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Coaching ManagementA N N U A L S O F T B A L L E D I T I O N 2 0 0 5
VOL. XII, NO. 9 ■ $5.00
HEADINGFOR HOMETeaching SuccessfulBase Running
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CONTENTS Coaching ManagementSoftball Edition, 2005
Vol. XII, No. 9
COACHING MANAGEMENT 1
LOCKER ROOMBulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2ASA tests new softball bats … Fielddisparities prompt Title IX suits …Division II closes its season with aSpring Sports Festival … NCAAmodifies its rules on lines … CoachesAcademy builds skills … NFHS torequire batting masks … FairleighDickinson gets a home field.
Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14New England Small College AthleticConference Coach of the Year KrisHerman talks about the keys to hersuccessful transition from Tufts toWilliams, her experiences overseas,and the benefits of coaching inDivision III.
ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
CATALOG SHOWCASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Softball Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Grabbing the Gold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Hitting & Pitching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Team Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Web News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48More Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Performance Apparel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Uniforms & Apparel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
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Mailing lists for Coaching Management Softball are providedby the Clell Wade Coaches Directory.
The Coaching Management softball edition is publishedin October by MAG, Inc. and is distributed free to collegeand high school coaches in the United States and Cana-da. Copyright © 2004 by MAG, Inc. All rights reserved.Text may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole orin part, without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicitedmaterials will not be returned unless accompanied by aself-addressed, stamped envelope. Coaching Managementis printed by Banta Publications Group, Kansas City,MO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CoachingManagement, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, N.Y. 14852.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Publisher Mark GoldbergCirculation Director Mark SheaArt Director Pamela CrawfordArt AssistantDina StanderBusiness ManagerPennie Small
Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Frankel
Associate Editor Dennis Read
Assistant Editors R.J. AndersonKenny BerkowitzDavid HillGreg ScholandLaura Smith
Production Manager Kristin AyersAsst. Production ManagerKristi KempfPrepress ManagerAdam Berenstain Prepress AssistantSteve RokitkaAd Materials CoordinatorMike Townsend
IT ManagerMark Nye
Production Assistant Jonni Campbell
Special Projects Dave Wohlhueter
Administrative AssistantSharon Barbell
COVER STORY
Heading For Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Smart, aggressive, instinctive base running can make the difference betweenvictory and defeat. Here’s how four coaches train their players to make theright choices on the base paths.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
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A Strong Swing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Michigan State shares its exercises for reducing injuries and developing explosive power among its softball players.
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cal engineering and materialsscience at Washington StateUniversity, to fire softballsfrom air cannons at stationarybats and measure the reboundspeed. Those results werecombined mathematically withaverage swing speeds to getan exit speed. Bats of differ-ent ages were tested, rated,and compared to the exitspeed—98 mph—of bats froman era when the ASA believessafety and offense wereproperly balanced, accordingto Smith.
The calculations used the ave-rage swing speed of maleslowpitch hitters, but Smithbelieves the numbers are stillvalid, because what matters isrelative speed. In other words,the faster pitch in the collegeand high school game is bal-anced by a slower bat speedthan that produced in men’sslowpitch. But to help confirmthat approach, the NCAAcommissioned its own test,using college hitters duringthe Division I Women’sCollege World Series in Okla-homa City this year.
High-speed cameras recordedthe bats’ rotational speed,swing height, and forwardmotion. Results are expectedin late fall. “We collectedbetween 50 and 100 mega-bytes of data for each swing,”says Smith. “We had 35 play-ers, and they each swung abat 30 times. That’s a tremen-dous amount of data.”
Testing will continue withdevelopments in technology.Bat makers seek out materialsand designs that will absorbthe energy from the bat-ballcollision and return it to theball—creating the trampolineeffect. “If you get a strongeraluminum, you can make athinner barrel and the alum-inum won’t yield,” Smith says.“Manufacturers are now usingcomposite materials for thesame reason—they can deformmore and they’re stronger.And they’re using multiplewalls, in aluminum and com-
ASA Tests NewSoftball BatsCoaches now have a year withthe new bat standards undertheir belts, but the issue ofhow high-performance hittingequipment affects competitionand player safety isn’t goingaway. Manufacturers continueto tweak their designs in hopesof making the most powerfulbat on the market, and engi-neers continue to refine thescience behind bat standards.
The NCAA and the NationalFederation of State HighSchool Associations have cho-sen not to change their rulesregarding bat standards for2005. “I think we’ve got itabout where we want it rightnow,” says Marjorie Willadsen,Head Softball Coach at BuenaVista University and Chair ofthe NCAA Women’s SoftballRules Committee. “We’vetoned it down a little bit tomake it a safer game but stillkeep the excitement.”
The only bat-related issuesaddressed by the NFHS for2005 were editorial changes tothe rulebook, permitting ovalhandles and handle grips orwrappings that don’t cause thehandle to become flush withthe knob. “We had someumpires saying the grips werelegal and some saying theyweren’t,” says Mary Struckhoff,NFHS Assistant Director andSoftball Rules Editor. “So wetried to clean up the language,saying that as long as theknob and handle are not flush,they’re okay.”
While there are no changes inbat standards on the immedi-ate horizon, the NCAA is notstanding still on the issue. Theassociation has commissionedtesting to make sure theAmateur Softball Association(ASA) standards are appropri-ate for the college game.
In setting its standard, theASA commissioned LloydSmith, professor of mechani-
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2 COACHING MANAGEMENT
they pitch to a particular hittercan be adjusted based on thebat she’s carrying.
“The speed of those ballscoming off the bat is certainlya concern among coaches,”says Wilkinson. “I know howhard the sanctioning bodiestry to keep that under control,
posite bats, where you have abarrel made out of concentriccylinders, which allows thebarrel to be softer but just asstrong.”
This is not news to coaches.Next season, Mark Wilkinson,Head Softball Coach atNoblesville (Ind.) High School,
but they’re fighting againstcompanies that want to cre-ate the hottest bat out there.”
Molly Feesler, President ofthe Ohio High School Fast-pitch Softball Coaches Asso-ciation and Head Coach atPickerington North HighSchool, welcomes the rule asa proactive safety measure.While the pitching vs. offenseissue isn’t as contentious ather level as it is in college,she can see the change com-ing if bats are not regulated.
“Five years down the road wecould be in the same predica-
The NCAA and NFHS have chosen not to change the rules regardingbat standards for 2005, but to wait for additional test results from astudy commissioned by the ASA.
expects to have a player on histeam who was hit in the facewhile pitching in an eighth-grade scrimmage this pastspring. The hitter’s bat waslegal for high school use underthe ASA 2004 standard, butthe injury prompted discussionlocally about the power ofmodern bats. Wilkinson copeswith the bat technology armsrace by teaching his pitchersand infielders to note whatbats opposing hitters bring tothe plate. He tells corner play-ers to back up when a stronghitter comes up with a notori-ously powerful bat. Pitchers, ofcourse, can’t do that, but how
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Solomon says. Since coachesdo not have legal standing tosue the school over discrimi-nation against their team, theywill need to work alongsideparents, who can sue on behalfof their minor children if alawsuit becomes necessary.
One reason glaring inequitiesstill exist at the high schoollevel may be that coachesare afraid that speaking outabout discrimination will putthem at odds with their admin-istrators, Center says. How-ever, a case currently beforethe U.S. Supreme Court mayprovide greater assurancethat if a coach makes a TitleIX complaint, his or her schoolcannot retaliate. The plaintiff,Ensley (Ala.) girls’ basketball
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parents, and student-athletescomplained to the schoolboard and administration with-out result, Solomon says. Par-ents of the student-athletesthen filed suit on their behalf.
The Alhambra suit is one ofseveral high school Title IXcases recently initiated overdisparities in softball and base-ball facilities. Other cases havebeen settled in Tennessee,Alabama, and Washington. Inthe late 1990s, a single suitin an Oklahoma school districtled to 13 additional cases innearby districts. And in Ken-tucky, more than 70 newsoftball fields have been con-structed after a lawsuitprompted the state highschool association to reviewall of its members for Title IXcompliance.
Still, Solomon points out, themajority of Title IX cases havebeen brought at the collegelevel, making each high schoolTitle IX case important. “Highschool suits are hard to bringbecause the girls are soyoung,” Solomon notes. “Highschool girls often don’t labelinequities as discrimination,even though they realize theyaren’t being treated the sameas the boys.”
That means high schoolcoaches must be vigilant andadvocate for their athletes,Solomon says—particularlysoftball coaches, since theirsport is one where schoolshave typically lagged behindin Title IX compliance. “Soft-ball coaches are on the frontlines of Title IX enforcementright now,” Solomon says.“They are often the onlypeople who can see from abroader perspective that dis-crimination is occurring.”
When a coach believes his orher team is the victim of genderdiscrimination, it is essential tomake a formal complaint anddocument it in writing, accor-ding to Solomon. “Make sureyou state in your written com-
plaint that you believe this is aviolation of Title IX,” she adds.
Claudia Center, Senior StaffAttorney at the Legal AidSociety-Employment Law Cen-ter in San Francisco, whichalso represents the Alhambraathletes, agrees. “A watercooler conversation with yourathletic director doesn’t work,”Center says. “You don’t haveto be confrontational—in fact,simply expressing your concernand asking for help usuallyworks best. But to make sureyour concern is taken seriously,put it in writing and mentionTitle IX.”
Coaches who are not able toget relief from their schoolshould contact an attorney,
At Alhambra (Calif.) High School, a $900,000 renovation ofthe baseball facility (top) has prompted a Title IX suit bysoftball parents claiming that the school has failed to provide acomparable softball facility (bottom).
4 COACHING MANAGEMENT
HU
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ment,” Feesler says. “Our kidsare getting stronger andstronger every year as they doa lot of off-season training andweightlifting. As the kids becomestronger and the game getsfaster—as in any sport—you’regoing to run into more issues.”
Coaches cope through comm-unication, says Feesler. Playersand parents need to under-stand that only stamped-as-approved bats can be used ingames. “They know that it’s astate rule and a National Fed-eration rule, not my rule, andthat helps,” she says.
Field DisparitiesPrompt SuitsWhen Alhambra (Calif.) HighSchool administrators decidedlast year to spend $900,000upgrading their three-fieldbaseball complex, they includ-ed state-of-the-art electronicscoreboards, a warning track,enclosed batting cages, andbullpens. They paid attentionto every detail except one:How would the new construc-tion affect gender equity attheir school?
That omission has landed theschool in court. Without accessto a comparable softball field,Alhambra softball players havesued under Title IX.
“While the baseball program isplaying on these fantastic newfields, girls’ varsity and juniorvarsity softball are playing onback-to-back dirt fields,” saysNancy Solomon, Senior StaffAttorney at the CaliforniaWomen’s Law Center and oneof the attorneys representingthe softball players. “If there’sa hit into the outfield in onegame, play in the other gamehas to stop.” In their complaint,the student-athletes also allegethat the softball field is litteredwith trash, receives no mainte-nance, and is dangerous.
Former Alhambra Head SoftballCoach Tom O’Dell, Alhambra
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coach Roderick Jackson, allegesthat he was fired for raisingTitle IX concerns. A decisionis expected by June 2005.
High school Title IX compliancecould also take a step forwardif Senate Bill 282 is passed inCongress. The law wouldrequire high schools to collectannual data on Title IX com-pliance and submit reports tothe federal government, ascolleges are currently requiredto do. “At most schools, dis-crimination is the result ofyears’ worth of cumulativedecisions that don’t takegender equity into account,”Center says. “A law that req-uires high schools to examinetheir gender equity each yearis a huge step in the rightdirection.”
In the meantime, as the Alham-bra softball players’ case goes
forward, Center and Solomonare hopeful that schools acrossthe country will take notice.“We’re hoping that schoolswill say, ‘We don’t want to endup in court, so we’re going toexamine our programs andmake sure we’re complyingwith the law,” Center says.“And we’re hoping that thiscase will prompt more athletesand coaches to speak up ifthey see inequities.”
D-II CelebratesWith FestivalDuring the second week inMay, nearly 600 NCAA DivisionII athletes—including eightsoftball teams—con-vergedon Orlando, Fla. The reason?To take part in the inauguralDivision II Spring Sports Festi-val, a new idea in NCAA
Angelo State celebrates after defeating Florida Southern in theWomen’s Softball Championships, which were held as part ofthe first NCAA Division II Spring Sports Festival.
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6 COACHING MANAGEMENT
championships. After six days of compe-tition, teams were crowned nationalchampions in six sports: men’s and wom-en’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis,women’s lacrosse, and softball.
The national championship for softball waswon by the Angelo State University Ram-belles, led by first-year Head Coach TravisScott. “It was a dream ending for a dreamseason,” says Scott. “It was exciting forthe kids to have other athletes aroundand know that we were all competing fora national title.”
Scott says his players also enjoyed theopening ceremonies, which were held atthe Hard Rock Café and featured DotRichardson as one of the speakers.“When you can get big-name people tobe a part of a Division II championship,it’s a special opportunity,” he says. “Itreally gave our players a taste of what DIathletes are around all the time.”
Another taste of the Division I experiencecame fromchampionship games televisednationally—a first for Division II softball.With the games televised on the SunshineNetwork, Rambelle fans who couldn’tmake the trip were able to watch thegames on a pay-per-view basis. “And thatprobably wouldn’t have happened hadour sport not been a part of the SpringSports Festival,” says Scott.
According to organizers, the festival suc-ceeded in achieving its two main goals:enhancing the student-athlete experienceand creating more exposure for DivisionII sports. “Overall, we felt the festival wasa huge success,” says Joan McDermott,Chair of the Division II ChampionshipsCommittee and Athletic Director atMetropolitan State College of Denver.“There are some issues that need to bedealt with to make it better in the future,but all in all, it went very well and wewant to do it again.”
There were some first-year difficulties inkeeping all the festival’s events close tocampus, and some conflicts with schedu-ling—including the softball championshipgame, which was held at the same timeas the festival’s closing ceremonies. ButMcDermott says that the post-eventstudent-athlete surveys were verypositive.
“Our hope is that four years from now,we’ll do another spring festival,” saysMcDermott. “And we want to have itevery four years after that.”
NCAA Modifies Rules On Lines,Sportsmanship Revisions to the wording that governsthe placement of feet within lines on asoftball field top NCAA rules changesapproved for the 2005 season. The ruleschanges will most significantly affect playin and around the batter’s box.
Under the new rules, players who arerequired to position themselves within aline—primarily batters and catchers—willbe allowed to extend their feet to theoutside edge of that line, as long as theydon’t reach beyond that edge. Playersand coaches who are required to positionthemselves on a line—primarily pitchers,who must keep one foot in contact withthe pitching plate while delivering apitch—may extend one foot over the
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COACHING MANAGEMENT 7
8 COACHING MANAGEMENT
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they believe the infraction hasoccurred.
■ Batting gloves are to be wornonly on the hands and are notpermitted to be carried while aplayer is running the bases.
■ A pitcher who brings a resinbag to the mound is responsi-ble for removing it at the endof each half inning after shepitches.
Coaches AcademyBuilds SkillsLaTaya Hilliard-Gray had beenthinking about going back toschool for a graduate degree.Lately, though, she’s decidedto stick with coaching. Forone thing, she’s been havingsome success—in 2004, sheled the Winston-Salem StateUniversity Rams to their con-ference’s western division title
edge, as long as that footmaintains contact with theline.
Whether they’re required tostand on or within a line, play-ers and coaches will not beallowed to have either footcompletely outside that line.
