Softball

Purpose

Teaches players how to slide with proper technique, both back to the base and advancing to the next base

Set Up

• You can do this drill in the infield or set up four bases in any grassy area.

Instructions

1. The first player at each base starts with a foot on the bag.
2. Coach calls out “Lead Off” – the baserunner takes a 6-8 foot lead.
3. Coach calls out “Go” – all three baserunners sprint and make a bent-leg slide into the next base.
4. The next player steps up, players move to the back of the next line and continue.

Coaching Tips

• Begin the slide around 6-8 feet away from the bag. Sprint hard and lower yourself into the slide. Do not slow down and lose momentum or you’ll come up short.
• Extend the top leg forward while tucking the bottom leg under your knee, forming a figure four.
• Throw the hands up and lean back while gliding into the bag, touching it with your lead foot.
• Make it harder: If coach calls out “Back” – all three baserunners dive back to the base using proper headfirst slide technique
• Make it easier: Lay out a flattened cardboard box in front of the base. This will reduce friction and allow players to slide more easily.

This week on the Inner Circle, Kelsey and Claudia discuss the allegations against the Scarlet Knights coaching staff

0:00 – 3:30 Former Players allege mistreatment by softball staff
3:30 – 4:15 History of transfers a cause for concern
4:15 – 7:25 Hit by pitch practice
7:25 -10:30 The other side of the story
10:30 – 13:45 Changing with the times
13:45 -16:20 A lesson for recruits
16:20 – 17:20 How do elite programs treat their players?
17:20 – 20:23 No comment from Rutgers Administrators

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On this edition of In The Circle, Eric Lopez talks with Cal State Northridge’s Head Coach Tairia Flowers who discusses being inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame this past weekend where Flowers was a 2-time All-American and a National Champion.

Flowers talks about her time as a player with U.S. National team, being part of gold medal team in 2004 Summer Olympics and silver in 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and comparing it to her current time being on the U.S. Coaching staff as an assistant coach.

Flowers also discusses her time in coaching that led her to CSUN.

Also on this episode, Eric and Victor look at some storylines and marquee games from the 2nd annual Clearwater Elite Invitational.

4:13-Coach Flowers breaks down balancing coaching both CSUN and being a part of the USA National Team Coaching Staff. She also shares what got her interested in becoming a part of that staff

8:36-Flowers talks about playing with both Monica Abbott and Cat Osterman during her time on the 2004 and 2008 Olympic team

9:45-Tairia shares the moment she learned about her induction into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame as well as her time as a Bruin

15:53-She talks about what led her into coaching softball

17:14-What led Coach Flowers to take the job at CSUN

21:16-Flowers speaks about winning the Big West championship in 2015 and making the NCAA Tournament

26:14-Coach speaks about previous guest Savannah Horvath and her career at CSUN

31:16-The improvement of the Big West and chances for multiple teams to make the postseason

33:57-Breaking down what her team can do to be successful in 2010

41:46-Victor shares his thoughts on the upcoming SPC Elite Invitational including what teams he will keep an eye on

John Slootmaker

USSSA Playing History

Interview conducted on 10/30/2019

Who are you playing with in 2020, and who have you played with in the past?
2020 Free Agent – J.Slootmaker11@gmail.com

2019 Mpt (A Conference)

2018 Smash it Thunder(A Conference)

2017 TZ Distributors (2017 B World Champs)

What positions do you play and what is your best position?
Left field is my best position, also play right field, first base and catcher

Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?
Brian Wegman, great ball player  a very humble guy and veteran to learn the game from.. guys knowledge of game and approach at the plate is unreal.. Also big fan of Jason Branch, player who is always on a mission at the plate and can flat out spray it around the field and continues to ignore the haters and do his thing!

Why do you like the game of softball?
It’s a time to go out and compete have fun and showcase all the skills you’ve worked on since playing tee ball as a young fellas , yea it comes in underhand but there’s nothing like being out on the diamond !

What is your nickname in softball and how did you get it?
“Sloot” just what I’ve always been called

What is your height and weight?
6” 215lbs

Where do you call home?
Lincoln park , New Jersey

What’s your favorite way to spend an off weekend?
Doing something random and most importantly some quality time with the wife

What do you do for a living?
Train Conductor for Nj Transit

Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Played ball in High School and Pitched D1 for Long Island University

How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
Got asked to play in and unlimited arc league in my town i grew up in. Was just a young kid in college who wanted to hit since as pitchers in college they don’t let you hit! Started to really enjoy the game then got introduced to 6-12. Got asked to come play for a Jersey team called showtime and two years after that I started to get noticed..  I took my chance playing with better teams ,knowing that nothing is given and everything is earned!  I was a young cocky kid thought it was all about just hitting bombs but one day met Mr Patrick “rip” Riporti  who changed not only my whole view of the game but also life.  Put in major work with him in offseason and he gave me a chance to play at the C level and after the 2016 season and winning C worlds and being the MVP there has been no turning back… following year won B worlds and some people began to notice and in 2018 got a call to come play A conference and for two years now have loved being at this level !

What was the most surprising difference between Conference play and non-Conference play when you made the jump?
By far the pitching but also the mindset of each hitter everyone has an approach and knowledge on where to put the ball!

Is there a player that you would compare your game to?
Not here to compare myself to anyone … i take what i learn from  veterans , from failing … and play my game to the best of my ability

What would you say is your career highlight to this point? Maybe one play or game that sticks out to you in particular?
Winning Asa c worlds 2016 and Utrip B worlds 2017 both times coming out of loser bracket and running through 5 games to take home the championship!

In your career was there a single person (player/manager/coach) who had the most significant impact on your approach to the game? Why?
Patrick “Rip” Riporti has had  huge impact on the player I have become! He saw the potential and took the time to help me put in the work to get to the conference level. He was always big on teaching patience at the plate to me and most importantly about being humble!

What advice can you give a young player trying to break into the upper level?
Put the work in its not all about hitting the long ball…Ask questions from veteran guys … Be humble

What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the next softball season?
Gym and Bp

What is your favorite sports team and your favorite sport other than softball?
New York Yankees, Philadelphia Eagles , and whatever team Lebrons on !

Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Superstitions don’t work ! I don’t care what anyone says !

What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
I think adding stealing to the game… make the catchers more involved and keep players on toes… would eliminate catchers just letting the ball go past them and speed the game a little more ..

What is the best softball field/complex you have played at and why?
Really love Space coast! Even though it’s windy or extremely hot the fields are the best in softball

Where is the best place to eat on the road after a game?
Anywhere there’s Chicken wings! Or a Brazilian steak house!

Tell us something about you that most would never know about you?
I was a Chef for 8 years of my life ..
 

This week on the Inner Circle, Kelsey and Claudia sit down with the Director of Softball Operations at HitTrax

0:00 – 5:00 Everything you need to know about HitTrax
5:00 – 6:50 What HitTrax can offer Pitchers
6:50 – 8:40 The advantages of video feedback
8:40 – 15:30 Creating competition in training
15:30 – 17:45 HitTrax as a recruiting tool for athletes and coaches
17:45 – 22:05 HitTrax to partner with Amanda Chidester
22:05 – 24:25 Tips for parents and first time users