The Car Ride Home with the Alliance Fastpitch

In this episode, our host Jami goes deep into the world of competitive softball with Jeremy Higdon - a figure synonymous with excellence in youth sports coaching and events with his organizations Fury Platinum and Connect Sports. Jeremy highlights the intricacies of building a successful sports organization and the art of crafting memorable events. From discussing the soundtrack of a championship...

In this week's episode of "The Car Ride Home," host Jami Lobpries sits down with Ashlie Rowley. As the founder and CEO of the Colorado Softball Academy and General Manager of the Alliance Performance Center, NOCO, Ashlie shares her multifaceted journey from a collegiate athlete at the University of Florida to a revered coach and softball mom. This conversation delves into the transfo...

Welcome to another thrilling episode of "The Car Ride Home" with your host, Jami Lobpries! In this week's installment, Jami is joined by the immensely talented Jade Hewitt, a force to be reckoned with in the realm of sports photography (and an authentic storyteller.) Jade's journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring. From her early days with the Dallas Charge to her time with the...

Today, we have with us Sierra Romero, a softball legend with a list of accolades that speak volumes about her dedication to the game. Sierra Romero is not just a 4-time All-American, 3-time Big 10 Player of the Year, and the 2016 National Player of the Year; she's a University of Michigan Hall of Famer. With numerous single-season and career records for NCAA, Big 10, and Michigan under her bel...

Cat Osterman shares insights from her softball journey - from little league to the Olympics. She discusses her experience playing travel ball and the differences from when she played to now, including more focus on development through practice. Cat also dives into the relationships between pitchers and catchers, calling pitches, and using data. She explains her viewpoint on dominant pitchers versu...

Welcome back to another episode of "The Car Ride Home" with your host, Jami Lobpries. This week, Jami is joined by the incredible Holly Pearce, a former NCAA pitcher turned coach with a wealth of experience across all levels of play. The journey begins with a nostalgic drive down memory lane, as Holly shares her most memorable car ride experiences from college days. The conversation delv...

Welcome back to another episode of The Car Ride Home podcast! The episode kicks off with some stage-setting banter with Ryker Chason, where our host reveals their love for country music and proudly declares themselves a Swiftie, currently jamming to Taylor Swift's 1989. Our host dives into a trip down memory lane, recalling the most memorable car ride – a victorious journey back from a game du...

Austin shares his experiences growing up in New Hampshire and the role that sports, particularly baseball, played in his life. From there, we explore his journey, from aspiring to be an MLB strength coach to his educational pursuits. You'll discover how Austin's path led him to two years of independent baseball, where he played for the Worcester Tornadoes, and his subsequent return to scho...

Buckle up and get ready for an inspiring ride as newly committed UF Catcher, Jocelyn Erickson, joins us this week on the Car Ride Home. From her early years, Jocelyn's accolades began accumulating from AFCS Champion, USSSA World Champion, MaxPreps All-American etc, leading her to become a national champion with the Sooners. In this episode, the former Alliance All-Star takes us on a journey th...

On this episode of “The Car Ride Home” podcast as we sit down with David McCorkle, a seasoned softball coach across travel and high school fastpitch and a program director in the world of softball. What started as an accidental detour from his plans to coach baseball, turned into a passion and love for the game of softball. His twist of fate into becoming head softball coach at Clements High Schoo...

Join us on this captivating episode of The Car Ride Home as we delve into the inspiring journey of Ryan Moore, the visionary behind FGCL and CEO of UMR Sports. With a mission to transform lives through the American Collegiate League, Moore has pioneered a remarkable initiative that intertwines the sport of softball with national summer collegiate play. From humble beginnings, Ryan shares his remar...

Jami Lobpries starts this car ride with Lesley Feldman, an accomplished lawyer, former UCLA softball player, and co-founder of Players Collective. Lesley shares her inspiring story of how her time as a collegiate athlete and her legal career converged, leading her to become a passionate advocate for female athletes. During her days at UCLA, Lesley experienced firsthand the transformative power of...

In this episode of The Car Ride Home Podcast, we are thrilled to have Jennie Ritter, a remarkable individual who has left an indelible mark on the world of softball. Jennie's journey is nothing short of inspiring, from being a Michigan Softball Alum to becoming an ESPN Softball Analyst and a USA Softball Player. As a Wilson Fastpitch Business Manager, Jennie shares her experiences in managing...

