Most pitchers are constantly trying to improve their pitching and improve their pitching speed. Many pitchers practice pitching a lot to get better, but there are other ways to improve as a pitcher, especially when it comes to throwing more heat.

I’m talking about this because I was just browsing around on facebook when I saw this status update by the King of Core himself, Barry Lovelace…

Every time I hear testimonies from softball players that work with Barry (especially pitchers), one thing stands out is they all talk about how they see results FAST! Just about every one mentions that, after just a few sessions and workouts with Barry, they can already see and feel a difference in there softball performance.  What other kind of training does that?

Barry uses lots of core power training, functional training, and sport specific training when working with softball players.  He’s designed some great softball training programs that can help you (or your team) step up your game and do it quick! Best of all, you can do his Barry’s softball training programs during season or off season, any time you want or need it!

Learn more about how you can ramp up your softball performance quick and do it for far less than you’d spend for a personal softball trainer or gym membership => SoftballTeamTraining.com.

First is the Island Softball Experience which is a 2-day camp, October 16-17, featuring instruction from experienced softball coaches and former USA Olympic players.  It will also include position specific training for pitching, hitting, base running, infield, outfield, slapping, catching and bunting.  Cost is $200 if you register by the 1st of October.  For more information or to download a flyer/registration packet, go to Wahine Sports Network.

Next we have the Bill Hillhouse Pitching Clinic which will be November 20th (Saturday).  The location has not been set yet, but the format will be as follows:

9:00-10:30am – Pitching Clinic session required for all non-returnees

10:45-11:45 – Private Lesson (max 2 pitchers)

12:00-1:00 – Private Lesson (max 2 pitchers)

1:30-2:30 – Private Lesson (max 2 pitchers)

2:45-3:45 – Private Lesson (max 2 pitchers)

4:00-5:00 – Private Lesson (max 2 pitchers)

How much does it cost?

Pitching Clinic Session – $30/pitcher

Private Lesson Sessions – $45/pitcher

Important Information: ALL pitchers must provide their own catcher.  You CANNOT attend a Private Lesson Session if you have never been to a Bill Hillhouse Clinic in the past.  All new clinic pitchers MUST attend the Pitching Clinic Session at 9:00am.  If you have been to a clinic before, you do not have to go to the 9:00am session.  You can just choose a private lesson time slot and sign up for that session only.  For more information or to reserve a spot, contact me at staciemahoe [at] gmail.com.

1. Ask for a new ball as frequently as you need to even if it’s annoying to everyone else
2. Bring a chamois to wipe the game balls with

I remember many games when coaches were trying to keep the game balls dry using towels on crazy rainy days.
It doesn’t work all that well.  It doesn’t take very long before the towels are soaked and you are trying to dry off a wet softball with a wet towel. Now if it happens to also be a rather muddy day, you may still want a towel around to get some of the mud off the ball before you dry it off with the chamois, but you definitely want to have the chamois on hand to keep that ball as dry as possible for your pitcher.

So I don’t know why I never thought of that before, but it never dawned on me until I got a nice e-mail from an All About Fastpitch member who told me that he keeps a chamois with him for those nasty weathered days.  Obviously a chamois is going to work a LOT better than a towel for drying off those game balls!

Now I have a chamois included as one of my top bucket essentials. 

“How Do I Stack Up?”

This player is a freshman that college coaches of some of the best programs in the nation already know about.  She’s got great grades and doesn’t have to be hounded by her parents or coaches about it.  She’s not one of those players who’s been playing since she was 5 and yet, she can hit the ball and “has it all” as a pitcher.

AND is just a freshman in high school this year!

So how do you stack up?  Where are you in your skills and grades and attitude?  Are you working hard enough?  Or are you just “settling” for “being the best” where you are at?  Are you really, truly striving to being the best you can?  Why should a coach choose you?  Can you do better?  Can you strive for more?  Can you push for more than you’re doing now?  Do you need to raise the level of your softball performance?

