Finally - Handling the Ball

As you may or may not know, our high school season in Hawaii is just starting up. Last Monday was the first day we could handle the ball and actually have a practice. Before that all we could do was conditioning so we are definitely glad to be on the field.

This year however, our start date sort of got pushed back a little. Previously our regular season didn't start until about the second week of December and pitchers and catchers were allowed to throw around mid-Oct. This year (and last) our first game is the last Wed. of November. So we have about 5 weeks from the first practice to our first game. Many of the coaches were grumbling about the start date being pushed back because the season moved up and because we can still start scrimmaging on Nov. 1. The powers that be said they made the move to not handling the ball until Oct. 23 for everyone so that things could be more fair. To whom? Is it fair to the newer girls to only have one week to learn the game and then be thrown into pre-season tournament situations?

Each weekend of November there is a pre-season tournament going on - it has been this way for a long, long time. It baffles me that the higher ups who don't coach and don't work with the girls can feel that postponing the start of on-field training while moving up the first game of the season is a good idea. The softball commissioner of our league has told us that the best thing to do would be to write up a complaint at the end of the season, make copies for all the coaches, and submit it to those in charge. So we'll see what happens for the years to come.

But for this year, we have our first pre-season tournament beginning on Thursday. This is when things get interesting. We are fortunate to have players who do have experience and are not new to the game. Some of them are new to this level of play though and I'm interested in seeing how they handle themselves. So far, I like the attitude of the team as a whole. What a relief that is. A great team attitude makes our job as coaches much easier. We have just 3 returning starters this year (2 juniors and 1 sophomore), so all of our senior class is fighting for a first time starting role on this team. I'm looking forward to an exciting year as usual. One of the great things about coaching is that each team is different and each year presents it's own set of challenges. It's certainly not boring.

Bill Hillhouse Clinic Pictures

Here are a couple of pictures from the Bill Hillhouse clinic here in Hawaii. Thankfully the weather held up even though there was a flash flood watch in effect through Sunday morning.





Above: Bill and my daughter after her age group was done (already changed out of her cleats and into her slippers). Obviously, my daughter is not very big. But since clinic she's been bugging me to pitch even more than before.

Here are a few more pictures

New Fastpitch Talk Radio Show Ready

Our second Episode of Fastpitch Talk Radio is now up and ready for you to listen to. Just visit www.FastpitchTalkRadio.com and click on the listen now button. This show is about how coaches' conduct and words affect player performance (and parent's conduct too). Plus we hear from the "I tell it like I see it" Softball Mom.

If you missed our first show, just click on the Audio Archives link at the site and you'll be able to listen to any of our past audios.

If you like listening to podcasts and have a teenager in the house, you may also enjoy Parenting My Teen. It's not my website or show, but it is hosted by a woman I've "met" in the online business circles. She's a great lady and easy to listen to, plus she has great enthusiasm for the content of the show.

What a weekend - Hillhouse Clinic

Well, the Bill Hillhouse Clinic here in Hawaii is over. It was this past Saturday and Sunday and we spent the entire day at the field on both days. But, it was a lot of fun as well as very informative. I know I'm going to miss having Bill around so that I can pick his brain, but that's okay because I can at least contact him by e-mail.

Here's what one parent had to say about the weekend:

Hey Stace,

After all that excitement of the weekend, I forgot to THANK YOU for a great job well done! Tia got so much out of Bill's teaching. She just loves to pitch! ... Anyway, again, thank you so much for putting that together for the girls and us parents too!! Job well done!!

I know there are others who enjoyed it as well, including my husband who isn't the biggest fan of being at the softball field all day unless it involves myself or my daughter. If just a few pitchers and parents get something out of this and become better because of it, it was worth all the effort and time put into it. I'm sure Bill will be coming back to Hawaii in the future, it's just a matter of when. I know I need to relax a bit and take a break from helping to coordinate any other clinics for a bit, but I'd be more than happy to work on another Bill Hillhouse clinic in the coming years. So for those of you who came to the clinic and want Bill to come back like I do, I think we'll all get our wish.

