Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

Episode 446 of Everything Fastpitch previews the NFCA Convention in Atlantic City (Dec. 9–12), highlights Frisco, Texas, and promotes “A Catcher’s Christmas,” a two-day catching clinic in metro Atlanta (Dec. 5–6, 9am–3pm, ages 12–18) led by Claudia Cooper and Haleigh Dickey covering fundamentals, leadership, mindset, recovery, and strength, with registration at dickeysdugout.com and cooperscatchingcorner.square.site. A listener question addresses improving defensive communication through clear priority rules, early/multiple calls, consistent systems, and repetitive practice. The show features an interview with John Campista of Powerhouse Athletics, discussing rec-league decline, pitching confidence and overuse in travel ball, advocating pitch counts, larger rosters, arm c...

Episode 445 of Everything Fastpitch notes the death of Hall of Famer and pioneering Olympic coach Shirley Topley, and names Salem, Virginia as City of the Week for its longtime hosting of Division II and III national championships. The show spotlights “A Catcher’s Christmas,” a two-day metro Atlanta catching clinic (Dec. 5–6, 9am–3pm, ages 12–18) run by Claudia Cooper and Haleigh Dickey focusing on skills plus leadership, mindset, recovery, and strength, with registration at dickeysdugout.com and cooperscatchingcorner.square.site. A listener question addresses rising bad adult behavior at youth sports and whether policies deter it, with discussion of enforcement challenges a...

Coach Tory and Coach Don McKinley introduce episode 444 of Everything Fastpitch, recognize the passing of Georgia fastpitch leader Ernie Yarbrough, and name Spokane, Washington as City of the Week. They take a listener question about whether an injured travel player should still attend practices and games, concluding that, health permitting, injured players should remain involved to learn and contribute. In an interview, mental performance coach Ron Schmittling discusses teaching performance psychology skills through routines, evidence-based confidence, handling failure, and involving coaches and parents; he shares resources including his books Winning Starts Within and Into the Storm, his podcast, and...

Coach Tori and Coach Don preview episode 443,  cover warm-up items including Tori's Milwaukee Brewers reaching their first World Series since 1982 and a documentary about the 1982 team. The City of the Week is Gainesville, Florida, linked to strong softball activity and tournaments. A listener asks about AUSL players forming a union; the hosts discuss potential benefits for players and possible risks to a new league’s growth, hoping it doesn’t lead to labor disruptions. In the main interview, former Louisville All-American pitcher Tori Heyman discusses her playing and coaching background, parents’ body language effects, supportive coaching with high standards, embraci...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 442 of Everything Fastpitch,  and open with a “Did You Know” about MLB’s first full ABS season in 2026 resulting in pitches overturned. City of the Week is Knoxville, Tennessee, with discussion of UT softball and hearing “Rocky Top” repeatedly. The equipment tip highlights MegRim Softball’s defensive fielding mask, and a listener question covers replacing a glove’s inner leather/hand stall, noting some companies can fully rebuild gloves and weighing cost versus sentimental value. In the leadoff segment, they connect Navy SEAL training to softball via the idea that under pressure athletes “sink...

Episode 441 of Everything Fastpitch discusses NCAA Division I fall recruiting limitations that can affect travel-team scheduling while still emphasizing competition value. City of the Week is El Paso, Texas. A listener question addresses ways to stay involved in softball in college without being a varsity player, including club softball, team manager/bullpen roles, and student assistant coaching or helping youth teams. The main interview features Kyle Epps—author, elite performance coach, former police officer/lawyer, and softball dad—discussing routines, focus, reducing conscious swing thoughts during execution, training hitters to be ready every pitch, building “pictures” through realistic reps, and refr...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 440,  and share updates including Team USA traveling to Japan for the Japan Cup as part of preparation toward the 2028 Olympics and the City of the Week, Mustang, Oklahoma. They answer a listener question about when players truly focus on playing college softball, noting it varies by family but commitment often becomes clearer in the mid-teen years. In an extended interview, Bridgewater College assistant coach and catching instructor Bobby Humphrey discusses the undervalued catching position, warns about misleading social-media instruction, and emphasizes progression, enthusiasm, and prioritizing receiving, then throwing mechanics (transfer time), and b...

Coach Tory and Coach Don outline episode 439’s segments. In “Did You Know,” they discuss the U.S. Women’s National Team playing in the World Cup in Oklahoma City and a longer-term evaluation plan toward the 2028 Olympics, citing the deep talent pool and benefits of ongoing team-building. City of the Week is Charleston, South Carolina. A listener asks whether college softball will adopt automated balls and strikes after the NCAA approved ABS for college baseball in 2027; they expect it eventually but note cost/logistics and debate how it could affect strike-zone manipulation. They then critique a social media post con...

