1. Welcome to the Hot Seat Ahmad Halimi. Tell us a little about yourself off the field. What do you do for a living? What hobbies? Etc.
Ty for having me, I feel so special. For work I do sales, cellphones and cars. Hobbies are usually just working out, going on vacations as much as I can. Catch me in the city on the weekends, past couple months have been pretty whack tho.
2. Yankees or Mets? Jets or Giants? Knicks or Nets? What are your favorite Pro teams? Who are your sporting idols?
Big Mets and Ravens fan. I watch a lot of soccer, all leagues I don’t care which country. Basketball I’m a big fan of, I know a whole bunch about it but I don’t really support a team, Carmelo is my favorite player of all time tho. Sporting idols are Ray Lewis (best linebacker of all time don’t @ me hoe) Mike Piazza, David Wright, Ken Griffey jr, Melo, Justin Tucker, Messi.
3. When did you start in the league and how did you hear about SASL?
I joined the league in 2012 with the Outlaws. My cousin Shekib played with them, brought me and my cuz Majid and my bro Omaid to play. We would play in the front yard/backyard growing up all the time till the mosquitos were out. Duct Tape wiffle ball bats and use tennis balls. Try to hit it over the house, 2v2 baseball with imaginary runners, I swear idk how tf we did it lmao.
4. You led two Team Afghanistan teams in SASL World Cup. Both teams did really well and Afghanistan made it to 2019 World Cup Finals. Tell us about your experience with the World Cup.
The Softball World Cup is such an amazing event first and foremost and I salute all those who put the effort in to make it happen. Team AFG didn’t have any ringers or elite elite players. We had a couple teenagers, some in the mid 20s and everyone else much older. Defense, chemistry won us every game. None of us are softballs studs but we can gel it together and handle business. Team Italy was the semifinal game and they were beating every team in their path. Then they got shut out and I cleared Mitchell field, hasta la vista. That’s not even Italian but i don’t care talk to me nice. That team USA was stacked and they were all gonna get it that finals too. The rain saved their booties.
5. Last year it seemed like you finally broke out as an elite player. What did you do differently last off season?
I’ve always been elite stop playing with me , most games I pull up to on 4 hours of sleep after a crazy night. In all seriousness tho I hit the gym a lot, worked to get my swing consistent and I just saw the ball better. A lot of meatballs coming my way so I gotta eat ya feel me. Don’t run on me either, I take that personal. What’s a cut off man I never heard of one, he’s like the valet at a small party. Ill park the car myself bro I need to grab something later.
6. How did you prepare this offseason for 2020 season? How did you keep busy during the quarantine?
Quarantine I spent with my family, I worked out in my basement, collected free money, played madd video games. PlayStation, I’m not as nice as I was when I was 15 but I can still hang.
7. Last year, you and Jason Gregory were the only two player to be in MVP contention in both leagues. You were the only two players to be named into both all star teams. How exhausting was it to be playing in both leagues every Sunday?
I loved it, I wish there was 2 divisions again this year but y’all were scared of heavy hittaz. Hit squad and HH were 2 different vibes and i loved both of them. I liked when I had like an hour or 2 in between so I could go grab a deli sandwich and a purple Gatorade (cold or put that sh*t back I don’t want it).
8. HeavyHittaz had an all time offensive season last year. Talk to us about that team. What made it so special?
What you mean y’all couldn’t see? 1-11 would take you deep especially if you ugly. We added Dan (they call this dude Captain America, wtf you think this a joke), Asad but most importantly this wonderful/stud/talktohimnice Afghan. Ramy calls me prior to the season and tells me what the deal and lineup is. I was like bro are you kidding me sign me tf up. Masoom, Ramy, Kunal, Harp, John Sans, Usman, Ali G have been in the SASL forever and you know already know their track record. Billal and Craig (white Griffey) are all studs. A lot of firepower, hitting was never an issue and the games we lost we gave away. Honestly I would say that was the best lineup in SASL history. Major props to Ali, Usman, John and Ramy.
9. In the Finals, HeavyHittaz led in all 3 games in certain points. But you guys lost in 3 epic games to Savages. Tells us your thoughts about that final. How hard was it for you to accept that loss after knowing you were so close to history?
Obviously it was annoying cuz I could have told you week 1 we were gonna play Savages in the Finals so it’s not like we weren’t prepared. We couldn’t close at the right times but don’t even tell me that Asad’s pinch hit walkoff shot wasn’t a top 5 moment. It wasn’t as hard for me because I had just come from a booty waxing of Force or Scoobies with Force idk what they’re name was. I was already a champ, I had the cake, the Savages win would have been like a nice little cherry on top. I like cherries tho, it’s whatever.
10. In the National League, your team Hit Squad won the championship. Talk to us about why you fell in love playing for that team. Was it the sponsored gear? How hard is it to wake up for the early games?
Hit Squad guys I have known forever. Most of guys are all family/family friends. The afghan community, it’s a big one lol god bless. Our captains i have the utmost respect for. Ali Najimi i don’t think has 1 bad bone in his body, i have yet to see him angry. Ammad Sheikh I look at as sort of a leader in this community and I played with him on a fall team where we won the chip, I’ll play on any team their on. The sponsored gear was a plus, I had no idea prior to committing but I can’t even lie to you when I say it was so sick. We have great chemistry on that team and each guy plays their role. The early games are definitely tough lol but I love playing so I will make sure I’ll be there. Maybe drop a fly ball or something but it won’t happen twice cut it out.
