Softball isn’t baseball — and coaching young female athletes requires a completely different approach. In this episode of the Sweet Spot Podcast, Coach JC Gutierrez, Head Softball Coach at St. Thomas University (STU), shares his journey from baseball to becoming a two-time Coach of the Year in college softball. We explore the challenges and opportunities in youth softball, why early access to the game matters, and how community involvement can transform the sport for young athletes.

From his roots in competitive baseball to leading one of the top softball programs in the country, JC opens up about the unique dynamics of coaching girls, building strong team culture, and the role of mentorship in player development. He discusses why youth softball participation lags behind baseball, the importance of practicing fundamentals, and how to create more opportunities for young female athletes to succeed.

💬 In This Episode:

• Why softball coaching requires a different mindset than baseball.
• The biggest youth softball challenges and how to fix them.
• How mentorship and leadership shaped JC’s coaching career.
• The power of relationships in building winning programs.
• Why fundamentals and teamwork beat chasing early wins.

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