Coach Tory and Coach Don open by covering a good news/bad news “Did You Know”: the passing of renowned short-game coach Larry Ray, and the June 9 start of the AUSL season with many televised games, plus discussion of intentional walks to star hitter Megan Grant. The city of the week is Omaha, Nebraska. They answer a listener question about whether Texas Tech is leaning into a “heel” persona amid NIL/transfer-portal moves and a football gambling-eligibility controversy. The main interview features mental performance coach Breanne Smedley (The Elite Competitor), who shares her athlete journey, her team’s championship success, and a plug-and-play mental training model including weekly 15-minute lessons, a 5–7 minute “3,2,1 Brave” routine, and a “snapback” reset routine for pressure and failure-based sports. The coaching tip focuses on keeping practices fresh with competitive, skill-based fun and reading when practice becomes unproductive.

Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 424 of Everything Fastpitch, recap the Women’s College World Series (Texas repeats as Division I champion behind Teagan Cavan; record-setting attendance in Oklahoma City), and discuss the irony of all-time great pitchers (Monica Abbott, Cat Osterman, NiJaree Cannady) not winning national titles. They compare Texas Tech’s transfer/NIL-built roster to a “wrestling heel” that heightened fan attention, name Oklahoma City as City of the Week, promote Square Cuts training discs, and answer a listener question about softball spending (top budgets cited at $4–$6M excluding hard-to-track NIL) and SEC athletic donations led by Texas. In the lead-off segment, Monica Abbott reflects on her Tennessee records, WCWS competitiveness, pitcher development into the pros, strike-zone issues, two-way pitchers, and her MA14 Spin Trainer. The coaching tip addresses players receiving conflicting outside instruction and the need for a consistent personal plan.

Support the show

In episode 423 of Everything Fastpitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don preview segments and encourage Patreon support, then share a Did You Know about UCLA’s Megan Grant hitting 40+ home runs to crush a record held since 1995 despite playing about 20 fewer games, with Grant also having been part of UCLA’s national-championship women’s basketball team. City of the Week is Oklahoma City, reflecting a download spike during the Women’s College World Series, and they briefly plug Square Cuts training discs. A listener asks about the best D1 home-field advantage; they highlight Alabama’s Rhodes House, plus Nebraska’s record crowds and Arkansas’s intense atmosphere, noting big attendance as a major factor. In the interview, Chip Pugh (a former strength coach who shifted into leadership/character development and now serves as the Tennessee Titans’ director of team development) explains his book Made to Win, built around six practices, encouraging people to believe they were made to win by maximizing potential through serving others and, from his faith perspective, modeling Jesus; he recommends buying in bulk via the publisher site. They also debate practice attendance impacting playing time, emphasizing preseason expectations, communication, and consequences for repeated no-shows, and conclude that gadgets can help teach specific concepts but shouldn’t be overused. Book links: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Made+to+Win+Chip+Pugh https://oakspress.com

Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 422 of Everything Fastpitch, including a “Did You Know” and City of the Week Las Vegas. They answer a listener question about measuring improvement beyond stats, emphasizing observation, confidence, quality at-bats, and long-term development over instant results. Tory interviews former UAB coach Marla Townsend about her Compete mental performance system (12 key ingredients, journal with QR-code audio coaching, parent playbook, and Performance Hub), available at marlatownsend.com with a  discount code "VIP". In the cleanup segment, Robbie Brogdon discusses launching an Atlanta-area collegiate summer league at Heritage Park in McDonough with doubleheaders, streaming/stats, camps, and support for transfer-portal players. The coaching tip covers ways to get a team out of a rut by adding variety and redefining success metrics.

Marla Townsend Compete Program-marlatownsend.com
Collegiate Summer League (Robbie Brogdon -  229-376-8591, [email protected])

Support the show

Everything Fastpitch episode 421 with Coach Tory and Coach Don previews warm-up segments and features an interview with social media instructor Megan Rembielak. They recap early NCAA Division I regional results and notable games, including Oregon’s elimination by Mississippi State amid pitching injuries, seeded teams advancing (Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia), Florida State’s loss to Stetson and matchup with UCF, and Texas Tech’s comeback win over Ole Miss; they emphasize the value of smaller-conference teams in the tournament. City of the Week is Bloomington, Indiana.  Listener Danielle asks about handling coaching decision regret; they advise accountability, grace, and focusing on process over outcomes. In the interview, Rembielak (megremsoftball.com) shares her playing/coaching path, content-creation motivations, views on criticism, key teaching points (timing in hitting, staying in motion on defense), the importance of live reps and softball IQ, and launching RemProSports (remprosports.com) equipment. Coaching tip addresses managing a 12U player who over-corrects teammates by setting guidelines and channeling leadership appropriately.

