Facing a talented rise ball pitcher is a very difficult task. Jess and Heather discuss how and why hitting the rise ball is different and more difficult than any other pitch. The conversation covers some things you can do as a hitter to give yourself a better chance at success. We close our discussion with a few drills to work on a higher contact point and to simulate a rising pitch. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #RiseBall #Hitting #Patterns Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebo...
Sep 10, 2024•36 min
If you’ve invested the time and effort to create a strong, positive team culture you probably want to protect that culture. We talk about some culture killers and some things coaches can do to avoid having their team infected by culture killers. What if, as a player, you’ve found yourself on a team with a culture that wasn’t advertised or that you don’t agree with? We close the conversations with some thoughts on how to handle that situation. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #Culture #CultureKill...
Sep 03, 2024•44 min
Coaches, players, and parents are all responsible for building and maintaining a positive team culture. Communication, accountability, commitment, and respect are common themes in this episode. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #TeamCulture #Respect #Communicate Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 38 : Know Your Players - Building Relationships 64 : Your Kid is Listening 102 : Respecting Young Athletes...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Having a strong, positive team culture doesn’t happen by accident. Join us as we talk about the elements of a good team culture and how to build one. The culture you cultivate influences how you and your team are perceived. Take initiative and do the work to make sure that culture is a positive one. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #TeamCulture #Communicate #Trust Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 16 : Control the Controllab...
Aug 20, 2024•32 min
Buying a new bat can lead to more questions than answers. Aluminum or composite? How much should I spend? Where do I get a new bat? Does my kid even need a new bat? Jess and Heather get into the weeds as they discuss many of the questions that surround bats. Send us your bat-related questions! #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #Bats #CompositeBats #Investment Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 48 : Keeping Up With The Jones’s ...
Aug 13, 2024•26 min
Join us as we close out the week with the last of our five-part mini-series with Quincy Lewis of Diamond Dynamics . The transfer portal and NIL are new on the scene of college softball. Quincy gives some inside information on how the transfer portal isn’t what it looks like on social media. #FundamentalFastpitch #DiamondDynamics #Softball #CollegePlanning #TransferPortal #NIL Connect with Quincy! Check out Diamond Dynamic’s College Planning Checklist! FB Group: College Planning with Diamond Dyna...
Aug 09, 2024•24 min
Diamond Dynamics’ Quincy Lewis joins Heather and Jess in the fourth of our five-part mini-series on college planning. Things get real as athletes enter their junior and senior years of high school. Quincy shares how to tell when college coaches are listening and are interested as well as how to know when it’s time to focus your efforts elsewhere. As high school nears its end, it’s time to have some difficult conversations and make some thoughtful decisions. #FundamentalFastpitch #DiamondDynamics...
Aug 08, 2024•34 min
Quincy Lewis of Diamond Dynamics is back for the third installment of our five-part mini-series on college planning. As athletes enter high school, their college planning experience diverges from dreams and aspirations and takes on a more realistic look. Get Quincy’s take on how communication with college coaches should look and how to always “be recruitable” - you never know who’s watching. #FundamentalFastpitch #DiamondDynamics #Softball #CollegePlanning #9thGrade #10thGrade Connect with Quinc...
Aug 07, 2024•32 min
Welcome back Quincy Lewis of Diamond Dynamics for the second episode in our five-part mini-series on college planning. Families of 7th and 8th graders might start feeling pressure to start the college planning process. There’s still plenty of time! Everyone’s college planning experience is different and there is no one-size-fits-all plan. #FundamentalFastpitch #DiamondDynamics #Softball #CollegePlanning #7thGrade #8thGrade Connect with Quincy! Check out Diamond Dynamic’s College Planning Checkli...
Aug 06, 2024•25 min
We are excited to bring back our friend Quincy Lewis of Diamond Dynamics in the first of our five-part mini-series on college planning. Although college is a long way off for 5th and 6th graders, parents of athletes with big goals have questions when it comes to college planning. Quincy shares her thoughts and strategy for introducing college planning to families of young athletes. #FundamentalFastpitch #DiamondDynamics #Softball #CollegePlanning #5thGrade #6thGrade Connect with Quincy! Che...
