- Published on
There is a huge stigma around what “number” pitcher you are, and “knowing your role.” I have pitchers of all ages come to me for the first time and say things like “Well, I’m not really a pitcher, I only pitch a little bit in games.” or “I’m the number 3.” My favorite is “I want lessons because I want to be the #1 pitcher, I don’t like being the #2.” All this hype and stress over a number.
Pitching has changed a lot since I played. (Which really wasn’t that long ago, I promise!) I was the only pitcher for my high school team. Thanks to the lovely NY weather, I was usually throwing 3 games a week, sometimes up to 5. My travel team growing up had other pitchers, but I still carried the bulk of the innings as the “#1.” As more and more research comes out about the underhand motion and how it affects the body there has been more of a push towards a staff or unit being created rather than a hierarchy of pitchers. Which, for the record, is a GREAT thing.
With my college pitchers I push a unit mentality. There is no one else on the field but the three of them that knows what it’s like to be in the circle pitching for the 2017 Rhodes College Softball Team. The three of them relate to each other better than they relate to anyone else on the field, including myself. They make each other better not only through competition but also just by showing support. They help to work drills in the bullpen with each other during a game if the pitcher in the game is struggling with a certain pitch. They talk to each other about adjustments they can make versus certain hitters. They talk about the scouting report. Even something as simple as offering a hug after a really rough day. At the end of the day, it is a team effort but their name is in the win or loss column, whether they deserve it or not. I’ve seen my pitchers this year throw the game of their lives and lose. In the same breath, I’ve seen my pitchers throw maybe some of the worst games of their college careers and come out in the win column. It takes a certain level of crazy to be able to mentally handle this concept. (and I’m allowed to say that as a pitcher!)
Pitchers, parents, and sometimes even coaches are programmed to worry about what “number” pitchers are. It is what it is, I was the same way. It’s up to all three parties to change this culture. Players need to change their mentality. Coaches need to foster an environment where unity is valued within a staff. Parents need to push their pitchers, if you want more playing time then work hard and earn it.
Coaches…
1.) Talk about it! I can think of three specific times this past year alone where I sat the staff down and we talked about how they weren’t acting like a staff and what we could do to change that. I would also point out positive things they did to act like a staff, or suggest different things they could do throughout practice or games. It was amazing to watch the transformation as my junior and sophomore pitcher started to mentor the freshman.
2.) If you post a line up with a starting/relieving pitcher on it, say starter or reliever rather than 1 and 2.
3.) If you throw live during practice or scrimmage within your own team, switch up who pitches when rather than having the same pitcher “start” every time.
4.) “Practice” how to change pitchers in a game….I know, it sounds crazy. Our head coach does not go out to the circle when he makes a pitching change, and one of our pitchers mentioned that it makes her feel awkward. That turned into a conversation about what she can change when that happens, because he isn’t going to come out to the circle, it just isn’t his style. The conversation evolved into instead of pitchers changing each inning during one of our team scrimmages I would just choose a time when I wanted them to switch and send a new pitcher out mid inning. They became more comfortable with it, and learned how to show more support to each other as well.
Parents…
1.) When your daughter starts to talk in numbers, don’t let her! Talk about how she threw during the innings she got that day or weekend. Talk about what she can do differently if she wants more pitching time. Talk about what day that week you can practice pitching after work with her.
2.) If you daughter truly has a problem with playing time, talk to her about how to talk to her coach about it. A conversation that starts with “Why am I not playing?” will probably not end well. Roll play with her if she genuinely does want to talk to her coach about it. Questions like
- What can I improve on?
- Do you have any extra drills I can do at home?
- Can you work with me before or after practice sometime this week?
can all help shape a conversation that ends with a coach thinking “Wow, this kid wants to get better” instead of “Ugh here we go again, someone complaining about playing time.”
3.) Be realistic. This might be the hardest thing to do, I struggle with it sometimes too because I want the young pitchers I work with to succeed so badly. Did your daughter just start pitching a few months ago? She’s probably not going to be pitching 3 games a weekend already. Did your daughter not prepare well over the Winter and Spring? She’s probably not where she needs to be to compete and be dominating right now. Is your daughter the youngest pitcher on her team? There are probably/possibly older pitchers with more experience. Talk about all of these things with your daughter! Encourage her that if she works hard good things will come.
Pitchers…
1.) If you have the ball, you’re the number one. Let me say it again….If YOU have the ball, YOU’RE the NUMBER ONE. So act like it! I don’t care if you’ve thrown 2 innings all season, if you are in the circle and the ball is in your hand in that moment you are the number one pitcher on your team. Carry yourself with confidence, and if you don’t have it then fake it! There are 7 people in the field behind you who see your facial expression every time you turn around after getting the ball back from your catcher. Do you instill confidence in them, or make them nervous? Each play starts and ends with the ball in your hands…that’s a big responsibility.
2.) Be positive and supportive. So you aren’t getting the innings you want or think you deserve, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t support the pitcher in the circle 100%. Think about how you want the other pitchers on your team to act when you get to pitch. Wouldn’t you feel more confident knowing that the other people who know what it’s like to be in your shoes are excited for you?
3.) Work harder. Work harder during warm ups, during practice, at home, at pitching lessons, just work harder. If you aren’t satisfied with your playing time there is not one pitcher at any level that can’t work harder to get better. Your opportunity comes at practice, not in games. Games are the “extra” part. It is a privilege to step on a field and play softball, you owe it to the game to work as hard as you can.
Pitching has changed a lot since I played. (Which really wasn’t that long ago, I promise!) I was the only pitcher for my high school team. Thanks to the lovely NY weather, I was usually throwing 3 games a week, sometimes up to 5. My travel team growing up had other pitchers, but I still carried the bulk of the innings as the “#1.” As more and more research comes out about the underhand motion and how it affects the body there has been more of a push towards a staff or unit being created rather than a hierarchy of pitchers. Which, for the record, is a GREAT thing.
With my college pitchers I push a unit mentality. There is no one else on the field but the three of them that knows what it’s like to be in the circle pitching for the 2017 Rhodes College Softball Team. The three of them relate to each other better than they relate to anyone else on the field, including myself. They make each other better not only through competition but also just by showing support. They help to work drills in the bullpen with each other during a game if the pitcher in the game is struggling with a certain pitch. They talk to each other about adjustments they can make versus certain hitters. They talk about the scouting report. Even something as simple as offering a hug after a really rough day. At the end of the day, it is a team effort but their name is in the win or loss column, whether they deserve it or not. I’ve seen my pitchers this year throw the game of their lives and lose. In the same breath, I’ve seen my pitchers throw maybe some of the worst games of their college careers and come out in the win column. It takes a certain level of crazy to be able to mentally handle this concept. (and I’m allowed to say that as a pitcher!)
Pitchers, parents, and sometimes even coaches are programmed to worry about what “number” pitchers are. It is what it is, I was the same way. It’s up to all three parties to change this culture. Players need to change their mentality. Coaches need to foster an environment where unity is valued within a staff. Parents need to push their pitchers, if you want more playing time then work hard and earn it.
Coaches…
1.) Talk about it! I can think of three specific times this past year alone where I sat the staff down and we talked about how they weren’t acting like a staff and what we could do to change that. I would also point out positive things they did to act like a staff, or suggest different things they could do throughout practice or games. It was amazing to watch the transformation as my junior and sophomore pitcher started to mentor the freshman.
2.) If you post a line up with a starting/relieving pitcher on it, say starter or reliever rather than 1 and 2.
3.) If you throw live during practice or scrimmage within your own team, switch up who pitches when rather than having the same pitcher “start” every time.
4.) “Practice” how to change pitchers in a game….I know, it sounds crazy. Our head coach does not go out to the circle when he makes a pitching change, and one of our pitchers mentioned that it makes her feel awkward. That turned into a conversation about what she can change when that happens, because he isn’t going to come out to the circle, it just isn’t his style. The conversation evolved into instead of pitchers changing each inning during one of our team scrimmages I would just choose a time when I wanted them to switch and send a new pitcher out mid inning. They became more comfortable with it, and learned how to show more support to each other as well.
