Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast
581 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 79 ratingsEverything Fastpitch is a podcast hosted by Coach Tory Acheson and Coach Don McKinlay. Tory and Don are former college coaches that are now full time instructors and travel ball coaches. Since retiring form active collegiate coaching they have committed themselves to providing educational materials to the fastpitch community. This podcast is one of the resources they are providing. Their website has 500+ blog posts and they have a YouTube channel. All of these cover fastpitch softball from coaching and training beginner athletes up through college athletes. It is a great resource for players, parents and coaches. Whether it be training tips, mental aspects, coaching methods, recruiting etc. it is all covered, hence the name Everything Fastpitch.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Questions about response from college coaches / Building trust in myself / Interview with Justin McLeod / The aging of umpires
October 25, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 48.2 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Once I have contacted a college coach, how long should I wait for a response? (@12:03) Paige's Power Play: Building trust in myself (@27:02) Interview with Justin McLeod (@30:17) The aging of umpires (@57:48) Support the Show.
Defensive play for right field
October 20, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.23 MBWe continue our series on coaching defense for each of the positions with right field this week. Support the Show.
Struggling mentally in the recruiting process / Development of players / Playing on more than one team / Trust the Process
October 18, 2023 20:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Key college player transfers after the fall season. What is your opinion? (@13:21) Paige's Power Play: Struggling mentally in the recruiting process (@19:33) Development of players has to be the main objective of coaches. (@23:52) Playing on more than one team. Is this a good idea? (@33:37) Trust the Process. What does it mean? (@41:31) Support the Show.
Defensive play for center field
October 13, 2023 20:00 - 14 minutes - 9.76 MBWe continue our series on coaching defense for each of the positions with center field this week. Support the Show.
Rebuilding a Player's Confidence / Who I Am / Rec League Decision Making / High School Ball is Important / Networking
October 11, 2023 20:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBThis week's Lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: How do you rebuild a players confidence? (@18:25) Paige's Power Play: Who I Am(@24:47) Rec League decision making;. (@28:28) High School Ball is important (@40:48) Networking (@49:16) Support the Show.
Defensive play for left field
October 06, 2023 20:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBWe continue our series on coaching defense for each of the positions with left field this week. Support the Show.
Tips for players that stuggle with conditioning / Preparing mentally is important / Relationship between parents and performance / Cell phones at practice / Handling different feedback from coaches
October 04, 2023 20:00 - 58 minutes - 40.4 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: My daughter is not in the best physical condition. Our team does a lot of conditioning exercises and my daughter takes it personally. Any tips for helping her out? (@09:41) Paige's Power Play: Preparing mentally is just as important as team warmups. (@24:42) Discussion about relationship between parents and their child's performance. (@27:58) Should cell phones be allowed at practice? (@36:53) How should a player handle different ...
Defensive play for shortstop
September 29, 2023 20:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBWe continue our series on coaching defense for each of the positions with shortstop this week. Support the Show.
Middle School vs. Training / Thoughts from interview with Ashley Prange / Team Camps / Support movie "I Can" / Time Management
September 27, 2023 20:00 - 58 minutes - 40.4 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Playing Middle School ball and not getting much playing time. Schedule keeps us from lessons. Should we stay with the team or quit and go to her training? (@11:03) Paige's Power Play: Thoughts from my interview with Ashley Prange(@23:30) Team Camps at colleges (@28:41) The Movie "I Can" A softball based movie that we need to support. (@46:04) Time Management (@54:41) Support the Show.
Defensive play for third base
September 22, 2023 20:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBWe continue our series on coaching defense for each of the positions with third base this week. Support the Show.
Tip to help with confidence / Questions about recruiting / Softball during the College World Series / Can I switch to being a slapper?
September 20, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Suggestions for a pitching mat. (@12:35) Paige's Power Play: One little thing to help your daughter gain confidence. (@20:16) Some questions about recruiting. (@24:18) Is trying to play softball during the College World Series a good idea? (@34:04) Can I switch and become a slapper. Slapping is hard. (@41:34) Support the Show.
Defensive play for second base
September 15, 2023 20:00 - 14 minutes - 9.99 MBWe continue our series on coaching defense for each of the positions with second base this week. Support the Show.
Issues with sanctioning bodies / You don't have to be perfect / Questions from a freshman parent / Pitching Injury Study / We need to develop pitchers
September 13, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Should we be concerned with issues related to sanctioning bodies? (@15:25) Paige's Power Play: You don't have to be perfect. (@22:25) Questions from a parent of a freshman college player (@25:51) Study on pitching injuries (@40:48) We need to develop more pitchers (@51:46) Support the Show.
Defensive play for first base
September 08, 2023 20:00 - 14 minutes - 9.79 MBWe continue our series on coaching defense for each of the positions with first base this week. Support the Show.
