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Monday, August 17, 2009

Baseball & Softball Coaches Equipment - Magnetic Lineup Board Review


Baseball & Softball Coaches Equipment - Magnetic Lineup Board Review
By Jim Moyer

If you don’t have an easy to read line-up posted in the dugout you are hurting yourself, your players, and subsequently your team by allowing yourself and the team to be distracted from the game. Let’s face it, it’s information that you want to have ready access to, and you want your players to have ready access to as well. So why are you keeping this vital information on a scratch piece of paper or on a carbon copy that is barely legible?

The best magnetic lineup board is about 8.5" x 14" and consists of a position diagram of the softball field on the top, positions for a batting order on the bottom, and a hook so it can be easily hung in the dugout for everyone to see. You simply place magnets with the player’s names in the position on the diagram that they will be playing. If you will be subbing in to a position you can go ahead and put the sub’s magnetic above or below the starter’s magnet. The same is true with the batting order. If you know you will be subbing in for a hitter just put the sub’s magnet next to the starter’s magnet.

The real beauty to a magnetic lineup board is before the game has started when you are putting together your game strategy. After making your initial batting order it’s very easy to adjust for who’s hot and who’s not, or if you need a bunter in the second or third position, and if you change the batting order will that change who you want to play on defense and where you can make those changes. You can also see the effect your substitutions will have on positions and the batting order. What you used to have to envision in your mind you can now see on the board, both offensively and defensively and for the entirety of the game not just the start of the game. It let’s you create your game strategy prior to the game. It’s called HAVING A PLAN.

Hey Coach, Listen Up

The decisions you make in determining your lineup WILL AFFECT the outcome of the game. Once the game has started there’s not much opportunity to correct a poor batting order. Sometimes it’s easy to put together a line up. Other times, we’ve spent 10 or 15 minutes maneuvering players around on our magnetic lineup board to assess the strengths and weaknesses and determining what we needed for the upcoming game. I can’t imagine going through this exercise with paper and pen.

Whether your fastpitch softball team, or baseball team, is a beginning team or a highly skilled tournament team, putting your players in the right positions, building the best batting order, and having a plan for your substitutions, will decide the outcome of many fastpitch softball games. A magnetic lineup board costs about $20.00. Twenty dollars is a cheap investment to KNOW that you have given your team their best opportunity to win. Hey, it’s worth the twenty bucks just not to have to answer the question "who do I bat after" 500 times during the season.

There are two magnetic lineup boards on the market. The Easton brand and the Coacher brand. They both cost about $20.00, HOWEVER, the Coacher board is the clear winner. The Easton board does not have a field diagram which prevents you from visualizing the starting defense and, just as important, the defense after substitutions have been made. The Coacher board does have the field diagram.

In conclusion, I would grade the Easton board a C because it is better than using a piece of paper. The Coacher board gets an A+ as it is the complete package and the superior product. For the same investment, you have the choice of the Mercedes or the Pinto.

Having coached over 500 youth fastpitch softball games, Coach Jim decided to put his insight online to allow parent/coaches to draw on his unique experience. At http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/coaching-fastpitch-softball-successfully.html he has compiled a comprehensive list of softball game strategies, softball drills, softball tips, and techniques that are sure to help any coach become successful.

Visit http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/softball-equipment.html for numerous reviews on softball equipment, softball bats, pitching machines and other essential coaching tools, to make your team a Winning team. Before you make any softball equipment purchases be sure to read Jim's review to make sure you don't buy the wrong equipment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Moyer

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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Softball Training - Learning the Right Attitude

Softball Training - Learning the Right Attitude

By Marc Dagenais

In softball training, you will not only train your body but your mind as well. You will not only need to know the right mechanics, you also need to know what should be the right attitude while undergoing training or while you are playing.

Here are some things you should do and some attitude that you must possess in order for your softball training to be successful:

· Dream and turn that dream into reality. Dreams are the reasons why you keep on hoping. If you dream that you will become a good softball player then you will. Be positive about it. Don't just dream because dreaming is only the beginning. You need to do everything to attain that dream.

· Commit yourself. If you decided to become a softball player then you must list some things that you want to achieve or skills that you want to possess and then commit yourself into this.

· Face your fears and your flaws. Identify what are the things that serve as a hindrance for you to achieve your goals and learn to face them one by one. Find a way to solve them and remove them. Don't let them conquer you; it should be the other way around.

