Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

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

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

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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 affordable housing.

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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 going to be playing and let the college coaches that they are interested in know when and where they are. The further removed you are from the primary fields, the harder you have to work.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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.

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