Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

Welcome to this week's edition of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep with Coach Tory and Coach Don.  The episode covers various segments, including highlights like 'Did You Know?', which discusses the rapid changes in collegiate sports, specifically pointing out the firing of Penn State's James Franklin. The 'City of the Week' is Kansas City, Missouri, recognized for its active support in fast pitch softball. In the 'Player of the Week' segment, a team is highlighted for their teamwork and resilience. The equipment tip focuses on the benefits of Square Cuts training discs for better hitting efficiency. A listener question sparks a discussion on the importance of practicing hitting despite time constraints. The segment transitions into managing feedback from multiple coaches and instructors. An 'old softball dad' shares nostalgic insights on how travel ball has evolved, emphasizing that serious teams traditionally end their seasons in non-vacation spots.

In this week's edition of 'Everything Fast Pitch' by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don cover a variety of compelling topics. The episode opens with updates on the Milwaukee Brewers' playoff status, delving into the legacy of Bob Uecker. Pittsburgh, PA is highlighted as the city of the week, and the Fort Worth Cats are celebrated as the team of the week with recognition to their dedicated players. Equipment tips feature the practical usage of Square Cuts training discs, emphasizing their importance in hitting training. The listener question segment addresses high school softball's longest winning streaks, the financial landscape of women's sports, and the critical need for post-game stretching to prevent injuries. Further discussion includes the challenges and strategies associated with being a lower-tier pitcher on a top-tier team, and effective bunting techniques. The episode wraps up with personalized coaching tips stressing the importance of genuine commitment to pract

In this week's edition of 'Everything Fast Pitch' by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory flies solo as he records episode 390. The episode covers several segments: a warmup discussing the upcoming Mary Nutter Classic featuring the Japanese Olympic team, highlights Houston, Texas as the City of the Week, and celebrates a Player of the Week for her dedication and success in softball. An equipment tip highlights the Square Cuts Training Discs, and a listener questions the balance between encouraging multi-sport athletes and the practicality within the demands of travel ball. In the cleanup segment, Coach Tory addresses how to measure player development beyond traditional statistics. The action coach coaching tip discusses the difference between coaching to win versus coaching not to lose, drawing parallels between football strategies and fast pitch softball.Support the show

In this episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don discuss various topics, starting with a historical segment about renowned softball pitcher Eddie Feigner. The episode highlights Duluth, Minnesota as the City of the Week and celebrates a Player of the Week for her dedication to improving her skills. An equipment tip featuring Square Cuts training discs is shared. Two listener questions are addressed: one about the importance of post-practice cool down routines and another offering advice on nurturing a young catcher's enthusiasm despite the challenges. Tory also shares his frustrations with coaching two talented but stubborn players, seeking Don's advice on how to help them progress. The episode concludes with a discussion on the drawbacks of relying solely on statistics for determining game lineups, urging coaches to take a more comprehensive approach.Support the show

In this week's edition of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Don and Coach Tory record episode 388. The show covers various segments, including 'Did You Know,' 'City of the Week,' 'Player of the Week,' 'Equipment Tip of the Week,' and a 'Listener Question.' Key topics discussed are strategies for handling adversity inspired by Amanda Scarborough, the issue of 'gentle sports parents,' and the importance of celebrating and documenting achievements in softball. The episode also features a segment on the importance of proactive practice in various challenging conditions. Support the show

In episode 387 of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tori and Coach Don cover a wide range of topics including player highlights, equipment tips, and listener questions. They start with the 'Did You Know' segment featuring Megan Wiggins, a former Georgia softball star now playing for the Savannah Bananas' opponent team, the Tailgaters. San Francisco is named City of the Week due to its historical significance in fast pitch softball. Player of the Week honors go to a player from Burlington, Iowa for her exceptional teamwork and leadership. The show discusses the utility of various hitting tools and gadgets, providing insights into their effectiveness for both novice and experienced players. They also address a listener's frustration with tournament scheduling inefficiencies and offer practical advice for coping with challenging schedules. Finally, the importance of taking teams to watch college games as a learning tool is highlighted, with an emphasis on the value of exposure t

