Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

Coach Tory and Coach Don record episode 416 and preview segments on pickup player etiquette, baseball vs. softball fielding, and coaching styles In “Did You Know,” Tory argues the Division I strike zone has become overly hitter-friendly, citing 185 hitters over .400 late in the season, and says it hurts pitchers despite consistent umpiring; Don notes pros and cons and the sport’s evolution. City of the week is Fayetteville, Arkansas. A JV coach asks how to keep a struggling team engaged; they suggest removing scoreboard focus, setting small in-game goals, and celebrating incremental wins with team leaders. They discuss green/yellow/red guidelines for guest players and warn against using pickups to replace roster players. They also advise being open-minded about a former MLB player changing defensive instruction and say coaching energy should match both coach nature and team needs.Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 415, thank patrons, and highlight Nebraska hosting UCLA with over 8,000 fans as a possible true home-field regular-season attendance record, noting softball’s growth. The city of the week is Bloomington, Indiana, and they promote Square Cuts training discs and sponsors EAS and Elite Sporting Goods. A listener reports Tennessee varsity games canceled due to a severe umpire shortage; they discuss poor treatment of officials and encouraging more people to umpire. In the lead-off segment, they debate year-round softball, risks of burnout and injury, and advocate balancing commitment with multi-sport participation. They explain the “Rule of Thirds” for great, average, and terrible days and emphasize performing through adversity using goals. The coaching tip stresses pitchers practicing fielding, overhand throwing, and situational awareness, including a two-ball drill. Tory also criticizes an overly small TV strike zone in college games and its effects on pitchers, offense,

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 414, thank Patreon supporters, and share a “good news, bad news” did-you-know: pitching coach Bill Hillhouse has died after battling cancer, while Oklahoma pitching coach Jennifer Rocha has returned to the dugout after her own cancer fight, alongside encouragement to support cancer research. The City of the Week is Oxford, Mississippi. A recruiting listener question challenges “Division I or bust,” emphasizing academics and that playing college softball at any level is an accomplishment. Tory then discusses unrealistic expectations for young players transitioning from tee ball/coach pitch to kid pitch and travel ball, stressing long-term development over quick fixes. The cleanup segment reviews a popular Atlanta-area Banana Ball-style tournament, praising the fun while noting safety and skill concerns for young players. The coaching tip argues coaches must clearly communicate team rules and reasons for discipline/benching and enforce rules consistently.Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 413 of Everything Fast Pitch, thank Patreon supporters, and highlight “Did You Know” that Florida State’s Isa Torres set an NCAA Division I record with 16 consecutive hits. The city of the week is Houston, Texas. They answer a listener question about the best way to request clarification from an umpire, emphasizing calm, specific, rule-based questions rather than emotional confrontation. In the leadoff segment they reflect on how dramatically women’s athletics and technology have changed since the 1960s–1990s, citing growth in size, skill, and athleticism in sports like basketball and softball. The cleanup topic urges stopping “crack or scratch” bat posts and accepting that composite bats inevitably crack and break. The coaching tip stresses practicing and prioritizing defensive communication to avoid missed popups and injuries, and they tease a future interview on body language and the mental game.Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 412, thank patrons, and share USA Softball Hall of Fame news honoring Monica Abbott and the Raybestos Brakettes. City of the Week is Madison, Wisconsin, and a Player of the Week recognized for work ethic and leadership. Tory answers a listener question about 10U players ignoring instructions, discussing accountability, consequences, and today’s team-hopping culture. The main segment is an interview with Tiffany Deering (former Michigan national champion) about Athletic Placement Services (APS), a new app-based recruiting hub that matches athletes with schools, streamlines emailing from personal Gmail, integrates YouTube/X, provides engagement analytics, camp searches, and roster/portal data, with a free promo through August. The coaching tip emphasizes modeling, practicing, and rewarding positive body language.If people want to take advantage of the Promo from APS going on until end of August they can: 1- Go to apsrecruits.com 2- create an account using email or google