Aug 05, 2024•18 min
Jess and Heather welcome Quincy Lewis of Diamond Dynamics ! In the first of our series with Quincy, she gives us an introduction to the college planning process - when to start, how every experience is different, how involved (or not involved) parents should be, and some college coach red flags. Tune in next week to catch a breakdown of the college planning process from fifth grade through college. #FundamentalFastpitch #DiamondDynamics #Softball #CollegePlanning Connect with Quincy! Check out D...
Jul 30, 2024•39 min
Heather shares her Little League Baseball coaching experience. Listen in as Jess asks Heather about how coaching boys is different from coaching girls. We talk about Heather’s least favorite baseball rules as well as how coaches, umpires, and parents treated her as a female coach. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #Baseball #CoachingTheBoys #LittleLeague Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 17 : Simple Softball 26 : The...
Jul 23, 2024•46 min
When a player is injured, finances and attendance at practices and games are a couple questions that could pop up. Jess and Heather tackle the challenges that surround player injuries - big and small- and how athletes can continue to grow as players through injury. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #Injury #Rehab #Practice Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 64 : Your Kid is Listening 65 : Kids Have Opinions Too 84 : Settling i...
Jul 16, 2024•31 min
Tryouts and open practices are different experiences with different purposes. Coaches, players and parents need to know what to expect, what their responsibilities are, and how to make the most of the experience. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #Tryouts #OpenPractice #BeMemorable Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 35 : Tryout Season - Players 36 : Tryout Season - Coaches 37 : Tryout Season - Parents 86 : The Offseason...
Jul 03, 2024•25 min
Learning to be an athlete helps players of all sports. Learning and practicing athleticism in a variety of sports helps softball players in a number of ways. Jess and Heather talk about how being a multisport athlete helps softball players become more athletic, build character, and grow socially and emotionally. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #MultisportAthlete #Coordination #Athleticism #Athlete
Jun 25, 2024•31 min
In part two of our Game Etiquette series, we talk about how parents and coaches can set a positive example for our players. How the adults behave sets the tone for how the players will conduct themselves on and off the field. In short, be respectful and keep it civil. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #GameEtiquette #Respect #BeCivil Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 3 : How to Watch Softball 62 : Keeping Your Cool During Cha...
Jun 18, 2024•35 min
Sportsmanship is a huge part of the game. Jess and Heather talk about how players can ensure they are playing respectfully before, during, and after games. Softball is about much more than balls, strikes, runs and outs. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #GameEtiquette #Respect Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 3 : How to Watch Softball 62 : Keeping Your Cool During Chaos 66 : Being a Good Opponent 88 : Managing the Dugout...
Jun 11, 2024•34 min
When it rains on practice day, you don’t have to cancel. The key to getting a quality practice in when the weather doesn’t cooperate is being flexible and fitting your practice plan to the resources available. You have more options than you might think - listen in to hear some of our favorites. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #Rain #SoggyPractice #BattingCages #SoftballSchool Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 6 : How to Run...
Jun 04, 2024•26 min
Private instructors have become the norm in the softball world. But how do you know you’re getting your money’s worth? How can you be sure your daughter is getting the most out of the time spent? Heather and Jess talk about how to find an instructor, what to look for, what questions to ask, and how expectations are different for private instructors vs coaches. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #Lessons #PrivateLessons #Hitting #Defense #Catching Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebo...
May 28, 2024•53 min
Summer is knocking at the door, and you may be looking for softball camps and clinics for your players. Listen in to hear some recommendations, things to look for, and warnings. All camps and clinics are not created equal, and you need to know what you’re getting before you spend your money and trust a coach with your kid. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #Summer #Camps #Clinics Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! Check out our YouTube Channel You might also like: 15 : The Com...
