Editorial Review

“Mastering these drills will arm your players with one of the biggest intangibles necessary to perform well--confidence.”
--Michele Smith

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Fame pitcher Michele Smith throws one right down the middle with this big collection of more than 250 skill-building drills developed especially for coaches of fast-pitch recreation league, travel ball, and high school softball players, ages eight to eighteen.

Straight from the Michele Smith Gold Camps and Clinics, these drills are designed to give you all the tools you need to teach the entire range of offensive and defensive softball skills. With Michele's expert guidance and instruction, you'll coach your players to:

• Master the mechanics of footwork for fielding with hustle
• Swing for the fences and hit the fastest pitches
• Catch the ball proactively and throw it quickly and accurately to its target
• Defend the infield and outfield with speed and confidence
• Run the bases swiftly and strategically
• Refine fast-pitch skills so they can windmill like Michele
• And much more

Reviews

Great resource for youth league and travel team coaches, April 1, 2008
As a league administrator, I'm always looking for great coaching
resources for the coaches in our league. I love this book because it's
a combination coaching and drills book. Many drills books out there
just have drills (with a smattering of ad hoc remarks on mechanics).
But this book is different. Every section of the book has a thorough
discussion of the required mechanics (hitting, pitching, defensive
footwork, infield defense, outfield defense, etc.), followed by a slew
of drills. The book contains a progression of drills for every level of
player (youth league level, as well as tons of "advanced variation"
drills for travel league and high school players). The book is very
organized, and therefore is a great resource for coaches to refer back
to on a regular basis. You can tell that Michele Smith is a stickler
for details because the photos and captions are very detail oriented and
helpful. All and all a fantastic resource!

Excellent Softball Drills Resource for Youth Softball Coaches, January 2, 2009
To all softball players, coaches and parents:

In this video review, I explained that I'm qualified to review this product and why I strongly believe that this book is a great resource for softball drills especially for youth softball coaches.

Reviewer's credentials:

- Experienced Softball Coach (over 20 years of softball coaching experience including the international and college levels)

- Experienced presenter / course conductor in the field of softball and coaching

- Master's Degree in Coaching Sciences

- Doctoral Studies in Coaching Expertise

Outstanding and Highly Recommended!, March 31, 2008
This book is a great reference for any coach of U10, U12, U14 and high school girls softball. The book is very organized and well written, and explains very clearly the fundamentals behind each drill. As expected, the pitching chapter is excellent. But the hitting and the defense chapters are also outstanding. There are lots of advanced level coaching tips throughout the book, including in each drill's "hints" section. Michele Smith is in alot of the photos personally demonstrating the mechanics and drills. The diagrams are good, and clutter free.

Excellent!, March 25, 2008
I have two daughters, an eighth grader who is really into softball, and a fourth grader who is just getting into the sport. I ran across this new drills book and highly recommend it. It's really organized, with good pictures to go along with the drills. And it's great for both of my girls. I'm definitely going to tell their coaches about it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Field a winning fastpitch softball team year after year with the knowledge and insights of a coaching legend! Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully provides the guidance and technical expertise you need in order to build and maintain a competitive team, covering every facet of leading a squad on the field and developing a program off of it.

Hall of Fame coach Kathy Veroni, who has won more than 1,250 fastpitch games in her career, and pitching expert Roanna Brazier share their insights and experiences in this authoritative, comprehensive guide to coaching fastpitch softball. From developing a coaching philosophy and planning for the season to teaching the skills and tactics of the game, you will find proven formulas for success within these pages.

With practice and conditioning plans, administrative forms, sample scouting charts, tactics for dozens of game situations, and more than 130 drills, Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully is the most complete resource available for aspiring and experienced coaches alike. Take advantage of the authors’ expertise to gain a winning edge over your competition. ... Read more

Reviews

Best softball book, December 16, 1999
I've read most of the fast-pitch softball books on the market and this is by far the best. It is thorough, yet concise. It is equally useful for beginning coaches and advanced coaches. I especially like the Defensive Strategies chapter that details many game situations and defenses for those situations. This book also covers the gamut of coaching softball, from philosophy to organization to the game itself to post-season considerations.

Excellent Softball Book For Coaches of 12 & U and Up., September 25, 2000
The book is a little more advanced than what I needed right now coaching 8 & U coach pitch softball, but it does a great job of showing you the direction your coaching should be going as the kids get older. That in turn has influenced how I teach these young girls. Many of the fine drills in this book are too advancd for my age group, but I was able to simplify them a little to make them easier for 7-8 year olds. If your coaching 6-10 year old kids and can only buy one book, this may not be the one. But it is a great book to have in your coaching library. The best I have seen, my kids just are not quite ready for it yet.

A great source for any level coach., July 12, 1998
I just recently purchased Kathy Veroni's book to help instruct my 10 year old in fastpitch. I was never taught the proper way to play myself, so I needed a guide. After just getting into it, I have decided to coach her team next year! Ms. Veroni cites some of her own experiences to "drive home" some of her points. She reviews coaching skills for different situations and has many drills and trouble shooting strategies for all age levels. There are photos to help define drills. The book is written very well and is easy to follow. If you need drills, this is the book to have! Our current coaches have bought it and loved it too.

Excellent source of information., September 22, 1999
This is the most complete book for coaching fastpitch I have seen. The book is well laid out for easy reference. I purchased the book mainly to find ways to make practices funner and more effective but have found a wealth of information and ideas that will benefit our organization. If you can only by one book for coaching this is it!

The Greatest Fundamental Softball Book on the Market, May 18, 2000
I've never read a book that had so many ideas in it for coaching, whether it was on the youth level or the college level of softball. This book is fundamentally sound and I recommend it to all who are coaching softball or who plan to in the future.

Excellent source of information for any level coach., May 17, 1999
I throughly enjoyed Coach Veroni's book. This book is a must read for any serious coach at any level. The book is very well laid and makes for great reading as well as serving as a reference source for any coach. I learned a great deal about how to run a program instead of just how to coach details. I purchased a copy for our high school coach to read and have.

Great for High School Coaching, November 2, 2001
This is a very well laid out book and easy to follow. I would highly recommend this book for coaching high school or college age girls. Might be a little deep for younger athetes but could be adapted. Many drills are included in this book, and I found the philosophies especially interesting. Brought out a lot of simple points I had never thought of before.

The Definitive Handbook for High School Fastpitch Coaches, March 24, 2003
I have coached for over ten years now and have found this book to be the most comprehensive, theoretically sound, user friendly coaching handbook on the market. Veroni has organized the information most effectively using charts and diagrams in addition to her commentary. This is THE book to purchase for both the beginning or experienced high school coach.

100% complete book., June 11, 2000
The best book on the market I have found. With this book and watching some highschool practices you can really figure out your own team and how to get the most out of them.

For Youth Softball - Good Reference, December 6, 2001
This book is comprehensive and is aimed at the coach of a team consisting of younger or much younger players. Kathy Veroni sounds like a tough, fair, and thorough coach. Imagine driving a group of late-arriving players 10 miles out of town and telling then to jog back to practice. No wonder West Illinois U has a great softball team.
However, as a captain of a mens' fastpitch softball team, with players who play once a week, this book did not help me much. The drills were just too involved and required a much higher commitment and lower physical strength than I have from the guys on my team. It's like using a college-level calculus text when all you want to learn is high school algebra.
Having said that, the big plus of this book is the VERY EXTENSIVE list of both defensive and offensive drills. This section of the book makes the purchase price worthwhile. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Packed with over 180 drills straight from the practice sessions of the game's most successful programs, The Softball Drill Book will add variety to your practices and precision to your game-day performances.

The comprehensive collection covers every aspect of the game. From warm-up to conditioning, throwing to hitting, bunting to base-running, you'll find drills to improve position skill and team execution - all from college coaches and programs that have won 13 NCAA Women's College World Series titles and dozens of NCAA regional tournament titles.