Dealing with extreme heat / Visualization leads to confidence / Review of Softball injuries / NIL creating havoc / Coaching is hard
September 06, 2023 20:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: How to deal with extreme heat. (@10:48) Paige's Power Play: Visualization can create confidence. (@16:46) Review of softball injuries. (@19:25) NIL creating havoc in college athletics. (@30:37) Coaching is hard (@42:20) Support the Show.
Defensive play for catchers
September 01, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.08 MBWe continue our series on coaching defense for each position. This week we cover the catcher. Support the Show.
Pitching machine a good investment? / The car ride home / Overusing Pitchers / Interview with Jordan Dail / Timing pitches
August 30, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 60 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Is a pitching machine a good investment? (@11:11) Paige's Power Play: The car ride home. (@18:35) DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Question: Should I be concerned about my pitching daughter being overused? (@21:58) Interview with Jordan Dail(former collegiate player, professional player and college coach) This is a great interview for players to listen to as she tracks her career from rec ball through playing pro ball with the Texas Smoke. (@3...
Defensive play for pitchers
August 25, 2023 20:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBThis week we start a series on coaching defense for the individual positions. The first position we cover is the pitcher. Support the Show.
Quality of play at LLWS Softball / Is your daughter playing for the wrong reasons? / Pitching Limits / Recruiting frustrations / Handling questionable attitudes
August 23, 2023 20:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question : Quality of play at the Little League Softball World Series (@08:09) Paige's Power Play: Is your daughter playing for the wrong reasons? (@13:57) Should we limit how much a pitcher throws? (@17:36) Frustration with different styles of recruiting players. (@27:58) Handling players with questionable attitudes. (@40:06) Support the Show.
Working hard, working smart and working differently
August 18, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.1 MBImproving our skills is not just working harder. We also must work smart and sometimes we have to take a different approach. If we find ourselves working harder and harder but not improving we need to step back and take a look. We may need to do things differently to reach a new level. The coaches discuss these concepts in further detail. Support the Show.
Outfield Communication / Confidence is a choice / Craziness in college athletics / Transition into college ball / Guideline for you team
August 16, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Can you give us some tips on outfield communication?(@14:40) Paige's Power Play: Confidence is a choice. (@29:27) Craziness in college athletics (@32:30) Transition into college ball (@50:48) Creating guidelines for your team. (@59:02) Support the Show.
Coaching at the beginning level is a challenge.
August 11, 2023 20:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBIt is daunting to coach a team at the beginning level. You have players at many different skill levels. You could have players that have decent skills for their age group to kids that never have put on a glove or picked up a bat. Planning practices is very challenging to come up with drills that the experienced players won't hate or the beginners can't keep up. Listen as the coaches discuss coaching at this level. Support the Show.
Buying items on social media / Re-frame your nervousness / Parent-Player relationship in sports / Code for comments / Strategic break
August 09, 2023 20:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Are items advertised on Social Media legitimate? (@9:54) Paige's Power Play: How to re-frame your nervous approach.(@13:27) Relationship between Parents and Players in sports (@16:49) What do comments in a game really mean to the umpire (@28:20) Strategic break for coaches and teams (@35:58) Support the Show.
A new season is usually not just a continuation of last season.
August 04, 2023 20:00 - 11 minutes - 7.98 MBAt the beginning of a new season it is imperative that we realize that we have players that are all coming from different situations. Odds are that your team is not all of the same players from the last season and your play just continued into the new season with no break. The players will be in different levels of condition depending upon how and when their last season ended. The ones that came from different teams or are rejoining your team after school ball may handle game situations enti...
Should I use a 1st baseman's mitt / Thoughts from a Head Coach / Part 2 of interview about a new collegiate league / Thoughts on losing a game intentionally / Status of ASA/USA Softball
August 02, 2023 20:00 - 52 minutes - 35.8 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: My daughter plays first base almost exclusively, should I buy her a first baseman's mitt? (@11:57) Paige's Power Play: Thoughts from interview with a Head Coach (@15:01) 2nd part of interview with Wayne Richey of the Carolina Patriot Collegiate League, in the American Collegiate League (@23:58) Coach loses a game intentionally, thoughts on this strategy (@36:46) Action Coach Tip: Thoughts on ASA/USA in the softball community (@45:...
Keep your coaching skills current
July 27, 2023 14:00 - 13 minutes - 9.32 MBCoaches, don't fall into the trap of coaching the way you always have. The game is evolving, new techniques are being developed and things we once thought were true are being proven to be incorrect. Continuing education is important for you and your players. Listen as the coaches discuss this topic. Support the Show.
