Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

This weeks discussion revolves around that players today do not respect their equipment and take care of it appropriately. Most types of equipment is discussed and the basics of taking care of it properly. Encourage your players to listen to this and help them understand that it is their responsibility.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: His daughter has a choice to be a full time player on the JV team or a roll player on the varsity team. What do you think?  (@19:14)Paige's Power Play (@29:19)DR3Fastpitch Pitching Corner - What do you feel about the start back vs step back approach to pitching? (@35:17)Spending time looking for pitchers tipping off pitches. (@44:02)Observations from a softball parent whose daughter is at the end of her career. (@58:09)Support the show

The coaches discuss helping to prepare players for that pressure situation of the last out of a game. It shouldn't be any different than any other out, but it is. It takes a collective effort of the player, parents, coaches and spectators to maintain a demeanor that makes it easier.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: How do you decide on which camps to attend? (@19:30)Paige's Power Play (@28:14)DR3Fastpitch Pitching Corner (@32:38)Tips for players going on college visits. Make it easier to compare them over an extended time. (@43:50)If playing college softball is in your future, an important consideration is your major at that school and can you major in that field and still play softball. At some schools is is almost impossible to play softball and have a major that has classes that conflict with practices and games. (@53:14)Action Coach (@1:04:43)Support the show

Coaches all say they want motivated players. The discussion today revolves around the fact that motivation is not a constant. What we really want are disciplined players that practice and play at a constant level no matter their level of motivation on a particular day. It takes motivation to get started, but discipline to stay the course.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter is a left-handed catcher. Is that a negative? (@14:23)Paige's Power Play (@23:03)DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Corner (@26:44)Importance of Small Ball (@36:42)Understanding runner interference. A coach asked for some strategies for his base runners to avoid interfering with the fielder. (@45:39)Action Coach (@55:52)Support the show

As Yogi Berra said, "You Can Observe A Lot By Watching". From birth we develop by imitating what we see. If we teach our players how to really "watch" good players, they will become better players. They should be watching all of the subtle things going  on with players not just following the ball. Seeing the total game is a skill that has to be learned and makes the game a classroom.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter was demoted to the outfield. What do I do?The coaches respond with reasons the outfield is not a demotion. (@21:04)Paige's Power Play (@30:07)Daniel Rubin and the DR3 Pitching Corner (@33:00)Exposing your players to different ways of doing things. (@44:41)Part 3 of the most influential women in softball. (@1:01:33)Action Coach (@1:10:33)Support the show

Not every player on a team has aspirations to play in college. For a variety of reasons, college is just not in their future. They still are good players and enjoy playing the game. Accept that and make sure you are coaching them with the same enthusiasm as the potential college players. Your job is to make all of your players the best version of themselves no matter what is in their future.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter is very young and wants to be a catcher. I am having trouble finding catching gear that fits. Any suggestions? (@13:42)Paige's Power Play (@19:07)Do large organizations make sense for travel teams? (@22:30)Part 2 of ground breaking women (@33:40)Action Coach (@48:00)Support the show

It happens frequently, a core group of 3 or 4 players want to start a new team. The coaches make a point for you not to jump into the pool before you have really thought this out. You should have more players as a core than what you are going to have to recruit.  And remember there are a lot of teams looking for pitchers and catchers especially.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListenerQuestion: My daughter is a pitcher and I am having trouble finding a good pitching tow. Do you have any advice? (@12:59)Paige's Power Play (@18:42)Part 2 of our interview with Justin McLeod of Extra Inning Softball. (@24:08)The coaches go through the first five from a list of women pioneers in softball. (@49:16)Action Coach (@1:04:45)Support the show

The coaches discuss that we can't coach by a book and we have to be aware of the circumstances of the game and players. Sometimes it makes sense to do something that doesn't make sense "by the book". Everyone connected with the team needs to "buy in" to the way you coach and be prepared to execute and support the calls you make. Remember, it is easy to judge a decision based upon the outcome. But always playing it safe leads to a team not playing up to their potential.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Many of my players are starting to go to college camps. What advice should I give them to help them make a good first impression? (@10:25)Paige's Power Play (@13:51)Interview with Justin McLeod of Extra Inning Softball (@20:01)What to do when she says "I don't want to play college softball?"  (@54:47)Action Coach (@1:06:34)Support the show

We hear it at the ball park all the time. Coaches or parents yelling at a player to just make an adjustment. What does that mean? If you are going to say something, say something that is helpful. The player knows something isn't working.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Is there a niche for players that have shown they are loyal?(@19:54)Paige's Power Play (@28:16)Difference between winning players and losing players. (@34:44)Define what is important in knowing what college to attend . (@50:46)Action Coach (@59:53)Support the show

The coaches discuss the importance in always believing that you can do it and never quit.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: On the first and third defensive play, what do we do when the batter squares around to bunt?  (@11:50)Paige's Power Play (@22:05)Players and coaches, now is the time to think about your goals for the coming year.(@24:34)What are you going to do in the next few weeks to get ready for the season and are you doing the correct things? (@37:59)Action Coach Tip  (@57:08)Support the show

We hear a lot of complaints in the fastpitch community about a lot of things. Short games, bad umpires, lack of facilities and on and on. If we are going to complain we have to be willing to pay to fix it or not complain. Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Do college coaches allow a team or fans to come to a practice? (@10:23)Paige's Power Play (@15:33)A question from a listener wanting our opinion on the pros and cons of coaching a high school team and a travel team at the same time. (@17:47)Another question from a listener wanting our opinion of what the optimum number of players on a roster. (@25:36)Action Coach Tip of the Week (@36:54)Support the show