Other rules added for 2005:
■ Misconduct penalties will beassessed for any player orcoach who leaves a team area(dugout or bullpen) to initiateor join a fight.
■ If an ejected player or coachcommunicates with opponentsor umpires or has any subse-quent rules violation, the gamewill be forfeited.
■ Appeals, such as when acoach believes that the oppo-sition has batted out of order,may be made after the thirdout in the half inning after
Under the new NCAA rules, hitters will be allowed to positiontheir foot on the line of the batter’s box, as long as it doesn’textend beyond the outer edge of the line.
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COACHING MANAGEMENT 9
in just her second year at thehelm, then was named leaguecoach of the year.
And she attended the secondannual Women’s CoachesAcademy.
“If you ever have a chance toattend this coaches’ academy,do it,” Hilliard-Gray says. “Itchanges your whole view ofthings. When anyone asks mewhat I got out of it, I tell themit inspired me and gave memore motivation. An adviser,a mentor—you can get it allthere at the academy.”
The Women Coaches Acade-my is the work of the NationalAssociation for CollegiateWomen Athletic Administrators(NACWAA) with a grant fromthe NCAA Committee onWomen’s Athletics. Twenty-four coaches took part June
3-7 at the University of NorthCarolina-Wilmington, and 19were at the University ofDenver June 19-23. The firstAcademy was in 2003 at BrynMawr College.
The Academy’s ultimate mis-sion is to raise the number ofwomen coaches. “Our goalis to motivate, and there arethree things we try to do,”says Celia Slater, ExecutiveDirector of the Academy andSpecial Projects Coordinatorat NACWAA. “The first thingis to provide women withthe skill base that will helpthem in their day-to-day chal-lenges, from teaching meth-ods to communicating withtheir AD, student-athletes,and staff. We’re trying togive them a relevant skillbase that goes beyond X’sand O’s.
“Number two is to providethem with an opportunity tocreate a network with otherwomen in athletics they cancall on for support,” Slatercontinues. “Many women feelisolated in their athletic dep-artment. Often, they’re theonly woman in the department.We want to build a networkof women who’ve been to theacademy, and tie them to thewomen who’ve been pioneersin the field. That’s the thirdthing—to inspire them andhelp them see their value in theworld of women’s athletics.”
Attendees come from allNCAA divisions, sports, andcareer stages, from two yearsin the field to 22. The academyaddresses some of the mostcommon reasons some womendon’t enter the profession andothers choose to leave. Thosereasons, Slater says, include
the increase in other careeroptions, the 24-7 time commit-ment of the profession, and,for some women, the feelingthat their view of athleticsisn’t valued in their setting.
Among the provocative classtitles at this year’s academy inWilmington were “Change isGood—You Go First, Mary,”“How to Coach Yourself in aLosing Season,” “Networkingand Internal Politics,” and“Title IX: Facts and Frictionabout Gender Equity.” Othertopics included public speak-ing skills, communicationstrategies, diversity, ethics,and motivational strategies.
Learning better ways to com-municate with her supervisor,staff, and student-athleteswas the greatest lesson forHilliard-Gray. “Today’s stu-dent-athletes are different
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and a formal way of applyingattendance toward continuingeducation credits. NACWAAis talking to other organizationsabout creating a similar pro-gram for high school coaches,Slater says.
NFHS To RequireBatting MasksCatchers and umpires haveworn them for years. Soon,hitters will join them behindprotective masks. Beginningin January 2006, the NationalFederation of High SchoolAssociations will require fast-pitch softball players to wearapproved faceguards on theirbatting helmets.
“Earlier this year, NOCSAEreleased the first standard forsoftball faceguards,” says MaryStruckhoff, NFHS Assistant
Details and applicationsare expected to beavailable shortly on theacademy’s Web site,www.coachesacademy.com/home.htm.
from when I was playing,”she says. “I have to let themknow that I’m here for themno matter what, as a friend,as a coach, as a mentor.”
Plans for 2005 are in flux,largely because NACWAAisn’t sure how large the NCAAgrant and other fundingsources will be, Slater says.This year’s costs were $1,400per coach, but the entire pro-gram could look quite differ-ent next year. Administratorsare exploring an advancedsession for academy graduates
Director and Softball RulesEditor. “With a standard nowin place, we decided it wastime to make the rule.”
The low cost of the faceguards,and a recent ruling by theAmateur Softball Associationrequiring them for JuniorOlympic players, also factoredinto the committee’s decision.“The impact on a school pro-gram won’t be more than acouple hundred dollars, andwe’re providing almost twoyears for implementation,”Struckhoff says. “It’s a safetyissue that we can address atminimal cost.”
During its annual meeting inJune, the NFHS Softball RulesCommittee also changed itsdefinition of obstruction, rulingthat a player who blocks abase or the plate must havethe ball before impeding a
runner’s progress. This changewill take effect in 2005.
“The previous rule said thatyou could block if you were inpossession of the ball orabout to receive it, and it wasvery inconsistently applied,”says Struckhoff. “Now we’resaying, ‘If you don’t have theball, you can’t obstruct.’”
Another rule change removesthe phrase “not higher thanthe batter’s head” from thedefinition of both a foul balland a foul tip. “Our existingrule says a foul tip occurswhen the ball travels sharplyand directly to the catcher,”Struckhoff explains. “In thatcase, the ball is not goingabove the batter’s head. But afoul ball can travel sidewaysand the catcher can lungefor it and catch it. We feltthat should be an out, so we
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cleared up that language forumpires.”
The rules committee also add-ressed team huddling as apoint of emphasis, clarifyingthat only one minute is allowedbetween innings and that longhuddles on the field slow thegame and jeopardize playersafety. Other points of empha-sis warn players against inten-tionally erasing the batter’sbox with their cleats, andremind them that awardedbases must be run legally with-in the basepaths.
12 COACHING MANAGEMENT
Fairleigh DickinsonGets A HomeWhen Fairleigh Dickinson Uni-versity launched its softballprogram four years ago, theteam had no home. Today, itplays and practices at one ofthe premiere softball facilitiesin its region. And for theteam, the school, and thecommunity, what a differencea field makes.
“In our first and second yearsas a program, we played inlocal parks. It was hard becausewe’d have to work around theschedules of the town’s recprograms,” says Head CoachBob Bruno. “Then the seasonbefore last, we had absolutelyno field, so we played all ofour games on the road, andhad nowhere to practice ex-cept our fieldhouse and gym-
nasium.” All that travel tookits toll on the team, which fin-ished its third season 3-17 inNortheast Conference play.
But better days were ahead.In the summer of 2003, FDUbroke ground on campus for abrand new softball facility,which includes seating for 500spectators, an undergroundsprinkler system for the out-field, concrete dugouts, andan on-site storage facility. Italso features a lighting system,which administrators and theathletic department decidedwas a priority.
“In the original conceptionthere were no lights, so weasked the architects to addthem to their drawings sowe could evaluate the idea,”says Provost Joseph Kiernan.“Between my office, the coach,and the athletic department,
we decided that we wanted tolight the field.”
A lengthy approval processinvolving the state of NewJersey and the local planningboard held up the construc-tion process, and winterarrived before the field wasfinished. But by the time the2004 softball season began,the field was ready for action.
The FDU Knights played theirfirst home game on March 27.Soon after, they hosted anopening ceremony to introd-uce the new field to the schooland the community. “Wehad the former provost, theprovost, and one of our seniorsthrow out first pitches, andthe athletic director said a fewwords,” Bruno says. “We alsohad a barbecue and gave outT-shirts. We made a nice dayof it.”
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COACHING MANAGEMENT 13
The team’s success at the newfield has been a testament tothe power of home-fieldadvantage. The Knights hadtheir best season ever, postinga 10-10 conference recordand just barely missing theirfirst postseason berth. “It gave
us a whole new perspective,”Bruno says. “We could finallysay, ‘This is mine. I’m proud ofit, and I’m going to play hardhere.’”
Bruno points to the lighting asthe best part of the new facility.
“Playing night games is sospecial for us,” he says. “Par-ents get to come and see theirkids during the week, and localresidents come out at nightto watch our games. Before,a lot of people didn’t evenknow we had a softball team.”
In addition to what it’s donefor the team and the campus,the new facility is having animpact on the community. InApril, the university hosteda charity softball event thatraised over $4,000 for theHackensack-based TomorrowsChildren’s Fund.
“We had university faculty andstaff playing against a teamfrom the WFAN radio station,and hundreds of people cameout to support us,” says AnnGulino, Assistant Director ofAthletics. “It was a great suc-cess, and they can’t wait tocome back next year.” Butthe most gratifying thing aboutthe new field was seeing theseniors finally getting a chanceto play on a first-class field.“It was special for all thekids,” Gulino says. “They wereso happy to have a placethey could call home.”
Fairleigh Dickinson opened its new field with ceremonial first pitches by senior Caroline Kovach,former Provost Richard Bronson, and Provost Joseph Kiernan (left to right). Standing behindKovach are Assistant Coach Dana Jeanetti Murdoch and Athletic Director David Langford.
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KRIS HERMAN Williams CollegeA
14 COACHING MANAGEMENT
CM: What were the keys to your suc-cessful first year at Williams? Herman: Experience played a big role. Ialready knew the team, because we’re inthe same conference as Tufts. So I camein with some pretty firm ideas of what Iwanted to do. I wasn’t overbearing, but Isaid, “This is the way we’re going to doit. This is what I expect from you and thisis what you can expect from me.”
Strategy-wise, I told them that I thoughtthey were very talented physically, andthat all I wanted from them was a goodattitude and a positive work ethic, withgreater effort than they had ever givenbefore. I told them, “If you buy into this,and if you believe in me, I know that it’sgoing to work out well.” And it did.
I didn’t present my program as somethingnew and different. I focused on the reallybasic stuff that won’t ever change. Tenyears down the road here at Williams I’llstill be doing things very much the sameas I am now.
What were the team’s greatest accom-plishments? Off the field, we actively talked aboutwhat we wanted to be like as a team, andwe really followed through. We all justtook a deep breath in the beginning andsaid, “We’re not going to worry aboutwhat we’re not. We’re not going to worryabout what anybody else is.” We set outto just do the best we could, and I’mproud of that. I’m proud that we devel-oped leadership skills in all our players,not just our upperclassmen.
How is your approach at Williamsdifferent from your approach at Tufts?
I don’t think it’s different at all. As a coach,I think it’s really important to figure outhow you want to be—how you bestoperate—and then do it that way. It’s anevolutionary process. Certainly, you wantto be flexible, but you also have to knowwhat works for you and not second-guessyourself just because you are in a new sit-
uation. You have to be confident andcomfortable in your own skin.
What is your coaching philosophy? I try to be very direct. I don’t think itworks to sugarcoat things. If a kid’s mainrole is to be a batting practice catcher,she needs to know that. I don’t think it’s
Q&Kris Herman has been a softball coach since the
day she graduated from Tufts University in 1986.Starting her career as an assistant coachat her alma mater, she moved up to thehead coaching position for the Division IIIJumbos in 1988. Between 1988 and 2003,Herman posted a record of 339-164-3,winning three consecutive New EnglandSmall College Athletic Conference(NESCAC) titles, and earning NESCACCoach of the Year honors in 2001, 2002,and 2003.
In 2004, Herman moved from Tufts to leaguerival Williams College. In her first season, she led the
Ephs to a 29-8 record and their first NESCAC champ-ionship—an accomplishment that earned her a fourthconsecutive NESCAC Coach of the Year award.
Herman has taken an active role in the interna-tional softball scene, spending summers overseascoaching the Croatian National Team in the Europeanchampionships and holding clinics for emergingcoaches. She also coached a New England highschool delegation during a goodwill trip to Cubain 2000.
In this interview, Herman talks about the keysto her successful transition from Tufts to Williams,her experiences overseas, and the benefits ofcoaching in Division III.
Herman’s Ephs execute a perfect suicide squeeze play as Cathleen Clark slides into home toscore the tying run in a late-inning victory against Hamilton College.
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fair to have her thinking she might playshortstop for half the games. It may notbe easy to say something negative, but itworks out better in the long run.
In terms of strategy and technique, I keepthings very simple. If we play perfectdefense, we’re going to have a goodchance of winning ball games. It’s thatstraightforward. I’m not into fancy drills.My philosophy is that if we need to bebetter at fielding ground balls, that’s whatwe’ll do. If we need to become a better
hitting team, we’ll take more swings,get on the tee, and break it down onvideo.
How has your coaching style evolved?As I’ve gotten older and more exper-ienced, I no longer have a problem ask-ing an 18-year-old kid, “What do youthink? How do you feel? How can I helpyou get better?” The best way to findout what somebody is feeling is to askthem, so I do a lot of that. I’ve learnedthat for us to be successful, it’s very
important for players to feel ownershipof their own development.
I’ve learned to be more comfortablemaking mistakes, on and off the field,and I’ve gotten more comfortable withplayers making mistakes. I’m still a prettyintense person, so I have high expect-ations all the time. But I understand thateverything is not going to work out per-fectly all the time and I’m able to regroupwithout having players feeling so badthat they can’t come back effectively.
What are the challenges of coaching inDivision III? There is a myth that if an athlete is notone of the best in her area, she won’t begood enough to play in college. Peopleneed to know that there is tough, com-
petitive softball at our level. At the topDivision II and Division III schools, thelevel of play is often just as good as at alot of the scholarship programs. We needto keep ourselves on the radar so kidswho truly love the game will have enoughconfidence to seek out a place wherethey can play.
What have you learned as an assistantvolleyball coach that has helped yoursoftball coaching? The more you interact with players andcoaches, the more you learn. I have a tonof respect for our head volleyball coach.We have very different styles, so I learn a lotfrom her. In specific situations—everythingfrom dealing with players off the court tothe best way to run a drill—I know in myhead what I would do, and she’ll dosomething different, and I try to learnfrom that.
Our entire coaching staff here at Williamsis pretty close, and almost all of us eat
“As I’ve gotten more experi-enced, I no longer have aproblem asking an 18-year-old kid, ‘How do you feel?’The best way to find outwhat somebody is feeling isto ask them, so I do a lot ofthat with my athletes. I’velearned that for us to besuccessful, it’s important forplayers to feel ownership oftheir own development.”
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lunch together every day. We spend a lotof time talking about coaching and teach-ing methods, comparing notes on condi-tioning and nutrition. It creates a greatenvironment, and it’s one of the biggestreasons why I will stay in Division III.That opportunity to interact with othercoaches keeps me learning and jazzedabout my job.
What was it like coaching the CroatianNational Team? It was crazy and it was a lot of fun. Croatiais a very athletic nation, but softball wasalmost a non-entity. There are a couple ofbaseball diamonds that we used forinfield work, but everything else is essen-tially pasture. They were just gettingstarted in the 1990s, and there was verylittle equipment to be found in the entirecountry. If you took a bunch of Americansover there, they probably would havepanicked, but those kids said, “Hey, thisis what we’ve got, let’s make the mostof it.”
I coached the team through the Europeanchampionships in 1999 and 2001. Theyreally bought in, worked hard, and trustedme from the get-go. They had to make alot of sacrifices to be able to play. Theyhad jobs and school, and just seeingthem get really excited about playingwas a lot of fun.
What did you learn from taking theNew England delegation to Cuba? The biggest lessons came from seeingthe hardships that the Cuban youngstershave to deal with, and seeing their loveof the game. We played the cream ofthe crop—this was their Junior Olympicteam—but the fields were still not at thelevel we’re used to here. Basic thingsthat we take for granted—shampoo, toiletpaper, and soap—are just not availablethere. The organizers of the trip had ourkids bring toiletries for the Cuban players,and they were so grateful—and theseare middle class, well-educated Cubans.So the biggest lesson was how hardpeople all over the world have to workfor the little things.
