DR3 Fastpitch Blog

“Calm down.”

It’s one of the most common phrases said to athletes — and one of the most misunderstood.

While it’s usually said with good intentions, many athletes don’t experience it as calming at all. Instead, they hear:

• “You’re overreacting”

• “You shouldn’t feel this way”

• “You’re d

  ...

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...

One of my DR3 moms messaged me after her daughter’s first month of high school ball. She said:

“Coach D, she’s sore every Monday, stiff every Thursday, and nervous every Friday because she never feels ready to compete.”

This isn’t just about soreness—it’s about confidence.

And when a pitcher does...

I see it all the time…

Parents bring their daughters to me and say,
"She just can't throw hard"
or
"Her release is off."

But here's what I’ve learned after years of coaching pitchers:

Pitching isn’t just about the arm.
It’s about the entire body working in sync.

And when ONE part of the chain breaks...

Sometimes, the fix isn’t physical—it’s visual.

Here’s a fast (and often surprising) way to help your daughter throw more strikes today:

Adjust her eye level.

Yep. It’s that simple.

If she’s consistently throwing high?
👉 Have her aim lower.

If she’s constantly spiking pitches in the dirt?
👉 Tell...