Next Pitch Academy

Looking for a fun and productive way for your young athlete to spend their holiday morning? Join us at Next Pitch Softball Academy for our Memorial Day Fastpitch Softball Camp!

Designed specifically for ages 5-8, this camp is the perfect opportunity to build confidence and sharpen those diamond skills.

🗓️ Camp Details:
• Date: Monday, May 25
• Time: 9 AM – 11 AM
• Location: Next Pitch Academy, 1215 Bunn St., Springfield, IL
• Price: $40

🥎 What to Expect:
Led by Academy owners Tina Buck-Harth and Sarah Gray-Belcon—both Hall of Fame former collegiate players and long-time Central Illinois coaches—your player will dive into:

• Hitting & Fielding fundamental skill development
• Small Group Stations for personalized coaching
• Fun Games & Contests to keep the energy high!

📲 Ready to Play?
Don't wait—spots are limited! Scan the QR code in the image or visit the link below to register today:

🔗 https://tinyurl.com/4nt7awdz

Last scrimmage of our 6U spring season with these Diamond Girls 🤍

I’ve been coaching this group since they were 3, and honestly, watching how much they’ve grown has been one of my favorite parts of coaching. The confidence they’ve built, the way they move around the field now, and just how much fun they have together—it’s been really special to be a part of.

From the start, we’ve tried to keep things simple. Focus on the basics, help them understand the game, and most importantly, make sure they actually enjoy it. At this age, it’s not about wins or losses. It’s about keeping them moving, getting a bunch of touches, making sure everyone gets multiple at bats, and giving them a reason to love coming back each week.

I’ve learned pretty quickly that with young kids, if it’s not fun, they’re not going to stick with it. And too often, kids get pushed into more competitive play before they’re ready and end up losing interest. That’s the part we’re trying to do differently.

A few of our girls are moving up, which is tough, but this group will always mean a lot to me. I’m really proud of them and excited to see what they do next 💎

Tuesday night was one I won’t forget.

What a performance from Jaelyn Watts. Absolute grit on full display.

She threw a gem against a nationally ranked Chatham-Glenwood squad. 8 strikeouts. Held them scoreless into the bottom of the 7th. Worked out of two bases-loaded jams without giving up a run. But more than the stats, it was her composure, focus, and toughness that stood out. She never flinched, even against a lineup loaded with Division I talent.

That kind of presence can’t be taught overnight. It’s earned. And Jaelyn showed exactly who she is out there.

On a personal note, this one hit different. Watching Jaelyn compete alongside her teammate Mylie Deatherage, who is also a pitcher but stepped up and played a great game at first base, and standing next to Reagan Miles, one of my very first pitching students who’s now giving back to the game as a coach… it was a full circle moment I won’t forget. Generations connected by this game we love.

Moments like this remind me why we do what we do. So proud to be part of the Central Illinois softball community and to watch these athletes grow into leaders on and off the field!

Important read to remember when the chaos of running to all the activities seems overwhelming. It is a blessing to see our kids pursuing the things they love and one day we will look back and think “these are the good ole’ days.”

If your life lets you take your kids to practice,
if you’re the one on the bleachers,
the one in the front row with a phone that never has enough storage . . .

you are already successful.

Because one day the car will be quiet.
The uniforms will be tucked away.
The performances will be memories.

And what will matter most is that you were there—
clapping, cheering, showing up
for all the little moments that turned out to be the big ones.

If you get to be present, exhausted, and right in the middle of it all . . .
you are blessed.

-Her View From Home

Yes, absolutely! 🙌

Wow! What an awesome opportunity to learn from one of the best hitters in the game!

Train with one of the game’s best! Join Jocelyn Alo for a Hitting Clinic on May 15 at Robin Roberts Stadium.

⚾ $100 | Limited to 30 players | 7th grade & up
🎟️ Register now: https://tinyurl.com/3973fvjp

This is exactly how I feel about my Dad! This is how to instill the love and joy for the game. It is that love and support from parents that can help any player overcome the adversity this game brings!

My favorite catcher never caught a single college game.
And he never wore gear.
He wore work boots.

My favorite catcher was never an All American.
He never showed up in a box score.
You won’t find his name on a roster, a press release, or a recruiting website.

My favorite catcher was my dad.

He’d get off work at 5pm… and by 5:15, I was waiting in the driveway with his bucket and glove.
He never complained. Never raised his voice. Never made me feel like I had to pitch.

I wanted to.

Because he made the park feel like the safest place in the world.

Not once did I dread practicing with him. Not once did I feel like pitching was a job.
He wasn’t trying to prove anything.
He wasn’t trying to live through me.
He wasn’t evaluating me… he was just with me.

And that matters more than most parents realize.

The way he communicated — calm, patient, respectful — allowed MY inner motivation to grow.
He didn’t chase me down with corrections.
He waited until I asked.
He listened.
He let me lead.
And in doing that, he built something stronger than velocity or mechanics:

He built my confidence.
He built our relationship.
He built my love for the game.

I don’t remember every drill we worked on.
But I do remember how he made me feel:

Supported.
Heard.
Safe.
Excited.
Like I got to pitch — not that I had to pitch.

And that’s the part parents miss.

Your tone.
Your approach.
Your communication style.
The way you show up on the good days and the hard days…

That’s what your daughter will carry with her for the next 20 years.
Not the pitches you forced.
Not the corrections you yelled.
Not the tournaments you said yes to out of fear.

The way she feels when she’s with you — that becomes her inner voice.

If you want to raise a pitcher who loves the game, works hard, and trusts you…

It’s not about being perfect.
It’s about being present.
It’s about communicating in a way she can receive.
It’s about making the mound feel like a safe place — not a pressure cooker.

That’s exactly why I created “How To Raise an Unbreakable Pitcher in 2026.”

Because communication, connection, and clarity at home will make or break her long-term success.
Her mechanics matter… but your relationship matters more.

📅 January 19th @ 6PM CST
If you want to build the same kind of relationship my dad built with me — the kind that lasts far beyond softball — this is your moment.

https://go.pitching-angel.com/unbreakable