· Plan. In all the things that you even in softball training or practicing, you must create plans. Successful people that you know nowadays succeed because they made concrete plans on their life. You would be like them if you will start making plans now. if you have a plan everything will be clear for you.

· Write down some notes about your experiences and improvements during softball training. Doing this will let you know what are the things that you have improved and what are the things that you still need to improve.

· Listen to the people around you. Our friends and all the people that surround us usually have great impact on us. If they are there to support and guide you then you must try to listen to them. Knowing that there are people who support and believe in you can really boosts your self confidence.

· Develop a good lifestyle. Bad lifestyle can affect how you play softball so you must learn to sacrifice. Partying all night, smoking, and drinking alcohol will not do you any good especially if you are a player.

· Have self- discipline. This is a characteristic that every person not only softball players must possess. This is like a magic ingredient that makes everything possible and makes every goal reachable.

Follow those softball training tips and for sure there's a big change that will come out in you, not for the worst but for the best.

Marc Dagneais is Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players turn their athletic talent into extraordinary performances and help coaches get more out of their players, turn their struggling team around or get an edge over their opponents. Visit us to access our directory of FREE softball drills!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais

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Monday, August 10, 2009

Tools to Use to Improve Your Softball Pitching Prowess

Tools to Use to Improve Your Softball Pitching Prowess

By Marc Dagenais

Among all the roles in the softball team, one of the important, crucial ones is softball pitching where it doesn't only involve simple case of ball throwing. It involves agility, endurance and strength as to how to pitch the ball properly so, that the opposing hitter's bat won't be able to collide with the ball.

There are different ways to pitch a ball. You can do a fastpitch drop, which involves taking a short stride to increase the level of your release point and leaning a bit forward upon release of the ball so, that your head and shoulders are over your front foot. You can also do fastpitch rise where the ball would be able to spin upon release if you spread your fingers more on the ball and squeezing it out of your fingers. In addition, you can do a fastpitch curve where the movement of your wrist and shoulders make the ball spin more.

Other than taking in these softball pitching tips and putting them into practice, here are some softball pitching equipment that you can use to improve your game.

Throw Max

The throw max is a tool that assists players on how to throw the ball in a correct manner by letting them experience this themselves. This way, they would be able to develop a stronger muscle memory in an easier and more consistent way without risking injury.

Power Throw-Ball Softball

This excellent tool helps players enhance strength, especially the shoulders, and endurance so that, they would be more used to the throwing motion.

Rev Fire

Rev Fire is a wonderful tool that you can use to monitor your speed in throwing a ball. This includes three softballs as well as a monitor provides you quick feedback on how quick you pitch a ball.

Glove Radar

Glove radar is an electronic gadget that accurately measures the throwing speed of not just pitchers but also of infielders, outfielders as well as catchers. It's easy to use as you just have to attach it to any glove that you use when practicing the sport.

Weighted Softball Training Ball

The weighted softball training ball can be used either for enhancing shoulder strength or for shoulder rehabilitation. The set is composed of four balls that weigh about nine to 12 ounces so, you can different balls once your arm strength improves.

Xelerator

The Xelerator is a lighter, softer and shorter tool that you can use when practicing throwing motions as it aids you in learning overhand and snap motions without stressing out your shoulders at the same time.

Tightspin Trainer

The Tightspin Trainer allows players to improve their ball throwing capabilities as it increases your speed as well as the rate of the spin.

Finch Windmill

The Finch Windmill aids you in improving your throwing prowess, making it harder and faster as it enhances muscle strength, endurance and balance of the whole body. You would see a difference in you when you use this regularly.

What are you waiting for? Improve your game with these softball pitching tools.

Marc Dagneais is Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players turn their athletic talent into extraordinary performances and help coaches get more out of their players, turn their struggling team around or get an edge over their opponents. Visit us to access our directory of FREE softball drills!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Turn Batting Practice Into HITTING Practice

Turn Batting Practice Into HITTING Practice
By Jim Moyer

If your batting practice consists of either having your pitcher or a coach pitch to the hitters I am going to change your life forever. Yes, there is a place for this type of practice session but it is RARE. There is no doubt that the more live pitching your hitters see the better they will be able to adjust to different pitchers in a game. HOWEVER, your players need repetition, muscle memory, and enough swings that the coach can determine the flaws in their swing and take corrective action.

