Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question:  Can you give me some advice on how to transition to metal spikes? (@11:15)Paige's Power Play (@16:08)Are dynasties good for sports? The coaches discuss the pros and cons of a team dominating a sport and the attitude of fans. (@21:06)When a ball is hit every player has someplace to be and it is never where they started. Teach the 3 B's of defense.  Ball - Base - Backup (@33:55)All teams practice or warm up before a game using side, short or front toss. If this isn't done correctly, it does more harm than good. (@49:14)Support the show

It is important for coaches to match what they are teaching to the skill level of the players they are coaching. There is a natural progression of skills that the player has to learn. If we are doing drills that skips this progression the chances of the player succeeding goes down. If we are staying at a low level and not moving up the ladder then it will take longer for the players to progress. So coaches, you have to develop a strategy that matches what your are teaching in order to  maximize the development of your team.Support the show

This weeks Lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter's travel team doesn't spend much time warming up. How do I handle this? (@09:17)Paige's Power Play (@14:56)Interview with Erik Rico and Oscar Llarena of BatClubUSA.com. It is an interesting concept on bat ownership and worth giving a listen. (@17:46)Games have stacked up and you have a lot of games with little rest time. The coaches talk about some strategies to keep the team sharp. (@43:05)Coaches do not use a wooden bat to hit practice balls to your team. The sound is important. (@54:53)Support the show

It is easy to put a very talented player on a pedestal and they develop a prima-donna personality. This isn't good for the team and certainly not good for the player. She may be on a pedestal at a younger age but middle of the pack at an older age. The coaches talk about handling this situation and give you some advice.Support the show

This Weeks Lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter's coach wants to take over her recruiting. Is that a good idea? (9:30)Softball shopping list of things for a player. (@17:38)Fall Signing Period (@29:06)WTH Moment (@36:47)Support the show

The coaches discuss the different issues when it is time to move up an age group. There are things to consider as we move up especially in the younger age groups. Player are maturing, the rules are changing, equipment is changing and many things that have to be taken into consideration in our training and preparing.Support the show

This Week's Lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Getting prepared for next season in a cold weather environment. (@09:48)Paige's Power Play (@16:56)Interview with Justin McLeod - Status of the College Game (@19:50)Phenomenon of Pickup Players (@47:07)Hitting with a purpose (@58:03)Support the show

Most of the country is now facing games being played in cold weather. When we first encounter cold weather it affects us more than if we are used to it. In this episode the coaches offer some guidelines that teams can do to make it easier on the players. Cold and stiff players do not play well.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: How do you pick the best national tournament for your team? (@11:10)Paige's Power Play (@17:58)How is the NIL changing college athletics and is it working? (@23:58)Game day preparations. Pregame warmups and practices. Pregame pep talks. Effective game communication. (@34:55)Looking for players to finish out roster. Be cautious, talent is great but it isn't everything. (@50:02)Support the show

The coaches give advice on conducting an end of the season meeting with your players. To keep on developing your team, it is a must to properly and honestly communicate with each individual player.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Are winter camps a good investment? (@6:44)Paige's Power Play (@11:26)Players often  think that hits are the only measure of success. We need to help them understand that their job is to hit the ball hard. They can't control where the defense is playing and if they continue to hit the ball hard the hits will come. (@15:11)Asking young players to specialize in softball rather than playing other sports is a bad idea. (@31:11)We need to check our vocabulary. Players may not know exactly what we mean when we use catch phrases. Make sure they understand what you are trying to say. (@42:07)Support the show

An outfielder catching a deep hit ball at the fence can be a great play. It also is tough because of the danger of the fence. Teaching them how to handle the fence and make the play takes a lot of practice and practice with communication coming from a partner outfielder. Drills and techniques are discussed to help the coach develop practice plans.Support the show

This Weeks Lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Is there one thing that my team can work on that will get results in a short period? (@7:57)Paige's Power Play (@11:14)Weight Training is necessary but only if it is done correctly. (@15:20)7 simple habits that make better players (@28:51)A patron gave us a tip on using a device that has been around for centuries that can help our players get into a better rhythm and speed them up. (@52:52)Support the show

The quickest way to be get from point A to point B is not always a straight line. Anytime that we know we are only going one base, we want a straight line. If we are anticipating taking multiple bases our bodies cannot maintain speed and make a left turn so we have to round the corners . And it is better to round early rather than round late.  The coaches discuss the difference between the shortest distance and the shortest amount of time. Watch young players and you will realize that this is not intuitive, we need to teach it.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Why is covering steals different between baseball and softball?(@7:55)Paige's Power Play (@12:58)Coach Tory has some questions and he gets answers from Jeff our umpiring friend. (@16:46)Coach Don has a list of questions that should be asked in the recruiting process that are discussed. (32:05)Everything is better when the pitchers attack the strike zone. (@1:09:06)Support the show

Field conditions and the facility come into play during a game. If your team is aware of these things and know what impact they have on their play it can be to their advantage. All fields are not created equal. Field preparation is different and sometimes is used to an advantage of one team. The coaches discuss how to make your players aware of the different things that they have to take into account to not be surprised and give them a better chance to win the game.  The little things count.Support the show

This Weeks Lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Coach demands players be on time, but coach isn't ready on time. What can we do? (@9:29)Paige's Power Play (@16:57)Speed isn't everything when it comes to pitching. (@23:56)Negativity is spoiling the game and is not making the negative person feel any better. (@34:32)A young coach is having trouble getting her pitchers to perform in games as well as they do in practice. (@43:21)Support the show

You have a batting cage available or have rented one for batting practice. We prefer the term that you are going to practice hitting not just batting. We see a big percentage of the available time wasted by non-hitting activities. In this episode we give you some do's and don't to maximize the time and get the most number of swings in.Support the show

This Weeks LineupWarmup Segment:Listener Question:  Our team decided to add paid coaches. We weren't told about this. What do you think? (@8:03)Paige's Power Play (@14:43)List of Questions about Coach Pitch (@19:59)List of Questions about 10U (@47:06)Coaching Superstitions (@58:31)Support the show

Unfortunately most games that are played have a time limit. In those games there is a lot of time wasted, that if eliminated, would result in the players getting a lot more playing time.  Too much money is being spent on softball teams not to optimize the amount of time in a game to play more innings. Coaches, streamline your game procedures to get rid of non-playing time. If you are playing in a showcase tournament this is extremely important because the objective is to showcase players, not teams or coaches.Support the show