Seeking impact players ready to compete, develop, and pursue college softball opportunities. forms.gle/7bKDXQjrhLwdfW686

My coaching 24hour rule after a tough weekend .. You can be disappointed in the outcome and still be proud of how you competed. Confidence grows when a player can say, Here’s what I did well, and here’s what I’m getting better at…Here is where I need to improve ..Get to work !

My Lefty Slappers Be a threat in that box. Attack the ball with your feet, your body, and your confidence. When we’re hard slapping, drive it with authority. When we’re soft slapping, place it with purpose. Every ball needs a plan. Your speed is a weapon, but don’t let it become an excuse for weak contact. Make the defense react to you.” Quick feet. Calm head. Aggressive contact

When a coach challenges you, holds you to high standards, and gives you the tools to improve, competing with and against elite players can bring out your best. Growth comes from embracing that challenge and putting in the work.

Want to be an impact player? Challenge yourself to compete at the highest level you can contribute to. Facing stronger pitching, faster defenses, and tougher competition exposes what you need to improve. Embrace those challenges, make adjustments, and work to become a difference-maker at that level.

Playing softball at the next level involves much more than playing time. It’s developing the athlete and the person. It’s learning how to prepare, warm up with purpose, stay focused, handle adversity, support teammates, and respond to coaching. It’s learning how to compete for a roster spot, earn playing time, and contribute even when you’re not in the lineup. The mental side of the game needs development just as much as hitting, pitching, and defense. As a parent, it’s understandable to want to see your daughter on the field. But “I paid, so she should always play” overlooks much of what a competitive program should provide. Your investment should provide quality coaching, meaningful development, honest evaluations, clear expectations, and opportunities to compete. Coaches must deliver those things and communicate where a player stands and what she needs to improve. Playing time is part of that experience. It also depends on preparation, performance, effort, team needs, and the situation. The goal is to help your daughter become a more capable, confident, accountable athlete one who can earn opportunities and be ready to succeed when they come. That development reaches far beyond the innings she plays.

My speech to my players is always consistent . Your focus at a tournament starts long before the first pitch. Eat a proper meal beforehand so you arrive fueled and ready. Plan your food around the schedule. Constantly bringing food into the dugout or eating during the game takes your attention away from your team and your responsibilities. The hour before game time is for preparation. Be intentional with your stretching, throwing, hitting, and defensive work. Every warm-up rep should have a purpose. Put your phone away and eliminate distractions. During those 90 minutes of game time, your attention belongs on the field. When you’re in the dugout, stay engaged. Study the pitcher, follow the situations, support your teammates, and be ready when your name is called. Hydrate and address your fueling or medical needs while staying connected to the game. When you’re playing, be fully present. Don’t spend your inning worrying about whether you’re coming out next. Focus on the pitch, the play, and the responsibility you have right now. You cannot control when a college coach watches you. You can control your preparation, effort, attitude, and attention. One hour to prepare. Ninety minutes to compete. Be committed to both.

All this talk about division settling should fall on deaf ears ! When choosing a college to play softball, make sure it aligns with your academic goals and the career you want to pursue. Playing D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO does not mean you’re settling. Settling is choosing a school that doesn’t support your future simply because you want a certain division next to your name. Be flexible about the division. Be intentional about your education and your future. Choose a place where you can grow as a student, an athlete, and a person. Your career will last far longer than your softball eligibility.

Repeat this over and over before and during your games … When I step onto the field, my focus is on my team, my teammates, and the next play. Whoever is behind the fence stays outside my focus. The fence in front of me says 200 feet and I trust myself to drive the ball there. I only hear the voice of my coach. I trust my preparation, stay relaxed, and play the game the only way I know how to play.

When coaches post on X that they are on the road don’t just say hope to see you there and post your schedule Be more precise engage with them Try something like this Hi Coach! I saw you’ll be at the( Tournament Name )I’m a (grad year) (position)interested in learning more about your program. Are you recruiting my class and position, and what qualities do you look for in those players? Thank you!

Generally college coaches prefer events with multiple fields at one main complex, where they can watch more prospects with less driving. The issue is less about having five or six fields and more about having those fields spread across locations 5 to 10 miles apart. That makes it harder to move between games, follow recruits, and evaluate several players in a limited day. Coaches will still travel to another complex for a priority recruit for sure ! But players at a distant location may get fewer chances to be seen by coaches who are simply looking for talent. This is why camps and emails and getting a dialogue with coaches is imperative ! It’s tough with the size of tournaments these days to be continuously scouted without coaches knowing who they are scouting It still can be done but it’s easier on coaches if they know you So get those videos out with your emails include your metrics go to camps multiple times not just one and done at the schools that interest you . Play top level events both nationally and local share your weekend stats don’t rely on Game Changer have your parents keep your stats accurately send them out with follow up emails ..be proactive

The focus on competitive recruiting tournaments, continued development, and helping players find the right college fit. Interested? Send your graduation year, positions, video, and current measurables.