Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

This week's lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Can you give us some tips on outfield communication?(@14:40)Paige's Power Play: Confidence is a choice. (@29:27)Craziness in college athletics (@32:30)Transition into college ball (@50:48)Creating guidelines for your team. (@59:02)Support the show

It is daunting to coach a team at the beginning level. You have players at many different skill levels. You could have players that have decent skills for their age group to kids that never have put on a glove or picked up a bat. Planning practices is very challenging to come up with drills that the experienced players won't hate or the beginners can't keep up. Listen as the coaches discuss coaching at this level.Support the show

This week's lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Are items advertised on Social Media legitimate? (@9:54)Paige's Power Play: How to re-frame your nervous approach.(@13:27)Relationship between Parents and Players in sports (@16:49)What do comments in a game really mean to the umpire (@28:20)Strategic break for coaches and teams (@35:58)Support the show

At the beginning of a new season it is imperative that we realize that we have players that are all coming from different situations. Odds are that your team is not all of the same players from the last season and your play just continued into the new season with no break. The players will be in different levels of condition depending upon how and when their last season ended. The ones that came from different teams or are rejoining your team after school ball may handle game situations entirely different from your philosophy. Listen as the coaches discuss handling starting a new season for things to think about.Support the show

This week's lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter plays first base almost exclusively, should I buy her a first baseman's mitt?  (@11:57)Paige's Power Play:  Thoughts from interview with a Head Coach (@15:01)2nd part of interview with Wayne Richey of the Carolina Patriot Collegiate League, in the American Collegiate League (@23:58)Coach loses a game intentionally, thoughts on this strategy (@36:46)Action Coach Tip: Thoughts on ASA/USA in the softball community (@45:29)Support the show

Coaches, don't fall into the trap of coaching the way you always have. The game is evolving, new techniques are being developed and things we once thought were true are being proven to be incorrect. Continuing education is important for you and your players. Listen as the coaches discuss this topic.Support the show

This week's lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: What if you want to tryout for other teams after getting an offer? (@13:25)Paige's Power Play: Highlights from interview with Rylee Holtrof (@19:30)DR3 Fastpitch Question: Travel Ball vs. School Ball (@24:27) Interview with Wayne Richey of the Carolina Patriot Collegiate League, in the American Collegiate League (@35:06)Player Reactions to Team Building Activities (@52:38)Trap of offense built around running bases (@1:04:44)Support the show

We see teams advertising tryouts for next season and they are still playing games this season. Can you really manage your current team and keep them focused while looking ahead to next year. It is a "keeping up with the Joneses"  scenario. Listen to the coaches opinions. Remember you committed to coaching this team.Support the show

This week's Lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question:  Suggestions for dealing with the stuff that goes on within travel teams.  (@19:01)Paige's Power Play: Post game talk (@27:24)You must coordinate and share information with the coaches in your lives. All of the people involved in your recruiting efforts need to know everything that is transpiring. (@31:53)Thoughts on playing in indoor softball tournaments. (@38:07)Support the show

Getting ready for the next level includes a whole bunch of things. Listen to the discussion where our coaches talk about what getting ready for the next level should include. When a team you are looking at is using that phrase, you really need to understand what that means to them and is it what you really need for yourself.Support the show

This week's lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: What is you opinion of the concept of live pitching during practice? (@13:11)Paige's Power Play Just saying believe in yourself is not enough (@23:55)DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Question: Is the rule change on leaping by the NCAA a benefit for the pitcher? (@26:24)Instructors and coaches need to help players prepare for tryouts (@31:53)Where are the D1 colleges located? (@42:25)Action Coach tip of the week.: Don't barrage players with things not to do in  a game. (@48:53)Support the show

In this episode we discuss the style of catching with one knee on the ground. What are the benefits and what limitations does it place on the catcher in catching and blocking.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: How important are game stats for recruiting? (@11:41)Paige's Power Play: Mental games at the WCWS (16:41)DR3 Fastpitch Question: Shoes for a pitcher (@20:05)Part 2 of interview with Justin McLeod of Extra Inning Softball - Changes in the future of the game (@25:55)Recruiting tips (@55:03)Recognize the time to win and the time to learn. (@1:02:39)Support the show

Why do we enjoy the first slice of pizza more than the fifth? The first slice meets a need, while the fifth slice becomes overindulgence and will probably make us feel worse. This is the law of diminishing returns, which states that there comes a point when adding additional factors decreases the output. That first slice tastes so good, but with each additional slice we don't get the same sensation. The coaches discuss how the number of games a team plays can result in less enjoyment and effort.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Treatment of pickup players (@10:47)Paige's Power Play: Pain is necessary(@15:27)Season in review with Justin McLeod (@18:45)Reminders for showcases (@43:38)Dealing with part time effort (@51:34)Support the show

Should I coach or instruct my own child? Some can and some can't. In this episode we discuss various things to think about if you are coaching your child's team or working with her at home. The coaches have seen 1000's of players and have seen the interaction between player and parent. This is a great episode if you are doing it or are thinking about it. Also some of it applies to just being a spectator.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: What do teams mean when they say "Distance is not an issue"?  (@11:06)Paige's Power Play: Respect (@16:09)Being great isn't the only thing. (@19:33)Reminders for Showcase Season (@32:09)Coaches make playing the outfield fun. (@39:00)Support the show

It happens to all teams, we start a game flat or lose to a team we should have beaten easily. The coaches discuss this phenomenon and have some suggestions of how to avoid it and some possible causes. Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Is it a good or bad thing to have a team so dominant?(@10:24)Paige's Power Play; Let's stop gossip. (@19:04)DR3 Fastpitch Question: My daughter does not have much endurance. Please advise?  (@22:29)Observations of the college season. (@38:16)Team Culture(@1:03:40)Loser's bracket is not as bad as you think, (@1:13:51)Support the show

The coaches discuss the post game meeting. It takes discipline and planning to have an effective post game discussion. You have to be careful with emotions and not let them take over what you are trying to accomplish.Support the show