Softball Tips

1. There are undoubtedly more games won with base hits than with homers. So if we work hard getting on top (hitting) the ball and forget the fences, everything else being equal (which it never is), results should be smashing (pun intended).

2. Use pepper to sharpen your hitting and fielding skills.

3. Pitchers need grounders to.

4. When batting, a ball is a ball is a ball. Don’t help the pitcher.

5. Communication – Coaches keep your body language positive with eye contact. Your tone of voice should always be positive, calm, and reflective. Half of communication is what you say; the other half is how you say it! 

6. No body is going to take care of you but you.

7. What can you bring to a team? Start with enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and good attendance. This is a good start.

8. The Over-Emotional Player – This is the player that cries after every loss, strikeout, error, etc. How do you deal with such a player? Should you chalk it up as immaturity or deal with it? I feel the player should be addressed because it is distracting to the rest of the team. Take the player aside and explain that everyone makes mistakes, and learning from a mistake is the first step towards improvement. Explain to her not to worry about the past but focus on the future. Give her a few examples of hero’s that have failed. Explain to her that it may feel like it’s the end of the world but it’s not. Remember coach your dealing with kids!

9. Every year players become ill or worse due to heat. Make sure your team is properly hydrated. That’s why you the Coach supply a jug of water.

10. Girls are extremely hard on themselves and will freak out under pressure. You must understand this and every time you work with your players help the player believe in herself. Find something she did right instead of allowing her to recite the litany of the things she knows she did wrong. Help them with the things they need to fix. Encouragement pays off!

11. College Bound – This is the Timeline

Junior Year –

Fall: August – December

a. Begin planning your college search. Where are you academically, athletically, financially?

b. Talk to your High School counselor; find out if you’re on track to be a “qualifier”.

c. Take the PSAT or PACT and schedule your first SAT and ACT.

Winter/Spring: January – May

a. Develop a resume and letter of introduction for college coaches.

b. Identify schools that interest you and start sending out packets to coaches at those schools (This is something you may need to do over the summer and into the fall as well.

c. Make your softball skills video and include it in your introductory packet if possible.

d. Take the SAT and ACT within this period (Remember to schedule senior fall retakes).

e. Try to visit some college campuses to get an idea of what you like and don’t like about them.

Summer: June-August

a. Start the NCAA Initial Clearinghouse & Amateurism Clearinghouse certification process.

b. Play competitive tournament ball.

c. Return coaches’ questionnaires, send out transcripts, track responses to your videos, and so on.

Senior Year-

Fall: August – December

a. At the end of summer ball, assess where you are in your college search. Continue to send out new letters/resumes and videos.

b. Respond to letters from coaches. Follow up your letters/tapes with phone calls to coaches to find out how interested they are in recruiting you.

c. Take the SAT or ACT again (Never settle for just one score).

d. Visit the colleges that you are seriously considering attending.

e. Begin sending out college applications.

f. If you haven’t started the NCAA Clearinghouse process, do so immediately.

Winter/Spring: January – May

a. Continue sending out college applications.

b. Apply for financial aid.

c. If necessary, continue visiting colleges.

d. Make your final college decision.

Summer: June – August

a. Complete the NCAA Clearinghouse process if attending a Division I or II college.

b. Enjoy your graduation.

c. Play competitive tournament ball.

d. Get ready for college.