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 411 and note that UCLA’s Kelly Inouye-Perez has become the winningest coach in UCLA softball history. City of the week is Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A listener asks why Liberty isn’t ranked in the D1 softball poll; they explain Liberty is still a mid-major, has played a very tough early schedule, and may rise later. Part two of an interview with Ken Krause and Jay Bolden (From the Coach’s Mouth) covers a pitching/catching shortage driven by too many teams, limited work ethic, overuse of top young pitchers, and parent expectations, emphasizing practice over excessive games and overuse injuries. The cleanup segment critiques time-limit games and wasted time from huddles, celebrations, and arguing. The coaching tip promotes a head coach self-evaluation tool across key categories.Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don open episode 410 with a show rundown. Tory issues corrections: when last week’s undefeated Power Four teams segment released, North Carolina and Grand Canyon were also unbeaten. This week’s City of the Week is Spartanburg, South Carolina, citing USC Upstate, nearby JUCOs, and the Tiger River softball complex. Player of the Week is a player recognized for commitment and rapid improvement despite little prior experience. Listener question asks how long pitchers should warm up; they stress that “ready” means able to locate every expected pitch (not just feeling loose), that travel-ball uncertainty can tempt corner-cutting, and that pitcher plans and honest fatigue communication help. The lead-off segment begins with part one of an interview with Ken Krause and Jay Bolden of the “From the Coach’s Mouth” podcast: Ken coached travel ball ~15 years, shifted to full-time lessons; Jay is an educator who entered softball via a JV opening, played men’s fastpitch, coached travel/high school, and

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview and record Everything Fast Pitch episode 409 via Zoom, highlighting a listener-driven show and thanking supporters on patreon.com/everythingfastpitch. In the warmup “Did You Know,” they note three Division I undefeated teams at the time of recording—Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama—and discuss SEC strength and ongoing top-team dominance. The city of the week is Huntsville, Alabama, with mention of strong softball in the area, UAH’s Division II success, and local universities. Player of the week is Bronwyn Conroy (College of Charleston), recognized as rookie of the week after a standout week including five runs, nine hits, three RBIs, and multiple stolen bases; they share Don’s prior familiarity with her and invite more nominations via email. The equipment tip promotes Square Cuts training discs (FastPitchPrep.com), priced at $49.95 per dozen, with YouTube demos and varied uses beyond hitting. A listener question asks how transfers, extra eligibility, and NIL may shift Division

Coach Tory and Coach Don welcome you to Episode 408 of Everything Fast Pitch. In “Did You Know,” they cover an NCAA rule change allowing all institutional staff in baseball/softball to provide technical and tactical instruction through the end of the current season, noting it may widen the gap between well-funded “super schools” and smaller programs.  A listener question  addresses a Sports Illustrated article about Texas Tech and the Matador Club, explaining NIL/tampering loopholes where collectives can contact players even when coaches cannot, and discussing how agents and NIL have changed recruiting. The lead-off segment is Part 2 of Tory’s interview with former Georgia standout and pro player Sara Mosley, who recounts her determination to play at Georgia, a showcase moment after being doubted by Coach Tony, her high school adversity (broken hips, two knee surgeries, and her father Bob Mosley’s death junior year), and how those experiences reshaped her purpose. She describes COVID-era disruptions at Georgi

In this action-packed episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don cover multiple topics. They introduce the City of the Week and Player of the Week and discuss the feedback from a listener about the importance of prioritizing player development over playing games. In their lead-off segment, they highlight the Professional Softball League's new minor league system. The episode features part one of an interview with Sara Mosley, a former All American at Georgia, who now plays professionally. Sara discusses influential people in her life. The cleanup segment includes an insightful chat with Anna Nickel, Senior Marketing Manager from Game Changer, who explains the numerous new features enhancing the app, such as game insights, replay capabilities, and lineup recommendations. The coaching tip of the week emphasizes the need for players to practice hitting the difficult pitches they are likely to face in games.Support the show

In episode 406 of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don delve into several listener-driven topics and provide insights into effective softball coaching and team management strategies. The lead-off segment tackles a query from a high school coach looking to improve his pitching coaching skills. The hosts advise taking advantage of online resources, developing a collaborative relationship with players, and maintaining a positive coaching attitude even if expertise isn't fully developed.In the cleanup segment, they address whether it's acceptable for players to skip team practices to play in other tournaments. Both coaches stress the importance of team practices for skill development and team cohesion, highlighting that skipping practices undermines team performance and individual growth. The coaching tip of the week focuses on ensuring players consistently back up plays during games. The coaches share strategies for making this a habit, including the importance of drills,

This episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep features Coach Tory and Coach Don discussing several engaging segments. They cover the 'Did You Know' with preseason D1 softball rankings and emphasize the dominance of teams like Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Texas. The episode also highlights Houston, Mississippi as the City of the Week and a Player of the Week. The equipment tip focuses on the Square Cuts Training Discs. A listener question addresses college camp challenges for a player who is both a utility player and a pitcher. The main segment is an interview with Samarra and Rob Dalrymple about their new podcast, DSPN Softball Central Podcast, focusing on recruiting, player development, and insights from various guests. The coaching tip of the week stresses the importance of modeling good behavior after several troubling incidents involving parents and coaches in youth sports.Support the show