Parents…
1.) When your daughter starts to talk in numbers, don’t let her! Talk about how she threw during the innings she got that day or weekend. Talk about what she can do differently if she wants more pitching time. Talk about what day that week you can practice pitching after work with her.
2.) If you daughter truly has a problem with playing time, talk to her about how to talk to her coach about it. A conversation that starts with “Why am I not playing?” will probably not end well. Roll play with her if she genuinely does want to talk to her coach about it. Questions like
- What can I improve on?
- Do you have any extra drills I can do at home?
- Can you work with me before or after practice sometime this week?
can all help shape a conversation that ends with a coach thinking “Wow, this kid wants to get better” instead of “Ugh here we go again, someone complaining about playing time.”
3.) Be realistic. This might be the hardest thing to do, I struggle with it sometimes too because I want the young pitchers I work with to succeed so badly. Did your daughter just start pitching a few months ago? She’s probably not going to be pitching 3 games a weekend already. Did your daughter not prepare well over the Winter and Spring? She’s probably not where she needs to be to compete and be dominating right now. Is your daughter the youngest pitcher on her team? There are probably/possibly older pitchers with more experience. Talk about all of these things with your daughter! Encourage her that if she works hard good things will come.
Pitchers…
1.) If you have the ball, you’re the number one. Let me say it again….If YOU have the ball, YOU’RE the NUMBER ONE. So act like it! I don’t care if you’ve thrown 2 innings all season, if you are in the circle and the ball is in your hand in that moment you are the number one pitcher on your team. Carry yourself with confidence, and if you don’t have it then fake it! There are 7 people in the field behind you who see your facial expression every time you turn around after getting the ball back from your catcher. Do you instill confidence in them, or make them nervous? Each play starts and ends with the ball in your hands…that’s a big responsibility.
2.) Be positive and supportive. So you aren’t getting the innings you want or think you deserve, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t support the pitcher in the circle 100%. Think about how you want the other pitchers on your team to act when you get to pitch. Wouldn’t you feel more confident knowing that the other people who know what it’s like to be in your shoes are excited for you?
3.) Work harder. Work harder during warm ups, during practice, at home, at pitching lessons, just work harder. If you aren’t satisfied with your playing time there is not one pitcher at any level that can’t work harder to get better. Your opportunity comes at practice, not in games. Games are the “extra” part. It is a privilege to step on a field and play softball, you owe it to the game to work as hard as you can.
- Published on
1.) I came to Memphis as a private pitching instructor, and am leaving Memphis as a pitching, catching, hitting, and slapping private lesson instructor. I didn’t start out planning to expand my private instruction, but with the need in the area I was all about it! While nervous at first to try something new, I have grown to love working with young women in all facets of the game. “Quincy Lewis: Pitching Lessons” just doesn’t fit what I do anymore!
2.) I have finally found a name that can grow with me as I move through phases of my coaching career and my life. Whether I am able to give 5 private lessons or 25, I still want to be able to share my passion, knowledge, and love of softball.
3.)Diamonds are the hardest known natural substance. Diamonds are unreactive under ordinary conditions, meaning that nothing can change their general make up. Only a diamond can cut another diamond. Diamonds represent the mental toughness that it takes to excel in athletics. Being the toughest and most dedicated you can be. When adversity strikes are you “unreactive” and stay focused? Or do you let the circumstances around you dictate how you feel and perform? As a player on a team you have the power to both tear your teammates down or build them up, which will you choose?
4.) Dynamics can be defined as the forces or properties that stimulate growth, development, or change within a system or process. This is EXACTLY what we do through the use of private instruction. Your softball career is an always evolving process and by taking part in private lessons you are pushing yourself to grow, develop, and change as not just an athlete but a young woman as well!
2.) I have finally found a name that can grow with me as I move through phases of my coaching career and my life. Whether I am able to give 5 private lessons or 25, I still want to be able to share my passion, knowledge, and love of softball.
3.)Diamonds are the hardest known natural substance. Diamonds are unreactive under ordinary conditions, meaning that nothing can change their general make up. Only a diamond can cut another diamond. Diamonds represent the mental toughness that it takes to excel in athletics. Being the toughest and most dedicated you can be. When adversity strikes are you “unreactive” and stay focused? Or do you let the circumstances around you dictate how you feel and perform? As a player on a team you have the power to both tear your teammates down or build them up, which will you choose?
4.) Dynamics can be defined as the forces or properties that stimulate growth, development, or change within a system or process. This is EXACTLY what we do through the use of private instruction. Your softball career is an always evolving process and by taking part in private lessons you are pushing yourself to grow, develop, and change as not just an athlete but a young woman as well!
- Published on
While at Head First Honor Roll Camp in California this past week I was asked to speak to the recruits and their parents during one of the camp meetings about anything I wanted (No pressure, right?). I decided to tell a little bit of my own recruiting story and give some advice that I should have listened to a long time ago. We talked about developing a philosophy as a player and why that is so incredibly important. As a coach you are expected to have a philosophy, actually most institutions won’t hire you if you don’t have one. The part that no one really talks about is how players need to develop a philosophy as well. How can you pick a softball program and know if you will work well within their philosophy and program if you don’t know what your own philosophy is? Sit down and think about it. Think about all of the coaches you’ve played for and against, think about the college teams and coaches you love the most. Are there similarities in their philosophies? What about the differences? Do you want to play for an aggressive base running program or a program with big bats that hit everyone in? Do you want to swing at the first strike or take one to get comfortable? Do you like to play almost up the middle at second base or somewhere more in the middle? As a slapper do you want to power slap too or just soft slap? These are all things that you can ask in interviews with college coaches. But you have to know what your philosophy is before you can start asking questions about someone else’s, how else will you know if you could see yourself succeeding in that program? Take the time to write it down, define who you are as a player.
We take so much time picking a college and a softball program. The pressure to commit early is increasing by the year. I committed right after my sophomore season 8 years ago, and at the time it was considered early. Now, it’s completely normal to already have committed during freshman year. We all pick a school and are beyond excited to go on your official visit, meet your roommates, figure out everything you can before you get there. So, what happens when life takes a 180 when you get there? What happens when you start to feel like it might not be the place for you?
This isn’t really something I’ve ever talked openly about. I guess I’ve always been I little bit embarrassed of the decisions I made and why I made them. I think it’s important to share, even if it only resonates with one player or parent. Let’s start at the beginning. I was a sophomore getting recruited by a few different schools, some DI and some DII, there were scholarship offers involved and it seemed like all was going well to my 15-year-old brain…and then suddenly it wasn’t. I visited and fell in love with the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, Massachusetts. They were DI, high academic, and competitive as a program and a school. The school itself was amazing, I fell in love the second I walked on campus. Small catch…at the time the Patriot League was not allowed to offer athletic scholarship, they could only offer merit and need based aid (so scholarship based on grades and family finances). Did I mention that Holy Cross cost $50,000 a year to attend? And that I wanted to be a teacher? I know what you’re thinking…those two things don’t exactly add up. So after a lot of tears and a lot of arguing with my parents that I would figure out how to pay almost $200,000 in college debt off, we moved on to look at other schools.
The recruiting process continued, I visited a few other schools. I was offered two “full rides.” In this case, they were both about 2/3 athletic scholarship and 1/3 academic scholarship…full athletic scholarships are a very rare thing as most programs do not have the funding to offer them. Caldwell College (NJ) and Long Island University-Post (NY), both good schools and both good programs. So why look anymore? I had two options to go to college for free. Most of you know that I picked Post and went on to start my career there. I stopped looking because I saw dollar signs. I picked a school that I liked, but didn’t love. That had a great softball program and that was successful, but wasn’t the style of program I was used to. It was also in an area that was nothing like where I grew up and I wasn’t overly comfortable with. I went on my official visit during their Homecoming Weekend and was beyond overwhelmed and started to second guess my decision. But it was free and they were a winning program, so September rolled around and off I went.
