Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

The coaches discuss words of wisdom from an ancient Greek Philosopher that apply to our learning to play the game better.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup Segment:Listener Question: What can I do for an immediate impact on making my daughter faster and quicker? She is very slow. (@20:37)Paige's Power Play (@28:28)Question from a listener. What do we do when a college coach comes to see me play? (@34:15)Coach Tory talks about things they have done to have a good time at Halloween as a team. (@44:36)The coaches discuss the need to teach players about the value of proper nutrition. (@48:58)Support the show

The coaches discuss the situation where you have a team but no pitcher. This can happen in school ball, recreational leagues and sometimes in travel ball. What do we do?Support the show

This Weeks Lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter is 8, when should I spend money on a high end bat and glove? (@13:45)Paige's Power Play (@19:12)Thoughts on playing time with development type teams and different level teams.  (@24:40)An event happened in a high school playoff game that was blatantly against the rules. But, some people say it is gamesmanship and others are adamant that it is cheating. (@39:14)Fall Showcase event was not anywhere close to how it was advertised. How can I prevent this? (@56:08)Support the show

Coach Tory is not with us today due to a medical issue, but we are using some earlier published segments to fill in.This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentPaige's Power Play (@4:07) Help for beginning coaches. (@07:28) Quality at Bats. Define them and use them to measure performance. (@33:11)Interview (@43:25)Support the show

This game can never be played perfectly. When you watch a player you can always find something wrong. We need to make sure we are not just emphasizing what they could do better. When they do something well we need to be positive and reinforce that they need to be excited about what they just accomplished.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: I was asked to help coach a team. Now I am seeing push back from my suggestions. (@16:25)Paige's Power Play (@23:50)We have certain instincts that are not conducive to playing softball. Fear of getting hit by the ball is natural, but to play the game we have to get over that fear. (@27:54)Discussion on the growth of coaches and how they will change methods over time. (@40:00)The cheering noise at a game should never be directed negatively towards the opponents. (@49:51)Support the show

This is a topic to ponder on. There are thoughts that home runs can be detrimental in certain situations. Listen and tell us what you think. Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: What do you say to your pitcher when things are not going well?(@:16:05)Paige's Power Play (@22:00)There is a phenomenon of a really good player joining a travel team or organization and all of a sudden the team, their coaches and/or instructors start claiming that they are the reason that the player is good. A player becomes good over the years and with the help of many people and themselves. Don't take the credit away from the player or all of those who have helped. (@25:40)How to evaluate the player that is very good in all areas but not great in any one? She doesn't stand out in a tryout or showcase, but is more than solid in all areas. (@37:52)A lot of times the difference between winning and losing is communication. (@46:34)Support the show

Coaches are often asked to write letters of recommendation for their players. The coaches discuss some of the do's and don'ts. Sometimes we are put in a tough situation when a player asks for a recommendation to a school that they have no chance of playing at. Great advice to coaches in fulfilling this request.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question:  Outfielders first steps should be back, is this correct? (@13:30)Paige's Power Play (@22:37)People's perceptions of how much college coaches make. (@26:53)Some questions about recruiting. (@40:47)Tory's words of wisdom after his health scare. (@50:42)Support the show

Using an old expression, sometimes the wheels just come off during a game. An error leads to more errors, mental mistakes multiply and everything seems to go wrong. Our job as a coach is not to make it worse, but try and calm everything down. And sometimes its just not our day and we need to do everything we can for it not to carry over to future games.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: I have 2 players that can not get along. Any suggestions? (@13:01)Paige's Power Play (@20:20)With college camps using all types of different names, what is the code for understanding what type of camp it is? (@24:40)We have relocated and having a difficult time finding a team that matches the skill level of my daughter and the team she played on. Any suggestions? (@33:04)Coaches focus on developing your players! (@39:13)Support the show

It is not uncommon for players to show frustration while playing. It can be unrelated to playing, but it has an impact. The coaches discuss how to help your players manage their frustration.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: What can we do when a hitter is lunging at the plate? (@13:11)Paige's Power Play (@23:58)September 1st is an important date in recruiting.  But it doesn't mean that if you don't get a call on that date you don't have a chance.(@27:40)A listener want to know how to effectively communicate with a college coach. (@39:25)Another drill from a listener that add pressure during practice. (@46:35)Support the show

When we first start teaching players the fundamentals, we have to begin with the simple plays. Ball hit to infield, throw to first. Hit to outfield throw to second. As players advance the need to be able to recognize secondary plays. Sometimes known as the "what if" play. The key word here is recognize. They can't think through the process, but they have to recognize that there is another play. Might be in addition to the basic play or it might be instead of the basic play.Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Do you have suggestions for a fitness test for my team? (@16:07)Paige's Power Play (@22:33)Softball is not in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Why it is important that it should be. (@25:38)Twist on team joining big organizations. Tale of a coach's experience. (@32:50)Adding Players to your roster. Some suggestions that coaches need to think about. (@41:41)Support the show

Outfield is not a position! There is Left Field, Center Field and Right Field. Don't categorize all of the outfield positions as playing outfield. The responsibilities and reading the ball is different in each of the positions. Teach your players how to play one position and then move them and teach them the next outfield position. Support the show

This weeks lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Setting up cutoffs and relays. Do I use the Short Stop and Second baseman? (@13:10)Paige's Power Play (@21:54)Speed of the Game. Use some math to help your players understand how fast the game really is. For every mile an hour, the ball travels 1.47 feet. Round that up to 1.5 feet per second to make the math easy and have them see how quick they need to be. (@26:10)Players are heading off to college. Some for the first time. Here are some tips. (@39:46)Create some pressure in practice, especially for younger players. Teach them not to be distracted in games. (@50:14)Support the show

Coaches state all the time that the best players will get to play. Almost every coach has a different definition of "best". Make sure that everyone that you use that term with knows exactly how you define "best".Support the show