Margo Ostarticki: I remember being like, hell yeah, that was awesome.
Rob D.: and I just love your authenticity and you're like, I'm about to to get a little emotional here The pitcher wants a bigger strike zone, the batter wants a smaller strike zone. But when you're standing in the circle and then stepping into the batter's box, which strike zone would you rather have? Let's find out. Welcome to the Softball Central Podcast, your comprehensive look into the world of fast pitch softball. In softball, being a pitcher, a hitter, a coach, a mentor takes a special kind of player. Former Texas AM Corpus Christi standout, Margot Ostarticki did it all at the Division I level. Today she brings her incredible passion for the game straight to you through softball with Margot. Welcome to the show, Margot.
Margo Ostarticki: Hi, how's it going?
Rob D.: Good. So the first thing I wanted to ask you about is what is the most common mechanical flaw you see in youth pictures today?
Margo Ostarticki: lot of it depends on who the pitcher is. I would say the biggest thing that you should probably work on is basic mechanics. A lot of times when girls aren't throwing well, it's because their legs. Either they're striding out too far or the big word is stacked. When you see girls trying to throw a lot with their chest, it feels like they're doing a lot, but in retrospect, it's really not doing a ton. Especially when pitchers get tired, their legs. Like everyone thinks like it's the arm, it's the arm, it's arm, it's really your legs, your legs are tired. You've been jumping literally a hundred times off the mound and when your legs go, your whole motion goes. So I would say making sure that you have a good solid like foundation from the waist down would really help every pitcher become faster, more accurate, throw with more spin and just try not to do too much with. the top half, all your power is gonna come from your drive and your bottom half. The other thing I kind of see a lot of is pitchers pulling instead of just whipping. And in their brain, they're thinking like, I'm trying, I'm trying, and everyone's like, you need to do more. And they are trying to do physically more, but truly it would serve their body if they relax and whip the arm rather than pulling the shoulder. I think those are the two major things that I see on a... an average basis when it comes to youth pitchers. And of course, the mental aspect is like thinking to do more than rather just let your training sink in. Mechanically, if you keep thinking about what you need to do is probably not the best thing to do in a game. You have to go back to like the bullpen. So all you can do as a pitcher in a game is your best what you have that day. And then you can, you know, the next day, go back and see what you can fix mechanically. But I would say The main thing is probably the bottom half not being strong enough or mechanically sound where they can use their top half the most efficient way.
Rob D.: Gotcha. Now if let do you see a difference too if let's say it's an two count and they're coming down or if it's a three count, do you think that they they stress out a little bit more and try and do too much on a three count to try and get that ball over the plate?
Margo Ostarticki: would say I see it more when it's 02. They really want to get that girl out and it's so cool to see you did it in three pitches. But truly, it's more about, especially at more like 14s, second year 12s, 16s, 18s, it's like setting up where you don't have to, you don't give away a hit that they didn't deserve because you wanted to blow it by them. We could say, are you a thrower or are you a pitcher? And a thrower is just basically someone that's gonna get a sign from their coach or catcher or whatever and throw it. And a pitcher sees the why behind each pitch calling that we have. It's like telling a story. So I would say if you could slow down and really think about the why behind each call, you would become a way better pitcher than you would just like seeing the sign and trying to throw it.
Rob D.: this episode is sponsored by Team Coach Shu. Are you training to get tired or training to get better? Team Coach Shu isn't about surviving the workout, it's intentional training for speed, explosiveness, and first step quickness. Their structured eight-week programs tracks real matrix to make you a dominant athlete. Stop just sweating and start performing. Call 619-370-6328 or click on the booking link in the show notes to schedule your first workout. so y you're you're a powerhouse at the plate in in Corpus Christi at Texas A and there. you're also a a key starter for the Islanders. How did you balance the mental demands of stepping into the batter's box right after throwing like say a tough inning in the circle?
