Outfielders

[Morgan Sky]

I see plenty of Pitching and Catching instructors around, where are the Outfield studs that want to pass on their skills and knowledge? Oh! and a million hitting instructors! Lol.

 

[Doom Leader]

There just aren’t enough kids interested in working on their defense! They spend lots of money on hitting and fitness training and most forget all about their defense or think that money is better spent on hitting ? I have worked with several on defense over the years and it definitely pays off!! Great post!

 

[tschromm3]

I have the same type of talk every year with our kids. Everyone wants to spend $400 a year on the latest and greatest bat on the market. But they still us the same wrong sized $50 glove from Wal Mart.

 

[daboss]

I see plenty of Pitching and Catching instructors around, where are the Outfield studs that want to pass on their skills and knowledge? Oh! and a million hitting instructors! Lol.

I'm going to kidnap this thread with all due respect. It's a great question. It deserves it's place on the list of topics. For me, it is a catalyst for a question of interest I have. What are coaches teaching your kids about the game?

Let's target travel coaches because after all, the monetary demands to be a part of a travel program come with expectations from families. A lot of money and time is being spent and I'm curious if you believe you are getting your monies worth for what you may consider to be an investment? Are coaches actually teaching the fundamentals of the game such as fielding, throwing, and hitting or are they simply referring you to specialists for you to pay to learn the game?

When I got involved in coaching fastpitch softball and especially when my daughter got involved in travel ball, I saw the need to personally know more about the game beyond my own baseball, fastpitch, and slowpitch experience. After being mentored by a highly knowledgeable coach, Tom Beers with the Springfield Thunder organization, and my observations of the knowledgeable coaching staff of an older age group in the same organization, I realized the importance of knowing and teaching the girls the "right" way to do things. There are many ways to skin a cat as the saying goes and this is still true today. There are some ways better, more efficient, and easier than others. There's also a lot of coaches out there that are wrongly teaching many techniques and fundamentals. One thing I learned was I had been taught some things incorrectly and yet I believed them to be right. The other thing I learned was just because many years had gone by that didn't make it right. Wrong is still wrong. Time doesn't make it right.

I took it upon myself, on my own dime, to learn the "how's and why's" of the game, every aspect of the game, so I could share the best techniques and fundamentals. I discovered the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and began taking their classes offered thru their National Fastpitch Coaches College (NFCC). The courses are college accredited towards a Masters Degree in Kinesiology. In the real world Kinesiology is basically the study of humans and how to get the most out of a person physically, mentally, and emotionally to be as efficient as possible. In other words; to be the best coach you can be. lol. The NFCC is run by the best of the best in the world teaching our game. Sharon Drysdale, Mike Candrea, Jay Miller, and Bill Edwards to name a few. The entire teaching staff is the "Who's Who" in fastpitch softball. Google the current staff and you'll see.

I did this so I could be as knowledgeable as I could about every aspect of the game. I did this because coaches are supposed to be teaching the game. Coaches are supposed to be more than simply making out a roster or being a travel and tour guide. While a travel ball head coach may wear many hats, they still need to fulfill the duties of a coach and teach.

Is your coach teaching the game?

Ask yourself why are you doing this. If the expectations are to get the best instruction in fundamentals and methods, why is your coach constantly referring your daughter to somebody else? Is the coaching staff too busy? Are they expecting your daughter to already know how and they simply want her for their own agenda?

Let me make my opinions clear. A good coach is always going to be teaching, regardless of the player's age. That's why the best teams in the world have full coaching staffs. Coaches may specialize but they still teach. Coaches are mentors. They have a lasting effect on your daughter. If they are leading, mentoring, and teaching incorrectly, your daughter can be influenced and possibly scared for life. Coaching is not for everyone. More coaches could benefit from really looking deep inside and asking themselves; why am I doing this? Do I have what it takes? Am I willing to live it for the better of the kids that will play under my leadership?

When I hang my hat, will they remember and respect me for my sacrifices? Am I the roll model they deserve?

 

[BruisedShins]

The fact is, hitting is all that really matters. Coaches will give lip service on defense, but it doesn't matter what kind of defense you can play if you don't produce offensively. That's why when kids get to college they're playing positions they've never played before. Coaches don't care how well you can track a fly ball if you can't get on base. Coaches believe they can teach enough defense to make any player serviceable anywhere other than SS and C, but it's harder to get a defensive stud up to speed hitting.

 

[Passion4theGame]

I’m gonna ramble for a minute or 3.

The glove thing really bothers me. Take care of your glove! Condition it! Keep a ball in it. Love it! You have to trust the glove it’s part of you in the field. And yes, have the correct size and great quality!

My opinion OF is one of the most important positions on the field. Other than pitcher and catcher. Outfield is my passion.

I agree hitting is vital. If your not putting up runs doesn’t matter how great your Defense is playing. We have experienced this a lot as of late.

