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Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 440,  and share updates including Team USA traveling to Japan for the Japan Cup as part of preparation toward the 2028 Olympics and the City of the Week, Mustang, Oklahoma. They answer a listener question about when players truly focus on playing college softball, noting it varies by family but commitment often becomes clearer in the mid-teen years. In an extended interview, Bridgewater College assistant coach and catching instructor Bobby Humphrey discusses the undervalued catching position, warns about misleading social-media instruction, and emphasizes progression, enthusiasm, and prioritizing receiving, then throwing mechanics (transfer time), and blocking mentality; he also addresses pitcher-catcher relationships, pitch calling development, and one-knee catching as athlete-dependent. The coaching tip explains ways to incorporate live pitching into practice without full scrimmages using competitive situations and efficient rotations. Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don outline episode 439’s segments. In “Did You Know,” they discuss the U.S. Women’s National Team playing in the World Cup in Oklahoma City and a longer-term evaluation plan toward the 2028 Olympics, citing the deep talent pool and benefits of ongoing team-building. City of the Week is Charleston, South Carolina. A listener asks whether college softball will adopt automated balls and strikes after the NCAA approved ABS for college baseball in 2027; they expect it eventually but note cost/logistics and debate how it could affect strike-zone manipulation. They then critique a social media post contrasting school ball and travel ball, arguing both settings include winning and development, quality varies, and collaboration best serves players. The coaching tip addresses players using cell phones in the dugout, recommending clear rules such as collecting and locking phones during games and coaches modeling the same behavior. Support the show

Everything Fastpitch episode 438 segments include SEC softball schedule news, city/equipment tips, and a listener question, then features an interview with Dr. Brianna Halford (The Throwing Doctor), a doctor of physical therapy and certified athletic trainer who began after her own softball back fracture. The hosts discuss the SEC’s 2027 schedule and note the absence of a Texas-Oklahoma regular series, speculate about a special event, and highlight Nashville, Tennessee (Vanderbilt lacks a softball team). They answer a coach’s question on bullpen frequency by emphasizing individualized workloads, communication, and coaches knowing pitchers’ terminology and needs. Halford stresses early mechanics instruction, using lower half, avoiding overuse, consistent arm-care routines (3–4x/week), and gradual return from injury. The coaching tip argues against changing swings or “75% swings” with two strikes without dedicated practice, advocating a consistent swing approach. Dr. Brianna Halford contact info: Website: https://www.thethrowingdoctor.com/start Instagram: @thethrowingdoctor ThrowSafe Arm Reset™: https://www.thethrowingdoctor.com/armreset ThrowSafe Throwing Analysis™: https://www.thethrowingdoctor.com/workwithme  ThrowSafe Arm Care Protocol™: https://throwingbri.gumroad.com/l/armcare Support the show

Episode 437 of Everything Fastpitch previews warm-up segments and promotes Patreon support, then features a memorial conversation with Scott Whitlock honoring longtime coach Jess Dannelly, a pioneer who helped establish fastpitch softball in the Southeast and influenced the sport’s growth; Whitlock shares Danley’s impact, character, and personal stories, and condolences are offered to his family. The City of the Week is Green Bay, Wisconsin, with notes on local softball and memories of visits. The equipment tip highlights the Slide MVP sliding mat. A listener question addresses scheduling conflicts for an 18U travel team, with advice to use larger rosters and set dates early. The main interview with educator Lindsay Peaster explains the “I Said This, You Heard That?” temperament framework (red, yellow, blue, green) to improve coach-player and team communication without lowering standards. The coaching tip stresses regularly practicing sliding to prevent injuries and gain competitive advantages. Lindsay Peaster Contact Info: Symphonia Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1JNoUJgMwJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Symphonia Instagram https://www.facebook.com/share/1JNoUJgMwJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr [email protected] Support the show

