All About Fastpitch Softball Blog » Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog It's all about the game! Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:50:17 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 3 Reasons You Don’t Want to Blast the Ball http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/3-reasons-you-dont-want-to-blast-the-ball/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=3-reasons-you-dont-want-to-blast-the-ball http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/3-reasons-you-dont-want-to-blast-the-ball/#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:50:02 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=717


As a coach you want your players to be as prepared as possible for anything. You want them to be ready for any situation the game might throw at them. Coaches talk about making practice tough so that the game seems easy.

I totally understand all that and I get it. But one thing you don’t want to do if you’re players aren’t ready for it, is blast grounders at them as hard as you possibly can. I understand the idea of getting used to the ball coming that hard and the whole “if they can handle that, they can handle anything” mentality. Really I do because I used to feel the same way and I even used this “tactic” with infielder before. When I was growing up I had a coach who did it to me and it DID help me feel like I could handle anything any player would ever hit at me.

HOWEVER, there are 3 big reasons why I don’t just jump into blasting balls at players any more, especially early in the season and especially if they’re not ready for it. Here are those 3 reasons:

1. They Learn to Sit and Wait: If you always hit screaming balls at them, they get into the bad habit of sitting back and waiting for the ball to come to them even if it’s hit slooooooowwwwwww. This is NOT a good thing. Bad bounces are going to eat them alive. I’ve seen players like this. You hit shots at them, they’re fine. But hit a routine grounder and all heck breaks loose! They don’t move to the ball, the ball takes that one, last, hard to handle hop and they mishandle the ball. Then because they sat back and waited and allowed the runner to get further up the line to first, they have less time to make the play after they finally get a handle on the ball. I would much rather have a fielder who makes the 5 routine plays that come her way vs the 2 hot shots she may get during the game.

2. They Go Into Survival Mode: Another thing that happens when you hit laser shots at your players is that they often times simply go into survival mode. All mechanics go out the window and all they’re trying to do is stop the ball without it hitting their face or some other sensitive body part. More often than not this creates and reinforces the bad habit of fielding on your heels. Again, bad hops will eat them alive! Not only that, they’ll be slower and have to work harder to get the ball to first (or anywhere else) because they’re back on their heels when they field the ball and therefore, have zero momentum toward their target. If this becomes their habit and their way of fielding, you’re not helping them!

3. Mechanics Go Out the Window: As I mentioned in number 2 above, if you’re players are going into survival mode because you’re ripping balls at ‘em, all mechanics go out the window. They’re just going to do whatever it takes to try to stop that ball without getting badly hurt. Most likely they will NOT be working on good fielding habits or mechanics. Early in the season and at the younger ages is the time to teach and reinforce good habits and good mechanics. Don’t skip this part because, in the long run, it’s going to hurt the players, not help them.

I’m not saying you should never hit the ball hard at your players. It’s just not something you should do all the time if they are unable to use proper technique with that type of hit being launched at them. Get those fundamentals solid so that they can increasingly handle balls hit harder and harder at them while still maintaining good form.

Yes, every once in a while there will be a ball in the game where players throw everything out the window and just “do what it takes” to make the play. I’m not saying it’s wrong to throw that at them every now and then in practice to help them get ready for that game possibility. It just shouldn’t be the play they practice all the time.

Master fundamentals. The fancy stuff will come. Sometimes players have to dive for balls or make an unorthodox throw from the outfield just because the situation called for it and it’s all they could do to make the play at that time. However, it’s not what you want them to practice on every single play. Get those routine plays down! The “Hollywood” stuff will come, but don’t focus on that so much in practice, then come game time, you can’t make the basic plays. Become exceptional at making those routine plays and those fancy shmancy ones, if they’re made, will just be icing on the cake (they shouldn’t BE your cake, just the icing). You won’t “need” those “Hollywood” plays so much in the game if you’re consistently making the routine ones that come at you.

]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/3-reasons-you-dont-want-to-blast-the-ball/feed/ 0 Free Softball Drills http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/free-softball-drills/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=free-softball-drills http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/free-softball-drills/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:32:43 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=715


Quick note, got some new softball drills up on our Defensive Drills page.  Use them in your next practice if you’d like, they are all free.  There is also a page for Offensive Drills as well.  Now, I don’t have a whole lot up yet, but I am trying to slowly by slowly add more and more drills.  If you have a favorite or two you’d like to see up there, please let me know!

The new softball drills that were just put up on the Defensive Softball Drills page include:

  • Ball First
  • The Triangle Drill
  • Teaching the Relay

If you’ve got a great drill to share, feel free to leave a comment below and tell us about it!

