Last Day for Your Chance to Win Fastpitch Prizes

Hey, just a quick reminder that TODAY is the LAST day for you to enter the drawings over at www.FastpitchFestival.com.  We're giving away a bunch of cool Fastpitch Softball Prize Packs contributed by our sponsors.  

There is NO COST to participate.  All you have to do is go to one of the Prize Categories (look for the prize pack info in the category you choose to verify that there is a prize pack for the category you want to enter), and leave a comment or response for a category.  Whichever category you leave a response in is the category you'll be entered into the drawing for. 

Remember, you may enter as many categories as you want as many times as you want.  For more information on How to Win, click HERE.

Last time I checked, Favorite Fastpitch Pictures had the least number of entries which means a greater chance of winning for you.  That category has a prize pack valued at $220 - what are you waiting for?

Go to Fastpitch Festival now and join in the fun.  Today is the LAST DAY!

You Will Never See This Kind of Softball in Hawaii

Okay, I know you should NEVER say "never," but seriously, it's going to take some really funky change of our entire environment before we ever see this kind of softball in Hawaii.

Gosh, I can't even imagine.  Remember, this is coming from someone who's never seen snow, much less played in it.  YIKES!  I'll take our Hawaii weather over that any day.  Of course, if anyone wants to sponsor my trip to a snowy softball game, I'll get out there and try it.  ;)  I most certainly can't guarantee you a full 7, but I'll at least get out on the field.  Of course, my agility may be quite hampered by the thick snow suit I'll be wearing.  :D

Winning is Over-Rated

You've probably heard the saying, "Winning isn't everything. It's the ONLY thing." Honestly, I've never cared much for it. It may sound good as a "slogan" and it may be motivating to some and look cool on t-shirts and stuff. But the truth is, it's totally and completely FALSE.  You may or may not agree with me, but in my world, that saying just never really connected with me for a number of reasons. I was reminded of why I feel this way over the course of this softball year.

IF winning truly was everything OR the "only" thing then, technically, there would be no gripes and no grumbles when a championship was won.  Everyone that had anything to do with the championship team (parent, fan, player, coach) would be utterly and completely happy and overjoyed if winning really was the ONLY thing. No one on a championship team would ever have any sort of ill feeling or complaint about anything related to the team or the season or the coaching or the players or the organization as a whole if winning was the ONLY thing. But that's simply not the case.

Even when a team wins a championship there are times when players or parents are not completely happy and satisfied with how the season/tournament went. Why?  No, it's not because they're cry babies (although some may be).  It's usually because they are HUMAN and because THERE IS MORE TO THIS GAME, TO THIS EXPERIENCE, THAN WINNING!

Don't get me wrong. Winning is great! Championships are awesome!  Any time I step on the field I'm out there to out-do my opponent and come out on top. But these things are not the end all/be all of participating in this sport. 

I'm sure you'll run into coaches or parents or players who've had "successful" seasons tainted by something that happened during the season (the way a situation was handled, the way the players were treated, the way the coaches acted, the lack or organization of the season, etc, etc, etc).  You will probably also meet people from time to time who will tell you that they've experienced a higher level of enjoyment and fulfillment in seasons where their record wasn't necessarily the best. If winning where "everything" OR the "only thing" that wouldn't be possible, it would never be true. But it is. Maybe not always, but it certainly is true and does happen on occasion.......because in this game, in any sport, in life....winning is NOT everything NOR is it the only thing.

When all is said and done, I wouldn't want people to remember me only for the championships I've been a part of, but hopefully also for positive qualities like integrity, honesty, determination, inspiration, etc.  In fact, if they could know me for either championships OR those positive qualities - I would want them to remember me for having those positive qualities. If I had to choose between being known as a coach with those positive qualities and no championships OR a coach with championships and but little integrity, little honesty, and little inspiration - I don't think I have to tell you which scenario I'd choose. What a shame it would be to be known for a championship or two and nothing else.

Winning isn't everything nor is it the only thing.  However, many have reminded me that while winning isn't everything, expecting to win and striving for perfection is.

What do you think?  Leave me a comment below and share your thoughts.

*NOTE: Yes, you may reprint this article.  Simply credit the author (Stacie Mahoe) and provide an active link (if posted online) either back to this post or to www.AllAboutFastpitch.com.

Are You Still Doing the Same Old Thing?