Maybe now is a good time to do a serious self-check and re-evaluate your direction.  Be Great!

Hey – just a quick note to let you know about a live interview I just found out about.

• Who: Make It Pro, Michele Granger, and YOU!
• What: Live Interactive Interview
• When: Jan. 7th, 5pm Pacific.
• Where: Take part, listen in, watch the interview live at http://www.makeitpro.com/tv

Hopefully you and I are able to take advantage of this opportunity to check out a fun softball event.  Mark your calendar.  Set an alarm on your phone or in your e-mail program.  Tell your friends, teammates, and colleagues about it!  Should be lots of fun.  Hope to “see” you there!

Participating pitchers can now attend this 2-day clinic for just $50 (includes BOTH days!).

• Saturday: clinic/instructional session (3 time slots to choose from)
• Sunday: small group session (6 sessions to choose from)

More information is available on the Clinic Flyer.

You may print/save the registration form for this clinic HERE.

Spaces ARE limited so please reserve your spot as soon as possible by turning in both your registration form/waiver and payment.  This will be Bill’s 3rd time coming to Hawaii and each time parents ask when he’ll be coming back!  This is your chance to work with one of the premier men’s fastpitch pitchers and clinicians without having to travel to him.

I hope to see you there!  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.  Contact information is avaialable on both the flyer and registration form.

Coaches, parents, and anyone else who wants to come watch, learn and ask questions are invited to come for FREE!

Here are some pictures from Bill’s 1st clinic here in Hawaii.

Here they are in no particular order – all the specials that are ending soon

1.  Fastpitch Assistant at 41% off: get 6 months of weekly practice tips and ideas to make planning practice easier on you!  CLICK HERE to save big before the special ends tomorrow.

2.  Free Mental Game Help: Dr. Tom Hanson is GIVING you a number of awesome resources sharing success secrets of the best in the game of baseball.  Plus he’s answering some of the most pressing questions real players, parent, and coaches have about the mental game.  Learn more HERE.

3.  Workouts for Baseball/Softball: Brand new workout DVD from Coach Dan of BaseballStrength.com and you get it for “Shipping Only.” No additional costs for the workout DVD that will help you easily incorporate an effective fitness/training component to your practices or training routine.  Limited number of DVDs available, so get yours today.

4.  New Workout Video for Softball Pitchers: learn from the pros and use the exact exercises they are using to get same day results.  Barry Lovelace (the King of Core) got together some of the softball players he trains and he is going to show you the exercises they use to increase strength and pitching speed…all for just $9.  Obviously that’s a great deal that won’t last long.  Get your pitching workout HERE.

5.  Coming Soon: I think I heard Marc Dagenais mention that he’s going to be doing this personalized programs again.  I don’t have the details yet, but will let you know if and when that is available.

Whew!  That’s a lot of stuff, but it’s likely that there’s only ONE that you “really” need right now (and will put to use immediately if you get it).  Don’t go all crazy just because you can’t resist a good deal.  Just get the one program or resource that is going to help you the most right now. IF there is more than one that will help you immediately, then go for it, but I don’t want to see you spending money on something you’ll never use.  If you want the most for your dollar and you KNOW you will need/use it – then by all means, take advantage of these deals before they’re gone.

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

Crazy guy only told me at the last minute that he’s offering this brand new workout video for fastpitch softball pitchers at just $9 until Tuesday!  Ummmm, doesn’t he know that softball people are usually BUSY over the weekend and no one checks e-mail or reads blogs (especially on a holiday weekend)?  So no one is really going to know about this, except you, since you ARE here still looking for ways to improve your game over a holiday weekend.  That’s the kind of dedication it takes to be the best.  So, for you, since you’re here when most people are out cruisin’ on the weekend, you WILL get the chance to grab this new workout for fastpitch softball pitchers before the special introductory price ends.  Get it HERE.