My freshman year was rough, to put it nicely. My classes were easy and I was bored a lot of the time. I wasn’t finding a lot in common with my teammates, which wasn’t anyone’s fault, we were just from different worlds. I was the kid who worked crazy hours all summer to be able to have money during the year while they had their parents’ credit card and could do and buy whatever they wanted. I didn’t have much time outside of softball to make other friends or participate in other activities. I wasn’t finding the joy in softball like I did before I got to college, it was feeling more and more like a job. I wasn’t eating, I actually lost 20 pounds my freshman year going from 135 to 115 at 5’7”. I genuinely think I was depressed, which is a hard thing to come to terms with. We did well that year, earning an at large bid to the NCAA regionals and losing in the championship game. I led the conference in saves and loved being a closer. I went home for the summer and started to think about what I wanted to do the next year.
Once I was home it was easy to start rationalizing why I was unhappy my freshman year. It’s freshman year…it’s hard for everyone…maybe it was just because it was a new place…I know everyone now, so sophomore year should be better. So off I went again in September, back to Long Island. It was a little better, I found clubs I could join that didn’t require a lot of time commitment, met new friends through them that weren’t athletes, I took more classes and tried to challenge myself by adding a minor. I had worked to gain weight over the summer and was keeping it on even when I was stressed. I was still pitching well and closing games, leading the national in saves at multiple points throughout the season. We had a great year, with the opportunity to play at the World Series. Our post-season continued almost a month after finals. So I was on campus with just our team and a few others, with just softball to think about. No classes, no other friends, nothing to keep busy but practices. I starting to think more and more about transferring as the post-season came closer and closer to the World Series. I wish I could say there was one thing that made up my mind, but it was really just a lot of little things that built up into a feeling of not belonging. We went to the World Series, lost two games and came home. We drove 8 hours home from Virginia, I talked to my coach as soon as we got off the bus, he agreed to give me release papers to transfer with the stipulation that I could not play for another East Coast Conference school. I packed up my car, and drove until 1AM that night to get home, never really looking back or regretting my decision.
So then what? I had just signed away two more years of free tuition at Post, with no idea where I was headed or what to do. I got home, and my parents weren’t happy at first…I mean who would be with all of the variables up in the air. Eventually they warmed up to the idea of transferring, since going back to Post wasn’t really an option anymore I guess they kind of had to. I reached out to my sister’s travel ball coach for some advice, and he started to help me find schools that were looking for a transfer pitcher. Starting the whole process over again researching schools, talking to coaches, planning visits...I felt like a failure. At 20 I was supposed to be getting excited to be an upperclassman and want to fast forward through summer, not be looking for a new home. Shippensburg University was the first school I visited, and ended up being the last as well. There was no full scholarship, there was little hope of a deep run into post season, and the facilities were that of a state school. The coach was honest and caring, and I liked the girls that I met on my visit. The school was exactly what I was looking for academically, known for their challenging teacher education program and opportunities academically are what sold me on the school. That summer I had the opportunity to do it all over again, the entire recruiting process. This time around there were a few less restrictions, as a transfer I could talk to coaches whenever I wanted through email, text, or on the phone which was really nice. I started to define who I was as a player, really what my philosophy was (and is still pretty close to today as a coach), and what I knew I had to have in a program. Shippensburg offered a lot of the things I was looking for in a program -athletically, socially, and academically. So off I went the following September. It was a great fit, I loved the school, I had time to be involved in my major, it’s where I started giving pitching lessons seriously, it was great. It was a perfect fit to the point where as a senior when my shoulder finally gave up on the whole softball thing, I was still extremely happy with my college experience after I couldn’t play anymore.
We take so much time picking a college and a softball program. The pressure to commit early is increasing by the year. I committed right after my sophomore season 8 years ago, and at the time it was considered early. Now, it’s completely normal to already have committed during freshman year. We all pick a school and are beyond excited to go on your official visit, meet your roommates, figure out everything you can before you get there. So, what happens when life takes a 180 when you get there? What happens when you start to feel like it might not be the place for you?
This isn’t really something I’ve ever talked openly about. I guess I’ve always been I little bit embarrassed of the decisions I made and why I made them. I think it’s important to share, even if it only resonates with one player or parent. Let’s start at the beginning. I was a sophomore getting recruited by a few different schools, some DI and some DII, there were scholarship offers involved and it seemed like all was going well to my 15-year-old brain…and then suddenly it wasn’t. I visited and fell in love with the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, Massachusetts. They were DI, high academic, and competitive as a program and a school. The school itself was amazing, I fell in love the second I walked on campus. Small catch…at the time the Patriot League was not allowed to offer athletic scholarship, they could only offer merit and need based aid (so scholarship based on grades and family finances). Did I mention that Holy Cross cost $50,000 a year to attend? And that I wanted to be a teacher? I know what you’re thinking…those two things don’t exactly add up. So after a lot of tears and a lot of arguing with my parents that I would figure out how to pay almost $200,000 in college debt off, we moved on to look at other schools.
The recruiting process continued, I visited a few other schools. I was offered two “full rides.” In this case, they were both about 2/3 athletic scholarship and 1/3 academic scholarship…full athletic scholarships are a very rare thing as most programs do not have the funding to offer them. Caldwell College (NJ) and Long Island University-Post (NY), both good schools and both good programs. So why look anymore? I had two options to go to college for free. Most of you know that I picked Post and went on to start my career there. I stopped looking because I saw dollar signs. I picked a school that I liked, but didn’t love. That had a great softball program and that was successful, but wasn’t the style of program I was used to. It was also in an area that was nothing like where I grew up and I wasn’t overly comfortable with. I went on my official visit during their Homecoming Weekend and was beyond overwhelmed and started to second guess my decision. But it was free and they were a winning program, so September rolled around and off I went.
My freshman year was rough, to put it nicely. My classes were easy and I was bored a lot of the time. I wasn’t finding a lot in common with my teammates, which wasn’t anyone’s fault, we were just from different worlds. I was the kid who worked crazy hours all summer to be able to have money during the year while they had their parents’ credit card and could do and buy whatever they wanted. I didn’t have much time outside of softball to make other friends or participate in other activities. I wasn’t finding the joy in softball like I did before I got to college, it was feeling more and more like a job. I wasn’t eating, I actually lost 20 pounds my freshman year going from 135 to 115 at 5’7”. I genuinely think I was depressed, which is a hard thing to come to terms with. We did well that year, earning an at large bid to the NCAA regionals and losing in the championship game. I led the conference in saves and loved being a closer. I went home for the summer and started to think about what I wanted to do the next year.
Once I was home it was easy to start rationalizing why I was unhappy my freshman year. It’s freshman year…it’s hard for everyone…maybe it was just because it was a new place…I know everyone now, so sophomore year should be better. So off I went again in September, back to Long Island. It was a little better, I found clubs I could join that didn’t require a lot of time commitment, met new friends through them that weren’t athletes, I took more classes and tried to challenge myself by adding a minor. I had worked to gain weight over the summer and was keeping it on even when I was stressed. I was still pitching well and closing games, leading the national in saves at multiple points throughout the season. We had a great year, with the opportunity to play at the World Series. Our post-season continued almost a month after finals. So I was on campus with just our team and a few others, with just softball to think about. No classes, no other friends, nothing to keep busy but practices. I starting to think more and more about transferring as the post-season came closer and closer to the World Series. I wish I could say there was one thing that made up my mind, but it was really just a lot of little things that built up into a feeling of not belonging. We went to the World Series, lost two games and came home. We drove 8 hours home from Virginia, I talked to my coach as soon as we got off the bus, he agreed to give me release papers to transfer with the stipulation that I could not play for another East Coast Conference school. I packed up my car, and drove until 1AM that night to get home, never really looking back or regretting my decision.