How many times have you seen great new drills or head cool new tips from other coaches?  It probably happens a number of time throughout each season.  As coaches, we always try to stay up to date with the latest training techniques and drills.  But how many of us actually use the new information we acquire?  How many times have you seen those cool new ideas, then 6 months down the road, nothing has changed.  Your practices are the same, your game strategies are the same, and you're still dealing with the same problems you had 6 months ago.  This is one of the biggest and the most common coaching mistake made!  

Hey, change can be scary, but if you never change you will NEVER improve!

In order to improve, change is necessary, and change requires ACTION.

It's wonderful to be a life long learner, but what's even better is actually APPLYING all that new knowledge you put into your brain!

Coach of Action is designed to help you

• Be active in increasing your coaching knowledge
  
• Overcome the uncertainty that comes with change
  
• Utilize simple tips and strategies for APPLYING the new knowledge you gain
  
• Develop or improve your vision for your program and for yourself as a coach
  
• Set effective goals
  
• Identify your BIGGEST coaching goals 
  
• Develop a solid plan of ACTION for achieving your big goals through a simple yet powerful 5-step goal setting process

But we're not going to just throw all this great information at you and leave you to sort through it and digest on your own.  We've broken it all down into manageable, bite-size pieces so that you can completely understand the concepts (and begin applying them) before another lesson is sent to you to digest.  

You'll practically be spoon fed all of the material so that you won't be overwhelmed with too many new ideas, strategies, and tips at once.  Remember, the whole idea is that you TAKE ACTION and sometimes with too much information you just don't know where to start, so you end up doing nothing at all.  Coach of Action is designed to give you only what you can handle AND we also give you specific instructions on how to actually USE the information covered in each lesson. 

If this is the kind of step-by-step, long-term help your looking for as a coach, then check out CoachofAction.com for more information.

Go, now and I have a little something special waiting for you ~ through LABOR DAY ONLY, get 50% off the regular price.  

Yup, you can have full access to the entire program at half the cost.  But when the Labor Day holiday is over, this offer will be gone!  Get it HERE.

Interesting Fastpitch Information AND a Chance to Win

Wow! I just spent some time reviewing the submissions posted by Fastpitch Festival participants. There is a lot of good input there from people in the game. I'm impressed! Not only do you have a chance to win a prize if you participate, but if you spend a few minutes reading what others have said, you'll come across some pretty interesting stuff. I know because that's what I've been doing for the past half hour.

I didn't think there would be so much to say about Fastpitch Headwear, but apparently there is. Like I said, lots of useful information from others in the game. I've enjoying it!

If you haven't stopped by yet, what are you waiting for?

Fastpitch Festival is Under Way

The first ever Fastpitch Festival is now under way!  Softball fanatics are already over there participating in the event and earning themselves chances to win prizes!  

We have 8 different categories and each category that has a prize pack DOES show what prizes are up for grabs for that particular category.  ALL are valued at over $100 and some are valued at over $200!

Only responses IN the "prize" categories will count as an entry into the drawing for THAT category.  If you haven't been over there yet, there's still time!  Visit www.FastpitchFestival.com to enter and win a prize from one of the following sponsors:

• All Star Greetings
  
• Fastpitch Forever
  
• Slow the Game Down
  
• House of Pitching (Bill Hillhouse)
  
• Softball Performance
  
• GetSoftballConfidence.com
  
• Softball Today
  
• Fastpitch Supply
  
• Pre-Wrap.com
  
• Winning Softball Online
  
• Mattingly Baseball
  

Japan Wins Gold Medal!

Oh my goodness!  Japan just beat the USA Women's National Team to win the Gold Medal 3-1.  I didn't get a chance to watch the game, but I have it recorded.  Wow!  Their game in the earlier rounds was also a great one that the US won, but this time, it was Japan's day.  

• USA Softball has a short report of the Gold Medal Game HERE.
• The LA Times had another story about the game.
• Here's the story from Yomiuri Online.
• The NY Times Blog has a story and a bit of a game track as well.
  

Wow!  Are you stunned like I am?

I've started a discussion over at Fastpitch World if you have comments or thoughts, or simply leave one here.

How to Stand Out at Tryouts

I have to admit, tryouts don't happen here in Hawaii like they do on the mainland US at this time of year.  Most girls only have to tryout for school teams.  I've only had to tryout for a team twice in my entire lifetime.  Once for our intermediate school team and once for my varsity high school team.  That's about it.  There aren't a lot of travel/ASA teams that hold "tryouts."  The tryouts we hold for school teams don't seem to be as big a deal or as intimidating as travel ball tryouts happening around this time in the mainland US.  Plus for school ball we get to hang on to girls for over a month and see them play in a number of preseason game situations before we ever have to make a decision.  So players have much more opportunity to show what they're made of and coaches have a lot more time to evaluate than in the typical "travel ball" situation.  