In episode 436 of Everything Fastpitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don preview a show featuring fall college softball as a great time to watch games and practices in person, and name Columbus, Georgia as City of the Week. Tory apologizes for previously omitting Little League World Series player Carson Meyer while discussing Kenley Erasmus. A listener question sparks concern about gambling on the Little League Baseball World Series and about social media videos showing young kids’ inappropriate football behavior and adults enabling it. The main interview features strength and conditioning coach Mike Kelly, who explains his background and his remote, individualized softball-focused training approach using assessments, technique feedback, and consistent programming to improve performance and reduce injury risk. The coaching tip argues that joining a big-name national travel-ball organization won’t fix team problems without better coaching. Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don open with a Did You Know about Kinley Rasmus, a talented girl playing in the boys Little League Baseball World Series, and discuss women’s baseball opportunities versus softball scholarship realities. City of the Week is Durham, North Carolina, noting increased listener response after prior North Carolina coverage. A listener asks if recruiting is possible without high-level travel ball; they say yes but visibility, competition level, and school options may be limited, and travel costs often exceed typical scholarship returns. In an interview, Scott Mead of Mirror Mindset Performance shares police-inspired reset strategies (breathing, physical cue, phrase) and his app/website resources for athletes, parents, and coaches. The coaching tip discusses keeping practices fun through competitive, skill-based games while still emphasizing improvement and satisfaction. Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview Episode 434, thank patrons, and highlight the AUSL All-Star Series, encouraging listeners to watch and support pro softball. Player of the Week is Anna-Lynn Clark of the Johnson County (North Carolina) Little League team, praised for dominant World Series pitching and leadership. A listener asks why schools enforce heat/lightning stoppages more than travel ball; they discuss safety technology, school accountability, and lack of uniform travel policies. Guest Ben Cattaruzzi, Johnson County’s Little League Softball World Series championship coach, explains his coaching background, the qualification path, North Carolina’s strong Little League/travel ecosystem, and players’ college aspirations, and endorses Square Cuts. The coaching tip urges coaches not to obsess over pleasing everyone, while delivering on promises and staying true to team values. Support the show

Coach Tory hosts Everything Fastpitch today. He notes the U.S. Women’s National Team won the International Cup over Japan, with the USA Elite team finishing third, highlighting Montana Fouts and the deep Olympic player pool. City of the week is Greenville, North Carolina, site of the Little League Softball World Series; the equipment tip spotlights the ZVT training tool that uses color feedback to encourage seeing the ball. A listener shares a professionally timed 2.57 home-to-first run at an all-state combine. In the main interview, Neil Anderson explains SkillShark, an app and web platform that replaces paper tryout scoring with mobile evaluations, videos, weighted reports, automated team sorting, self-assessments on character traits, prefilled comments, developmental resource tagging, and automatic swing analysis. Tory advises new travel teams to balance challenging and winnable tournaments through self-assessment, tournament-director input, and coach networking, and closes with a safety PSA urging consistent, proper use of protective screens during hitting drills. SkillShark Link Support the show

Today we highlight the USA Women’s National Team and Elite Team competing in the International Cup in Oklahoma City, noting Japan’s strength, Patty Gasso’s difficult roster choices, and the positive impact of the pro league on U.S. players. The City of the Week is Racine, Wisconsin, with a connection to "A League of Their Own". They address a listener’s concern about 8U rec softball prioritizing winning over teaching and equal participation. In the leadoff segment they discuss recurring scandals of bending or breaking rules in youth sports and the lessons it teaches kids. In the cleanup segment they react to a court injunction granting an extra year of college eligibility to a group of athletes, creating roster and scholarship uncertainty. The coaching tip argues player development primarily comes from practice reps, with games serving as tests rather than the main development tool. Support the show

In episode 431 of Everything Fastpitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don discuss the AUSL Championship Series and note professional softball’s first network broadcast on ABC, plus observations about the strike zone and the league’s evolving formats. They name Chattanooga, Tennessee as City of the Week and answer a listener question about whether high school softball should be played in spring versus fall, weighing development, weather, burnout, and injury concerns. In the leadoff segment, they praise Little League softball’s ESPN coverage and urge fans not to disparage it, mentioning Danielle Lawrie broadcasting her daughter’s qualifying game and noting an eligibility scandal for later discussion. They also stress expanding recruiting searches across many college levels and offer a coaching tip: when teams struggle, consider rest and fun instead of working harder. Support the show