What advice can you offer aboutbuilding a coaching career? I started coaching in 1987, when softballwas relatively new in college. I walked into the athletic director’s office and said,“The head coach needs help and I needa job. Hire me.” And they did. Then whenthe head coach left, I went back in andsaid, “You need a coach. I’ll work cheap.Hire me.”
It’s very different for a young coach today.There are a lot more opportunities, but
there are also a lot more people interest-ed in doing it.
My best advice for people starting outnow is just to jump in with both feet. Ifthere’s an opportunity and you feel likeit might work, do it. Learn as much asyou can every day. Go to clinics. Sit in thestands with other coaches and pick theirbrains. Make as many connections as youcan—not just for job opportunities butfor improving yourself. Read everythingyou can get your hands on about lead-
ership. Understand that being a goodcoach has as much to do with interper-sonal relationships as it does with skills.
The bottom line is that you have to lovecoaching. If you don’t love getting up anddoing it every day, it’s not for you. It takestoo much of an emotional commitment todo it well. You can’t treat this like a job.You really have to live it alongside your ath-letes. You’re asking them to make a hugecommitment, and you have to be willingto do the same.
COACHING MANAGEMENT 17
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After blasting a triple off the leftfield wall, Hawkeye outfielder Natalie Johnson scores on a first-inning double stealto take the lead in Iowa’s 2004 home opener against Wisconsin.
Smart, aggressive, instinctive base running canmake the difference between victory and defeat.
Here’s how four coaches train their players tomake the right choices on the base paths.
o the average fan the three mostimportant attributes of a goodbase runner are speed, speed, andmore speed. But if you ask JayMiller, Head Coach at MississippiState University, he’ll tell you thatwhile speed is a nice tool to have,
the marks of a successful base runnerare timing, alertness, and calculatedaggressiveness. After all, if an athleteisn’t able to apply her speed, it doesn’tmatter how quickly she can run.
“Too many teams run one base at atime,” says Miller. “They’re more con-cerned with getting to the next basethan they are with scoring. From thefirst step out of the batter’s box, runnersshould be thinking about getting all theway home, forcing the defense to stopthem rather than stopping themselves.”
The only thing better than a goodbase runner is a team full of good baserunners. A good running team doesmore than just fill up a box score—itconstantly applies pressure to thedefense, getting ready to take advantageof any weakness. Good base runningteams are fun to watch, fun to play on,and extremely fun to coach. RhondaRevelle, Head Coach at the University ofNebraska, says that base runninginstruction tends to be neglected, espe-cially at the high school level. “Unlessyou have a trained eye, you don’t noticebase running mistakes,” she says. “Baserunning can make the difference in agame, but I don’t think coaches workon it as much as they should.”
When taught effectively, good baserunning can become instinctive, and itseffects can spread to other diamond dis-ciplines as players develop better ball
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sense and learn how to play the gamemore intelligently. For this article, wetalked to a handful of coaches whoseteams are noted for their prowess onthe base paths. We asked them whatskills should be taught, how athletes canbe trained to run the bases instinctively,and to share some of their favorite drillswith us.
Teaching ResponsibilityThe first step in teaching effective
base running is to train your athletes tomake their own decisions. “It is impor-tant for kids to learn how to see thegame while they are running, and nothave their every move controlled by thecoach,” says Gayle Blevins, Head Coachat the University of Iowa. “So manyopportunities are lost when a coachtries to control an athlete’s thinkingprocess and her ability to react. I seethat a lot, especially in high schoolgames. A lot of coaches teach playershow to turn the bases, but they don’tteach them how to read the situation,which is an important part of becominga good base runner.”
Miller agrees. “We get athletes com-ing to our level who have never had todepend on their own judgement,” hesays. “So many kids have been taught torely on their coach to tell them every-thing—when to run, when not to run,and when to take an extra base—thatthey never develop that game sense.
“I try to put as much responsibilityon the player as possible,” he continues.“I want them to play the game, ratherthan relying on me to tell them when togo. Most of our game-situation drills aredesigned for the players to make deci-
COACHIING MANAGEMENT 19
sions themselves. We encourage themin practice to be overly aggressive andfind out what their limits are, so thatduring the game, they’ll know what theycan and can’t do. If players neverextend themselves in practice, they’llnever know what their limitations are.The time to take chances is during prac-tice. That’s when they learn.”
Teaching the BasicsBeing able to efficiently cover
ground between home and first baserequires timing, taking the shortest dis-tance to first, and touching the bagproperly. And whether you’re coachinga Division I college team or a highschool junior varsity squad, the essentialdrills to build these skills are the same.
“You can do the exact same things incollege that you do in high school, andvice versa,” says Revelle. “Effective baserunning isn’t just based on talent. Yes,faster runners have an advantage. Butplayers with average speed can becomeexcellent base runners.”
Working on your athletes’ speed outof the batter’s box is a good place tobegin teaching the basics of base run-ning. Miller brings out his stopwatch fora drill called Rip and Dash, which revsup his offense and puts pressure on hisdefense.
“We start with either a soft toss, a tee,or a machine,” he says. “We draw a linehalfway between home and first base,and time each of the players from themoment they make contact to the timethey hit that line.”
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By incorporating a stopwatch andrecording each player’s times, Millertaps into the competitive nature of histeam. “We post the times in the lockerroom, with rankings broken up for left-handed and right-handed batters,” hesays. “The athletes have little contests tosee who can beat who. It becomes asource of pride.”
To teach his athletes how to get aquick start off first base, Miller sets up avideo camera during practices, makingsure to get both the runner and thepitcher in the frame. “We’ll run it backin slow motion, and if the runner isn’toff the base when the pitcher’s arm ishalf-way down her backswing, then therunner is getting off late,” says Miller.“You’d be surprised at how many kidsstill have their foot on the bag when thepitcher has already let go of the ball. Wewant to make sure our players are offthe base as soon as the ball leaves thepitcher’s hand.”
There’s a saying in softball that ifyou’re not early on a base start, you’relate. When Revelle works on base starts,
she uses what she calls the Whistle Drill.“We put a runner at first base, and twopeople with whistles on the foul side ofthe first base line,” says Revelle. “Onewhistle is blown when the foot releasesfrom the base, and the other whistle isblown when the pitcher releases the ball.If those two whistles are blown simulta-neously, it’s an indication of great tim-ing. But if the whistles are off, the runnercan hear that she’s either early or late.”
To teach athletes how to effectivelyround the bases, coaches need to payclose attention to two basic skills: takingthe most efficient line between basesand touching the bag properly. Again,Miller uses a stopwatch to time his play-ers as they round the bases. He timeseach player from home to first, secondto home, and home to home. Playersleave from a standing start, with onefoot on the base. The clock starts assoon as that foot leaves the base, andstops once the player has hit the target.
“We time players about once aweek,” says Miller. “They use thosetimes as a guideline and try to beat
them each time they run.” Miller is alsoa stickler for proper form, and closelymonitors how each player touches thebases. “We want them to hit the frontinside corner of the bag and use thebase to accelerate,” says Miller. “Wewant the ball of their foot on the leadinside corner toward the next base.Every time we run the bases we makesure everybody hits the bases correctly,or we run them again.”
Another drill Miller uses to teachrounding the bases involves starting tworunners, one right after another. “Wehave two runners start at home plate, apitcher on the mound, and coaches atfirst and third base,” he says. “As soon asthe pitcher goes through her throwingmotion, the first runner runs straightthrough first base and squares up. Therunner behind her keeps going to sec-ond base, or even third base, followingthe signal from her coach. Then thepitcher goes through her motion again,and the runners work on their leadswhile the next two runners at homestart running to first.”
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Players aren’t the only members ofthe team who benefit from this drill.“We put coaches out in the coachingboxes during this drill and work oncommunication with the runners,”Miller adds. “It helps the coach at thirdwork on sending runners home, andsignaling for runners to slide.
“It’s probably my favorite for teach-ing base running,” says Miller. “It helpsus work on communication with thecoach, slides, rounding, and hitting thecorners correctly. But most importantly,it helps us work on scoring runs.”
Layering DrillsOnce your athletes have a good
grasp of the basics of base running, it’stime to increase the complexity of yourdrills, bringing practices closer to thefeel of an actual game. By continuallyputting your players in competition dur-ing practice, you can simultaneouslyteach them technical skills and decisionmaking, training them to develop theinstinctive responses they’ll need dur-ing the season.
Starting with a simple drill and thenadding other game-like factors is a prac-tice method that Blevins calls layering.“You keep putting additional elements in,which adds to the complexity and makesyour drills more game-like,” she says.
For example, Blevins uses a baserunning drill in conjunction with bat-ting and fielding practice, forcing therunner to read the defense and react.On line drives, her runners learn to waitfor the ball to go beyond the infield,and on ground balls, they learn to breakup the double play.
For Blevins, having a feel for thegame means knowing when to run andwhich situations have the highest per-centage of success. “An athlete’s under-standing of the game evolves throughdirect experience and training,” saysBlevins. “Take tag ups: If an athlete hasto wait for the third base coach’s signalafter a catch, she loses time that couldmake the difference between a runscored and an inning-ending out.
“The best base running teams I’veseen haven’t always been the fastest,”
she continues. “But they’ve been reallysmart, and you can see them use thatknowledge in the way they take advan-tage of situations in a game.”
Multi-Functional DrillsWhether they combine running
with batting practice or defensivedrills—or both—winning coaches willtell you that the key to success is in thedetails. Coaches should not be afraidto stop a drill to point out when a play-er is making an error. The goal is toquickly correct the mistake by makingthat player, as well as her teammates,aware of the correct course of action ina given situation.
“We do base running in every prac-tice,” says Miller. “Whenever we hit, wealso run the bases. We always work onreading the ball off the bat, going fortwo bases at a time instead of one, andalways putting in our players’ mindsthat their job is to score on every ballthat is hit. We constantly stop practiceto call attention to something that canbe applied in a game.”
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Miller recommends a particular drillthat works on base running as well as out-field defense. The setup calls for defen-sive players in each outfield position, acatcher, and a base runner on second. Acoach hits fungoes to the outfield, andthe runner attempts to score from sec-ond on a base hit. “The base runner isworking on rounding third tightly, head-ing toward home, and making a goodslide at the plate,” says Miller. “The out-fielders are working on making goodthrows, and the catcher is concentratingon making a tag at the plate.”
At Iowa, Blevins inserts base runningcircuits into offensive and defensivedrills, placing an emphasis on readingand reacting. Like Miller, Blevins is notafraid to stop a drill when she sees a mis-take. In the circuits, the bases are loadedand the runners focus on a differentskill at each base.
“At first base, they may be working onbase starts for a steal,” says Blevins. “Atsecond, they might be taking a large basestart or anticipating a bunt. At third base,we might practice putting a contact play
on or having the runner tag up. In eachdrill, the runner is forced to read theball, no matter where it goes.”
Blevins also takes advantage of thecircuit drills to work on her communi-cation from the coach’s box. “If I’mcoaching at third and a fly ball is hit intothe outfield, I’ll yell, ‘Tag!’ and expect
the runner to hold up. If it’s a real shortfly ball, I’ll yell, ‘Make her throw!’ andwatch the runner force a play at theplate, to see if she can read the defense.I’m not making the decision for her torun— she is. We give the athletes a situ-ation, and teach them to read it, bothoffensively and defensively.”
Revelle utilizes a similar exercise dur-ing hitting drills, with a twist: She has her
base runners working in teams of two.“Let’s say we’re having our batters hit liveon the field,” she says. “We’ll have baserunners on at least two of the bases, so ifa hitter takes seven or eight cuts, onebase runner will go on one swing, andbefore the next swing, the other runnerwill jump on the bag and be ready to go.
There’s not a lot of turnaround time,which is why we work in pairs—it allowsour athletes to get a lot of reps.”
As in Blevins’s circuit drills, Revelle’sexercises pair her athletes in specific sce-narios at each base. “For instance, you’vegot a pair at second base,” she says. “Ifthe batter hits a fly ball to right field,they’re working on their tag ups, judgingwhether the ball is deep enough for
“If I’m coaching at third and a fly ball is hit into the outfield,I’ll yell, ‘Tag!’ and expect the runner to hold up. If it’s a realshort fly ball, I’ll yell, ‘Make her throw!’ and watch the runnerforce a play at the plate, to see if she can read the defense.I’m not making the decision for her to run—she is.”
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them to go to third, or if it’s better to justdraw a throw. If they’re running fromthird base, they’re trying to read the ballright off the bat and decide whether theycan beat the throw.
“It’s critically important to work withlive ball-off-the-bat situations, becausethat’s the best way to train their instinctsas base runners,” she adds. “Drills aregreat for working on their technicalskills in base running, but in a gamethey need to know how to read balls offthe bat or in the dirt.”
At Louisiana State University, HeadCoach Yvette Girourd’s favorite drill forincreasing situational awareness is calledBall in the Dirt. “We put a runner atevery base and have a pitcher on themound, a catcher behind the plate, andall the infield positions filled. The pitch-er intentionally throws a set of pitchesinto the dirt, and sometimes the ballgets away, and sometimes it doesn’t.Each base runner has to read the ball inthe dirt, and each one is on her own—she doesn’t have anything to do with therunner ahead or behind her. The drill isdesigned to teach them when they canand can’t go, and we do it until thatdecision becomes instinctive.
“Every player takes a turn at every sta-tion on the base paths,” continuesGirourd. “And in the same drill, thecatcher is working on blocking skills.We do Ball in the Dirt three or fourtimes a week. We might only do it forfive minutes, but doing it on a regularbasis keeps reinforcing awareness.”
Situational drills not only help teachthe subtleties of the game, but can alsoratchet up the intensity during practice.Revelle says that blending base runningwith defensive drills is a guaranteed wayto fire up her players.
“It gets noisiest when we’ve got thedefense going against our base runnersand something great happens—that’swhen the roars come,” she says. “And itmakes our defense better in gameswhen we go up against that kind ofintensity during practice.”
Changing the GameImproving your athletes’ skills as base
runners will also provide them with agreater appreciation for the subtleties ofthe game. As they explore the nuancesof base running, they will pick up onother areas, including defense and the
art of situational hitting. Running teams are exciting teams,
and there is nothing more effective thanexcitement to enhance your team’s atten-tion to detail. And as always, what yourathletes do in practice will carry over intotheir games.
“When you’re playing against a teamthat runs, it changes the dynamics ofthe game,” says Revelle. “Along with try-ing to figure out how to pitch to their
hitters, you’re also trying to figure outhow to pitch to their hitters if they haverunners on base.
“Having a team that knows how torun is a very effective weapon,” she con-tinues. “You have so many options andyou can always keep the defense guess-ing. And as a coach, you become a muchmore complex strategist. There’s a lotmore strategy to the game when youhave weapons on the base paths.” ■
COVER STORY
COACHIING MANAGEMENT 23
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Request No. 121
ExpectationsThe first thing you need to know
about your athletic director is his or herexpectations. Every situation is differ-ent, but here is what I expect frommy coaches.
Good Role Model: Becauseyou are a hugely importantfigure in manyyoung
uring a lull at one ofyour games, you mayoccasionally look up
and see me, the athleticdirector, in the stands. And
you may wonder, what exactly ishe watching? What exactly does he do,besides making sure the officials getpaid?
I am the consummate “behind-the-scenes” guy, and like most athletic direc-tors, I enjoy that role. I perform a widevariety of tasks, from checking athletes’eligibility forms to writing up coachingevaluations to answering phone callsfrom parents.