]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/free-softball-drills/feed/ 0 Are You Addicted to Coaching? http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/are-you-addicted-to-coaching/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=are-you-addicted-to-coaching http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/are-you-addicted-to-coaching/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:04:00 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=732


Eek! I’ve never really looked at it that way before, but maybe I am “addicted” to coaching. Are you? :D

I recently read an article that started off like this…

“I am a youth basketball coach.

There, I’ve said it. They say the first step in recovering from addiction is admitting you have one.

It’s really amazing that they don’t have an “Alcoholics Anonymous”-type program for recovering youth sports coaches.”


Actually, it turned out to be a rather good article about what youth sports should be like, the challenges many youth coaches face, and, of course, one of my favorite topics…FUN!
While there may be a few points here and there in the article that you may or may not wholly agree with, here are my favorite parts of the article:
  • The author pointing out that outcomes of games typically linger longer with adults than it does with the kids
  • The idea of competing without resorting to a win-at-all-cost attitude
  • Helping the players realize that the “last” player is just as much a part of the team as the player with the most talent
  • There are larger lessons to learn on the field that are applicable to life, not just to the game
  • You serve your players best by teaching fundamentals
  • Remember that it’s about fun, but realize that you can have fun while still giving the kids structure
  • Have a plan!!!
  • Oh yeah, and don’t forget the snacks
Resources for New Coaches:
If you’re new to coaching and would like some help, here are a few places where you can get it:
AAF Elite Membership where you can get access to all of AAF’s paid products as well as ASK ANY COACHING question you may have and get feedback from other coaches who are dedicated to this game
Keeping Softball Fun – need help with practice? Quick guide to planning practice, plus a bunch of fun drills that will keep your players engaged while improving their skills. (note: this is included free in the AAF Elite Membership)
Coaching Books at Amazon.com:

Coaching Youth Softball: A Baffled Parent’s Guide

Coaching Girls’ Softball: From the How-To’s of the Game to Practical Real-World Advice–Your Definitive Guide to Successfully Coaching Girls

Other Softball Coaching Resources at Amazon.com

]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/are-you-addicted-to-coaching/feed/ 0 Fun and Positive: Is This So Hard to Understand? http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/fun-and-positive-is-this-so-hard-to-understand/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fun-and-positive-is-this-so-hard-to-understand http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/fun-and-positive-is-this-so-hard-to-understand/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:51:00 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=731


Isn’t this what I’ve been saying from Day 1? Why does this seem like such a tough concept for “grown ups” to understand? So much so that it was a big part of the foreword of a book.

The main ideas?
  • Children are NOT mini-adults (do not treat them as such)
  • Fun and enjoyment are the MAIN reasons children participate in sports in the first place (either that or their parents are forcing them)
  • Children’s early experiences in the sport have a MASSIVE influence over their participation decisions later
When coaching 6U, 8U, 10U, probably even as far as 12U – Winning is NOT the ultimate goal! Let’s teach the game, help the kids improve their skills while fostering/nurturing a love for the game. Do NOT overlook these aspects in favor of the WIN!
Players are NOT going to continue playing this game for the next 8, 10, 12 years if it’s not fun. PERIOD! You’ve probably heard me say this before: the 2 times in my career when I seriously thought about quitting this game…the BIGGEST (actually the ONLY) reason was because I wasn’t having fun. Why they heck should I “waste” my time with something I’m not enjoying. In one scenario I was part of a very good team. Winning and “success” were just about guaranteed and still I seriously though about giving it all up. Why? Because I wasn’t enjoying it any more. Most kids feel the same way.
Why didn’t I quit in those situations? Because I made the conscious choice to have fun no matter what. I was not going to let anyone take away this game that I enjoyed so much. It was something I loved to do and was good at and I decided I was going to have fun despite negativity in my surroundings.
But I wasn’t making that decision at 8, 10, or 12. I had been given that fun and enjoyable foundation to fall back on when I was faced with this decision at an older age.
This is a game! Yes, it’s fun to win. I’m not denying that. Yes, each time I go out on the field, I’m going out there to do my best and come out on top, but “the win” is not THE driving force behind why I’m at the field on a regular basis. I’m there because I love it, because even after being in this sport since the age of 9, it’s still FUN for me. I still enjoy it.
Especially at the younger ages, I believe it’s our job, as coaches, to give these players the most positively memorable experience possible. Not that it should all be fun and games, not that there should be no discipline or that striving for excellence should be thrown out the window…Just remember that kids are more likely to want to play softball if they enjoy it. They are more likely to continue playing for years and years IF the are having fun. I’m not the only one who feels this way. Here’s an article that talks about this very issue. Read it HERE.
]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/fun-and-positive-is-this-so-hard-to-understand/feed/ 1 Look Great, Feel Great, Play Great http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/look-great-feel-great-play-great/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=look-great-feel-great-play-great http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/look-great-feel-great-play-great/#comments Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:57:00 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=730


I sent this out via e-mail a few days ago and got quite a few responses, so I decided to share it on the blog as well. Enjoy!


