Kristen Butler Talks About Being Rutgers Head Coach to FPN
On this edition of “7 Innings” we talk with new Rutgers Head Coach Kristen Butler who comes over from Toledo where she help turn around the Rockets program during her four seasons recording 104 wins during her tenure.
Butler talks about her decision to join Rutgers as well as what got her into coaching after a great collegiate and pro career. Butler played at Florida (2003-2006) where she won SEC Player of the Year award. She also enjoyed a successful career playing in the NPF where Butler holds the league’s all-time record in home runs and runs batted in: she played from 2008-2015. Butler also competed in Japan’s pro league where she compares playing in Japan versus United States and more on this edition of 7 innings.
Eric Lopez (ELO)- How has the transition been going at Rutgers?
Kristen Butler : It’s been fun and exciting. I’m enthused about meeting the girls, getting to know them as players and individuals. Every team is different. Rutgers as a historic institution has been a blast to learn about, while becoming a fan of RU Athletics and sporting events, and watching my family get involved with the spirit of the Scarlet Knights. Being a part of New Jersey as a mother and wife has been wonderful. The location has been a big adjustment, this area is very unique, but we have enjoyed every minute of it. We’ve been to the beach, Atlantic City, New York City, and experiencing everything this area has to offer.
ELO : What was it about Rutgers that led you to come and take over the program after success at Toledo?
Butler : The opportunity to coach a group of young ladies in the Big Ten is incredible. At my interview, I was blown away by the academic standards, the support from the administration, and the vision for Rutgers softball and the entire athletic department. The challenge of transitioning to be a Power 5 contender is very exciting and intriguing for me. The competitor in me never goes away, despite transitioning from a player to a coach. I want to grow this program to the maximum of its potential in such a strong softball conference.
ELO- What have you learned about the team you have for 2019?
Butler : They’re extremely hard working. I’ve been impressed with their commitment to change some things and go beyond what they thought were their limits. They’ve done it with a smile on their face. When you take over a new team, you don’t know how they will accept adjustment. There are changes on both ends, and I’ve been very happy with how they have responded in the field, the classroom and in the community.
ELO- What drew you to go into coaching after your playing career?
Butler :I’ve always known I wanted to coach. I remember the conversation I had with my father when I was in 8th grade. I was playing travel ball competitively, and that was the time you start to really improve and fall in love with the sport. Playing in front of coaches and watching what they did, I was thinking that’s what I want to do with my life. I wanted to play as long as I can, and when that’s done, I’ll start coaching. There was never a backup plan. I’m in love with softball and want to be around it all the time. I’m a softball junkie.
ELO – Describe playing in the United States vs Playing in Japan, which you got to do playing professionally.
Butler– It’s so different. I loved playing in Japan because there is so much excitement. You play for a company, you get recruited out of high school by the company instead of going to college. You’re training to become a part of the company. You work a half day, 8-noon, then practice all afternoon. When you get to the company, you’re an employee for life with a salary and benefits. You stay in dorms or they put you up in apartments. We’re playing in baseball stadiums, and the places are full because four teams travel to the same site for a round robin. Each company lets their employees off to watch the games, so everybody comes. It creates an amazing atmosphere. My walk up song was Welcome to the Jungle, and the marching band played it live. There was a band there every game like it was college football. The atmosphere was exactly like it was in Mr. Baseball. We had cheerleaders. There was also a different way to play the game, different strategies. They have power hitters, but they were much more rare and that’s why they recruited me. I’ve been very flexible throughout my career and willing to adjust to new customs or culture. In Japan, I learned how to eat steak with chopsticks… In New Jersey, I learned how to honk my horn in the car. I would recommend the Japan experience to anyone. I’m in awe of the Japanese culture.
ELO- You were SEC Player of the Year at Florida and mong the best players ever in NPF history. Describe the type of player you were for those that did not watch you play and how is Butler the player and Butler the coach different or same?
Butler : I truly believe that I was successful because of the work I put in. I’ve played with so many players both in college and professionally that were more gifted than I was. But I can walk away saying there were very few that did more than me, put more work in the batting cages, spending time late at night by myself playing music and hitting off the tee. There are some players that you can see that God has blessed them. I have been truly blessed by the Lord for my experiences, but also know that it wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment to work.
I yell a lot more as a coach than I do as a teammate. I was more of a leader by example and by encouragement. I believe there are some good leaders that can call people out. As a coach, apparently, I can do that all the time. I have to pay attention a little more to some of those details, holding everyone accountable. As a player, I was one of the most competitive people you would meet, and that hasn’t changed. Sometimes I think that I wish I knew then, what I know now. I’m more mentally tough now than I was as a player. There were so many times that I could have been tougher as a player, whether it was a lack of maturity or mental toughness. There is so much more research and emphasis on mental training and preparation now, and I’m finding I instill that more now in the teams that I coach. It’s such an important aspect to the game, and there are different ways to looking at it when you’re a player or a coach.
ELO- What will be key for your team to be successful in 2019 and to compete in Big Ten?
Butler : It starts in the circle. I’m excited about pitching coach Brandon Duncan and the job he’s done this fall. With the addition of Corah Price and the return of Whitney Jones, Cambria Keefer and Taylor Manno, we’re going to be able to compete and stay in games. If you’re able to compete, you’re able to win. We’ll have to handle the circle.
We’ll be focusing on executing routine plays and continuing to focus on ourselves, instead of the other team. You get caught up with playing some of the best teams in the nation, when we need to be celebrating the little things we do right, and what we can change about our game. The goal is to make it to the Big Ten Tournament. This fall, we had the girls write down team goals and individual goals, tangible and intangible. Every single person said a team goal is to make it to Big Tens. Everyone knows it’s a process, so everything will lead into that goal