Margo Ostarticki: You have to separate the fact that if you had a bad inning, go have a good game, you know, a good plate appearance. And a lot of times I was like, dude, I'm going to hit this ball because I got to do it for my team. And that was just kind of the player that I was. You know, it's funny, I don't think anyone really like understands the mental capacity that comes with pitching and hitting. When I was recruited to A Corpus, I was recruited as a pitcher and a hitter. And that they were supposed have two other girls that were gonna stay. And they ended up not staying. So it ended up being me as a freshman. Mind you, our graduation year, 06, we were pitching at 40 feet in high school, That was the first time we were transitioning into 43 feet to college, when you add three feet, it's a big difference, right? So I went from literally being probably the best in my city to being not good. Freshman year, I gave up 35 home runs. My ERA, I don't even know what it was. Don't look at it, don't Google it, okay? And I had to realize how humbling it would be to be at this level. Because when you're on the top of the world, your junior, senior year in high school, you go and play with people that were just as good as you and you're all together now, I mean, my first game I pitched against, think, I think it was like some ridiculously big, I think it was like Northwestern, which is like, you know, they were so good at the time and I was just this, I was just turning 18 when I got to college. So I was a very young freshman and man, humbling, humbling. Now hitting, that was a different story. But for pitching, it was, It was harder, right? And so my freshman year, my coach leaves. She decides to resign and we get a new coach and the coach saw the stats and he was like, you're terrible. You're just going to be a hitter. And I was like, well, I'm not like, okay, you know, and so you have to basically do whatever you can to, you know, fulfill your role on the team. And so my role on that team was to not be in bullpen. And then people quit and I was back in the bullpen. So I went from not pitching for nine months to pitching in a division one level. And over time, obviously, I got back like kind of riding a bike, And I did my best and we were terrible, And then my junior year, he said the same thing, I recruited girls, I don't need you to pitch, you're just gonna hit. I was like, okay. And mind you, to me, I wanted to pitch, but I knew he knew what he had recruited and I was fine with whatever, you know, kind of bought into his system, right? Same thing happened is, know, girls didn't make their grades or, you know, things just happen in college. and ended up being in the bullpen again. And I pitched more than I ever thought I would. And so by my senior year, I looked at them I go, I'm gonna pitch this year. I don't care what you say, I'm gonna stay the bullpen, I'm gonna practice, I'm gonna do all the things, because what I was basically having to do was get back into pitching shape, and I wasn't being able to give my best product because I was in the mindset that I wasn't gonna have to. when all these pitchers are pitching year round and I'm not and I get thrown back in the bullpen because I'm a teammate, I really want to be successful. And over time, with practice, what do know, practice, I was able to be a very competitive pitcher I probably should have advocated a little bit more for myself, but in hindsight, it was something that I realized I did whatever was best for my team, whether it served me well or not. I was willing to sacrifice anything because I believed in the team. So I would say over time, I became tougher and tougher on the mound because I knew that I could do it one, and two, it was already the worst, so it could have only gotten better, And by my senior year, my curveball was awesome and I could compete and it was awesome. I tell my young pitchers I hit, I'm like, know, like, cause all my pitchers on my travel team, like they're great hitters. And so we depend on them to pitch, we depend on them to hit. And if they're not doing one well, they feel like they're failing everyone. And I said, look, even sometimes I'm like, I don't even care if you can hit the ball today. I just need you to be locked in on the mound. I need you to do your job on the mound. And it kind of takes a little bit of pressure off of them, but I can totally understand like the head space that comes with being. you know, the third hitter or the, you know, the one that's always getting on base and then having to go throw lights out. I do think it takes like a special person to manage all that, but I do think it's obtainable as we've seen, you know, from certain people. But being a coach now, it's like I can manage, I can see where it gets really stressful for some of them and I try to slow down the game a little bit for them. And then just take that pressure off. Like your job is just to have a good at bat. Quality at bat that we can work with, be a competitor and then whatever happens at the end, you're still a really great hitter. Even if you're not hitting well when you're pitching, you're vice versa.
Rob D.: Margot, I absolutely love your answers to that question. I love that you were like, okay, my role was to be a hitter and so I'm gonna be the best hitter I can be and when I need to go in and pitch, I'm gonna go in and and and pitch. So that's really excellent. I love that. Great,
Margo Ostarticki: We have some.