I a conversation I had with Tom Hanson, I remember him mentioning a conversation he had with Mike Candrea. Tom said that Coach Candrea talked about how much time he spends on helping his players feel good.

Recently, I had a conversation with another coach via Facebook and he was talking about how he was building up a team that had recently come from losing seasons. One of the things he wanted to do was get the players to feel good about being part of the team.

One way he did that was making sure they had some of the best sweats in the league. It was something players get excited about. It’s something they looked forward to and something they loved about being part of that team…they got to wear cool sweats/hoodies. This coach mentioned how something as simple as this can create a more positive atmosphere on the team.

Again it goes back to helping the players feel good. You’ve heard people say, “Look good, feel good.” Then of course, if you feel great, you’re more likely to be positive and the more positive you are the more likely it is that you have a better mindset for performing well.

Now if you don’t have the cash to buy the best uniform or the best sweats or jackets in town, the Mitt Mate thing I’ve been talking about may be an idea (plus there’s another option that I’ll talk about toward the end of this message). Like I said, my girls (my daughters and the players I coach) thought they were great and got excited about getting some for their glove. Feel good, play good – think this could work.

Something as simple as this can promote a more positive team atmosphere and just create a better sense of “team” among the players. There are other benefits too and I’m actually going to be talking with Jessica (the one who created these Mitt Mates) on the next Fastpitch Talk Radio.

Not sure what Mitt Mates are? I’ve got a blog post with a picture up at

Then I also put up a video where I show you the one I personally have on my glove.

If you’re one of the many who’ve already taken advantage of the special Jessica is offering (details on the blog and in the video), please send me a picture of you with your Mitt Mate. I’d like to post it up if you don’t mind.

Also, if you’d like to get some Mitt Mates for your team, but don’t have the funds, Jessica just released a brand new fundraising program. Check it out at http://www.MittMate.com – remember to use promo code STM017 to get free shipping on that fundraiser.

What’s on your glove?
]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/look-great-feel-great-play-great/feed/ 0 Feeling Quoty: Thoughts on Success http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/feeling-quoty-thoughts-on-success/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feeling-quoty-thoughts-on-success http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/feeling-quoty-thoughts-on-success/#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:46:00 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=729


“Success is falling nine times and getting up ten.”
Jon Bon Jovi, Source: quote-book

“If at first you don’t succeed, do it like your mother told you.”
Author Unknown, Source: quote garden

“If at first you don’t succeed, you’re running about average.”
M.H. Alderson, Source: quote garden

“Success is more permanent when you achieve it without destroying your principles.”
Walter Cronkite, Source: quote garden

“Success will never be a big step in the future, success is a small step taken just now.”
Jonatan Mårtensson, Source: quote garden

“I couldn’t wait for success… so I went ahead without it.”
Jonathan Winters, Source: quote garden

I think my favorite out of this bunch is the first. Too many people let failures get them down. Just because they tried something that failed, they think they ARE a failure. But even very, very successful people have had failures in their lives. They just kept getting up instead of allowing their failure to bring them down!

]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/feeling-quoty-thoughts-on-success/feed/ 1 Useful Bling for Your Glove http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/useful-bling-for-your-glove/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=useful-bling-for-your-glove http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/useful-bling-for-your-glove/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:13:00 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=724



I’m not sure if this has ever happened to you, but it’s happened to me…Last season in fact.  I took my daughter to practice, and of course, since I have great taste in gloves,  at least one other girl on my daughter’s team has the exact same glove (happens to be true again this season).  

This of course, can cause some problems.  For example, one day last season (it’s bound to happen sooner or later) my daughter comes to me after practice and says, 
“INSERT TEAMMATE’S NAME HERE took my glove instead of hers by accident.”
Ugh!  This does seem to happen more with the younger age groups than with older ones because the younger players aren’t always so particular with their gloves.  
The reason I bring this subject up is because I just recently found out about MittMates.  I actually had no idea what MittMates were until I saw them on Facebook.  I had seen similar products or “bling” on player’s gloves, but these are pretty cool.  At least I think they are.
Of course, I was a little worried that older players would think it was corny.  However, I put one on my glove and the players I coach (high school age) started asking how I got it and how they could get one for their glove.  Sooooooo, I’m going to be getting MittMates for our whole team.  
Normally, these little MittMates run about $11.99 each.  However, you can take advantage of a Team Special they’re running and get MittMates for your whole team for just $99.  (up to 13 players)  All you have to do is go to the order page and use promo code: STM017

Order your team’s MittMates with Promo Code: STM017 and save over 35%!