Contributors include:

• Cal State Fullerton head coach Michelle Gromacki
• Florida State associate head coach Louie Berndt
• Fresno State head coach Margie Wright
• Iowa associate head coach Michelle Venturella
• Long Beach State head coach Kim Sowder
• Louisiana State head coach Yvette Girouard
• Louisville associate head coach Carol Bruggeman
• Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins
• Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller
• Nebraska assistant coach Jennifer Ogee
• Notre Dame head coach Deanna Gumpf
• Oregon State head coach Kirk Walker
• UCLA head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez
• Washington head coach Heather Tarr

One look at the names above and it is clear, The Softball Drill Book is your blueprint for championship practices. ... Read more

Reviews

Excellent drills, September 2, 2007
This book is a good guide for almost all drills you want to use on practice with one or more players. Recomend to all coaches at the beginning of their carrier.

One of the best softball drills book on the market today!, January 4, 2009
To all softball players, coaches and parents:

In this video review, I explained that I'm qualified to review this product and why I strongly believe that this book is one of the best softball drills book on the market today.

Reviewer's credentials:

- Experienced Softball Coach (over 20 years of softball coaching experience including the international and college levels)

- Experienced presenter / course conductor in the field of softball and coaching

- Master's Degree in Coaching Sciences

Good book of drills, March 26, 2010
Using some of these drills for our 9 year old granddaughter's softball team, will put more in as the girls get used to the ones we're doing and they get a better feel of the game. I wished I'd had a book like this back when their aunt played at this same level.

Comprehensive, but..., July 28, 2009
Kirk Walker has assembled over 175 drills organized into fourteen chapters covering training, fundamental skills, position-specific skills, and tactical drills. Each drill page states the drill's purpose, how to organize and execute it, variations of the drill, and miscellaneous coaching points. Additionally, each chapter has an introduction that provides general guidance for the topic at hand. Though there is a lot of information presented, I feel that this book does not quite live up to its promise.

One problem may be that each chapter is written by a different D1 coach, and since each D1 program has its own philosophies and points of emphasis, there seems to be a lack of continuity from chapter to chapter. Given that Kirk Walker is the Head Coach at Oregon State University, his book may have been better served focusing on Oregon State's drills, approach, values and beliefs.

Like most drill books, this one has a drill finder which tries to help the reader zero in on a drill of interest, but there is not enough granularity in the drill finder table to differentiate from one drill to the next. For example, Chapter 11, Pitching Drills, has 11 different drills yet all of them have the same exact characteristics in the drill finder matrix. As a result, the reader still has to read through each drill to determine which one best suits his/her needs. I would add an additional column in the drill finder that highlights a drill's main "Coaching Point" (as listed on each drill page).

There *are* drills that I've incorporated into my practices and there *is* plenty of good information here, but actually teasing it out and finding it can be a chore. I am glad I have this book, but it is not usually the first book to which I turn when I am stumped and need to find a solution to a practice or player problem. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Rarely in any sport are 28 top coaches assembled to share their principles, insights, strategies, methods, and experiences in a book. Fastpitch softball is an exception. Now you can learn from the best and take your players, team, and entire program to a higher level.

Find out how Mike Candrea develops productive hitters at Arizona, and follow the advice of Fresno State’s Margie Wright for competing in tournaments and playoffs. This landmark work covers all the bases, from recruiting players to attracting fans. Chapter after chapter, you can use this book as the game plan for building a winning program.

The all-star lineup of contributors includes:

• Dianne Baker

• Margo Jonker

• Carol Bruggeman

• Teresa Wilson

• Marge Willadsen

• JoAnne Graf

• Gayle Blevins

• Brian Kolze

• Yvette Girouard

• Denny Throneburg

• Bill Edwards

• Deb Pallozzi

• Betty Hoff

• Jacki Wright

• Mike Candrea

• Jay Miller

• Cheri K. Kempf

• Lori Sippel

• Linda Wells

• Margie Wright

• Jeff Janssen

• Rhonda Revelle

• Elaine Sortino

• Carol Hutchins

• Mona Stevens

• Rayla J. Allison

• Judi Garman

• Sharon J. Drysdale

The Softball Coaching Bible is filled with insights and expert advice to help you better understand the game and make the right decisions in key situations. Soak it up, enjoy the stories, and benefit from the wisdom of the sport’s finest mentors. ... Read more

Reviews

Bits and Pieces of Useful Info, May 28, 2008
Pros:
- Variety of topics covered including fund raising, recruiting, mental, and play aspects
- Advice from several sources
- A handful of good tables and info-graphics

Cons:
- In many cases, about 1/2 of each chapter consists of the given "expert" telling you why they are "great." I realize they are probably trying just trying to establish their value as an expert on the subject, but it's very annoying.
- Rather than properly developing ideas a coach can use for his or her own team, there are brief overviews of some ideas and other ideas are often repeated only with different wording in later chapters.
- I found the chapter on pitching especially horrible.

This book is called "The Softball Coaching Bible", and indeed, in the sense that The Bible is a collection of stories being retold with a greater purpose, this book holds true. However, if your intent for this book is as a manual, then I recommend you pass on it and check out some of the other books out there.

Great Advice From "The Greats!", March 18, 2005
This book is a must for those coaches whom are just starting their coaching journey. You receive priceless advice from todays all time greats of the game. This is the WHOS WHO of todays softball coaching world. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Baseball is the most comprehensive and up-to-date baseball-specific training guide in the world today. It contains descriptions and photographs of over 80 of the most effective weight training, flexibility, and abdominal exercises used by athletes worldwide. This book features year-round baseball-specific weight-training programs guaranteed to improve your performance and get you results.

No other baseball book to date has been so well designed, so easy to use, and so committed to weight training. This book will have players increasing arm strength, bat speed, and overall quickness and power on the diamond, leading to an increase in batting average, on-base percentage, steals, and overall performance. You will build the strength and power needed to hit the ball out of the park and you will build the stamina and endurance needed to go strong until the final pitch.

Both beginners and advanced athletes and weight trainers can follow this book and utilize its programs. From recreational to professional, thousands of athletes all over the world are already benefiting from this book and its techniques, and now you can too!

As an added bonus, this book also contains links to free record keeping charts which normally sell separately for $20. ... Read more

Reviews

Nothing new was learned..., July 8, 2009
Information and exercises are very basic, nothing new....All info in this book can be found on-line at different web sites... ... Read more

Editorial Review

Throw faster, improve your technique, learn new pitches, lower your ERA, and experience the thrill of winning more often with The Softball Pitching Edge.

This book offers an in-depth look into the art and science of softball pitching that will help you develop elite-level fastpitch skills through drills and expert technical advice. As the owner and pitching instructor at Club K, author Cheri Kempf has been teaching and training thousands of fastpitch softball players since 1987 and is widely recognized as one of the best softball pitching coaches in the country.

The Softball Pitching Edge shows the correct way to deliver the ball from the rubber to the plate to maximize effectiveness and minimize the risk of injury. It’s the first book on fastpitch softball to dissect the pitching motion through pictures and drawings of the correct mechanics. It also explains how to master those mechanics so that you can throw with greater control and speed.

The text covers all the essentials: presentation, feet, legs, arms, posture, sequence, timing, consistency, location, and speed. You’ll find a breakdown of the fundamental mechanics, with details of common mistakes and plenty of drills to help develop the proper mechanics. You’ll also find specific instruction on developing a variety of pitches, including the drop, the change-up, the rise, the curve, and the screwball. And the special tips for coaches provide insight into the pitcher’s psyche, background, mental make-up, and motivation.

The Softball Pitching Edge presents the best information based on the most modern technology and resources available. Use this book to improve your technique and add new pitches to your arsenal for more strikeouts and greater success on the mound. ... Read more

Reviews

Excellent mechanics for the fastpitch student, December 6, 2003
Without a doubt, the finest book I have ever read dealing with the accurate approach for the fastpitch female pitcher. By follwing the detailed analysis that Cheri brings from her many years of experience, one can see the kinetic breakdown of the pitching motion in step by step form. I have picked up many ideas and pointers to use with my daughter, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone serious about the proper mechanics of fastpitch softball pitching.

