Kathy Veroni and Roanna Brazier have written a real winner with their excellent softball reference, “Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully -- Second Edition”. It is the first book to which I turn when I have a question about managing my team. As a softball board member, if there is an issue on which I feel lost, I can inevitably find good guidance from Veroni/Brazier. In the latter case, Chapter 4, Building a Softball Program, has been particularly valuable time and again.

While written for the travel, high school, or college manager, there is plenty here for lower level recreational league coaches as well. There are whole chapters that can benefit any coach, including developing a coaching philosophy, communicating, motivating, coaching plans, and evaluating the players, team, and the job one has done overall as coach for the season. Additionally, there are exceptional sections on coaching offense, defense and managing a game tactically that are unique to this book.

I love the hitting drills finder in Chapter 8. Instead of focusing on a particular skill to develop, as other drill finders do, “Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully” directs its attention on batting problems or flaws to correct. What an absolutely brilliant approach…and of course, extremely valuable to a coach who wants to be more effective! Throw in the standard chapters on defensive and pitching drills and fundamentals, and "Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully" becomes a complete reference guide for having a successful season and program.

I know that this book has given my teams at the recreational league level a real edge, both on the playing field and off. Whether one is a new coach at the recreational level, or a seasoned veteran at the travel or high school level, this book is a must-have on your shelf.

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