Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

Beau Ray

Everything Fastpitch is a podcast hosted by Coach Tory Acheson and Coach Don McKinlay. If you are interested in the recruiting process, tips on how to better your game and everything Fastpitch Softball this is the podcast for you!

  • 43 minutes 38 seconds
    Shifts in Division 1 Recruiting / "Non-Parent Coaches" / Rotating Players Every Inning / Picking a Bat

    Coach Tory and Coach Don preview and record Everything Fast Pitch episode 409 via Zoom, highlighting a listener-driven show and thanking supporters on patreon.com/everythingfastpitch. In the warmup “Did You Know,” they note three Division I undefeated teams at the time of recording—Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama—and discuss SEC strength and ongoing top-team dominance. The city of the week is Huntsville, Alabama, with mention of strong softball in the area, UAH’s Division II success, and local universities. Player of the week is Bronwyn Conroy (College of Charleston), recognized as rookie of the week after a standout week including five runs, nine hits, three RBIs, and multiple stolen bases; they share Don’s prior familiarity with her and invite more nominations via email. The equipment tip promotes Square Cuts training discs (FastPitchPrep.com), priced at $49.95 per dozen, with YouTube demos and varied uses beyond hitting. A listener question asks how transfers, extra eligibility, and NIL may shift Division I recruiting; they agree programs increasingly prioritize proven portal players while still pursuing elite high school recruits, and discuss pressure to win, scholarship changes, and financial strains on athletic departments. In the leadoff segment, they debate travel ball teams advertising “non-parent coaches,” arguing it doesn’t guarantee fairness or quality and that many parent coaches are highly committed, while paid non-parent coaches can still have biases. In the cleanup segment, they address an 8U team rotating players every inning, supporting multi-position development but recommending more consistent innings/roles so players can learn from mistakes. The coaching tip focuses on helping players choose the right bat (length/weight), discouraging gimmicky sizing formulas and knee-jerk changes based on short-term results, and recommending the longest/heaviest bat a player can swing with good bat speed and control, while noting the cost and rapid outgrowing of expensive bats.

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    26 February 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 24 minutes
    More on field coaches in college / Sports Illustrated Article / Sara Mosley Interview / Batting Practice

    Coach Tory and Coach Don welcome you to Episode 408 of Everything Fast Pitch. In “Did You Know,” they cover an NCAA rule change allowing all institutional staff in baseball/softball to provide technical and tactical instruction through the end of the current season, noting it may widen the gap between well-funded “super schools” and smaller programs.  A listener question  addresses a Sports Illustrated article about Texas Tech and the Matador Club, explaining NIL/tampering loopholes where collectives can contact players even when coaches cannot, and discussing how agents and NIL have changed recruiting. The lead-off segment is Part 2 of Tory’s interview with former Georgia standout and pro player Sara Mosley, who recounts her determination to play at Georgia, a showcase moment after being doubted by Coach Tony, her high school adversity (broken hips, two knee surgeries, and her father Bob Mosley’s death junior year), and how those experiences reshaped her purpose. She describes COVID-era disruptions at Georgia, the team’s run to the Women’s College World Series after a difficult SEC season, and excitement about Georgia’s new facility. Sarah discusses the challenging transition from college to pro softball (including playing in Chattanooga and with the Vibe), her Four in One Sports Christian-themed batting gloves and matching glove, and her move into coaching travel ball and taking a coaching job at her high school. In the cleanup segment, Tory and Don note early Division I trends. Several mid-majors earning big wins , and they identify four teams separating themselves early—Texas Tech, Tennessee, Texas, and Oklahoma—citing depth and pitching staffs. They also mention strong senior pitching across D1 and early struggles by some lower-half SEC teams, plus Nebraska as dangerous but with early losses that could affect seeding. The coaching tip addresses creating live batting practice without overusing team pitchers, suggesting scrimmage variations, front toss, small-group games, using older/guest pitchers or paid pitchers appropriately by age and timing, and balancing challenge with confidence. 