Support the show

Coach Torrey and Coach Don preview episode 420 of Everything Fastpitch, beginning with “good news, bad news”: UCLA’s Megan Grant sets the single-season home run record with 38, but a Big Ten Network replay skipped the record-breaking at-bat in favor of injury and replay footage. They answer a listener question about a $50 travel-ball tryout fee, agreeing the biggest issue is not disclosing it upfront. They break down the newly announced NCAA Division I tournament bracket, noting SEC strength, mid-majors benefiting from SEC teams missing the .500 threshold, and storyline-heavy potential matchups (e.g., Oregon–Oklahoma, Texas–Texas A&M, Alabama–LSU). In cleanup, they encourage players to watch how elite athletes handle mistakes and teamwork, then argue the sport has a shrinking strike zone, citing 1,600 more home runs than last year. They close by questioning in-game iPad video coaching for 12U players, favoring postgame review, and thank sponsors and patrons.

Support the show

Coach Torrey hosts Episode 419 solo outlining warm-up items, a hitting proverb discussion, a Division I postseason preview, and a coaching “confession.” He notes an NCAA Division I proposal to shift eligibility from five years to play four seasons to a five-year window allowing five seasons. The city of the week is Columbia, South Carolina, and the equipment tip spotlights Fastpitch Prep’s Square Cuts training discs designed to help hitters learn what “squaring up” the ball means. A listener question addresses the “blame game,” urging players and parents to take ownership rather than blame umpires, coaches, teammates, or conditions. Torrey contrasts “problem-solver” hitting coaches with teaching hitters to understand and self-correct. He previews conference tournaments, seeding implications, and possible top-eight hosts, and argues coaches do have favorites—typically the hardest-working, most reliable team-first players.

Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don host Everything Fast Pitch open with thanking patrons and previewing segments. They discuss the SEC’s plan to make Madison, Alabama’s Toyota Field the permanent home of the SEC softball tournament from 2027–2030, replacing rotating campus sites, and note Lexington, Kentucky is the last on-campus host through 2030. The city spotlight is Oklahoma City. A listener prompts discussion about multi-sport athletes versus early specialization. In an interview, Bill Hoopes (coach, PGF Florida state director, tournament director, author) covers his background, high school vs travel ball purposes, recruiting changes, finding the right college fit, and his books/workbooks and “60 for me” content. The coaching tip emphasizes balancing quality instruction with reps so repetitions reinforce correct mechanics.

Bill Hoopes Link - https://www.leadyourjourney.com/

Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don record Everything Fast Pitch episode 417 via Zoom from Canada, previewing segments and thanking Patreon supporters. They note the NCAA’s Division I softball transfer portal window will open the Monday after the Women’s College World Series and last 15 days, aiming to tighten timing and discuss how the portal changes recruiting without eliminating opportunities, especially noting elite freshmen still impact top programs. City of the Week is Salt Lake City, and the equipment tip promotes Square Cuts training discs. Listener Alan asks whether the portal is “ruining recruiting,” prompting discussion of shifting opportunities and roster voids. The lead-off segment critiques negative fans and “super fans,” especially those who harass opponents. The cleanup segment condemns bashing underpaid school-ball coaches and emphasizes their developmental value. The coaching tip urges better situational decision-making focused on securing outs and winning games.

Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don record episode 416 and preview segments on pickup player etiquette, baseball vs. softball fielding, and coaching styles In “Did You Know,” Tory argues the Division I strike zone has become overly hitter-friendly, citing 185 hitters over .400 late in the season, and says it hurts pitchers despite consistent umpiring; Don notes pros and cons and the sport’s evolution. City of the week is Fayetteville, Arkansas. A JV coach asks how to keep a struggling team engaged; they suggest removing scoreboard focus, setting small in-game goals, and celebrating incremental wins with team leaders. They discuss green/yellow/red guidelines for guest players and warn against using pickups to replace roster players. They also advise being open-minded about a former MLB player changing defensive instruction and say coaching energy should match both coach nature and team needs.

Support the show

Coach Tory and Coach Don preview episode 415, thank patrons, and highlight Nebraska hosting UCLA with over 8,000 fans as a possible true home-field regular-season attendance record, noting softball’s growth. The city of the week is Bloomington, Indiana, and they promote Square Cuts training discs and sponsors EAS and Elite Sporting Goods. A listener reports Tennessee varsity games canceled due to a severe umpire shortage; they discuss poor treatment of officials and encouraging more people to umpire. In the lead-off segment, they debate year-round softball, risks of burnout and injury, and advocate balancing commitment with multi-sport participation. They explain the “Rule of Thirds” for great, average, and terrible days and emphasize performing through adversity using goals. The coaching tip stresses pitchers practicing fielding, overhand throwing, and situational awareness, including a two-ball drill. Tory also criticizes an overly small TV strike zone in college games and its effects on pitchers, offense, and record comparisons.

Support the show