The drawbacks of having your pitcher throw batting practice are numerous. Your pitcher probably only throws 50% to 60% of his/her pitches for strikes. That’s a LOT of dead time watching the pitcher throw and the catcher retrieving wild pitches. In a two hour practice each player might get to take ten swings. Hardly enough to build fundamentals or develop muscle memory. You are also faced with having a player get hit by a pitch and thereby become afraid of the ball — WHO NEEDS THAT?!?! And then there is the little problem of all of your other players becoming completely bored while they just stand around waiting and watching. And how about the psychological affect on your pitcher if the batters are hitting the ball…great, now your pitcher feels like a failure.

Okay, then how about if we have a coach pitch? It’s better than having your pitcher pitch but not much. Typically, coaches pitch much slower than what the players face in a game. The coach is relatively distracted from coaching the hitter because he is focused on trying to lob the ball over the plate. How can you watch the batter's feet, hip movement, and arm movement if you are concentrating on making a good pitch? And don’t be fooled into thinking the coach is throwing lots of strikes. Honestly, he’s probably not as consistent as the pitcher.

Enter the Louisville Slugger Pitching Machine. This tool has revolutionized batting practice for the average team. Don’t panic about the cost as it’s only about $150. If you don’t have the money tell the parents you are taking up a collection and everyone needs to chip in $15.00. It is absolutely the PERFECT batting practice tool. It is spring-loaded so you won’t need electricity. It’s very lightweight so it’s easy to carry to the field and it sets up in about 2 minutes. It throws all sizes of balls and you can control the speed from about 20 mph up to about 45 mph. If there is any way possible, you MUST get your hands on this pitching machine.

How is a spring loaded pitching machine going to help my team? You will easily triple the number of swings your hitters get to take. You can have any parent operate the machine which will free you up to stand near the hitter and observe and coach. No more wild pitches and wasting time while the catcher retrieves the ball. They are all strikes. This means your hitters will be hitting and your fielders will stay engaged and have more practice fielding. In case you just glanced over this, let me reiterate these two points: THE COACH CAN CONCENTRATE ON INSTRUCTING THE HITTER and THE HITTER GETS 3X AS MANY SWINGS.

"It’s easy to hit pitches that are grooved right down the middle." I hear that a lot and let me say that argument doesn’t hold water with the Louisville Slugger Pitching Machine and here is why: Ball Positioning. When you load the ball onto the throwing lever you can make the pitch break inside, outside, drop or rise. Yep, it’s true. Just load the ball with the seams rotated to the left or right for a breaking ball and rotate the seams forward or back for a high or low pitch.

For advanced batting practice you might be working on hitting all outside pitches, or all inside pitches. Try that with your girl pitcher or coach pitcher and see how much luck you have! More than likely you will just end up frustrated at whoever is pitching and will not have achieved any of the practice you were hoping for. But with the right pitching achine, you can throw consistently to any part of the plate.

Still not convinced? I use the Louisville Slugger Pitching Machine to divide up my team and play scrimmages. We can usually play an inning in 8-10 minutes. It’s a great way to end a practice. With about 30 minutes left in practice just divide up and play three or four quick innings. The girls love it.

Still need more? I’ve even adjusted the settings on the Louisville Slugger pitching machine to throw fly balls. By the way, this is a great practice drill that can be run by any parent. Set the machine up around home plate, adjust the settings accordingly, throw a couple and go mark where the ball lands. Then from the spot where the ball lands, place a cone about 15’ in front, behind, to the left and to the right. The player stands at the cone and when you shoot the ball she runs to catch it, then she moves to another cone, etc. This is excellent practice for moving to the ball.

I LOVE this little pitching machine. It will increase your team’s batting average tremendously. I have used the Louisville Slugger Pitching Machine with girls age 7 all the way to age 14. It’s going to turn your batters into HITTERS and it’s going to turn your boring batting practice into a time of real achievement and fun.

Oh, did I mention this little rule? In Fastpitch Softball, whoever scores the most runs is the winner. Increase your softball team’s hitting skills and you will most definitely WIN MORE GAMES.

Jim Moyer is the author of http://www.mysoftballcoach.com

Having coached over 500 youth fastpitch softball games, Jim decided to put the information online to allow parent/coaches to draw on his unique experience.