In episode 386 of 'Everything Fast Pitch' by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Don and Coach Tory discuss various segments including 'Did You Know,' featuring a debate on regional terminology for skin abrasions. The City of the Week is Jacksonville, Florida, and the Player of the Week is recognized for her resilience. Equipment Tip of the Week highlights Square Cuts Training Discs. Listener questions address concerns about the safety of C Flaps versus full cages on batting helmets and guidance on selecting appropriate tournaments for a travel ball team. The show also explores coaching strategies for making tough lineup decisions and the evolving balance between mental and physical aspects of hitting as players progress.Support the show

In this episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Don and Coach Tory discuss various topics related to softball, including new NCAA rules for seeding the top 32 teams starting in 2026 and recognizing Clearwater, Florida as the City of the Week. They highlight the Fast Pitch Prep player of the week and the importance of strength training for high school athletes. The coaches discuss strategies for building a new high school softball program, including engaging younger players and diversifying practice drills to accommodate different skill levels. Lastly, the importance of CPR and first aid training at all levels of the sport is emphasized, drawing from personal experiences and the necessity of being prepared for emergencies. The episode concludes with a light-hearted quest to determine the regional terminology for 'raspberry' or 'strawberry' injuries in the softball community.Support the show

This episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep with Coach Tory and Coach Don discussing various topics related to fast-pitch softball. This week's warmup segments include 'Did You Know,' City of the Week, Player of the Week, and the Equipment Tip of the Week. Highlighted topics include the rising popularity of softball as evidenced by the viewership of the Little League Softball World Series, the recognition of Madison, Wisconsin as the City of the Week, and the Player of the Week. The lead-off segment discusses the new Youth Athlete of the Year Award by Sports Illustrated and the V Foundation, focusing on its popularity-driven selection process. In the cleanup segment, the focus shifts to recent substantial changes in recruiting due to the transfer portal, the growing influence of junior colleges, and NIL opportunities, emphasizing the need for a wider and more open-minded approach in the recruiting strategy. Finally, the Action Coach Coaching Tip encourages coaches to bring in exper

In episode 383 of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Don and Coach Tory discuss various ways to enhance softball practices, including how to make situational drills more efficient and game-like using tools like the 'two ball drill.' They explore the phenomenon of top-tier teams collecting talented pitchers and the implications for player development and recruitment. The episode also emphasizes the importance of understanding and practicing the infield fly rule, using examples from recent games to illustrate its significance. Additional segments cover the city and player of the week, listener questions, and a call for community support via Patreon.Support the show

In episode 382 of Everything Fastpitch by Fastpitch Prep, Coach Don and Coach Tory discuss various topics pertinent to fastpitch softball. They highlight the end of the inaugural AUSL team season, featuring the Talons as champions, and debate the unconventional naming of these teams. Albuquerque, New Mexico, is celebrated as the City of the Week, and Kania Anderson of the Mississippi Aces is honored as the Player of the Week for her outstanding performance. They address a listener's question on utilizing the count to a hitter's advantage. They also tackle the challenge of managing input from different coaches during school and travel ball seasons. A segment is dedicated to debating whether it's better for a player to be a benchwarmer on varsity or get significant playing time on JV. The podcast concludes with an Action Coach tip on improving outfield practice and maximizing its benefits.Support the show

In this week's edition of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coaches Tory and Don as hosts. This episode promises a fun and informative lineup, including a 'Did You Know' segment on Little League Softball TV coverage, recognition for Irvine, California as 'City of the Week', and Payton Harris from Mediapolis, Iowa as 'Player of the Week'. They also address a listener's question about NIL money allocation in college sports. In the 'Lead Off' segment, they delve into the increased TV coverage for softball and its impact. The 'Clean Up' segment tackles the difficult topic of handling the situation when a player doesn’t make a desired team. Finally, in the 'Action Coach' segment, they highlight the importance of a player's role in their development, emphasizing that while instruction is a guide, the athlete’s innate ability, work ethic, and determination ultimately determine their growth.Support the show