May 21, 2024•28 min
Supporting your daughter through her softball journey means more than rides to the softball fields. Jess and Heather go over a list of open-ended questions to ask you daughter that will give you some insight to how she is feeling about the game, herself, and her experience on the field. These conversations may seem daunting at first, but they are worth it! #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #Communication #Support #SoftballMom #SoftballDad Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! You...
May 14, 2024•33 min
Heather interviews her daughter, Cora, on the way home from practice. We talk about Cora’s favorite parts of hitting, why she enjoys catching, and her impressions of Mike and Jess. Cora gets the chance to ask Heather a few questions, too. #FundamentalFastpitch #Softball #TheRideHome #PostPracticeTalks #MotherDaughter Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! You might also like: 20 : The Ride Home 54 : What is a Catcher’s Job? 97 : Taking a Pitch vs Attacking the First Pitch 110 : ...
May 07, 2024•21 min
Evaluating whether league softball or select softball is right for your athlete and family can be a tough exercise. Jess and Heather talk about the pros and cons of league and select softball from 6u through 12u+. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #LeagueSoftball #SelectSoftball Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! You might also like: 2 : What Do We Get Out of League Ball? 15 : The Competitive Softball Journey 87 : A Better Little League Experience 90 : Classifying Select Team...
Apr 30, 2024•34 min
Welcome Rusty and Lacie Ham from the Catching You Podcast! On this special guest episode, we talk about Lacie’s college experience thus far, how she got there, and the support her Dad provided her along the way. Rusty gives Heather and Jess some advice as he looks back to when Lacie was our daughters’ ages. We learn about why mental health is a priority for Lacie and how she’s preparing herself for life after softball. Rusty gets our thoughts on what makes a smart softball parent. #FundamentalFa...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 16 min
The strike zone and the umpire’s strike zone are not always the same. Jess and Heather talk about how to adjust your offensive and defensive strategies when the umpire has a tight zone, generous zone, and an inconsistent zone. #FundamentalFastpitch #SoftballSchool #Softball #Umpire #StrikeZone Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! You might also like: 47 : Strike Zone Early vs Late in an at Bat 61 : Wanting to Hit vs Hoping to Walk 81 : Preparing for an At Bat 95 : Hit By Pitch...
Apr 16, 2024•40 min
The game of softball undergoes a lot of changes as teams age up from 10u to 12u. The game itself speeds up, players make more advanced defensive plays, and batters are growing into themselves. Add to all that the fact that 11 and 12 year old girls are experiencing a lot of change and growth in their personal lives, and you have a recipe for excitement on the field. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Softball #10u #12u #Growth #Change Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! You mig...
Apr 10, 2024•45 min
Between the gear, practicing at home, and practice and games, getting your kid into the game of softball can be overwhelming. Jess and Heather cover must have equipment, some pointers for what to expect at games and practices, and how to help your player at home. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Softball #BeginnerSoftball #SoftballMom #SoftballDad Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! You might also like: 3 : How to Watch Softball 15 : The Competitive Softball Journey 20 : The...
Apr 02, 2024•47 min
The most notable difference between 8u and 10u softball is the introduction of player pitchers. With that change comes a big jump in the way the game is played from top to bottom. Catchers now play an important role, batters face less dependable pitching, and smart & aggressive baserunning can change the course of a game. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Softball #8u #10u #AgeUp Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! You might also like: 12 : “Eyes on the Ball” 14 : Dropped...
Mar 26, 2024•39 min
How parents interact with players, coaches, and other parents can make a big impact on how enjoyable a weekend at the field is. Parents should prioritize their relationship with their player, use a collaborative approach with coaches, and be supportive of other parents. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Softball #SoftballMom #SoftballDad Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook! You might also like: 20 : The Ride Home 32 : Comparing Your Kid to Their Teammates 60 : Having Realistic...
Mar 18, 2024•26 min
Aging out of one division into the next comes with some rule changes, size differences, and some changes in skill level. Jess and Mike discuss some things to consider when making the jump from 6u to 8u. #FundamentalFastpitch #TheHuddle #Softball #6u #8u #AgeUp Follow us on Instagram! Like and follow us on Facebook!...
Mar 14, 2024•32 min