In episode 430 of Everything Fastpitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don discuss the AUSL heading into playoffs (with Chicago and Utah battling for the top seed) and the league’s growth, and name Sacramento, California as City of the Week. They  address a listener rant about the rain-impacted Legacy Tournament in Atlanta, noting the challenges of massive “super tournaments,” field conditions, and umpire shortages, and debating refunds and contingency plans. In the main interview, recruiting expert Greg Dees of Empowered Analytical Sports Recruiting explains the NCAA Division I “five-for-five” eligibility rule starting with the 2027 class, its limited exceptions, transitional impact on 2026s, tighter roster spots causing decommitments, and advice to broaden target schools and consider D2/D3 or transfer pathways, including graduate-degree benefits. The coaching tip argues against making 12U athletes “pitcher only,” emphasizing development, injury realities, and two-way skills. Greg Dees Recruiting Questions Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don welcome you to Episode 429 of Everything Fastpitch. They share a Did You Know? noting over $9 million in NIL deals have been denied, seeking listener clarification. A listener asks how to keep defenders engaged behind a dominant strikeout pitcher; the hosts suggest emphasizing communication, positioning, backup responsibilities, and practicing game-speed defensive reps. In an interview, Gosia Betancourt describes her son Joshua’s transition from intense elite gymnastics to elite diving, the family’s emotional adjustment, and the importance of listening to children; she also discusses managing perfectionism, injuries, coach communication, and using online schooling for academic rigor and flexibility. The coaching tip urges travel-ball coaches to align tryout advertising with realistic commitments, especially claims about player development versus heavy tournament schedules. Crimson Global Academy Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 428 with segments including a Did You Know?, equipment tip, listener question, and an interview with Alan Vanhook, plus a coaching tip on practicing all game situations. They highlight the Professional Softball League (WPSL) as another strong women’s pro option alongside AUSL, noting six teams (including Atlanta Smoke) and urging support for pro opportunities to grow the sport and benefit future Olympic teams. The equipment tip spotlights Rempro Sports defensive face masks. A listener question asks what parents should understand; they stress honoring commitments and recognizing how hard softball is. In the interview, Alan Vanhook shares his daughter Jordyn's Arizona State journey, transfer portal experience, returning as a walk-on, the importance of being a great teammate, mental health, and earning opportunities that led to degrees and a GA role. The coaching tip emphasizes practicing every situation—especially in limited travel-ball practice time—rather than overfocusing on conditioning or talking instead of doing. Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don discuss the NCAA’s new Division I “5-for-5” age-based eligibility model (five years to play five seasons, with limited exemptions), including potential recruiting impacts that may favor transfers and junior colleges. City of the Week is Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  A listener prompt compares Oklahoma softball missing the Women’s College World Series while Oklahoma baseball won it all, noting baseball’s unpredictability versus softball’s more predictable contenders. In the main interview, Shellee Howard of College Ready explains planning early (ideally middle school), the importance of GPA, fit (academic/social/athletic/financial), FAFSA timing and errors, scholarship strategies, private vs public cost realities, and negotiating aid; she shares resources, books, and contact info. The Coaching Tip addresses players who excel in practice but struggle in games, emphasizing mental training, confidence, and game-like pressure in practice. Shellee's web site : https://collegereadyplan.com/ FastpitchPrep: https://fastpitchprep.com/ Patreon Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don open Episode 426 by previewing the show, promoting Patreon, and naming Kansas City, Missouri as City of the Week. They discuss the AUSL’s strong ratings and attendance with the new home-site format, while raising concerns about converted baseball fields and teams missing star players still playing in Japan. A listener question reports an umpire saying the entire ball must be over the plate for a strike, prompting discussion of how that shrinks the effective zone, increases walks and home runs, and the possibility of electronic strike calling. In the featured interview, Morgan Stuart (former Washington player and 2009 national champion, author, and defensive instructor) describes her path from Southern California travel ball to college, why she chose athlete development over college coaching, and her view that recruitment still requires being “the best,” often via top travel teams. She explains softball’s unique speed and limited reaction time, argues most teams under-train defense, and emphasizes daily catching/throwing, quality reps, glove “pocket awareness,” pre-pitch timing and 18-second between-pitch routines, plus celebrating defensive process, not just errors. She shares resources including The Roadmap I Never Had, the Black Book of Drills, Instagram accounts, lessons in Anaheim, clinics, camps, and a $20/month Defense Club. The episode closes with a Father’s Day coaching tip thanking dads and parent-coaches and reminders to support sponsors and submit questions.] Check out Morgan - morgan-stuart.com/ Support the show