The drill will work no matter what technique you use to throw inside/outside. It’s no great revelation to say that working the corners by being able to hit your spots inside and outside is a critical skill for fastpitch softball pitchers. The easiest pitches to hit are the ones down the middle, so once you […]

If you want to excel, just taking any old lessons won’t do it. Rather than settling for what’s easy or convenient, go where you’ll get the best value for your investment in time and money. Once upon a time there were three little pigs who wanted to become fastpitch softball pitchers. “We should find someone […]

To get the most out of your players, it really helps to try to understand where they are in their development, both physically and mentally. Today’s topic could also fall under the category of “Why your team doesn’t look like the ones you see on TV.” It’s definitely something to keep in mind at any […]

Take heart in knowing that even some of the best who ever played the game started out just like you – fighting for scraps and working their way up the depth chart. As I write this, it’s the best time of the year for fastpitch softball fanatics. The NCAA Division I tournament is underway, and […]

Work on doing what you’ve been shown. Be aware when you’re not doing it. Learn what it feels like to do it right, so you know when you’re doing it wrong. In my travels through the fastpitch softball world, one of the things that continues to amaze me is the perception that if a player […]

Not only is this drill good for building and reinforcing technique, it’s also a great way to help catchers get some conditioning work in without realizing it. One of a catcher’s responsibilities, whether in fastpitch softball or baseball, is playing the bunts that stay close to home. The catcher has to realize the situation, react […]

If you’re a pitching coach teaching that stuff, it’s time to refresh your knowledge so you can be sure you’re helping your students become the best they can be. I can’t believe we’re still having this discussion in 2018 (as I write this, for those of you finding it in the future as you ride […]

More often than not, the momentum will force you to take a few steps after your throw as your entire body is being hurled towards your target.  Playing outfield isn’t just catching pop-ups. It’s tracking. It’s charging. It’s communicating. It’s going for the fence. The outfield requires a special kind of player. She must be […]

From time to time, you’ll probably be told to do this or that by a well-meaning coach. If you’re struggling or underperforming, it may be a good idea. There’s an old saying that if a hitter can hit .400 (or whatever number you prefer) standing on her head, the coach’s job is to get her […]

No excuses. I let it happen, and I didn’t know enough at the time how to regain control. I was also far too concerned about what other people thought and how they would react. For the last couple of posts, I have been talking about fastpitch softball players taking personal responsibility for their playing time […]