Good for an established pitcher, October 29, 2004
Cheri Kempf has written a fine book for the established female pitcher. She also makes a few attempts to relate her wisdom to the coaching of the beginner, but that is where I find this book most lacking. My daughter just began pitching this year, and I'm really searching for something that gives instruction from day one. Kempf gives numerous drills that are wonderful for correcting mistakes in the established pitcher's form, but I just felt that it lacked the beginning steps that I was looking for.

While the book did correct a number of things that my daughter had been taught--like worrying about "opening the gate and closing the gate" with the hips, which Kempf says is worthless and can lead to knee injuries--I wanted more for the beginner. However, if you, your daughter or a girl you coach IS an established pitcher who is looking to correct bad habits, learn new pitches, learn how to mentally prepare for games and the like, I doubt there is a better book out there. It just didn't fill all of my needs.

One thing in an earlier review that I must comment on: why on Earth would someone criticize this book because there is a picture of Amanda Freed on the cover? There are also pictures of Michelle Smith and Lisa Fernandez within the book which are put there to give the reader an idea of correct form. Do I know what Kempf's connection is to any of these women? No, but I do know that those photos could not have been used without permission from each woman. The women concerned obviously don't have a problem with their likenesses being used in the book, so how could anyone else complain about it?

Easy, comprehensive breakdown for new and advanced pitchers!, April 25, 2008
We love this book. We borrowed it from the library twice before finally purchasing. Its the best step by step coaching book we've found. What impressed me the most is that Kempf stresses proper mechanics long before the pitcher ever hits the mound. It gives drills and corrections to help insure good mechanics and safety first. We highly recommend this book to any aspiring pitcher!

Simply the best Fastpitch Softball pitching reference, ever, September 3, 2009
"The Softball Pitching Edge" is simply the best Fastpitch softball pitching book, ever. The first four chapters ("Pre-Motion Presentation", "Feet and Legs", "Arms and Posture", and "Timing of the Motion") set the beginning pitcher (and her parents) on her way by detailing and developing sound mechanics. The rest of the book is a fantastic resource for the intermediate or advanced pitcher and any fastpitch softball coach, teaching the mechanics, grips and body position required for pitching the drop, the change-up, the rise, the curve, and the screwball. It concludes with a section titled "Five more Factors for Excellent Pitching" which cover the importance of the catcher, practice routines and game preparation, mental makeup, physical conditioning, and communication. In short, it covers anything that could possibly be required to instruct a Fastpitch softball pitcher.

There is so much that this book offers that it is difficult to narrow down exactly the one thing it does best. The chapters on mechanics go through every single part of the motion of a straight fastball pitch. Not only does it offer detailed explanations on the "why", but it also dispels common misconceptions about pitching. One example is why the adage "open the door, close the door" is the wrong approach for pitchers. I have heard "open the door, close the door" since I started coaching, but I am now convinced that the author is correct, and will incorporate this knowledge into my own teaching.

Each chapter has multiple drills that reinforce the correct mechanics discussed. Even more helpful are the "Catching Common Errors" sub-chapters, which help a coach diagnose problems and identify which drills will help correct those problems. There are also hundreds of detailed pictures so that the reader can see and understand each and every movement and grip.

This is also one of the few softball books I have seen that advocates the use of videoing practice. Better yet, this is the only softball book that I know of that shows you exactly how to conduct a video analysis of a pitcher. This book is worth every penny just for this information alone (pages 52 to 54).

Finally, it not only teaches the mechanics of pitching, but also how to pitch -- specifically how to locate pitches inside and outside the strike zone, where the catcher should be positioned, and the movement one can expect on various different pitches. This is invaluable information for pitchers, catchers, and coaches alike.

"The Softball Pitching Edge" is a must-buy if you are a Fastpitch softball coach at any level, a parent of a pitcher at any but the highest level, or a pitcher herself who wants to get better.

Softball Pitching Edge, January 19, 2008
This is an excellent resource for the serious softball pitcher. Everything in it is useful and well written. Mostly geared toward High Scool age pitchers, but all ages could benifit from it.

Best Fastpitch Pitching Resource Available, April 25, 2006
This is by far the best resource for learning the mechanics of windmill pitching. It's great for beginners and advanced pitchers.

Very good book, April 2, 2009
My daughter is now a junior in high school and has been going to a pitching coach for 2 years (ie dad'd off the hook). But before that I must have invested $100 in videos and found them of little use. My experience was that pitching videos did little because they were too much in a short period of time. Teaching a kid to pitch must be done in small, bite size, pieces. This is exactly what Kempf's book does, with the chapter set up to do small things at a time ... combining to ultimatly build the pitcher. Cheri does nothing fancy or with gimicks ... just plain instruction. This book will not magically make your daughter a pitcher, but will provide the basic fundementals that with hard work, make her effective pitcher.

Cheri Kempf or Amanda Freed?, March 2, 2003
Why do you feature Amanda Freed on your cover? Did she contribute to this book? Are you her coach? ... Read more

Editorial Review

Unlike other softball instruction books, Coaching Softball Technical and Tactical Skills goes beyond teaching the technical basics and focuses on skills such as in-game decision making and detecting the strengths and weaknesses of opponents--the tactical skills--to prepare players for game day.

This text is written by the American Sport Education Program (ASEP), the nation's leading sport education provider, in conjunction with content experts Kirk Walker and Mona Stevens and endorsement from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), the premier national organization for fastpitch softball.

Coaching Softball Technical and Tactical Skills features cues to help you teach your athletes the fundamental technical and tactical skills, over 175 photos depicting the appropriate techniques, and examples of season and practice plans to help you prepare for games. Skills are organized and cross-referenced so you can see how they relate to each other.

Coaching Softball Technical and Tactical Skills covers virtually all facets of softball: evaluating techniques, situational tactical skills, and season, practice, and game planning guides. Softball coaches and players alike will reap the benefits from this easy-to-use resource. ... Read more

Reviews

Great book to help you improve your coaching skills, February 25, 2009
I coach high school fastpitch and younger kids in travel ball. I see many coaches who have enthusiasm and commitment but lack a basic understanding of fastpitch ranging from teaching old school technique to not using strategy effectively to inadequate planning for practices and the season. This book can help in all those areas.

As a reasonably experienced coach I have found this to be stimulating in both reviewing the technical aspects of the game as well as strategic tactics. Yet the book is written in a very easy to read manner so that novice coaches can begin learning in the first few minutes without having to plow through lengthy and often confusing descriptions that I find in many other books.

For example if you look up squeeze bunting in the index, it refers you to a section on the technique, a different section on defending the squeeze and another section on playing the short game. In the technique section it suggests glancing at other parts of the book dealing with sacrifice bunting, hard bunts, slap hitting, protecting a runner and situational hitting.

The book has many pictures and little inset boxes that have lists for the key points in the section, referrals to other parts of the book and lists of common errors the players make (and corrections).

In addition to the sections on technique and tactics, there are sections on practice plans, planning for a season and coaching in games. The skills taught are very current based on what I learned at NFCA and NSC clinics this winter.

I'm not prepared to lock the rest of my books on fastpitch in a closet, but this will certainly be the one at my fingertips both in my office and at practice.

