Hi. Thanks for being here. My name is Amy Feitelson. I’m a washed-up Division I softball player who still has a great passion for teaching the game as well as sharing the crazy lessons I’ve learned over the years as a player, coach, parent, and, at times, a pretty big jerk. Am I an expert in all things softball? Well, most days I like to think I am, but the truth is, I still have a lot to learn myself. That’s why started this blog – to share what I have learned and learn from others at the same time. I’m excited for this platform to be very interactive!
While my focus is softball, because it’s what I’ve always known I’m good at, many of the topics can and should be applied to other sports, activities and can even be utilized in a professional atmosphere! That said, I guess I should really tell you a little about who I am. I’ve already said my name, but why should you listen to anything I have to say? Well, I maybe you shouldn’t. Ha! I do not have a degree in sport psychology (but have greatly thought about pursuing this because it is SO interesting to me) or any kind of PhD. I have not coached on any significant level or have any kind of notable content to speak of. I am just a coach and a mom writing a blog based on life experience and interactions with people – all kinds of people! I have developed content over the years that has helped my team overcome obstacles and become better ball players and people. I have seen athletes develop at a rapid rate through giving lessons, participating in practices and learning to be coachable kids. I have been through the recruiting process (ok, it’s changed *A LOT* in 20 years, but the concepts are still similar) and I was a successful college athlete who was a four-year starter. Truth be told – I’m not great at failure and I’m a sore loser so I have had to develop constructive ways to cope with both and that’s a lot of my *why* and my *what* here.
Let me start from the beginning. I have loved the game of softball (really baseball, but shhh…. don’t tell my secrets!) since before I could actually play. I have two older brothers, and as my mom tells it, I was at the ballpark from birth – literally because my parents had no other choice! I have fond memories of running around like a feral child on Saturdays while my brothers played ball, my parents volunteered, or my dad coached. When I say softball is in my DNA. I mean my love for it is embedded in who I am, and my passion began at a very early age. I started playing tee ball as soon as I was old enough – at age 5. Little League was in every ballpark, so all-stars and dreams of the Little League World Series was legit what drove us to compete.
That began to change around my 11 year old season and travel ball was introduced. The very first travel ball team I played on was called the Nashville Nighthawks, and we were based out of my local ballpark. Basically, the guy who started the Nighthawks set the stage for every travel team model going forward. He took what was our all-star team from the local league and created a travel team; however, what is really different from then to now is we were truly a travel team. We only played one, two if we were lucky, local tournaments. So, I guess softball has ruled my life for the last 28 years with just a 3–4-year hiatus in there after college.
Speaking of college, I am of the 1% of high school softball players that had the opportunity to Division I softball. Yes, I say that like I’m proud because I am. It is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life to have represented Austin Peay State University on the softball field as a starter for four years and one of my greatest joys is knowing that I have sisters for life that came from that program. I was recruited by one of the most caring, compassionate, tough as nails coaches I have ever known and loved. Unfortunately, she only coached me for my first two years. My last two years, I played for a man who taught me a lot of lessons about the type of leader I don’t want to be. My time at APSU taught me more about myself, who I want to be, who I don’t want to be and the demons I had to overcome than any other experience of my life.
When I graduated college, I had plans to stay in Clarksville, give catching lessons, and pursue a master’s degree in public administration. I wanted to learn Arabic and serve in the federal government, but life had different plans for me. One day I was at my best friend’s parents’ house while she was visiting from Orlando, and we were talking about my plans after school. I made the joke that I was going to pack up and move to Orlando with her. Her response was, “You’ll never move away too far away from Nashville. You’d definitely never move to Orlando.” Well, if there’s one thing you should know about me it’s if you tell me I can’t do something, I will most certainly make it my mission to accomplish it. Facts! I moved to Orlando six months later to complete a six month internship at Walt Disney World that turned into four years. In that time, I met my prince charming, Jon, and then I dragged that Jersey boy to Nashville. We planted roots here and have two beautiful princesses, Belle and Anna (and yes, before you ask, we DID name them after princesses!) who now play softball.
While I stayed active playing slow pitch softball in Orlando, I really dug in when I moved back to Nashville in 2010. It was then that I started giving private lessons in catching, hitting, fielding and throwing. A few years later I started coaching at the very league I grew up at. Then a few years later I started coaching my niece’s softball team. After taking a year off, I started a non-profit travel team and currently coach 12U and 10U. So, while I’m not a professional coach or content creator, I have many years of experience in coaching, teaming and instructing.
My profession is somewhat in the air right now. After 13 years, I was recently let go. I was sad about it for a while, but now I realize this might be God’s way of making me pursue other dreams and talents. Over the last 13 years in a corporate environment, I realize I have utilized many skills I learned playing the game I love in my professional career, and in turn, I have also used the skills I’ve developed as a professional and a mom to be a better coach. I’m excited to share all of it with you!