The goal behind everything I do ishelping all my coaches perform theirjobs better. That’s really why I’m here.When a coach does something wrong, my
job is stressful. When a coach doessomething right, my jobis the best in the world.But I can only help
coaches avoid mistakesand develop into better
coaches when they partnerwith me—when they understandmy job and my role. In this article,I’d like to share some tips on how to
develop a partnership with yourathletic director and how to
make that relationship work toyour benefit.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
David Hoch, EdD, is the Athletic Director at Loch Raven High School, in Baltimore County, Md.He is the former Athletic Director at Eastern Technical High, also in Baltimore, and was named theMaryland State Athletic Directors Association’s Athletic Director of the Year in 2000.
COACHING MANAGEMENT 25
DBY DR. DAVID HOCH
ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHRIS MURPHY
No matter your communications system, your athletic directoris a person you want to hook up with. Here’s how to partner with this busy, behind-the-scenes boss.
Good Connections
people’s lives, your actions and choicesmust be at the top of the ethical scorechart. I expect my coaches to haveintegrity, be dependable, possess emo-tional control, and have compassion. Ialso expect them to set high standardsand be consistent and fair. I need themto exhibit the characteristics we areproud to see in our student-athletes.
adams 129.indd 1 9/24/04 12:01:12 PM
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Educational Environment: Athleticsis successful only when it has educationalvalue. Winning is secondary. I expect mycoaches to focus on helping young peo-ple mature into adults—to contribute toteam goals, learn to work hard, perse-vere, and experience life-long lessonsthrough their athletic participation.
I also expect my coaches to remainpositive. Not that a coach can’t ever yell,but I really believe that positive, encour-aging coaches are best for our kids.
Sportsmanship: Coaches often aretotally unaware of the impact they haveon the behavior of their players and fansat a game. Yelling at officials gives licenseto the players and fans to do the same.
A coach should always extend respectand courtesy not only to officials, but also
to the opposing team. He or she shouldteach the nuances of good sportsman-ship and praise it at every turn.
Adherence to Policies: Administra-tive chores are a part of coaching. Whencoaches don’t follow through on eachathlete’s paperwork, there can be rami-fications. I must then chase down theseforms—giving me less time to commu-nicate with my coaches. Late forms canmean the suspension of practice ses-sions, fines, or even disqualificationsand forfeits.
You must attend rules interpretationmeetings. Athletic directors get a list ofany coaches who have missed thesemeetings, and believe me, we pay atten-tion to who doesn’t show up.
Coaches who don’t follow directions,,turn in forms late or complete themincorrectly, or don’t follow a departmentpolicy are my biggest headache. If youwant your athletic director to supportand respect you, pay attention to youradministrative duties.
Professional Growth: It is a giventhat you know the basic techniques andstrategies involved in your sport. But Iexpect my coaches to add to these basicsevery year by taking charge of their ownprofessional development.
First, they have to buy into the premisethat learning is a life-long pursuit. Itdoesn’t matter how much experienceyou have—there is always something elseyou can learn. I attended at least one clin-ic in each of my 24 years of coaching, and
always came away with a new idea or a dif-ferent way of teaching something. Eventhough I have a doctorate in sports man-agement and many years of experience,I still attend seminars, take courses, andread professional publications in athleticadministration. Our athletes deserve thatmuch.
I encourage our coaches to take theNFHS Coaching Principles Course (andconsider going on to complete theNFHS Bronze Level national certifica-tion program), work at summer camps,read professional coaching publicationsor books, watch coaching videos, andattend college teams’ practice sessions.
Enthusiasm: While it is essential forsports that are struggling to attract par-
ticipants, I like “Pied Piper” individualsfor even the most popular teams. This isa coach who exudes enthusiasm andenergy—someone young people areattracted to. This should not imply,however, that they don’t run a tight shipor don’t employ discipline.
I want our teams to win, too. But mydirective is to make sure that education-al objectives are being met in the athlet-ic program. That is my job descriptionand that is my priority. However, if youexcel in the above six areas, I can assureyou, winning will take care of itself.
Beyond these basics, ask your ownathletic director what other expectationshe or she has. Your athletic directormight want you to get involved with localyouth programs in your sport. He or shemight want you to help your athletes getcollege scholarships, start an off-seasonconditioning program, fund-raise, or runa summer camp. If you don’t know, ask.
Sometimes, an athletic directorassumes you know the expectations ofyour school, but if you’re new, you can’tknow its history and culture. Askingyour athletic director to identify the ath-letic department’s goals can help startyour partnership on the right foot.
CommunicationThe question a new athletic director
most frequently poses to a veteran oneis, “Do you ever see your family?” This isimportant to know, because while I’vesuggested you start a dialogue with yourathletic director on expectations, youalso need to know that he or she doesn’thave an hour to discuss it. But a 15-minute conversation is doable andappreciated. Therefore, a key part ofpartnering with your athletic director isknowing how to communicate with himor her. Here are some tips:
■ If you want to talk for more than acouple of minutes, set up an appoint-ment. That way, your athletic directorcan arrange to meet at a time that will befree of other obligations. Of course, if itis an emergency, come on in.
■ If you know there have been otherproblems that the athletic director ishandling, hold off on scheduling yourmeeting. Timing really is everything.With another problem looming, yourathletic director may not be able to giveyou the attention that you deserve.
■ Get a feel for your athletic direc-tor’s down times. Some prefer early
This article assumes that your athleticdirector is a professional, dedicated,hard-working leader. But what if yourathletic director is not a good supervisor?Then how do you get what you need?
Above all, step carefully. It is important tounderstand that this poorly functioningathletic director is still your boss and youneed to be careful about circumventingthe chain of command. In other words,do not use parents or athletes as a wedgeto enact change. These techniques couldtotally backfire and you could be brandedas a malcontent or a troublemaker.
What you can do, to start, is keep goodrecords. Retain copies of everything youturn in, such as eligibility forms, budget
requests, inventories, and tournamententries, and use e-mail or take notes onyour communication with your athleticdirector. This ensures that you have proofof your professionalism and also allows youto document those times when your athleticdirector has not followed through.
At all times, it is still best to maintain apositive, loyal front with respect to yourathletic director and continue to be cour-teous and respectful. You might need torepeatedly ask the athletic director if he orshe has remembered to turn in that tour-nament eligibility form, but do it politely.You might even ask the athletic director ifthere’s a way you can help him or her.Remember, you will always be judged byyour actions, even in difficult situations.
AN INEFFECTIVE AD
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
COACHING MANAGEMENT 27
28 COACHING MANAGEMENT
mornings, and others may like earlyafternoons, right before practices start.
■ Use e-mail. This advice is not uni-versal, but for me, e-mail is by far themost efficient form of communication.Regardless of when something hap-pens, your message will be there waitingfor me in the morning. It is, therefore,
especially important that the coach fillin an accurate subject line that, whencoupled with the sender’s name, leadsme to which messages I deal with first inthe morning. An e-mail also allows meto easily save or forward your message.
Know what to discuss and what not to.I don’t need to hear how every practice is
going, what your next game plan is, orcomplaints about something we’ve alreadycovered or that simply can’t be changed. Iwant to know if a problem has arisen or islooming. I also love to hear about yoursuccesses.
Inform your athletic director imme-diately of any injury at a practice session
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
If you’re a conscientious coach, good things are happen-ing in your program every day. Why not let your athleticdirector know about them? This can work wonders forfurthering your partnership.
Here are some ways to let your athletic director know you’redoing a good job—which are not time consuming for you oryour athletic director:■ Forward or copy any congratulatory and thank you notes
that you receive. You can simply write a little note on thetop, “Thought you might be interested.”
■ Tell your athletic director about the clinics you have attend-ed and your other professional development activities.
SHOW YOUR STRENGTHS ■ Invite your athletic director to visit practice whenyou’re discussing team goals or when your ath-letes want to show off something they’ve justmastered.
■ Send an e-mail about a solution you found to aproblem that your athletic director might sendon as advice to the rest of the coaching staff.
■ Complete a self-evaluation at the conclusion ofyour season. Talk about some of the goals youaccomplished that your athletic director may notbe aware of.
Let your athletic director hear about all of the good,positive things that you are doing with your program! You will be surprised at what good, positive resourcesyou receive in return.
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Request No. 123
or game. Tell me the name of the ath-lete, the injury, how it happened, how itwas handled, and whether the parenthas been notified. No one likes to becaught off- guard when that phone ringswith, “What happened to my daughter?”
If a parent voices even a small com-plaint, if you think upperclass athletesmay not be welcoming newcomers, ifany type of hazardous situation hasarisen, if the athletes seem to be disre-specting your approach—I need toknow. Coaches sometimes don’t want tosay that something isn’t going right forfear of seeming incompetent. But myjob is to help you through problem situ-ations. If you tell me before it gets big, Ican help you find solutions that comple-ment your coaching style. But if youdon’t tell me about the problem and itgets bigger, then I may have to step inand resolve the situation my way.
Even if you know the solution you wantto use, relay your thoughts to me. MaybeI can reinforce what you’re trying to do.
Of course, share problems that aremy responsibility, too. If the bus drivergets you to a game late, let me know thefirst time this happens—don’t wait forthe second or third time.
And because I mainly deal with fix-ing problems, I truly appreciate goodnews. Brighten my day by talking aboutone of our students’ display of sports-manship, your team’s mastery of a com-plicated play, or a teachable momentthat happened at practice.
The BenefitsYou might wonder, “Why is it so
important to keep my athletic directorin the loop? I can handle my own team.How will it help me?” There are threeways that developing this partnershipcan benefit you.
First, it puts you on my radar. I try tobe in tune with everyone in my pro-gram, but to be honest, those coacheswho communicate with me effectivelyare the ones I think of first when a newopportunity arises.
Being on my radar helps when youhave a request. If you’ve already com-municated that you’re working ex-tremely hard to upgrade your program,I will pay more attention to your requestfor additional resources when the timecomes for that decision..
At my former school, I put out aweekly department update. I already
knew the opponents, the final scores,the leading scorers, and other standarddetails.
However, coaches who were on theball would also e-mail me some quotesor comments about the game. Then,their team would get a longer write-upand more prominent placement in theweekly update.
Communicating with your athleticdirector also gives you an on-hand men-tor. Most of us are athletic directorsbecause we were successful coaches,
and just because we didn’t coach yoursport doesn’t mean we can’t help. I sel-dom offer unsolicited coaching advice.But, if asked, I am happy to open up my24-year book of coaching experienceand take the time to help
My primary responsibility as an ath-letic director is to serve as the coach ofcoaches. Just as athletes need directionand mentoring by coaches, so do mostcoaches need help from an experi-enced athletic director. I’m very glad tohelp, if you only ask. ■
COACHING MANAGEMENT 29
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
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Request No. 125
include multi-directional, single- andmulti-joint exercises using multiplemodes (body weight, medicine balls,Swiss balls, bands, dumbbells, barbells,balance equipment, and machines).Table One (see page 32) shows our mostcommonly prescribed exercises. We’reconfident these exercises decreaseinjuries and enhance explosiveness.
The specific exercises we use to tar-get the power zone (torso and legs)include the front lunge, weighted pul-ley circuit, and ground-based torsorotation with bands. Exercises we usefor shoulder strengthening focus onthe anterior, posterior, medial, andintrinsic rotator cuff musculature. This
IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY in East Lansing, Mich., and the softball teamis finishing up a weightroom workout. Jessica Beech, our All-Americapitcher, is beginning to grimace from the burning in her shoulders asshe works through her seventh rotation of the upper-body dumbbellshoulder matrix.
COACHING MANAGEMENT 31
COMPETITIVE EDGE
A STRONG SWINGMichigan State shares how it reduces injuries and developsexplosive power among its softball players.
fidence and courage needed to accom-plish our goals of injury prevention andenhanced explosiveness. We achieveboth of these goals through a purpose-ful strength and conditioning program.
Start In The WeightroomAt Michigan State, we start our soft-
ball programming with a focus onincreasing strength via weight training.We prescribe a full-body strengtheningprogram addressing the top injury sitesfor softball players, which are the shoul-der, knee, and ankle. The underpin-nings of our weightroom program
Tim Wakeham is an Assistant Strength &Conditioning Coach at Michigan StateUniversity.
“Do you have desire or determina-tion?” I ask.
“Determination!” she replies.“If you bring it every day, that shoul-
der will stay healthy,” I tell her beforemoving on to Brittney Green.
Brittney plays third base and is aboutto start her last pull of the weighted pulleyshuffle. “Jump from the line and be explo-sive!” I challenge. The 130-pound weightstack accelerates with each of her steps.“Welcome to greatness—you’re goingto surprise people,” I say with a wink.
I’m proud of our softball athletesbecause they are training with the con-
BY TIM WAKEHAM
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is accomplished with a variety of for-ward, lateral, and posterior arm raises,along with external cuff rotations. Seat-ed and sometimes standing shoulderpresses are also performed, unless theathlete has joint pain.
We prevent major knee and ankleinjury through balance training. Our soft-ball athletes perform an assortment ofsingle-leg balancing drills that last be-tween 15 and 60 seconds per exercise. Asan example, we perform an exercisecalled tri-planar balancing. In this exer-cise the weighted leg is stationary whilethe other leg is suspended for 15 secondsin front of the body, laterally, then withthe hip rotated (open like a swinginggate) to the side. Difficulty is progres-sively increased by changing to a moreunstable surface (such as a wobbleboard), adding work time, closing oneor both eyes, and turning the head tothe right or left.
Our general preseason strength train-ing framework consists of an average ofthree sets each for the hips and upperback, two sets each for the chest, shoul-ders, and hamstrings, four sets for thetorso, and one set each for the forearmsand calves during each workout. Athleteslift two to three non-consecutive days perweek, depending on their ability torecover and continue progressing.
Spartan softball players are instruct-ed to increase their weight load as muchas possible every time they accomplishthe assigned repetition target for a setor exercise. If the repetition target isn’tachieved, softball players are asked togradually add repetitions until theyreach the target.
During our 12-week preseason phase,our repetition targets for most areasstart at an average of 13 and decrease byfour repetitions every four weeks downto five. The exception is the torso, wheremost exercises start and stay at a 20-reptarget. To ensure purposeful training,athletes chart their progress on workoutcards every time they lift.
Precision AgilityBased on a thorough review of the
literature, we do not believe there areany magical weightroom exercises thatcreate optimal explosiveness in softballathletes. Simply put, there are too manydifferences between all weightroomexercises and softball performance.
Instead, our primary focus is on specificaction training—exact sport move-ments performed at sport speeds undersport conditions. Most of this training isdone as part of our agility work.
Prior to our agility training, athletesperform a dynamic warm-up. (See TableTwo, page 36.) It is during this time thatwe teach body control and awareness inorder to prevent major knee injury.Specifically, we instruct our athletes to:
■ Initiate movement from thegluteals and hamstrings.
■ Keep their knees between theirfirst and second toes when bending dur-ing cutting and decelerating.
■ Use several small steps when decel-erating from sprinting.