Rob D.: great story. looking back at your time at Texas A and Cor Corpus Christi, is there a single game or matchup or moment that stands out above the rest while during your time there.
Margo Ostarticki: That place is... I'm gonna get like emotional. That
Rob D.: I love it. Yes.
Margo Ostarticki: place is special because it was the best fit for me. I loved the school and I loved being there. And so I would say my senior, senior weekend, we were playing UTA and like, I think we had to win two out of three to... get to the conference tournament. And I think I pitched really well on Saturday. And I think we won that one. And then I hit a walk off home run. I think I hit a walk off home run, I think the Saturday game. And I remember like it was yesterday and it was so surreal. Cause it was just like our last game on that field and my last like home, home game for the Islanders. And I hit it right center and I hit the crap out of the ball.
Rob D.: I love it.
Margo Ostarticki: And I remember when it came off my bat, I was like, we're done, bro. We won this game. And
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: I remember being like, hell yeah, that was awesome. I would also say like there was moments with teammates that like I'm still friends with that we went through really hard times together. We went through, you know, fun and they've made me who I am today. So I would say like the teammates that I had were so special. And but I would say probably that game was like my favorite game for sure.
Rob D.: Thanks for sharing that and I just love your authenticity and you're like, I'm about to to get a little emotional here and I I love that. Thanks for sharing that story. I I when when you first said I love that, I'm like, You're you're loving that she's gonna cry What are you, Oprah?
Margo Ostarticki: You know, it's weird because it's it's not the fact that I, it was just such a defining moment. Like college defines people, you know, and you figure out who you are and your mom's not telling you what to do or eat or, you know, go anywhere. And you're really trying to become something different. And I feel like Corpus did that for me. Like it was, I was able to be crazy at times. I was able to make choices and, you know, kind of rape. the percussions of those and also like just learn from, I had seniors my freshman year and they were so direct and I thought, who are you? And then when I was a senior, I was like, dang, I should have listened to them. Like, what did I know? I was just an 18 year old girl that was just like fresh out the coop, ready to just do anything, you know? I felt invincible. So I do think like if you're getting insight from seniors that have been there to listen to them because they've done what you've done. They've done it four years, know, sometimes five, I guess now, but.
Rob D.: That's another over the show.
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, they care, and they're only saying it to care. They care about them, they care about the program, they care about you, and they needed me, and I should have heard them a little bit more openly, you know?
Rob D.: And folks, you heard it here first. Listen to the seniors. What was your your go to reset routine as a pitcher when an inning started to get out of hand? did you have something that you did to get you back in?
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, I think, well, every pitch I would walk to the back circle, touch the dirt, walk back to the circle, touch the dirt. And I think that was kind of something that subconsciously I did. No one kind of told me I needed to have this, but I think that was my, that pitch is gone, reset, sweaty hands, get dry again, and move on. I would say I'm a big breath person. Not that I have this routine, but even my husband's like, what's wrong with you? I was like, I'm just taking a breath.
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: You know, like, relax, dude, it's all good. So that would be something that I would probably do every, I mean, every pitch, every pitch. And I would just try to find someone that I connected with that season and just look at them and be like, okay, they got me, you know? It's really important for pitchers to feel that way because I think a lot of times girls feel like if they're making contact that you're not doing your job. But my narrative to my pitchers now is like, dude, 21-outs, ground balls, pop-ups, that's easy money. Everyone's involved, everyone's having fun, and you're pitching less. Strikeout pitchers have to pitch a lot. They have to pitch a lot of pitches. Don't get me wrong, strikeouts are cool. We love those too. But I would say knowing you can't do it all by yourself is important, and having a defense behind you, and you looking at them and be like, dude, I got you. I'm like, right. I'm gonna calm down, I'm gonna hit my spots. I'm gonna think about what I'm gonna do before I do it. I don't have to do it all by myself.
Rob D.: How did your experience as a student athlete shape shape your leadership style today as a coach, content creator? how does that play into things for you?
