My Philosophy and what worked for me.
By: Tracey Roman
There is no quick fix in this game-no overnight solution-to succeed in softball, you must become a student of the game. You must understand the process of what makes great players great, and why average athletes can often surpass talent that is lazy. It's more than practicing or taking lessons-you can't just simply show up. You have to learn how to practice mentally as well as physically. You have to have the discipline to work on things that are uncomfortable and different. You have to be willing to fail before you succeed. Above all, you have to learn to be your own best friend mentally, because you are going to fail much more than you are going to succeed.
Players have to contribute to their own improvement. I can teach them everything I know, but the greater goal is getting the athlete to understand how to implement it on their own. The point of lessons is to teach the athlete how to practice on their own and self correct.
It's not enough that I know what the player did wrong - or right for that matter. The player has to learn how to know that for themselves. The best players in the game of softball are capable of making adjustments on their own. They shouldn't be so dependent on an instructor that they can't think for themselves. The goal of the instructor is to educate and produce athletes that succeed physically and mentally on the field.
On a personal note:
Contrary to popular belief, not much came easy to me in the game of softball. Aside from the natural gift of speed, I had to work very hard for everything else that I achieved on the softball field. I considered myself a "blue collar" player and quite frankly, I didn't look smooth doing anything in the game, but found a way to get things done. I made my career by being scrappy, out hustling, and out working my opponents. Nobody ever had to tell me to work hard. As a converted left handed slap-hitter, I had to commit to become the triple threat from that side of the plate which was a difficult thing to do. It required facing weaknesses and attacking them on a daily basis. I considered this a challenge, not a problem.
Making the decision to go to UMass was a huge risk for me. Turning down more financially lucrative scholarship offers to smaller division one schools to pursue my dream of competing against the likes of Arizona and UCLA far exceeded the chance to be a star at a smaller school. There was no guarantee I would ever step foot on the field at UMass, but with a partial scholarship in hand, I was being given the opportunity to earn the chance-so I took it. Many thought I was crazy-but in my gut, I knew it was what I was supposed to do. In my Freshman year, I did earn that chance hitting .364 and earning All-Atlantic Ten Honors. I was fortunate to have a very decorated career at UMass and consider myself very lucky to have had the experiences that I had while playing under the tutelage of Elaine Sortino whom I consider one of the greatest coaches in the game. I can tell you for a fact that I am not the most gifted softball athlete you will ever see. I certainly was not among the most gifted or talented athletes on my team while at UMass although my performance sometimes stated otherwise. What I did learn early in my career is that smart work, and hustle can beat talent that is lazy. I've always been used to attacking my weaknesses and that is what made me the player that I was. I wanted the feedback that some players don't want to hear. I learned to listen to the message and not take it as a personal attack. I came before practice and stayed after to work on skills I was deficient in. I found a way to make sure that they could not afford to leave me out of the line-up.
I was never the athlete that things came easily to. I had to work hard for every skill I had. I didn't have a great arm, or soft hands defensively, or quick bat speed. I had to aquire all of it-and it took years! You have to really want to play this game. To be any good, you have to do many drills that are repititous and boring. You have to understand the process that will make you better and commit to it. None if it came easy to me. Not one single part of it. But I was blue collar-a worker-and I understood the process. Above and beyond everything else-I was a competitor. No one wanted to win more than me. I hated to lose. I hated feeling deficient in certain skills-that is why I worked so hard to attack my weaknesses. Once they were exposed, I couldn't wait to practice to do my best to make sure it never happened again! That is the most valuable lesson that I teach the kids that I work with.
It's not just about developing skills. It's about dealing with the many failures of the game and using it to continually improve. It's about learning to take risks, even if it means you could fall flat on your face, but also having the mental stamina to pick yourself back up and try again. These are not just skills for the softball field-these are skills for life!
Why 20 weeks of training?
We take softball very seriously at CNYFastpitch and are looking for athletes that do the same. There is a huge correlation between athletes who train consistently in the off-season and on field success rates. These exclusive classes are designed for athletes who are truly ready to put in the work that is required to make significant changes this off-season. There is no quick fix in this game. Any athlete who has played at a high level understands this. Showing up for an occasional lesson here and there will not get you instantanious results. When it's time to compete, you have either put in the work required to to have the skills to compete, or you have not. These are both MENTAL and PHYSICAL skills.
