing and you don’t even have a chance to win.
- What are your thoughts on playing with the Dominican Republic in the 2nd annual SASL World Cup?
I hope no one remembers how we played in this World Cup. I know most of the players and we are much better than that. Great job by the league organizing everything, just one little thing, try to get some food next time.
- Some in the league don’t like the cap system. Some say it is necessary for parity. Where do you fall in there and why? Dynasty was one of the teams that felt the cap worked against them.
I’m okay with the cap system, there has to be a way to maintain a balance between the teams unless someone has a better idea.
- Tell us the first thoughts that come to mind:
Best teammate: Amit Bhasin
Most Overrated SASL player:
Worst SASL rule: Mask Rule
Mask rule is: Dumb. We are adults, it should be optional.
Worst SASL jersey ever: Sorry but I don’t pay that much attention to that.
Best SASL jersey ever: Hornets 2017 (Love the BLACK, YELLOW & WHITE COMBINATION)
Best field in Nassau: Cantiage D: That way I can be like Dan hitting home runs every at-bat. Nah any field in Cantiage or Eisenhower is fine.
Best outfield arm in SASL: Mike Liang (NL).
2020 SASL World Cup winner will be: Dominican Republic (we better win or I’ll go and play for west indies LOL).
SASL player you will be recruiting: Saiful
Best SASL trash talker: Ayaz
The team that complains the most:
11: Describe your teammates in two words or less:
Mike: Talented
Yamin: Left Power
Sajid: Cigar guy
Sonu: Flexible
Sohel: SAFL Champion
Ariel: Strong hitter
Amit: Great guy
Adrian: Platano Power
Milan: Cricket swing
Afnan: Good outfielder
David: clutch hitter
Jerry: Young Talent
- Last year’s Fall Ball championship was one of the best Finals ever in SASL. Dynasty held the lead in all 3 games in the late innings but lost 2 of 3 games. Take us through that Finals.
Well, there’s not much to say, we blew it only 2 outs away. I wish that I had played at my top level on that series.
- Do you play any other sport? Have you considered joining SAFL or SABL?
I use to be a decent basketball player but I haven’t played in a long time, and I played football before in a different league. I had to stop because of injuries in the past 2 years, but now I’m healthy, so if there is a team with looking for an NSA player, ask the commissioner for my number.
- This weekend we have the semifinals in both leagues. Make the prediction. Which two teams in each league move onto finals.
NL: Scooby Force & Shooters unless Wahid shut them down.
AL: Savages & Heavy Hittaz
- If you were a GM, and SASL had a fantasy draft, who are the first 5 players going in the draft?
Dan, Ramy, Mike Liang, Charley (Savages), Mike Velez
- True or not, there is a perception now after Dynasty has lost so many close games, that they can’t win the big one. What is your future? Are you staying with Dynasty or moving onto other opportunities?
There are many guys I’d like to play with, but I guess I’ll have to stay with Dynasty for one more year at least and play my best to win the championship.
Omar, thank you for joining us. You are now off the HOT SEAT!
