Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast
Everything Fastpitch is a podcast hosted by Coach Tory Acheson and Coach Don McKinlay. Tory and Don are former college coaches that are now full time instructors and travel ball coaches. Since retiring form active collegiate coaching they have committed themselves to providing educational materials to the fastpitch community. This podcast is one of the resources they are providing. Their website has 500+ blog posts and they have a YouTube channel. All of these cover fastpitch softball from coaching and training beginner athletes up through college athletes. It is a great resource for players, parents and coaches. Whether it be training...
The Golden Rule
The Softball world needs a recommitment to "The Golden Rule".
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Tagging up at third
Make the correct decision as a runner on third when the ball is hit. Practice and drill into the player's minds,
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Travel Ball Player Rankings
There is no way that rankings of travel ball players can be accurate. Too many teams and too many tournaments for anyone to know.
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Stay to play showcases
Showcases or tournaments that require you to use specific lodging can create a serious problem with your families. If you are contemplating one of these events, you need to have serious conversations with the parents on your team. You have to know your families well enough to know that it won't be a problem for every family. Some want to attend, but the only way they can is to find more affordable housing.
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Satellite fields in showcases are a problem
When we go to a showcase, we don't know if we are going to be scheduled to play at a satellite field. Sometimes these fields are some distance from the primary sites. When this happens it makes it more difficult for college coaches to see the players that they want to see. Players and coaches have to be prepared when this happens to figure out not only the game schedule, but when players are going to be playing and let the college coaches that they are interested in know when and where they are. The further removed you are f...
Picking up players should be for a specific reason
Relying on pick-up players to field a team is a sign of weakness and a problem with the basics of the team. Picking up a pitcher can make sense if we are down one. Using a pickup player as a means of trying out one, is a good strategy.
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Pitching staffs vs. a pitching ace
The idea of a pitching staff vs. a pitching ace. You need to have a strategy on how and when to use that staff to have the best chances of winning at the end. You can't rely on just a pitching ace.
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Driving pitch counts up in softball is a marginal strategy
Working the count and getting the pitch counts up is a strategy that works for baseball, but it isn't the same in softball.
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Called third strikes is a wasted opportunity
When we focus on walks and getting the pitch counts up, be ready and don't take a called third strikes.
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Analytics and hitting, don't let that lead to not being ready to hit
Using analytics is very helpful for our game, but we are seeing a trend with hitters trying to work the count. This results in them not being ready to hit the ball no matter what the count. They are missing some great pitches to hit.
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