Fastpitch Interview
Cindy Bristow
What do you love most about the game of fastpitch softball?
The strategy and suspense. Because it's not a constant action sport, when there is action there's so much more at stake and more pressure on the players to successfully perform so from a spectator or player's point of view that creates so much more drama.
At what age did you begin playing softball?
I can't remember learning to throw so I must have learned when I was 3 or so. Both of my parents played softball so I grew up playing it and going to watch softball and baseball games.
What is your current involvement in the game of fastpitch softball?
I recently left the International Softball Federation to start my own softball instructional company - Sofball Excellence. I conduct clinics all over the US along with writing books, drill manuals, DVD's and creating instructional content for my website: www.softballexcellence.com
Do you think other states/leagues will soon follow the FL lead in changing the pitching distance from 40' to 43'? (Do you think that change will be good for the game/players)?
I don't know. I think for those players who really can play in college it's probably a good thing. But the majority of high school players NEVER play in college and for them an the lower division high school players that pitching distance will be a struggle. It might be something to have the highest division change to (the large schools) but I just can't see the single A really small schools benefiting from the change. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that less than 8% of all high school players ever go on and play college ball.
In your experience, what is the most challenging aspect of coaching?
It's CRUCIAL to stay positive when your players struggle either in practice or in games. The bigger their struggle (or failure) the more important it is for us to stay calm and supportive instead of screaming and losing our minds.
What do you feel is a common mistake that many coaches make?
They assume that players either "don't care" or "aren't trying" whenever they make mistakes, and yet they seldom think that about themselves. I've found that we're all usually trying our best whether we're players or coaches and if we screw up, it's not on purpose. We also don't like to fail so we'll try our safest-best, which means it's as hard as we can try while staying safe. That's just human nature - it takes a very trusting relationship between play and coach to get an athlete to try beyond their sfae-zone, and yet they won't be excellent until they do.
You've had the chance to coach a number of great softball players, is there anything they all have in common?
They all push themselves in practice as hard as they push themselves in games - that's what allows them to be so successful under the big-game pressure.
Can you share a tip with us about how to get a team to play together?
You must value EVERY member of the team and show your players through your actions that they must do the same. Everyone on a team does matter even if it's only for the bench players to push the starters in practice so they'll succeed during the games. Everyone has a role to play and that role matters. That's a great lesson for your players to know and believe.
Not all players can make a successful transition from player to coach. It's one thing to be able to play the game and another to be able to teach it. Is there any one thing that you feel really helped you on the way to becoming a successful softball coach?
2 things helped me; one was that I had average talent which helps me relate to so many of the players. I understand what average talent can accomplish with exceptional work ethic. Two is that I know there's always something more I can learn so I never sit and think I know it all. I can always find another way to say the same thing or a different way to teach the same thing. If I'm always expecting my players to improve their skills then I've got to do the same thing as a coach - I owe that to my players! All coaches do!
What do you feel is the most important thing a parent can do to help their child be the best athlete they can be?
Teach them that there are no shortcuts to excellence. Average people can become excellent if they work hard enough to get it. Hard work is THE KEY ingredient that many kids now don't understand. It isn't a newer bat, a better pitching coach or another team that will make them better, it's working harder to make the skills they have better. An awful swing with a $500 bat is still awful, but, a great swing can hit a ball with a broomstick. Let them know you SUPPORT THEIR EFFORT no matter how it turns out, as long as it was the best effort they could give.
Is there something coaches (high school aged teams) can do to help their players get to the next level (college)? If so, what?
Help them understand the speed that the next level will do the same skills they're doing right now. The next level still throws, and runs, and hits, and catches, and pitches, and makes decisions - they just do it all faster, off faster pitching, against faster runners, against faster releases and with less time to make decisions. Players who can continue to do their skills faster will have a chance at the next level and those that can't - won't. Also keep in mind that there are LOTS of "next level" chances, they don't all have to be in the PAC-10!
What are some of the "must do's" for players that plan on taking their game beyond the high school level? They MUST have very good grades, have good test scores, be good teammates, be drug-free, LOVE softball since they'll be doing it non-stop in college, be in shape and must NOT pout and emotionally react to bad plays or calls.
Thank you Ms. Bristow, for taking the time to "talk story" with us about this great game.
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