Everything Fastpitch episode 438 segments include SEC softball schedule news, city/equipment tips, and a listener question, then features an interview with Dr. Brianna Halford (The Throwing Doctor), a doctor of physical therapy and certified athletic trainer who began after her own softball back fracture. The hosts discuss the SEC’s 2027 schedule and note the absence of a Texas-Oklahoma regular series, speculate about a special event, and highlight Nashville, Tennessee (Vanderbilt lacks a softball team). They answer a coach’s question on bullpen frequency by emphasizing individualized workloads, communication, and coaches knowing pitchers’ terminology and needs. Halford stresses early mechanics instru...

Episode 437 of Everything Fastpitch previews warm-up segments and promotes Patreon support, then features a memorial conversation with Scott Whitlock honoring longtime coach Jess Dannelly, a pioneer who helped establish fastpitch softball in the Southeast and influenced the sport’s growth; Whitlock shares Danley’s impact, character, and personal stories, and condolences are offered to his family. The City of the Week is Green Bay, Wisconsin, with notes on local softball and memories of visits. The equipment tip highlights the Slide MVP sliding mat. A listener question addresses scheduling conflicts for an 18U travel team, with advice to use larger rost...

In episode 436 of Everything Fastpitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don preview a show featuring fall college softball as a great time to watch games and practices in person, and name Columbus, Georgia as City of the Week. Tory apologizes for previously omitting Little League World Series player Carson Meyer while discussing Kenley Erasmus. A listener question sparks concern about gambling on the Little League Baseball World Series and about social media videos showing young kids’ inappropriate football behavior and adults enabling it. The main interview features strength and conditioning coach Mike Kelly, who explains his background and his remote, in...

Coach Tory and Coach Don open with a Did You Know about Kinley Rasmus, a talented girl playing in the boys Little League Baseball World Series, and discuss women’s baseball opportunities versus softball scholarship realities. City of the Week is Durham, North Carolina, noting increased listener response after prior North Carolina coverage. A listener asks if recruiting is possible without high-level travel ball; they say yes but visibility, competition level, and school options may be limited, and travel costs often exceed typical scholarship returns. In an interview, Scott Mead of Mirror Mindset Performance shares police-inspired reset strategies (breathing, ph...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview Episode 434, thank patrons, and highlight the AUSL All-Star Series, encouraging listeners to watch and support pro softball. Player of the Week is Anna-Lynn Clark of the Johnson County (North Carolina) Little League team, praised for dominant World Series pitching and leadership. A listener asks why schools enforce heat/lightning stoppages more than travel ball; they discuss safety technology, school accountability, and lack of uniform travel policies. Guest Ben Cattaruzzi, Johnson County’s Little League Softball World Series championship coach, explains his coaching background, the qualification path, North Carolina’s strong Little League/travel ecos...

Coach Tory hosts Everything Fastpitch today. He notes the U.S. Women’s National Team won the International Cup over Japan, with the USA Elite team finishing third, highlighting Montana Fouts and the deep Olympic player pool. City of the week is Greenville, North Carolina, site of the Little League Softball World Series; the equipment tip spotlights the ZVT training tool that uses color feedback to encourage seeing the ball. A listener shares a professionally timed 2.57 home-to-first run at an all-state combine. In the main interview, Neil Anderson explains SkillShark, an app and web platform that replaces paper tryout sc...

Today we highlight the USA Women’s National Team and Elite Team competing in the International Cup in Oklahoma City, noting Japan’s strength, Patty Gasso’s difficult roster choices, and the positive impact of the pro league on U.S. players. The City of the Week is Racine, Wisconsin, with a connection to "A League of Their Own". They address a listener’s concern about 8U rec softball prioritizing winning over teaching and equal participation. In the leadoff segment they discuss recurring scandals of bending or breaking rules in youth sports and the lessons it teaches kids. In the clea...

In episode 431 of Everything Fastpitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don discuss the AUSL Championship Series and note professional softball’s first network broadcast on ABC, plus observations about the strike zone and the league’s evolving formats. They name Chattanooga, Tennessee as City of the Week and answer a listener question about whether high school softball should be played in spring versus fall, weighing development, weather, burnout, and injury concerns. In the leadoff segment, they praise Little League softball’s ESPN coverage and urge fans not to disparage it, mentioning Danielle Lawrie broadcasting her daughter’s qualifying game and noting a...