They even have different colors to possibly match your team and cool designer looking ones if you want something more “fashionable.” (my favorite is, of course, the surfer print).  
For a cool, stylish way to personalize and easily identify your glove, get MittMates.  Who knows, maybe it’ll help us get out to the field faster on defense because it’ll be easier for players to identify which gloves need to be given to the players coming off the field from baserunning or hitting.  It’ll should eliminate the “Can you pass my glove?” / “Which one’s yours?” exchange that we hear all the time in the dugout.  
Orrrrrr, when gloves are left at the field after practice or after games, MittMates will help you immediately identify who that glove belongs to.  ;)

So, go get some for your team today and remember to use Promo Code: STM017 to take advantage of the over 35% discount on Team Orders.


]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/useful-bling-for-your-glove/feed/ 0 Hey Baseball: Thanks, But No Thanks http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/hey-baseball-thanks-but-no-thanks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hey-baseball-thanks-but-no-thanks http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/hey-baseball-thanks-but-no-thanks/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:13:00 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=723


I actually found out about this in this blog post by Marc over at Softball Performance. Apparently the International Baseball Federation submitted a proposal for a “combined approach for Olympic Games programme status.”

Thankfully, the International Softball Federation (ISF) has decided that softball with stand alone in current proposals to the International Olympic Committee. Being grouped with baseball is, I believe, one of the major reasons softball was voted out for 2012. Since softball was ousted in the 2005 voting, the ISF has vigorously campaigned for softball’s reinstatement to the Olympics.
The IOC will be voting to include up to two most sports in the 2016 Olympic games. I really hope softball gets back in. If you’re reading this, I’m sure you do too.
What I think would be super cool, is to have both men’s and women’s fastpitch in the Olympics! I’d definitely be DVR’ing all the games.

]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/hey-baseball-thanks-but-no-thanks/feed/ 0 A Message for Non-Starters http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/a-message-for-non-starters/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-message-for-non-starters http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/a-message-for-non-starters/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:39:00 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=722


Are you ready?

Here it is…

There is SO MUCH you can do to help your team!!!!!!!!!!!! (Whew, glad I got that out)

One thing you can do is PUSH HARD in practice. Why?
Well there are a number of great reasons:

1. Because you will improve your skills faster

2. Because you will increase your chance at earning some playing time

3. Because pushing hard in practice helps you get GAME READY just in case the starter in front of you gets sick, gets injured, has some kind of outside obligation to attend instead of coming to the game, or simply has a bad day

4. Because coaches love players that go hard in practice and HOW you practice leaves 1 of 3 impressions in your coaches mind:
a) you do things half heartedly because you’re not a starter and the coaches are left with a negative impression of how you practice
b) you don’t slack but you don’t push either and in the words of Simon Cowell your practice efforts are “forgettable” (*note: “forgettable” usually doesn’t make the coach want to put your name in that starting line-up)
c) you work hard and push yourself daily and a very positive impression is branded in your coaches mind about HOW you practice

5. Because the more you push yourself the more the starter in front of you pushes and gets better. If they don’t, you get their position. If they do and they are on top of their game and they make great plays on the field – YOU just helped your team get better by pushing and challenging that starter in front of you. You just made a HUGE contribution to your team’s overall performance…all because you chose to practice hard every day and push yourself and those around you.

…and that’s just ONE way to help your team as a non-starter. There are many more that I’ll probably share from time to time, but for now, make it a point to push and challenge yourself and those around you. You’ll get better and you’ll make a very positive contribution to your team’s overall performance and success.


]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/a-message-for-non-starters/feed/ 1 Core Power Clinic In Hawaii – March 2009 http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/core-power-clinic-in-hawaii-march-2009/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=core-power-clinic-in-hawaii-march-2009 http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/core-power-clinic-in-hawaii-march-2009/#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:32:00 +0000 Admin http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/?p=721


Barry Lovelace has been a guest on Fastpitch Talk Radio and the subject of a video clip I have up at StacieMahoe.com. Barry is referred to as the “King of Core“ and you know how important the core is to any softball player.

Well, if you’re going to be in Hawaii on March 21-22, then you have a very special opportunity to learn what Core Power and Core Training is all about directly from Barry himself.

Join us at Kapolei High School on March 21 & March 22 for Core Power Clinics.

The cost is just $5 per session and is open to players ages 9 – college. Parents and coaches are welcome to come for free to learn more and ask questions. Additional details and contact information are available via the clinic flyer. Click on the link below to get it.

Print the flyer/registration form HERE


]]> http://allaboutfastpitch.com/Blog/core-power-clinic-in-hawaii-march-2009/feed/ 0