Trying out after an offer / Highlights from interview with Rylee Holtrof / Travel Ball vs School Ball / Interview about a new collegiate league / Player Reactions to Team Building Activities / Trap of running bases out of control
July 26, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: What if you want to tryout for other teams after getting an offer? (@13:25) Paige's Power Play: Highlights from interview with Rylee Holtrof (@19:30) DR3 Fastpitch Question: Travel Ball vs. School Ball (@24:27) Interview with Wayne Richey of the Carolina Patriot Collegiate League, in the American Collegiate League (@35:06) Player Reactions to Team Building Activities (@52:38) Trap of offense built around running bases (@1:04:44) ...
Is it possible to finish this season and be recruiting players for next season?
July 21, 2023 20:00 - 14 minutes - 9.97 MBWe see teams advertising tryouts for next season and they are still playing games this season. Can you really manage your current team and keep them focused while looking ahead to next year. It is a "keeping up with the Joneses" scenario. Listen to the coaches opinions. Remember you committed to coaching this team. Support the Show.
Dealing with the dynamics of a team / Post game talk / Coordinating Recruiting with all coaches / Indoor Softball Tournaments
July 19, 2023 20:00 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MBThis week's Lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Suggestions for dealing with the stuff that goes on within travel teams. (@19:01) Paige's Power Play: Post game talk (@27:24) You must coordinate and share information with the coaches in your lives. All of the people involved in your recruiting efforts need to know everything that is transpiring. (@31:53) Thoughts on playing in indoor softball tournaments. (@38:07) Support the Show.
What does "We will get you ready for the next level" mean?
July 14, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.59 MBGetting ready for the next level includes a whole bunch of things. Listen to the discussion where our coaches talk about what getting ready for the next level should include. When a team you are looking at is using that phrase, you really need to understand what that means to them and is it what you really need for yourself. Support the Show.
Live pitching during practice / Saying belief in yourself is not enough / Does leaping rule change help the pitcher / Helping players prepare for tryouts / Where are D1 colleges located? / Focus on positive not negative
July 12, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 42 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: What is you opinion of the concept of live pitching during practice? (@13:11) Paige's Power Play Just saying believe in yourself is not enough (@23:55) DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Question: Is the rule change on leaping by the NCAA a benefit for the pitcher? (@26:24) Instructors and coaches need to help players prepare for tryouts (@31:53) Where are the D1 colleges located? (@42:25) Action Coach tip of the week.: Don't barrage players w...
Catchers who keep one knee on the ground
July 07, 2023 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.59 MBIn this episode we discuss the style of catching with one knee on the ground. What are the benefits and what limitations does it place on the catcher in catching and blocking. Support the Show.
Importance of game stats for recruiting / Mental games at the WCWS / Shoes for a pitcher / Changes in the future / Recruiting tips / Recognize the time to win and the time to learn
July 05, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 45.9 MBThis weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: How important are game stats for recruiting? (@11:41) Paige's Power Play: Mental games at the WCWS (16:41) DR3 Fastpitch Question: Shoes for a pitcher (@20:05) Part 2 of interview with Justin McLeod of Extra Inning Softball - Changes in the future of the game (@25:55) Recruiting tips (@55:03) Recognize the time to win and the time to learn. (@1:02:39) Support the Show.
Have games become the victim of the law of diminishing returns?
June 30, 2023 20:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBWhy do we enjoy the first slice of pizza more than the fifth? The first slice meets a need, while the fifth slice becomes overindulgence and will probably make us feel worse. This is the law of diminishing returns, which states that there comes a point when adding additional factors decreases the output. That first slice tastes so good, but with each additional slice we don't get the same sensation. The coaches discuss how the number of games a team plays can result in less enjoyment and eff...
Treatment of pickup players / Pain is necessary / Season review with Justin McLeod / Reminders for showcases / Dealing with part time effort
June 28, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBThis weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Treatment of pickup players (@10:47) Paige's Power Play: Pain is necessary(@15:27) Season in review with Justin McLeod (@18:45) Reminders for showcases (@43:38) Dealing with part time effort (@51:34) Support the Show.
Should I coach or instruct my own child?
June 23, 2023 20:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBShould I coach or instruct my own child? Some can and some can't. In this episode we discuss various things to think about if you are coaching your child's team or working with her at home. The coaches have seen 1000's of players and have seen the interaction between player and parent. This is a great episode if you are doing it or are thinking about it. Also some of it applies to just being a spectator. Support the Show.
Distance is not an issue? / Respect / Being great isn't the only thing / Reminders for Showcase Season / Coaches convince players that outfield is fun
June 21, 2023 21:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBThis weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: What do teams mean when they say "Distance is not an issue"? (@11:06) Paige's Power Play: Respect (@16:09) Being great isn't the only thing. (@19:33) Reminders for Showcase Season (@32:09) Coaches make playing the outfield fun. (@39:00) Support the Show.
Coming out flat. How can we help to avoid that?
