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HIGHER GROUND SOFTBALL NEWS: Catch It In The Web
May-June, 2001
1. Get Better Every Day: In his excellent book, Psychology of Coaching and Playing Sports, Jack Stallings tells us that "Our successes of the past should be brought forward to the present to give us confidence rather than dragging our fear of future failure backward to the present to give us worry." I elaborated on this idea in an MVP Newsletter about six years ago and the concept is certainly as needed now as it was then. So often the fear of future interferes with the performance of present. The idea is to get the successes of the past to be used in an effort to increase the odds of present success. Lack of confidence and fear of failure are two big roadblocks to success in the here and now. We need to be sure that our athletes understand and practice this concept so that they have the maximum chance for success. If you'd like a copy of this very informative book, contact us at Higher Ground ($24.00, plus $4.00 shipping).
2. Pause For A Moment: Carie Dever-Boaz, head coach at the University of Arkansas and a featured Higher Ground camp, clinic, and video instructor, recently sent me an e mail that has a very valuable lesson. I'll pass along an abbreviated version and hope that it will help you make a difference. Ask yourself these questions: Who are the last five Heisman Trophy winners? Who are the last five winners of the Miss America pageant? Who are the last ten winners of the Academy Award for best actress? Odds are that you had serious problems answering those questions, despite the fact that they were headliners. Now try these: Who are five people that have made you feel appreciated and special? Who are five people that have taught you something worthwhile? Who are ten people that you enjoy spending time with? Easier ? The lesson we should learn is that the people that make the difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, money, or awards. They are, instead, the ones who really care. Thanks, Carie for hugging son Max every day and for reminding us how to make a difference.
3. FEATURED EQUIPMENT : We are currently offering Athlonic's new Hurricane Sports Net for only $139.00, plus $12.00 shipping. Built to withstand 90 mph winds, the fully waterproof net weighs only 11 pounds and includes a tote bag. Plenty large at 7.5' x 7.5' x 3.5', the Hurricane Sports Net includes #21 nylon netting, 800 lb test parachute strapping, Tuffgrip steel hook spikes, and pole vaulting strength "Twist Lock" fiberglass telescoping masts. It is the ideal portable sports nets for hitting and throwing drills. Contact us about this terrific new item and allow us to meet your equipment needs for pitching machines, batting cages, toss machines, and other training items.
4. Something To Think About: A free lunch is only found in a mousetrap. (John Capuzz)
5. Our SUPER CAMP (Columbus, GA June 24-29) and ULTRA CAMP (Cocoa, FL July 8-13), two high level camps for advanced skills, are again attracting players and staff from a large number of states and foreign nations. At the current time, we have registrants from Australia, Germany, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah. Contact us or check the web site for details.
6. FEATURED BOOK: If you want to help beginning or veteran pitchers, the Fastpitch Pitching Drill Book by Mona Stevens is the source for teaching methods and drills. The book includes practice and teaching ideas, a problem checklist, a priority list, trouble shooting suggestions, and drills for wrist snap, balance, arm circle, follow through, rotation, and stride. In 1997, Mona was named National Softball Coach of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee and in 1999 was the head coach of the USA Junior National Team. She is currently the head coach at the University of Utah. Order now for just $17.00, plus $4.00 shipping, or combine with other Higher Ground books or videos to save substantially on shipping. You can contact us or check our web site for details on over 50 books and videos that we offer.
7. A TIP FOR YOU: Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. This quote by John Wooden is so appropriate as we work with young athletes. For that matter, it is very appropriate for the coach as well as the player. So often, we get bogged down in the negatives, the uncontrollables, the problem, the crisis, the limitations, and the weaknesses. We should spend most of our time dealing with positives, controllables, solutions, opportunities, potential, and strengths. This last list is much more likely to bring successful results.