Visit http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/softball-equipment.html for reviews on more pitching machines and other essential coaching tools, and learn many skills, drills and game strategies to make your team a Winning team.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Moyer

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Coaching Girls Softball - Coach Pitching


The benefits to coaching a young girls softball team and how it can help you in life and the business world. Here's what I learned from coaching softball.

By Lisa A Mason

This season I had the benefit of coaching my oldest daughter's Coach Pitch softball team. Coach Pitch is the league for girls aged 6-8 and as the name suggests, there is a coach pitcher with girls filling all other positions. This is the next step up from T-ball in our Parks and Recreation league.

The leagues are ran completely by volunteers, most often the parents of the children who play and it's a much more difficult task than some might think before they have tried it for themselves. However, it can also be a very rewarding experience if you take the time and energy to learn from it.

The first thing to know about coaching this age group is that many of the girls will be playing for the first time. Even those who have played in the past are likely going to forget many of the rules and regulations. Even when you tell them, they have short attention spans and short memories. You may have to tell them again and again.

Patiently and politely recite the rules that you expect them to remember over and over with each practice and game. There is also a lot of hands-on coaching happening during the games. Girls are going to look to you in the middle of a play to tell them what to do. You need to be loud enough to be heard over the crowd and be sure to use their names loudly and clearly so they know what you're asking them to do.

At this age, there will often be a lot of tears. Bumps, scrapes, disappointments, hurt feelings and sometimes teasing will all come into play. Try to treat each girl equally and always be sensitive to their emotions. There's a time to tell them to be tough and keep playing and there are times when a girl may just need to sit out for a break. You can't push them too hard at this age or they will give up and become discouraged.

Remember that it's all about fun. Some parents and coaches push so hard for wins and being "top" of the league that they forget that it's about fun for the girls. At 6-8 years old, few girls will be thinking about going pro. They just want to have a good time and as parents and coaches, it's our job to ensure they have a safe environment in which to do so.

Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles. She has written thousands of articles, hundreds of ebooks and thousands of website pages and related content. She has also authored her own books and works as a consultant to other writers, Internet marketers and Internet businesses.

Lisa Mason, Professional wordsmith for hire: gamer, wife, mother, entrepreneur, published poet, co-owner of game guides company (http://www.liti4.com), public speaker and Internet business consultant. You can learn more or follow Lisa's blog from her website: http://www.freelancewriter4hire.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_A_Mason

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Sunday, August 2, 2009

Softball Training - Essential Principles


www.FastpitchSoftballSupply.com

An important underlying in any system of thought is the ability to decide on when do you want to start something that you have long wanted to happen. If you are a person who likes softball a lot and you always dream of becoming one of the best players, then you should never waste time doing it. Life is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is already high time for you to weed out your choices and leave the best option there is. Intelligent selection will surely make your efforts be paid off in a short span of time.

By Marc Dagenais

In any sports, you have to get started with the basic principles and fundamental skills. The techniques should be learned so that improvement will be known and realized. But it is not always about learning the different technicalities of softball. It is also about engaging yourself to softball training that boost the mind, body and spirit. These point out to the learning of the basic principles and values that every softball player should have.

Softball training is also about the knowing of the essential principles like the following. Along with these attitudes, you must nurture every learning experience with the correct environmental feedbacks. Here they are:

· Set your goals creatively. If you want to become the best softball player in your team, you must lay down the standard by having the goals and creatively set them up for the improvement of your existing skills. Creativity in the implementation of the different softball training skills is vital since it will help you become more competitive using the various ways you have set in your goals. You must have a flexible imagination, too.

· Dream big dreams. Be optimistic. Do not perceive softball challenges as problems. Look at them as spices of life. An optimistic person goes a long way. No challenge is too big to overcome.

· Be brave enough to confront challenge. You have to be dauntless with the different softball disputes. These may help you in the achievement of a much better you. Running away from every problem will just give you much more problem.

· You must also have discipline and perseverance in all your softball training and softball games as well. A player without the power to discipline himself will not become a winner in the end. Perseverance also comes along with the discipline. It means that if you stick with the decision of the team, you display respect to them. If you also have anything to suggest, they will do the same thing as you did. So, what really comes around goes around.

· Never let failure become an alternative to your softball training. You must always learn that you are there because there is something special in you. That special something might be the much awaited weapon of the team in order for you to win. Who knows? So, just believe in yourself that you are great. Eventually, all things will fall into their proper places.

Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. Visit his site and sign-up to get his FREE softball hitting tips!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais