Coaches have to take the players they have and build the best team. That doesn't always equate to players playing their best individual position. For example, the best shortstop may make the team better by playing center field and someone else playing shortstop. And some players think that they can only play one position and if they don't play that position they want to move on. The object of defense is not to make great plays at one position and have major issues at other positions. The object is to limit the runs the other team scores. Coaches don't build your team by saying this is the best shortstop, this player plays the best second base, etc. Move them around until you are allowing the fewest runs.

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This weeks lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question: Is there a Softball Hall of Fame? (@10:51)
• Paige's Power Play (@15:25)
• Division 1 Top 25 Recap (@20:28)
• USSSA has changed the rules for pitchers. (@38:34)
• How to increase arm strength. (@48:00)

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This week the coaches discuss merging new players into a team. You can't just let it happen and hope things work out. There are always questions when a new player joins a team. When you post that you are looking for players, the questions begin. There is apprehension on each side. So, coaches face it head on and have a plan to seamlessly mold a team with old and new players.

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This weeks lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question:  New to coaching and putting together a team. How much value should I place with effort and attitude over talent? (@12:36)
• Paige's Power Play (@17:04)
• Part 1 of interview with Justin McLeod of Extra Innings Softball and Justin's World of Softball. Interview is an interesting discussion of the upcoming college season. (@22:11)
• Part 2 of interview with Justin McLeod (@46:38)
• Using assistant coaches.  Get the assistant coaches up to speed and give them some specific responsibilities. (@1:02:31)

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In this week's episode the coaches discuss how using intra-squad scrimmages and scrimmages with other teams to make your team better prepared to play real games. Don't schedule practice games with other teams without a plan. Just playing another team is not a scrimmage.

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This weeks lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question; My 10 year old daughter hits the ball consistently, but with no power. What can I do? (@10:44)
• Does not playing high school ball impact recruitability? (@13:58)
• Incorporate some vision training in your schedule. (@20:06)
• Building player's confidence.  (@25:01)

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Coaches and players are excited about getting back to practice and getting ready for the new spring season. Everyone needs to understand on how much work is reasonable and we are not doing more harm than good. We have to have a progression plan for getting the players ready. 

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This weeks lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question: Should I get my glove steamed? (@14:56)
• Paige's Power Play (@22:51)
• Catchers need instruction and practice. During normal team practices, catchers don't get really dedicated practice especially at game speed. Most catchers need outside training. (@25:28)
• College Softball is just around the corner. Hopefully COVID will not have an impact on softball. The coaches discuss the state of college athletics and the impact of the changes that have been made this year.(@37:08)
• How do we make training more game like. (@58:18)

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Sometimes coaches get frustrated when players attempt a play that is impossible. For instance, a throw to home from the outfield when the runner is 20 feet from home plate. Understanding what is possible is a skill that has to be taught just like fielding, throwing, etc. In the case above, the outfielders have to learn to judge the distance they have to throw the ball against the speed of the runner. They will learn quicker by practicing than by failures in a game.

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This weeks lineup:

• Catchers, back up first base (@2:26)
• More games are lost than won. (@16:36)
• What is a "ball player" (@30:24)
• I hate "my bad" (@47:26)

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