In episode 430 of Everything Fastpitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don discuss the AUSL heading into playoffs (with Chicago and Utah battling for the top seed) and the league’s growth, and name Sacramento, California as City of the Week. They  address a listener rant about the rain-impacted Legacy Tournament in Atlanta, noting the challenges of massive “super tournaments,” field conditions, and umpire shortages, and debating refunds and contingency plans. In the main interview, recruiting expert Greg Dees of Empowered Analytical Sports Recruiting explains the NCAA Division I “five-for-five” eligibility rule starting with the 2027 class, its limited exceptions, transitional impact on 2026s, t...

Coach Tory and Coach Don welcome you to Episode 429 of Everything Fastpitch. They share a Did You Know? noting over $9 million in NIL deals have been denied, seeking listener clarification. A listener asks how to keep defenders engaged behind a dominant strikeout pitcher; the hosts suggest emphasizing communication, positioning, backup responsibilities, and practicing game-speed defensive reps. In an interview, Gosia Betancourt describes her son Joshua’s transition from intense elite gymnastics to elite diving, the family’s emotional adjustment, and the importance of listening to children; she also discusses managing perfectionism, injuries, coach communication, and using online schooling for acad...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 428 with segments including a Did You Know?, equipment tip, listener question, and an interview with Alan Vanhook, plus a coaching tip on practicing all game situations. They highlight the Professional Softball League (WPSL) as another strong women’s pro option alongside AUSL, noting six teams (including Atlanta Smoke) and urging support for pro opportunities to grow the sport and benefit future Olympic teams. The equipment tip spotlights Rempro Sports defensive face masks. A listener question asks what parents should understand; they stress honoring commitments and recognizing how hard softball is. In the in...

Coach Tory and Coach Don discuss the NCAA’s new Division I “5-for-5” age-based eligibility model (five years to play five seasons, with limited exemptions), including potential recruiting impacts that may favor transfers and junior colleges. City of the Week is Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  A listener prompt compares Oklahoma softball missing the Women’s College World Series while Oklahoma baseball won it all, noting baseball’s unpredictability versus softball’s more predictable contenders. In the main interview, Shellee Howard of College Ready explains planning early (ideally middle school), the importance of GPA, fit (academic/social/athletic/financial), FAFSA timing and errors, s...

Coach Tory and Coach Don open Episode 426 by previewing the show, promoting Patreon, and naming Kansas City, Missouri as City of the Week. They discuss the AUSL’s strong ratings and attendance with the new home-site format, while raising concerns about converted baseball fields and teams missing star players still playing in Japan. A listener question reports an umpire saying the entire ball must be over the plate for a strike, prompting discussion of how that shrinks the effective zone, increases walks and home runs, and the possibility of electronic strike calling. In the featured interview, Morgan Stuart (former Wa...

Coach Tory and Coach Don open by covering a good news/bad news “Did You Know”: the passing of renowned short-game coach Larry Ray, and the June 9 start of the AUSL season with many televised games, plus discussion of intentional walks to star hitter Megan Grant. The city of the week is Omaha, Nebraska. They answer a listener question about whether Texas Tech is leaning into a “heel” persona amid NIL/transfer-portal moves and a football gambling-eligibility controversy. The main interview features mental performance coach Breanne Smedley (The Elite Competitor), who shares her athlete journey, her team’s championship success, a...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 424 of Everything Fastpitch, recap the Women’s College World Series (Texas repeats as Division I champion behind Teagan Cavan; record-setting attendance in Oklahoma City), and discuss the irony of all-time great pitchers (Monica Abbott, Cat Osterman, NiJaree Cannady) not winning national titles. They compare Texas Tech’s transfer/NIL-built roster to a “wrestling heel” that heightened fan attention, name Oklahoma City as City of the Week, promote Square Cuts training discs, and answer a listener question about softball spending (top budgets cited at $4–$6M excluding hard-to-track NIL) and SEC athletic donations led by Texas...