So then what? I had just signed away two more years of free tuition at Post, with no idea where I was headed or what to do. I got home, and my parents weren’t happy at first…I mean who would be with all of the variables up in the air. Eventually they warmed up to the idea of transferring, since going back to Post wasn’t really an option anymore I guess they kind of had to. I reached out to my sister’s travel ball coach for some advice, and he started to help me find schools that were looking for a transfer pitcher. Starting the whole process over again researching schools, talking to coaches, planning visits...I felt like a failure. At 20 I was supposed to be getting excited to be an upperclassman and want to fast forward through summer, not be looking for a new home. Shippensburg University was the first school I visited, and ended up being the last as well. There was no full scholarship, there was little hope of a deep run into post season, and the facilities were that of a state school. The coach was honest and caring, and I liked the girls that I met on my visit. The school was exactly what I was looking for academically, known for their challenging teacher education program and opportunities academically are what sold me on the school. That summer I had the opportunity to do it all over again, the entire recruiting process. This time around there were a few less restrictions, as a transfer I could talk to coaches whenever I wanted through email, text, or on the phone which was really nice. I started to define who I was as a player, really what my philosophy was (and is still pretty close to today as a coach), and what I knew I had to have in a program. Shippensburg offered a lot of the things I was looking for in a program -athletically, socially, and academically. So off I went the following September. It was a great fit, I loved the school, I had time to be involved in my major, it’s where I started giving pitching lessons seriously, it was great. It was a perfect fit to the point where as a senior when my shoulder finally gave up on the whole softball thing, I was still extremely happy with my college experience after I couldn’t play anymore.
Take softball out of the equation. Pretend you don’t work your butt off and love it and all those things that make you a great softball player. If you applied to X school just to go to school there, would you still love it? If you get hurt and can’t play anymore will you still love where you’re at? You go pro in whatever your major is, there are very few of us that will go pro in softball. If you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life, whether you’re 19 on a softball field or 36 going to work every day in the real world.
- Published on
Here I sit at home on my couch just a few weeks after our last games of the year. Each exit meeting has been completed, equipment inventory has been taken, and the girls are (or should be) tucked away in a corner of the library studying for their exams. It’s the first day in the last few months that I’ve really had time to sit down and think about my first season at the college level. During one of our exit meetings my boss said to one of the freshmen that she learned through “trial by fire” this year, and it hit me that that’s pretty much how my year went as well. I was given an amazing opportunity to take what I know (and what I thought I knew) and implement it at the college level. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn’t. Will I do a lot of the same things next year? Absolutely. Will I change my approach when situations come up sometimes? Absolutely. It's been a roller coaster of year, but I can now say I've defined more of what my philosophy is, and who I am as a coach.
1. I can’t do it for them, BUT I can provide the necessary tools, mentality, and support that they need to succeed. The rest is up to them.
2. Culture matters. Girls and drama go hand in hand, so when drama hits (When, not if! Lol) does it blow up into a huge problem, or is it dealt with in a mature way? The culture you create and the tools you give players to support them when they face struggles during their college experience make all the difference.
3. High Expectations are a good thing. You can quickly gauge who truly wants to get better and push themselves and who is on the fence with their commitment.
4. There are still opportunities every single day to teach life lessons and help athletes prepare for life after graduation. Whether student-athletes are 12 or 20 they still face many of the same challenges as they grow up.
5. DIII is completely unique. The girls I work with are not just student-athletes. They are in sororities, honor societies, complete internships, work for admissions, the list goes on and on. Their time playing softball is just a part of what they define themselves by. They are asked to prioritize athletics while being treated by the college as a non-athlete. There is no preferential scheduling of classes, professors are less understanding about missed classes, and the amount of time we have contact with our athletes is never enough for the amount of work I want to get done. In the end, with the limited time we have, the girls put forth effort truly for the love of the game.
6. It’s okay to still want the ball. It took a few weeks into the season for me to come to terms with the fact that the only time I would step in the circle during a game was to talk, rather than pick up the ball and step on the rubber. The feeling of wanting to be the one pitching has slowly started to fade, but in the big situation, tie game, runners on it all rushes back. I think the fact that this feeling creeps back in makes me a better coach. In big situations I get more excited and go to a different level, which in turn pulls the pitchers onto the same level.
7. I need to trust my instincts more. In close games, I think less and react more. In games where we are ahead or behind by a few runs I think about my actions and situations more than I should. In close games there isn’t time, I’m too busy thinking plays ahead. Much like I expect the girls to play the same way no matter who is on the fence in the opposing dugout, I need to make the adjustment to coaching the same way no matter what as well.
1. I can’t do it for them, BUT I can provide the necessary tools, mentality, and support that they need to succeed. The rest is up to them.
2. Culture matters. Girls and drama go hand in hand, so when drama hits (When, not if! Lol) does it blow up into a huge problem, or is it dealt with in a mature way? The culture you create and the tools you give players to support them when they face struggles during their college experience make all the difference.
3. High Expectations are a good thing. You can quickly gauge who truly wants to get better and push themselves and who is on the fence with their commitment.
4. There are still opportunities every single day to teach life lessons and help athletes prepare for life after graduation. Whether student-athletes are 12 or 20 they still face many of the same challenges as they grow up.
5. DIII is completely unique. The girls I work with are not just student-athletes. They are in sororities, honor societies, complete internships, work for admissions, the list goes on and on. Their time playing softball is just a part of what they define themselves by. They are asked to prioritize athletics while being treated by the college as a non-athlete. There is no preferential scheduling of classes, professors are less understanding about missed classes, and the amount of time we have contact with our athletes is never enough for the amount of work I want to get done. In the end, with the limited time we have, the girls put forth effort truly for the love of the game.
6. It’s okay to still want the ball. It took a few weeks into the season for me to come to terms with the fact that the only time I would step in the circle during a game was to talk, rather than pick up the ball and step on the rubber. The feeling of wanting to be the one pitching has slowly started to fade, but in the big situation, tie game, runners on it all rushes back. I think the fact that this feeling creeps back in makes me a better coach. In big situations I get more excited and go to a different level, which in turn pulls the pitchers onto the same level.
7. I need to trust my instincts more. In close games, I think less and react more. In games where we are ahead or behind by a few runs I think about my actions and situations more than I should. In close games there isn’t time, I’m too busy thinking plays ahead. Much like I expect the girls to play the same way no matter who is on the fence in the opposing dugout, I need to make the adjustment to coaching the same way no matter what as well.
- Published on
I used to think that I could teach mental toughness. About a year ago I even put it in my cover letter for my current job and actually, I said exactly this: “Mechanics and pitching both play a large role in success, but creating and encouraging a mentally tough staff is what wins the 1-0 game in the 10th inning.” What does creating and encouraging a mentally tough staff actually look like though? It’s easy to talk about it and players always shake their head yes like they understand, which is great…until a situation comes up and they are mentally weak yet again.
I’m slowly starting to learn how to be the bad cop. As an assistant, I often get to play the good cop. I don’t make final decisions about the line up, I don’t give speeches at the end of games where we didn’t play to the level we should have, and sometimes I even play the cheerleader to help players move on from a bad at bat or play. But lately, I’ve needed to play the bad cop in different situations which is new and uncharted territory for me.
I’m starting to learn that the mental toughness of the pitching staff is partially in my control. To be mentally tough, they need to face adversity and struggle before they see it in a game situation. If they are not mentally tough it is my fault, I have failed to prepare them to the best of my ability. Lately, I’ve been taking a good look at how hard I push them. In the bullpen I have started taking more of a bad cop role, which in turn has started to enhance the relationship with pitchers and catchers. Our catchers have started to take on the good cop role, which then creates even more of a staff dynamic (even if sometimes it is me vs. them!).
