Talking Softball with Denny

A potential candidate for our Instructor Certification Program called recently to learn more about us. This person is a real veteran of the game. The explanation for the call: “We are never too old to learn, are we”?”

If life was fair nothing could exist. That is a profound statement which may take you a minute to absorb. Okay, let’s talk fairness and softball. Often a parent will complain to us that the defense made a lot of errors and coach unfairly pulled their daughter off the mound. How does a pitcher deal …

Defense Makes Errors, You Get Pulled? Read More »

Today, an incredible article from Meghan Vrotsos, our Certified Instructor from Madison, Wisconsin. Don’t just read this, but pass along to anyone who works with players— If you’ve ever had a lesson with me, you’ve probably heard me say “I am not a coach, I am an educator”. This saying and the reasons behind it …

Please Don’t Call Me Coach Read More »

A few weeks ago I had a lesson with a pitcher that keeps coming to mind. It’s a lesson that I keep thinking about for reasons other than the pitcher’s performance.

Do you want to be a pitcher, or do you just want to pitch? There is a huge difference.

It’s pretty simple. Eighty-percent of a pitcher’s success is determined by the movements she makes in the last twenty-percent of the pitch. The majority of kids look pretty good if you take photos at the start and mid-point of a pitch. Suddenly it all crumbles and they look weak at finish. The secret is this.

Every athlete looks for that edge, something that will help them take their performance to a higher level. The greatest one is right in front of you and costs practically nothing. This topic may sound boring, but this may be the most important article you will ever read. Hang in there, and then share it …

The Best Performance Enhancing Drug Read More »

Occasionally a kid comes to her lesson with a glove so large she could practically sleep in it. That is a huge mistake. If you at shopping for a new one, here are six reasons a glove needs to be on the small side.

As you know, we live in a world where people want an instant solution to every problem. That is why pitchers’ families buy so many gadgets. You can find a tool that claims to keep the push foot from turning, to straighten the arm, to make the arm stronger, to make the spins faster, to …

Isn’t There an Easier Way? Read More »

Recently a pitcher wanted to know if it was a good idea to continue competitive swimming when she had free time. She was concerned that it might have negative effects on her pitching. Simply put, the very nature of swimming compliments a good pitching motion. Think of the similarities.

A long time ago we learned that parents play an extremely important role in the success or failure of a pitcher. When our Instructor group gets together, parents are a huge topic of conversation. You may think the talk is negative, but read further for some good news and some very specific things you can …

Then There Are The Parents….. Read More »

This week, a little different type of blog, but one from which we can all learn. We will let Certified Instructor, Alex Maclean, tell you her story. Eighteen. That’s the number of times I was rejected to graduate schools.

Every week someone asks why we do not make a video. Very simple. Kids need individual attention. Each responds to different words and different drills. Each has different experiences, differing talents, and a very specific body type. A video assumes that all kids start at the same place, same age, same talent, and same experience. …

Seeing Double Read More »

One of our new Instructors says changing a kid’s movement pattern is fairly easy. The hard part is changing her mindset.

This was an opportunity that Maddison Caldwell had been anticipating. The 16U pitcher for the Delaware Cobras took the mound at the Diamond 9 Showcase in Orlando the final weekend of October. But, something just wasn’t right. She struggled. Why now?