Fundamental Fastpitch: The Podcast

Managing the dugout is an often-overlooked aspect of coaching.  How you run the dugout will evolve as you move through the various levels of play.  Players need to know their spot in the lineup and where they are playing on the field, but there are also plenty of ways to keep players engaged whether they’re in the lineup or not.   #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #DugoutMom #DugoutDad #DugoutJobs

League play wouldn’t exist without the participation of a multitude of volunteers - volunteers that are immensely appreciated.  How those volunteers are guided impacts the quality of the league experience.  We talk about some things a board should consider when structuring their organization and embarking upon a new season. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #LeagueSoftball #Communicate

The offseason is a chance to take a break, reset, and charge your batteries.  How long should the offseason be?  What types of activities should your athletes be doing?  How often and intense should activities be?  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #TheOffseason #TakeABreak #Burnout #IndividualSkills

Bring up fundraising and you’re sure to get some groans.  Whether you’re raising money for an organization, team, or yourself there are some things to keep in mind.  We also cover a long list of fundraising ideas and options. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Fundraising #Transparency 

A new season brings new opportunities.  It also brings potentially uncomfortable changes.  Heather and Jess talk about some causes for change as you settle into a new season, when changes turn into concerns, and how to address concerns constructively. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #NewSeason #TeamChemistry #Communication

Jump back into the time machine for this encore episode where we mash up three of our earliest episodes.  Enjoy some highlights of episodes 4 : Yes, Yes, No Mentality, 6 : How to Run an Effective & Efficient Practice, and 10 : Baserunning 101 - Part 1.   #FundamentalFastpitch #TheDugout #TheHuddle #SoftballSchool #YesYesNo #Practice #Baserunning - - - - - - - - - - 4 : What does Yes, Yes, No m...

We have grown so much in 80+ episodes! Jump into the time machine for this encore episode where we go ALL THE WAY BACK to the first ever episode of Fundamental Fastpitch: The Podcast! - - - - - - - - - - Welcome! Meet the Fundamental Fastpitch crew!  Longtime softball players, coaches, and students of the game: Jessica Tanner, Heather Maloney, and Mike Brouillette. Jessica and Heather introduce th...

Quality at bats are no accident.  Jess, Mike, and Heather go through a laundry list of ways to prepare for an at bat - long before you ever step foot in the box.  Taken in all at once, the ways to prepare can be overwhelming, but a step-wise approach to implementing these tips can give reliable results. #FundamentalFastpitch #SoftballSchool #AtBat #Preparation #InTheDugout #OnDeck #InTheBox Follow...

It may not seem like it, but the quality of a leadoff can make the difference between an out and safe call.  We explain what a leadoff is, what it isn’t, and why it’s so important.  Most importantly, getting a good, hard leadoff is the decision to apply two controllables - effort and focus. #FundamentalFastpitch #SoftballSchool #Leadoff #IsSheStealing #KeepDefenseGuessing Give us a like and follow...

Jess didn’t get enough outfield talk during last week’s Outfield Position Spotlight episode.  We take a deeper dive into outfield-specific skills and drills.  #FundamentalFastpitch #SoftballSchool #Outfield #SkillsAndDrills

Ask Coach Heather! Heather gets her chance to field questions from her 12u girls!  Mike and Heather discuss some surprisingly thought-provoking questions.  #FundamentalFastpitch #SoftballSchool #AskCoachHeather

We make our way out to the grass in this edition of the position spotlight series.  Jess delves into the qualities of a great outfielder.  We round out the conversation with what makes each of the outfield positions unique and a long list of outfield drills.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Outfield #StuckInTheOutfield #ReadsOffTheBat

You see billboards all the time, but what does it mean to be a billboard on the softball field?  Heather and Jess explain what it means to “billboard,” why “billboarding” is a problem, and some ways to avoid it.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheDugout #Billboard #Emotions #3Seconds #Snowball

Shortstop demands versatility.  Mike, Heather, and Jess talk about how shortstops are able to fill the various needs of the position.  In addition to physical skills, confidence, softball IQ, and a dose of swagger round out the tools available to great shortstops.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Shortstop #Athletic #Swagger #Silky

The crew dives into a batting practice staple - soft toss.  Hear the proper way to set up soft toss and some common mistakes.  We round out the conversation with some soft toss variations.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #SoftToss #BattingPractice #GoHit

What makes a third baseman great?  Is it being technically flawless or the mental approach?  We talk about how both of these qualities factor into making a well-rounded third baseman.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #ThirdBase #HotCorner #ALittleCrazy

Mike and Jess wrap up their candid conversation with insight on the local little league draft processes and their own individual responses to team success and big moments.  As an added bonus, enjoy their post wrap-up discussion about their kids’ personalities and navigating emotions through success and failure. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Draft #BigFeelings #Success #Failure

Follow along with Mike and Jess as they continue their discussion about controversial little league strategies such as bunting, slapping, and running the ball in from the outfield.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Texas #California

Without the steady supervision of Heather, Mike and Jess get on a windy roll about little league in California vs Texas.  Part 1 of this 3-part dialogue centers on the differences in rules.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #CaliforniaSoftball #TexasSoftball

Second base sometimes gets portrayed as “less than” its partner across the diamond.  Jess and Heather talk about the role of second base and what to look for in a second baseman.  We close things out with a list of skills every second baseman should be working on.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #SecondBase #MiddleInfield #SneakyRange Give us a like and follow on Facebook!

Do you panic when a batter shows bunt? Or are you confident in your defense? Well-executed bunt defense can shut down an offensive push in a hurry. Listen in to hear how we like to defend the bunt. #FundamentalFastpitch #SoftballSchool #BuntDefense #EverybodyHasAJob

In the first of our Position Spotlight Series, we delve into what makes a great first baseman.  The qualities of an ideal first baseman will shift as players develop and the game speeds up.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #FirstBase #BeAnAthlete

Sportsmanship should be one of the first things coaches teach young players.  Jess, Heather, and special guest Cora discuss how to be a good sport before, during, and after the game.  #FundamentalFastpitch #TheDugout #PlayerPerspective #DugoutWars #KeyboardWarriors #Gossip

Kids are always paying attention to what’s around them.  There will be times when “adult conversations” need to be shared with players.  We give some pointers on when and how to discuss important topics without influencing your young athlete’s opinions.  #FundamentalFastpitch #ToughTalks #NoBullying #PlayerLedConversations Give us a like and follow on Facebook!

As parents, we often shield our kids from inappropriate conversations. But how many of us are careful about little ears being present when we discuss softball? The crew details adult-only softball conversations and how those conversations can influence our kids if they are exposed to them. #FundamentalFastpitch #ToughTalks #YourKidIsListening #Earmuffs