In this episode of Everything Fastpitch by Fastpitch Prep, Coach Don and Coach Tory discuss several important topics through their warmup, lead off, and coaching segments. They begin with updates on the AUSL's strong growth and potential future changes, advocating for a merger with other professional fast pitch entities and the establishment of city-affiliated teams. The listener segments answer questions on optimizing player experience in travel teams and crucial steps for navigating the recruitment process, highlighting the importance of skill development and realistic goal-setting. Additionally, the episode includes the Player of the Week nomination. Emphasis is also placed on players developing self-awareness of their performance to better self-correct and improve their game.Support the show

In this week's episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don dive into various topics related to softball. Episode 379 features segments including 'Did You Know,' focusing on enjoying the end-of-season championships, and 'City of the Week,' spotlighting Seattle, Washington. They discuss the ongoing struggle to get Player of the Week nominations, emphasizing the importance of recognizing hard-working players. The equipment tip highlights the usefulness of Square Cuts training discs. A listener's question addresses the challenge of knowing when to pull a struggling pitcher. The lead-off segment critiques the watered-down state of modern travel softball compared to the past, questioning the abundance of travel teams and their impact. They also discuss the importance of attending recruiting camps, particularly those of targeted schools. The episode concludes with a coaching tip, comparing hitting practice to studying for a challenging test, stressing t

In this week's episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Don and Coach Tory discuss various topics including the transformation of Colorado into the epicenter for travel softball, the importance of attending these major events, and recognizing a repeat Player of the Week for her efforts in a faith-based softball camp in Montana. The podcast also delves into a listener question about the optimal number of players to use in a hitting lineup during tournaments, examining both the evidence and challenges of shorter game formats. (@14:14) They feature an in-depth part two of an interview with Dr. Matt Wilson, discussing the impacts of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) agreements and the transfer portal on college sports, with a focus on softball. (@24:58) A pivotal question is addressed in the clean-up segment: How can players push themselves to be the best they can be? (@53:47) Finally, they address the ongoing debate between old school and new school coaching methods, emphasizing a balanced a

In this edition of Everything Fastpitch by FastpitchPrep, the hosts are back together via Zoom. Key segments in this episode include discussions on the training of Team USA Softball in Oklahoma City, the recognition of Albany, New York as the City of the Week, and a call for more Player of the Week nominations. The interview segment features Dr. Matt Wilson, who provides insights into the shifting dynamics of college sports, focusing on the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies and their implications along with the changes from the House settlement. The hosts also discuss the culture of 'trophy hunting' in tournaments, where teams are grouped into multiple brackets for wider chances of winning. And finally, they emphasize the importance of honest and constructive feedback in coaching and instruction for young athletes.Support the show

In this edition of Everything Fastpitch by Fastpitch Prep, Coach Tory shares the news that the podcast will return to its regular format next week. This week's mini pod includes the announcement of Kerrigan Welch as the Player of the Week, praises her achievements both on and off the field, and highlights the importance of listener nominations for this recognition. Tory also discusses the increased popularity of the Women's College World Series and the SEC's consideration of a permanent tournament location. Additionally, the podcast touches on the structure and future of professional fast-pitch leagues like AUSL. Finally, Tory's weekly rant addresses the issue of unfair accusations against young players based on their physical maturity and the negative impact such incidents can have on them. The episode concludes with a reminder to support the podcast through Patreon and to visit FastPitchPrep.com for additional resources.Support the show

This show is going to discuss the impact that Texas Tech has had on college softball. We have had a lot of feedback from our discussions of the college world series. Texas Tech has done an excellent job in what they have done. But have they created a template for other teams going forward?Tampering has been going on for a long time.Does a super team always lead to success?Support the show

Coach Tory talks about the just finished College World Series. There were things that we can use to help our players improve. Some things need to be changed to help the flow of the game.Impact of former men's fastpitch players becoming coaches.Support the show

Colleges are having to make tough choices regarding sports. Some just don't have the money to invest in all sports so they may have to eliminate some sports to keep competitive. Will the use of NIL and the transfer portal create a new way to have success quickly?More former players are entering the coaching profession, we wonder if that is  reaching far enough into youth teams.Support the show