DR3 Fastpitch Blog

If preseason feels uncomfortable right now, you’re not doing it wrong.

In fact—if it feels hard, messy, and a little frustrating… you’re probably doing it exactly right.

Every year, as softball preseason ramps up, I hear the same quiet worries from parents:

• “She’s striking out more than usual

  ...

One of the most common things I see when athletes struggle under pressure isn’t a mechanical issue.

It’s a mental one.

Specifically, athletes don’t understand the difference between a routine and a reset — and that confusion leads to spirals on game day.

Let’s clear that up.

What a Routine Actua...

If your daughter gets nervous before games, let me start by saying this clearly:

That does not mean she’s weak.
That does not mean she’s unprepared.
And it definitely does not mean something is wrong with her.

Pressure shows up because athletes care.

And caring is a good thing.

One of the biggest ...

One of the most powerful mental skills in softball has nothing to do with strength, speed, or mechanics.

It’s called short memory.

And it can completely change how an athlete performs under pressure.

What “Short Memory” Really Means

Short memory does NOT mean ignoring mistakes.

It means:

• L

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One of the most powerful mental skills in softball has nothing to do with strength, speed, or mechanics.

It’s called short memory.

And it can completely change how an athlete performs under pressure.

What “Short Memory” Really Means

Short memory does NOT mean ignoring mistakes.

It means:

• L

  ...

Softball is a team sport. That statement sounds simple—but it’s one of the most misunderstood truths in the game.

Whether your daughter is striking out the side in the circle or sitting on the bench waiting for her opportunity, the outcome of a game is never on one player alone. Wins and losses are...

Every softball player will strike out.
Every pitcher will give up a hit.
Every fielder will make an error.

That’s not pessimism—it’s reality.

Softball is a game of failure. The sooner athletes accept that, the faster they grow.

The problem isn’t failure itself.
The problem is what happens after f...

One of my biggest goals as a coach isn’t just to develop skilled softball players — it’s to help raise confident young women who know how to lead themselves and others, both on and off the field. Skills matter. Mechanics matter. Velocity matters. But confidence is what allows athletes to actually us...

Why Pitchers Need Support and Accountability at Home

Pitching should never feel lonely.

The pitchers who grow the most don’t do it alone — they have structure, accountability, and people who believe in them on the hard days.

When parents understand mechanics, arm care, practice structure, and the...

The Changeup: The Pitch That Separates Good from Great

Velocity gets attention.
But speed change wins games.

The changeup is often the first pitch that teaches a pitcher how to outthink a hitter. It’s not about throwing harder — it’s about throwing smarter.

A great changeup requires:

• Consist

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