We work on outfield a lot. Proper cuts, tracking, footwork, how to come through the ball, Softball IQ, knowing your opponent, etc. Let’s be honest not many parents would spend their money on an OF coach as they do a hitting coach. That’s on us coaches to get them ready for the games and all the shots our pitchers give up. Always make your OF workouts fun!
The other thing that really grinds my gears some parents at 9u think the OF is a punishment. It’s not! Stop fighting it and let the coaches teach your athlete how to play the position. Everyone thinks their kid should play SS 3rd or 2nd. Somewhere in the infield.

I personally have helped develop some amazing Outfielders that are a blast to watch. It’s a great position IF the parents stay supportive and let the coaches coach the team. Outfield is never a punishment. Everyone plays a role.
Guess what’s a punishment at this level... Not getting a roster spot on the team.

There is a reason so much time effort and money is put into hitting... It’s not easy! Lol. None of it is!

I admire all these young ladies out there every weekend playing their hearts out for themselves and for the team. No better joy than seeing a kid dive and catch a fly ball in the OF!

My advice if your not happy with your DD outfield progress but love the team have HER say something to the coach about more OF workouts. You can do a lot of drills at home with her. For beginners the best would be to get a pitching machine and launch fly balls directly to her. Then move left and right. Then change the depth. There’s so much to teach and learn about the OF. Such a great part of the game.


Good Luck!

#DoomStrong

 

[Doom Leader]

Hitting and pitching is no doubt the most important thing on the field!!! If you can’t hit you don’t play at the next level, but what is wrong with investing in your entire game!

 

[LineDrive1434]

I'm going to kidnap this thread with all due respect. It's a great question. It deserves it's place on the list of topics. For me, it is a catalyst for a question of interest I have. What are coaches teaching your kids about the game?

Let's target travel coaches because after all, the monetary demands to be a part of a travel program come with expectations from families. A lot of money and time is being spent and I'm curious if you believe you are getting your monies worth for what you may consider to be an investment? Are coaches actually teaching the fundamentals of the game such as fielding, throwing, and hitting or are they simply referring you to specialists for you to pay to learn the game?

When I got involved in coaching fastpitch softball and especially when my daughter got involved in travel ball, I saw the need to personally know more about the game beyond my own baseball, fastpitch, and slowpitch experience. After being mentored by a highly knowledgeable coach, Tom Beers with the Springfield Thunder organization, and my observations of the knowledgeable coaching staff of an older age group in the same organization, I realized the importance of knowing and teaching the girls the "right" way to do things. There are many ways to skin a cat as the saying goes and this is still true today. There are some ways better, more efficient, and easier than others. There's also a lot of coaches out there that are wrongly teaching many techniques and fundamentals. One thing I learned was I had been taught some things incorrectly and yet I believed them to be right. The other thing I learned was just because many years had gone by that didn't make it right. Wrong is still wrong. Time doesn't make it right.

I took it upon myself, on my own dime, to learn the "how's and why's" of the game, every aspect of the game, so I could share the best techniques and fundamentals. I discovered the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and began taking their classes offered thru their National Fastpitch Coaches College (NFCC). The courses are college accredited towards a Masters Degree in Kinesiology. In the real world Kinesiology is basically the study of humans and how to get the most out of a person physically, mentally, and emotionally to be as efficient as possible. In other words; to be the best coach you can be. lol. The NFCC is run by the best of the best in the world teaching our game. Sharon Drysdale, Mike Candrea, Jay Miller, and Bill Edwards to name a few. The entire teaching staff is the "Who's Who" in fastpitch softball. Google the current staff and you'll see.

I did this so I could be as knowledgeable as I could about every aspect of the game. I did this because coaches are supposed to be teaching the game. Coaches are supposed to be more than simply making out a roster or being a travel and tour guide. While a travel ball head coach may wear many hats, they still need to fulfill the duties of a coach and teach.

Is your coach teaching the game?

Ask yourself why are you doing this. If the expectations are to get the best instruction in fundamentals and methods, why is your coach constantly referring your daughter to somebody else? Is the coaching staff too busy? Are they expecting your daughter to already know how and they simply want her for their own agenda?

Let me make my opinions clear. A good coach is always going to be teaching, regardless of the player's age. That's why the best teams in the world have full coaching staffs. Coaches may specialize but they still teach. Coaches are mentors. They have a lasting effect on your daughter. If they are leading, mentoring, and teaching incorrectly, your daughter can be influenced and possibly scared for life. Coaching is not for everyone. More coaches could benefit from really looking deep inside and asking themselves; why am I doing this? Do I have what it takes? Am I willing to live it for the better of the kids that will play under my leadership?

When I hang my hat, will they remember and respect me for my sacrifices? Am I the roll model they deserve?

Wait just a darn minute here mister.....is this just a heartfelt, good willed post trying to help parents and coaches alike to check their priorities as they should...........OR is this a masterful way of recruiting players away from their current teams (without going into their dugouts) by separating your approach from the so called "coaches"? Huh answer me that! LOL

 

[PaulP]

It’s my understanding college coaches recruit offensive threats and pitchers. Unless your daughter wants to be a catcher in college, I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on a defensive coach.