Because of this, I don't usually have a lot of input to contribute when coaches or players ask for tips for tryouts.  Lucky for you, I'm not the ONLY softball "go-to" on the internet.

Marc over at Softball Performance has just put together an awesome new resource for players who want to make a HUGE impression at tryouts.  

If it's that time of year for you and you want to have a game plan for standing out in the crowd at your tryouts, Marc tells you how to:

• Be super confident and perform when it counts
  
• Crush the ball when you have a chance to show off your hitting
  
• What coaches are looking for when they evaluate players
  
• Exactly what to eat so your body can perform at it's best
  
• Deliver your best tryout performance ever
  
• and a whole bunch more

Imagine how you'll feel when the coach selects YOU to be on the team!  Get prepared because you know what they say, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

Make sure you're READY for your tryouts.  Be the head-turning player coaches can't help but remember.  The blue print for your tryout success all laid out for you - get it HERE.

Who Does It Better? Men or Women?

What do you think?

Who does the softball coaching job better?

Men or women?

Women, I think, have an advantage as far as being able to relate to the players and understand them. However, men can sometimes get a response out of players that most women can't/don't get.

Then again, others will say that gender doesn't matter, it's the individual themselves that does.

BUT, "in general" - what's your opinion?

Are men better at coaching women's softball or do women do a better job coaching female softball players?

If you're a Fastpitch World member - you can answer this question in the forum. If not, leave a
comment here and let me know what you think. I'm interested to see what you have to say.

Who does it better?

Fastpitch Hair - I Love It!

Oh boy! Larry over at Fastpitch World shared this picture. At first I only looked at it because he titled it "Hawaii Hurricanes" so I wanted to see who was in the picture. However, what caught my eye (after the striped purple and black socks, which I like) was the HAIR! Wow!

I can't say that I've ever seen that at a softball field before. What a trip! I just had to share. Look at the girls on the left side of the picture and you'll see what I mean. I just had to comment on that one. See the cool, fun, and funky fastpitch picture at http://tinyurl.com/6qhjbn.

More Fastpitch Videos at Fastpitch World

I've put up some of the Sportskool videos up at www.MyFastpitchWorld.com. However, those aren't the ONLY fastpitch videos there. Other members have uploaded videos with useful information as well. These videos are all free to view and becoming a member at www.MyFastpitchWorld.com is also free.

One of my favorites is the one I just added on fielding (from sportskool).

Some of you may know how I feel about doing the "alligator." The long and short of it is that I don't care for it. The reason is because of the very issue Mike Candrea warns against in the video - improper positioning of the throwing hand.
I've seen TOO many young player jam their throwing hand fingers because they aren't getting their hand into the correct position for this technique.

Of course, after voicing my opinion and saying that I use a different technique, I've had people ask me what the alternative is. Needless to say, it's not always easy to put softball techniques into words. Sooooo, the reason I like this video is because it shows the "other" technique which is the one I, personally, prefer. It's not more "right" it's just my preference. Like I said, I just see too many not using the proper hand positioning for "securing the ball" with the "alligator." Many players DO use this technique with success (as you will see in this video I've added to Fastpitch World), but if you do use it, or if you do teach it - make sure to emphasize proper positioning of the throwing hand!!!!

Actually, if you look at the picture I found to include here - this is an example of the fielder who is NOT doing the "alligator." Her hands do not form the top and bottom jaw of an "alligator" getting ready to chomp on the ball.

Fastpitch Softball Video: Baserunning Basics

Here's one of those videos I was talking about.

If you want to learn about how to run bases or learn about how to teach baserunning. This is a video you have to see.

Baserunning is such a tough skill to teach. A good baserunner is such an asset to the team. In this video, Mike Candrea explains that you don't necessarily have to be the quickest on the team to be a good baserunner. Knowing what to do in different situations and how to properly maneuver around the bases, though, are very important.

Of course, the cool thing about this video is being able to see demonstrations!

Watch the baserunning video here...

Cool Fastpitch Videos at SPORTSKOOL

Thanks to a Fastpitch World member for giving me the headsup on this website. So far, I've only watched the baserunning video, but there is some GOOD stuff there. If you want information, with a visual video to go along, about pitching, catching, fielding, and more, you have to take a look at this website.

CLICK HERE to go to the page of softball instructional videos.

This link will take you straight to the pitching video.

I hope you enjoy these. Oh yeah, did I mention that it's Mike Candrea and members of the USA National Team that are doing the instructing/demonstration in these videos?