Margo Ostarticki: I would say at, I feel like I've always kind of been a leader of sorts. mean, my parents kind of raised us to, do the right thing and make sure that you're example for all. And we believe that Jesus wants us to all be leaders. And I even
Rob D.: Amen.
Margo Ostarticki: told my husband, like, we just, if we aren't making our kids what we want to see in youth sports, we're not being a good example. Nobody cares what you're saying. Sometimes you kind of have to separate yourself from like the you know general team because you are Leading,
Rob D.: I I like how you said, you know, lead by example. It reminds me of a saying that I love is don't tell me, show me. What is your like fundamental philosophy when developing young pitchers? I know we talked a little bit about velocity. Are you trying to Teach them just to hit a spot without any movement on the ball. Like what w what how do you approach that?
Margo Ostarticki: Well, you every pitcher has like six pitches, right? No, they don't. They don't have six pitches.
Rob D.: I know. They think they do.
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, and I think it's, there is a, like a buildup, maybe like a pyramid of where you should be. And I would say if you're pitching for sample and you're at a young age and you're feeling like soreness or pain where you shouldn't, not from overuse, but like from your actual mechanics, that's a red flag that you should probably go back and look at kind of what you're doing. I would say over time when we were training pitchers, especially in my early 20s doing pitching lessons all the time, the more that we did the pitch and the more that the fundamentals got better, the faster they pitched. mean, it makes total sense. A lot of times, too, girls try to overwork one part or the other and I always just tell them, let that body part do what they need to do and don't let the shoulder do the whip. Let that arm fall and stride out big. I think it's hard because there's so many things going on in the motion. Like when you look at a softball pitcher's motion, you're like, my God, like that is a lot, you know? And it is, it's wild, it's wild that we teach these kids this, but I would say like, fundamentally, I would start with definitely just a fast ball. You should spot your fast ball, see that you can hit, you know, every little spot. There's even a video of this little girl. We would just put a ball on a tee. and she would have to the ball off the tee before she could leave. And it was like this simple, simple drill, you know? And when she hit it, she was like, dude, I'm like, I know. It feels so good to accomplish
Rob D.: Yeah for me.
Margo Ostarticki: something so hard. And I would say working from there, and of course, no one's going anywhere to play college stop ball if they don't have a change up. I mean, maybe, maybe they are, I don't know. But I would say you should probably have a change up. So I would say the change up is like the next pitch to learn, you know, having a fastball change up. then to me, this is my big theory and I've never really like discussed it like heavy on, but like not every body type is going to serve every single movement pitch. I don't know if I could put it into a box, but like when I look at girls strides, that kind of dictates if you're curveball, screwball pitcher, drawball, riseball pitcher. If you cannot get back to go under the ball, you're not gonna be a riseball pitcher. It's okay, you don't have to be. There's a ton of other ways pitches you can have or set up pitches or strikeout pitches or whatever. But I would say if there could be a service that people looked at emotion from a fastball perspective and said, I think the next pitch that you would have best would be a drawball or whatever. And so when I get these girls that I'm like, maybe trying out for our team or whatever, I'm like, hey, what's your first, other than a fast one, a change up, okay? What's your go-to movement pitch to throw a strike, get ahead, whatever? And they tell me, and then they show me, and then when they go onto the other ones, I'm like, you should just forget about that one. You are so much better off mastering these two pitches and throwing it 700 different ways than trying to throw five movement pitches average. Like we have girls on our team that are really great in and out. some girls are really great up and down and like finding your niche and really like honing in on that niche is important. I always tell people my best game of my life I pitched ever senior or junior year in high school. I pitched a curveball and a drop ball all night and my drop ball was so meticulous to me. Like I had to practice it. 10 times more than I ever had to practice curveball. Okay? And don't get me wrong, I had the best game, but for me, the work was so much more and I couldn't really do it continuously through. my drop ball was so erratic. so I just like, okay, I'm gonna like 86 the drop ball. I'm gonna go with the curveball and I learned a screwball in college. And like, I just pitched the crap out of those two and it worked. It was fine. So even if you ask girls in college and I don't know like verbatim what people like, you know, guarantee on, but I would say they probably have two good ones and then they mix in the like maybe a fastball spotted in a change up. So I don't think you have to know all of them. I would say learn the fastball, control it, make sure you can like thread it through a needle, get the change up working where you can throw it for a strike, where you can throw it for a waste, and then just pick two. Be really, really good at two movement pitches and then you'll be fine.
