Mammoth’s Post

Are you aware that The 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame will induct its latest class next week as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in Forest Park? Why it matters: Chicagoans invented 16-inch softball, which is traditionally played without fielder's gloves, here over 130 years ago when recreation options were slim. But the game now competes for players against more popular outdoor sports like pickleball. Flashback: The 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame museum opened in Forest Park in 2014 to educate people about the local history of the sport, and every year a class of influential players, coaches, teams and boosters is inducted. State of play: The class of 2024 will be inducted July 23, which will also be an anniversary celebration. Zoom in: The event will include a presentation featuring photographs of Hall of Famer Tom Bonen, who played on influential teams, helped build a softball stadium in Bridgeview and was among the first to bring corporate sponsors to the game. More than 50 years ago, he first published "Windy City Softball" magazine. Reality check: Even though other sports like pickleball have become the sport du jour for many Chicagoans, Maag says they are seeing a huge uptick in softball tournaments, especially since the pandemic. "The sport was really down around COVID," Maag tells Axios. "But this year, we are forecasting around 140 tournaments around the country. It's totally rebounded and becoming more popular than ever." The bottom line: Bonen's photographs, plus the spirit that surrounds this hallowed game, are on display at the Hall of Fame in Forest Park, which continues to do its part to keep it alive. If you go: The organizers expect up to 400 people for the free induction ceremony and the Legends Game immediately following. It kicks off at 4pm. #chicago #softball #sports #chicagoans #forestpark #halloffame

Are you aware that The 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame will induct its latest class next week as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in Forest Park? Why it matters: Chicagoans invented 16-inch softball, which is traditionally played without fielder's gloves, here over 130 years ago when recreation options were slim. But the game now competes for players against more popular outdoor sports like pickleball. Flashback: The 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame museum opened in Forest Park in 2014 to educate people about the local history of the sport, and every year a class of influential players, coaches, teams and boosters is inducted. State of play: The class of 2024 will be inducted July 23, which will also be an anniversary celebration. Zoom in: The event will include a presentation featuring photographs of Hall of Famer Tom Bonen, who played on influential teams, helped build a softball stadium in Bridgeview and was among the first to bring corporate sponsors to the game. More than 50 years ago, he first published "Windy City Softball" magazine. Reality check: Even though other sports like pickleball have become the sport du jour for many Chicagoans, Maag says they are seeing a huge uptick in softball tournaments, especially since the pandemic. "The sport was really down around COVID," Maag tells Axios. "But this year, we are forecasting around 140 tournaments around the country. It's totally rebounded and becoming more popular than ever." The bottom line: Bonen's photographs, plus the spirit that surrounds this hallowed game, are on display at the Hall of Fame in Forest Park, which continues to do its part to keep it alive. If you go: The organizers expect up to 400 people for the free induction ceremony and the Legends Game immediately following. It kicks off at 4pm. #chicago #softball #sports #chicagoans #forestpark #halloffame

🥎 Game Mentality in Practice? Yes, Please! Revolutionize your softball training. Merge game intensity with practice drills, keep players engaged, and uplift their skills. Get insights to make each session count! #SoftballExcellence https://lnkd.in/dHr48wS

Drumroll, please! 🥁 It's trivia time! Can you name the coach with the most NCAA championships in basketball history? Test your coaching knowledge and drop your guess below! 🏀🏆 Answer: John Wooden Known for his unparalleled success with the UCLA Bruins, Wooden's coaching legacy continues to inspire generations of basketball enthusiasts. #Coachable #successtips #sportstraining #trainingtips #workoutmotivation #athleteslife #trainingtips #basketballtips #basketballlife #SportsKnowledge

According to a recent survey, 69% of females who have excelled in their careers have played competitive sports. I was a softball pitcher through college, and I find that experience in teamwork and personal development has given me a competitive edge when it comes to enhancing my career. How many of you have played competitive sports? Do you find that it has helped you in your career? What attributes would you say came from playing sports? Please enjoy this short clip of me pitching in 2001! #GirlBoss #ThrivePetHeathcare #Athlete #ERVeterinarians #EmergencyMedicine #WeThriveTogether

