There are several books that cover the topic of the "mental game" in sports. There are even a few that are specific to softball. One of the major differentiators between all of the other books and Focused for Fastpitch, by Gloria Solomon and Andrea Becker, is that their book provides drills and explains why those drills will help athletes with the skills of softball.

There are approximately eighty drills in the book. Some of the drills are similar to drills that coaches may use today to teach a specific skill, like catching fly balls. The authors add to these drills to explain how to enhance the concentration and communication factors. This will increase the mental aspect of the skill.

Focused for Fastpitch has drills that can be used with any level of fastpitch athlete. Many other books are written towards the high school age athlete and older. Focused for Fastpitch has drills that can be used with almost all age groups and all levels of play. In fact, using these drills effectively with athletes are beginning their softball careers may help them the most!

The book is divided into ten chapters. Three of the chapters are overview:

• Mentaphysical training
• Thinking the Game
• Team Building

The remaining seven chapters are divided by skill sets:

• Hitting
• Bunting
• Baserunning
• Infield Defense
• Outfield Defense
• Pitching
• Catching

Drills in each of the chapters concentrate on specific mental skills:

• Mental Imagery
• Concentration
• Confidence
• Energy Regulation

Special sports equipment is not necessary for the majority of the drills. The drills provided are from some of these top coaches:

• Gayle Blevins, University of Iowa
• Tami Brown, All-American Softball School's College Prep Program
• Connie Clark, University of Texas
• Michelle Gromacki, California State University, Fullerton
• Jacquie Joseph, Michigan State University
• Brian Kolze, University of the Pacific
• Patrick Murphy, University of Alabama
• Coaching staff, University of California, Davis
• John Reeves, University of California
• Kathy Strahan, California State University, Sacramento

About the Authors

Gloria Solomon, PhD is an assistant professor of kinesiology at California State University at Sacramento. She is a certified AAASP sport psychology consultant and serves as a consultant for the Sacramento State athletic department. She has been working as team consultant for the softball team for two years. Solomon currently resides in Sacramento, California and in her free time she enjoys biking, kayaking, running, playing tennis, reading, and supporting the Sacramento Monarchs.

Andrea Becker is a graduate student of sport psychology at California State University at Sacramento. Becker played softball at CSUS for four seasons and has since served as a graduate assistant coach and sport psychology intern for the softball program. In addition, she has numerous playing and coaching experiences at various levels of competition in the Amateur Softball Association summer leagues. Becker resides in Folsom, California, and enjoys participating in sports, physical activity, and all other outdoor activities.

Focused for Fastpitch is published by Human Kinetics.

Human Kinetics is the premier knowledge integrator in the physical activity field. Human Kinetics synthesizes vast amounts of information into a constantly evolving array of products that utilize current technology to meet the needs of their varied audiences. HK has served the physical activity field since 1974, when it published its first book--a proceedings from a sport psychology conference. Today, HK produces textbooks and their ancillaries, consumer books, software, videos, audiocassettes, journals, and distance education courses.

Words of Praise

"The mental game isn’t a mystery; it’s a skill that is attainable with practice. With drills that facilitate working on mental skills in situations encountered during games, Focused for Fastpitch will help players make the leap from making great plays occasionally to making great plays regularly."
Rhonda Revelle
Head softball coach
University of Nebraska

"Focused for Fastpitch is a great tool for any coach or athlete wondering what it takes to get to the next level. The mental side of the game is what raises the bar from good to great. Learn to be great with Focused for Fastpitch."
Michele Smith
Two-time Olympic gold medalist
10-time ASA All-American