Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

The verb "Try" means to attempt something. The verb "Do" means to achieve or complete something. Try has a built in level of failure. If we attempt to do something and don't make it we can always say we tried. It makes it too easy to quit. If we attempt to do something with the attitude that we will "do it", we will keep trying until we achieve it. Trying is just one of the steps to doing something, not the goal. Simple things like this can alter our player's mindset and help them perform at a higher level.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warm up SegmentListener Question:  My daughter is a super freshman and her coach never gives her a chance to play. During the recruiting process she was told she would be a starter. Do you have any advice? And should she transfer? (@12:20)Here is a link to an article describing what the coaches were talking about.  Some Quotes from the article:“Coming in I knew I had to compete,” Brito said. “We’re at a collegiate level now that everybody is good. Coming in I didn’t really have any goals such as that, but I said to myself compete every day, give everything I’ve got every practice and every day. Competing constantly.”“She brings a great energy to our team and we have seen it in practice,” center fielder Haley Cruse said.“I think my hard work and dedicating myself a lot to getting better every day has helped me over the years and I’ve tried to carry that into college and do the best that I can each game and put everything out there,” Brito said. “I want to go in there and be aggressive and als

It is still winter although we want to treat softball practice like its spring.  Indoor practices are the only option for a lot of the country due to weather conditions. With the right attitude indoor practices can be very beneficial and can give us the opportunity to work on things from a different perspective. And sometimes these can make improvements better than out on a field.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Lead off segmentListener Question: Coach is putting together his summer schedule. A lot of doubts about what will happen.  Wants coaches opinion of what they think about how to put the schedule together.  (@12:10)Paige's Power Play (@17:51)Recap of College Softball Kickoff (@25:50)Phenomenon of college coaches coaching teams at recruiting camps (@40:38)Throwing and Catching: Fundamental skills that players are not doing on their own.  (@52:03)Support the show

All teams have players at different skill levels. Could the difference between winning at the end of the season be how much you players with the lessor skills have advanced? You have weaker hitters and fielders with weaker skills. If your practice plans push those players as well as your top players they will close the gap. Often starters or the best players receive the most reps because we view them as the key to winning. We want you to think about if my weaker players can contribute more how much that will affect winning. If you reduce the fallout between the top of the batting order and the bottom you can keep that rally alive. If they make more defensive plays you get more outs.  Coaches, it's up to you to make your team better, not just the top players.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Getting a pitcher in better shape (@10:51)Paige's Power Play (@16:33)Coaching staff and how to use them more effectively (@26:21)Getting players ready for college ball (@49:43)Quality outfield practice (@54:32)Support the show

We have all seen it. You have an athlete that doesn't think they have to abide by the same standards as the other players. Many times it is a very talented player who thinks they are better than other players and should have special privileges. Sometimes this is a home problem and sometimes it is a coaching problem. We have seen where an athlete was a difference maker on a team and the parents exploit that for special privileges. And sometimes the coaches create the problem because they fear losing the player to another team.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warm-up SegmentListener Question: Is it okay for players to miss practice to pick up with other teams? (@12:04)Paige's Power Play (@17:39)When a hitter struggles we see something and immediately think that is the problem. Often that is a symptom caused by the real problem.  @(25:20) College Softball is on the horizon. (@39:22)Speed and Agility: good investment of our time? (@54:40)Support the show

In this episode we discuss the importance of coaches knowing the rules and teaching them to your players. Your credibility is at stake if during a game it becomes obvious that you don't know a rule.  We have all witnessed a train wreck when a situation happens and everyone is confused. Also it is imperative that when you go to a tournament that you know any specific rules that are different from what you have been playing.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warm-Up SegmentListener Question: Will we be able to see games in person this year? (@8:34)Paige's Power Play (@11:45)Part 2 of Rachel Coleman Interview on recruiting (@21:03)Hank Aaron's attitude about hitting.  Keep Swinging (@52:15)Your players are working hard for you. Are you working hard for them (@55:04)Support the show

The discussion is about adding new players to your team and how to transition them from new players to just players. When we add new players, there is a learning curve for them that can impact your practices and games until they are fully transitioned into the teams way of doing things. For instance, at practice you tell the team to go do "x" drill. The new players don't know what "x" is so practice bogs down while you explain it. Have a plan to seamlessly integrate your new players into the team.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warm-up SegmentPaige's Power Play (@11:43)First part of an interview with Rachel Coleman a former D1 Coach breaking down the softball recruiting process. (@18:31)Managing traveling by airplane to a tournament. (@53:49)Early season practices. (@58:13)Support the show

Eventually, letting a pitch hit you is going to be expected. The coaches discuss this practice and when players are old enough to understand and not let it affect them in the batter's box. You have to understand the safety aspects as well as the psychological impact. Support the show

This weeks lineup:Shoutout SegmentListener Question: Which dugout would we chose and why? (@9:10)Paige's Power Play (@12:53)How much do catchers throw and is it too much (@22:26)Discussion of Bruce Lee quote - Don't speak negatively about yourself, even as a joke, your body doesn't know the difference. Words are energy change the way you speak about yourself and you can change your life.  (@33:23)Quality vs Quantity (@44:10)Support the show

The coaches discuss the absolute need for practice plans and being prepared. You should go to every practice with a legitimate plan. We lose kids when we bore them, we lose kids when we are disorganized and we lose everybody if they think we are wasting their time. Invest in a plan and adhere to it. This is a must listen for every coach.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Shoutout segmentListener Question: Advice on how to protect myself catching my daughter as she gets faster. (@10:34)Paige's Power Play (@18:49)What to do when you see someone obviously  teaching a player incorrectly. (@22:50)How appropriate is it for a parent to ask for an accounting of where the team money is going. (@34:37)What to look for when we are looking for pitchers. (@48:02)Support the show

Discussion based upon a study that was made as to what female athletes like, what motivates them and why they continue to play. The study covers a lot of ground and helps us understand what creates the best environment for them.Support the show

This weeks Lineup:Shoutout segmentListener Question: Is it worth it to attend college camps? (@ 9:51)Paige's Power Play (@ 15:23)Discussion from NFCA convention that Travel Ball players need to compete for positions. (@ 18:44)Corona update on college softball (@ 33:33)Coaches we have to get in shape (@ 45:30)Support the show

In this episode we discuss things that we say that confuse the player. And when you really think about what we are saying, they don't make any sense. For the new year we need to add this to our list of things to stop doing to get the best performance out of our players.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Shoutout segment Listener Question: Daughter is struggling to hit the ball hard. (@ 9:04)Paige's Power Play (@ 14:14)Talent is increasing but passion is lagging (@ 19:09)Covering bases on steals (@ 40:00)A quality at-bat is not always a hit. (@ 48:58)Support the show