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March 23, 2016

GETTING TO KNOW: ANNA WELSH, NIKE SOFTBALL CAMP DIRECTOR.

Head Shot Anna Welsh 150 150 C1 Center Top 1

Directing The Nike Softball Camp at Southeastern University is Anna Welsh, Head Coach of the SEU Fire. As a player, she earned numerous awards as a shortstop and a catcher. Those awards include NAIA National Player of the Week, All-Conference, All-Region, NCCAA All-American, and NAIA All-American Honorable Mention. She was also a member of the 2000 NCAA National Championship softball team. At just 22 years old, she landed her first head coaching job at Saint Mary’s College (NCAA D-III) in Notre Dame, Indiana, becoming one of the youngest head coaches in the NCAA. In her 14 years coaching, she has gone from strength-to-strength and we are excited that she will be back with Nike Softball Camps, for one of the top softball camps in Florida.

GETTING TO KNOW OUR DIRECTORS.

First and Last Name: Anna Welsh - Director of Nike Softball Camp 

Location(s) you direct: Lakeland, FL (Southeastern University)

How long have you been coaching softball?  This season will be my 14th year as a head coach.

How long have you been directing the Nike Softball Camp? This summer will be my 3rd year 

Why did you start coaching softball? I have a passion for the game and God has blessed me with the ability to see the game in such a way that I can teach it effectively and really impact players and get the most out of each player. I love that God has gifted me this way so that I can use softball as my medium to share Christ. 

Favorite Camp Drill or Activity at Camp? Front Toss Scrimmage, popcorn drill, and guts.

What is the key to an incredible camp experience for you? Getting to know the campers and getting them to see just how much fun the game of softball is and how focusing on the little things can really make a big difference.

Your perfect camper on Day #1 arrives with what qualities? Coachability, ability to follow direction and eagerness to learn.

Which college or pro Coach do you admire and why? Deanna Gumpf, University of Notre Dame. Because she truly cares about the kids and the people around her, she is very genuine, caring and fun to be around. 

Which college or pro player do you make it a point to watch play? In general, I enjoy watching the NCAA D1 postseason on television to really watch the best of the best. There is so much you can learn from just watching games, seeing how the coaches coach and also by listening to the commentators give you explanations and clarifications throughout the games.

What message would you like parents to understand prior to camp? That we are going to do everything in our power to make camp a great experience for your child. Also, so many coaches at all levels do things differently, so to be open to the way that certain techniques and drills are being taught. 

Coaching Tip- When focusing on a specific technique, do NOT worry about the outcome/result of the ball. For instance, if you are working on leg drive for a pitcher, don't worry if she throws a strike. Don't even have a catcher squat. Eliminate the catcher all together and have the pitcher throw into an open net, or if you are working on a hitting drill dealing with a hitters hands, don't worry if she hits it over the fence, work on that in a cage and on a tee, otherwise, the player will want to think about the end result. Also, working on the proper throwing mechanics. Don't have her throw to a first baseman because she will revert back to aiming, have her work on her mechanics into a net. 

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