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 season to the fine line between coaching and mentorship, this conversation is a look into the life of a man who helps shape athletes into champions on and off the field.

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 transformative power of positive self-affirmation in young athletes, the nostalgic trips to favorite post-game restaurants, and the eclectic pre-game music that fuels the competitive spirit.

Ashlie's personal story of overcoming injuries and her unorthodox route to college softball highlights resilience and determination.

Rowley also discusses the AFFL, Alliance Futures Fast Pitch League, a program designed to nurture confidence and competence in young female athletes, setting them up for success both on and off the field.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on empowering the next generation, the significance of accessible, high-quality softball opportunities, and the impact of community and family in shaping young athletes' futures.

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 Scrap Yard Dawgs, to the incredible moment of capturing the Silver Medal-winning scenes of Team USA Softball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

But the narrative doesn't conclude there. Jade continues to make waves in the sports photography scene as the Director of Photography for Athletes Unlimited, overseeing four women's professional sports leagues: softball, volleyball, lacrosse, and basketball.

Join Jami Lobpries and Jade as they delve into her extraordinary journey—from her D3 collegiate softball days to her remarkable transition into the world of sports photography. Brace yourself for a ride filled with triumphs, a little bit of tears, and the product that unfolds when passion meets talent.

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 belt, Romero's impact on the softball field is nothing short of legendary.

In this episode, Sierra takes us on a journey through her remarkable career, from her college days to her impressive four seasons in the NPF and her current time with AU. Beyond her on-field achievements, Sierra shares her passion for fostering a strong softball community, emphasizing her family's impact on her approach to the game.

But Sierra's contributions to softball extend far beyond the playing field. As the founder of The 32 Approach, she dives into the motivation behind creating the app as a way to understand players' unique needs, catering to their strengths, and addressing weaknesses to elevate their performance.

Sierra Romero is on a mission to revolutionize softball training, and her vision shines through as she discusses her aspiration to make her softball app the best and number one in the industry. Join us for a captivating conversation with a softball icon who continues to inspire on and off the field. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Sierra Romero's journey and passion for the game! 🥎✨

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 versus pitching staffs and implementing new pitches.

Looking ahead, Cat talks about her excitement for the Athletes Unlimited Stars of Tomorrow Games to showcase youth talent and give them valuable experience. With softball back in the Olympics, she discusses what it might take for the sport to stay permanently.

Throughout the wide-ranging conversation Cat provides wisdom from her standout playing career as well as coaching. She aims to grow the game and develop well-rounded athletes.

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 delves into Holly's unique upbringing as the daughter of a Canadian Olympic figure skater, highlighting her early exposure to sports and the decision to pursue softball.

Holly unfolds her transition into pitching, reflecting on the joy of being in control and actively participating in every play. The episode explores her recruiting days, the challenges of social acclimation, and the pivotal moment when she realized her passion for coaching.

Listeners get an exclusive peek into the innovative concept of "range pitching" that Holly helped to develop, aimed at providing value beyond the top-tier pitchers.

Don't miss this episode filled with tales of finding yourself through sport, coaching wisdom, and the transformative power of the game on "The Car Ride Home" podcast!

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 during their early coaching days. A particularly vivid moment is shared about "that dad" who presumably made a lasting impression.We learn about our Ryker’s experience as a pitching coach at LSU and the desire to forge their own path in life. Chason shares their journey and career shift leaving college and venturing into OGX. They reflect on their original plan to be under a great pitching coach, the enjoyment found in the game and coaching kids, and the challenges of coaching at the college level, especially in the wake of COVID-19.The episode wraps up with a rapid-fire round, covering topics from men's fastpitch pitchers to the best advice for coaches and pitchers, and even a shoutout to current college pitching stars Phelps and Valerie Cagle. Don't miss this episode packed with nostalgia, insights, and a dash of country music!

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.

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 through her softball career, sharing her experiences in recruiting, being designated the Triple Crown Winner at the 2022 AFCS, and the profound importance she places on leadership and community within her team.

Embark on Jocelyn's initial commitment journey and discover how it has shaped her perspective on the Transfer Portal. Her determination and drive to push herself further in the sport are evident as she shares the challenges and triumphs of her softball journey.

As the All-Star game approaches, Jocelyn offers an exclusive look into her feelings about the game and how it played a vital role in her first year of collegiate softball at OU.

Join us as we explore the highs and lows of Jocelyn's remarkable softball journey, from her early days on the field to her triumphant moments in the All-Star games and National Championships.

This episode is a testament to the integrity, passion, and inspiration demonstrated by a true champion in the sport. Whether you're a softball enthusiast or simply seeking motivation, hop in and join us on this unforgettable Car Ride Home with Jocelyn Erickson!

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 School, all while teaching math, led him to a 21 year high school softball coaching career. McCorkle shares his challenges and triumphs he endured while coaching both high school softball and travel ball teams. 

In 2020, Aces Express, the long time program McCorkle had been a part of, merged with the Bombers. This merger propelled him into the position of Assistant Director of the Bombers. This new role allowed for McCorkle to explore his passion for event directing.  Taking the skills he acquired over the years, he founded Gold Cup Events in 2012 and later merged with 5 Tool Sports & Performance in 2020, contributing to the growth and success of Alliance.

Throughout our conversation, we'll explore McCorkle's dedication to event directing and how he navigated the transition from coaching to managing and organizing tournaments. From mastering Excel sheets to working with applications like Tourney Machine, McCorkle has watched the world of softball event directing transform. His expertise has been instrumental in shaping the success of Alliance. 

Tune in to hear firsthand anecdotes, valuable insights, and lessons learned from David McCorkle's remarkable journey in the world of softball and event directing.