A few weeks ago we had a rough weekend, I mean REALLY rough, there was just a complete lack of focus - which was inexcusable. We met as a staff at 6:45AM Monday morning. Just the four of us…the three pitchers warmed up to each other and then we got started with our bullpen. I set a tee up with a ball on it…they had to knock the ball off the tee three times in a row before we could move on. The catch being that each pitcher had to knock it off once. Without each of them doing their part to complete the task, the exercise would last forever. Once we got over the fact that I got them out of bed at 6:45AM on their “day off” to knock a ball off a tee and started to focus, it went much more smoothly. We then proceeded to have a great week of bullpens, and in turn a great performance the following weekend in the circle. Needless to say, it was a bad cop week…but the message was received loud and clear.
I’m starting to implement drills and exercises in bullpen that foster a more mentally tough approach, but it really goes beyond that. One of our pitchers has been sick with the flu this week, she took one day off but came out and threw her bullpen the rest of the week. If you can push yourself to perform at your weakest, just think of how much stronger you can be when you’re rolling at 100%. I am getting better at calling them out on their excuses, which range from the dirt in front of the mound was too hard to we made a lot of errors. Mental toughness is a culture, and it starts at the top and works its way down.
There are a lot of things in softball that have an “age limit.” The first one that comes to mind is when pitchers learn spin pitches too soon and it messes with their mechanics. Creating a mentally tough pitcher has no age limit - it’s never too early to start. Sometimes even 12U pitchers need a bad cop once in a while. Looking back, that’s when it started for me…even though I had no idea at the time. I find myself now using a lot of the same drills and ideas with all of my pitchers, from 12U through 22. Here are a few of my favorite ways to “teach” a pitcher to be mentally tough. I by no means know the secret, or came up with any of these on my own…but I’ve had success with them as a pitcher and a pitching coach.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. When a pitcher is struggling in a game, don’t always “save them” right away. If you don’t allow them to learn how to work through their struggles and learn to make in game adjustments, they will start to bank on the fact that you as a coach will always swoop in and save the day. Sometimes when the going gets tough, they need to get tougher.
2. The bucket of water drill. I introduced it to my college pitchers at the beginning of this season and they all thought I was nuts. Take a bucket full of water, and dunk a softball in it. Hand it to your pitcher and she throws the ball as is, no towel, no wiping it on her pants, just throw it as is. She will quickly learn that if she holds the ball loosely still and uses the seams she can still throw strikes and make the ball spin. Obviously, she will never throw a ball that is dripping wet in a game, but just knowing that she can do it makes it much less stressful to throw in the rain.
3. Hit three in a row. There were many bullpens throughout my childhood that lasted much longer than they should have with this drill, it’s another one that I now use at the college level as well. It’s quite simple…warm a pitch up and throw the pitch until you throw three perfect ones in a row. It’s amazing how many times pitchers will hit two and lose it on the third one just to start over again. If there isn’t 100% focus and precision, the drill lasts forever. Give it time, your pitcher will get better with practice just like anything else.
4. Create competitive drills, like the one I mentioned above with hitting the ball off the tee. Create situations where there is pressure, it helps to prepare pitchers for the pressure of a 3-2 count, of runners on 2nd and 3rd, or of a tie game in the 9th inning.
5. Do you scrimmage among yourselves with a coach acting as the umpire? Challenge your pitchers. Make the strike zone a shoe box, every time they make a face or show negative body language when they don’t get a call they want give the batter another ball. Call them out on their illegal pitches.
6. Teach them how to come out of a game. A good friend and colleague taught me this one, and I think it’s great to use at any level. Generally, when a pitcher is taken out in the middle of the game it is because they are struggling and giving up runs. How does that pitcher treat the pitcher that is coming into the game? How do they act on the bench? How do they act in between innings? By practicing how to come out of a game before it happens there is an expectation set for how they should act.
7. Use tools that give pitchers instant feedback. One of my favorites is the stripe on the ball to show a pitcher how the ball is spinning. Another is using a string across the strike zone where a rise should start under or drop start over to show a pitcher where the pitch is actually breaking. (Feel free to contact me for more of an explanation…its easier to show in a video!)
8. STAY OUTSIDE FOR PRACTICE. It’s cold? It’s raining? It’s 98 degrees? The field is muddy? STAY OUTSIDE. By practicing in conditions that are more difficult than you would see in a game situation it prepares all players (not just pitchers!) for rough playing conditions. I even suggest going out in conditions maybe you wouldn’t even play in, if it’s worse in practice then it makes the game time situations that much easier!
I’m slowly starting to learn how to be the bad cop. As an assistant, I often get to play the good cop. I don’t make final decisions about the line up, I don’t give speeches at the end of games where we didn’t play to the level we should have, and sometimes I even play the cheerleader to help players move on from a bad at bat or play. But lately, I’ve needed to play the bad cop in different situations which is new and uncharted territory for me.
I’m starting to learn that the mental toughness of the pitching staff is partially in my control. To be mentally tough, they need to face adversity and struggle before they see it in a game situation. If they are not mentally tough it is my fault, I have failed to prepare them to the best of my ability. Lately, I’ve been taking a good look at how hard I push them. In the bullpen I have started taking more of a bad cop role, which in turn has started to enhance the relationship with pitchers and catchers. Our catchers have started to take on the good cop role, which then creates even more of a staff dynamic (even if sometimes it is me vs. them!).
A few weeks ago we had a rough weekend, I mean REALLY rough, there was just a complete lack of focus - which was inexcusable. We met as a staff at 6:45AM Monday morning. Just the four of us…the three pitchers warmed up to each other and then we got started with our bullpen. I set a tee up with a ball on it…they had to knock the ball off the tee three times in a row before we could move on. The catch being that each pitcher had to knock it off once. Without each of them doing their part to complete the task, the exercise would last forever. Once we got over the fact that I got them out of bed at 6:45AM on their “day off” to knock a ball off a tee and started to focus, it went much more smoothly. We then proceeded to have a great week of bullpens, and in turn a great performance the following weekend in the circle. Needless to say, it was a bad cop week…but the message was received loud and clear.
I’m starting to implement drills and exercises in bullpen that foster a more mentally tough approach, but it really goes beyond that. One of our pitchers has been sick with the flu this week, she took one day off but came out and threw her bullpen the rest of the week. If you can push yourself to perform at your weakest, just think of how much stronger you can be when you’re rolling at 100%. I am getting better at calling them out on their excuses, which range from the dirt in front of the mound was too hard to we made a lot of errors. Mental toughness is a culture, and it starts at the top and works its way down.
There are a lot of things in softball that have an “age limit.” The first one that comes to mind is when pitchers learn spin pitches too soon and it messes with their mechanics. Creating a mentally tough pitcher has no age limit - it’s never too early to start. Sometimes even 12U pitchers need a bad cop once in a while. Looking back, that’s when it started for me…even though I had no idea at the time. I find myself now using a lot of the same drills and ideas with all of my pitchers, from 12U through 22. Here are a few of my favorite ways to “teach” a pitcher to be mentally tough. I by no means know the secret, or came up with any of these on my own…but I’ve had success with them as a pitcher and a pitching coach.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. When a pitcher is struggling in a game, don’t always “save them” right away. If you don’t allow them to learn how to work through their struggles and learn to make in game adjustments, they will start to bank on the fact that you as a coach will always swoop in and save the day. Sometimes when the going gets tough, they need to get tougher.
2. The bucket of water drill. I introduced it to my college pitchers at the beginning of this season and they all thought I was nuts. Take a bucket full of water, and dunk a softball in it. Hand it to your pitcher and she throws the ball as is, no towel, no wiping it on her pants, just throw it as is. She will quickly learn that if she holds the ball loosely still and uses the seams she can still throw strikes and make the ball spin. Obviously, she will never throw a ball that is dripping wet in a game, but just knowing that she can do it makes it much less stressful to throw in the rain.
3. Hit three in a row. There were many bullpens throughout my childhood that lasted much longer than they should have with this drill, it’s another one that I now use at the college level as well. It’s quite simple…warm a pitch up and throw the pitch until you throw three perfect ones in a row. It’s amazing how many times pitchers will hit two and lose it on the third one just to start over again. If there isn’t 100% focus and precision, the drill lasts forever. Give it time, your pitcher will get better with practice just like anything else.