A must for read Softball SUCCESS!!, April 11, 2009
I was looking for a book that would teach me all about Softball and this is it!! This book looks at every point that a parent or coach would need to teach their child the game. What I really like about the book is that each topic it covers is very specific and to the point. I have coached sports for years--Softball for the last 3 years and I learned a lot--very well written. No coach should be without this book!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

It s old school and new school. It s unique and ubiquitous. It s yellow and white. It s red, white, and blue. It s one of America s favorite brands: a classic for nearly 60 years and still a fad-proof fan favorite. The Wiffle Ball remains the great equalizer, befuddling batters of all ages. It curves, zips, and zooms with a mind of its own, turning anyone into a major league pitcher. It stands alone with its eight slots of perforated perfection, distinguished by its asymmetry and unpredictability. With millions of Wiffle bats and balls sold each year, its following is unparalleled with a devotion bordering on obsession. Just ask comedian Drew Carey s manager, Rick Messina, creator of Strawberry Field, one of the country s premier Wiffle venues. Turning his neighbor s adjoining house into a press box and locker room with stadium seats and lights, Mussina set the gold standard for the backyard Wiffle field. In Wiffle Ball, author Michael Hermann, president of Wicked Cow Entertainment, and The Wiffle Ball Inc. s, brand managers, gives readers an inside look at this palatial Wiffle get-up and at the best Wiffle fields around, as well as the down-and-dirty on how in 1953 a down-on-his luck shoe polish salesman and his 13-year-old son concocted the first Wiffle Ball from spare perfume packaging, turning a plastic orb into an American icon. You ll explore The Science of Wiffle, and why a Wiffle Ball, well, wiffles. You ll also learn all the how to s: how to build the best field; how to throw the best sinker ball; and how to best tape up a Wiffle Bat. Did you know Wiffle Bats were once made of wood? You ll find out why here. And best of all, major leaguers and A-list celebs will share their fondest and funniest Wiffle memories.After all, who doesnt love Wiffle Ball? ... Read more

Reviews

Wiffle Ball: A counter culture more deserving of a better book, April 20, 2010
I bought this book the day it was released. I'm an avid wiffleball player and fan. I write columns for a national wiffleball website. I've played the game my whole life and ran a league for about 7 years. Needless to say...I know a lot about wiffleball. So the idea of buying a book about something I already know a lot about doesn't sound like a good idea but I had to have a copy just for sentiment. While there are some things in there I didn't know there was a lot of overkill about the mullany family which is important, because they did invent the product afterall. My biggest problem with this book is it's unprofessional writing. I don't know if it's because I have too high of standards when reading about something that is a major hobby of mine or if I'm used to reading good writing -- either way the writing for this book was unsatisfactory. It's too conversational and colloquial. When used effectively that type of writing can be quite good, mental floss for an example. But this guy just doesn't pull it off. There are some weird mechanical issues in the book too. There are a couple of sentences in there that you can try to read over and over again and they make no more sense than the first attempt you put into reading it. It's just plain bad writing.
The thing I like most about this book is that they go into depth about some of the most successful wifflers to ever play the game. The guy who build little Fenway is in there and so is the guy who founded the Golden Stick Wiffleball League. Fat Bastard Wiffleball is also mentioned. At the index of the book there is a directory of well-known wiffleball leagues in the country, which is nice except they missed several cool leagues. Oh well. This book does effectively convey that wiffleball isn't just a kid's game anymore, it's a culture. Wiffleball has grown from a simple game to a way of life for some. The book wasn't awful but I was expecting a lot more. If there weren't those errors in the writing (which there aren't a whole lot but enough) I would have enjoyed it more. If you don't know a lot about wiffleball or the history of the sport then this book might fit your bill nicely. But if you've played the game for a while and know the ropes this book will be of little value to you other than as a collectors item.

If you enjoy Wiffle - buy Michael's book!, June 24, 2010
Michael Hermann has put together a most informative book about Wiffle Ball, past and present. The reader is introduced to the family who started it all, someone the author knows personally. The book is well-written and a lot of fun to refer back to, even after you've finished the last page! I think baseball fans would enjoy Wiffle's story - of how Wiffle Ball came to be and how it's played today. I would highly recommend this book - the author has a unique style to his writing, almost conversational. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Wiffle Ball - The Ultimate Guide, and would highly recommend it.

Everything You Want to Know - And Then Some - In Two Hours, April 27, 2010
Spring is finally here and I decided to wrangle up friends using a game of Wiffle Ball as the hook. I bought the book to get the story behind the story; like just about every other kid in America, summertime was synonymous with Wiffle games and the ever-elusive skills to make the ball curve on demand. Now in my 30s, it's the absolute ideal reason to gather guys & gals in the park and escape the apartment. Armed with the book, I figured I'd toss out some fun facts to the gang and get an academic perspective on how to pitch a competitive game.

To that end, the book overdelivers. It's a fun read. Period. In my estimation, it's got exactly the right amount of history, trivia, strategy and editorial from a cornucopia of celebs (only Wiffle could find a link between Dr. J and the Jonas Brothers). The book is a fast read - I think I got through it cover-to-cover in about two hours, and it's formatted to give you the story & the skills right away....seemingly in an effort to get you out swinging the iconic yellow bat as soon as possible. And to that end, we had an awesome game last Sunday that went nearly 3 hours! My pitch still needs work, but the summer lays ahead.

I don't quite understand one of the previous reviews where the writing is criticized as "too colloquial". Um, it's Wiffle Ball - did you see the cover? In my opinion, Hermann's writing style matches the fun, family, throwback-to-youth energy that embodies Wiffle energy. If you're a lifelong Wiffle expert, then yes, you will likely know most of what the book offers, but it doesn't mean you can make the slotted ball dive & curve......

A Must Own, May 4, 2010
Great Book. A perfect gift for the avid sports fan. Michael's love for the game definitely comes through in his writing. Love the interviews and tips. Highly recommend.

Great gift., May 1, 2010
Awesome book. I went through it one Saturday and have opened it back up various times since. It's a very fun read about wiffle, baseball and all those things entail for fans like me. I'm not a thoughtful gift-giver type of guy but this will be great for me for Christmas to send copies to a lot of old friends who I haven't seen in years. I do worry that the guys in Vermont with Little Fenway and Little Wrigley may get a lot of gawkers and interlopers like me now who need to play there and take pictures. I'm glad there was finally a book out about this. ... Read more

Editorial Review

With all of the pressure and distractions of modern student life, young athletes really have to focus their energy if they want to be the best student-athletes that they can be. This book will help them achieve their goals. Includes chapters on leadership, opportunity, teamwork, proactive practice and perseverance. ... Read more

Reviews

Expect the Best From the Best!, May 13, 2008
I bought this book for my daughter on her birthday. Most people with kids know that getting your child to read can often be a difficult task. So, for me to get her to read anything is nothing short of amazing. I am grateful that my daughter has someone like Ms. Smith to look up to. She never stops trying to inspire and propel the sport. Needless to say she read this book from cover to cover. I have recommended it to the parents of her teammates. Everyone will be able to get a great message from the book and be inspired on and off the field!

The reviewer that suggested Ms. Smith had nothing to contribute to this book but her name is mistaken and clearly has never met her personally. If you have met her, it's clear she would never attach her name to anything that she wasn't directly involved with. In fact we attended one of her camps where she was giving out questionnaires regarding the book. So to suggest that she was a "celebrity" attaching her name to a book is ridiculous!

Highly recommended, March 29, 2008
I am a volunteer youth sports coach, and am a big fan of Michele Smith. I've always believed that sports participation teaches kids so many valuable lessons in life. And this book does a great job crystallizing how lessons learned on the field mirror those needed to succeed in school and life. The book is highly organized (with separate chapters on leadership, second chances, opportunity, perseverance and others), and fun for parents and kids to read. I love how the book teaches kids to think outside the box. For example, in the opportunity chapter, it talks not only about how to make the most of opportunities, it also talks about how to create new opportunities. The photos and drawings were fun also. I highly recommend this book.

Highly recommended, March 27, 2008
I highly recommend this book. One of my students who is a softball player showed me this book, and I was so impressed by the book's message that I decided to put the book on our required reading list for our middle schoolers. I think the book's chapters on leadership, perseverance, teamwork, community service, etc. teach our kids that success and self-esteem are based on achievement and character, rather than popularity.