COMPETITIVE EDGE
32 COACHING MANAGEMENT
SHOULDERSUpper Body Dumbbell Matrix (a series of
tri-planar presses, raises and rotations)PNF Pattern Posterior Shoulder RaisesPulley Horizontal Shoulder AbductionsShoulder Presses (in front of body and
only down to 90 degree at elbows)Lateral Raises
GLUTEALS, QUADRICEPS, HAMSTRINGS,INNER/OUTER THIGHSBarbell SquatLeg PressLateral LungeForward and Lateral Step-UpLeg CurlSwiss Ball Bridge
TA B L E O N E T H E B A S I C S
Straight-Leg DeadliftWeighted Pulley Circuit (movements
include lateral shuffle, forward and backward sprints, and slower marches)
TORSOBand Figure EightsProne ‘J’ StrokesGround-Based Band RotationsSky TouchesLying Side Crunch w/RotationLying Alternating Hip Flexions
ANKLESStraight-Leg Toe RaisesBent-Knee Toe RaisesSingle-Leg BalancingBand SkatersSport-Specific Agility Conditioning
These are the exercises we prescribemost often for our softball athletes:
During tri-planarbalancing, we askathletes to suspendthe non-weightedleg in front of thebody, laterally, androtated to the side.
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34 COACHING MANAGEMENT
COMPETITIVE EDGE
We also warn athletes about high-risksport-specific positions, postures, andmovements, and suggest they use safereactionary countermeasures instead.Some of these high-risk positions includeplaying with straight legs and twistingthe body with the knee aligned insidethe big toe.
Our explosive agility work consists ofsport movements such as multi-direc-tional starts, sprints, and cuts performedat maximum speed with precise tech-nique. Specifically, our softball playersperform interval base running, shuffleand sprint, turn and sprint, and multi-directional bursts. We emphasize precise
and coordinated acceleration, decelera-tion, and stabilization.
In addition, we vary the starting posi-tions and first steps. Michigan State soft-ball players perform starts from theirabdominals, backs, knees, and feet. Younever know when your players will haveto be explosive off the ground. Further-
The exercises we use to work torso muscles include band rotations(left), lying alternating hip flexions (center), and prone ‘j’ strokes (right).
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COACHING MANAGEMENT 35
more, we vary the first steps takenbetween an open, crossover, and pivotfoot position.
After athletes demonstrate competentmovement efficiency, we stress skillfulexplosiveness—agility at game speeds.Ultimately, our objective is to have theathletes perform the movement patternsas purposeful, conditioned explosivereflexes rather than skills that must bethought about before execution.
Most drills have a three- to 10-secondduration and long recovery periods (5:1rest-to-work ratio). To see optimal gainsin movement efficiency and absoluteexplosiveness, athletes need to train in anon-fatigued state. This teaches the ath-letes to consistently demonstrate maxi-mal efforts and coordinate their move-ments efficiently at high speeds.
During these workouts, we take asmuch time as needed to identify andcorrect biomechanical errors as well asteach efficient sport-specific move-ments. Even though most practitionersshare a general consensus regardingwhat constitutes efficient sprinting and
agility movement mechanics, techniquemay vary from athlete to athlete in smallbut significant ways depending on theirphysiological characteristics. This beingsaid, all technical refinements shouldbe instituted on a trial-and-error basis tosee how the athlete responds.
Nutrition NotesWe have put together a 15-page
nutrition packet for all of our softballplayers. The objectives of the packet areto assist in the development of favorablebody compositions for optimal explo-siveness and to ensure optimal recoveryso players have the energy needed forconsistent explosive performance.
Some of our players want to reducebody fat, some want to increase musclemass, and others simply want to stayenergized for each practice. The bookletprovides general information regardingwhat to eat, when to eat, and how muchto eat each day in order to accomplishthe player’s specific performance goals.It also covers hydration, eating on theroad, supplements, stress fractures, alco-
hol consumption, and the rest needs ofelite athletes.
If a player’s needs are more com-plex, we have her consult with a regis-tered dietician who can provide a bodycomposition analysis, evaluation of cur-rent diet, determination of optimal andrealistic body composition expecta-tions, and diet modification strategies.
Individual DifferencesThe best strength and conditioning
programs take each athlete’s individualqualities into account. Some of our gen-eral strength training prescriptions forsoftball are based on position needs andphysical training status. For example, if anathlete has adequate strength but a poorbody composition profile, we decreasethe volume of the weight-training workoutand increase the number of explosiveagility and conditioning exercises.
Pitchers are a unique group on everyteam, but at Michigan State, they are nottreated much differently than our posi-tion players. The small changes that aremade to our pitchers’ workouts include
COMPETITIVE EDGE
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the addition of exercises for the serratusanterior, which plays a role in the wind-mill softball pitch (along with the shoul-der exercises mentioned previously).One example is the walk-out positionwhile on a Swiss ball (legs on ball, handson floor) with the shoulder blades pro-tracted and body straight.
Other changes made for pitchersinclude reductions to the frequency, vol-ume, and/or resistance used by the
pitching arm. These reductions aremade because of the high volume ofthrowing performed during the presea-son. Recovery may be the most signifi-cant way to keep pitchers healthy.
Exercises To AvoidIn addition to stating what we do, it
may be important to state what we donot do. We have stopped prescribingcertain exercises and modified others
in an attempt to reduce the chance ofexacerbating or causing tendonitis,impingement, and lesions.
For example, we do not allow oursoftball players to go through more than90 degrees of flexion at the elbows dur-ing upper body pressing movements, orallow players’ elbows to go behind theirbodies. We do not prescribe behind theneck shoulder presses, behind the neckpull-downs, dips, upright rows, deep(large range of motion) dumbbell flyes,and wide-grip bench presses.
The Big FinishWe have outlined our general philos-
ophy and methods for training our ath-letes from the neck down. To achievechampionship success, you must alsocoach your players from the neck up.Instruct, inspire, and listen to your ath-letes day in and day out. Engage andrespond to them, and they will do whatis hard to achieve what is great. ■
References for this article can be foundat: www.athleticsearch.com/msusoftball.
36 COACHING MANAGEMENT
COMPETITIVE EDGE
Lower-Body Matrix Hop x 2 rotationsSkipping*Shuffles With 180-Degree TurnsBackwards Run (with high foot lift and
long strides)Crossovers (feet crossover the midline
of the body)*High-Knee Carioca
TA B L E T W O W A R M U P
Straight-Leg Kick/Toe Touch360-Degree Skip/RunHigh-Knee SkippingDiagonal Bounding*One-Leg Lateral Hop*Quickstep Carioca (short/choppy
steps with a lot of hip rotation)Acceleration Build-Ups
In our warmup drills, we focus on body control and awareness. Softball playersrun 40 yards while performing the listed movements. If the movement has anasterisk after it, players run 20 yards forward and 20 yards backward.
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Request No. 130
COACHING MANAGEMENT 37
Softball Field
Aer-Flo, Inc.800-823-7356WWW.WINDWEIGHTED.COM
Wind Weighted™ baseball-softball tarpsare virtually wind-proof. These patent-pend-ing covers for the mound, home plate, and
bullpenshave asteelchain intheir edgehem, sothey staydown in
windy conditions. No stakes or sandbagsare necessary. The installer device allowsinstallation in 25 seconds by only twopeople. The tough, waterproof 14-oz.vinyl-polyester fabric is treated against UVand mildew exposure. Wind Weightedtarps and installers take the drudgery outof the game.
Circle No. 200
AFP Soft Touch800-965-4690WWW.SOFTTOUCHBASES.COM
Soft Touch® Progressive Release™bases are widely accepted in both adultand youth leagues as an effective means
of reducinginjuries due tosliding. The“progressiverelease” actionallows thebase to flexuntil enoughforce is applied
to “pop” the base free from its mount. Tofurther increase safety, AFP Soft Touchhas added a ground plug to its progressiverelease system. This plug fills the void leftwhen the Soft Touch base releases fromits mount, creating a surface that's levelwith the ground and allowing play to con-tinue. The group plug is available withnew Soft Touch bases, or it can be pur-chased separately for existinginstallations.
Circle No. 201
Beacon Athletics800-747-5985WWW.BEACONATHLETICS.COM
The new double-wide outdoor battingcage from Beacon Athletics uses the com-pany’s standard batting cage nets and thesame heavy-duty materials found inBeacon’s single outdoor cage. It is avail-able in the standard 55-foot and 70-foot
lengths,or it canbe craft-ed toanydesiredlength,
width, or height. Add the unique optionalsock net stations along the side for teeand soft-toss work. Beacon will meet allyour specifications.
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Challenger Industries, Inc.800-334-8873WWW.CHALLENGERIND.COM
DURAPlay home plate softball and base-ball matscan be usedanywhere ahome platearea isneeded.Whethercovering the
batter's box area for protection or establish-ing a home plate area indoors or out, thesedurable mats create permanent batter’sboxes that are ideal for either sport. Precutmats are available for fungo/on-deckcircles, pitching mounds, and single batter’sboxes. Synthetic turf products are alsoavailable, for batting cages, dugouts, or thewhole field. Installation is available as well.Contact Challenger for more information.
Circle No. 203
WeatherBeater® by Colorado Lining International
888-546-4641WWW.COLORADOLINING.COM
The big tournament is this weekend.You’ve been planning for months.Hundreds are expected. And rain is fore-casted for the next few days. What youneed is WeatherBeater’s WorkhorseBaseball Field Cover. Fabricated from 12-
mil whiteTarpaulin,with auser-friendlyperimeterrope hemand gus-
seted lift loops, it’s the best field cover onthe market. Please contact aWeatherBeater specialist for more infor-mation. WeatherBeater: Anything less isjust a tarp.
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Hydraulic Press Brick Co.888-593-0395WWW.HAYDITESOILCONDITIONERS.COMWWW.HAYDITEGAME-ON.COM
GAME-ON is a brand new sports field soilconditioner that will notbreak your budget, butwill provide excellentresults. It is alightweight, expanded-shale product thatabsorbs over 20 per-cent of its weight inwater. GAME-ON ismore durable than clay
and does not break down into fine particles.GAME-ON is manufactured in Cleveland,Ohio, and is available in bags or in bulk.
Circle No. 205
GAME-ON has introduced its newest prod-uct, GAME-ON Red. GAME-ON Red is an
infield topdress with abrick red color, to giveyour field a finishingtouch and that majorleague look. This top-dress product will giveyou a more consistentbounce, and the deepred color will allowyour infielders to see
the ball more easily. GAME-ON Red is avail-able in bags or in bulk.
Circle No. 206
M.A.S.A., Inc.800-264-4519WWW.MASA.COM
Poly Cap®, from M.A.S.A., has beendesigned with both the players and thefans in mind. When applied to the top of a
chain-linkfence, PolyCap coversthe sharpbarbs thatcan damageuniformsand cause
player injuries. Its other advantagesinclude field beautification, better visibility,and increased durability for your fence.The product's optic-yellow color clearlydefines the field for players and umpiresalike. Poly Cap is weather-treated and UV-protected with a patented formula to with-stand the most severe conditions.
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Softball Field
Millcreek Manufacturing800-311-1323WWW.MILLCREEKMFG.COM
Wet material is the most difficult tospread because of its tendency to clump
and clog spread-ing equipment.MillcreekManufacturinghas introducedthe Turf Tiger™,
a large-capacity topdresser that appliessand/peat topdressing, compost, infieldmix, soil conditioners, and other bulkmaterials even when wet. The Turf Tigerhas a 7,500-pound capacity, and featuresa patent-pending SaberTooth™ spreadingmechanism that applies wet material in auniform pattern 8-12 feet wide, dependingon material conditions.
Circle No. 208
Pro's Choice800-648-1166WWW.PROSCHOICE1.COM
Pro Mound® packing clay from Pro’sChoice® is the choice of professional
teams, universities,municipalities, andyouth leagues world-wide. When used onthe mound and in thebatter’s box area, itbonds to form a solidsub-surface founda-tion that allows thepitcher and batter todig in and establishfirm footing without
creating large wear holes. Pro Moundinstalls quickly, and more importantly, itlasts. Experience safer playing conditionsand reduced mound and batter’s boxmaintenance by choosing Pro Mound. Formore information, call Pro’s Choice.
Circle No. 209
For premium perfor-mance and a colorthat will set your fieldapart, choose theSoilmaster SelectSeries from Pro’sChoice. Scientificallyengineered to meetdaily maintenancechallenges and giveyour field aprofessional look,
Soilmaster Select is the true choice ofgroundskeepers around the league for
building and maintaining winning ballfields.Available in four distinct colors (red, green,brown, and charcoal), the uniformgranules in Soilmaster Select managemoisture and alleviate compaction to keepyour field in top playing condition. Pro'sChoice delivers a full line of field productsfor conditioning soil and infield mix,topdressing infields, quickly dryingpuddles, and revitalizing turf.
Circle No. 210
Partac/Beam Clay®800-247-BEAMWWW.BEAMCLAY.COM
Partac/Beam Clay® makes mixes forinfields, pitcher’s mounds, home plate
areas,and redwarningtracksthat areused bymore than
100 professional teams (including eight ofthe last 10 World Series champions),more than 700 colleges, and thousandsof towns and schools from all 50 statesand around the world. Beam Clay offersmore than 200 infield products from itsdistribution centers nationwide, includingregional infield mixes blended for specificclimates and for every state.
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Profile Products, LLC800-207-6457WWW.TURFACE.COM
Turface® offers a complete line of infieldconditioners featuring the newly-patented
Pro League®.Manufactured withsmaller, uniform par-ticles, Pro League isthe only patentedcalcined-clay infieldsoil conditioner. Itcreates a superiorsliding and fieldingsurface. Pro Leagueis unmatched in
drainage and absorption qualities for maxi-mum rainout protection. It outperformscrushed aggregates by absorbing morewater and conditioning the infield soil. Thepreferred soil conditioner of many majorleague groundskeepers, Pro League isdesigned to increase safety, playability,and drainage for baseball and softballinfields at any level.
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For more than 40 years, Profile Productshas been the leading manufacturer of
soil-modificationproducts, includingmound clay productsand the Turface®line of infield andsports-turf condition-ers. PatentedTurface Pro League®conditions infieldsoils for exceptionalmoisture absorption,
increased safety, and optimized athleticperformance. Profile Products also offersTurface MVP®, which eliminatescompaction, bad ball hops, and rainoutson skinned infields; Turface Quick Dry®,designed to absorb excess water andbecome part of the infield mix; TurfaceGray and Red, infield conditioners manu-factured in colored tones for a non-glaresurface that offers greater ball visibility;and Turface Mound Clay, the clay used tobuild mounds on leading major leaguefields.
Circle No. 213
Promats, Inc.800-678-6287WWW.PROMATS.COM
Promats has supplied protective wallpadding for teams or stadiums with affilia-tions in major league baseball, the NBA,the NFL, the CFL, minor league baseball,World Cup soccer, indoor arena football,
collegebaseball,collegesoftball,andcollegefootball.Over 350
stadiums in the U.S. contain Promats’ pro-tective field wall padding products. Eachfacility is unique in its needs, and Promatsoffers many different types of padding tofill those needs. Call Promats and havethe company design a padding systemthat will work for you.
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Promats, the leader in stadium field wallpadding with nearly 400 majorinstallations worldwide, has introduced arevolutionary new field wall pad that uti-lizes superior SKYDEX™ SmarterCushioning materials. Promats field wallpads with SKYDEX technology are muchmore durable, almost 60 percent lighter,and more impact-absorbent than
38 COACHING MANAGEMENT
Softball Field
standard pads. Likeall Promats products,Promats field wallpads with SKYDEXSmarter Cushioningcan be customizedfor your stadium orarena. Call a Promatsrepresentative tolearn more aboutthis exciting newproduct.
Circle No. 215
SPI Nets, Inc.866-243-6387WWW.SPINETS.NET
SPI Nets isa full-servicenet buildingfacility. Thecompanycarries a
complete line of quality practice nets forbaseball and softball/fastpitch training, allof which are produced in the U.S. SPINets makes quality nylon batting cage
nets, protective practice screens, impactnetting, and barrier netting, all fullycustomizable. The company also offersfull-service installation and accessories toincrease performance and complementyour practice nets.