Great Fastpitch Softball Pictures

I don't know about you, but I always enjoy seeing fastpitch softball pictures. The members over at www.MyFastpitchWorld.com are putting up a bunch!

Click Here to check them out or to sign up free and share the pictures you have too.

I'm about to go and upload a few more myself.

Bil Hillhouse - Times and Locations SET

I know a lot of you have been waiting for the finalized information and details on the Bill Hillhouse clinic in Hawaii in September.

IF YOU ALREADY REGISTERED - PLEASE take note of the changes in clinic times!

Slight changes were made to the original schedule in order to secure our Saturday location.

With that said, here are all the details of the clinic...

Bill Hillhouse Pitching Clinic Sessions
September 20 & 21
Registration Fee of $35 covers ONE session on ONE of these dates.

Saturday the 20th will be at Moiliili Community Center - map
Sunday the 21st will be at Kapolei High School

Schedule for the clinic sessions on both days are as follows:

• 9:00-11:00 Ages 9-11
• 12:15-2:30 Ages 12-15
• 3:15-5:30 Ages 16+

Each session is LIMITED to just 12 girls!
Get your registration form HERE
All pitchers must supply their own catcher

Small Group/Team Sessions with Bill
September 27th at Moiliili Community Center

• Must attend pitching clinic in order to qualify for a small group session with Bill
• Up to 4 pitchers per one-hour session
• $160 per group/team
• All pitchers must supply their own catcher
• Click Here to Download Team Registration Form
  

To download and print the flyer for your league, your team, your friends, or yourself - CLICK HERE

New Freebie on Goal Setting in the Works

Hi, just stopping in to let you know that I'm working on a new resource on goal setting. It's called Avoid These 7 Costly Goal Setting Mistakes.

Not only will I share these 7 goal setting mistakes that I see many people make, I'm also going to share:

• Why Goal Setting is important
• How Goal Setting can help you
• Simple tips that will make you more effective at reaching your goals
  
• How to Avoid the 7 Common and Costly Mistakes in Mention in this resource

I hope to have this resource done by the end of August if not sooner, so I'll keep you updated on it's progress. The information will be in both audio and pdf format. I can get the audio part done quickly, but turning that into a written file is the part that I'm unsure of as far as how long it will take to be completed.

At any rate, stay tuned here or get on my mailing list and I'll keep you updated!

Are You There Yet?

I'm talking about Fastpitch World - Are you there yet?

Within the first two days, we were just shy of the 90 member mark. I hope to reach 500 in the first week, but could use your help!

If you haven't joined yet (it's free) - come by and see what it's all about.

If you ARE a member (yay! glad to have you) - please remember to utilize the different tools to share the site with your fastpitch friends!

I have to tell you, I've been getting some great responses to Fastpitch World.

Here's what people are saying:

"Stacie,I have now joined the site and love it. I believe you have started a wonderful thing for the world of fastpitch softball. an avenue for coaches, parents, and the whole reason we are currently continuing to teach....we love the girls and want only the best for each one of them as individuals."
-Coach Capers

"Stacie, Thanks for creating a site for all of us softball fanatics to socialize!!!!"
-David Y.


"Stacie
I'm glad to be here and hope to pick up some great ideas for conditioning
and hitting. My 18U team has some awesome players and I want to use you and Marc to
expand there horizons."-CJ


"Stacie,
Kudos to you! All your hard work & dedication in putting together this amazing site is brilliant! Thank You!!"
-Coach Nikki


"This a great idea by Stacie to put together a softball network just for fastpitch softball. I love the idea.

I will be contributing softball tips on hitting, pitching, coaching, training, etc. on a regular basis!

Great Job Stacie! I am looking forward to see its development!"
-Marc Dagenais
Softball Peak Performance Coach


These people have already made it worth my time and effort to create www.MyFastpitchWorld.com. They are what Fastpitch World is ALL about! Fastpitch people from around the world getting together to have fun, interact, share, learn, update/help each other in REAL time....content, ideas, and more for fastpitch lovers BY fastpitch lovers.

It's so cool to go there each day and see new faces and meet new people. I'd love to see you there too. It's simple and free to join - just go to www.MyFastpitchWorld.com and click on the Sign Up link. See you inside!

Cat Osterman Interview

No, I didn't do this interview, but it's available for you none-the-less.

Cat talks about:

• her expectations for the Olympics
• the importance of the games to her
• what she'll be doing after the Olympics
• and what she's been doing since leaving Texas

Read the full interview with Cat at the NCAA Website.