Don't Waste Your Money !, March 27, 2008
When I first saw that Michele Smith had written a book about softball I was very excited. She is one of the best fastpitch softball pitchers to ever play the game. However, It becomes apparent within the first few pages that Smith had little, if anything to do with the actual writing of this book. It's simply another case of a celebrity lending their name to a project that they really have little involvment with. While I am sure Smith has read the book herself and no doubt approved it's contents, it seems to be lacking any input from Smith herself. So if you want to know what Lawrence Hsieh's ideal of good softball cheer is, by all means read this book. If however you want to read a book by Michele Smith, well I guess you'll just have to wait because this isn't it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Looking for the ultimate softball “how-to” book to help you learn and master the essential skills? Softball Skills & Drills covers all the essential fundamentals to build strong individual players and winning teams. Written by one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, Softball Skills & Drills shows you how to perform and improve hitting, bunting, slap hitting, baserunning, fielding, throwing, pitching, and catching skills.

Author Judi Garman has more than 30 years of experience, more than 1,100 victories, and a spot in the National Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. She has proven that she has what it takes to win consistently. Now, Garman shares her formula for developing the fundamentals and winning through the 170 detailed drills in Softball Skills & Drills.

Softball Skills & Drills gives you more than just Xs and Os. This practical handbook is loaded with tips to speed players’ skill development. And check the back of the book for information on ordering the companion video series to see the techniques and drills in action. ... Read more

Reviews

This is a "must have" book for the softball coach, March 8, 2002
I used to attend Judi Garman's softball clinics at Cal State Fullerton in the 1980's. I never went away sorry about the time spent there. Judi is a veritable fountain of knowledge about the game. Softball Skills and Drills draws from Judi's life-time of coaching experience. You'll not only find skills and drills in this book. You'll find strategy, both for offense and defense. Check out the chapters on slap-hitting and bunting. If my house was on fire, and there were only two books on fastpitch softball I could rescue, it would be Softball Skills and Drills by Garman and Fastpitch Softball: the Windmill Pitcher by Barry Sammons. If you're into fastpitch, you gotta have this book.

Best Fundamentals and Drill Book I've Seen, April 18, 2002
I agree with the previous post - this is a must-have book for softball coaches. Just the section on proper throwing technique was worth the cost of the book. Garman does an excellent job of putting into words all of the things I knew how to do by muscle memory but couldn't succinctly describe to my players. The accompanying drills make sense and reinforce the fundamentals I'm teaching. I'd recommend this book for coaches of all levels and experience.

Great For The Novice; Even Better For The More Experienced, July 20, 2005
"Softball Skills & Drills" by Judi Garman is a valuable book for any softball coach or player. I have to admit that I am an inexperienced softball player, who has recently joined a league for recreation. Because I had little knowledge of the game, I bought this book because it is advertised on the cover as "The best book on the basics of the game." In retrospect I think that claim may be a bit of an overstatement because the book does assume a general working knowledge of the mechanics and rules of the game of softball. While these fundamentals are explained in pieces throughout the book, I would have really enjoyed a more thorough overview before Garman raced into chapter one, "Catching." Don't get me wrong: this is a great book, but absolute beginners may also need an even more basic text.

What the book does do superbly is to break down all the fundamental skills of the game of softball and give easy to comprehend (if not to execute, sometimes) explanations, tips, and techniques related to these skills, as well as sets of drills designed to develop those skills. In reading the book (from the viewpoint of a neophyte player) I couldn't help but believe that the single best audience for this book would be coaches. This book would be a positive treasure trove of information for coaches at any level of competition.

I think this is an excellent book, and would have given it five stars if not for the omission of a general introduction, overview, and strategy section that would really help those who need the most basic "basics of the game." As it is, I would like to give it four and a half stars, because it really is an excellent text.

Highly recommended to softball players and coaches everywhere.

A Great Book for Coaches or Players of any age., April 28, 2002
I found the book to be very helpful with a great assortment of drills to choose from.

The One Softball Book You Must Own, November 12, 2007
If you only buy one softball drill book, let this be the one. The drills in this book run the gamut from basic drills for the beginner to advanced drills for the advanced travel ball player. If you are a beginning coach, the drills in this book will help you plan your practices to get the most instruction into a limited amount of time. "Softball Skills and Drills" is a great little book that will stay fresh and relevant as your team grows and matures. Garman knows her stuff!

Excellent resource for all levels of coaching, December 23, 2005
I have assistant coached my daughters' ASA teams for the past six years, and now I'm an assistant coach of my oldest daughter's jr. high team. I've pretty much learned along the way, picking up ideas and drills from the excellent coaches around me. But I just recently picked this book up and am excited about what I see. It's basic enough for the have-no-clue-but-want-to-learn coach, but there are so many drills here that even experienced coaches will pick up some new ideas. I especially like how the coach is fundamentally sound--the advice can therefore be trusted. I am going to be keeping this book nearby over these next seasons, and perhaps some of these drills will help the girls I coach to be even that much better. I am highly recommending this book for all of us who hope to gain just an inch of an advantage over those who rely merely on gut instinct.

Great book on basic drills, March 2, 2006
This is a good book on the basic and advanced drills for girls learning softball. Highly suggest it.

Neither a good skills book nor a good drills book, August 28, 2009
"Softball Skills & Drills" by Judi Garman tries to be both a skills book and a drills book, and as a result, does neither exceptionally well. The skills it covers (catching, throwing, infield, outfield, pitching, the catcher, team defense, hitting, bunting & slap hitting, and base running) are generally covered in every skills book and does not provide very many unique insights. The end of each chapter contains drills loosely organized into categories, but with no drill finder (as most every other drills book has), one has to hunt through every drill in every chapter to find one that may suit his/her needs.

Additionally, it tries to provide information for all levels of coaches, but not in a very logical progression.
There is little of value for the advanced coach, but there is too much advanced information to benefit the beginning coach. For example, just in Chapter 1 (Catching), the first subjects are "the glove", "catching throws", "basic fielding position", "moving to the ball", "catching ground balls" - decent information for the beginning coach. However, stuck right in the middle of the chapter is a section on "making desperation catches", covering such things as diving catches, sliding catches and running backhanded catches - information for an older player and/or advanced coach. Following that, a section on catching fly balls and pop flies (again back to basic stuff), and finally a section on "overcoming obstacles" like wind, sun, or fences - more advanced information. I wish I could say that Chapter 1 was the exception and that the rest of the book was organized more coherently, but it is not.

One other problem with "Softball Skills & Drills" is that a lot of the information is dated or, in my opinion, wrong. This is particularly the case within the base running chapter. First off, it offers the head-first slide into a base as a viable slide. Not only is a head-first slide the most dangerous way to slide, it is also touted as the fastest way to slide which is not the case, particularly when accounting for the time to get up and advance to the next base in the case of an overthrow. Plus, all the women in the pictures are in shorts and tube socks - no sliders, no long pants - which is unrealistic.

There is one section in The Catcher chapter that I did find somewhat informative, and that is the pitching chart on page 122. There is a lot of decent information there that a young catcher can use to learn to call her own game. Otherwise, I recommend passing on this book.

A little disappointed., December 7, 2009
I was excited when I found this item on the human kinetics website. I could not order it from that website because of some issue with the credit card purchasing system there so I ordered it through Amazon. I recieved the DVD fairly quickly but was disappointed to find out that the Amazon offer did not include the book also which was part of the package from Human Kinetics. They were both the same price. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Written for high school and college players and their coaches, Between the Lines is an introduction of the mental game and the effect of the mental game on confidence and success in hitting in the sport of softball. Much of the player experience contained in this book was obtained through interviews with top 20 NCAA collegiate players. The book includes photos of players using their mental skills as well as quotes from their own experiences using these skills. The book will also provide feedback sheets that give the reader the opportunity to individually apply the skills taught in the book to her game.

Between the Lines provides players with information about what the mental skills of hitting are and how to apply them correctly to enhance their performances without the help of a coach or sports psychologist. It is easy to read and any player can relate to the events in the book. ... Read more

Reviews

Excellent Book for both Coaches and Players, January 20, 2008
I just recently read the book "Between the Lines" and I was very pleased with how easy the book was to read as well as the content in the book. The author is very detailed about everything that is in the book, so you do not have to be a sports psychologist to understand the material. One of my favorite topics the author covered was the difference between a "Hit" and a "Quality at Bat." This topic was something I never thought of until now, but made so much sense. I have been a softball player for over 15 years and I am now starting to get involved with coaching and I would say this book is a MUST read for both players and coaches.

