Substitutions and Courtesy Runners are two areas where Softball is completely different than Baseball. The Softball coach that can use substitutions and Courtesy Runners effectively has a real tactical advantage over a Softball coach that does not.

If you want a happy, well-balanced winning team, you must practice Rule No. 4. Other coaches may look at you like you've lost your mind -- that is, until you beat them and leave them behind in the standings!

Aside from just playing catch with or otherwise working with your daughter, I can't think of a better way to spend quality softball-time with your child than taking her to see a college Softball game. She will be thrilled, and you may find that you have an enjoyable time as well.

No matter what your personality is, you can find a way to practice and win that is right for you. Take it from me...if you try to mash your round coaching personality into a square approach, you will be miserable!

Is the stolen base a viable weapon in College Softball? I do a preliminary analysis using data from 33 game logs from the 2009 season to examine this question. While more data should be collected, the results of this preliminary analysis are interesting enough to share.

Rule number 2 requires the reader to take a long, hard look at their Softball assumptions and team management skills. If a coach coaches like every other coach, he/she better pray for superior players year in and year out -- otherwise they are in for average (or worse) seasons. Change is GOOD!