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 proud titles of Pop-Pop, Softball Dad, and Coach, our guest brings a unique perspective and vision to the table.

Join us as we dive into the significant role of data in growing the sport of softball. From analyzing player statistics to scouting reports and studying trends in other professional sports development, he discusses the significance of data in creating an edge in the sport of softball. We explore the innovative initiatives Smith introduced to the Bombers organization, the TFL, and Alliance Fastpitch which created a supportive environment for young talent to thrive.

Scott Smith’s dedication to the sport and understanding of development makes him a true trailblazer who is helping revolutionize the sport of softball. Prepare to be inspired by heartfelt stories, life lessons, and moments of laughter this week on The Car Ride Home.

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. The two share the complexities of Athletes Unlimited through fun stories of getting to know one another. 

Get to know this special friendship between two teammates, players and friends this week on The Car Ride Home. 

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 that comes with the game of softball. 

Scarborough shares consequential moments in her college career that helped to grow her passion for the sport and eventually what led her to the ESPN desk and creating pitching angels. 

Jami and Amanda also discuss some hot topics around the youth game important for athletes, parents and coaches to hear. 

Join us to hear incredible stories shared between two teammates and friends this week on The Car Ride Home.

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 players through their system including Rachel Garcia, Megan Faraimo, Jazmine Jackson and Morgan Stuart. All four of Marty’s daughters coach softball including three inside the Angels organization and daughter Tori is the head coach at Howard University. 

Marty spent over 20 years as a Correctional Officer at a California men’s prison. He shares some tough life lessons he learned from inmates that he shared with his daughters and female athletes. 

A self-proclaimed competitor who loves to win, Marty also reveals his softer side in the car ride home…including an epic Christmas party and letters to his players. Join us for a car ride home with Marty Tyson that’s full of laughs, lessons, and storytelling!

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 years of pulling double duty with a job and coaching, Mike went full time into softball building the OC Batbusters and Sports Training Complex in Anaheim. Hear about the difficult moment Mike used to make that decision and how he continues to learn from his players every day. 

Mike has coached some of the game’s best players like Sydney and Sierra Romero, Amanda Lorenz, Jocelyn Alo, and Tiare Jennings. He shares stories on his ‘best team’, most athletic player, and most challenging player to coach! 

Join us on the car ride home with Mike Stith to hear more.

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 a valuable life lesson from not making the team! Can you believe Natasha Watley was cut from a team? Join us on the car ride home with Natasha to hear her story!

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 within the world of fastpitch softball. 

Tony is a trailblazer in softball. He was the first organization to expand its brand across the country. He was also one of the first people to start working with competitors, which eventually led to the formation of the Alliance Fastpitch. Tony shares why the Alliance is important and his excitement for what’s to come. 

Want to hear about the most challenging player he’s coached? Or who he thinks was the best travel ball player he’s coached against? Join the car ride home with Tony Rico to hear! 

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, storytelling, and community building. 

New episodes every Friday for free!