Videos

Former Olympian and Professional pitcher Lauren Bay demonstrates a simple softball pitching drill for increasing your pitching speed and power.

Who doesn't love Jennie Finch? In this episode of Fastpitch TV, Jennie Finch talks about:

• her first experience with softball
• her dad and the Finch Windmill
• what it was like being a 3-sports athlete in high school
• what position she played in high school (not pitcher!)
• her travel ball experience
• playing softball in college at the University of Arizona
• winning the national championship her junior year in college
• playing for Team USA
• winning a Gold Medal
• watching Laura Berg and Lisa Fernandez as a young softball player then playing with them for Team USA
• playing for the Chicago Bandits
• and a whole bunch more!

In this episode of Fastpitch.TV, Gary Leland shares an interview with former Olympian Tairia Flowers.  In this video Tairia talks about:

• when she first started playing softball
• being a catcher
• the importance of her teammates
• her high school softball career
• life lessons her high school coach taught her
• playing softball in college
• why UCLA is special
• what it's like to be an Olympian
• and more!

Written by Stacie Mahoe

Most coaches have fears, worries, or anxiety about something. In fact, I'm not sure I know any coaches who don't.  It's pretty normal, when you really care about something greatly, to have concerns or worries about it.

However there is one softball coaching fear in particular that I see get in the way of good coaching time after time.

Can you guess what it is?

It's the fear of what others will think about you. I've heard advisers in other areas of life say that if you really want to be successful, you have to stop caring what other people think of you and your choices.

I believe that holds true for coaching softball too.

It's an easy trap to fall into. You and I both know how many critics there are of any softball coach. It comes with the territory. It's tough not to take things personally. Sure we all intellectually know that we shouldn't, but that's not always easy.  You're not the only coach who finds challenge in not allowing whispers (for shouts for that matter) from the outside impact what you do and the choices you make as a coach.

In this episode of Fastpitch TV, Gary Leland features Leah O'Brien Amico inspiring talk from a Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast.

In this episode of Fastpitch TV, Gary Leland talks with Coach Patty Gasso about:

• how she got involved with softball
• what it was like to win the WCWS
• how she got started in coaching softball
• what some of the challenges where when she first started coaching
• what it likes to be a Sooner
• and more

In this week's episode of Fastpitch TV, Gary Leland talks about the NFCA convention, what the NFCA is, and why you should join if you haven't already.

Watch More Fastpitch TV

In this Fastpitch TV show, Arron Weintraub talks about attitude, it's affect on performance, and the two most important mental skills for success.

Also watch this episode to find out how you can win a Rip It Force Fastpitch Bat by Rip It Sporting Goods.

Previous episodes…

• How the Q Sports Helps Softball Players Improve their Game
• Hitting Clinic with Jenny Dalton Part II
• Hitting Clinic with Jenny Dalton Part I

In this episode of Fastpitch TV, Jennie Ritter talks about the Q Sport, what the basic idea of the Q Sport is, what it tells you about player ability, how it helps softball players improve their game, and more.

In this episode of Fastpitch TV, Jenny Dalton shares and demonstrates more softball hitting drills including some drills to help keep a hitters hands inside the ball and eliminate "casting."

Press play below to watch this softball hitting video!

Click here to watch Part I if you missed it.

In this episode of Fastpitch TV Jenny Dalton shares some useful hitting tips on contact point, releasing the barrel, where to hit, and more. Plus see some hitting drills you can use to improve your hitting.

Press play below to watch this video now…

Our first giveaway of the summer was fantastic.  Thanks so much for participating and making it great!  We had 251 entries for this giveaway and I have the name of the lucky winner here for you.

BUT before I announce the winner, I want to let you know, even if it's not you, please don't stop reading.  I have some good news for you too.

That said, with no further ado…

the winner of our very first giveaway of the summer is…

Jim J!

His winning entry came from liking us on Facebook.  Congratulations Jim!!!!! We hope you enjoy the DVD.

If you're not Jim, Please Read On…

Last week many people told me that even if they didn't win the giveaway, they still wanted the DVD, so I decided to do something special as a thank you for participating in this giveaway.

The Good News If You're Not Jim J…
For the next 48 hours, you can grab the Making Things Happen DVD for just $14.97. That's a cool 50% off the listed price (must "add to cart" to see the discount). So even if you didn't win, you still get a nice deal today.