 

[frenchy101010]

Passion4thegame transformed my daughter into a pretty good OF, we give complete credit for making ber in to the OF she became! And it was her 9u season.

As for the original post, I believe Bailee Sturgeon gives OF lessons or she used too. She played OF at OSU.

 

[daboss]

I’m gonna ramble for a minute or 3.

The glove thing really bothers me. Take care of your glove! Condition it! Keep a ball in it. Love it! You have to trust the glove it’s part of you in the field. And yes, have the correct size and great quality!

My opinion OF is one of the most important positions on the field. Other than pitcher and catcher. Outfield is my passion.

I agree hitting is vital. If your not putting up runs doesn’t matter how great your Defense is playing. We have experienced this a lot as of late.

We work on outfield a lot. Proper cuts, tracking, footwork, how to come through the ball, Softball IQ, knowing your opponent, etc. Let’s be honest not many parents would spend their money on an OF coach as they do a hitting coach. That’s on us coaches to get them ready for the games and all the shots our pitchers give up. Always make your OF workouts fun!
The other thing that really grinds my gears some parents at 9u think the OF is a punishment. It’s not! Stop fighting it and let the coaches teach your athlete how to play the position. Everyone thinks their kid should play SS 3rd or 2nd. Somewhere in the infield.

I personally have helped develop some amazing Outfielders that are a blast to watch. It’s a great position IF the parents stay supportive and let the coaches coach the team. Outfield is never a punishment. Everyone plays a role.
Guess what’s a punishment at this level... Not getting a roster spot on the team.

There is a reason so much time effort and money is put into hitting... It’s not easy! Lol. None of it is!

I admire all these young ladies out there every weekend playing their hearts out for themselves and for the team. No better joy than seeing a kid dive and catch a fly ball in the OF!

My advice if your not happy with your DD outfield progress but love the team have HER say something to the coach about more OF workouts. You can do a lot of drills at home with her. For beginners the best would be to get a pitching machine and launch fly balls directly to her. Then move left and right. Then change the depth. There’s so much to teach and learn about the OF. Such a great part of the game.


Good Luck!

#DoomStrong

There's no such thing as an unneeded position or unimportant position in this game. Some positions may take a higher priority than others but all are important. As the girls have learned "how" to play this game the entire field has become a playground. Back in the day, many teams existed with nothing more than a pitcher and catcher. Girls learned small ball so it was important to have a good 3rd base person and 1st base player. As players learned how to get on base, a smart and athletic 2nd base person became essential. In this order and still true today, these are the primary positions you want to fill defensively when building a team.

Today's young ladies have developed solid hitting skills. Next on the list would be a center fielder. A player capable of being a leader. She needs to be knowledgeable of the game. She needs to be athletic, fast and quick to respond, be able to track a ball, and have an arm capable of throwing hard and on target. Finish with a shortstop and 2 more corner outfielders and you would think your job as a coach or general manager is complete. Wrong! We still need hitters. An extra hitter (EH) or designated hitter (DH) and whatever else you want to label them become a part of of the managing strategy of an overall team effort. Add a defensive player (DP) and a defensive flex player (FLEX) and you can see the reasoning the game becomes fun for coaches as well as players. Look at how many people can actively be a part of a team effort. This game should be the most popular game in the world!

The bottom line; The positions are all important. Instruction is important. Coaches need to teach. On the subject of what skill is the most important here is 1 thing being left out of the entire thread by everyone, including me, till now.

Speed. Speed kills in this game. Think about the most forgiving factor in every facet of the game that can give a kid an edge over the others. If a girl can run fast enough she can make a catch and stop a ball. If a girl can run fast enough she can outrun a throw to get to a base. If a pitcher can throw hard enough, she can overpower the offensive threat. If a defensive player can throw hard enough, she can get a runner out. If a catcher can throw hard enough, she can keep a runner off base. Everything just mentioned deals with speed in some fashion. Whether running or throwing, we are referring to speed. All this comes down to technique, fundamentals, and natural God-given talent.

You don't NEED speed if you develop the other skills it takes to play the game. If you don't have the skill-set, you'd better be fast.

Coaches; read between the lines..................

The game of fastpitch is fun because it offers opportunity for all girls to play and be able to contribute to a team effort. If your player is larger in stature, she can overcome the need for leg speed by learning how to hit with power or learn how to throw hard (catcher)------possibly learn how to pitch (pitcher). If your player is short and quick, she can develop skills defensively and offensively learn how to play small ball from the left side of the plate (slapper or bunting). Perhaps all your player can do is hit. There's a position for her. Perhaps she can't hit or catch but can run like a deer and slide (pinch runner). There's a place for her to contribute to the team. Every facet of every aspect of the game offers opportunity for a player to excel and be that shining star that her teammates would want to hoist onto their shoulders and carry her off the field. That's the sugarplums dancing in her head at night as she dreams of her moment.

I want every girl to have that feeling.