An excellent supplemental resource for softball players, July 8, 2007
Written by college softball coach Yasmin Mossadeghi and sport psychology expert and softball coach Patricia Laguna, Ph.D., Between the Lines: The Mental Skills of Hitting for Softball is a no-nonsense guide to the nuances of softball batting. Chapters cover how to face a dominant or nondominant pitcher, practical skills for mental drill rehearsal, how to adjust to the role of designated hitter, and much more. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this point-by-point, in-depth guide. An excellent supplemental resource for softball players, recommended for high school libraries and the personal bookshelves of any dedicated softball athlete.

Willis M. Buhle
Reviewer ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Softball is the most comprehensive and up-to-date softball-specific training guide in the world today. It contains descriptions and photographs of over 80 of the most effective weight training, flexibility, and abdominal exercises used by athletes worldwide. This book features year-round softball-specific weight-training programs guaranteed to improve your performance and get you results .

No other softball book to date has been so well designed, so easy to use, and so committed to weight training . This book will have players increasing arm strength, bat speed, and overall quickness and power on the diamond, leading to an increase in batting average, on-base percentage, steals, and overall performance. You will build the strength and power needed to hit the ball out of the park and you will build the stamina and endurance needed to go strong until the final pitch.

Both beginners and advanced athletes and weight trainers can follow this book and utilize its programs. From recreational to professional, thousands of athletes all over the world are already benefiting from this book and its techniques, and now you can too!

As an added bonus, this book also contains links to free record keeping charts which normally sell separately for $20. ... Read more

Reviews

Exactly what I needed to get in shape for softball, April 26, 2006
Let's face it, I'm a soft lump right now and 10 weeks away I start my 3rd season of softball (co-ed work league). Last year I was fat, slow, had a mediocre to poor season AND pulled a hammy during play offs. Since then I gained 10 lbs.
So I looked around the net for some tips to get in back shape for my July season. Found this great book and am loving it.
It has the much needed off season and pre season programs as well as in-season. The part I like the most is it gives substitution exercises in case you can't do what they recommend (like dips for me).
Has all the good tips for proper technique, chaging things up and how to train best specificaly the muscles for playing softball. I see this book being great for people in serious leagues to beer drinking big guys like myself who are looking to get back to our 25 year old shape (10 years ago) and show some of the guys I'm not just a funny benchwarmer this year.
Very happy with this purchase.

Good for general fitness but not so good for softball, July 30, 2008
To all softball players, coaches and parents:

In this video review, I explained that I'm very qualified to review this product and why I strongly believe that this book is not specific enough for softball players and is better suited for the general population.

Reviewer's credentials:

- Experienced Softball Coach (over 20 years of softball coaching experience including the international and college levels)

- Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (over 10 years of experience training and conditioning softball players) ... Read more

Editorial Review

Coach Girls for Success on and off the Field
Coaching girls' softball can be a wonderful experience. Witness the intensity of a batter connecting with a ball, a runner digging for home, or a fielder making a great catch, and you can't help but be inspired. The effort, pride, and enjoyment on players' faces are great rewards for parents and the sign of a good coach—the type of coach you want to be. So how can you get there?
Perfect for coaches of girls up to age 13, Coaching Girls' Softball includes everything you need to be an outstanding coach and mentor to your team. Whether you are a seasoned coach looking to fine-tune your skills or a rookie looking to take the field running, you'll discover techniques for success that are tailored specifically to the needs of girls, including:
·Drills and strategies for coaches new to the world of coaching softball
·Tips on what girls want and need from their softball experience
·Practical suggestions on how to motivate in a positive and encouraging way
·Advice for helping girls deal with their changing bodies
·And much more!
Now you can be a coaching winner and help bring out the best in your players, both on the field and in the game of life. ... Read more

Reviews

A Good Guide for a New Coach, March 26, 2004
Thank You. I'm a father of two daughters (5 and 7) who has never coached before. Although I've played on a softball team at work, and am somewhat familiar with the game, I never actually played little league when I was a kid. With so few coaches however, one of my neighbors asked me to help her coach.

I was a little nervous about giving these girls any bad information. At this level you should just be reviewing the basics, but since I was never actually formally taught what the basics are, I didn't want to miss anything. I also didn't want to teach them something that might have the potential of hurting them by accident. After reading this book however I feel much better. It covered a lot of the things I might have overlooked, and gave me the confidence I'll need to get in front of these kids and parents and not embarrass myself.

The book was straightforward and easy to read (I got through it in about two days which was good for me.) I'd highly recommend it.

Excellent Guide For Coaching Youth Softball, June 15, 2002
Kathy Strahan's book is one of the most recent, well-constructed guides for coaching softball to young girls. The book provides a detailed compilation of drills, skills, strategies, and other information designed to assist the coach through the process of developing the players' social, psychological, emotional, and physical abilities. It is categorized in a systematic progression which explores the characteristics of an effective leader, responsibilities of a youth coach, important issues within the sport, and how to plan and teach the basic fundamentals of the game. Some of the topics addressed within these categories include information regarding safety, liability, decision making, communication, teaching methods, motivation, dealing with parents, sportsmanship, and much more! Major points of information are synthesized into creative and insightful coaching tips, which can be easily referenced throughout the text. The author also provides sample practice plans, line-up sheets, game strategies, evaluation worksheets, and goal setting plans. Ultimately, this book will guide you toward becoming the coach that every community, league, school, and parent wants for their children!

A Must Have Book for the Youth Coach, March 11, 2002
I found this book to be invaluable for coaching young girls. I especially appreciated the sections that dealt with the psychological and social development to better meet the needs of female youth players. It was also helpful to find tips for coaching young girls for male coaches. If you coach girls softball, you will want to own this book!

Not what I expected, May 21, 2008
I coached t-ball for the last couple of years and now my daughter just moved on to Coach Pitch softball. I didn't want to feel like a complete idiot coaching so I found this book, which seemed like the best option. For me it wasn't. This book would be great if your really doing competitive teams or maybe 10year olds and up. But we are doing community softball with girls of which some have never even picked up a ball before. This book I feel is geared toward older kids. I really wanted a book that would help me teach JUST the basics. This book really just builds on basics and what kids already know. It really goes into bunting (which isn't really aloud yet) and offensive playes and defensive plays I just hope these girls catch a ball that comes near them, how do I teach them how to run a pickle play? There are somethings that I read and I don't really understand them. It is really all about fast pitch, and I would have appreciated some tips for coach pitch, I was always third baseman never pitch and I am having a hard time finding a mom or dad to help out with that so I have to do it with no clue and not even a book that will help. Its a great second step book for girls already familiar with the game and ready for learning plays and what not, not a book for basics though.

If Your'e A New Coach, March 25, 2007
This book has been very helpful to me, a new Little League coach. It is a very comprehensive publication to say the least. Before you get to the stuff you were probably buying this book for (i.e. drills, strategies, teaching)it delves into the things you probably didn't even consider (i.e. psychological/medical issues, motivating, discipline and dealing with parents). It has tips and suggestions all over the place for you to ponder. Plenty of illustrations and diagrams.of proper techniques for defense/defense, pitching/batting. A very useful tool.

Really, really good resource for new coaches, August 15, 2009
"Coaching Girls Softball" by Kathy Strahan is a great resource for the first time coach. It does not just cover coaching the basic skills of the game, but also such topics as communication with players and parents. It has a great first aid section, and it is one of the few books I have found that covers a coach's liabilities on the field - a subject about which few want to think but everyone should be aware.

