From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone comes a challenging and heartwarming coming-of-age story about a softball player looking to prove herself on and off the field. Shenice Lockwood, captain of the Fulton Firebirds, is hyper-focused when she steps up to the plate. Nothing can stop her from leading her team to the U12 fast-pitch softball regional championship. But life has thrown some curveballs her way. Strike one: As the sole team of all-brown faces, Shenice and the Firebirds have to work twice as hard to prove that Black girls belong at bat. Strike two: Shenice’s focus gets shaken when her great-uncle Jack reveals that a career-ending—and family-name-ruining—crime may have been a setup. Strike three: Broken focus means mistakes on the field. And Shenice’s teammates are beginning to wonder if she’s captain-qualified. It's up to Shenice to discover the truth about her family’s past—and fast—before secrets take the Firebirds out of the game forever.

“A League of Their Own for the softball set” (Lily Koppel, bestselling author of The Astronaut Wives Club), Fastpitch is hidden history at its most intriguing—the tale of the forgotten beginnings of one of the most popular and widely played sports today. Softball is played by tens of millions in various age groups all around the world, but the origins of this beloved sport (and the charismatic athletes who helped it achieve prominence in the mid-twentieth century) have been shrouded in mystery…until now. Fastpitch brings to vivid life the eclectic mix of characters that make up softball’s vibrant 129-year history. From its humble beginnings in 1887, when it was invented in a Chicago boat club and played with a broomstick, to the rise in the 1940s and 1950s of professional-caliber, company-sponsored teams that toured the country in style, softball’s history is as varied as it is fascinating. Though it’s thought of today as a female sport, fastpitch softball’s early history is full of male stars, such as the vaudeville-esque Eddie Feigner, whose signature move was striking out batters while blindfolded. But because softball was one of the only team sports that also allowed women to play competitively, it took on added importance for female athletes. Women like Bertha Ragan Tickey, who set strikeout records and taught Lana Turner to pitch, and her teammate Joan Joyce, who struck out baseball star Ted Williams, made a name—and a life—for themselves in an era when female athletes had almost no prospects. Softball allowed them to flourish, and they in turn inspired a whole new generation of athletes. Featuring eight pages of captivating, vintage photos and compelling, well-researched historical commentary, this “fun and entertaining read” (Billie Jean King) chronicles softball’s unique history as well as its uncertain future (as evidenced by its controversial elimination from the 2012 Olympics, and the mounting efforts to have it reinstated). A celebration of this distinctively American game and the role it plays in our culture today, Westly has written “a must-read for anyone who loves the sport” (Jonathan Fader, author of Life as Sport).

In Mexican American communities in the central United States, the modern tradition of playing fastpitch softball has been passed from generation to generation. This ethnic sporting practice is kept alive through annual tournaments, the longest-running of which were founded in the 1940s, when softball was a ubiquitous form of recreation, and the so-called "Mexican American generation" born to immigrant parents was coming of age. Carrying on with fastpitch into the second or third generation of players even as wider interest in the sport has waned, these historically Mexican American tournaments now function as reunions that allow people to maintain ties to a shared past, and to remember the decades of segregation when Mexican Americans' citizenship was unfairly questioned. In this multi-sited ethnography, Ben Chappell conveys the importance of fastpitch in the ordinary yearly life of Mexican American communities from Kansas City to Houston. Traveling to tournaments, he interviews players and fans, strikes up conversations in the bleachers, takes in the atmosphere in the heat of competition, and combs through local and personal archives. Recognizing fastpitch as a practice of cultural citizenship, Chappell situates the sport within a history marked by migration, marginalization, solidarity, and struggle, through which Mexican Americans have navigated complex negotiations of cultural, national, and local identities.

A guide for coaches and pitchers, Kempf goes beyond the basics of female softball as she covers pre-motion presentation, stance, posture, timing, location and speed. Advice is given on the correct choice of pitch illustrated with drawings.

Field a winning fastpitch softball team year after year with the knowledge and insights of a coaching legend! Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully provides the guidance and technical expertise you need in order to build and maintain a competitive team, covering every facet of leading a squad on the field and developing a program off of it. Hall of Fame coach Kathy Veroni, who has won more than 1,250 fastpitch games in her career, and pitching expert Roanna Brazier share their insights and experiences in this authoritative, comprehensive guide to coaching fastpitch softball. From developing a coaching philosophy and planning for the season to teaching the skills and tactics of the game, you will find proven formulas for success within these pages. With practice and conditioning plans, administrative forms, sample scouting charts, tactics for dozens of game situations, and more than 130 drills, Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully is the most complete resource available for aspiring and experienced coaches alike. Take advantage of the authors' expertise to gain a winning edge over your competition.

