Quick Hits

Quick Reads - Brief Softball Articles

Dealing With Gossip & Rumors

Published on Tuesday, 30 December 2014 15:39 | Written by Greg Cruthers

Whisper I still remember the day we played a game back in school where the teacher asked all of the students to form a single-file line at the front of the class. We did so wondering what the teacher was up to. She said, “Class, I’m going to whisper something to the first student at this end of the line. That student will whisper what I said to the next student and so on until we get to other the end of the line.” She then whispered something into the first student’s ear and on down the line it went.

Adults can be every bit as childish when it comes to gossip and rumors.

**Picture courtesy of ikeepsafe.org**

Perfect Time for Her to Just be Your Daughter

Published on Wednesday, 10 December 2014 15:18 | Written by Greg Cruthers

Bailey Tis the season. I wish all of you a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Yes, Happy Holidays! For me this is the time of year to spend with family and friends, relaxing, playing cards, enjoying holiday dinners, college football bowl games and recharging my batteries. This year will especially be nice with my oldest daughter Lindsay and her dog Bailey visiting from her home in Texas. Hayley will be home on break from Ball State with her newly adopted kitty Sylla. Brooke lives and works nearby and will likely be requested to do their hair.

That's what I'll be doing. But, you may be thinking: What about the camp coming up? What about the lesson? She can't miss that scrimmage! She needs to do her tee work! She has to be at practice! Does any of that sound familiar?

And there's no better time than the holidays for your daughter to be...just your daughter.

Exposure Tournaments - A Much Different Experience

Published on Monday, 24 November 2014 21:30 | Written by Greg Cruthers

The natural progression for most of our softball journeys begins with the youth rec league and eventually leads to travel softball. Regardless of your daughter's path to travel ball, in their younger years (10u and 12u) they're introduced to real competition. Not everybody gets equal playing time or plays their favorite position. There are winners and losers and only the champions get a trophy. And just when you think you're getting the hang of things, everything changes.

They're structured with one thing in mind: Allowing college coaches to watch players they're interested in (period).

Diamond 9 Sun Classic Showcase in Orlando, FL - Wide World of Sports
This is a huge recruiting event with virturally all D1 colleges attending. There are no brackets. It's all pool play.

Fixing Stuff - It's What Winter's For

Published on Monday, 27 October 2014 16:02 | Written by Greg Cruthers

Hayley Cruthers Every softball player of all ages has "stuff" they need to fix. Whether they need to work on charging the ball, removing the dip in their swing or throwing a more consistent change-up, winter is the best time to fix those things (a.k.a. the off-season). It is during this time that players who really go to work on improving their skills make the most progress. They're the girls who show up in the spring surprising their school teammates, coaches and other parents.

When they first learn new mechanics, it isn't always pretty. They must be willing to fail, stick with it and not revert back into their old habits.

It Will Always Be About The Journey

Published on Friday, 17 October 2014 02:02 | Written by Greg Cruthers

ring me hay A year ago the 2013 Mid American Conference (MAC) regular season champion Ball State softball team received their rings at halftime of the homecoming football game. My daughter and her freshman teammates stood by and watched, since they were not members of the 2013 team. I was not able to attend the team tailgate/cookout/ceremony, but she sent me a picture of her and a teammate with her ring. She said, "I want one of those."