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Fast-Pitch Softball Fundamentals »

Book cover image of Fast-Pitch Softball Fundamentals by Dick Smith

Authors: Dick Smith
ISBN-13: 9781930546684, ISBN-10: 1930546688
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Wish Publishing
Date Published: March 2004
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: Dick Smith

Book Synopsis

Written for fastpitch softball coaches and players of both genders and ages, this book is like no other softball book currently on the market. While other softball books focus merely on the broad "how-to's" of the game, Smitty's book looks at the details that transform strong skills into great plays and good players into great team members. From discussions of making the most of practice and preseason through the ups and downs of the season to the best way to approach post-season tournaments, Smitty's insights and tips will help any coach or player maximize their team's performance.

Table of Contents

An Introduction: How Do You spell Success?vi
Part IIn the Beginning
Chapter 1What It Takes to be a Great Softball Player2
Chapter 2Practice Makes Perfect6
Chapter 3Trials and Tribulations of Indoor Practices10
Chapter 4It Might Be...It Could Be...It Is! A New Season13
Part IIFancy Footwork
Chapter 5"Da Feet" Equals Defeat18
Chapter 6First Base Is First21
Chapter 7Obstruction, a Season Ender25
Chapter 8Aggressive Base Runners Warm My Heart28
Part IIITake to the Field
Chapter 9Won't Someone Please Catch the Ball?34
Chapter 10Defensive Stuff37
Chapter 11Coming Up Short40
Chapter 12Hand 'N Glove43
Chapter 13A Saga of the Three Waifs of Softball45
Part IVTo Be a Pitcher
Chapter 14Patience, Patience and More Patience50
Chapter 15The Fifth Infielder54
Chapter 16Speed Is Nice, but Variety Is...58
Chapter 17So, Coach, You Know All About Orthopedics?61
Chapter 18The Ten Thousand Dollar Question--Why Rest?65
Part VBatter Up
Chapter 19Keys to the Hitting Universe68
Chapter 20Down and Hard72
Chapter 21Down for the Count75
Chapter 22Why Ain't I Hittin', Coach?78
Chapter 23Yippity Doodads...a Fastball!81
Chapter 24Get on Top85
Chapter 25The Dinger89
Chapter 26The Eyes Have It93
Chapter 27To SAC or Get Sacked?96
Chapter 28The Way to the Trophy Table99
Chapter 29Take It From Me103
Chapter 30Hustle...The Name of the Game107
Part VIThe Head Game
Chapter 31What's the Job?112
Chapter 32Pressure Is for Tires116
Chapter 33Which Team Showed Up?119
Chapter 34Hitting Head Games122
Chapter 35Mr. Fear125
Chapter 36The Meek Go Home129
Chapter 37Translation from English to English132
Part VIIThe Art of Coaching
Chapter 38Who's Running the Asylum?136
Chapter 39The Coyote Asks Questions139
Chapter 40Coach, Button It Up!143
Chapter 41The Right Touch147
Chapter 42Who's at Fault?150
Chapter 43The Pickle Pot153
Chapter 44The Learning Tree156
Chapter 45Depth Is Not Just for Water160
Chapter 46Shakespeare, MacBeth and Witch's Brew163
Chapter 47The Yell, You Say!166
Chapter 48Making a List and Checking It Twice170
Chapter 49Potholes Along the Coaching Road174
Chapter 50Check It Out177
Chapter 51Answers for Wile E. Coyote181
Part VIIISoftball by Smitty
Chapter 52August Lunacy--An Editorial186
Chapter 53The Nose Knows189
Chapter 54Whatta Ride!192
Chapter 55Ouch, It Was so Preventable195
Chapter 56Cryin's the Blues198
Chapter 57Softball Play Potpourri201
Chapter 58Whatta Ride, Part II205
Chapter 59Let's Talk About the Weather209
Chapter 60All I Want for Christmas213
Chapter 61If I Were King...217
Addendum220
About the Author222

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