Pitchers have unique training demands, and managing them the right way can be the difference between progress and burnout.

In Episode 76 of the OGX Podcast, Ashley Sunshine leads a discussion with James and Laura McDonald on the intersection of pitching and strength conditioning. They break down how to balance workload, recovery, and performance while improving communication between pitching and strength coaches.

Join the OGX Community to connect with athletes and coaches focused on performance and player development:
https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com/products/ogx-community-membership

#softball #pitching #strengthconditioning #ogxpodcast

Bat speed or perfect mechanics, which one truly separates great hitters?

In Episode 75 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Kealia Wysocki explore hitting mechanics, strength, and bat speed, sharing insights from biomechanical data and real coaching experience. They discuss why chasing perfect form often limits performance and how balancing speed, power, and simplicity can unlock true hitting potential.

Join the OGX Community to connect with the OGX team and coaches:
https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com/products/ogx-community-membership

📅 Community-Only releases drop every other Wednesday at 10 AM CT.

#softball #hitting #athletedevelopment #ogxpodcast

When should athletes start training?

In Episode 74 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Laura McDonald explore the timing and readiness of athlete training. They discuss emotional and social maturity, individualized training, and how athletes can take ownership of their development journey.

This episode offers valuable insight for coaches, parents, and athletes navigating the path from team-based to individualized training.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Plyo Program Course: https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com/products/building-an-individualized-plyo-program-for-softball-pitchers
Save 10% with code OGXPOD at: https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com

What does September 1st really mean for athletes?

In Episode 73 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald discuss the misconceptions around September 1st and the pressure young athletes face during recruiting. They share how data, development timelines, and communication can help reshape how coaches and players approach the recruiting process.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/CReg6U9_Yf4
Or listen wherever you listen to your podcasts each week.

Save 10% on OGX’s Shop with code OGXPOD: https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com

How much can force plates really tell us about pitching?

In Episode 72 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Laura McDonald explore how data from force plates is changing the way pitchers train and perform. They discuss stride foot dynamics, energy transfer, timing, and the effects of recent rule changes on softball pitching.

Learn how understanding impulse and biomechanics can help athletes move more efficiently and reduce injury risk.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/MZlM0UAjvAw

Listeners can save 10% on OGX’s Shop with code OGXPOD: https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com

In Episode 71 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald share insights from their recent college road tour and explore how data is shaping the future of athlete development. They dig into the nuances of performance metrics, the differences between youth and college athlete training, and the role of coaches in interpreting data.

The conversation highlights the importance of balancing data-driven analysis with the personal connection required to guide athletes effectively. From recognizing biases in coaching to using variability in training methods, the hosts emphasize that growth comes from both numbers and relationships. Looking ahead, they discuss how the evolution of coaching will increasingly rely on data without losing sight of the athlete as a whole person.

In Episode 70 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald take a deep dive into pitching and hitting assessments, focusing on the concept of inefficiencies. They unpack how biomechanical assessments can identify areas for growth while also warning against boxing athletes into rigid categories. The conversation emphasizes the importance of athlete goals, context, and the unique challenges of youth development where physical changes are constant.

From exit velocity and bat speed in hitting assessments to the nuances of pitching mechanics, the hosts explain why chasing metrics without understanding their implications can create more problems than solutions. They highlight how compensations in movement patterns can be misunderstood and why coaches must weigh the risk-reward balance in training. Finally, the episode addresses the gap between youth and college-level training and calls for a holistic approach that prioritizes long-term athlete development.

In this episode of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Laura McDonald dive into the evolution of OGX’s college partnerships and how they are transforming athlete development. They discuss how self-sufficiency is being built within programs, the integration of advanced technology for training, and the role of data-driven coaching in player development. The conversation emphasizes that while technology and assessments provide powerful insights, the true goal is simple: making athletes better through informed training practices.

In this episode of the OGX Podcast, Laura McDonald and Jamnes Cameron dive into the role of strength and conditioning in softball and how it directly connects to pitching performance. They highlight the importance of collaboration between coaches and strength trainers, the challenges within college athletics, and the role of the "Big Five" movement qualities in maintaining athlete performance. The conversation emphasizes how communication, consistency, and smart adaptations can improve training programs, prevent injuries, and unlock a higher level of development for pitchers and athletes.

Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald recap Pitchstock 2025, highlighting the most important lessons for coaches, parents, and athletes. From addressing the physiological changes in female athletes to integrating data into coaching decisions, they outline how to close gaps in pitching education and elevate player development.

You will learn:

• Why pitching and strength training must be more connected

• How puberty impacts performance and development

• The value of disrupting traditional coaching methods

• How data reveals overlooked pitching strategies

• Why collaboration between coaches and medical professionals matters

• How community growth can elevate the future of pitching education

Recorded live at Pitchstock 2025, this episode brings you straight into the heart of softball’s ultimate pitching conference. The OGX team and guest speakers share candid insights on player development, coaching strategies, and the evolving role of performance data in the sport.

You will hear discussions on:

• How to turn data into real on-field results

• Building individualized pitching programs

• The importance of movement quality and mechanics

• Lessons from top coaches at Pitchstock 2025

• Navigating the challenges of youth and collegiate athlete development

Whether you are a coach, athlete, or parent, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can apply immediately.

