Next Pitch Academy

Amen! So grateful for all the coaches and teachers in my daughters’ lives. The time and passion they pour into them is greatly appreciated!

Coaching youth sports is more than working on batting orders, field positions, and designing plays.

It’s more than managing schedule changes and coordinating with other coaches, league officials, and parents.

It’s more than carting around game bags, buckets of balls, and extra equipment everywhere you go.

It’s more than taking phone calls and answering emails from parents while on vacation, during a lunch break, or at a birthday party.

It’s more than scheduling time with your family and date nights with your spouse around tournaments, games, and practices.

It’s more than volunteering countless hours of your free time for the benefit of the kids.

It’s more than spending time learning what motivates each player and how to coach in a way that brings out their best.

It’s more than trying to let the passive-aggressive (and sometimes outwardly aggressive) comments from parents and spectators roll off your back.

It’s more than trying to find a way to balance fun with learning.

It’s more than finding the strength to be the team’s cheerleader when everyone’s hopes are dashed.

It’s more than a winning season.

So much more.

The truth is, we need those coaches more than we need wins.

We need those coaches who make our kids feel seen.

We need those coaches who can support our kids as they learn important life lessons.

We need those coaches who can help our kids find confidence when it’s nowhere to be found.

We need those coaches who can model winning humbly and losing gracefully.

We need those coaches who are willing to donate their time, hearts, and souls to our kids.

We need those coaches who are willing to step up to the plate, take the field, and run onto the court no matter the price.

Because it’s about so much more.

Shared with permission from Changing Perspectives with Jenni Brennan

Next Pitch Academy T-Shirt Order Form is live! 🎉

Gear up and represent Next Pitch Academy in style!

We’re placing a mass order for our academy t-shirts, and we’ve got multiple colors and sizes available! Order form closes on June 22 and shirts will be available for pickup by July 13!

Next Pitch Academy T-Shirt Order Form Gear up and represent Next Pitch Academy in style! We’re placing a mass order for our academy t-shirts, and we’ve got multiple colors and sizes available so everyone can find their perfect fit. Whether you're at lessons, games, or just out and about, these shirts are a great way to show your NPA...

Softball Pitching Lessons Now Open – Spots Will Go Fast!

I’m excited to announce that Jaelyn Watts will be offering pitching lessons this summer!

Jaelyn is a Rochester High School standout, 2026 CS8 Player of the Year nominee, and has trained with me for nearly a decade. She brings a strong foundation in the same mechanics and drills I teach, along with real, current game experience that makes her incredibly relatable—especially for younger pitchers just getting started.

If your athlete is looking to build confidence, learn the right fundamentals, and grow in the circle, this is a great opportunity.

📅 Lesson Details
• Dates: June 9 – August 20, 2026
• 30-minute private lessons
• $30 per session
• Location: 1215 Bunn St., Springfield (near UIS softball fields)

👉 Individual time slots are available through the signup below.
👉 We highly recommend booking multiple weeks to lock in your preferred time each week.

Softball Pitching Lessons with Jaelyn Watts Ready to Get Started in the Circle? We’re excited to open up sign-ups for pitching lessons with Jaelyn Watts—a high school standout, Rochester High School graduate/incoming college pitcher, and 2026 CS8 Player of the Year nominee. Jaelyn has trained under Tina Buck-Harth for nearly a decade, dev...

First broken bat at Next Pitch!

Sarah Gray-Belcon must have been throwing the heater that night! 🔥

Looking for a fun and productive way for your young athlete to spend their holiday morning? Join us at Next Pitch Softball Academy for our Memorial Day Fastpitch Softball Camp!

Designed specifically for ages 5-8, this camp is the perfect opportunity to build confidence and sharpen those diamond skills.

🗓️ Camp Details:
• Date: Monday, May 25
• Time: 9 AM – 11 AM
• Location: Next Pitch Academy, 1215 Bunn St., Springfield, IL
• Price: $40

🥎 What to Expect:
Led by Academy owners Tina Buck-Harth and Sarah Gray-Belcon—both Hall of Fame former collegiate players and long-time Central Illinois coaches—your player will dive into:

• Hitting & Fielding fundamental skill development
• Small Group Stations for personalized coaching
• Fun Games & Contests to keep the energy high!

📲 Ready to Play?
Don't wait—spots are limited! Scan the QR code in the image or visit the link below to register today:

🔗 https://tinyurl.com/4nt7awdz

Important read to remember when the chaos of running to all the activities seems overwhelming. It is a blessing to see our kids pursuing the things they love and one day we will look back and think “these are the good ole’ days.”

If your life lets you take your kids to practice,
if you’re the one on the bleachers,
the one in the front row with a phone that never has enough storage . . .

you are already successful.

Because one day the car will be quiet.
The uniforms will be tucked away.
The performances will be memories.

And what will matter most is that you were there—
clapping, cheering, showing up
for all the little moments that turned out to be the big ones.

If you get to be present, exhausted, and right in the middle of it all . . .
you are blessed.

-Her View From Home