Quick Tip: A Trick for Sticking to your Workout Routine

By Carly | March 4, 2013

If we haven’t made it clear enough, strength training is NOT OPTIONAL if you want to be a serious softball player, especially if you have aspirations of playing in college. I’ve also lived through a teenaged softball career, and I remember clearly how busy I often felt and how when I was feeling overwhelmed, the workout was often the first thing to go. Though it’s a little late for my pitching career, I’m now working out more than ever, and I’ve come up with a simple little system that keeps me from slacking off.

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Interview: Optimal Nutrition for Tournament Softball Players

By Carly | September 3, 2012

One of the things I remember most clearly about my tournament softball days is how difficult it was to stay nourished over the course of a long weekend full of games. Early morning games, erratic schedules, and processed snack bar food all make it very difficult to eat properly; yet you’re exerting yourself all day, especially when the weather is hot, good nutrition is extremely important.

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Natural Healthy Alternatives to Sports Drinks

By Carly | August 20, 2012 |

Newsflash: sports drinks really aren’t very good for you. Many of them contain multiple different sources of sugar, including high fructose or other corn syrups. If you’ve got a zero-calorie sports drink, you’re likely contending with artificial sweeteners, and no matter which you choose you’ll likely be consuming artificial flavors, “natural” flavors (which aren’t as natural as you think), artificial colorings, and preservatives. If you’ve got a practice or a single softball game ahead of you, you really only need water to stay hydrated; however, if you’re facing a 90+ degree summer day under full blazing sun with three or more tournament games to play, something with extra carbohydrates and electrolytes can definitely be beneficial. So what should you drink? I’ll tell you!

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How to Give Yourself a Killer Massage

By Carly | July 23, 2012
Back massage using foam roller

Everyone likes to get a massage, and they don’t just feel good—they’re pretty good for you too. Massages increase blood flow to areas of tension and promote muscle health and healing, and can thus be particularly beneficial to athletes. Unfortunately, we can’t all get a personal masseuse to pamper us regularly. It is possible, however, to give yourself a pretty decent massage with a few simple tools, some of which you probably already have lying around your home.

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