Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

Straight line running is a skill and everyone can get better. Players are at many different levels when it comes to speed. Coaches need to educate themselves or get someone with track experience and incorporate running drills into their practice plans. Support the show

This week's lineup Warmup Segment Softball Little League World Series (@2:39) Listener Question: How much do professional softball players make? (@14:46) Respect your glove (@22:17) Classifying college teams (@30:32 Coaches can change lives (@38:39) Support the show

In this episode we use a quote from Samuel Beckett about failing better. Failures are a major part of our game and we need to think about ways to handle them better. Support the show

This week's Lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: What type of players should I be looking for to field a new 12U team? (@13:26) Travel Ball Silly Season. Teams switching organizations and players switching teams is out of control. (@20:11) Continuation of classifying college teams using professional baseball structure. (@33:40) Support the show

This week the topic is the 0-2 pitch and what should the pitcher be trying to do. Support the show

This week's lineup Warmup Segment Softball in the Olympics (@2:50) Listener Question: Future of the role of slapping (@9:45) Thoughts on a coach retiring (@15:50) Classifying colleges and conferences (@22:16) It's just a dream (@29:34) Support the show

Some players have attributes you want but their skill level is not quite up to what is needed. It often happens that you keep that player with the hope that she might make it. Is it better to make the cut early or see what happens? Support the show

This week's Lineup Warmup Segment Impact of increase in scholarship limits (@2:48) Listener Question: Advice on starting in the lesson business (@20:28) Comparing college athletics to structure of professional baseball (@28:05) Too much negative feedback is a problem (@37:18) Support the show

We have all seen it or been a part of it. A team is beating a team that is better and should beat them or we make a big rally and go ahead in a game and LOSE. It is something that coaches have to work on and create that mindset of believing and we belong here. Don't get nervous and start hoping to win and become defensive. Sometimes you can just feel the tension and know it is not going to en...

This week's Lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Defending first and third with runner on third and batter walked. (@22:08) Challenges of starting a new team (@31:28) Managing when your daughter wants to quit (@38:35) Support the show

The Softball world needs a recommitment to "The Golden Rule". Support the show

Make the correct decision as a runner on third when the ball is hit. Practice and drill into the player's minds, Support the show

There is no way that rankings of travel ball players can be accurate. Too many teams and too many tournaments for anyone to know.  Support the show

Showcases or tournaments that require you to use specific lodging can create a serious problem with your families. If you are contemplating one of these events, you need to have serious conversations with the parents on your team. You have to know your families well enough to know that it won't be a problem for every family. Some want to attend, but the only way they can is to find more affor...

When we go to a showcase, we don't know if we are going to be scheduled to play at a satellite field. Sometimes these fields are some distance from the  primary sites. When this happens it makes it more difficult for college coaches to see the players that they want to see. Players and coaches have to be prepared when this happens to figure out not only the game schedule, but when players are...

Relying on pick-up players to field a team is a sign of weakness and a problem with the basics of the team. Picking up a pitcher can make sense if we are down one. Using a pickup player as a means of trying out one, is a good strategy. Support the show

The idea of a pitching staff vs. a pitching ace. You need to have a strategy on how and when to use that staff to have the best chances of winning at the end. You can't rely on just a pitching ace. Support the show

Working the count and getting the pitch counts up is a strategy that works for baseball, but it isn't the same in softball. Support the show

When we focus on walks and getting the pitch counts up, be ready and don't take a called third strikes. Support the show

Using analytics is very helpful for our game, but we are seeing a trend with hitters trying to work the count. This results in them not being ready to hit the ball no matter what the count. They are missing some great pitches to hit. Support the show

Sometimes we form an opinion of a player and keep it over time. Players develop and change as well as their mental game. The game changes, it keeps getting faster. Therefore we need to evaluate all players and what they are contributing on a continuing basis. They may not be performing at the level of our opinion or they would help the team in a different position. Support the show

This week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: My daughter is on a successful team with several pitchers. She is at recruiting age, should she change teams so that she gets more pitching time? (@12:34)  3 Costs of Leadership by Kirby Smart, Georgia's football coach (@19:18) Trend in college coaches leaving the sport (@27:38) Recruiting tip about behavior (@37:14) Support the show

We discuss the possibility that a player who really wants to quit softball, might enter the portal as a way of stop playing without having to say I quit. Support the show

This week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Family asks for suggestion of where to locate  (@11:56) Paige's Power Play: Response to failure determines out success (@18:46) End of college season wrap up (@21:25) Keeping the fun in fundamentals (@42:52) Value of outfielders (@48:30) Support the show

We have all seen it, an error is made fielding a ball or a throw is bad and the fielders become spectators. We have to teach and practice with our players that if something goes wrong their responsibilities change. They need to see what is happening and realize that the initial play is over and that a play is going to be made at a different base and their coverage or backup duties have changed and...