"Sweat The "Little Things"!
/Little Things Count!
There are a number of little things that can make a difference in being called safe or out or making the great play and getting the win. Our game is a game of inches and seconds. Listed below are three "Little Things" that can make a difference.
Utilize your glove: when running after a ball it is important to pump your glove and run as if you were running to first base. So many times I see girls reaching as soon as they take their first step. You cover more ground when pumping your glove and reaching at the last second. (Tip: When your are warming up running laps, practice running with your glove.)
Pick up the ball with your bare hand: after you misplay a ground ball, pick the ball up with your barehand. Often times I see girls pick the ball up with their glove after a mistake only to get the ball out again. Pick the ball up with your barehand and go directly to your throwing form. Another common mistake is to go back to the glove after we pick the ball up barehanded. This could be the difference in getting the out or having an error in the books.
Lean at first base: when base running and running to first base on a single be sure to hit the front of the bag and lean as if you were a track runner at the finish line. This propels your body forward and also gives the view to the umpire that you may have “beat” the throw on a close play.
As John Wooden once said, "It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen. "
Amanda Williams is a National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) All Star playing with the Chicago Bandits, Rockford Thunder and the Tennessee Diamonds. She is a former four-year starter in center field for Marshall University and also helped in the coaching department for the Thundering Herd.