In episode 423 of Everything Fastpitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don preview segments and encourage Patreon support, then share a Did You Know about UCLA’s Megan Grant hitting 40+ home runs to crush a record held since 1995 despite playing about 20 fewer games, with Grant also having been part of UCLA’s national-championship women’s basketball team. City of the Week is Oklahoma City, reflecting a download spike during the Women’s College World Series, and they briefly plug Square Cuts training discs. A listener asks about the best D1 home-field advantage; they highlight Alabama’s Rhodes House, plus Nebraska’s record crowd...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 422 of Everything Fastpitch, including a “Did You Know” and City of the Week Las Vegas. They answer a listener question about measuring improvement beyond stats, emphasizing observation, confidence, quality at-bats, and long-term development over instant results. Tory interviews former UAB coach Marla Townsend about her Compete mental performance system (12 key ingredients, journal with QR-code audio coaching, parent playbook, and Performance Hub), available at marlatownsend.com with a  discount code "VIP". In the cleanup segment, Robbie Brogdon discusses launching an Atlanta-area collegiate summer league at Heritage Park in McDonough with doubleheaders, streaming/stats, camps...

Everything Fastpitch episode 421 with Coach Tory and Coach Don previews warm-up segments and features an interview with social media instructor Megan Rembielak. They recap early NCAA Division I regional results and notable games, including Oregon’s elimination by Mississippi State amid pitching injuries, seeded teams advancing (Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia), Florida State’s loss to Stetson and matchup with UCF, and Texas Tech’s comeback win over Ole Miss; they emphasize the value of smaller-conference teams in the tournament. City of the Week is Bloomington, Indiana.  Listener Danielle asks about handling coaching decision regret; they advise accountability, grace, and foc...

Coach Torrey and Coach Don preview episode 420 of Everything Fastpitch, beginning with “good news, bad news”: UCLA’s Megan Grant sets the single-season home run record with 38, but a Big Ten Network replay skipped the record-breaking at-bat in favor of injury and replay footage. They answer a listener question about a $50 travel-ball tryout fee, agreeing the biggest issue is not disclosing it upfront. They break down the newly announced NCAA Division I tournament bracket, noting SEC strength, mid-majors benefiting from SEC teams missing the .500 threshold, and storyline-heavy potential matchups (e.g., Oregon–Oklahoma, Texas–Texas A&M, Alabama–LSU). In cleanup...

Coach Torrey hosts Episode 419 solo outlining warm-up items, a hitting proverb discussion, a Division I postseason preview, and a coaching “confession.” He notes an NCAA Division I proposal to shift eligibility from five years to play four seasons to a five-year window allowing five seasons. The city of the week is Columbia, South Carolina, and the equipment tip spotlights Fastpitch Prep’s Square Cuts training discs designed to help hitters learn what “squaring up” the ball means. A listener question addresses the “blame game,” urging players and parents to take ownership rather than blame umpires, coaches, teammates, or conditions. Torrey contras...

Coach Tory and Coach Don host Everything Fast Pitch open with thanking patrons and previewing segments. They discuss the SEC’s plan to make Madison, Alabama’s Toyota Field the permanent home of the SEC softball tournament from 2027–2030, replacing rotating campus sites, and note Lexington, Kentucky is the last on-campus host through 2030. The city spotlight is Oklahoma City. A listener prompts discussion about multi-sport athletes versus early specialization. In an interview, Bill Hoopes (coach, PGF Florida state director, tournament director, author) covers his background, high school vs travel ball purposes, recruiting changes, finding the right college fit, and his books...

Coach Tory and Coach Don record Everything Fast Pitch episode 417 via Zoom from Canada, previewing segments and thanking Patreon supporters. They note the NCAA’s Division I softball transfer portal window will open the Monday after the Women’s College World Series and last 15 days, aiming to tighten timing and discuss how the portal changes recruiting without eliminating opportunities, especially noting elite freshmen still impact top programs. City of the Week is Salt Lake City, and the equipment tip promotes Square Cuts training discs. Listener Alan asks whether the portal is “ruining recruiting,” prompting discussion of shifting opportunities and roster v...

