Softball training and education articles from the Texas Sports Academy coaches and athletes who live it.
Most girls start in rec ball, and for a beginner that is usually the right place to be. What parents need to know before she starts: when travel makes sense, what it really costs, the equipment she actually needs, and when the schedule becomes too much.
Aug 24, 2026
Fastpitch and slowpitch share the same basic sport, but the pitching, rules, equipment, baserunning, and style of play are not the same. Here is what actually separates the two — and which version fits a player's goals.
Aug 24, 2026
A coach says "she's at six today" and it sounds like a different language. Every defensive spot has a number from 1 to 9 — here is what each number means and what each player actually does on the field.
Aug 24, 2026
One rack can have USA Softball and USSSA stamps, -12 through -9 drops, alloy and composite barrels, and prices from reasonable to $400 or more. Make the decisions in the right order: legality first, then size, then material and price.
Aug 24, 2026