Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

The discussion today revolves around the many benefits of playing to win as opposed to playing it safe and trying not to lose. It may cost you today to be aggressive, but in the long run can develop an attitude for your players that they are always in the game and to not let down.Support the show

This weeks lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: Should my daughter be a utility player? (@12:29)Paige's Power Play: What does mental preparation look like?  (@19:13)DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Question: My daughter is 10 years old, how much time should she be practicing pitching?  (@21:47)Incorporate fun activities into practice. Players of all ages like to have fun, set aside some practice time for something fun that also develops playing skills. (@31:07)The pitch clock is working for MLB, should we implement some changes to the fastpitch game to get more playing time per game? (@41:43)We plan practices ahead of time and them multiple players don't show up. This is disappointing. Don't show frustration for the players that are not there, focus on making it enjoyable for those that are there. (@54:53)Support the show

Some players don't look the part, but are just winners. You may tryout a player or have a player recommended to you but at first glance just doesn't stand out. Look deeper and look for other assets that might make this player a difference maker.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question:  How are national births awarded? (@08:10)Paige's Power Play: (@13:32)DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Question: (@17:37)Challenge of Cutting a Player (@28:03)Both sides of a social media viral video (@36:19)An out is not always a mechanical problem (@43:02)Support the show

Catchers should not stay in one position behind the batter. Unfortunately there are usually holes there because that's what a lot of catchers do. But the catcher has to position themselves based upon where the batter is standing and pitch selection. A good catcher can make a dig difference for the pitcher and has an opportunity to create more outs.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: I have players that also play on rec teams. I think they would be better off practicing with our travel team. What do you think? (@15:00)Paige's Power Play: What championship teams believe. (@22:25)DR3Fastpitch Pitching Question: Conflict with a coach on how to throw certain pitches.  (@26:37)Body types and preconceived ideas (@46:19)5 tips to consider if your dream is to play at the highest level by a D1 player (@57:32)Establish guidelines to determine who plays (@01:14:02)Support the show

Major League Baseball has proven that moving defensive players around is very effective. While we don't have the resources to carry it to their level, it can give us a competitive advantage. Coach Tory gives you some advice and some things to think about to train coaches and players the art of defensive positioning.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: What is the #1 absolute for a hitter? (@10:40)Paige's Power Play: Expectations (@14:11)DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Corner: I have a smaller pitcher who does not throw hard (@18:16)It's not always the pitch callers fault (@35:03)What are other sports that compliment softball? (@44:37)Ground Balls are bad (@53:57)Support the show

Coaches need to understand the strengths and weaknesses between left handed and right handed players and use them to their advantage. To start with,  use terminology that can apply to both right and left handed players. For example, instead of saying right and left, say glove hand or throwing hand. Positioning and footwork are identical relative to the glove hand. Also, coaches your left handers and right handers have different strengths. Use them to your advantage. You position right handers where they can be most effective. Your left handers shouldn't be in the same spot.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Is there a downside to playing second base? (@11:05)Paige's Power Play (@18:05)DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Question: Would you rather throw your best pitch no matter the hitter's strength or throw a weaker pitch to attack the hitter's weakness? (@21:42)Interview with Val Alston, author of "Confident, Calm, & Clutch: How to Build Confidence and Mental Toughness for Young Athletes Using Sports Psychology" She is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology and a trained Health and Wellness Coach from the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA).  (@35:19)Seeing more of the top college teams playing each other earlier in the season. The coaches discuss the challenges of creating a schedule, at any level, to balance your schedule for optimal season long performance. (@57:35)Support the show

The coaches  reminisce about their beginning days when things were a lot different. Sometimes they mention the white ball era and they wanted to explain to the listeners what they were talking about.Support the show

This Weeks LineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: How do you know when it is time to move on to a new team? (@14:41)Paige's Power Play (@25:59)DR3Fastpitch Pitching Corner:  Are their exercises that should be avoided in the weight room? (@28:47)Percentage of players that did not find a new team through the 2022 Transfer Portal (@43:30)Work on Visual Skills (@56:27)Action Coach (1:16:44)Support the show

This weeks discussion revolves around that players today do not respect their equipment and take care of it appropriately. Most types of equipment is discussed and the basics of taking care of it properly. Encourage your players to listen to this and help them understand that it is their responsibility.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: His daughter has a choice to be a full time player on the JV team or a roll player on the varsity team. What do you think?  (@19:14)Paige's Power Play (@29:19)DR3Fastpitch Pitching Corner - What do you feel about the start back vs step back approach to pitching? (@35:17)Spending time looking for pitchers tipping off pitches. (@44:02)Observations from a softball parent whose daughter is at the end of her career. (@58:09)Support the show

The coaches discuss helping to prepare players for that pressure situation of the last out of a game. It shouldn't be any different than any other out, but it is. It takes a collective effort of the player, parents, coaches and spectators to maintain a demeanor that makes it easier.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: How do you decide on which camps to attend? (@19:30)Paige's Power Play (@28:14)DR3Fastpitch Pitching Corner (@32:38)Tips for players going on college visits. Make it easier to compare them over an extended time. (@43:50)If playing college softball is in your future, an important consideration is your major at that school and can you major in that field and still play softball. At some schools is is almost impossible to play softball and have a major that has classes that conflict with practices and games. (@53:14)Action Coach (@1:04:43)Support the show

Coaches all say they want motivated players. The discussion today revolves around the fact that motivation is not a constant. What we really want are disciplined players that practice and play at a constant level no matter their level of motivation on a particular day. It takes motivation to get started, but discipline to stay the course.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter is a left-handed catcher. Is that a negative? (@14:23)Paige's Power Play (@23:03)DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Corner (@26:44)Importance of Small Ball (@36:42)Understanding runner interference. A coach asked for some strategies for his base runners to avoid interfering with the fielder. (@45:39)Action Coach (@55:52)Support the show

As Yogi Berra said, "You Can Observe A Lot By Watching". From birth we develop by imitating what we see. If we teach our players how to really "watch" good players, they will become better players. They should be watching all of the subtle things going  on with players not just following the ball. Seeing the total game is a skill that has to be learned and makes the game a classroom.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter was demoted to the outfield. What do I do?The coaches respond with reasons the outfield is not a demotion. (@21:04)Paige's Power Play (@30:07)Daniel Rubin and the DR3 Pitching Corner (@33:00)Exposing your players to different ways of doing things. (@44:41)Part 3 of the most influential women in softball. (@1:01:33)Action Coach (@1:10:33)Support the show