In this episode of "The Car Ride Home," join Jami Lobpries and Kevin Shelton as they embark on a captivating journey into the world of softball, driven by collaboration and pushing boundaries. Shelton, a nuclear engineering major turned passionate figure in softball, opens up about his background, shares anecdotes about setting rules for post-game car conversations, and reveals the secre...

Join us this week for an exciting collaboration with The Bet on Me Podcast, as we dive into the world of Alliance's new Player Advisory Committee! We're thrilled to have Krista Stoker, the host of The Bet on Me Podcast, joining us to provide a central resource and connection to S2 Breakthrough player development. At The Bet on Me Podcast, their mission is clear: to empower young women in t...

Buckle up and get ready for an exciting new episode of The Car Ride Home Podcast hosted by Jami Lobpries. Author, coach, and founder of the Complete Game, Rob Crews joins us for the ride this week. Rob's journey from a deep love for baseball to his transition into softball has shaped his passion for growing the game and fostering a strong community. Discover his unique approach to connecting p...

In this episode, we have the privilege of having Derek Allister as our special guest. Derek is a true pioneer in the softball community, renowned for his role in founding OnDeck Softball. Join us as we delve into Derek's remarkable experiences, including his insights on starting OnDeck, the delicate art of balancing being a college coach and parent, and his passion for uncovering talent and re...

In this episode of The Car Ride Home, Jami Lobpries sits down with a true visionary in the world of softball. Scott Smith is the National Director of the Bombers Fastpitch organization, the Head Coach of Bombers 18u Gold and an owner of Prospect Wire Softball. He’s also a founding member of the Texas Fastpitch League and the Alliance Fastpitch. With a remarkable 28 year career in the Army and the...

This week, two friends Sis Bates and Aliyah Andrews join Jami Lobpries on The Car Ride Home! Bates, a three-time PAC-12 Defensive Player of the year and two-time NFCA First Team All-American, speaks with “Air-Aliyah” about developing the professional game of softball.  Bates and Andrews share stories of how they both grew as players within their collegiate career through professional development....

Two-time All-American, Texas A&M Alumni, ESPN analyst and sports broadcaster Amanda Scarborough speaks with former teammate (and roommate) Jami Lobpries this week on the Car Ride Home. Scarborough tells stories that only her former roommate can ask! Amanda shares stories about her career defining injury, working as a softball analyst and how she developed a love for the personal competition th...

Marty Tyson was drafted by the Chicago Cubs out of high school and could have been a baseball coach…but he had four daughters! Marty started coaching his oldest daughter Dena in the local Chino softball league…against Mike Stith…and hasn’t looked back.  The Tyson family has built one of the strongest brands in youth softball - the Corona Angels organization– and have developed some of the best pla...

This week host Jami Lobpries is joined by one of softball’s best in player development, Mike Stith, OC Batbusters. Stith speaks on working with some of the greatest athletes in softball, changing the scope of player development and learning to coach from the player up.  Mike Stith started coaching softball like most dads, coaching his oldest daughter in a local recreational softball league. After...

Four-time first-team All-American, two-time medal winning Olympian and former Bruin Natasha Watley joins the Car Ride Home this week! Watley shares stories and insight on diversifying the sport of softball, the importance of being a triple threat, and expanding the sport of softball through youth and professional development.  Natasha also shares her most memorable ‘car ride home’ when she learned...

Ever heard of “look good, play good?” Tony Rico, President of Firecracker Softball Inc., sits down with Jami Lobpries to discuss the keys to player development and effective coaching that have helped him develop some of the game’s greatest players and brands.  Rico reveals his favorite car ride tunes, shares stories from his 20+ years of coaching, and gives insight into player and team branding wi...

Jami Lobpries, Alliance Fastpitch CEO, interviews the best minds and brands and storytellers in fastpitch softball.  In each episode, we ask these industry leaders to reveal deep, intimate moments of success and failure, to share stories of their journeys, and to provide real takeaways for others looking to learn.  The Car Ride Home with the Alliance Fastpitch is a master-class on leadership, stor...