4. Create competitive drills, like the one I mentioned above with hitting the ball off the tee. Create situations where there is pressure, it helps to prepare pitchers for the pressure of a 3-2 count, of runners on 2nd and 3rd, or of a tie game in the 9th inning.
5. Do you scrimmage among yourselves with a coach acting as the umpire? Challenge your pitchers. Make the strike zone a shoe box, every time they make a face or show negative body language when they don’t get a call they want give the batter another ball. Call them out on their illegal pitches.
6. Teach them how to come out of a game. A good friend and colleague taught me this one, and I think it’s great to use at any level. Generally, when a pitcher is taken out in the middle of the game it is because they are struggling and giving up runs. How does that pitcher treat the pitcher that is coming into the game? How do they act on the bench? How do they act in between innings? By practicing how to come out of a game before it happens there is an expectation set for how they should act.
7. Use tools that give pitchers instant feedback. One of my favorites is the stripe on the ball to show a pitcher how the ball is spinning. Another is using a string across the strike zone where a rise should start under or drop start over to show a pitcher where the pitch is actually breaking. (Feel free to contact me for more of an explanation…its easier to show in a video!)
8. STAY OUTSIDE FOR PRACTICE. It’s cold? It’s raining? It’s 98 degrees? The field is muddy? STAY OUTSIDE. By practicing in conditions that are more difficult than you would see in a game situation it prepares all players (not just pitchers!) for rough playing conditions. I even suggest going out in conditions maybe you wouldn’t even play in, if it’s worse in practice then it makes the game time situations that much easier!
- Published on
I’ve heard this from SO many young pitchers over the years that I’ve been giving lessons. One of the first questions I ask pitchers in their first lesson is what positions they play. Of course I care what other positions they play, but the ulterior motive in the question is too see how they view themselves as a pitcher. Often I get answers like “I play short stop, third base, and I only pitch at practice” or “I don’t actually pitch in games so I’m an outfielder.” Very few young pitchers will say “I’m a pitcher, and when I don’t pitch I play _____ position.” It then gives me an idea of where the pitcher’s self-image is at, and how much I need to focus on that throughout my time with them.
I use the phrase “It’s supposed to be hard, if it were easy everyone would pitch” when I see a pitcher struggling with a new drill or is just getting frustrated in general. I also often ask “How many people do you know that play softball?” The answers vary, usually with young pitchers I get around 30, and when I ask how many of those softball players pitch the answer is around 5. It really helps to put pitching into perspective for young athletes. For older athletes, I talk to them about how many of their teammates pitched when they were younger and decided on other positions as they grew up. It’s teaching the same concept, that no one said it would be easy, and that pitching isn’t for everyone.
I feel like sometimes pitchers (and parents) expect instant results. You cannot throw strikes overnight. You cannot gain 10 mph overnight. You cannot become a top-level pitcher overnight. Pitching is a process. It takes months, and even years of commitment and hard work.
At 11 years old I wanted to quit. I had just moved from 10U to 12U travel ball, and at the time that was when you moved from 35 to 40 feet, and from an 11” ball to the 12”. (How things have changed! I now have 12 year olds pitching at 43 for their middle school season.) I literally couldn’t throw a strike. There were many nights in my backyard that ended in arguments with my parents with lots of tears. We were at a breaking point, and I say we because it really was all three of us feeling the same frustration. My first pitching coaches at 7 years old had told my parents that I wasn’t good enough, and they should just have me play first base instead. I was finally feeling like they were right, maybe I really wasn’t cut out for this. My parents did something extreme. (They’re a little softball nuts…) They hired a top tier pitching coach out of California to give me video lessons, and then when that wasn’t enough we flew to California for a week. I practiced 6 hours a day for a week straight. By the last day I was in tears at practice because I was so frustrated. But…it worked. I learned more about softball and pitching in that week than I had in years of practice. She sent me home with so many new drills I thought my head would explode. I also walked away from that week knowing that if I could make it through what she put me through in a week, I could do anything. Yes, the week in California was great for me as a pitcher, but it was even more important for my self-image as a pitcher. It was a turning point in my career.
Every pitcher has moments where they wonder if pitching is really for them and if it’s all worth it, whether they pitch every inning of every game, or are still working towards earning some innings. It’s completely normal, and it’s probably not something that will go away as you get older. Adults go through the same thing when they graduate, start a new job, start a family, really anything new and difficult throughout life. Learning how to overcome adversity as an athlete not only makes you better on the field, but makes you more prepared for events that will happen as you get older.
If you put in the time, the effort, and have the right attitude then you are pitcher, no matter how many innings you pitch. You have to start somewhere, everyone does! Celebrate the progress, no matter how small. Adding 1 mph, getting a spin correct 5 pitches in a row, completing a wall drill correctly for the first time…the mile stones are endless. Paying attention to and celebrating the small things lead to success. It’s a process, no matter how old or how good you get, there is always something to get better at!
I use the phrase “It’s supposed to be hard, if it were easy everyone would pitch” when I see a pitcher struggling with a new drill or is just getting frustrated in general. I also often ask “How many people do you know that play softball?” The answers vary, usually with young pitchers I get around 30, and when I ask how many of those softball players pitch the answer is around 5. It really helps to put pitching into perspective for young athletes. For older athletes, I talk to them about how many of their teammates pitched when they were younger and decided on other positions as they grew up. It’s teaching the same concept, that no one said it would be easy, and that pitching isn’t for everyone.
I feel like sometimes pitchers (and parents) expect instant results. You cannot throw strikes overnight. You cannot gain 10 mph overnight. You cannot become a top-level pitcher overnight. Pitching is a process. It takes months, and even years of commitment and hard work.
At 11 years old I wanted to quit. I had just moved from 10U to 12U travel ball, and at the time that was when you moved from 35 to 40 feet, and from an 11” ball to the 12”. (How things have changed! I now have 12 year olds pitching at 43 for their middle school season.) I literally couldn’t throw a strike. There were many nights in my backyard that ended in arguments with my parents with lots of tears. We were at a breaking point, and I say we because it really was all three of us feeling the same frustration. My first pitching coaches at 7 years old had told my parents that I wasn’t good enough, and they should just have me play first base instead. I was finally feeling like they were right, maybe I really wasn’t cut out for this. My parents did something extreme. (They’re a little softball nuts…) They hired a top tier pitching coach out of California to give me video lessons, and then when that wasn’t enough we flew to California for a week. I practiced 6 hours a day for a week straight. By the last day I was in tears at practice because I was so frustrated. But…it worked. I learned more about softball and pitching in that week than I had in years of practice. She sent me home with so many new drills I thought my head would explode. I also walked away from that week knowing that if I could make it through what she put me through in a week, I could do anything. Yes, the week in California was great for me as a pitcher, but it was even more important for my self-image as a pitcher. It was a turning point in my career.
Every pitcher has moments where they wonder if pitching is really for them and if it’s all worth it, whether they pitch every inning of every game, or are still working towards earning some innings. It’s completely normal, and it’s probably not something that will go away as you get older. Adults go through the same thing when they graduate, start a new job, start a family, really anything new and difficult throughout life. Learning how to overcome adversity as an athlete not only makes you better on the field, but makes you more prepared for events that will happen as you get older.
If you put in the time, the effort, and have the right attitude then you are pitcher, no matter how many innings you pitch. You have to start somewhere, everyone does! Celebrate the progress, no matter how small. Adding 1 mph, getting a spin correct 5 pitches in a row, completing a wall drill correctly for the first time…the mile stones are endless. Paying attention to and celebrating the small things lead to success. It’s a process, no matter how old or how good you get, there is always something to get better at!