June 16, 2023 20:00 - 17 minutes - 11.7 MBIt happens to all teams, we start a game flat or lose to a team we should have beaten easily. The coaches discuss this phenomenon and have some suggestions of how to avoid it and some possible causes. Support the Show.
Bad to have a dominant team? / Let's stop gossip / Pitcher endurance / Observations of College Season / Team culture / Loser's bracket is not as bad as you think
June 14, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBThis weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Is it a good or bad thing to have a team so dominant?(@10:24) Paige's Power Play; Let's stop gossip. (@19:04) DR3 Fastpitch Question: My daughter does not have much endurance. Please advise? (@22:29) Observations of the college season. (@38:16) Team Culture(@1:03:40) Loser's bracket is not as bad as you think, (@1:13:51) Support the Show.
Do's and dont's of the post game meeting.
June 09, 2023 20:00 - 14 minutes - 9.86 MBThe coaches discuss the post game meeting. It takes discipline and planning to have an effective post game discussion. You have to be careful with emotions and not let them take over what you are trying to accomplish. Support the Show.
Coach Tory's Recap of the CWS Finals
June 09, 2023 13:00 - 9 minutes - 6.74 MBCoach Tory recaps the D1 College World Series and Oklahoma winning another title. Listen to his insightful thoughts on the progress of national recognition of our sport and what we can expect in the future. Support the Show.
What we learned from the CWS / Rewarding to see your players succeed / Using the right slide
June 06, 2023 13:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBThis weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Can a younger player play up in age? (@11:04) Paige's Power Play: Takeaways from interviews with college athletes and coaches. (@15:45) DR3 Fastpitch: Comments from being in Oklahoma City (@21:28) Important things we have seen in the CWS. (@26:53) It is rewarding to see players that you have been part of their life to succeed at higher levels. (@43:49) Players are capable of sliding in different ways. We need to teach them to use th...
CWS Finals: Oklahoma - Relentless; Florida State - Systematic; Who will win?
June 06, 2023 13:00 - 9 minutes - 6.25 MBCoach Tory's analysis of Oklahoma and Florida State heading into the CWS Finals. He uses the word relentless to characterize Oklahoma and systematic to characterize Florida State. Listen as he explains why he uses these terms and what we can expect. Support the Show.
Winning later is more important than winning now
June 02, 2023 20:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBMost teams have a goal of playing in an event that is the culmination of their season. And they want to peak at this event. If we put pressure on ourselves to win every time out, then we hinder ourselves from doing some experimenting. Finding the best combination of players and positions requires trying different lineups. For example, you may have a shortstop that has great range and usually this allows her to make a play on one hit a game that no other player on your team can make. You have...
How many practices? / Habits while pitching / Should players show emotion towards officials? / Crazy Games / If we haven't practiced it, don't do it
May 31, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 47.4 MBThis weeks Lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: How many practices should you have each week? (@12:02) Paige's Power Play: Choices (@20:37) DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Question: My daughter has developed a habit when she is pitching. Is this something that I should be worried about? (@28:14) Should players show emotion towards an official? (@39:08) Crazy Games (@50:44) If we haven't practiced it, don't do it. (@58:44) Support the Show.
Coach Tory's Recap of the CWS Super Regionals
May 29, 2023 01:00 - 8 minutes - 5.96 MBCoach Tory gives his thoughts to the just completed Super Regionals and some thoughts on the upcoming CWS. Support the Show.
Coaches: Require safety gear!
May 26, 2023 20:00 - 10 minutes - 6.96 MBThis episode highlights the need for players to use protective gear and coaches need to promote and require their players to use them. Support the Show.
CWS games - Connect your players / Considering players for awards / Formula for confidence / Re-engaging a pitcher after being hit / Coaching Female Athletes is different / CWS Regional Surprises
May 24, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBThis weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Value in watching the CWS games. With limited professional players, these are the players that our players can look up to, emulate,have connection to, etc (@7:57) Listener Question: When people are considering players for awards, is it just on the field accomplishment or do other things get consideration? (@11:54) Paige's Power Play: The formula for confidence (@17:04) DR3 Fastpitch Pitching Question: My daughter was hit in the shin with a line drive ...
Coach Tory's Recap of the D1 Softball Regionals
May 22, 2023 15:00 - 13 minutes - 9.31 MBCoach Tory Acheson with his decades of Collegiate Softball experience gives you his breakdown of the D1 Regionals that were completed this past weekend. And then it's on to the Super Regionals. Support the Show.
Understanding positioning of middle infielders to cover on a steal.
May 19, 2023 20:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBThe coaches discuss a method of positive and negative distance to help players understand where they need to position themselves and be able to cover a base on a steal. Left on their own, they are usually to far or to close to the base. Practice methods are discussed for them to better visualize where they should be. Support the Show.