In this episode of Fastpitch TV, India Chiles answers questions about slapping…

• Sac bunting as a slapper
• What you need to pay attention to to raise your slapping game to the next level
• When to start moving as a slapper
• Early vs Late which is better
• Key to slapping an inside pitch well
• How to attack a pitcher who's living on the inside corner
• Bunting for a hit
• Tips for deadening your bunt
• Great places to bunt the ball and give yourself the best chance of getting on base
• and more!

Click the Play Button Below to Watch Now

If you missed India's other slapping videos, use the links below to watch them.

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Discover the Secrets Elite Softball Hitters Use to Frustrate Pitchers, Hit with Power, and Earn More Playing Time by Achieving Extraordinary Performances at the Plate!
===> SoftballHittingOnline.com!

In this episode of Fastpitch TV, India Chiles explains different types of slaps, how they are used and when to use them.

This episode of Fastpitch TV features India Chiles talking about slapping. In this video India covers:

• slapping footwork
• when contact should be made
• how to help your slappers stay closed instead of opening up to first too early
• common footwork mistakes to avoid when slapping
• how to set the ball on the tee when doing tee work
• how to help your slappers stay inside the ball when training off the tee
• which part of the ball slappers should try to contact
• where contact should happen
• common hand path mistake to lookout for
• demonstration of slapping off a tee into a net
• and more!

Click Play to Watch Now

In this episode of Fastpitch TV India Chiles talks about some must hear slapping principles that MANY coaches, parents, and players get wrong. She explains:

• what a slapper should look like in the box
• where a slapper should start from in the batter's box
• where a slapper should be on contact
• what you don't want to see when your players are slapping
• and a whole lot more useful information for successful slapping!

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Discover the Secrets Elite Softball Hitters Use to Frustrate Pitchers, Hit with Power, and Earn More Playing Time by Achieving Extraordinary Performances at the Plate!
===> SoftballHittingOnline.com!

In this episode of Fastpitch TV, Alissa Haber talks about

• the mental game factors that affect your game
• the mental approach that helps you hit better
• tricks to improve your mental approach for increased success at the plate
• how to stay calm in pressure hitting situations
• …and a whole lot more!

I was recently asked about great softball pitching aids for young new pitchers. Well, the first thing that came to mind was the Power Push.

I think it's a great tool that eliminates a very common pitching mechanic flaw. Use it with pitchers who are just starting out and you can help them develop a solid lower body foundation for optimal pitching power and speed.

The one problem I've encountered when telling people about the Power Push is that even with a picture, some people are unsure of how it works or how it will help them.

Thankfully, Mr. Quintero (Power Push developer) put together a great video explaining just how Power Push can help pitchers both new and experienced.

I recently read an article at TheGuardianOnline.com which was so full of softball awesomeness, I just had to share it with you.  It's no wonder this team is experiencing success this season and quite impressive under a first year head coach!

Here are some of my FAVORITE highlights from this article…

…everyone has identified their role and what it takes for the team’s identity of success…
Too many players and coaches miss out on that part after the "and!"

"It’s important that every player that wears a jersey realized they are just as important as a starter," …. "It is a constant reminder they need to be prepared to produce."
I could not agree more. Many times "bench" players are asked to "accept" their role, but this often diminishes their importance within the team environment. Make sure everyone on the team grasps how important and critical EACH team member is.

We have to get the little things done.
The "big" things don't always go as we plan. Sometimes they happen. Sometimes they don't. The "little" things are usually what we have the MOST control over. Make excellence in those "little" things a priority and I'll bet more of the "big" things fall into place.

Fastpitch TV Episode 155 features Alissa Haber in Part 3 of her hit series.  In this video, Alissa explains the keys to a good softball hitting swing. Find out about…

• How to give yourself the best chance of hitting success
• The simple test you can use to make sure you're avoiding extremes in your swing
• Heel plant
• Hip action
• Hands/staying in plane
• And generating most power with maximum efficiency

Watch Part 2 - The Stride
Watch Part 1 - The Stance

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Discover the Secrets Elite Softball Hitters Use to Frustrate Pitchers, Hit with Power, and Earn More Playing Time by Achieving Extraordinary Performances at the Plate!
===> SoftballHittingOnline.com!