Chapters 2 and 3 are most interesting, as they discuss the physical, mental and emotion differences between boys and girls (and how that should affect your coaching style). As a converted baseball coach, I soon learned that needed to know more than "girls have cooties" to become an effective girls' softball coach. "Coaching Girls Softball" delivers the best information I've yet seen on the subject of how girls differ from boys and has been invaluable to my own growth as coach.

There are several practical guides and lists within "Coaching Girls Softball" that also set this book apart from others, and make it an excellent reference for every coach. Even though I have been coaching for a while, I still use the "time commitment calendar checklist", "first aid kit content list", and "items to include in your parent letter guide", among others, to help me prepare for each season.

Though written for the beginning coach, Kathy Strahan tends to draw from her college coaching/playing experience for specific examples in the book. This is effective most of the time, but I would have liked to have heard more "in-the-trenches" stories from her recreational league coaching/playing days since that is the target audience for the book. I think more recreational league memories would have made this book even more powerful and useful for the reader than it already is.

A novice coach could not do much better than starting with "Coaching Girls Softball" as their first reference book. Even experienced coaches will find this a great guide for season preparation. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Each spring, Tee-ball introduces millions of boys and girls to "America's pastime" --and introduces their parents to the joys (and nightmares) of coaching first-time players. Filled with expert advice and tips on creating order from chaos, Coaching Tee-Ball is the solution to every baffled parent's predicament, offering the new coach a total approach to keeping kids involved, motivated, and having fun. ... Read more

Reviews

A Good T-Ball Reference, March 26, 2005
This was one of the books I chose for my inaugural season as a T-ball coach. In my search for reference material I've found that for as many books as there are out there for all manner of sports, books on T-ball are in short supply... good ones anyway. This book runs through coaching T-ball from beginning to end. Not just on the field stuff but pre-season, pre-game, post-game, parent relations, etc. I doubt just one book will contain all the information that a new coach needs but this one comes pretty close. If your a new coach I'm sure you will find alot in this book that will help to prepare you for the upcoming season. The reason for only 4 stars though is that I would like to see the drills and exercise section enlarged (surely the author, who is the co-founder and president of the T-ball USA association, can come up with more drills or ideas for creative learning than what is presented in this book). Overall... probably the best choice for T-ball reference I could recommend at this time.

Must Buy for 1st Timers!, May 31, 2009
I am a first timer T-Ball coach. I volunteered to be the assistant coach and they were short on individuals so I had to step up and be full blown coach. I knew nothing. This book has helped out tremendously with everything from drills to running a game. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody. Of course, there are some things you're going to have to learn on your own and some things that you will be able to explain better to children (for instance, on how to hold the ball they explain it by keeping the thumb and pinky low and the other three fingers on top holding the ball on the pads of the fingers. Instead of telling 4, 5, and 6 year olds this it's easier to tell them to make a "tiger claw" and that's how they hold the ball) but overall this book will get you to where you need to be!

Excellent Guide for First Time Coaches, June 29, 2008
As a first time coach I had little idea what to expect when preparing for coaching a T ball team. This was a perfect guide to organize with and prepare the team for a season. I have worked through the five practices now and have gained confidence in running the team based on the guidelines presented in this book. I would recommend it to anyone who needs to coach a team. It truly is a step by step guide so is invaluable for a first time coach. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Successful seasons don’t begin on opening day. They begin long before, in the cages, gym, locker room, and practice field. There, consistency, execution, and teamwork form the foundations of powerhouse programs and championship titles. While most coaches understand the importance of practice, far fewer have perfected it year after year, team after team.

In Practice Perfect Baseball, the game’s premier collegiate coaches share their approaches, experiences, and philosophies on every facet of practice. This authoritative guide goes beyond the stretches and drills straight to the heart of winning—effort and attitude. From structuring sessions to evaluating practice performance, the vast information allows you to choose what you wish to implement in your program. You’ll find unique insights and invaluable advice from the all-star roster of contributors:

Ed Cheff

Pete Dunn

Dan Hartleb

Steve Jaksa

Tim Jamieson

Mark Johnson

Keith Madison

Sean McNally

Dave Perno

Gary Pullins

Terry Rooney

Dave Serrano

Gary Ward

Bob Warn

In Practice Perfect Baseball, you‘ll identify and establish a practice ethic, learn to assess team strengths, and develop players’ skills in the field, on the mound, or at the plate.  You’ll also learn to make the most of indoor practices, incorporate technology to perfect skills and evaluate performance, and prepare your team for upcoming opponents.

Developed by the American Baseball Coaches Association and edited by Bob Bennett, Practice Perfect Baseball is essential reading for every coach at every level of the sport.

Editorial Review

"The Windmill Pitcher is the most comprehensive book on fastpitch pitching that I have read. It is an excellent reference for both coaches and pitchers." -- Ernie Parker, world-renowned pitching coach"I now have a comprehensive reference book to offer the people who contact me about pitching. The chapter on increasing ball speed is outstanding. There was an incredible need for this book and I thank Barry for writing it." -- Sherry Werner, PhD, lead researcher, International Olympic Committee's Submission on Biomechanics and Physiology"One of the most comprehensive fastpitch instructional books on the market today. A must addition for any coach's library." -- Art Certosimo, DuPage County, IllinoisBarry Simmons has been a pitcher in men's fastpitch softball leagues at all levels for 35 years. Also a student of art and design, Sammons used his knowledge to develop many of the illustrations used in the book. He is an attorney for the Milwaukee, Wisconsin firm of Quarles & Brady. ... Read more

Reviews

The single best fastpitch softball pitching reference book., February 9, 1999
Barry Sammons book is a must have for anyone who is serious about fastpitch softball.Pitching is the heart of the game,and this reference demonstrates the basics better than any other.Prior to this,windmill pitching was a mystery to all but the most experienced players and coaches,especially those trying to crossover from baseball.The reason for this was the confusion of two very different styles of windmill pitching which look similar to the untutored eye.Mr. Sammons is very experienced as a pitcher and coach of both styles - the "leap and drag" and the "stepping" style.With the aid of line drawings reduced from actual video,he is able to demonstrate the detailed fundamental mechanics of both styles.Once the player or coach understands this,they are able to analyze mechanics,correct flaws and communicate about what is happening.

The best pitching book for fastpitch softball...period!, February 7, 1999
This book is a "must have" for all fathers who want to be involved in helping their daughters to become successful pitchers in fastpitch softball. (I also think it would be an excellent resource for most softball coaches to have in their library.)

While I own 8-10 different video training tapes on pitching, Barry Sammons book is my most often used reference. It was originally recommended to me by one of the top pitching coaches in the Pacific Northwest.

The book does an excellent job of covering pitching mechanics and how to teach them. It also describes how to correct problems, and offers several excellent drills.

Other topics include: excellent descriptions and diagrams on throwing the various pitches; sections on strategy and the mental aspects of pitching; fitness training; and how to coach the pitcher.

If I could only have one book or video to use in working with my daughter, this book would be it. Even though my daughter also has a pitching coach, Barry Sammons book has allowed me to be more helpful as an "assistant pitching coach".

The Bible of fastpitch - First Edition, December 6, 2001
This book covers just about everything you'll need to know about fastpitch softball pitching, including mechanics, control, speed, power, physical conditioning, getting batters out, and real-time game considerations. The section on mechanics, from explaining the two types of movements (leap and drag and stepping style), to breaking down the pitching motion into its parts will prove to be, I believe, Biblical in importance for the sport of fastpitch softball. Included are appendices that provide excellent drills for each stage of the pitching motion, and excercises for power and conditioning. The diagrams were very helpful, and there are plenty of them. No photos.
Criticisms: Very wordy, and makes many cross references, especially when you are on, say, page 45 and are sent to Figure 1-18, which is on some previous, unreferenced page. You have to flip back through the book to find it.
Noteworthy: Actually treats men as qualified to pitch fastpitch, and doesn't assume this is a women's game.
Prognosis: I hope Sammons will take into account the criticisms, and produce an even better Second Edition, perhaps with photos, higher quality figures, tighter cross-referencing (just reproduce the relevant figure at the appropriate place) and more quotes from softballers.
Bottom Line: If you want to pitch fastpitch softball, and you will work at it, get this book. I did, I worked with it, and now pitch MUCH better. Had I not gotten this book, I would not be the pitcher I am today.

