Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

This weeks lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question: My daughter pitches behind often but still gets strikeouts. Is this a problem? (@8:51)
• Paige's Power Play (@12:50)
• Part 1 of an interview with Tristan Hildebrandt of the Anderson Bat Company. A great discussion on the bat manufacturing business. (@14:56)
• Listener question discussion. What do we think about a player being a pitcher only especially at the younger ages?  (@38:12
• Discussion of the DP Flex rule (@48:02)

Support the show

Coach Tory discusses his experiences with coaching in a softball tournament at a vacation destination. There are pros and cons. The family gets to combine a vacation with going to the tournament. The hosts market the tournament as a destination location because of the attractions. But for softball those attractions are really distractions. They can be detrimental to play. Just make sure everyone is on the same page as to what the number 1 objective is.

Support the show

This weeks lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question: I live too far for access to instructors. What are some alternative options? (@10:00)
• Paige's Power Play (@15:02)
• Pitcher - Catcher relationships. The catcher can be valuable in getting better pitching performance.  (@19:53)
• The D1 recruiting calendar is back on and players need to be prepared for returning to somewhat normal. (@33:22)
• The million dollar question. How does a coach determine playing time. They have to have a method and be transparent about why they are making the decisions they are making.(@43:26)

Support the show

In this episode we discuss the need for emphasizing the need to have an every pitch focus. Players need to understand each pitch could be the one that they need to react to. It's easy to lose focus, but we have to dial back in at pitch time.

Support the show

This weeks lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question: Pickup Players playing instead of team members (@15:30)
• Paige's Power Play (@21:15)
• Part 2 of Interview with Jerrad Hardin (@30:46)
• College Softball News (@45:03)
• Unusual skill for better practices (@51:36)

Support the show

All sports have an optimum arousal level. When our emotions are below that level or above that level we don't perform as well. This week we discuss the need to monitor that level and make sure our players are not trying to execute while their emotions are out of bounds.

Support the show

This weeks line:up

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question: How to handle different coaching styles. (@10:20)
• Paige's Power Play (@16:46)
• Interview with Jerrad Hardin. Coach, instructor, camps and author.  (19:02)
• Highlights in the world of college softball (@49:26)
• An error can open the flood gates. Work on pitcher's fielding. (@01:02:24)

Support the show

Most of us have to adjust to time limit games because of the number of games that are scheduled on a field. It is the environment we live in. Because of that, it is mandatory that managing the clock has to have a high priority. In this episode we discuss how much playing time is lost to wasted minutes. Each minute lost waiting on someone, changing sides, discussing calls, etc. is a measurable percentage of our playing time. Let's give our players more innings.

Support the show

This weeks lineup:

• Warmup Segment:
• Listener Question: What are our thoughts on walk-up music (@13:50)
• Paige's Power Play (@20:15)
• College D1 Recruiting Changes (@27:45)
• D1 pre-selecting Regional Playoff Host Sites (@32:18)
• College Softball is Really Really Good (@38:05)
• Slap Defense 2nd baseman up close (@49:37)

Support the show

We have had a lively Facebook discussion of our blog post on "a strikeout is just an out". The coaches discuss the concept that it is very difficult to have multiple swing mechanics. At the next game you attend watch the reaction of players, fans and coaches between going back to the dugout after striking out and after just poking the ball to the infield. Often we see shame in striking out even if it was a good at bat versus "good try" on a dribbler to the infield. Listen and get their opinions on " a strikeout is just an out".

Support the show