Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

As we teach the skills of the game we break them down into steps for the player to learn. For example, we have to field the ball before we can throw it. But the long term objective is for each skill to flow to the next one in a fluid motion. Watch your players and see if the are being robotic and going through the steps one by one or are they nice and smooth in the transition from one step to the next. Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: What age / school year should you start focusing on recruiting? (@13:00)Paige's Power Play (@21:59)The Clearwater Invitational is not that far away and plan on attending if you can. (@27:06)Balance your time off with keeping your skills current and working on new things. (@35:25)Unfortunately we have to practice or play in cold weather. Be prepared and do everything you can to make it more comfortable. (@45:06)Support the show

The coaches discuss some changes they would like to see to give the players more meaningful game situations.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: One of our parents want to donate a substantial amount of money. What are the possible problems with doing this? (@11:28)Paige's Power Play (@17:34)Make sure you enjoy the game now before it is over. (@21:39)Teach your players not to react poorly when someone is trying to encourage them. (@31:02)Parent's are up in revolt with trying to get white uniform pants clean. (@38:54)Support the show

Branch Rickey, great baseball innovator, coined the phrase "addition by subtraction". The coaches discuss what this means and the necessity of doing it sometimes.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: I have seen enough of stalling tactics. How do the players feel? (@17:56)Paige's Power Play (@25:10)Players that are losing their love for the game. We need to recognize this early. (@28:26)Leadership models are changing. (@43:57)Safety tips to reinforce with our players to keep them safe. (@53:54)Support the show

The coaches discuss words of wisdom from an ancient Greek Philosopher that apply to our learning to play the game better.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup Segment:Listener Question: What can I do for an immediate impact on making my daughter faster and quicker? She is very slow. (@20:37)Paige's Power Play (@28:28)Question from a listener. What do we do when a college coach comes to see me play? (@34:15)Coach Tory talks about things they have done to have a good time at Halloween as a team. (@44:36)The coaches discuss the need to teach players about the value of proper nutrition. (@48:58)Support the show

The coaches discuss the situation where you have a team but no pitcher. This can happen in school ball, recreational leagues and sometimes in travel ball. What do we do?Support the show

This Weeks Lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter is 8, when should I spend money on a high end bat and glove? (@13:45)Paige's Power Play (@19:12)Thoughts on playing time with development type teams and different level teams.  (@24:40)An event happened in a high school playoff game that was blatantly against the rules. But, some people say it is gamesmanship and others are adamant that it is cheating. (@39:14)Fall Showcase event was not anywhere close to how it was advertised. How can I prevent this? (@56:08)Support the show

Coach Tory is not with us today due to a medical issue, but we are using some earlier published segments to fill in.This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentPaige's Power Play (@4:07) Help for beginning coaches. (@07:28) Quality at Bats. Define them and use them to measure performance. (@33:11)Interview (@43:25)Support the show

This game can never be played perfectly. When you watch a player you can always find something wrong. We need to make sure we are not just emphasizing what they could do better. When they do something well we need to be positive and reinforce that they need to be excited about what they just accomplished.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: I was asked to help coach a team. Now I am seeing push back from my suggestions. (@16:25)Paige's Power Play (@23:50)We have certain instincts that are not conducive to playing softball. Fear of getting hit by the ball is natural, but to play the game we have to get over that fear. (@27:54)Discussion on the growth of coaches and how they will change methods over time. (@40:00)The cheering noise at a game should never be directed negatively towards the opponents. (@49:51)Support the show

This is a topic to ponder on. There are thoughts that home runs can be detrimental in certain situations. Listen and tell us what you think. Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: What do you say to your pitcher when things are not going well?(@:16:05)Paige's Power Play (@22:00)There is a phenomenon of a really good player joining a travel team or organization and all of a sudden the team, their coaches and/or instructors start claiming that they are the reason that the player is good. A player becomes good over the years and with the help of many people and themselves. Don't take the credit away from the player or all of those who have helped. (@25:40)How to evaluate the player that is very good in all areas but not great in any one? She doesn't stand out in a tryout or showcase, but is more than solid in all areas. (@37:52)A lot of times the difference between winning and losing is communication. (@46:34)Support the show

Coaches are often asked to write letters of recommendation for their players. The coaches discuss some of the do's and don'ts. Sometimes we are put in a tough situation when a player asks for a recommendation to a school that they have no chance of playing at. Great advice to coaches in fulfilling this request.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question:  Outfielders first steps should be back, is this correct? (@13:30)Paige's Power Play (@22:37)People's perceptions of how much college coaches make. (@26:53)Some questions about recruiting. (@40:47)Tory's words of wisdom after his health scare. (@50:42)Support the show

Using an old expression, sometimes the wheels just come off during a game. An error leads to more errors, mental mistakes multiply and everything seems to go wrong. Our job as a coach is not to make it worse, but try and calm everything down. And sometimes its just not our day and we need to do everything we can for it not to carry over to future games.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: I have 2 players that can not get along. Any suggestions? (@13:01)Paige's Power Play (@20:20)With college camps using all types of different names, what is the code for understanding what type of camp it is? (@24:40)We have relocated and having a difficult time finding a team that matches the skill level of my daughter and the team she played on. Any suggestions? (@33:04)Coaches focus on developing your players! (@39:13)Support the show

It is not uncommon for players to show frustration while playing. It can be unrelated to playing, but it has an impact. The coaches discuss how to help your players manage their frustration.Support the show