Top ASA slowpitch coaches Steve Shortland and Cheryl Trapnell ended their UK tour on 4 July after delivering sessions to team coaches from nine different leagues, working with teams on strategy at two weekend tournaments, introducing the idea of 'diagnotics' to critique the strength and weaknesses of your own and other teams and also spending time with players from the GB Slowpitch Team.
The tour was supported by the ASA and the BSF, and came about through a development agreement between the ASA (the Amateur Softball Association of America) and the European Softball Federation.
The BSF will sum up the achievements of the tour over the next few weeks, and will look at what was accomplished in comparison with the 2011 tour by Combat slowpitch coaches, who concentrated primarily on batting techniques.
Feedback
Meanwhile, here is a selection of feedback from the leagues that Steve and Cheryl visited during the second and third weeks of the tour.
Solent Softball League
There were lots of little tips to take back to our team, especially covering bases.
First rate session. Covered everything for all levels really well in the time allocated.
Manchester Softball League
Great knowledge source. Easy info to share with team. Everyone friendly and approachable.
Many quick wins, with things easy to try.
Liked it that lots of topics were covered. But summary notes would be handy as I might forget stuff. Good group size.
Very informative. A lot of information that can be taken back to the team. Everything explained then shown clearly.
Great fun. Good knowledge – hope the coaches will return next year.
Interesting perspectives, different to previous sessions.
The coaches had a wealth of knowledge and great credibility in the UK. Many thanks for bringing these guys over to Manchester!
Central Scotland Softball League
I thought generally it was really good. They were both open and prepared to answer all sorts of questions, no matter how stupid they may have seemed. The only bits that I didn't really understand were some of the jargon / technical terminology.
The batting clinic was extremely useful as this is very hard to teach to others so it was good to break down the swing and look at key areas. The coaches were great at answering questions and giving examples / demonstrations of what they were discussing.
Best bit: 'Hitting 101'. This was the part of the clinic I got the most out of. Really came away with a lot of good ideas on how to coach new players.
Windsor & Oxford Softball Leagues (combined session)
Good session, a good mix of coaching tips for all levels.
Great team, excellent advice, very easy to understand.
Great session. Useful details, especially pitching / batting tips. Useful drills.
Love to have them come back for more advanced coaching, maybe to bigger clubs.
Great session, the co-ed differences were especially useful.
Ideal session as it just highlights that what we are doing is the right thing.
East Midlands Softball League
Well worth the time invested.
Excellent! But printed material to take away would help.
Really informative. Would have preferred more drills but appreciate time pressures. Great session.
Very enjoyable and will be able to enhance future coaching sessions.
Great session! Engaged novice captain / coaches alike.
Very useful and informative, especially ways to warm up for games and the infield / outfield drill to involve the whole field in one drill.
Very detailed and a lot to take in but well worth it. Will do my best to educate the team.
It was a fantastic session, thanks. I took quite a lot from it. More work on ‘communication’ would be good as that was very interesting.
Just like you taught us, guys, I’m going to keep it simple…. Thank you and you were awesome … enjoyed it stacks.