Circle No. 216
Stabilizer Solutions, Inc.800-336-2468WWW.STABILIZERSOLUTIONS.COM
Hilltopper, fromStabilizerSolutions, is aunique combina-tion of long-last-ing binders andnatural clay thatproduces a flex-
ible, stable compound for mounds andhome plate areas. Hilltopper providesoptimum cohesion right out of the bag. Itdoes not need water—just spread andtamp, and it's ready to go: no mud, nodust. Installation and repairs take half thetime of traditional clay products.
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Diamond Pro800-228-2987WWW.DIAMONDPRO.COM
Diamond Pro offers a complete line ofprofessional groundskeeping products:
infieldconditioners,calcined clay,mound andhomeplateclay, bricks,marking dust,and infield andwarning trackmixes. The
company offers fast and convenientdelivery. Diamond Pro’s vitrified red clayinfield conditioner is available in bulknationwide, and is easy to handle andapply. Truckloads are available in 10-,15-, and 24-ton loads that save you bothtime and money. Create an all-aroundsafe and professional infield playing sur-face for your team.
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COACHING MANAGEMENT 39
New Millcreek Spin Groomer™
spins as you pull it. Self propelled,works like magic.
Moves material sideways to fill in low spots automatically.
Ideal for conditioning tough, rock-hard infields.
7' or 8' sizes, no power needed
Scarify and levelinfields in one step
MA
NU FAC TU R I N
G C
O
1-800-311-1323
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Request No. 131 Request No. 132
Adams USAProduct: 41000LF Knee GuardUsed By: Lisa FernandezThroughout her impres-sive softball career, AdamsUSA has provided LisaFernandez with the latestinnovations in high-performance gear. Incollege, at the Olympics, and as a player in theNational Pro Fastpitch league, she has alwayslooked to Adams for effective, reliable, high-quality protective equipment. The 41000LF KneeGuard is used by Fernandez during games aswell as in practice and training sessions.
Beacon AthleticsProduct: Field Maintenance ProductsUsed By: Team USAThe whole U.S.team relied on qual-ity Beacon field-maintenanceequipment for aperfectly-groomed playing surface. Beacon productswere used to maintain practice and competitionfields, ensuring a firm and consistent playing areafor all the athletes. No bad hops or poor footing, justa perfectly-groomed infield for every game.
Finch WindmillProduct: The Finch WindmillUsed By: Jennie FinchFor the past 13 years, Jennie Finch has trained usingThe Finch Windmill, a prod-uct invented by her father. “Ithas helped get me where I amand accomplish what I have inmy career,” she says. “TheWindmill has given me thatedge every athlete is lookingfor. It has given me muscle balance and additionalspeed, and helped my accuracy and muscle memo-ry. There is not another machine on the marketthat allows resistance to be applied to the actualthrowing and pitching motion like the FinchWindmill. As I seek to keep and increase that com-petitive edge, I continue to use the Windmill daily.”
Hillerich & Bradsby (Louisville Slugger)Products: Catalyst bat, XXL bat,Female Series Fielding GlovesUsed By: Lisa Fernandez, Laura Berg,and Jessica MendozaWhile using the new Louisville Slugger/TPSCatalyst composite bat, Lisa Fernandez earned herthird consecutive gold medal and firmlyestablished herself as the world’s best softball play-er by batting an impressive .545 for the 2004 com-
petition, good for an all-time Olympic record.Laura Berg hit .386using a LouisvilleSlugger/TPS XXL baton the way to earningher third consecutivegold medal. And first-time Olympian Jessica Mendoza used the Catalystbat, batting .250 with 6 RBIs. All three playersused Louisville Slugger/TPS Female FastpitchSeries fielding gloves as well.
Miken SportsProduct: Miken BatsUsed By: Crystl Bustos and KellyKretschmanMembers of the U.S. softball team chose bats fromMiken Sports to optimize their offensiveperformance. Together, Crystl Bustos and KellyKretschman accounted for 13 of Team USA’s 51runs at thegames, and 16of the team’s73 hits. Bustosfinished the tournament with a .923 sluggingpercentage, five home runs, and 10 RBIs, whileKretschman produced one home run and five RBIs,and had a .714 slugging percentage.
Mizuno USA Products: Women’s 9-Spike™ ClassicCleat, TECHFIRE Fastpitch BatUsed By: Jennie Finch and NatashaWatleyMizuno’s patented 9-Spike™ technology helpedJennie Finch and Natasha Watley perform at thehighest level, because the innovative technologyenhances lateral stability and traction to provide amore stable platform for enhanced performance.Finch held all the opponents she pitched to score-less, and Natasha Watley set a new Olympic recordwith five stolen bases. These two players also usedthe MizunoTECHFIREFastpitchbat, whichfeatures innovative composite technology that pro-vides more explosive power. The bat helpedNatasha Watley bat a whopping .440 and tie theOlympic record for most hits in a game.
National FastpitchCoaches AssociationThe National FastpitchCoaches Association wouldlike to congratulate NFCAmembers Mike Candrea,John Rittman and Ken
40 COACHING MANAGEMENT
All these companies played a role in the success
Head Coach Mike Candrea
Stacey Nuveman
Jessica Mendoza
Jennie Finch
Get
ty I
mag
es
What can you really DOwith giant rubber bands?!What can you really DO
with giant rubber bands?!Run Faster Jump Higher Play Lower
Reduce Injuries Add Resistance to Machine Lifts
Improve Endurance Increase Flexibility
The Best-Kept Secret in Pro SportsUsed by the Patriots, Cowboys, Yankees, Indians, Red Sox,
Mariners, Hornets, Heat and many more!
Flex Bands have been improving athletic performance since 1980.
Jump Stretch, Inc.1230 N. Meridian Rd. Youngstown, OH 44509www.jumpstretch.com 1-800-344-3539 Fax: 1-330-793-8719
Stay Ahead of Your Competitionwith Flex Bands!
Stay Ahead of Your Competitionwith Flex Bands!
The Best-Kept Secret in Pro Sports
Request No. 133
Eriksen for their coaching success in the2004 Olympic Games. The NFCA is the pro-fessional-growth organization for fastpitchsoftball coaches at all levels of play. Theassociation offers a wide range of coachingeducation opportunities.
Profile ProductsProduct: TURFACE® Pro League RedUsed By: Olympic Grounds CrewBrickman Landscape Company, which over-saw the construction of the Olympic fieldsin Athens, uses Pro League Red for athletic
fields at everylevel, frommunicipal parksto major leaguestadiums. Pro
League Red’s rich color provided an aesthet-ic appeal that was appropriate for anOlympic event. It was also blended into theinfield mix to prevent compaction andimprove moisture absorption.
Schutt SportsProducts: AirPro® Elite Batter’sHelmet, Comfort Lite™ ProtectiveEquipmentUsed By: Team USA
The AirPro EliteBatter’s Helmet hasbeen worn by all mem-bers of the U.S.Olympic team since1996: In Atlanta,Sydney, and mostrecently in Athens.
Players wore AirPro helmets during bothpractice and competition. In addition, StaceyNuveman, Jenny Topping, and Tairia Flowersall wore Comfort Lite protective equipment.Schutt Sports’ softball products helped theseathletes succeed because they are designedwith women in mind. They provide a betterfit and proper protection for the female body,giving players the confidence they need toplay their best.
COACHING MANAGEMENT 41
of Team USA, gold medalists at the Olympic Games in Athens this summer.
Lisa Fernandez
Natasha WatleyLaura Berg
FinchWindmill.com 1-866-258-2727
W 5 time ASA Nat’l Softball ChampionW Perfect 32-0 Season - NCAA RecordW 60-0 Consecutive Wins - NCAA RecordW 2 time NCAA Nat’l Player of the YearW Espy Award NomineeW 2002 & 2003 USA World Team memberW 2003 Pan Am Gold MedalistW 2004 USA Olympic Team memberW 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist
How is Jennie’s dream becoming a reality...
visit: www.jenniefinch27.com
CongratsTeam USA forOlympicGold
FinchWindmill 129 9/21/04 4:51 PM Page 1
Request No. 135
mp_place 8/20/02 11:20 AM Page 1
Request No. 134
121. . . . Adams USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24111. . . . Aer-Flo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12107. . . . AFP Soft Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9122. . . . Barry University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26108. . . . Beacon Athletics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9120. . . . Best Western . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23124. . . . Challenger Industries . . . . . . . . . . . 29109. . . . Diamond Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10125. . . . Dynamic Team Sports . . . . . . . . . . . 30137. . . . eFundraising.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45135. . . . FinchWindmill.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42123. . . . Game-On Field Conditioner . . . . . 28101. . . . Gatorade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3116. . . . Glove Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20138. . . . Goldner Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . 45130. . . . Grand Slam (PIK Products) . . . . . . . . . 36133. . . . Jump Stretch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41141. . . . Louisville Slugger (TPS) . . . . . . . . . IBC103. . . . M.A.S.A. Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6134. . . . Master Pitching Machine . . . . . . . . 42100. . . . Miken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC131. . . . Millcreek Manufacturing . . . . . . . . 39142. . . . Mizuno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC112. . . . Moyer Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13127. . . . Muhl Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34115. . . . NeuEdge Sportswear . . . . . . . . . . . 17140. . . . NFCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49136. . . . Partac/Beam Clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44105. . . . Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7102. . . . Pro Look Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5139. . . . Pro Look Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47117. . . . Pro's Choice Field Products . . . . . . 21114. . . . Promats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16126. . . . Schutt Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33119. . . . Seating Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 22
240. . . . Adams USA (equipment and gear) . . . . . 46239. . . . Adams USA (protective equipment) . . . . 46221. . . . Aer-Flo (Bunt Zone Protector) . . . . . . . . 43200. . . . Aer-Flo (Wind Weighted Tarps) . . . . . . . 37201. . . . AFP Soft Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37270. . . . Barry University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52202. . . . Beacon Athletics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37271. . . . Best Western . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52203. . . . Challenger Industries . . . . . . . . . . . 37218. . . . Diamond Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39253. . . . Dynamic Team Sports (custom uniforms) .50254. . . . Dynamic Team Sports (Cypress jersey) . .50272. . . . eFundraising.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52223. . . . FinchWindmill.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43273. . . . Gatorade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52233. . . . Grand Slam (PIK Products) . . . . . . . . . 44205. . . . Hydraulic Press Brick (GAME-ON) . . . 37206. . . . Hydraulic Press Brick (GAME-ON Red) 37241. . . . Jump Stretch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46242. . . . Louisville Slugger (catcher's mitt) . . . . 46226. . . . Louisville Slugger (TPS XXL) . . . . . . . 43207. . . . M.A.S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37243. . . . Master Pitching Machine . . . . . . . 46264. . . . McDavid (Body Shirts) . . . . . . . . . . . . 51265. . . . McDavid (Microfiber Shirts) . . . . . . . . . 51
228. . . . Miken (M-Pulse) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43227. . . . Miken (Oklahoma City) . . . . . . . . . . . . 43208. . . . Millcreek Manufacturing. . . . . . . . . 38244. . . . Mizuno (Jennie Finch Series) . . . . . . . . 46229. . . . Mizuno (Techfire fastpitch bat) . . . . . . . 44256. . . . Moyer Sports (jackets) . . . . . . . . . . . 50255. . . . Moyer Sports (uniforms) . . . . . . . . . . 50230. . . . Muhl Tech (Advanced Skills Tee) . . . . . . 44231. . . . Muhl Tech (Muhl Kicker) . . . . . . . . . . . 44257. . . . NeuEdge Sportswear . . . . . . . . . . . 50266. . . . Nike (Pro Compression) . . . . . . . . . . . . 51267. . . . Nike (Pro Vent) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51211. . . . Partac/Beam Clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38250. . . . Power Systems (catalog) . . . . . . . . . . 48246. . . . Power Systems (Power-Throw Balls) . . .46245. . . . Power Systems (Torso Trainer) . . . . . . 46259. . . . Pro Look Sports (testimonial) . . . . . . . 50258. . . . Pro Look Sports (uniforms) . . . . . . . . 50209. . . . Pro's Choice (Pro Mound packing clay) . 38210. . . . Pro's Choice (Soilmaster Select) . . . . . 38212. . . . Profile Products (infield conditioners) . 38213. . . . Profile Products (soil modification) . . . 38215. . . . Promats (field wall pad) . . . . . . . . . . . 38214. . . . Promats (protective wall padding) . . . . . 38260. . . . Russell Athletic (Double Play) . . . . . . . 50261. . . . Russell Athletic (Line Drive) . . . . . . . . 50248. . . . Schutt Sports (Batter's Guard) . . . . . . 48247. . . . Schutt Sports (Weighted Training Ball) . 48274. . . . Seating Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52216. . . . SPI Nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39224. . . . Sports Sensors (Glove Radar) . . . . . . . 43225. . . . Sports Sensors (Swing Speed Radar) . . 43234. . . . Sports Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45217. . . . Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39235. . . . Stalker Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45232. . . . Swift Stik (PIK Products) . . . . . . . . . . . 44236. . . . SwingBuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45204. . . . WeatherBeater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37222. . . . Zingbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
ADVERTISERS DIRECTORYCIRClE COmpANY pAgE NO. NO.
118. . . . SPI Nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22106. . . . Sports Tutor (HomePlate) . . . . . . . . . . . 8128. . . . Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35110. . . . Stalker Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10130. . . . Swift Stik (PIK Products) . . . . . . . . . . . 36129. . . . SwingBuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35113. . . . Turface Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15104. . . . WeatherBeater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6132. . . . Zingbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
pRODuCTS DIRECTORYCIRClE COmpANY pAgE NO. NO.
Hitting & Pitching
Aer-Flo, Inc.800-823-7356www.windweighted.com
The Bunt Zone™ Infield Protector dou-bles as the perfect target-training system for bunting practice. It uses three color-coded zones: Yellow is the bunt-for-hit tar-
get area; green is the sacrifice bunt zone; and red is the bad bunt zone. Players get instant
feedback at every practice. Tough, 9-oz. vinyl-polyester mesh survives spike traffic. The Bunt Zone (patents pending) provides maximum turf protection while improving team bunting skills. Ground staples are included.
Circle No. 221
Zingbat866-ZingBAt (946-4228)www.ZingBAt.com
Zingbat™ recently introduced the new “16 oz.” one-hand isolation trainer. The batter can now practice lead arm and top-hand
drills to isolate proper arm path and hand action. With each swing, the isolation trainer forces the arm to take the correct path, keeping the hand inside the ball. The wrist must snap the barrel at
the correct moment, or the patented Zingbat “click” will occur before con-tact. Coaches and players across the country are welcoming this new addition to the Zingbat line. Call for a free instruc-tional video or view a demo on the com-pany’s Web site.
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Finch Windmill714-523-5659www.finchwindmill.com
Jennie Finch’s father, Doug, who is a pitching and hitting instructor, invented this training device when Jennie was 10 years old. It provides adjustable resis-tance throughout a circular range of motion. A typical workout consists of over-
hand and under-hand motion, on the left and right sides. An independent eight-week study found an average velocity increase of 3.25 mph among those who used the product. Softball players young and old, from youth
leagues to national championship teams, have reaped the rewards.