The "bible" of windmill pitching, August 4, 1999
Mr. Sammons uses his practical knowledge of pitching to educate the coach and player about the mechanics of pitching and most importantly the mental aspects of pitching in an easy to read format. He personally illustrated the book to show the proper grips and forms to assist the reader. I rate it a classic. By the way, at the age of "50 something" Mr. Sammons pitched a perfect game in the competitive Milwaukee WI mens fastpitch league. So much for them that can't play.........teach........he does both.

Best material I've used, February 19, 2002
I have a collection of tapes from various people. It would seem that video would be the best medium for this kind of instruction. Maybe it's because I viewed and re-viewed the tapes so often, but I honestly got more detail out of this book than anything else I've used. The discussion of each piece of the mechanics along with drills I haven't seen on any tape was very, very helpful.

I would strongly recommend this book. It's straight-up, no hype instruction. Excellent for beginning or intermediate pitchers and/or coaches.

Excellent introductory and reference., May 7, 1999
Barry's book is a wonderful source of fundamental windmill fastpitch information. It is valuable to the beginning pitcher or coach. For the more experienced it is an excellent reference work. I return to it again and again, and always find something useful and new.

A most comprehensive resource., April 7, 1999
Barry Sammons breaks down the windmill pitching motion in a manner that is easy to understand, yet completely thorough. The structure of the book helps you learn the entire motion, or go directly to a specific area of concern. The discussions, drills, and diagrams give you a level of detail you don't get from most videos. I highly recommend this book for anyone serious about fastpitch.

Excellent and Informative, December 19, 2001
I keep this book with me all the time during softball season ! I have been coaching for 9 years and and have learned quite a few things from this book. It's nice to be able to go back to it and review. It covers the windmill pitcher from A to Z. Very Very Good !

The "bible" for fastpitch pitching coaches., March 17, 1999
As I said below, I reviewed a draft copy of Barry's book before it was published. Now that it's been available for a few years, it's become the most-referenced book on the Fastpitch Forum...the top website for girls' fastpitch softball. If you coach, or if your favorite player is a pitcher, you NEED this book.

Excellent Parent Source for Learning Sound Windmill Form, February 14, 1999
This is a must book for parents that want to learn and follow the windmill pitcher. The book is written in simple terms with good graphics to explain essential windmill methods. My only criticism, is that when the book has been read, you want just one more chapter. Great Job, Mr Sammons !! How about a sequel? ... Read more

Editorial Review

Here’s the “missing guide” for slowpitch softball. It’s not a fastpitch softball book adapted to slowpitch softball. It’s a comprehensive and original instructional guide to the unique sport of slowpitch.

With Complete Guide to Slowpitch Softball, you will learn basic to advanced offensive and defensive techniques. And the comprehensive coverage of slowpitch strategies and tactics, as well as expert advice on physical and psychological conditioning, will ensure you step out of the dugout confident and prepared.

Senior softball Hall of Famer Rainer Martens and his wife, Julie Martens, put their wealth of expertise together in this one-of-a-kind book and DVD package. With over 45 years of softball experience and PhDs in the sport sciences, Rainer and Julie bring unique insight into all aspects of the game to help players, coaches, and fans alike hit a home run in this exciting game.

Editorial Review

Learn how to manage your youth team to successWith its "teach basics and have fun" approach, Managing Little League Baseball is dedicated to helping you teach baseball fundamentals to boys and girls while emphasizing how to make the experience rewarding for you and your players. Fully approved by Little League Baseball� and illustrated with instructive photos and diagrams, this book will give you the tools you need to develop prepared ballplayers.

Inside you'll learn:

• Twenty of the most important and frequently used Little League baseball rules, including the latest change and the new rules regarding pitchers
• The fundamentals of hitting, baserunning, defense, and pitching
• Tips on motivating players, game strategy, and special challenges such as competitive pressure and demanding parents
• An inside look at Little League softball

Reviews

Must reading for any Little League baseball coach, June 24, 1998
I have read about twenty books devoted to coaching youth sports, particularly baseball and softball. Managing Little League Baseball is the best. I have read it from cover to cover three times and frequently refer to specific sections. Ned McIntosh gives practical, useful tips on choosing your players (e.g., talk to p.e. teachers), giving tests, drilling the basics (hitting, baserunning, defense), scheduling pitchers, handling parents, motivating players, coaching your defense, and charting to win. Most recently, I was trying to figure out how to play our six infielders all six innings and make sure our other seven players played the mandatory two innings in the field and batted at least once. The section on charting to win provided the answer. This book should be required reading for all Little League coaches, whether in tee ball, minor league, little league, or senior league.

Outstanding Book on Coaching Little League Baseball, January 26, 1999
I found this book reinforced some of the more successful things I'd been doing as a coach and gave me many other tips I intend to put into use this season. The author is methodical in his approach and it is easy to see why he never had a losing season in 15 years of coaching Little League. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to do a good job coaching youth baseball.

Great book for any youth baseball program, April 27, 2000
This book is outstanding and obviously written by someone who knows what he is talking about. My only comment is that it is not only for Little League baseball but any baseball program for youth such as Pony/Colt, Dixie league and others. Other than the rules that are unique to the Little League organization, the rest of the book is applicable to nearly any program. His recent update is even better. As a former Umpire in these programs I was particularly impressed in his comments about that part of the program. Strongly recommend this book to both coaches, parents and players.

Managing Little League Baseball, May 26, 2000
This is a necessary and inspiring addition to any coaches library. It made me want to send a fan letter to the author.

Excellent book for parents and coaches of youth baseball, July 2, 1998
Both of Ned McIntosh books on Little League Baseball are easy to read and contain useful information for both parents and coaches involved with youth baseball. ... Read more

Editorial Review

101 drills for developing offensive softball skills. Covers lower body hitting drills, upper body hitting drills, combination hitting drills, batting tee, soft toss, timing and rhythm, bunting, baserunning, sliding, mental drills and much more. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Many softball teams showcase a big hitter or a power pitcher, but the backbone of any championship softball team is a solid defense. In Defensive Softball Drills, Coach Jacquie Joseph provides proven drills for establishing this winning edge. She presents drills for learning and mastering skills at each position and for developing players into a finely tuned defensive unit. Maximize your chances of success and shut out your opponents with Defensive Softball Drills. ... Read more

Reviews

An axcellent place to start off your season, September 29, 1999
I coach girls 19u and used this book to set up my practices. I found the drills very good and helped to teach the girls ball control. I found that alot of the drills help shape the skills of the players. By the end of our season the girls were showing skills they themselves never knew they had. I feel this book made me an effective coach.

A great book of drills for softball and baseball, July 24, 1999
I bought this book to look for new and interesting drills for an 8 and under softball All-Star team and I was not dissapointed. This book is filled with great drills which are easy to apply to all ages. As you read and look at the drill illustrations you will repeatedly say "What a great drill" Many drills in this book can be directly applied to baseball. Everybody I have shown this book to wants one.

Excellent drills, July 29, 1999
Where do you go for softball fielding practice drills when you're a coach trying to teach certain skills? After looking at many sources, my vote is for this book. Dozens and dozens of great drills for every position. The girls on my 10U team loved the drills, had fun and learned a lot.

Excellent book for softball and youth baseball coaches., December 30, 1998
A tremendous reference for anyone coaching softball or youth baseball, for fundementals, drills, and conditioning, often combining all three. Many fresh new drills that shouldn't be limited to softball.

Super Drill Book, May 16, 2001
Jacquie Joseph's Defensive Softball Drills is a compilation of some of the most basic skills necessary for development of a successful defensive player. The drills emphasize proper fundamentals and are adaptable to players of all skill levels. I use the drills in the book with my high school players as part of my defensive drill period, and our team is as solid defensively as any. ... Read more