- Published on
Haley Fagan is a starting senior shortstop for the Auburn Tigers, a team that just beat Florida for the first time since 2006 on Monday night. Fagan’s senior year so far is one that most players dream about. Hitting .377 with a .672 slugging percentage, and starting every game so far at shortstop with only 7 errors on the season. Yet, right now….no one cares about any of that. No one cares about how well she is playing or the leadership she has shown this year. All anyone cares about is a 2-minute video clip that aired on national television and is now all over social media. A video clip that will follow her long after her career ends.
Many people on social media are saying “to be fair, there is history here,” referring to how Tim Walton kicked both of her older sisters off his team a few years ago. Rumors flew about why, and no one will truly ever know. Let me be clear, this is an excuse. There is absolutely no reason to act like this after a game. By not shaking a coach’s hand you not only disrespect the game, your team, your own coaches, but are showing that you do not deserve to wear that uniform. Let alone the fact that it quickly escalated. Is Tim Walton also at fault here? Of course, but the actions of Fagan started the entire altercation.
I’m sure things like this happen all the time, on fields all across the nation. The difference? Haley Fagan and Tim Walton were being broadcasted on the SEC Network and it was on national television. If someone videotaped you for an entire day at the field, what would they say about you? Could you confidently say that you represented yourself, your family, or your team in a positive light? What would they say about your attitude, your character, or the effort and passion that you put into what you do? One moment does not define who you are, but many small moments combined do. The more positive moments there are, the more positive the experience.
I’m sure things like this happen all the time, on fields all across the nation. The difference? Haley Fagan and Tim Walton were being broadcasted on the SEC Network and it was on national television. If someone videotaped you for an entire day at the field, what would they say about you? Could you confidently say that you represented yourself, your family, or your team in a positive light? What would they say about your attitude, your character, or the effort and passion that you put into what you do? One moment does not define who you are, but many small moments combined do. The more positive moments there are, the more positive the experience.
- Published on
I just got home from my first big road trip as a college coach, and I am 100% exhausted. As I sit at my desk this morning it dawned on me how much better care of myself I took on road trips when I was pitching versus when I am coaching. Taking care of myself was something that was instilled in me by my parents from the very first travel ball tournament I attended at 9 years old. Pitchers don’t just take care of themselves right off the bat. “Taking care of yourself” is a broad term and means something different to each individual person. What worked for me, may not work for you.
With becoming a great pitcher, comes great responsibility. You cannot have one without the other. If a third baseman or right fielder comes to the game unprepared and does not play well, the team still has a decent chance of winning said game. If a pitcher comes to the game unprepared, it impacts the game in a much bigger way (no offense meant to the third baseman or right fielder!). By choosing to pitch, you CHOOSE to take on more responsibility.
What do you need to be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared each time you step on the field? It’s different for everyone and I didn’t figure out what I needed on my own. Growing up my parents played a huge role in helping me learn to prepare myself for each day I would step in the circle. My travel ball weekend preparation was slightly different than what I did in college as we played more weekday games, but most of it stayed relatively the same. My preparation always started on Thursday. Yes, Thursday - not Friday night or Saturday morning before the game.
Thursday:
- Working out in the morning, usually cardio and light weights.
- Start drinking crazy amounts of water. Literally CRAZY amounts. By game time I was beyond sick of water. (It helps if you use the little flavor packs as well instead of just boring water!) - Throwing a normal bullpen at practice that evening - working mechanics and throwing a little bit of each pitch, finishing the bullpen throwing 2 innings of batters.
Friday:
- Workout in the morning, something super light - usually just running.
- Making sure that I ate breakfast, and continue to drink water all day.
- Lay out each uniform to double check that I had everything I needed as I packed it. Little odds and ends like a rosin bag, gorilla grip, new skin/super glue, band aids, and tape all made their way into a bag. When it was hot I used rosin, if it was cold gorilla grip. New skin/super glue for blisters and calluses on my fingers. Band aids and tape for the blisters and calluses on my feet. As a pitcher, any “distraction” that you can eliminate is beneficial and allows you to 100% focus on each pitch, rather than the blister that hurts or if your hands are sweaty.
- Generally, we were driving to tournaments on Friday so each time we stopped I would try to get out of the car and walk around a bit since I get stiff when I stay in the car too long.
- As far as dinner we did the best we could to find something healthy and filling, but of course we ended up at fast food joint on the road sometimes.
- Friday night I was in bed by 10…. super lame, I know…but I also know that I can’t function pitching 2-4 games a day when I’m tired.
Saturday:
- Getting up in time to eat a good breakfast. Ask anyone who spends time with me…it’s not pretty when I get hangry! I always had snacks in my bag too.
- Stretching really well before pitching and in between innings.
- At the end of the day I always put ice on my shoulder (as I got older it became shoulder, elbow, and wrist too.)
- Again in bed by 10pm at the latest.
Sunday:
- Sundays look a lot like Saturdays. The only real difference between Saturdays and Sundays was a modified warm up in between games. With the amount of games we generally played on Sundays the less “wasted pitches” the better.
- To finish the day off there was always more ice.
My routine took a few years to get down to an exact science with a lot of help from parents, coaches, and even my catchers. Finding what works for you as an individual not only helps you perform better, but is also your responsibility to figure it out. When parents help players at a young age find a routine it’s great, but as you get older you need to focus on what you need to be successful. At the end of the day, when you choose to pitch you choose to take on more responsibility. Being mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to step on the field each time is a HUGE part of your success in the circle.
With becoming a great pitcher, comes great responsibility. You cannot have one without the other. If a third baseman or right fielder comes to the game unprepared and does not play well, the team still has a decent chance of winning said game. If a pitcher comes to the game unprepared, it impacts the game in a much bigger way (no offense meant to the third baseman or right fielder!). By choosing to pitch, you CHOOSE to take on more responsibility.
What do you need to be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared each time you step on the field? It’s different for everyone and I didn’t figure out what I needed on my own. Growing up my parents played a huge role in helping me learn to prepare myself for each day I would step in the circle. My travel ball weekend preparation was slightly different than what I did in college as we played more weekday games, but most of it stayed relatively the same. My preparation always started on Thursday. Yes, Thursday - not Friday night or Saturday morning before the game.
Thursday:
- Working out in the morning, usually cardio and light weights.
- Start drinking crazy amounts of water. Literally CRAZY amounts. By game time I was beyond sick of water. (It helps if you use the little flavor packs as well instead of just boring water!) - Throwing a normal bullpen at practice that evening - working mechanics and throwing a little bit of each pitch, finishing the bullpen throwing 2 innings of batters.
Friday:
- Workout in the morning, something super light - usually just running.
- Making sure that I ate breakfast, and continue to drink water all day.
- Lay out each uniform to double check that I had everything I needed as I packed it. Little odds and ends like a rosin bag, gorilla grip, new skin/super glue, band aids, and tape all made their way into a bag. When it was hot I used rosin, if it was cold gorilla grip. New skin/super glue for blisters and calluses on my fingers. Band aids and tape for the blisters and calluses on my feet. As a pitcher, any “distraction” that you can eliminate is beneficial and allows you to 100% focus on each pitch, rather than the blister that hurts or if your hands are sweaty.
- Generally, we were driving to tournaments on Friday so each time we stopped I would try to get out of the car and walk around a bit since I get stiff when I stay in the car too long.
- As far as dinner we did the best we could to find something healthy and filling, but of course we ended up at fast food joint on the road sometimes.
- Friday night I was in bed by 10…. super lame, I know…but I also know that I can’t function pitching 2-4 games a day when I’m tired.
Saturday:
- Getting up in time to eat a good breakfast. Ask anyone who spends time with me…it’s not pretty when I get hangry! I always had snacks in my bag too.
- Stretching really well before pitching and in between innings.
- At the end of the day I always put ice on my shoulder (as I got older it became shoulder, elbow, and wrist too.)
- Again in bed by 10pm at the latest.
Sunday:
- Sundays look a lot like Saturdays. The only real difference between Saturdays and Sundays was a modified warm up in between games. With the amount of games we generally played on Sundays the less “wasted pitches” the better.
- To finish the day off there was always more ice.