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    18 February 2026, 9:00 pm
  • 1 hour 32 minutes
    Prioritize Player Development / Sara Mosley Interview / Anna Nickel of GameChanger Interview / Practice the difficult

    In this action-packed episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don cover multiple topics. They introduce the City of the Week and Player of the Week and discuss the feedback from a listener about the importance of prioritizing player development over playing games. In their lead-off segment, they highlight the Professional Softball League's new minor league system. The episode features part one of an interview with Sara Mosley, a former All American at Georgia, who now plays professionally. Sara discusses influential people in her life. The cleanup segment includes an insightful chat with Anna Nickel, Senior Marketing Manager from Game Changer, who explains the numerous new features enhancing the app, such as game insights, replay capabilities, and lineup recommendations. The coaching tip of the week emphasizes the need for players to practice hitting the difficult pitches they are likely to face in games.

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    11 February 2026, 9:00 pm
  • 1 hour 27 seconds
    Coaching a skill you are weak at / Skipping Practices for Games / Backing Up is not optional

    In episode 406 of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don delve into several listener-driven topics and provide insights into effective softball coaching and team management strategies. 
    The lead-off segment tackles a query from a high school coach looking to improve his pitching coaching skills. The hosts advise taking advantage of online resources, developing a collaborative relationship with players, and maintaining a positive coaching attitude even if expertise isn't fully developed.

    In the cleanup segment, they address whether it's acceptable for players to skip team practices to play in other tournaments. Both coaches stress the importance of team practices for skill development and team cohesion, highlighting that skipping practices undermines team performance and individual growth. 

    The coaching tip of the week focuses on ensuring players consistently back up plays during games. The coaches share strategies for making this a habit, including the importance of drills, practice, and possibly benching players who fail to fulfill their responsibilities on the field.

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    4 February 2026, 9:00 pm
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    College Camp Challenges for multi-position players /Interview with new podcasters / Model Good Behavior

    This episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep features Coach Tory and Coach Don discussing several engaging segments. They cover the 'Did You Know' with preseason D1 softball rankings and emphasize the dominance of teams like Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Texas. The episode also highlights Houston, Mississippi as the City of the Week and a Player of the Week. The equipment tip focuses on the Square Cuts Training Discs. A listener question addresses college camp challenges for a player who is both a utility player and a pitcher. The main segment is an interview with Samarra and Rob Dalrymple about their new podcast, DSPN Softball Central Podcast, focusing on recruiting, player development, and insights from various guests. The coaching tip of the week stresses the importance of modeling good behavior after several troubling incidents involving parents and coaches in youth sports.

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    28 January 2026, 9:00 pm
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Judging Coaches / D1 Softball with Justin McLeod / Coaches, you can't do it by yourself

    In this week's episode of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coaches Tory and Don record their 404th episode, packed with insightful content. The warmup segment reveals news about AUSL professional softball team locations, including the Durham Blaze, Portland Cascade, Chicago Bandits, Utah Talents, Texas Volts, and Oklahoma City Spark. Additionally, they celebrate Ames, Iowa, as the City of the Week and a Player of the Week. The equipment tip of the week highlights the square cuts training discs, praised for their ability to provide immediate feedback to players. The listener question addresses whether coaches are truly bad or just not meeting parental expectations, emphasizing the importance of aligning expectations with reality. In the lead-off segment, part two of Tory's interview with Justin McLeod from D1 Softball dives deep into the upcoming 2026 Division 1 season, discussing potential breakout teams, strong conferences, and the impact of key transfers, including Texas Tech's new additions. They also explore predictions for the Women's College World Series, naming Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Tennessee, and others as top contenders. Finally, the coaching tip of the week advises coaches to avoid self-blame when player effort doesn't match the hard work put into coaching, acknowledging that player dedication is crucial to achieving goals. This episode is rich with previews, tips, and celebratory acknowledgments, serving as an essential listen for softball enthusiasts.

