SO CAL ATHLETICS PREMIER 18U-ALBA

Seeking impact players ready to compete, develop, and pursue college softball opportunities. bit.ly/SoCalAthleticsAlba

At 16U and 18U, I give hitters a consistent role in the lineup and move them when there’s a clear reason. If a player goes from second to last to fifth over one weekend, I’d want to know what the coach is trying to accomplish with each move For example, if you bat a player second because she gets on base, handles the bat well, and can put pressure on the defense, give her a few games to settle into that role. If you’re testing her as a run producer in the middle of the order, give her enough at-bats there to learn something. Moving her again after one game makes it harder to tell what’s working. Showcases are a good exception. If a college coach is coming to see a player and you can move her up to get her an extra at-bat, that’s a move with a purpose. I’m fine changing the lineup. I just want to be able to tell the player why I moved her and what I want to see from her in that spot.

FACT OR MYTH? By your junior year, you should have a primary position. FACT, in most cases. At 12U and 14U, I like moving players around. It teaches them the game from different spots and gives them a chance to find where they’re strongest. By the time you’re a junior playing 16U or 18U, you should be able to say, “This is my primary position, and this is where I can make the biggest impact.” If a college coach for example , comes to watch you catch, give them innings behind the plate. Let them see how you receive, block, communicate with your pitcher, and command the game. If you spend most of the weekend in the outfield, that coach may leave without getting the look they came for. A strong secondary position adds value. Give coaches a clear look at your best position, then show them where else you can help.

325 college coaches checked in at Scenic City. Which ones knew where you were playing? Today I saw Connect Sports post that 325 coaches had checked in. I asked if they were all at one park or spread out across the Tennessee and Dalton fields, including the Top 25. They told me the coaches were spread out. That is a very productive tournament ! That’s a lot of coaches, and each one has a schedule. Give the coaches you want to play for a reason to put your game on their clip board. Before your next showcase, send the email yourself. Tell the coach who you are, your grad year, your position, and why you’re interested in their school and their softball program. Be specific. Include your video, team name, jersey number, and the exact time, park, and field where you’re playing. Make it easy for them to find you. You can take that first step yourself. Your recruiting starts with you reaching out and starting the conversation. When you play for me at SoCal Athletics Premier 18U–Alba, I’ll teach you how to write those emails. Then I’ll follow up with my own honest evaluation so the coach hears from both of us. You tell them why you see yourself at their school. I’ll tell them what I see in you as a player. Before the next showcase, pick the schools you’re genuinely interested in and send the email.

18U evaluation, When I evaluate pitchers and/or follow them the pitch I watch most closely is the 2–0 pitch. Can she throw a competitive strike at game speed when the hitter knows one is coming? If she can do that repeatedly I have something concrete to build on. It’s what separates consistency from non consistency A pitcher can strike out six hitters in three innings and still struggle to control the inning. Consistency is getting ahead, having a pitch you can trust when you’re behind, and getting back in the zone after a miss.

Keep the angle. Meet it out front. I’m seeing to many bunts go foul especially lefties., Keep your feet in the box and show the barrel out in front of the plate. Pick a spot just inside the line and meet the ball out front with the bat already angled toward that spot. If you let the pitch get deep and the barrel drifts back toward the catcher, it’s harder to control where the bunt goes. Barrel out front. See your spot. Bunt it there.

THE LITTLE THINGS GET YOU NOTICED !what they look for I look for … At a showcase or any tournament, your energy shows up in the little things you do all game long. Run on and off the field. Set the tempo from the first inning to the last. Strike out? Hustle back to the dugout. Give the next hitter a quick tip on your way in. “Her rise ball is finishing high.” You can help your teammate even after a tough at-bat. Hit a fly ball to the outfield? Run hard out of the box. Hit first base ready to take second if it drops. If she catches it, hustle back in. College coaches see how you carry yourself after an out, how you help the next hitter, and how hard you run when the ball looks like a routine catch. Bring the same energy after a strikeout that you bring after a double.

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Friday Fundamental Tip Becoming a good hitter starts with your mindset: a positive mental attitude (PMA) and focus. Step into the box with confidence, trust your preparation, and focus on the next pitch instead of the last result. Alongside that mental preparation, you need sound mechanics. That’s where a qualified hitting coach can make a difference. College and professional programs have coaches who specialize in hitting for a reason. A trained eye can identify flaws, make adjustments, and give you purposeful drills to build a more consistent swing. But taking a lesson isn’t enough you have to practice those adjustments until they become habits. Confidence. Focus. Sound mechanics. Consistent work. Put those together, and you give yourself the foundation to become a better hitter.

Thursday’s Thought : Playing five positions doesn’t automatically make a prospect more recruitable. Coaches need to know where you can make an impact. A strong primary position plus a reliable secondary position gives a player both a clear recruiting identity and more ways to help the team. that means: “I’m a Infielder SS 1B2B 3B C,P) first, with the ability to help in the outfield.” Your versatility adds value while keeping your strongest position front and center.

Don’t Get Scratched Off Coaches List! One of the best pieces of advice I can give a player at a showcase tournament: Keep your focus inside the fence. When you’re on deck, study the pitcher and prepare for your at-bat. After a foul ball, strikeout, or mistake, reset. Don’t look to your parents for reactions, reassurance, or instructions. If you need guidance, go to your coach. Parents, support your player and let the coaches coach. Instructions from behind the fence can divide her attention when she needs to focus on competing. College coaches evaluate more than talent. They watch your composure, independence, coachability, and response to adversity. Constantly checking with your parents can raise concerns about your readiness for college softball and could cost you an opportunity. Stay connected to your coaches, engaged with your teammates, and focused on the next play.

Wednesday Wisdom.. Players, when you email a college coach, explain why you want to attend that school and be part of that program. Be specific. Is it your intended major, their style of play, the campus, or something you experienced at camp? Do your research and make the email personal. Do Not send the same message to everyone, you need to put more thought into it. Then explain what you bring to the program. Include your graduation year, positions, travel team, video link, and upcoming schedule. Show the coach you’ve thought about your future there academically and athletically. Give them a reason to start a conversation with you.

Monday Message .. If your coach brings more energy than you do, you’re already falling behind. If your coach is more committed to your improvement than you are, you’re already falling behind. If your coach shows up with more enthusiasm for your sport than you do, it’s time to look in the mirror. Practice is the starting point. Your growth also depends on what you do during the week: conditioning, mobility, skill work, preparation, and recovery. Before practice, after practice, and on game day , your habits must match your goals. Your coach can guide you, challenge you, and give you opportunities. But your coach cannot supply your desire. Elite athletes are built on DESIRE, ENERGY, and COMMITMENT. If you say you love this game, let your effort show it.

Athletic ability sets you up for success. Your preparation, discipline, attitude, and effort help you turn that ability into results. Show up ready to learn. Be coachable. Communicate. Support your teammates. Stay focused when you’re on the field and when you’re in the dugout. You don’t have to be perfect. You do have to be willing to work, make adjustments, and respond when the game gets tough. Your talent gives you a foundation. Your daily habits determine what you build on it.

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