11. What makes the trio leaders of Ali, Ammad and Solyman so good that they won so many championships in their career?
They know the game, the players, teams and plus just know how to get it done when it matters the most. Sol brings energy, Ali is always thinking of ways on how we can do better/adjust and Ammad is the big boss. Ammad could easily clear Cantiague A but he has respect for all pitchers so he keeps it to himself. I’ve seen him do it in bp once, i didn’t have my phone tho.
12. We have seen you hobbled a lot during your career (especially with leg injuries). How are you planning to prevent that in the future?
Mannnn idk, I expect an injury every year it’s pretty depressing. Past couple years it’s been my same hamstring but nothing crazy crazy. I like to play to my full ability, if I think I can make that dive I’ll go for it. If I gotta slide to stretch a single to a double I’ll do it, that usually pays off pretty bad later on but it’s whatever i deal with it. Nobody has a gun to my head saying go play softball, I choose to do this. I’ll keep coming back till I can’t walk lolll.
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 Hit Squad. Thoughts on adding some new firepower in Ramy, Billal, Ishaq, etc.
Hit Squad intentions are exactly the same as the past 2 seasons that’s not even a question. I was reading the previews on the website and a lot of it caught me off guard. Soo many good teams now, looking like the best competition yet. It’s definitely gonna be a tough season that’s for sure, I can’t wait. I personally wish there was 2 divisions cuz I really really didn’t want to leave HH. When I heard that they broke up (league wanted that all along lmao, y’all got your wish) Ramy texted me. I asked him a while back to join us with Billal and so we made it happen. I wanted both of them months and months ago, big time players. Ishaq, I haven’t played with in years but I’m sure he’s still got it, you don’t forget how to play, had a great glove.
14. Which teams do you feel are your biggest competition this year? And why?
Any team that said Hit Squad is theirs, cuz they’re woke. Everybody else can just sleep on us. I don’t care what our record says at the end of the season, y’all know when we come alive and get to business.
15. You have played in other leagues as well. What makes SASL different than other leagues? It feels like you grew up in SASL. What made you stick with SASL?
I love the SASL because of the amount of faces I can just say what’s up to, or have a random convo on base/walking to the dugout mid inning. It’s like a family vibe, trash talk when needed you feel meeee. I’ve been in this league for a long long time I think a lot of people forget. These SASL ringers that are a lot older now I used to play with in a Saturday league, fall ball at like 19 years old. In my Saturday league, I won the trophy 3 straight years with 3 different teams hahaha, good times. I started working Saturdays so unfortunately I couldn’t play the past couple years. I’m from Suffolk county and back then i played for a team once but the fields are just so crappy compared to what we have at SASL (most of the time, everything ain’t perfect). I’m sure the fields are better now out here but as long as there’s SASL, I’ll be there.
16. Tell us your thoughts on the “cap system” or “ratings”. Was it good for the league in the long run in your opinion?
I see what the league did, anything to get rid of HeavyHittaz right haha. Naa I’m not even salty just playing, calm down before Anwar has a blood clot. I see why they did it tho but honestly I personally didn’t care. I just wanna play softball lmao. I’m bad at these questions.
17. You have been known to trash talk on the field in a good natured way. Who are some of the other best trash talkers in SASL?
Lolllll I trash talk because some players are trashhhhh. I don’t mean none of that lol, play the way you want man I don’t care. When I was a younger Outlaw that’s when I was more rowdy. I played with the Outlaws tho, don’t blame me. Loved everyone of those guys, will never forget playing with them. We were dysfunctional, showed mad love, late to games, never took bp, fight but would still give it you any weekend.
Best trash talkers – Greg, Sunny, Jawid Sarwar, Shekib, actually pretty much any Outlaw. Asad(mf crazyy), Ramy, Dan. I’m definitely forgetting mad people forgive me.
18. Ideal date with Ahmad: Dinner & Movies…. Or BP & fast food?
Lol pull up to a rooftop and pour your heart out to me girl. Lmaoo jk I’m simple, “let’s go grab food I’ll scoop you” easy as that.
19. Three words or less: Describe these players:
- Solyman Najimi: Shift
- Asad Hamdani: Sexy Beast
- Ali Ahmedy: James Harden
- Dan DiIorio: Hits bombs
- Ramy Abdelhamid: Egyptian Princess
- Ammad Sheikh: The Boss
- Prince Panicker: Walked me 7x
- Ali Najimi: Respect
- Saad Yousuf: Warning track power
- Majid Raufi: That boy quick
- Saiful Ashraf: Dead pull boiii
- Hashim Naveed: Injured like me
- Ankit Ramchandani: Vegas wasn’t safe
- Wahid Omarzai: Cy Young
20. Rapid Fire Round:
- Best SASL memory: first 2 sasl at bats, cleared the fence off Yasar that munchkin
- Worst SASL memory: Both finals losses
- Most Talented SASL team ever: 2019 Heavy Hittaz
- Funnest SASL team you been part of: Outlaws
- Favorite teammate ever: Way too many
- Worst SASL jerseys ever: Cheap dri fits
- Team you love facing the most: Savages/Spartans/Ballers/Swat
- Most overrated player in SASL: Me
- Most underrated player in SASL: Me
- Worst rule in SASL: They allow Saad within 100 feet of the field
- Best ASA bat ever: Miken Primo
- Favorite Nassau softball field: Seamans neck Turf
- 3 words to describe you: ask my mom
- Most swagy player: The dude answering these questions
- Your favorite vacation you been to: Mexico, it was a moviee
- Next vacation destination: Aruba
- Favorite TV Show: espn or any sport that’s on
- Best beard in SASL: Asad cuz he goes to the barber 2x a week
Thank you Ahmad! you are officially off the Hot Seat!