Lessons from the #Softball Field: Winning Beyond the Scoreboard Over the weekend, our softball team faced a tough loss against an exceptional pitcher. We struggled to keep up with her fastballs, which I would say were easily between 30 to 35 mph. As any softball enthusiast knows, that's quite the challenge to hit in 8U! After the game, spirits were understandably low among the team. But amidst the disappointment, I couldn't help but reflect on the valuable lessons we can draw from this experience. Losing isn't easy, but it's essential to shift our focus from the outcome to the #process. Just like facing a blazing fastball, there are days in the corporate world where obstacles seem insurmountable. It's crucial to remember that while winning is the ultimate goal, our #success is built on the foundation of consistent habits and behaviors. Did we put in the effort? Did we execute the fundamentals effectively? Ultimately, it's the dedication to mastering the #littlethings that sets us up for success in the long run. By honing in on what we can control and refining our approach, we position ourselves for #victory, even in the face of formidable challenges. Just maybe, next time we encounter a pitcher of that caliber, we'll be better prepared – unless, of course, we're facing *that* pitcher again! 🤦♂️

🥎 YOUTH SOFTBALL PARENTS 🥎 What is holding your child back? Our Athlete Journal is designed to help your child learn how to journal about their sports experiences and uncover the things holding them back from reaching their true potential on and off the field. Order a copy now!! #3AA #youthsports #youthsoftball

School Matters: Achieving Balance as a Student Athlete Discover the crucial lesson of balancing academics and sports for young athletes. As a baseball coach for twelve-year-olds, we share insights on why prioritizing schoolwork leads to greater success in and out of sports. #StudentAthlete #AcademicSuccess #SportsAndSchool #YouthSports #CoachingTips #StudentLife #BalanceInLife #BaseballCoaching #Motivation #Inspiration

Since its 2020 launch, League One Volleyball has become the top U.S. youth club volleyball brand with 1.3K teams across 22 states. Its grassroots approach has also allowed LOVB to leverage youth popularity into NIL deals with athletes at top schools like Wisconsin and Nebraska. 📈🙌 • For more, subscribe to our free 3x-weekly sports biz newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eHkEpq5h • LOVB is building on that further through its pro arm, which notably features teams in college volleyball hotspots like Austin, Omaha, and Madison. When naming Austin as its sixth and final city (for now), LOVB credited UT’s devoted fandom, which ranks among the best in the nation for attendance. 👏 • Additionally, recent business wins from LOVB include raising $35M in Series B funding last September, an all-star roster of athlete investors, and a partnership with smart gym brand Tonal. Stacks on stacks. 🤝💰 • 📆The calendar: LOVB Pro will begin with a November preseason, followed by a 14-week regular season set to spike the week of January 6th, 2025. While this does conflict with the competing Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) that launched this January, Athletes Unlimited Unlimited’s five-week pro volleyball tournament in October will likely end right before LOVB’s November 11th preseason tipoff. 🏐 • 🌐Zooming out: Men’s sports leagues like the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), and National Hockey League (NHL) have had the cultural presence and resources to build full ecosystems that act as talent-feeders for elite teams. While pro women’s sports are accelerating, they are still playing catch-up in this regard: The WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) and National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) don’t actually own the pipelines for their sports, which is what makes LOVB different. 💪 • Its widespread presence in the volleyball space is already paying off with Olympic talent, while its youth leagues will continue to foster grassroots development and lifelong fans of the game. You can’t buy loyalty, but you can grow it. 😉

How Can Softball Players Navigate College Recruitment? 🥎🎓 In this video, we explore the intricate landscape of college recruitment in softball, highlighting the challenges athletes face and the critical role of college coaches in the selection process. Join us for insights that can shape your athletic future! #SoftballRecruitment #CollegeSports #AthleteJourney #SoftballLife #SportsOpportunities #CollegeCoaches #RecruitmentChallenges #SoftballCommunity #FutureAthletes #SportsAdvice