Rob D.: I like that idea though about looking at how they're pitching right now and then figuring out what's the next pitch for them.
Margo Ostarticki: it's not to say they can't learn or change their motion to serve that pitch, but they're just like a natural motion that every girl has. Like their bodies are all different that could dictate faster success and long-term success.
Rob D.: what was your favorite pitch to throw in a three two count with runners in scoring position and why?
Margo Ostarticki: The curveball because it was just to me I could I could spot it I could spin it I could control it That are the screwball. I feel like the screwball is it was something I didn't know until I got to college and This our coach Tina McCauley taught it to me and it was it changed my whole game because Sometimes when you can cut the plate in half, know, like okay, she's only throwing out or she's only throwing this But when you have both sides and you can kind of throw the screw kind of up and in,
Rob D.: Mm
Margo Ostarticki: it definitely, you know, gives a different dynamic to like what the batter is trying to look for. But I would say in some games, I might have thrown the curveball like 90, 95 % of time.
Rob D.: how has the game of of fast pitch softball changed the most?
Margo Ostarticki: Well, one, there's like way more technology that we're able to see stats like, you know, a drop of a hat. That's cool, but also can be very time consuming. And I don't think that stats are, the Bible when it comes to your lineup. I think that they're a tool, but they're not like the end all be all. I would also say that, I mean, when I was in high school in college, like, cell phone, like iPhones were just kind of coming out and people could actually afford them. And I mean, now like you could film your kids at bat, look at it, see the film, like that's what you need to change. And then they could go change it. My dad was like hooking up like a camcorder to a VCR to a DVR, you you're just like took him 45 minutes to set it up. And then by that time, you're like, I'm not even interested in looking at this anymore. And then it was like so hard to rewind it and put it back and whatever. So. That is something very cool, we try to record all the at-bats that we can. I look at Game Changer a lot just to see film, because a lot of times when you're in the moment, you don't feel like I was doing that, and that is the easiest way. You don't say anything as a coach. You just show the kid their swing, and you say, what do you see? And they're always gonna see something negative. So it's always important that you show them a good one. and something they can improve on. So they can define what felt good and what didn't feel good and then what was success and what needs to be fixed. are gonna always, girls are always gonna look like, my hair looks weird. I'm like, we're not looking at your hair, okay? We're looking at your hands. Look at your hands, okay? And so I would say film is way more accessible than it's ever been before, obviously. Also like the safety stuff. Like you only wore a mask in my day if you got hit in the face and you had like, you know, you were trying to not get another concussion. Now masks are everywhere, you know, for pictures for sure. And I think that's great. I mean, these girls are beautiful. Like we don't want them to get pummeled in the face because they got unlucky,
Rob D.: we just interviewed, actually it was a couple of episodes ago, the Neo Mass. That is a new mas
Margo Ostarticki: yeah.
Rob D.: that yeah, and so they can and so it's it's the right fit every time 'cause they can dial it in and I meant that's like really helping with the safety of the game, what inspired you to launch softball with Margot and bring your coaching concepts to social media?