Coach Tory and Coach Don record episode 416 and preview segments on pickup player etiquette, baseball vs. softball fielding, and coaching styles In “Did You Know,” Tory argues the Division I strike zone has become overly hitter-friendly, citing 185 hitters over .400 late in the season, and says it hurts pitchers despite consistent umpiring; Don notes pros and cons and the sport’s evolution. City of the week is Fayetteville, Arkansas. A JV coach asks how to keep a struggling team engaged; they suggest removing scoreboard focus, setting small in-game goals, and celebrating incremental wins with team leaders. They discuss green/yellow/red gu...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 415, thank patrons, and highlight Nebraska hosting UCLA with over 8,000 fans as a possible true home-field regular-season attendance record, noting softball’s growth. The city of the week is Bloomington, Indiana, and they promote Square Cuts training discs and sponsors EAS and Elite Sporting Goods. A listener reports Tennessee varsity games canceled due to a severe umpire shortage; they discuss poor treatment of officials and encouraging more people to umpire. In the lead-off segment, they debate year-round softball, risks of burnout and injury, and advocate balancing commitment with multi-sport participation. They explain the “Rule...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 414, thank Patreon supporters, and share a “good news, bad news” did-you-know: pitching coach Bill Hillhouse has died after battling cancer, while Oklahoma pitching coach Jennifer Rocha has returned to the dugout after her own cancer fight, alongside encouragement to support cancer research. The City of the Week is Oxford, Mississippi. A recruiting listener question challenges “Division I or bust,” emphasizing academics and that playing college softball at any level is an accomplishment. Tory then discusses unrealistic expectations for young players transitioning from tee ball/coach pitch to kid pitch and travel ball, stressin...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 413 of Everything Fast Pitch, thank Patreon supporters, and highlight “Did You Know” that Florida State’s Isa Torres set an NCAA Division I record with 16 consecutive hits. The city of the week is Houston, Texas. They answer a listener question about the best way to request clarification from an umpire, emphasizing calm, specific, rule-based questions rather than emotional confrontation. In the leadoff segment they reflect on how dramatically women’s athletics and technology have changed since the 1960s–1990s, citing growth in size, skill, and athleticism in sports like basketball and softball. The cleanu...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 412, thank patrons, and share USA Softball Hall of Fame news honoring Monica Abbott and the Raybestos Brakettes. City of the Week is Madison, Wisconsin, and a Player of the Week recognized for work ethic and leadership. Tory answers a listener question about 10U players ignoring instructions, discussing accountability, consequences, and today’s team-hopping culture. The main segment is an interview with Tiffany Deering (former Michigan national champion) about Athletic Placement Services (APS), a new app-based recruiting hub that matches athletes with schools, streamlines emailing from personal Gmail, integrates YouTube/X, provides engagement an...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 411 and note that UCLA’s Kelly Inouye-Perez has become the winningest coach in UCLA softball history. City of the week is Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A listener asks why Liberty isn’t ranked in the D1 softball poll; they explain Liberty is still a mid-major, has played a very tough early schedule, and may rise later. Part two of an interview with Ken Krause and Jay Bolden (From the Coach’s Mouth) covers a pitching/catching shortage driven by too many teams, limited work ethic, overuse of top young pitchers, and parent expectations, emphas...

Coach Tory and Coach Don open episode 410 with a show rundown. Tory issues corrections: when last week’s undefeated Power Four teams segment released, North Carolina and Grand Canyon were also unbeaten. This week’s City of the Week is Spartanburg, South Carolina, citing USC Upstate, nearby JUCOs, and the Tiger River softball complex. Player of the Week is a player recognized for commitment and rapid improvement despite little prior experience. Listener question asks how long pitchers should warm up; they stress that “ready” means able to locate every expected pitch (not just feeling loose), that travel-ball uncertainty can tempt co...

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview and record Everything Fast Pitch episode 409 via Zoom, highlighting a listener-driven show and thanking supporters on patreon.com/everythingfastpitch. In the warmup “Did You Know,” they note three Division I undefeated teams at the time of recording—Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama—and discuss SEC strength and ongoing top-team dominance. The city of the week is Huntsville, Alabama, with mention of strong softball in the area, UAH’s Division II success, and local universities. Player of the week is Bronwyn Conroy (College of Charleston), recognized as rookie of the week after a standout week including...

Coach Tory and Coach Don welcome you to Episode 408 of Everything Fast Pitch. In “Did You Know,” they cover an NCAA rule change allowing all institutional staff in baseball/softball to provide technical and tactical instruction through the end of the current season, noting it may widen the gap between well-funded “super schools” and smaller programs.  A listener question  addresses a Sports Illustrated article about Texas Tech and the Matador Club, explaining NIL/tampering loopholes where collectives can contact players even when coaches cannot, and discussing how agents and NIL have changed recruiting. The lead-off segment is Part 2 of Tory’s int...

In this action-packed episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don cover multiple topics. They introduce the City of the Week and Player of the Week and discuss the feedback from a listener about the importance of prioritizing player development over playing games. In their lead-off segment, they highlight the Professional Softball League's new minor league system. The episode features part one of an interview with Sara Mosley, a former All American at Georgia, who now plays professionally. Sara discusses influential people in her life. The cleanup segment includes an insightful chat with...