What’s So Special About St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year, but not because it’s St. Patrick’s Day.  I tell you the real reason tomorrow, but first, I’ll let you guess.

If you know the reason, or would like to take a guess, leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win a FREE Softball Performance DVD.  Winner will choose from one of the following…

Hurry.  You must leave a comment with your guess today because I’m giving you the answer tomorrow.  Good luck!  :)

Most Popular Softball Video of 2010

I know it’s a bit late to be doing “Best of 2010″ announcements, but better late than never. :)

In case you haven’t seen this video, here’s the most popular softball video on my YouTube channel for 2010.  It’s about hitting and something I think too many coaches teach as a “must do” when it’s not something that you actually must do when hitting.

Let me know what you think…

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk7_xQJNwao

Softball Hitting Video – How to Hit the Outside Pitch

softball hittingI have to admit, growing up I was terrible with hitting the outside pitch.  I was a strict pull hitter and it wasn’t until I got to college that I become MUCH better at hitting outside pitches.  Then I wondered why no one had bothered to try to teach me about it earlier.  It’s not really that difficult once you understand what to do.

In fact, once I got the hang of it, I actually ended up preferring outside pitches over inside pitches!  Maybe it’s because you have just a tad bit more time to see the ball.  I’m not exactly sure why, but whatever the case…

I was super lucky that my softball hitting weakness on the outside didn’t hurt me too much growing up.  But it seems like now-days you get eaten up as a hitter if you have such a glaring weakness.  So, just because I could get away with it and didn’t need to deal with it until college, doesn’t mean that you should follow suit.

In fact, I highly suggest you don’t.  If playing softball is something you like to do, and playing rather than sitting on the bench is something that’s important to you, then you need to be the best hitter you can be.

As a coach, I can tell you that MOST coaches will find a place for you in the lineup if you can HIT!  Being able to hit can go a long way in making you a more valuable player.  Coaches want players that can hit so don’t ignore the things you need to work on.  Too often players go through their hitting drills and only take reps on pitches/spots that they can hit well.  How are you going to improve your hitting weakness if you never practice it?

Do whatever you need to do to get help with your hitting weakness and work on it!

Lucky for you I have something that can help. If you’re like me and struggle with the outside pitch, here is a free softball hitting video dedicated to the topic of hitting the outside pitch.

Enjoy!

Click Here to watch the free softball hitting video now

University of Hawaii Softball Going to 1st WCWS at OKC

Today was an amazing day for Hawaii sports.  University of Hawaii baseball wins the WAC and makes it to post season.  Hawaii Pacific University’s softball team advances to the NCAA DII Softball Championship game.  AND the University of Hawaii Softball Team makes history by breaking Alabama’s win streak (yesterday), taking the #1 seed of the NCAA post-season down, and making it to their 1st ever WCWS in Oklahoma City!!!

If you missed it on TV for whatever reason…here’s the bottom of the 7th of the UH vs Alabama game.  Gotta love YouTube!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJvYE6oLgxc

VIDEO: Had to Try These Pushups

So, not long ago, Coach Dan of BaseballStrength.com posted a video of these pushups on his blog.  I showed it to my daughter and husband and they just had to try it.  Like Coach Dan said, these are core, shoulders, and hips all in one push-up.  Nuts!

Of course, we didn’t have time until after we had done all our running around on this crazy hectic day, so the lighting isn’t the best, but here’s their first try at these crazy pushups, plus some other family fun push-up stuff.

Before this year I had no idea so many different kinds of push-ups existed.  These are one of the coolest I’ve seen (not the ones with multiple people…the ones shown with just one person in the picture).

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlHex_CK9xU

3 Simple Yet Effective Goal Setting Tips

The New Year is time for resolutions and plans for the upcoming year. With that in mind, here are 3 of my favorite, very simple, yet quite effective goal setting tips to help you make 2009 the best year possible.

More Fastpitch Videos at Fastpitch World

I’ve put up some of the Sportskool videos up at www.MyFastpitchWorld.com. However, those aren’t the ONLY fastpitch videos there. Other members have uploaded videos with useful information as well. These videos are all free to view and becoming a member at www.MyFastpitchWorld.com is also free.

One of my favorites is the one I just added on fielding (from sportskool).

Some of you may know how I feel about doing the “alligator.” The long and short of it is that I don’t care for it. The reason is because of the very issue Mike Candrea warns against in the video – improper positioning of the throwing hand.
I’ve seen TOO many young player jam their throwing hand fingers because they aren’t getting their hand into the correct position for this technique.

Of course, after voicing my opinion and saying that I use a different technique, I’ve had people ask me what the alternative is. Needless to say, it’s not always easy to put softball techniques into words. Sooooo, the reason I like this video is because it shows the “other” technique which is the one I, personally, prefer. It’s not more “right” it’s just my preference. Like I said, I just see too many not using the proper hand positioning for “securing the ball” with the “alligator.” Many players DO use this technique with success (as you will see in this video I’ve added to Fastpitch World), but if you do use it, or if you do teach it – make sure to emphasize proper positioning of the throwing hand!!!!

Actually, if you look at the picture I found to include here – this is an example of the fielder who is NOT doing the “alligator.” Her hands do not form the top and bottom jaw of an “alligator” getting ready to chomp on the ball.