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Glove Radar®800-589-3805 www.gloverAdAr.com
Turn any ball glove into a radar gun with Glove Radar® from Sports Sensors, Inc., now featuring improved sensitivity. It’s the ideal aid for developing the throwing skills
of infielders, out-fielders, pitchers, and catchers. Glove Radar attach-es easily to a base-ball or softball glove and is worn by the receiver of the ball, or by mul-tiple partners in
non-game situations. It uses Doppler radar, just like conventional handheld radar guns. It is not an impact sensor or a timer. Glove Radar “sees” through the glove and mea-sures the speed of the ball as it approach-es the glove. Unlike with most radar guns, a long-distance range is not required—Glove Radar performs accurately at any throwing distance.
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The new Swing Speed Radar™ from Sports Sensors, Inc. is a small, inexpen-sive microwave Doppler radar velocity sen-sor that measures the swing speed of
baseball and softball players. The Swing Speed Radar helps players to develop optimum bat speed for distance and quickness, and bat control for consistent ball contact. The
Swing Speed Radar provides real-time
velocity feedback that assists players, coaches, and instructors in measuring per-formance improvement and trouble-shoot-ing swing mechanics. It is also great for golfers.
Circle No. 225
Louisville Slugger800-282-BAtSwww.Slugger.com
The TPS XXL (model FP004) fea-tures a double-wall design with GEN1X and a scandium-alloy inner and outer shell. It has a balanced swing weight. This bat combines the ultra-strong GEN1X with the element scandium, the best alloy-strengthen-ing additive available for aluminum bats. The result is an alloy with unprecedented strength and tough-
ness. It is available in three lengths: 32”, 33”, and 34”. The bat has a minus-9 length-to-weight ratio.
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Miken Sports507-725-5483www.mikenSportS.com
Miken® Sports has stepped up to the plate and taken softball bats to the next level by optimizing its already revolutionary E-Flex® tech-nology to create a new bat that offers both excellent per formance and unmatched durability. The Oklahoma City’s massive sweet spot sets the standard for fast-
pitch softball bats. Miken Sports pio-neered composite bat technology in
1996, and has been an industry leader in the production of high-per formance equipment ever since.
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The M-Pulse by Miken Sports is built around a simple concept: The more the bat flexes, the bet-ter the impact. With this thought in mind, Miken created a fast-pitch bat with maximum perfor-mance and a huge sweet spot. The M-Pulse, which has been called the successor to the Intensit-E, utilizes a Carbon X
shell to provide extreme durability while maintaining its trampoline effect. Advanced technology increases the bat-ter’s consistency, distance, and power.
COACHING MANAGEMENT 43
FinchWindmill.com 1-866-258-2727
W 5 time ASA Nat’l Softball ChampionW Perfect 32-0 Season - NCAA RecordW 60-0 Consecutive Wins - NCAA RecordW 2 time NCAA Nat’l Player of the YearW Espy Award NomineeW 2002 & 2003 USA World Team memberW 2003 Pan Am Gold MedalistW 2004 USA Olympic Team memberW 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist
How is Jennie’s dream becoming a reality...
visit: www.jenniefinch27.com
CongratsTeam USA forOlympicGold
FinchWindmill 129 9/21/04 4:51 PM Page 1
Hitting & Pitching
Mizuno USA800-966-1234WWW.MIZUNOUSA.COM
The Techfire fastpitch bat combinesinnovative composite technology withfiber-reinforced plastic and C405aluminum for outstanding feel, superiordurability, and unsurpassedperformance. This bat provides explosive
power forplayers ofall ability
levels. A new cushioned grip has beenadded for better feel and comfort. Thebat comes in 33”/24oz., 32”/23oz.,and 31”/22oz. sizes.
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Muhl Tech888-766-8772WWW.MUHLTECH.COM
The Advanced Skills Tee is gainingrecognition as the most versatile teach-ing tee available. Molded of durablepolyurethane, the forward arm and
outside barrierenforce a tight,compact swing,eliminating “dip-ping” and “cast-ing.” Thereplaceablebrush cup ballholder has beenproven to lasttwo or more
years under heavy use by high schooland college teams, making the AST theirtop choice as an everyday tee.
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“The Muhl Kicker was a great teachingtool for our national championship teamat Central Missouri State (NCAA Div. II).The instant feedback for our kids on‘good swings’ vs. ‘bad swings’ enabled
them to teachthemselvesproper swingmechanics. Agoal all coach-es share isthat hittersbecome theirown besthitting coach,and the Muhl
Kicker allows players to do just that. Istrongly recommend this teaching toolfor all ages. Both my 10-year-old son andthe Kansas State University baseball
team will definitely be using thisproduct.” —Brad Hill, Head Coach, Kansas StateUniversity
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PIK Products877-845-7845WWW.SWIFTSTIK.COMWWW.AGRANDSLAM.COM
Swift Stik is the fastest way to improveyour swing. This easy-to-use,lightweight training bat is great forbaseball and softball, letting youtake hundreds of extra swings. SwiftStik improves hand-eye coordination,builds muscle memory, helpsincrease bat speed, and teaches thehitter to hit the sweet spot. It isendorsed by professional hittinginstructor Mike Epstein andUniversity of Tennessee BaseballCoach Rod Delmonico. It is availablein 34” and 30” sizes and has apatented, adjustable foam sweetspot. Swift Stik is packaged with an
instructional video and four golf-ballsized Wiffle® balls. This product shouldbe used only with tennis, Wiffle, or softfoam balls. Visit the company’s Web sitefor testimonials.
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Grand Slam by PIK Products is the mosteffective pitching machine on the marketfor developing a hitter’s hand-eye coordi-nation. It holds up to 100 golf-ball sizedWiffle® balls and fires a pitch every eightseconds. Each pitch is guaranteed to hitthe strike zone, but in varying locations.Standing 16-20 feet from the GrandSlam, a hitter can experience pitches ofover 90 mph. The pitch speed isadjustable. The Grand Slam is great for
indoorand out-doorpracticeand issafe touse.Poweredby a
durable blower motor, the Grand Slamhas no moving wheels to wear down overtime. The product includes 48 golf-ballsized Wiffle balls and comes with athree-month satisfaction guarantee.
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44 COACHING MANAGEMENT
Request No. 136
Hitting & Pitching
Sports Tutor800-448-8867WWW.SPORTSMACHINES.COM
The new HomePlate Triple softballpitching machine can simulate anypitcher you are likely to face. It canthrow a 70-mph riser, followed by a 50-
mph drop pitch,followed by a curve,followed by a slider,with only sevenseconds betweenpitches. You can storeup to eight differentpitches in each ofeight differentprograms. The
programmed pitches can be thrownsequentially (for specific hitting drills), orrandomly (to simulate game conditions).The HomePlate Triple softball machineholds up to 40 balls in its hopper.
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Stalker Radar888-STALKERWWW.STALKERRADAR.COM
The ultra high-performance Stalker SportRadar Gun precisely measures the
speed of abaseballwhen itleaves thepitcher’shand, andalso readsthe speedas it cross-es the
plate. These speeds can have adifference of up to 12 mph. The Stalkeris three times more powerful than anyother sports radar gun, and canaccurately clock pitches from over 300feet away. A new double-capacity batteryhandle is available, providing up to 40hours of use between charges. All MajorLeague Baseball teams use the Stalker.
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SwingBuster877-422-8292WWW.SWINGBUSTER.COM
The SwingBuster is one of the mostinnovative and effective swing trainersever built. This “hands-back hitter”ingrains the absolutes of hitting withevery swing. SwingBuster took the keyelements common to all power hittersand created an affordable, portable bat-ting station that transforms the flawed
swing into theperfect swing infour easy steps,guaranteed.Professional hit-ting instructorMike Epstein
says, “Finally, a fun hitting trainer thatreinforces good mechanics.” Specialcamp packages are available by clickingon the “Coaches” button on the compa-ny’s Web site.
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COACHING MANAGEMENT 45
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Medals, Pins & Patches
• Custom designs created by you• Any size – any shape• Up to 5 colors on medals, price includes drape ribbon, event card and poly bag• Stock medals for speedy delivery
800-251-2656In TN: 615-244-3007Fax: 615-244-5937
231 Venture CircleNashville, TN 37228
Something for everyone!
• Up to 7 colors on custom patches, patches 50%-100% embroidered• No setups or die charges• Minimum order 100 pieces• Delivery in 3-5 weeks
Custom & Stock Items
goldner 129.indd 1 9/24/04 11:37:47 AM
Request No. 137 Request No. 138
Team Equipment
Adams USA800-251-6857WWW.ADAMSUSA.COM
Two-time Olympian and college softballstar Lisa Fernandez was wearing protec-tive equipment from Adams/Trace as sheled the United States Olympic softballteam to a gold medal in Athens this sum-
mer. “Having the bestequipment is essentialto an athlete’ssuccess,” Fernandezsaid. “Through theyears, I’ve always beenable to count onAdams/Trace toprovide me with the lat-est innovations in per-formance gear to assist
me while training, during my professionalseason, and on my quest for another goldmedal this past summer.”
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Adams USA, one of thenation’s leading manu-facturers of athleticequipment and perfor-mance gear, is proudto announce that thecompany has extendedits partnership withNational Pro Fastpitchthrough 2005. Sincethe league waslaunched in 1997
under the name of Women’s ProfessionalFastpitch, Adams has always been thereto provide the highest-quality performancegear, including sliders, knee and elbowguards, technical T-shirts, and wristbands,to America’s premier softball athletes.
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Jump Stretch, Inc.800-344-3539WWW.JUMPSTRETCH.COM
The goal at Jump Stretch is to provideequipment that simulates actual gameconditions to improve performance. Most
sportsrequireshortbursts ofexplosivepower, sothe com-pany pro-
motes anaerobic training. Squats andsquat thrusts performed with Flex Bands®provide a safe and highly-effective method
for improving explosiveness. Jump Stretchhas been helping pro, college, and highschool teams improve vertical jump,speed, and power since 1980.
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Louisville Slugger800-282-BATSWWW.SLUGGER.COM
The TPS Bionic catcher’s mitt (modelFPS204) is a Fastpitch catcher’s mittwith a double-post open web, closedback with Velcro™ strap, and patented
Bionic tech-nology. TheLouisvilleSlugger lineof Bioniccatcher’smitts has
orthopedically-configured pads located inthe interior portion of the glove. Placingthese pads behind the existing pad inthe glove allows for an additional layer ofprotection to help absorb the ball’sforce.
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Master Pitching Machine, Inc.800-878-8228WWW.MASTERPITCH.COM
The “Iron Mike” pitching machine featuresa throwing arm that lets the batter see a fullwindup before the ball is pitched, allowing
him or her todevelop the funda-mentals usedwhen facing a livepitcher. That capa-bility makes the“Iron Mike” thepreferred pitchingmachine of profes-sional and ama-teur players and
coaches. All machines are self-feeding,include a remote control, and carry a manu-facturer’s warranty.
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Mizuno USA800-966-1234WWW.MIZUNOUSA.COM
The Mizuno Jennie Finch Signature Seriesof fastpitch gloves, bats, batting gloves,and cleats is designed specifically for thefemale fastpitch athlete. Each new Mizunofastpitch glove was designed with inputfrom the three-time All-American herself,and features the company's exclusive
Sure Fit™ foam foroutstanding fit andcomfort, as wellas a ParaShockpalm pad foradded protection
and increased shock absorption.Circle No. 244
Power Systems, Inc.800-321-6975WWW.POWER-SYSTEMS.COM
The Torso Trainer, available exclusivelyfrom Power Systems, is specificallydesigned to develop the core, a keycomponent of hitting and throwing. The
core is whereall movementbegins, and itis critical to anathlete'ssuccess. TheTorso Trainerallows you toperform a wide
variety of resisted and assisted rotationalmovements using the custom 34-inchtorso handle and 7-foot bungee cord. Aversatile nylon door attachment anchorsthe cord to a door or any other fixedobject. An instructional guide is included.
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Power-Throw Balls are durable, softball-size weightedballs that aregreat for devel-oping dynamicstrength in thethrowingmotion. As yourexerciseprogramprogresses,graduallyincrease the
weight of the ball. They're ideal for rota-tor cuff strength and flexibility programs.They can also be used for upper-bodyrehabilitation exercises. The balls areavailable in 7 oz., 14 oz., and 21 oz.sizes (standard softball size is 5 oz.).They consist of filling surrounded by arugged vinyl shell. Power-Throw Balls arecolor coded by weight. An instructionalmanual, video, and DVD are also avail-able. Power Systems makes baseball-size Power-Throw Balls as well.
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46 COACHING MANAGEMENT
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Request No. 139
Team Equipment Web News
Schutt Sports866-4 SCHUTTWWW.SHUTTSPORTS.COM
The Schutt® Weighted Training Ball helpsdevelop muscle memory, adds arm strength,
and trains throwersto increase ball spinvelocity. This greattraining aid isendorsed by three-time gold medalistand U.S. pitchinggreat Lisa
Fernandez. Call Schutt today to find out howyou can start training with this valuable tool.
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The Schutt® Softball Batter’s Guard ismade of lightweight,durable steel andmeets the new2005 NOCSAE stan-dard. This product ismade specifically tomeet the needs oftoday’s softball play-er, providing maxi-
mum protection without obstructing thebatter's vision. It is available in 13 standardcolors and has durable Surlyn™ Straps. CallSchutt Sports to place your order today.
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Power Systems, Inc.800-321-6975WWW.POWER-SYSTEMS.COM
Since 1986, Power Systems has been aleading supplier of sports performance, fit-ness, and rehabilitation products and pro-gramming. It’s the one resource for all your
training needs. The2005 catalog has anew look, with bettergraphics and photos.It includes sectionson core strength,medicine balls,speed, plyometrics,agility, strengthequipment, strengthaccessories, and fit-
ness assessment. The catalog featureshundreds of new products and dozens ofproducts available exclusively from PowerSystems. The company has even loweredsome of its prices, enabling the customer toget premium products for less. Call or visitthe company Web site for your free copy.
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48 COACHING MANAGEMENT
Catalog Showcase
NEUEDGE SOFTBALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON THE WEBAn on-line catalog of available stock and custom uniforms and accessories for softball canbe found on NeuEdge's Web site. Use the color selector to explore the many options avail-able for customizing your team's uniforms. View detailed information on all of the compa-ny's quality products, and then use the retail locator to find a dealer in your area. Or, usethe contact information on the site to get in touch with a NeuEdge representative.www.neuedgesports.com
ORDER STALKER RADAR PRODUCTS ON-LINE THROUGH AMAZON FROM STALKER’S SITEStalker Radar, maker of the world’s most popular high-performance sports radar system,now allows you to place on-line orders for its line of quality products. The company’s Website also offers a detailed brochure on the Stalker SPORT and an on-line version of itsowner’s manual. See testimonials from professionals who use Stalker products, and readabout the SpeedGrabber software package, which makes Stalker’s radar gun an even morevaluable tool for tracking your pitchers’ performance.www.stalkerradar.com/sports_sport.shtml
ATHLETIC
EQUIPMENT
MANAGERS
Certification
Manual
AT
HL
ET
IC E
QU
IPM
EN
T M
AN
AG
ER
S C
ER
TIF
ICA
TIO
N M
AN
UA
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A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Your School’s
Athletic EquipmentThe AEMA Certification Manual,
the official instructional guide for the Athletic Equipment Managers Association,
is an excellent reference tool for your coaches and
equipment management staff.
This 170 page reference book is only $35 plus $6 for shipping and handling.ORDER THE AEMA MANUAL FOR YOUR ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TODAY!
