Catching You: A Dad and Daughter's Dive into Softball
Misfits, Diamond Queens, Sweet Heat, and the Cotton Candy Crushers. Team Mizuno, BatBusters, Athletics Mercado. Those of you in the softball space will relate to team names like these. All have their stories. We have ours.
Our goal is to tell our story in hopes the next generation of softball players and parents, along with other sports, will be able to navigate through those ups and downs in a positive way.
Catching You: A Dad and Daughter's Dive into Softball
83 | REPLAY Episode 31: Hard Truths About Softball Dads, Travel Ball & Coaching with Sam Banister
What happens when a former NCAA champ, a current college pitcher, and a high school softball dad sit down to talk parenting, pressure, and playing the game? Fireworks, laughs, and some real talk.
In this full-length episode of Catching You, Rusty and Lacie Ham are joined by the outspoken and inspiring Sam Banister—a two-time national champion turned travel ball coach and private instructor. Together, they unpack the realities most people are afraid to say out loud, including:
- When “helping” becomes pressure—and how dads can do better
- How Sam’s own pitching journey ended in the eighth grade (and why she never looked back)
- Coaching red flags: why Sam picks parents over talent
- The cost of chasing every tournament and the myth of "national" teams
- NIL deals, the transfer portal, and what college softball is really like now
- What happens when TikTok goes viral and softball turns into a platform
You’ll laugh, shake your head, and maybe even cry as Sam shares stories that every softball parent, coach, or athlete needs to hear. This episode is packed with teachable moments, raw truths, and a ton of heart.
👀 Part 2 drops next week!
📍 To learn more about Sam’s camps and private instruction, visit BasesLoadedFlorida.com
👇 Like, comment, and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes journeys from softball’s front lines.
#CatchingYou #SoftballPodcast #SamBanister #TravelBallTruths #FatherDaughterPodcast #CollegeSoftball #SoftballParenting
A couple of years ago, as a family, we created family core values. One of them is, "We face challenges with optimism while displaying a growth mindset." We wanted to tell our story so others, who relate, can navigate through these challenges better. Contributing to our Podcast will show we're on the right track and we're making a difference to those who have similar stories. Buy Us A Coffee
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