Buck Travis

For those who like to geek out on teaching hitting technique, here you go: Amber Freeman shares practical hitting drills primarily through The Art of Coaching Softball (where she contributed content around 2020 while at Vanguard University) and coaching education platforms like Coaches Insider. Her drills align with her philosophy of simplifying swings, generating power through proper mechanics (especially extension), building individualized plans, and understanding swing planes.Here are the main hitting drills directly associated with her: 1. Extension Drill (Her Daily Staple) Purpose: Develop full arm extension through contact for maximum power and to drive the ball to the gaps or over the fence. Freeman emphasizes that “extension is power” and calls this a hitting staple she uses with athletes every single day. How to perform (based on her video demonstration): Hitter starts in their normal stance and goes through their full swing sequence/load/stride/rotation as usual. Instead of following through completely, stop/freeze at the point of full extension right after contact. At the freeze point, the barrel should be pointing directly at the pitcher (or straight ahead through the hitting zone). Focus on staying long through the ball rather than cutting the swing short. Repeat for reps, emphasizing controlled power and proper sequencing. Key coaching points from Freeman: Getting to full extension helps hitters develop power. It counters the misconception that a big, loopy swing is needed for distance—simpler, extended mechanics work better.Where to see it: Search Facebook for “Extension Drill - The Art of Coaching Softball” (video posted March 2020 with Freeman demonstrating). 2. Swing Planes Drill / Awareness (Uppercut vs. Flat) Purpose: Help hitters understand and optimize their natural swing plane to match pitch locations and maximize contact/power.Key concepts Freeman teaches: There are uppercut swingers and flat swingers. Uppercut swingers generally perform better on pitches down in the zone. Flat swingers generally perform better on pitches up in the zone. The goal is to stay in the right plane for the situation rather than forcing one style. She demonstrates with video examples and explains specific hitting drills tailored to each type of swinger to reinforce the correct plane.How it’s typically practiced: Hitters take swings (tee, soft toss, or machine) while focusing on plane awareness. Coaches or hitters analyze whether the swing is naturally uppercutting or flattening out. Drills adjust hand path, launch angle, or contact point to reinforce the desired plane for different pitch heights/locations. Where to see it: Search “Understanding Swing Planes with Amber Freeman” on Coaches Insider or Instagram (softballcoachesinsider account). It includes video breakdown and drill recommendations. 3. Separation Drill (Swing Breakdown) Purpose: Isolate and strengthen the early phases of the swing, particularly engaging the backside (loading/separation) before the front side fires. This helps hitters feel proper sequencing and prevents front-side dominance.How it works (from descriptions in the same coaching series): Break the swing into phases. Focus on the load/separation portion: Create separation between the upper and lower body, engaging the back hip/shoulder while keeping the front side quiet initially. Hitters often start with a paused or controlled movement to feel the backside leading the swing. Progress to full swings or live reps while maintaining that feel. Freeman breaks down the swing this way to help hitters understand and own each part of their mechanics. Where to see it: Related content appears in The Art of Coaching Softball videos (search “Separation hitting drill” on their Facebook page). Additional Methods from Freeman’s Approach While not always named “drills,” these are core to her hitting instruction (drawn from her interviews and success developing power hitters like Sydney Stewart): Machine Work (eHack or similar): Program specific pitchers into hitting machines and take full at-bats. This builds pitch recognition and approach in a controlled environment. Zone/Targeting Work: Identify each hitter’s strengths/weaknesses and “particular zone.” Practice hunting pitches in their hot zones with a specific plan (count leverage, pitch selection). Simplified Mechanics Reps: Focus on clean, repeatable swings rather than complex movements—especially for power hitters. These drills and methods contributed to major offensive improvements at Arizona (top Big 12 offense with multiple high-average/power hitters). Tips for implementation: Start with the Extension Drill daily—it’s simple, effective, and reinforces power. Film swings to check planes and extension. Individualize: Not every hitter needs the same emphasis (e.g., power hitters vs. slap hitters). Most of Freeman’s content is video-based for visual learning. Search the titles above on Facebook, Instagram, or Coaches Insider for the demonstrations. Her content is also part of broader The Art of Coaching Softball libraries (some behind membership).

