One of the most overlooked parts of player development isn’t another lesson, workout, or showcase…
It’s watching the game.
When athletes watch college softball with intention, they start to understand:
✅ The speed of the game
✅ How different positions are played at each level
✅ What college coaches value
✅ Communication and leadership on the field
✅ Offensive and defensive strategies
✅ The difference between levels (D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO)
From a recruiting standpoint, watching games helps athletes identify programs that fit their style of play. Not every successful player looks the same, and not every program recruits the same type of athlete.
Pay attention to:
🥎 What skills stand out
🥎 How players carry themselves
🥎 Team culture and energy
🥎 Coaching styles
🥎 Offensive approaches
🥎 Defensive positioning
The athletes who learn the game often separate themselves from the athletes who only play the game.
This summer, challenge yourself to watch college softball regularly. Take notes. Study players at your position. Learn something from every game.
Information is power, and the more you understand the college game, the better prepared you’ll be when it’s your turn.
Who you surround yourself with matters more than you realize.
The people in your circle will either push you toward growth, integrity, and purpose… or slowly pull you away from it.
Choose teammates, friends, and mentors who challenge you to become stronger—not just as an athlete, but as a person of character and faith.
Protect your heart. Protect your mindset. And never underestimate the power of godly influence.
#biblicalwisdom #thedotrichardsonshowWho you surround yourself with matters more than you realize.
FINAL 🥎: DMC 8, Interstate 35 7 - The Lions rallied from a 4-run deficit for a thrilling walk-off win!
- Allie Harrigan: 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, 7 IP, 9 K
- Madi Fox: 2 hits
- Hailey Gaiser: Game-tying RBI single
- Evie Van Wyk scored the winning run
Go Lions!
How you practice is who you become.
Championship moments don’t start on game day—they’re built in the quiet, unseen moments of daily discipline. The extra reps. The attitude during hard days. The decision to keep showing up even when nobody’s watching.
The same is true in our faith. Spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built one prayer, one choice, one faithful step at a time.
Your habits are shaping your future long before the scoreboard ever reflects it.
#traininghabits
#thedotrichardsonshow
DH sweep for the Lions 🥎 10-0 and 8-0.
In the ⭕️: An Allie Harrigan no-hitter with 9Ks in Game 1; Game 2 10Ks, 3 H allowed by Driese Menninga and Claire Keegan
• Olivia Sowers: 2 2B, 3 RBI
• Lucy Anderson: 3 H, 2 RBI
• Finley Traetow: 3-for-4
• Hailey Gaiser: 2 2B, 2 RBI
It’s been a fun few weeks wrapping up track season with some PRs, starting high school softball season, and playing some great ball on the weekends! A few highlights to share below 👇
Up next - Playing up in 18U with @selectjonescarr this weekend!
@sami_miller34
I am so thankful for the opportunity to play with @SelectFP09 last weekend! I had such a fun time in KC and ended as Champions! Here are some of my highlights:
Pitching:
IP-21 ER- 3 SO-22 ERA-1.0 WHIP-0.762 BAA- 0.189
Hitting:
AVG-0.333 H-4 1B-3 HR-1 RBI-5 SF-1
We have our first @DMCAthletics softball game tonight vs. Winterset! Let’s go Lions!
@sami_miller34