DC-G Red (U12): Welcome

Hitter's State of Mind:   Hitting is a difficult skill.  Getting a Hit in baseball or softball is one of the few skills in sports that you are considered successful when you do it 33% of the time.

MENTAL FOCUS:  When they get to the plate during a game, it should be ALL about picking up the ball as it leaves the pitcher's hand and REACTING. If a player is concentrating on every little thing a coach or parent has ever said about hitting they will not react soon enough and always be late. So don't coach your daughter while she is at the plate. If you see something she needs to work on, wait until you get home, go in the back yard, and do some soft toss or hit off a Tee. We will continue to work with players to adjust their swing as needed during practice.

Defensive Positions:  I often ask players what positions they want to play but if your daughter would like to try a different position, have her talk to me about it.  The girls are getting to the age that they need to feel comfortable talking to their coaches about about their role on the team.  You should feel free to talk to me about it as well.  My intent is to put each girl in the right spot for them to be successful.

Once we start tournaments, positions will be pretty much set. The girls need to learn to master a couple positions. One thing that I tell my own kids is that "if you are a good hitter, the coach will always find a place for you to play".

ALL STAR STRIKE ZONE:  I promised the owner that I would put a plug in for their individual and family memberships: All-Star Memberships include: Unlimited use of facility, Receive "Members Only" rates on lessons, clinics, and camps. For prices and more info, check out their website at: http://www.allstarstrikezone.com/

I think the Ankeny League was really good for us.  Though our record was only 2 wins and 6 loses, we improved as a team.  More so than if we would of played easier teams and won them all.  I think our catchers got a good dose of what kind of pressure they are under to keep that ball in front of them.  Stealing home and 3rd strike drop are the two biggest changes from 10U.

Our regular team practices will be Monday and Thursdays at 4:15.

Make sure you memorize the 4 rules of lil Fillies softball:
1.  Learn to play fastpitch softball
2.  Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times
3.  Have fun with friends during practices and games
4.  Play to the best of our abilities