With the new five year rule the 2028 pitching staff could look a lot like this. Including the Back To Back headline.

I just bought season tickets on stubhub for $2200/per including fees. Section 8. You can buy a parking pass there if you need to.

Nice interview with Kayden Henry and her mom.

If I have to watch Switzer, Stoops, and Mateer celebrate a NC in Omaha I'm going to break something.

Doty can hit also. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1547110696811557/?app=fbl

So yeah, Kirby is there.

https://www.fmballyard.com/rightviewpro I'm sure you're right. Just like hitting a golf ball from the back tees and the women's tees is completely different.

Here you go. Some random minor league hitting coaches with some connection to Texas (not UT): Alonzo Powell (Salt Lake Bees AAA, Angels) → Coached for the Houston Astros (MLB, 2016–2017). Brian McArn (Las Vegas Aviators AAA, Athletics) → Served as hitting coach for Double-A Midland (Texas League) for four seasons (2004, 2013, 2016–17). Kevin Kouzmanoff (assistant hitting coach, Las Vegas Aviators AAA, Athletics) → Played MLB for the Texas Rangers (2014 season). Orlando Merced (Worcester Red Sox AAA) → Played MLB for the Houston Astros. Luis Baez (Lansing Lugnuts A, Athletics) → Signed and developed in the Houston Astros organization; played for their Double-A affiliate, the Corpus Christi Hooks (Corpus Christi, Texas). If I'm a AA or A hitting coach in Midland or Lansing and Mike White calls...

I'd look at minor league baseball hitting coaches. A top college softball program like Texas could be a career upgrade.

Nice story about Nichols. https://www.kxii.com/2026/06/09/former-caddo-star-jaycie-nichols-wins-national-title-with-texas/

She'll never have a higher market value.

https://frontofficesports.com/womens-college-world-series-title-clincher-peaks-at-3-million-views/ Women’s College World Series Title-Clincher Peaks at 3 Million Views The viewership for the championship series follows the trend of strong ratings for the WCWS overall. By Yanyan Li UPDATED Jun 08, 2026 | 06:22 pm Brett Rojo-Imagn Images Game 2 of the 2026 Women’s College World Series championship series, where Texas defeated Texas Tech 4–1 to clinch its second consecutive national championship, was the most-watched college softball game on record. The game averaged 2.5 million viewers on ESPN, surpassing last year’s Texas-Texas Tech Game 3 that averaged 2.4 million. This year’s in-state battle also peaked at 3 million viewers compared to a peak of 2.7 million in 2025. Previously, the average viewership record stood at 2.3 million, set during the 2007 Game 3 between Arizona and Tennessee. Meanwhile, Texas-Texas Tech Game 1 averaged 1.9 million viewers and peaked at 2.1 million, which according to ESPN is the third most-watched championship series Game 1 ever, but down from 2025’s Game 1. That game likely took a ratings hit from overlapping with Game 1 of the NBA Finals, which drew the highest viewership for the event since 2019 (though this year’s WCWS Game 2 overlapped with Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals). Overall, the 2026 championship series averaged 2.2 million viewers, becoming the second-most watched WCWS finals ever per ESPN—just behind 2025 (which also averaged 2.2 million). The viewership for the championship series follows the trend of strong ratings for the WCWS overall. Driven largely by Texas Tech games, this year’s WCWS recorded the second through fifth most-watched non-finals tournament matches, with three of those featuring the Red Raiders. Overall, the tournament averaged 1.5 million viewers before the championship series. Viewership for NCAA women’s spring sports championships has been strong overall on ESPN. Northwestern’s win over North Carolina in this year’s women’s lacrosse national title game averaged 470,000 views, the sport’s most-watched game on record. The WCWS outperformed college baseball’s Men’s College World Series, which kicks off June 12, in average viewership last year. Though the MCWS drew better ratings for its championship series (2.5 million vs. the WCWS’s 2.2 million in 2025), the WCWS averaged 1.3 million viewers compared to the MCWS’s 1.2 million throughout the tournament.

Kristen Zaleski Not Returning to Texas Coaching Staff. Probably taking a HC opportunity?