My routine took a few years to get down to an exact science with a lot of help from parents, coaches, and even my catchers. Finding what works for you as an individual not only helps you perform better, but is also your responsibility to figure it out. When parents help players at a young age find a routine it’s great, but as you get older you need to focus on what you need to be successful. At the end of the day, when you choose to pitch you choose to take on more responsibility. Being mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to step on the field each time is a HUGE part of your success in the circle.
- Published on
Today we should have won, but we didn’t. It may have come down to one play, or maybe we just had a really bad game or day overall, but we should have won - we were the better team. On paper, everything said we would win…we were stronger, faster, more athletic, just better softball players than they were. We should have won.
This feeling is one of the worst, knowing that you should have won and walking home empty handed instead. BUT I can almost guarantee that there are days that you and your team have walked away with a win against a stronger, faster, more athletic, and just overall better team than yours. This is the beauty of softball - it is anyone’s game on any given day. It is nothing like football or lacrosse where players go up one on one to try to out run, out tackle, or out score each other. Softball is not only about how well you gel as a team, but also how well you execute. Sometimes, a missed steal sign or a wild pitch can decide a game. Those who execute at the right time win, it’s that simple. Average teams beat great teams when the great teams fail to execute and do the little things. Throughout your career you will be on both sides of this scenario, walking away from some games wondering how in the world you just lost and others wondering who had the four leaf clover in their cleat. Success is seen as earning a hit 3 out of 10 at bats. In a game where you can fail 7 times out of 10 and are still considered successful you are guaranteed to have bad days. Sometimes you’ll hit the most perfect line drive right at the center fielder, and then next at bat you’ll hit a ridiculous pop fly that ends up in no man’s land behind first base for a single. Sometimes it really is about timing and luck.
It was 2007. We were in North Carolina playing for an NSA National Title with 128 teams. With 8 teams left we were knocked into the loser’s bracket and fought back to the championship game, needing to win two games to win against an undefeated Alabama team. Going into the 7th inning of game one we were behind 1-0. A slap up the middle, a bunt, and a perfectly placed single tied the game. We then went into extra innings to win the first game, ultimately winning the tournament in game two. In the span of one half inning the entire course of the game had changed due to a perfectly timed execution. It was to no fault of the other team, they made the out to get the player who had bunted, and they fielded both the slap and the single in the outfield cleanly. We executed, and on that day things went our way.
It was 2010. We were in Maryland playing for an ASA National Title with 85 teams. In the 5th inning we were tied with a team from South Carolina. I gave up a single to left field with runners on first and second, our left fielder decided to dive for the ball instead of getting in front of it and the ball ended up rolling to the fence. We ended up losing the game by one run. That play decided our fate and sent us home in 5th place that year.
In softball, it is anyone’s game on any given day. Some days we walk away winning when we probably shouldn’t have, and others we walk away losing when we did everything right. Yet day after day we still find ourselves out on the field working towards perfection.
This feeling is one of the worst, knowing that you should have won and walking home empty handed instead. BUT I can almost guarantee that there are days that you and your team have walked away with a win against a stronger, faster, more athletic, and just overall better team than yours. This is the beauty of softball - it is anyone’s game on any given day. It is nothing like football or lacrosse where players go up one on one to try to out run, out tackle, or out score each other. Softball is not only about how well you gel as a team, but also how well you execute. Sometimes, a missed steal sign or a wild pitch can decide a game. Those who execute at the right time win, it’s that simple. Average teams beat great teams when the great teams fail to execute and do the little things. Throughout your career you will be on both sides of this scenario, walking away from some games wondering how in the world you just lost and others wondering who had the four leaf clover in their cleat. Success is seen as earning a hit 3 out of 10 at bats. In a game where you can fail 7 times out of 10 and are still considered successful you are guaranteed to have bad days. Sometimes you’ll hit the most perfect line drive right at the center fielder, and then next at bat you’ll hit a ridiculous pop fly that ends up in no man’s land behind first base for a single. Sometimes it really is about timing and luck.
It was 2007. We were in North Carolina playing for an NSA National Title with 128 teams. With 8 teams left we were knocked into the loser’s bracket and fought back to the championship game, needing to win two games to win against an undefeated Alabama team. Going into the 7th inning of game one we were behind 1-0. A slap up the middle, a bunt, and a perfectly placed single tied the game. We then went into extra innings to win the first game, ultimately winning the tournament in game two. In the span of one half inning the entire course of the game had changed due to a perfectly timed execution. It was to no fault of the other team, they made the out to get the player who had bunted, and they fielded both the slap and the single in the outfield cleanly. We executed, and on that day things went our way.
It was 2010. We were in Maryland playing for an ASA National Title with 85 teams. In the 5th inning we were tied with a team from South Carolina. I gave up a single to left field with runners on first and second, our left fielder decided to dive for the ball instead of getting in front of it and the ball ended up rolling to the fence. We ended up losing the game by one run. That play decided our fate and sent us home in 5th place that year.
In softball, it is anyone’s game on any given day. Some days we walk away winning when we probably shouldn’t have, and others we walk away losing when we did everything right. Yet day after day we still find ourselves out on the field working towards perfection.
- Published on
We’ve been talking a lot lately about what each of the pitchers want
to leave behind when they graduate from Rhodes College. It was a very different conversation with each pitcher as I have a junior, a sophomore, and a freshman on staff this year. Rather than get into what I talked to each of them about, I want to talk about leaving a legacy in general, how each of us leave a legacy for each team we play for. Whether you’re on a team for a year or ten years we all leave each team we play for eventually as our careers have to end at some point.
My pitchers obviously leave when they graduate. This year’s group of 13 upperclassmen are constantly telling stories of alumni on and off the field to our new freshman (who don’t feel so new anymore!). I spoke with each of my pitchers about what they want their teammates to say about them on their senior day, and what stories they want to be told to the incoming freshman after they are moving onto the next step in their lives and careers. Talking about the legacy they want to leave is great, but it led to a much more powerful conversation with each of them.
My legacy changed greatly depending on which team I was on, and at what point in my career I was at. Now as a coach, I look at my legacy and want very different things than I did as a player. I want to inspire, motivate, and encourage. One of my pitchers in Pennsylvania (shout out to Zoey!) made me a graduation present that perfectly defines what I want my legacy to be.
to leave behind when they graduate from Rhodes College. It was a very different conversation with each pitcher as I have a junior, a sophomore, and a freshman on staff this year. Rather than get into what I talked to each of them about, I want to talk about leaving a legacy in general, how each of us leave a legacy for each team we play for. Whether you’re on a team for a year or ten years we all leave each team we play for eventually as our careers have to end at some point.
My pitchers obviously leave when they graduate. This year’s group of 13 upperclassmen are constantly telling stories of alumni on and off the field to our new freshman (who don’t feel so new anymore!). I spoke with each of my pitchers about what they want their teammates to say about them on their senior day, and what stories they want to be told to the incoming freshman after they are moving onto the next step in their lives and careers. Talking about the legacy they want to leave is great, but it led to a much more powerful conversation with each of them.
My legacy changed greatly depending on which team I was on, and at what point in my career I was at. Now as a coach, I look at my legacy and want very different things than I did as a player. I want to inspire, motivate, and encourage. One of my pitchers in Pennsylvania (shout out to Zoey!) made me a graduation present that perfectly defines what I want my legacy to be.
"We all need someone who inspires us to do better than we know how."
My next question was, “What can you do today to create your legacy?” One pitcher wanted her positivity in game situations to be part of her legacy. We talked about how she can impact the team each and every day NOW with that legacy. We often leave teams and organizations with a “Would have, could have, should have” mentality. I encourage each pitcher, no matter what age they are, to make a list of the things they want to leave behind at a program when they age out, choose a new team, or finish their career. Work to implement this “legacy” starting today. Don’t leave a program or a career with a “would have, could have, should have” mentality. Leave it all on the line and know that you gave it your all as you move onto another team, another sport, or a career.