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    21 January 2026, 9:00 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Discussion with Justin McLeod of D1Softball / What is "Recruiting Evaluation Period"? / What to prioritize in practices

    In this episode of 'Everything Fast Pitch' by Fast Pitch Prep, Coaches Tory and Don discuss a variety of topics. They begin with a warmup segment that includes 'Did You Know?', city of the week, player of the week, equipment tip of the week, and a listener question that dives into the rise of elite Division I pitchers. The main segment features part one of an interview with Justin McLeod from D1 Softball, focusing on the upcoming college softball season and the state of professional softball. The discussion covers both Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) and the Professional Softball League (PSL), detailing their impacts and recent developments. Further segments include a talk on the recruiting evaluation period and a coaching tip on prioritizing team practices when practice time is limited. 

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    14 January 2026, 9:00 pm
  • 39 minutes 54 seconds
    Do college coaches use geography in recruiting? / Preparing for the season / Getting into umpiring / Focus on what to do right

    In this week's episode of Everything Fast Pitch, Coach Tory and Coach Don connect to record episode 402, marking the beginning of the 2026 season. The discussion covers several key segments, including the warmup segment featuring City of the Week (Charlotte, NC), Player of the Week and an equipment tip about Square Cuts training discs, and an intriguing listener question. The lead-off segment focuses on players' preparation for the spring season, stressing the importance of self-care and conditioning. The clean-up topic addresses how a listener can get started in umpiring. The coaching tip of the week emphasizes coaching players to achieve their goals rather than focusing on avoiding mistakes. 

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    7 January 2026, 9:00 pm
  • 11 minutes 2 seconds
    Looking into the future for 2026

    In this New Year's Week mini episode of 'Everything Fast Pitch' by Fast Pitch Prep, the focus is on the outlook for 2026 in college softball. Coach Tory reflects on the growing viewership and success of the Women's College World Series and other softball events in the past year, questioning how much bigger the sport can get. Topics discussed include the impact of financial investment by schools, particularly around facilities and name, image, and likeness (NIL) money, on competing for championships. Speculation on how the escalation in spending correlates with success, mirroring trends in college football. Additionally, the episode covers the proliferation of softball games accessible via ESPN platforms, the role of podcasts like 'In the Circle' in keeping fans informed, and the influence of social media algorithms in disseminating softball-related content. Lastly, Coach Tory encourages listeners to support college softball at various levels and to engage with the sport through live games and practices.

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    31 December 2025, 9:00 pm
  • 8 minutes 47 seconds
    Merry Christmas and there is a lot to be thankful for in women's sports

    In this week's Christmas edition of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, the host reflects on the past year and expresses gratitude for the progress in women's sports coverage. The episode highlights significant improvements in the visibility of women's sports on major networks like ESPN. The host recalls personal experiences from 2007 and discusses challenges from earlier periods, emphasizing the importance of continued support for women's sports. Additionally, the host thanks Stan for his production efforts, acknowledges the audience's support, and looks forward to an exciting 2026.

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    24 December 2025, 9:00 pm
  • 1 hour 38 minutes
    Re-lace a glove question / Interview with author Steve Dickey / Involve players in charitable activities

    In this week's edition of Everything Fast Pitch by Fast Pitch Prep, Coach Tory and Coach Don celebrate their 401st episode and reflect on the significant milestone of having 700 total podcast episodes including mini-pods and prediction shows. They express gratitude to listeners, patrons, and contributors, particularly during the busy holiday season. The program highlights include 'Did You Know' on upcoming city announcements by AU Softball League, 'City of the Week' Las Vegas, 'Player of the Week', and a question on whether it's worthwhile to get a glove re-laced. Key segments include an interview with Steve Dickey from Better Ballgame, who discusses the complexities and challenges of youth sports, particularly in fast pitch softball, with topics like long-term development, the importance of having strong female role models, and the crucial role parents play. The episode concludes with the Action Coach coaching tip of the week, emphasizing the importance of involving players in charitable activities to help those less fortunate and foster better team unity.

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    17 December 2025, 9:00 pm
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