Margo Ostarticki: My dad and I, probably before I was even married, we tried to do stuff online and it wasn't as easy, because there wasn't as many tools online, there wasn't these apps where could edit the film, and we were filming these tutorials, and it of just fizzled out. And then after I had my second baby, I was like, dude, I can do this. I always see someone that's doing it, I'm like, dude, if that person can do it, I can do it. who knew if it was gonna stick or not. And then I was seeing people have success and it was like, looked like fun. And they always say you need, you know, a hobby that makes you money. You need a hobby that brings you joy and then a hobby that you can be creative with. And so I felt like this was gonna be all three of them, you know? And so I just started like randomly posting. And of course, like, if you look back at my other stuff, you're like, know? And I, my high school kids made fun of me and I just was like, dude, I don't care. I don't care. I love softball. I want everyone to know about it. And if it can help one person, it's cool. And so just like anything, you start practicing at it. You start trying to understand one, like algorithms and all that kind of stuff. But really it was just to give somebody that was probably struggling with the fact that they're reading all this stuff online and it's just not that serious. Or like, hey, this is important. You should really look into this. then my husband and I try to like, love to refer people to like everything that's good in our lives. And I thought like, we could refer them to these people because we like them. And just over time, it kind of evolved. And then you meet all these people that are trying to do the same thing or feel that, you know, passionate about a sport. And you've literally grown a community where you're just like, wow, this is so cool, you know. And softball has given us so much, given me so much, meaning like from the relationship with my father that I got to spend so much time with him and working and doing something bigger than myself to traveling all over the United States and getting to go places just because of softball. That's awesome. People don't even get to get on a plane sometimes until they're out of high school or college. then, of course, the community that you, the girls you meet and people you played against. It is a... crazy world the online world is a crazy world and I say the more haters better because it it gets those comments going and that algorithm loves them comments so
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: At first I was like, my gosh, like, you know They're calling me fat or they're calling me this or that and then I just was like I don't even know user 52786 like I don't even know that dude like it's probably some dude that's mad at something else and they just picked my video. And so over time you just learn like, wow, what a weird world you can be in. Now I will say, you can be whoever you wanna be online. And I would say, some people don't even do their research and see is this actually a valid source to be telling me about softball stuff. Because there's some people and I'm like, I get gas lit. I'm like, that's how you throw now? That cannot be how you throw now. And then I look it up and I'm like, I don't even know what that dude, mean, he's, you know, never played before in his life. Like, but he's teaching people how to throw underhand. Like, so don't get me wrong. Like when I see those videos, I can't imagine being a mom and being like, my God, we've been learning the wrong way the entire time. No, you haven't. No, you haven't. You know, and so I do think people like to reinvent the wheel to be relevant. And I don't think that's something that you need to buy into. It's never really like it's it's going to be. the general consensus, like looking at people that are actually having success doing that, like Jenny Fetch. know, she's teaching her, you her daughter plays softball with her on her 12s and now I guess 14s. And then, you you look at all these other people that are posting stuff online, like that's who you need be listening to, you know? I mean, a dad could literally get on here, that's never played softball in his life, and his daughter plays travel ball for three years, and now he's an expert, you know? I'm not saying that he couldn't be an expert in like being a travel ball dad, but that doesn't mean that he can teach her daughter. to hit home runs against an elite, them out on our picture. So
Rob D.: Right.
Margo Ostarticki: everything with a grain of salt. That's what I would say online. Everything with a grain of salt.
Rob D.: We'll be right back with the seventh inning walk off. Welcome back, everybody. this is the seventh inning walk-off. This is a game we play with our guests, and Marg has been so kind to agree to play. it's a trivia game with a couple of opinion questions in there. each trivia question has a point, which we call a run. And if there's a second part for the second point, we call that an RBI. It's a theme on you know softball, seventh inning. So, anyways, are you ready to play, Margot?
Margo Ostarticki: I'm ready.
Rob D.: All right. First question. Y this this should be easy for you. How many home runs did you have in your freshman year at AM Corpus?
Margo Ostarticki: I think I wanted 10.
Rob D.: Nine. Probably came close just with you know, hit the bottom of the fence or something. Okay.
Margo Ostarticki: Seriously.
Rob D.: So how many career home runs did you have?
Margo Ostarticki: 35.
Rob D.: twenty seven.
Margo Ostarticki: Dang, I'm like over shooting. Okay, confident, LL.
Rob D.: Hey, those are those are still good numbers. I love them.
Margo Ostarticki: You know, it felt good. felt right.
Rob D.: Okay, Margot, what year was Texas A and Corpus Christi founded?
