Author Archives: Admin

Hey Baseball: Thanks, But No Thanks

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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.

A Message for Non-Starters

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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.


Core Power Clinic In Hawaii – March 2009

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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


Change: Scary, but Good

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Have you ever tried something new and felt frustrated or uncomfortable? I think you can relate to that feeling or maybe even think of a situation were you’ve experienced that. You get used to doing things a certain way, then when someone comes along and says you need to change. Though you can see the benefits of the “new way” you may resist it. Why?

Because change can be:

  • frustrating
  • uncomfortable
  • and downright SCARY!

You may feel like we’re taking two steps backward trying to do things the “new way.” Even though you know that this “new way” could take you further and make things better than the old way, it’s not unusual to feel like giving up on it. After all, who wants to feel frustrated, or uncomfortable, or scared? I know I don’t, but sometimes it’s necessary if you want to reach new heights in your game and in your life.

Too many people let frustration or being uncomfortable hold them back from making positive changes; changes that catapult them to new levels of success. Change can be frustrating and very uncomfortable and may even push you to the point of wanting to forget it all and just go back to doing things the way you used to. You know how to do it and it’s been “good enough” all this time right?

But imagine what would happen if you went back to the old comfortable routine, the one you know and love. Then think about what would happen if your opponents made the choice to push through the frustration and the feeling of uncertainty and make those changes. Yes, they may have go two steps backwards, but after giving the “new way” and honest try, they’ll also be taking the 5+ steps forward that you’ll never take unless you learn to step out of your comfort zone.

Yes, it’s feels weird. Yes, it’s frustrating. Yes, it’s scary, but it’s also GOOD FOR YOU! How will you ever know how far you can go unless you’re willing to push the envelope from time to time?

Heck, the “new way” may even go against everything you’ve previously known which may make it harder to accept (can you think of times in the past where this has happened-just think of the pitching or hitting mechanics that were being taught years ago). Take a look at what this “new way” has to offer, talk to others who are already trying it out, and see for yourself what the benefits could be.

If you can SEE proof and hear from other people that the “new way” really does work, then take a leap of faith, push the envelope, and step out of your comfort zone. Acknowledge that you may get frustrated, expect that you’ll may be uncertain from time to time, and understand that you may move backward before you ever take those awesome steps forward. As scary as it may be, make the change, stick with it, and watch yourself soar to new heights.

To Your Ultimate Softball Success,

Stacie Mahoe

Goal Setting | Free Coaching Tips | Useful Softball Drills


Core Power – New Fastpitch Talk Radio Episode

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Most softball players, coaches, and parents agree that the “core” is an important part of a softball players performance. In this week’s Fastpitch Talk Radio episode, I’m talking with Barry Lovelace who is also know as the “King of Core.”

Find out how functional training, and core exercises can increase your power and speed for softball. I’ve tried some of these exercises and the great thing about them, in addition to all the great softball and health benefits, is that it’s FUN! I love being able to help players improve their game and have fun at the same time and this is one way to do it.

Learn more about functional training and where you can check out some free sample exercises, by listening in to this week’s episode of Fastpitch Talk Radio. “See” you there!


Valentine’s Day Special

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Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you have a wonderful day today. I’ve got a few scrimmages to go to, but it’ll be fun. Anyway, just wanted to make sure you knew about the Valentine’s Day Special I made for you.

You can get:

  • A spot in the Goal Setting Acceleration Bootcamp (reg. price $25)
  • Coaching Unplugged (reg price $7)
  • Access to the Online College Recruiting System ($15/year)

…that’s $47 worth of softball stuff all at the deeply discounted price of $20. Yowza – that’s a savings of 57%!

That’s slightly crazy, but it’s only because I love ya! Get all 3 of those very popular resources for just $20. This Valentine’s Day Special is only good for today and tomorrow. Don’t miss it!

Give me the Valentine’s Day Special!


How to Enjoy Practice More and Improve Your Game

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One of the things that always baffles me is that people try to set goals without ever thinking about their vision. In other words, they do goal setting, but the never think about what they ultimately want, what their dream is.

It’s very difficult to achieve that BIG thing and set goals to help you get there when you have no idea what it is.

So, right now I’m going to share an example of how you can set more effective goals and improve your game.

Let’s not think about a huge thing right now, let’s just focus on ONE practice day.

How often do you think about what you want out of practice? You probably attend practice with the hopes of improving your game or getting better right? But what would you ultimately like practice to be like?

Think about that for a second.

Maybe one of the things you want is to improve your game at least a little each day?

Maybe you want to enjoy yourself and have some fun?

Whatever it is, ask yourself if those things are happening on a daily basis.

If not, why not?

Maybe your always rushing to practice so you’re already starting of full of anxiety instead of starting practice off in a positive way.

Maybe you don’t really see yourself improving as much as you’d like.

The idea is to:

  1. Think about what you really want out of practice
  2. Figure out some reasons why that’s not happening regularly
  3. Then listing a few things you could do to make it happen

Maybe you really enjoy socializing with your teammates, but your always getting to practice in the nick of time, so you don’t really get that opportunity.

One thing you can decide to do is: make sure you get ready for practice early and make it a point to arrive at the field at least 15 minutes before start time. That way you can take your time. You don’t need to rush. You don’t need to feel pressured right off the bat. You can relax, find a great spot to put your bag in, and chit chat with your friends for a bit before you have to get to your training.

Wouldn’t that make your practice experience better? Wouldn’t you enjoy it more than always having to rush in, run to the dugout with your equipment bag, throw it in any remaining available spot, hurry to get your shoes on, scramble to find your glove, and hustle out to the field because everyone else is already ready to go?

Which way would you rather start practice? Which way do you usually start practice?

Is this a change you can make?

Another scenario: Maybe one of the reasons you go to practice is to get better, but somehow you’re not sure if it’s working. Try make it a point to learn one new thing each day.

  • Listen closely each day to what your coaches have to say (instead of chatting with your friends on the field)
  • Observe your teammates to see if you can learn from them (instead of chatting in the back of the line when it’s not your turn)
  • At the end of the practice review and see if you learned anything new

If you look back and can name something you learned, you will see that you did accomplish something during practice and will feel better about your practice session. You’ll also be more motivated to get out there again the next day and take another step. Since you’re making it a point to learn something new, you’ll probably get more out of practice because you’re paying more attention and looking for ways to get better rather than just relying on your coaches to make you better. You will start to see that you are improving and raising your game by attending practice each day.

Coaches!

Have you thought of what you’d like out of practice or what you’d like your practice to be like?

Give it a try.

  • Think about what you’d ultimately want your practices to be like
  • Identify a few reasons why it’s not like that
  • Then decide on a few things you can do differently to make it better

Try it today and let me know how it goes.

These are the types of exercises you’ll go through in the Goal Setting Acceleration Bootcamp – just on a larger scale and with a bit more detail.

Take the challenge of answering soul searching questions to get down to the meat of practical, action steps you can take to pump up your performance.

Sound like fun? You know I’m all about fun and I think you’ll enjoy the process of going through to activities in the goal setting bootcamp. Enjoy the game more and make bigger gains.

Start today. Try the stuff in this blog post, then go over to the GSA page and sign up to get Part 1 of the Bootcamp for FREE.