For ages 5 & up. (Athletes will be placed based on pre-enrollment evaluation)
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced/Elite
Each class meets once a week. Please check the CNYFastpitch calander for off dates.
Each of these programs are a 20 week, (7 months) commitment. These are long term, off season training programs for athletes who want to see SERIOUS change by the SPRING. To reserve your spot in any of our 20 week training programs, a non-refundable $50.00 registration fee is required.
3 DIFFERENT PROGRAM OPTIONS
Option 1
Group Lessons (2-3 students per class) for 60 minutes. $140.00 per month per student.
Option 2
Private Lessons (1 student per class) for 30 minutes. $120.00 per month.
Option 3
Combination Class (ie Hitting & Defense) [6 students max] for 60 minutes. $75.00 per month, per student. Please note, combination classes will alternate material covered every other week. Combination classes offered include:
Hitting & Fielding
Hitting & Catching
Hitting & Mental Training
Fielding & Throwing
HOW IT WORKS
~Once you decide on the class or classes you want to take you may choose from Private Lessons or Group Lessons. Do not worry about finding a group for your daughter to work with, this is our job. We group students with similar skill levels.
~If you cannot attend your lesson, you will forfeit that lesson. NO MAKE-UPS will be given unless your instructor must cancel. Payment is still due to CNYFastpitch even if you miss the majority of the month unless you are injured and under the care of a doctor. All injuries should be made known to your instructor as soon as possible to qualify for make-ups.
~Lessons will be structured over the 7 month course (20 weeks of lessons). The lessons will begin in September and end in March. An optional session will start in April and run through the end of June. Lesson instruction will build each week. Every class is unique and taught according to skill level and progress of each individual class. We make every attempt to group together the most appropriate classes and reserve the right to make changes as the year progresses based on your child's development.
~Lessons will be given on Saturdays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Team training may be scheduled on any day there is availability.
~All lessons will be conducted at CNYFastpitch.
~Lesson payments are due at the beginning of the month at your first lesson. Payments not received by the second lesson will result in a $25.00 late fee being assessed. Therefore, if you have not paid for your lessons prior to the start of the second lesson, you must add $25.00 to your monthly fees.
~There will be a 5% monthly discount for keeping a credit card on file with CNYFastpitch and paying electronically each month.
~Any returned check will result in a $30.00 returned check fee. Following a returned check or denied credit card, you will become a cash only customer. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
~ Lessons will be given by your primary instructor with assistants filling in as needed.
~Lessons are scheduled back to back with little transition time between. If you need to discuss something in depth please email your instructor or schedule a time outside of lessons to meet. Please make every effort not to intrude on the following class times.
~ It is extremely important to be ready to go at your scheduled lesson time. Students in private classes that are not ready to go will have very limited time with instruction.
~Each student in the hitting, defensive, slaphitting, catching, or combination classes should bring sneakers, knee pads, catchers equipment, helmets and bats if you have them. Catchers must supply their own equipment. We do have bats and helmets, but our supply is limited.
~All non-participants including parents and siblings, must stay out of the training areas before, during, and after lessons. There are very real chances of being hit by a ball or bat.
PRE-ENROLLMENT EVALUATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS
ALL students (Even if you have been taking lessons all summer) must undergo a pre-training evaluation to enter lessons. Mandatory evaluations will be held August 4, 11, 18, 25 from 6PM until 8PM. EVALUATIONS WILL BE AT THE CNYFASTPITCH FACILITY. You must choose an evaluation time on your application. Your time you are registered for is the time you should plan to attend. If there is a problem with your time, you will be notified. Students who complete their evaluations prior to August 25 will have priority scheduling. The final week for evaluations will be September 6-12, but all evaluations will be by appointment only. Email troman@cnyfastpitch.com for an appointment or call 315-299-5126.
IF YOU FIND OUR ABOUT LESSONS AFTER THE EVALUATION DATES, THERE MIGHT BE OPENINGS STILL AVAILABLE. CONTACT US AT 315-299-5126 TO SCHEDULE AN EVALUATION.
***Sister Discount: Each sister may take 10% off their monthly fee***