Margo Ostarticki: 1947.
Rob D.: Yeah, ding ding ding ding. Dang. Yeah, no hesitation. All right, here's an opinion question.
Margo Ostarticki: Okay, so nine home runs, 27, 1947, okay.
Rob D.: Yeah. Yes. Doing good. I'm gonna give you that first one too, where you said ten, nine. You were you were within the realm, so you got you got that one.
Margo Ostarticki: Basically, yeah, one more game, you know.
Rob D.: Yes, the thirty five twenty seven, we're gonna have to pull that one back. All right,
Margo Ostarticki: Totally, yeah, totally.
Rob D.: so this is an opinion question. No points here available. what's your favorite drill for fastball command?
Margo Ostarticki: Hmm. say that we cut the plate in half and give them like a small target and they have to hit that target five out of ten times and we level up level up each you know try to get ten out of ten times and then there's of course consequences for what we you know have to start over for.
Rob D.: Burpees. All right. you set the single game record at Texas A and Corpus Christi going five for five in April of two thousand and eight. What team did you play that day?
Margo Ostarticki: previewing them.
Rob D.: good yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: Hey, I'll tell you something, that day I forgot my bag in my roommate's car and she wasn't going because she was sick. So I almost didn't have my stuff that game. And then
Rob D.: my gosh.
Margo Ostarticki: my teammate that same game, Kim, went three for whatever and hit a home run over left field, center field, and right field. Like literally hit three
Rob D.: Whoa.
Margo Ostarticki: home runs in a game. I don't know why they kept pitching to her. That was silly, but that was kind of cool.
Rob D.: Yeah. Yeah, that is the alma mater of my nephew Wesley went to Prairieville A and Question number five, true or false. When you retired, you had the all time Islanders records for career home runs and RBIs.
Margo Ostarticki: True.
Rob D.: Very true. for the second part of that, do you know how many RBIs you had f in your career?
Margo Ostarticki: 119?
Rob D.: Ding ding ding ding. What
Margo Ostarticki: Dude, so cool.
Rob D.: what is one song that takes you back to your time at Texas A and Corpus Christi?
Margo Ostarticki: my gosh. Buy You a Drink by T-Pain. That was really fun one.
Rob D.: like it.
Margo Ostarticki: Obviously, anything T-Pain. Drake, the newer side of him. And then, I mean, there was some jams back in the day. You know, we just had the best time. The absolute
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: best time.
Rob D.: All right. Any number seven. Here we go. Can you name one of the Southland Conference honors you received while attending AM Corpus?
Margo Ostarticki: I know I got like academic. Second team academic for me. First team academic. I know I got, I got Southland hitter of the week my senior
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: year. I know that.
Rob D.: So you yeah, you did you just you got both. So you got conference conference hitter of the week, actually won that several times. but Southland all academic team. Yes. That's that's awesome.
Margo Ostarticki: You know, it's funny when that week that I, my junior year when I got that award, was just, February was not my month that year. I was very distracted. And then I hit the ball and my dad was just like, what'd you do different? I was like, I don't know. I just stopped thinking up there and he was like, well, keep doing it. I was like, I know.
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: You know, it's so funny because like sometimes people don't understand, like I tell the girls this a of times, like sometimes the ball looks this big to you. Sometimes it looks this big to you and you don't get to pick those days, you know, you just get to manage how you feel so shut off to the hitters that are so consistent all the time because man we know that on those bad days they They just do their best, you know
Rob D.: Right, right. so we wanna thank you for being here. we talked about a lot of good stuff about you know, obviously about the social media stuff and how there's snakes out there. But what you're doing, your philosophy on teaching, overall your your knowledge and your your way of being is amazing. And I and I and I think that's why so many people like fall in love with you online. I mean, y the the stuff you say, the stuff the the recent one you did about Juco, I must have played that over in my car five times. I just I just kept going over. 'Cause y and you're right. 'Cause those girls Are awesome. Love. Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, they're dogs man like I remember when this girl Kayleigh Jeter came onto our bus like the first time we had like a charter bus going somewhere she goes We're not in Juco anymore, and I said nah girl welcome welcome
Rob D.: And then one other thing I wanted to mention about the the social media, i this this post and I I love the videos, but I also love like the single posts, you know, where where you're you're putting a nice thoughtful thing up there. But this one was things I think softball players are owed, right? a better system to play in college, better concession stand food. I that that For the parents. I was gonna say that's for the parents. Shoot. a good job comment. I th I think that goes a long way. More mental training. Yes please. Yes please. but I had my own one to add to better pants, right? Better pants. I think and this might be for the parents, it should be only white uniforms when playing on all turf fields. Because then you don't have to worry about washing that dirt out of You know.
