Parents Talk

Girl's Fast-pitch Softball

Serving Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Santa Maria Counties

Parents Talk

Aiyah (AJ) Huerta: Nancy's Tide program has provided high quality softball instruction in a supportive and positive team environment. Nancy shows tremendous respect and patience with the girls and is a fantastic coach. Nancy has a unique ability to teach the basic mechanics of softball as well as more complex components of the game in way that the girls (and a softball mom such as me) can easily understand and put into practice. She works with the girls to both advance and improve their individual and team skills. It is through Nancy's instruction, and AJ's hard work, that AJ has had such a successful year as a pitcher. Aliyah (and our family) really respect her as a coach and are thankful for the opportunity to have such high quality instruction close to home and to be able participate on the Tide team. -----Aliyah, Joddi and Dave

Chloe Matson: Three years ago my daughter, Chloe, began attending Nancy's skills and pitching clinics. She provided an excellent array of skills that gave her the solid foundation she needed to succeed as a pitcher today in travel ball. Through much effort combined with private instruction from Nancy, Chloe has stayed on top of her game and met her goals. Nancy helps enhance the skills that are introduced in rec league, and brings her students to a level where the sky's the limit. As a result, she has an impact on a player's potential both today and beyond.

Marissa English, 8U: I was introduced to Nancy by parents of older players who had gained softball and teamwork skills through Nancy’s clinics and her SB Tide program. When my 7-year-old wanted to learn how to pitch, Nancy’s pitching and advanced skills clinics provided individualized instruction and the power of being part of a social group of diverse, confident girls who love playing softball. From Nancy, I have learned coaching drills and age-appropriate expectations that strengthen and inspire young players. Our community gains tremendously in many ways from Nancy Eckert’s leadership, energy, and vision for building girls’ softball. – Laury Oaks

Lauren Gerken: Nancy's practices are well organized, challenging, and focused on skill development. The girls get plenty of repetitions in the field and with the bat. Her instruction helps the girls improve their skills as well as their knowledge of the game. She helps the girls make the transition from girls who play softball to softball players. Lauren has become a much better player as a result of this program. -- Mike Gerken.

Tracey Edwards: Nancy's been extremely beneficial in developing Tracey's pitching motion. She is a wealth of knowledge and a positive role model for softball athletes. -- Kim Edwards, Ojai

Mikayla Butzke: I would like to thank Nancy for all of her time and dedication that she puts in to helping the girls in this county excel at softball. She is a positive influence on all the girls (especially my Daughter Mikayla), and always works to make sure that the girls are understanding what she is teaching. She has been a great coach for my daughter and it is because of Nancy that Mikayla has excelled to the level she is at now. Thank you Coach Nancy! --- Tyson Butzke

Qunicy Lewis, 12u A ball Pitcher, Lady Bandits, New York. 2007 NSA National Champions! Where to begin! Our week in CA with you - I cannot even put into words how valuable that was! Quincy came home from there with skills (both pitching and hitting) that she continues to utilize every day on the softball diamond, and I, as a parent of a pitcher, came away with the ability to recognize and promote proper mechanics. Your work with her "mental" part of pitching was also extremely helpful. Her mindset when she is on the mound is much improved from prior years. In one word, your work with her has been PRICELESS!!! I can't wait to get her out there for another intensive workout week with you:-) The video sessions are a great follow up, but there is nothing like the real thing! I think the key here for Quincy is the combination of working "live" and then reinforcing what she learned with you thru video sessions. Thanks for all you have done for her. :) -- Laurie Lewis.

Courtney Doza, Lompoc High School/A ball: I just had too write to let the people know how much you have helped us to get our pitcher back. Courtney came to Nancy with a lot of fundamental problems and a broken spirit. I had her with a pitching coach down south and she was loosing interest in pitching. I was paying for lessons and she wasn't getting any better. Her previous pitching coach is well known and she played the game herself at the highest level, but was not able to train Courtney to that same level. Nancy, on the other hand, was able to break down her pitching motion and build her up in only 2 months, to what we feel would have taken at least a year. Courtney is happy and asking us to catch for her again. We are so pleased with what Nancy has accomplished with Courtney. We are so happy to have someone like Nancy in our front yard whose able to compete with the LA pitching coaches. I would recommend her to anyone that has a lost soul, needs correction, or is just getting started. She is worth every dime you spend. Nancy, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ----Teresa Howell

Kiley Shea Aldridge, Div I. Fresno State. I want to thank you for your latest pitching/catching camp. Kiley Shae had taken a couple months off at the end of the summer and was ready to get back into it. The drills you introduced at the camp are now a part of her regular training. She has regained her desire to improve her accuracy/speed. She just pitched her first game of the Fall Ball season in the High School Division in Orcutt. She pitched a shutout! A very great showing for a girl that hasn’t pitched “live” in a couple of months and only in 8^th grade. This enthusiasm is great, and I attribute much of it to the way you push the girls to do their best and coach/drill them with the techniques to support that. Keep up the great work! ----- Thanks, Dan Aldridge,Lompoc

Christina Haake, Division I: I highly recommend Nancy Eckert as a pitching coach. Nancy has pasted on her love of softball through coaching our daughter Christina for the past ten years. Christina would not be a College Division 1 player today without Nancy's patience, encouragement and guidance. She helped Christina develop as a pitcher, hitter, and infielder. She not only taught Christina how to pitch fast and how to move the ball but what to throw to different batters. Christina has been a successful pitcher because Nancy has always made sure she pitched correctly and safely so that she did not injure herself. Thanks Nancy!!! --- Kathy Haake, Parent, Goleta (Christina Haake, University of San Diego)