Annotation Focused for Fastpitchcombines the best qualities of a drill book and a softball-specific guide to sport psychology, ensuring that come game time everyone will play at peak performance. Informative yet easy to read, mastering the Focused for Fastpitchtraining principles requires no prior experience, and each chapter includes interactive exercises and charts to help monitor progress. Each drill clearly specifies the mental and physical skills targeted, the goal, proper execution, coaching tips, and variations for increasing or decreasing difficulty. And for additional insight into successful skill building, some favorite drills are included from these top coaches:-Gayle Blevins, University of Iowa-Tami Brown, All-American Softball School's College Prep Program-Connie Clark, University of Texas-Michelle Gromacki, California State University, Fullerton-Jacquie Joseph, Michigan State University-Brian Kolze, University of the Pacific-Patrick Murphy, University of Alabama-Coaching staff, University of California, Davis-John Reeves, University of California-Kathy Strahan, California State University, SacramentoIntegrating concentration, confidence, mental imagery, and energy regulation at practice with softball-specific drills will result in players reaching their potential far sooner than practicing any of these aspects alone. Applying the information in Focused for Fastpitchis the best way to gain the advantage.

The United States has more than 2 million fastpitch softball participants—500,000 of whom are under the age of 12. Softball Fundamentals provides an easy way for beginners of all ages to learn the basic skills of the game. Writer Rick Noren puts these skills together from the perspective of an award-winning coach who has posted a 320-79 (.802) record in his 10 years at Pacific Lutheran University. The 10th entry in the Sports Fundamentals series, this book covers all the bases of fastpitch softball, including throwing, catching, fielding, hitting, baserunning, sliding, and pitching, in an engaging format that makes learning easy and practicing fun. Each chapter presents a specific skill, leading the player through a simple, four-step sequence: You Can Do It: A basic skill or tactic is introduced with sequential instructions and accompanying photographs or diagrams. More to Choose and Use: Variations and extensions of the primary skill are covered. Take It to the Field: Readers learn how to apply the skill in competition. Give It a Go: Drills and practice games gauge, develop, and hone the skill. With its concise instruction, supplementary photos, and 48 skill-sharpening drills, Softball Fundamentals facilitates quicker comprehension by letting players spend less time reading and more time on the playing field.

Paul Petricca draws on his experience as a coach, player, blogger, and student of baseball and softball to share what hes learned about hitting in this essential guide for players seeking dramatic results at the plate. The author presents easy to understand hitting mechanics highlighting how the engineering concept of torque can be applied to hitting and is often the difference between a weak groundball or a long home run. Topics covered include understanding where hitting power really comes from and the importance of increasing bat speed through the fundamentals of a repeatable and powerful rotational swing. Hitters of all ages who adopt his eight hitting keys will enjoy a dramatic increase in bat speed and power almost immediately. Hitting with Torque is more than a set of hitting mechanics---its a mindset. Readers will be challenged to look past the worn-out hitting theories and myths that have been holding back hitters from reaching their full potential. With an open mind and practice, all hitters can unlock the power and consistency that is Hitting with Torque.

Finished It unlocks the Alabama Softball story in a transparent and powerful way. Her stories are woven together creating the sensation you are living and learning what makes Alabama Softball special. This book shares how Coach Patrick Murphy, Coach Aly Habetz and staff have cornered the market on RELEVANT leadership. Unwavering values that withstand the test of time in an ever changing society. Her book pulls back the curtain on one of NCAA Softballs greatest collegiate programs. Sue Enquist Former UCLA Softball Coach-27 yrs. 11-Time National Champion 5-Time Hall of Fame Been around this amazing game for awhile, and few have ever taken us inside the true emotion, process, preparation and understanding of what it takes to win on the biggest stage. Cassie does this so uniquely, you will find yourself applying to your own life the creative ways this special group was able to succeed both as an underdog in THE championship moment and as a difference maker in life. Jessica Mendoza ESPN Analyst and Reporter, Olympic Silver and Gold Medalist Finished It shows us there is more to winning a national championship than meets the eye the day that trophy is hoisted. Discovering the details of raw emotion and effort that goes into winning a national championship is nothing short of motivational. You can see the Alabama Softball program has developed a formula for not only winning games, but the effort it takes to develop a healthy, inspiring lockerroom from day one of a season. Any athlete, any person would be able to relate to the dedication, creativity, passion and belief in each other this team had from the get-go of their magical season. Amanda Scarborough 2-Time All-American ESPN College Softball Analyst Although little can prepare you for adversity, this book will show you that when you have twenty hearts beating as one, nothing can stop you. Jaclyn Traina 4-Time All-American Team USA Softball Member

Looking for the ultimate book to help you learn and master softball’s essential skills? Look no further than the guide that has helped develop the game’s top players and most successful teams. This new edition of Softball Skills & Drills is completely updated with more skills, more drills and strategies, and more of the stellar instruction that have made it the top-selling title on the sport. Judi Garman, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, teams with Cal State Fullerton’s Michelle Gromacki to share their secrets to developing and mastering every aspect of the game. With step-by-step instruction, full-color photo sequences, technique tips, and unique insight into the game, you’ll learn every fundamental skill: •Hitting •Bunting •Slap Hitting •Baserunning •Sliding •Fielding •Throwing •Pitching •Catching And with over 230 of the game’s best drills, coverage of team offense and defense, pitch selection, pitch recognition, and in-game strategies, Softball Skills and Drills is simply the most comprehensive and practical guide on the sport. Whether striving to become a complete player or preparing your team for another championship run, Softball Skills &Drills is the one book you cannot be without.