Bill Hillhouse In Town

So I've finally gotten to see, in real life, Bill Hillhouse who've I've exchanged numerous e-mails with. Interestingly enough, I've never even spoken to him on the phone until after he arrived here in Hawaii. I'm very excited about the pitching clinic that will be taking place over the weekend. I just hope the weather holds up. If it doesn't get any worse than it's been the last few days then we should be fine. It's going to be a very busy and long, but fun weekend.

For those of you who haven't signed up but are still interested in seeing what the clinic is all about, you are more than welcome to stop by. Also, if you've just been a complete procrastinator, but are interested in the 16+ age group session, let me know. Contact information is at www.allaboutfastpitch.com/BillHillhouse.html.

Softball Specific Personalized Training

Wow! I just found out about this cool resource. E-Training for Softball!

What is it? It's a personalized, softball specific, e-training program.

All clients have 24/7 access to their own personal trainer. Trainers can provide many different types of training programs including: weight training, plyometrics, stretching, cardio, and more.

Instead of hiring a personal trainer for $60-$100+/hour, this program gives you 24/7 access to a softball-specific trainer for about $1 a day!

Plus, you'll receive a special bonus: The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Softball.

To learn more about how all this works, take the free tour here.

Drake University Honored by NFCA

The Drake University Softball Team was honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for owning the second highest cumulative grade-point average among the NCAA Division I programs during the 2005-06 academic year.

That's awesome! Great job Drake University Softball!

The team posted a 3.51 cumulative GPA during the 2005-2006 season.

Right now we're trying to get our softball program to shoot for at least that 3.5 cumulative GPA. We've implemented a study hall to further emphasize the importance of grades with the players we work with. If they have a cumulative 3.5 or higher, they don't need to come to study hall any more.

Hjgh school aged softball players out there - you can bet that if you want to be a part of a program like Drake's you'll need to have grades to back up that softball skill. They have accomplished a great thing and will most likely try to keep that standard of academic excellence. So they most certainly are looking for players with skills and a strong academic background. It can be done! Don't sell yourself short by slacking in the classroom! Push yourself there as hard as you push yourself on the field. That maximum effort in the classroom as well as on the field will only benefit you.

Fastpitch Talk Radio Launching Monday

Well, Fastpitch Talk Radio is up and ready to launch! On Monday, October 9th, our very first show will be up and ready to listen to! All you need to do is go to www.FastpitchTalkRadio.com on Monday and click on the Listen Now button right there on the home page.

If you subscribe to the feed here at this blog, you can also subscribe to the Fastpitch Talk Radio Podcast Feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/FastpitchTalkRadio. At that link you can also see past audios and listen to them as well.

I hope you'll join us for the fun over at Fastpitch Talk Radio! See you there.

Pro Fastpitch Tour This Weekend

Tom McCarthy's Pro FastPitch X-treme Tour is in Indianapolis this weekend. Pro games will be held at 6:45 p.m. Friday and 2:15 p.m. Saturday at Ben Davis High School. The event does continue on until Sunday and features sport's biggest names with clinics, autograph sessions and amateur games. The idea with this tour is to enhance women's softball.

I am totally for anything that promotes this sport and helps build interest or motivate existing players to play or continue playing this game.

If you're in the Indianapolis area and would like to attend this event, there is more information including ticket pricing at IndyStar.com.

Stacie on Adrenaline Radio

Just wanted to let you guys know that I did an interview for Adrenaline Radio yesterday. I believe you'll be able to listen to that interview at www.AdrenalineRadio.com. The interview and the show are done by Coach Mike from www.KidzNSports.com. The radio show is about an hour long so if you have time to listen, go check it out.

Also, just wanted to announce that the very first show for Fastpitch Talk Radio will debut on October 9th. Get more information on what that's all about at www.FastpitchTalkRadio.com.

Have a wonderful week!