Krista, Ashley, and Laura are back together in this episode to break down the real reason cookie-cutter training plans fall short. From strength and conditioning to pitching and hitting development, they share what true individualization looks like and how coaches can actually apply it.

Topics Covered:

• How individualization impacts pitching and hitting development

• Why strength and skill need to be aligned

• Using data to make informed decisions

• The difference between mechanics and patterns

• Why experimentation leads to better training

• How to take ownership of coaching outcomes

This episode is a must for coaches ready to ditch the copy-paste model and build training plans that truly fit their athletes.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VkUakrUwAJI
Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In Episode 64, Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald take a deep dive into the off-season realities for high school athletes. They break down how to help athletes recharge, reassess, and re-enter training with purpose. This episode focuses on recovery, biomechanics assessments, and creating smarter training plans that prioritize long-term performance and athlete well-being.

Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode offers practical advice on how to make the most of the off-season without burning out.

🔗 Learn more about OGX Assessments: https://go.ogxsoftball.com/ogx-softball-biomechanics-assessment

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

Returning to the mound after injury takes more than rest. It takes a proven protocol, a strong communication loop, and a deep understanding of biomechanics.

In this episode, the OGX team breaks down what that process should look like. They cover the difference between a real return to pitching protocol and just playing catch, why understanding the kinetic chain matters, and how sports medicine and coaching staff need to stay aligned.

They also discuss how biomechanics and in-game data play a role in decision-making, player development, and performance longevity.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fYy1AB9Zymg

#ogxpodcast #pitchingprotocols #softballpitching #playerdevelopment #rehabtraining #athletedevelopment #sportsmedicine

How much is too much for youth pitchers?

In Episode 62, we’re digging into the messy middle of youth softball and baseball development. From pitch count guidelines to the physical toll of puberty, this episode is for every parent, coach, and young athlete navigating the early stages of competitive sports.

We break down:

• Why pitch counts matter—but aren’t the full answer

• What puberty does to mechanics, mindset, and injury risk

• The challenge of teaching proper pitching skills without the right resources

• Why movement variability and power are essential for long-term development

• How collaboration between coaches, parents, and governing bodies can help protect young athletes

Whether you're raising a young pitcher or coaching one, this is the conversation that needs to happen.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

#softball #pitchcounts #youthsports #puberty #softballcoaching #ogxpodcast #athletedevelopment

In Episode 61 of the OGX Podcast, the team explores the layered role of data in coaching and player development. From system-wide training models to individual athlete assessments, they break down how data can elevate performance when paired with experience and context. The conversation addresses the realities coaches face in adapting to the evolving sports science landscape and why data collection is just the beginning.

Topics include:
• The three layers of performance data
• The art of decision-making in coaching
• Why context and application matter
• Training systems that empower athletes
• Finding the balance between data and feel

This episode is a must-listen for coaches, trainers, and performance professionals who want to make sense of the metrics and create real outcomes for athletes.

#ogxpodcast #playerdevelopment #sportsanalytics #athletedevelopment #coachingstrategies #biomechanics

In Episode 60, the OGX team reflects on the podcast journey and digs deep into the role of biomechanics and sports science in athlete development. They break down why actionable data matters, the disconnect between coaches and labs, and how substance always outweighs style when it comes to performance metrics.You'll hear insights on the importance of partnerships in data collection, understanding norms, and why academic research often misses the mark in practical coaching. This episode is a must-listen for coaches, trainers, and anyone navigating the performance data landscape.Key Topics:• Actionable insights vs. flashy data• Why norms matter in evaluating athletes• Bridging the gap between research and results• Authenticity in coaching and development#ogxpodcast #sportsperformance #biomechanics #athletedevelopment #datadriven #coachinginsights

In Episode 59 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald dive into the importance of using the right tools, assessments, and training strategies to support athlete development.

They break down how strength and conditioning impacts skill acquisition, why feedback loops are essential, and what coaches can do to adapt training environments for each individual athlete. The group also explores the disconnect in how hitting and pitching are often developed and how to bridge that gap through better coaching systems.

Key topics include:

• Designing feedback-driven environments

• Why assessments matter (and how to use them)

• Navigating failure in the training process

• Merging skill work with physical prep

• Adapting hitting & pitching training for growth

Whether you're working with youth athletes or advanced players, this episode offers insights you can apply right away.

#ogxpodcast #softballtraining #skilldevelopment #athletedevelopment #strengthandconditioning

Pitchstock is more than an event, it’s a movement shaping the future of softball pitching. In this episode, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald take you behind the scenes to explore how it started, what makes it different, and why every coach should be paying attention.

Get a glimpse of the collaborative, action-driven energy that makes Pitchstock a can't-miss opportunity for softball coaches and leaders.

🎟️ Want in? Visit https://go.ogxsoftball.com/pitchstock-2025?_kx=

#softballpitching #pitchstock #softballcoaching #ogxpodcast

In this episode, Krista, Ashley, and Laura dive into the momentum building behind women’s sports. From NIL expansion to MLB’s investment in the AUSL, the game is changing fast.

They unpack what this growth means for athletes, coaches, and the systems surrounding women’s sports. With professional models emerging and new resources taking shape, it’s time to rethink how we support the next generation of athletes.

This isn’t just a moment, it’s a movement.