In this week's episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coaches Tory and Don record their 404th episode, packed with insightful content. The warmup segment reveals news about AUSL professional softball team locations, including the Durham Blaze, Portland Cascade, Chicago Bandits, Utah Talents, Texas Volts, and Oklahoma City Spark. Additionally, they celebrate Ames, Iowa, as the City of the Week and a Player of the Week. The equipment tip of the week highlights the square cuts training discs, praised for their ability to provide immediate feedback to players. The listener question addresses whether coaches are truly bad or just not meeting parental expectations, emphasizing the importance of aligning expectations with reality. In the lead-off segment, part two of Tory's interview with Justin McLeod from D1 Softball dives deep into the upcoming 2026 Division 1 season, discussing potential breakout teams, strong conferences, and the impact of key transfers, including Texas Tech's new a

In this episode of 'Everything Fast Pitch' by Fast Pitch Prep, Coaches Tory and Don discuss a variety of topics. They begin with a warmup segment that includes 'Did You Know?', city of the week, player of the week, equipment tip of the week, and a listener question that dives into the rise of elite Division I pitchers. The main segment features part one of an interview with Justin McLeod from D1 Softball, focusing on the upcoming college softball season and the state of professional softball. The discussion covers both Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) and the Professional Softball League (PSL), detailing their impacts and recent developments. Further segments include a talk on the recruiting evaluation period and a coaching tip on prioritizing team practices when practice time is limited. Support the show

In this week's episode of Everything Fast Pitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don connect to record episode 402, marking the beginning of the 2026 season. The discussion covers several key segments, including the warmup segment featuring City of the Week (Charlotte, NC), Player of the Week and an equipment tip about Square Cuts training discs, and an intriguing listener question. The lead-off segment focuses on players' preparation for the spring season, stressing the importance of self-care and conditioning. The clean-up topic addresses how a listener can get started in umpiring. The coaching tip of the week emphasizes coaching players to achieve their goals rather than focusing on avoiding mistakes. Support the show

In this New Year's Week mini episode of 'Everything Fast Pitch' by Fast Pitch Prep, the focus is on the outlook for 2026 in college softball. Coach Tory reflects on the growing viewership and success of the Women's College World Series and other softball events in the past year, questioning how much bigger the sport can get. Topics discussed include the impact of financial investment by schools, particularly around facilities and name, image, and likeness (NIL) money, on competing for championships. Speculation on how the escalation in spending correlates with success, mirroring trends in college football. Additionally, the episode covers the proliferation of softball games accessible via ESPN platforms, the role of podcasts like 'In the Circle' in keeping fans informed, and the influence of social media algorithms in disseminating softball-related content. Lastly, Coach Tory encourages listeners to support college softball at various levels and to engage with the sport through l

In this week's Christmas edition of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, the host reflects on the past year and expresses gratitude for the progress in women's sports coverage. The episode highlights significant improvements in the visibility of women's sports on major networks like ESPN. The host recalls personal experiences from 2007 and discusses challenges from earlier periods, emphasizing the importance of continued support for women's sports. Additionally, the host thanks Stan for his production efforts, acknowledges the audience's support, and looks forward to an exciting 2026.Support the show

In this week's edition of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don celebrate their 401st episode and reflect on the significant milestone of having 700 total podcast episodes including mini-pods and prediction shows. They express gratitude to listeners, patrons, and contributors, particularly during the busy holiday season. The program highlights include 'Did You Know' on upcoming city announcements by AU Softball League, 'City of the Week' Las Vegas, 'Player of the Week', and a question on whether it's worthwhile to get a glove re-laced. Key segments include an interview with Steve Dickey from Better Ballgame, who discusses the complexities and challenges of youth sports, particularly in fast pitch softball, with topics like long-term development, the importance of having strong female role models, and the crucial role parents play. The episode concludes with the Action Coach coaching tip of the week, emphasizing the importance of involving pl

In the 400th episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don celebrate their milestone and discuss a variety of topics. They highlight NiJaree Canady’s inclusion in Forbes' 30 under 30 list, celebrate Chicago, Illinois as the City of the Week, and recognize a Player of the Week. They provide an equipment tip for Christmas, answer a listener's question on coping with faster pitching, and discuss the challenges and solutions for long-term coaches contemplating retirement. They also emphasize the importance of helping players improve their overall athleticism and stress the value of punctuality with the core principle, 'If you're early, you're on time; if you're on time, you're late.' The episode includes thanks to their patrons and a call for continued support, player nominations, and listener engagement.Support the show

This episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, hosted by Coach Tory and Coach Don, covers various segments including City of the Week, Player of the Week, and Equipment Tip of the Week. The lead-off segment discusses recent incidents of athletes' misconduct and the impact it has on sports. The cleanup segment addresses considerations for switching teams, providing advice for players and their families. Finally, the action coach coaching tip emphasizes the importance of positive coaching over fear-based coaching. Support the show