Tag Archives: softball

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

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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!  :)

Vision and Keeping Yourself Out of an 11% Hole

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Vison, Softball Success, and the 11% hole…

What?  You’re probably wondering what the heck I’m talking about.  What’s an 11% hole and what does it have to do with vision and softball?

Listen to this softball audio on vision and why it’s so key, then you’ll understand…

So what do you think?

Did this vision clip make you go, “Hmmm…?”

Do you see why vision is so key in daily motivation and in softball success?

Have you ever put yourself in an 11% hole?

Will you ever do it again?

Do you even have a vision for softball? Or is it time to get started on one?

What did you think about the thoughts I shared on vision? Do you agree? Have you even thought about this concept before?

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think…

How to Control Parents During Softball Games

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I recently read an article that talked about silent games for youth sports.  In other words all spectators are asked to keep completely quiet during the game. How crazy is that?

My first thought was that the idea was completely absurd.  Then I continued reading and found out that youth sports organizations around the country have been using silence as a tool for promoting a more positive atmosphere surrounding games.  They aren’t using it as a long term, permanent solution to obnoxious fans or overbearing parents, but more for sending a message or creating teachable moments on conduct for parents and fans!

The length of time that youth sports organizations ask spectators for silence varies.  Some require an entire weekend, while others ask for an hour or a quarter of the game.

Other ideas for curbing undesirable conduct include

  • no-direction cheering: spectators are allowed to cheer, but can’t give directions such as “throw the ball” or “hit it deep.”  Phrases like “great hit” or “way to hustle” are acceptable.
  • cheering for both sides: instead of asking parents for silence, encourage them to cheer for great plays on both teams
  • assigned seating: separating spectators from people who are actually involved in the game or having parents sit away from the team

What do you think?  Have you ever participated in a silent game before?  Do you think a silent game would even be possible for in your league?  Is this a strategy you would use?  Do you have your own methods for keeping good sportsmanship a priority from the field to the dugout to the stands?

Leave a comment here to share your thoughts on this issue.  Can’t wait to hear from you!

A True Champion in Every Sense of the Word

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Roz Makaula, my former teammate and Hawaii softball player, is featured in today’s Star Advertiser as a breast cancer survivor who will compete in her 5th Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this Sunday.

Before you go off and read her story, I have to share something about Roz…

I had the pleasure of being her teammate for 1 year as a freshman at Kamehameha Schools. The one thing that has always stuck in my mind about Roz is how, on the first day of practice when the coach finally gave everyone the okay to jump into a position, Roz ran out and claimed 2nd base. Literally, she ran over there and said, “This is MY position.”

It was her senior year and the first time she finally got to start at her position. From day one, she went out and took ownership of it. Even though she wasn’t the fastest, or the most athletic, and certainly not the tallest (luv ya Roz) 2nd baseman you’ve ever seen, she played that position like a senior that year and helped lead us to a State Championship.

After she graduated, that position became mine.  Though I’d never played 2nd base before, I knew how to OWN it because Roz had shown me how. :)   Thanks sis! Now 2b is my favorite position.

I haven’t been in touch with Roz since that year until this week on facebook. 20 years later, within days of reconnecting, she’s been a source of inspiration in my life all over again with her story of survival over breast cancer. She is a Bobby Sox National Champion, a Hawaii High School State Champion, and I’m sure you’d agree a champion in life as well.

Read her story in today’s paper here

5 Things Successful Softball Players and Successful Daters Have in Common

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softballheartsEveryone knows you learn many life lessons through sports, including softball. Most people don’t think about these sports lessons it in terms of relationship pearls of wisdom.  But I assure you, there are many lessons you learn on the field that you can apply to relationships and vice versa.  There are things that you learn in real life that you can apply to the field.

Don’t believe me?  Keep reading…

softball datersThere ARE fundamental concepts that successful softball players have in common with successful daters (or people who are successful in the area of relationships).  Here are a few…

5 Things Successful Softball Players and Successful Daters Have in Common

  • both wait for the perfect pitch before they swing
  • both know how to let bad pitches go
  • both are good at reading signals
  • both make their opponent earn each base they get
  • both are excellent at quickly reading the situation then effectively executing the appropriate action

Pretty cool huh?  Go ahead, share the link to this post on your facebook wall.  I know ya wanna ;)

Coach, Pick Me!

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fastpitch softball performanceOne of the biggest complaints and grumbles a softball coach has to deal with is about playing time.  Players say, “Coach, pick me! Pick me!” in different ways.  Very rarely do they actually say those words and too often they try to get this message to their coach in a negative manner (i.e. grumbling, complaining, questioning, or just plain sulking).

But if you want to know one of the BEST ways to get your point across to your coach…keep reading…

Talk is cheap…

Actions speak louder than words…

If you want to send your coach a message, do it with your PERFORMANCE!

Your performance in practice, your performance in pre-game, your performance in game situations is much more likely to make an impression on your coach than anything you (or your parents) could say.  Make sure that the message you send with your performance is a consistently positive one and you’ll have a much better chance at getting the playing time you want.