__Yes! I would like to order the AEMA Manual: ____ copies at $35 ea. = $_________ + $6 s/h = $_________Total
Last Name___________________________________ FirstName_______________________________MI_____
Mailing Address_____________________________________________________________________________
City____________________________________ State_____________ Zip Code__________________________
Daytime Telephone_____________________________ E-Mail Address__________________________________
PAYMENT INFORMATION
____ Check or money order (U.S. Funds only) payable to: Training & Conditioning
____Visa ____Mastercard ____Discover ____American0Express
Account Number_____________________________________________ Expiration Date___________________
Name on Card___________________________________Signature____________________________________
SEND TO:MOMENTUMMEDIA Sports Publishing, 2488 North Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850
Fax: 607-257-7328 • Phone: 607-257-6970 ext. 11
The manual includes:• Tips on extending the life of your equipment• Recommendations for making smart purchases• Proper fitting techniques to help prevent injuries• Advice for running an efficient equipment room
Untitled-3 1 9/13/04 10:06:19 AM
It’s the Best Deal in Town!
See the NFCA web site <www.nfca.org> for more info or
call 662/320-2155 to have a brochure mailed to you.
USOC Sport PsychologistShares Team-Building Ideas
It’s “Sport Psychology, Olympic Style” when
USOC sport psychologist James Bauman,
Ph.D., shares team-building exercises and
other key strategies used with the 2004
Olympic Team in the pre-convention seminar.
More Than Two Days of ClinicSessions By Excellent Speakers,Covering all the Game’s Aspects
Learn valuable drills and tips from some of
the best speakers in softball today. Veteran
coaches and national experts tell their
secrets of the game.
The Latest Innovations in SoftballEquipment, and Some Excellent
Buys at the Silent AuctionMore than 70 different companies are
expected for the Exhibitor Show,
December 4 & 5. Learn about the
newest in softball training technology
and pick up great discounts at the
Silent Auction, on display Sunday.
Forums To Discuss Changes andFuture of the Sport
Sunday will feature caucus meetings by
the individual membership groups. It’s
the perfect time to discuss the key
issues affecting the sport.
Lots of Networking Opportunities
Come to the National Fastpitch Coaches AssociationNational Convention and enjoy these great features —
Also take advantage of three National Fastpitch Coaches
College courses in conjunction with the convention:
Course 401: Personal & Professional Development, December 1-3
Course 405: Teaching a Run-Producing Team Offense and Strategy, December 1-3
Course 407: Cases in Coaching (at least two years of coaching experience
required), December 6-8
Untitled-3 1 9/13/04 10:06:19 AM
Request No. 140
Uniforms & Apparel
“Just wanted to letyou know that wereceived our uniformstoday. They look fan-tastic. Thanks foreverything. The kidsare extremely excited.I will be in touchregarding my summerteam.” —Keith Williams,Head Coach, Rutgers-
Camden. If you want to feel the sameway about your team's uniforms, callPro Look Sports.
Circle No. 259
Russell AthleticWWW.RUSSELLATHLETIC.COM
Worn by top collegiate softball teams,including the University of SouthCarolina, the Double Play jersey and
short combinationmakes for a stylish andfunctional uniform. It ismade with 100 percentdouble-knit nylon fabricthat can withstandyears of sliding and div-ing. The sleeveless jer-sey enhances ease ofmovement andfeatures contrasting
sleeve inserts for added style. Theshorts include contrasting side inserts,belt holes, and a six-inch inseam.
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Bases loaded, down by two, thepressure’s on. No sweat. The Line Drivejersey and short combination fromRussell is a high-performing softball uni-
form with a texturedpebble-knit fabricthat wicks sweataway from your body,keeping you dry,light, andcomfortable whenthe game is on theline. Made with oneof the softest fabricsavailable, the Line
Drive also features stylish athletic trimon the neck, sleeves, and legs.
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50 COACHING MANAGEMENT
Dynamic Team Sports800-437-6223WWW.DYNAMICTEAMSPORTS.COM
Dynamic’s EliteSeries is a revolu-tionary line of cus-tom uniforms, sureto make your teamstand out abovethe competition. Allthe artwork, logos,and numbers aresublimated intothe garments’lightweight, breath-
able fabric. This eliminates the heavy,sticky silkscreens that can peel, crack, orfade over time. You pick the colors for yourown unique look. Call the company for afull catalog.
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Dynamic Team Sports continues to offerthe best in team uniforms. The Cypressjersey is Dynamic’s most popular sleeve-
less shirt yet.Made of the com-pany’s 75-percentpolyester/25-per-cent cotton blendcalled Aerofibre,the Cypress isdesigned with com-fort and durabilityin mind. Choosehome and away
combinations in 10 stock colors, or askabout custom colors for even more possi-bilities.
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Moyer Sports USA800-255-5299WWW.MOYERSPORTS.COM
Moyer Sports USAoffers a complete lineof custom uniforms in100-percentmicroweave polyesterDyna-Dry or polyesterDazzle. Sublimationprinting allows you tochoose any color combi-nation, and thenumbers and logos areguaranteed never topeel or crack. Many col-
orful designs are available, and your Moyeruniforms will never be discontinued.
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MoyerSports alsooffers a fullline ofstock andcustomjackets,warmups,bags, andvisors.
Custom tackle-twill and swiss-embroideryservices are available through the com-pany’s state-of-the-art lettering facility.
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NeuEdge Sports800-486-2788WWW.NEUEDGESPORTS.COM
NeuEdge Sports is a domestic sportswearmanufacturer, specializing instate-of-the-art custom sublimated uniforms.The company’s custom-dyed uniformsfeature a wide variety of graphics and letter-
ing, guaranteednever to crack,peel, or fade.Jerseys areavailable inlong and shortsleeve, sleeve-less, tank, and
fastback. The entire uniform-making processis done at the NeuEdge manufacturing facili-ty in Pennsylvania. This allows rapidturnaround time and a hands-on level ofquality. Please visit the company Web site tosee a complete lineup of beautiful, custom-dyed NeuEdge uniforms.
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Pro Look Sports800-PRO LOOKWWW.PROLOOKSPORTS.COM
Pro Look Sports has become the fastest-growing team sportswear company for onereason: fully custom, quality uniforms. Most
companies limit yourchoices to a few stylesmade from sub-par materi-als. Pro Look's uniformsare made of the finestmaterials available, andare cut, trimmed, andsewn to your exact specifi-cations. There are no addi-tional costs for
embroidered logos or soft tackle-twill namesand numbers. Additionally, all work is backedby an unprecedented two-year guarantee.
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Performance Apparel
COACHING MANAGEMENT 51
MCDAVID SPORTS/MEDICALPRODUCTS
800-237-8254WWW.MCDAVIDINC.COM
Product Name: McDavid Body Shirts(hDc Performance Apparel)
Features: Long sleeve,short sleeve,sleeveless(mock/crew)Fabric content: 85 percent nylon,15 percent span-dexStyles Offered:
Nylon/spandex construction with hDcTechnology offers premium compressionsupport Single-layer or multi-layer construction?Single-layerPerspiration Wicking Qualities:hDc is a permanent compound thatabsorbs moisture and disperses it into thefabric, evaporating moisture quickly. Chemical Treatments Used: Ultra hDc, hDc
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Product Name:Microfiber Shirts(hDc PerformanceApparel)Features:Long sleeve, shortsleeve, sleeveless(mock/crew). Fabric content: 100 percent micropolyester
Styles Offered: Microfiber loosewear is an ultra-light micropolyester that provides maximum comfort.Single-layer or multi-layer construction?Single-layerPerspiration Wicking Qualities:hDc is a permanent compound thatabsorbs moisture and disperses it into thefabric, evaporating moisture quickly. Chemical Treatments Used: Ultra hDc, hDc
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NIKEWWW.NIKETOWN.COM
Product Name: Nike Pro CompressionFeatures: Nike Pro Compression is featured in
sleeveless, longsleeve, mock, andtees, as well asshorts and tights.Nike ProCompression pro-vides cool,lightweight supportfor your workout.These productsare made with
stretch Dri-FIT technology, designed tokeep you dry and comfortable whileenhancing athletic performance. Fabric Content:62 percent polyester, 22 percent nylon,16 percent spandexStyles Offered: Nike Pro featured in a sleeveless, longsleeve, mock, tee, short, and tight.Single-layer or multi-layer construction?Single-layer
Perspiration Wicking Qualities: Made with stretch Dri-FIT technologydesigned to keep you dry and comfortablewhile enhancing athletic performance. Chemical Treatments Used: In addition to fiber construction, there is awicking chemical finish.
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ProductName: NikePro VentFeatures: Nike ProVent is fea-tured in asleeveless,long sleeve,and shortsleeve top.
Nike Pro Vent provides cool, lightweightsupport for your workout. Strategically-placed vents are laminated to Dri-FIT fabricto improve air flow and keep you dry andcomfortable while enhancing athletic per-formance.Fabric Content: Body: 82 percent polyester, 18 percentspandexMesh: 86 percent polyester, 10 percentspandex, 4 percent otherStyles Offered:Nike Pro Vent is featured in a sleeveless,long sleeve, and short sleeve top.Perspiration Wicking Qualities: Made with stretch Dri-FIT technologydesigned to keep you dry and comfortablewhile enhancing athletic performance.Chemical Treatments Used: In addition to fiber construction there is awicking chemical finish.
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By Dale Strauf, Athletic Equipment Manager, CornellUniversity, and President of the Athletic EquipmentManagers Association
You don’t want to purchase any type of undergarment untilyou have had an opportunity to field-test it. In conductingthe field-test, evaluate the garment in the following areas:
� Does it perform the way it is supposed to on the athlete?� Does it hold its shape during use?� Does the fabric appear to be durable?� Are the seams finished off and reinforced so that they’ll
hold over time?� Is the waistband stitched enough so that it won’t be
abrasive to the athlete?� Does it hold its color when you wash it?
You should field-test the garment by letting one of yourmore active players—someone who’s really going to give it alot of punishment—wear it during workouts. It’s best to con-duct the testing right after the season is over during condi-tioning workouts. Have the athlete wear it for a minimumof two weeks to properly test it.
You shouldn’t have any problems getting companies to pro-vide you with product to field-test. The companies that arereally confident in their product will have no problem givingyou a sample to test. Let the company know that you willreturn the sample back to them at their request.
If the undergarment holds up to its claims during the field-testings, and the price and features meet your needs, thenyou know you are purchasing the right undergarment foryour athletes.
Customer Testimonial
52 COACHING MANAGEMENT
More Products
Barry University800-756-6000WWW.BARRY.EDU/HPLS
Barry University’s MS program in MovementScience offers a variety of specializations toprepare you for a future in athletic training,biomechanics, exercise science, or sport and
exercise psy-chology. Youcan alsochoose thenew generaloption, whichallows you to
customize your MS program with classesfrom all four specializations. Whichever spe-cialization best meets your needs, you willbenefit from state-of-the-art laboratory andresearch facilities, internationally-respectedfaculty, and Barry's ideal South Florida loca-tion, which offers access to challenging oppor-tunities for graduate clinical placements. Calltoday to learn more.
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Best Western1-866-661-5437WWW.BESTWESTERN.COM
From tournaments to meetings, bookinghotels for your team can be challenging.Thankfully, Best Western makes life easier,and with more than 2,300 locations in NorthAmerica, they're practically everywhere. Eachproperty features amenities like breakfast and
free local calls. Mostoffer special groupamenities and meet-ing facilities. Thecompany even hasdedicated group con-sultants to help you
with all the details. Call the Best Westernsports hotline for details.
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eFundraising866-825-2921WWW.EFUNDRAISING.COM
Try eFundraising’s On-line FundraisingProgram, a new way to raise money quickly
and easily. Withyour free, personal-ized Web site, com-plete with amagazine store,your supporterscan purchase mag-azine subscriptionson-line and 40 per-
cent of each purchase amount will go back toyour group. Simply enter the site and send e-
mails to friends and family across America,inviting them to visit your on-line store andbuy, renew, or extend their magazinesubscriptions to help support your group.They’ll save up to 85 percent off thenewsstand price on over 650 magazine titleswhile you earn 40-percent profit.
Circle No. 272
Gatorade800-88GATORWWW.GATORADE.COM
Gatorade® Thirst Quencher’s optimal formulacontains electrolytes and carbohydrates. It isbased on more than 30 years of scientificresearch and testing. Nothing rehydrates,replenishes, and refuels better than GatoradeThirst Quencher—not even water.REHYDRATE—Gatorade has the flavor to keepyour athletes drinking, and a six-percent carbo-hydrate solution that’s optimal for speedingfluids back into their systems. No fluid is
absorbed faster thanGatorade. REPLEN-ISH—If your athletesdon’t replace theelectrolytes they losewhen they sweat,
they risk becoming dehydrated, which cantake them out of the game. By puttingelectrolytes back, Gatorade helps athletesdrink more, retain fluids, and maintain fluidbalance. REFUEL—Unlike water, Gatorade hasthe right amount of carbohydrates (14 gramsper eight ounces) to give your athletes’ work-ing muscles more energy to help them fightfatigue and keep their mental edge.
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SEATING SERVICES800-552-9470 WWW.SEATINGSERVICES.COM
Manufacturer of quality stadium chairs,Seating Services has introduced theCardinal Model Series 3500 tip-up chair foruse in settings with narrow row spacing—asnarrow as 27 inches. These blow-moldedchairs are gravity tip. They have no springsor pins, which saves money in three ways:
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“The first-rate customer service and immedi-ate delivery enabled us to raise over $4,000 inonly two weeks. With this large sum of moneywe were able to purchase warmups and travelbags for our entire team. Not only did your 90-percent profit guarantee become a reality, butyour Scratchcards, more than any otherfundraiser we have used in the past, broughtour team closer together.”
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Sandy CrossChicago Frozen Snappers Women’s Hockey
“This year we incorporated your On-line andScratchcard campaigns. The service your groupprovided was efficient and reliable, and theease of doing business with you was muchappreciated! By combining these twocampaigns, we were able to reach friends andrelatives locally AND throughout the UnitedStates. They were an efficient use of our time.There were no orders to take, and nothing todeliver!”
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LOUISVILLESLUGGERCONGRATULATESTEAMUSA
FORPUTTINGAMERICAONTOPOFTHEWORLDAGAIN.
YOU’VE HEARD MANY TEAMS REFERRED TO AS “DREAM TEAMS.” Well, this year’s USA softball team
was nothing short of a nightmare team for competitors from around the globe.
This year’s team may well be the greatest fastpitch team ever assembled – and their performance
proves it. With a powerful lineup that included Lisa Fernandez, Laura Berg and Jessica Mendoza,
Team USA has once again given America a source of pride and inspiration.
Congratulations, ladies. We at Louisville Slugger are proud to be associated with you.
Thank you for all you’ve done for your country and for your sport.
Lisa Fernandez, Laura Berg, Jessica Mendoza
THE OFFICIAL BAT OF AMERICA’S PASTIME.TM
www.slugger.com
Request No. 141
Y O U R P A S S I O N I S O U R O B S E S S I O N . To be the best, you have to give everything you’ve got
each time you take the field. That’s what makes Jennie Finch the ace of Team USA’s pitching staff. It’s that
same drive that makes Mizuno’s new Jennie Finch Signature series the ultimate in fastpitch performance.
Like the Finch Vintage Pro glove, designed to deliver outstanding control and comfort, featuring
ParashockTM technology for less rebound and shock. The Finch Signature series, a complete line
designed to meet the demands of the serious fastpitch athlete. Of course, ice sold separately.
©2004 Mizuno USA, Inc. , Mizuno, and Serious Performance are registered trademarks of Mizuno Corporation. Your Passion is Our Obsession is a trademark of Mizuno USA, Inc. All rights reserved.
Request No. 142