8. Mark your calendars for our 2001 Summer Camp Schedule. If you do not yet have our brochure, please send us your mailing address and request one. Basic information is at the end of this message and you can also find the complete brochure material and registration form in the Camps & Clinics portion of our web site at http://www.surfsouth.com/~hgsofbal
9. FEATURED VIDEO: If you want to learn more about how to prepare for and manage a game, then the video for you is SB20: Game Preparation & Management by Greg Riddoch. You'll learn better ways to make out a winning lineup, scout opponents for strengths and weaknesses that you can use to gain more victories, and gain some very valuable tips for coaching the bases, giving signals, and managing the game process. Greg is a former manager and third base coach in major league baseball and has worked at many of our Higher Ground Softball camps and clinics. He is currently the Director of Player Development for the Milwaukee Brewers and has a unique ability to blend the best of baseball and softball. If you want to improve your ability to prepare for and manage the game, this video will provide very helpful material..
10. Upcoming activities (see separate camp schedule) involving Higher Ground include:
May 8-15 Training for Greek National Team Athens/Aigiou Greece (Simpson)
May 26 Custom Clinic Dublin, Georgia (Simpson, McCarthy)
June 9 GACA High School All Star Game Tifton, GA (Mark, Simpson)
June 15-23 Training & Games for Greek National Team The Netherlands (Simpson)
July 13-21 European B Championships (Greek Team) Vienna, Austria (Simpson)
* Contact us about providing Customized Opportunities To Improve for your group.
Higher Ground http://www.surfsouth.com/~hgsofbal Bookmark & Check The Site Often
POB 741 hgsofbal@surfsouth.com Contact us any time
Tifton, GA 31793
Phone 800-892-7360
Phone 229-386-9770 or 912-386-9770
Fax 229-386-9774 or 912-386-9774
2001 SUMMER SOFTBALL CAMPS
June 10-14: Tifton, GA Basic or Intermediate Skills
This camp, overnight or commuter, will allow players aged 8 and over to develop either basic or intermediate skills and will be the first of our three resident camps. Both slowpitch and fastpitch skills will be taught by leading college, high school, and amateur coaches. Lodging at local motel.
June 18-21: Macon, GA Day Camps
There will be two days for hitting, one day for defensive skills, and one day for fastpitch pitching and catching. Players aged 8 and over, fastpitch or slowpitch, can attend any combination of days to work at specific needs. Daily sessions are from 8:00am-4:00pm.
June 24-29: Columbus, GA SUPER CAMP For Advanced Skills
This annual camp, available for overnight or commuters, is conducted at the South Commons Stadium and Complex, site
of international, professional, college, and high school events. The camp is known for attracting players and staff from across the USA, Canada, Europe, and other areas. We schedule great flexibility into the schedule for girls 12 and over and emphasize the development of advanced physical and mental skills for fastpitch or slowpitch. Lodging is at local motel.
July 8-13: Cocoa, FL ULTRA CAMP For Elite Specialty Skills
The camp, for overnight or commuters, arose from our SUPER CAMP and is an International Academy For Pitching, Catching, and Hitting for fastpitch players, aged 13 and over. This elite level select camp will provide in-depth specialty training in one of three chosen skills, with pitchers and catchers also receiving hitting instruction. All activity and lodging is at Cocoa Expo.
July 15-19: Tifton, GA Team Camp
Annual camp for fastpitch and slowpitch teams from the high school, junior varsity, middle school, or travel team levels. Teams receive instruction and play a minimum of nine games.
July 22-26: Covington, GA Team Camp
Similar to the Tifton team camp. Available for fastpitch teams or slowpitch teams.
HIGHER GROUND CAMP NOTES
Higher Ground, a specialist in softball instructional services and products, conducts softball training around the world and is honored to have been selected to assist the International Softball Federation in developing a host team for Greece in the 2004 Olympics. In 1999-2000, we were involved in training players and coaches in the Azores, Canada, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Holland, Panama, Puerto Rico, Slovakia, Sweden, U.S. Virgin Islands, and 21 states in the USA.
Contact us for camp details or to schedule a customized clinic in your area.