The FungoMan Softball Blog

In most parts of the country, the term “Travel Ball” refers to softball clubs and organizations playing year-round softball games and tournaments. This is different than recreational softball (or Rec Ball) because teams and players are considered to be more committed to the sport, more competitive, and playing more often.  

When picking a travel ball team, there are many factors that should be weighed into the decision.  Ultimatally, there is no blank statement that is true for every family. However, here are some helpful factors to consider when choosing which travel ball team would be right for you and your daughter.

Let’s face it. We all love spending time scrolling through Instagram. We can connect with others, see beautiful pictures, and watch funny videos. A wealth of softball knowledge and information awaits discovery as well!

Here's our list of the best Instagram accounts to follow for the softball lovers out there.

Young athletes should dream big dreams. They should foresee themselves playing in a big time game or in front a large crowd.

As the popularity of college softball continues to grow, young girls get the chance to envision themselves playing the game they love while getting a college degree. Those young, aspiring athletes should be asking themselves: What will it take to get there? What will be different once I get to the next level?

There are hardly any rule changes that occur between high school softball and the collegiate game. However, if you ask any collegiate softball player, past or present, they will tell you there is a vast difference between playing for a high school or club team versus playing in college.

As a player, coach, or parent of a high school softball player, let’s take notes of these differences in order to be fully equipped for the next level.

When asked about the differences between softball and baseball, what are the first disparities that come to mind? For most, the common answers would be the field dimensions, style of pitching, and ball size. Let’s look even further. What are those terms that you would only hear walking around a softball complex but never at a Major League ballpark?

In the panic era of college softball, where young women are recruited and committed as early as their eighth grade year, one softball player committed "late" as a senior, broke records, led her team in homeruns, and represented her team and school for an Espy award for “Best Upset” at the 2010 ESPYs.

Kelly Majam Elms, graduate of University of Hawaii, boasts a college career batting average of .335 and fielding percentage of .992. Not to mention hitting thirty homeruns in her freshman year.

She generously took some time for us to interview her and share her thoughts on committing "late."

 As new players take the field in practice with the start of a new year, team chemistry will be important.

But why leave team chemistry to chance? Coaches have the responsibility to give their best efforts to understanding each player to effectively motivate each one, and collectively influence the entire team.

Each player displays different strengths and weaknesses, and thanks to the DiSC test assessment, we can boil down a myriad of personalities into four basic behavioral profiles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance.

Here's the breakdown of what many softball coaches have seen break down on the field -- Popup Priority. The ebook below will give you access to the best explanation of popup priority -- and it's organized in a way that makes it clear how each player should respond to any popup on the field. Collisions and drops begone! 

Fastpitch softball is a hot topic today. People are acknowledging the sport for its level of competition, advancement in technique, and even women's empowerment. But what do your players know about the history of the sport? The truth is, that depends on who's coaching them and providing solid knowledge of the game.

Check out this infographic that every softball player should add to her repertoire.

Monica Abbott is breaking the mold in the best way. In case you missed it, she just signed a record $1 million dollar contract with Houston's Scrap Yard Dawgs.

It's so easy to be excited for this gold medalist not only because she's an incredible athlete, but because she's carrying a message for a new generation of young softball players that's worth your attention. 

Her story is one to share with your team, your coach, and your daughter.