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.

Topics: Softball, Softball Coaching, Softball Mental Game

As the Women’s college softball season comes to an epic conclusion at the Women’s College World Series this week, coaching staffs for each school have prepared their teams to play at the highest level. While all of the coaches have done something extremely significant to lead their teams to fantastic seasons, the four head coaches of the final four teams in the tournament, in particular, created lasting impacts for each player on their team.

Topics: Softball Coaching, College Softball, college softball practice, Softball Hitting, Softball Postseason

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.

Topics: Softball, Softball Coaching, College Softball, softball players, high school softball, college softball practice, high school softball practice

 

 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.

Topics: Softball, Softball Coaching, Sports Motivation, Sports Psychology, Softball Practice, DiSC

 

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! 

Topics: Softball, Softball Coaching, Popup Priority, Softball drills, Softball Fundamentals

 

 

Fastpitch softball has a way of its own when it comes to the language you hear between players, coaches, and parents, but if you're a newcomer to the sport, you might be left a little in the dust.

 

How bout some context? We're here to take a second look at the slang tossed around in fastpitch that folks outside fastpitch have no clue about. You might think twice about the words you take for granted in this game the next time you casually mention "good girls steal."

Topics: Softball, Softball Coaching, Fastpitch Slang, Softball Trivia, Softball Practice

 

When the Amateur Softball Association of America showed up at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, I don't know if they knew just how aggressive softball would become today. And when the International Softball Federation came on the scene, I don't know if they could have anticipated how competitive fast-pitch softball would look by 2016.

Topics: Softball, Softball Coaching, Softball plays

 

You've probably heard of the phrase "iron will" -- someone who uses struggle, loss, challenge, and failure to help their determination or performance gain even more momentum. The methods behind such mental strength are simple, and they're totally effective for coaches to get the results they want from their players.

 

So what does an "iron will" kind of softball player look like?

 

A player with that kind of tenacity, according to mental toughness softball specialist, Dr. Alan Goldberg, combines their past success and failure with focus on the main thing.

Topics: Softball, Softball Coaching, Sports Psychology, Softball Mental Game

Every softball coach wants to make winners out of his or her players. Coach Candrea just happens to be a seasoned college and Olympic coach in the business of making champions.

With 1,500+ collegiate wins, 24 appearances in the NCAA College World Series, 8 NCAA National Championships, and Gold and Silver Olympic Medals under his belt, we think Coach Mike Candrea is pretty much golden through and through.

And it's NOT just because he's a winner. Coach Candrea epitomizes what it means to be an excellent coach on the field and in life.

Topics: Coaching, Softball, Softball Coaching, FungoMan, Olympic Softball Team, Mike Candrea, University of Arizona Softball, Softball Practice, Softball Training