Margo Ostarticki: Seriously.
Rob D.: and and a break. And we we talked about that as well. Had you know, taking a break, which is good for the mental aspect of it. So Mark go again, thank you for being here. We love your content. If someone is interested in lessons from you tag all your social media, your businesses and everything you have going on. and then you'll send over the link. We will put your link in the show notes. But go ahead and just shamelessly plug as much as you want.
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, so I have a link tree that has all this stuff that I kind of, know, people I work with and the training tools that I use, I would say the biggest thing that I would like to plug is just knowing that like life, your situation your story is 100 % up to you. And there should be no reason that it should be about somebody else. that the point of all this is to give people resources and tools and get a picture that can't play on that team in Florida to come to Oklahoma because they met online. so really like... We wanna put on tournaments that are serving and that have the girls first and they're not just pushing people through that have good umpires. so really I always tell the girls life is perspective. And if you can be grateful for the things that you have and work hard with things you don't, then you're gonna be okay. So if y'all need anything, I'm always open to finding it basically. I work with AeroSwing, that's like a training tool that we use for hand speed. I work with 2D Sports to put on tournaments. Hopefully we'll do some in the spring and fall. And then of course just keep on following because the whole point of this is to serve the sport of softball and to grow it as much as it has because it is such an amazing thing that can serve your family, can serve you as a person, make you a better parent, make you a better player, all that good stuff. Don't get caught up in all the drama because at the end of the day you're going to look up and be like, it just really wasn't, it really wasn't that serious. It was just, it's just thoughtful. It's just something you do. It's not who you are.
Rob D.: Remember everybody, if you enjoyed today's conversation, the easiest way to stay connected is by visiting Softball Central Podcast dot com. You'll find every episode, links to your favorite podcast platform, our YouTube channel, social media, and everything happening with the show. All in one place. Have a question, a guest suggestion, or you'd like to be a guest, or just say hello? We'd love to hear from you. You can call or text three two three nine nine two one one two or send an email to info at softball central podcast dot com. if you believe in what we're doing and you want to help grow the game of softball, please support the podcast. You can find all that information at softball central podcast dot com or by going to Patreon dot com forward slash softball central. Thanks again to Team Coach Shu for the support and sponsorship of this podcast. Team Coach Shu provides intentional training for speed, explosiveness, and first step quickness. Call 619-370-6328 or click on the booking link in the show notes to schedule your visit today. I'm Rob D. And I'm Samara. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Softball Central Podcast. Until next time, put that ball in play. You never know what's going to happen. Ciao.
Rob D.: and I just love your authenticity and you're like, I'm about to to get a little emotional here The pitcher wants a bigger strike zone, the batter wants a smaller strike zone. But when you're standing in the circle and then stepping into the batter's box, which strike zone would you rather have? Let's find out. Welcome to the Softball Central Podcast, your comprehensive look into the world of fast pitch softball. In softball, being a pitcher, a hitter, a coach, a mentor takes a special kind of player. Former Texas AM Corpus Christi standout, Margot Ostarticki did it all at the Division I level. Today she brings her incredible passion for the game straight to you through softball with Margot. Welcome to the show, Margot.
Margo Ostarticki: Hi, how's it going?
Rob D.: Good. So the first thing I wanted to ask you about is what is the most common mechanical flaw you see in youth pictures today?
Margo Ostarticki: lot of it depends on who the pitcher is. I would say the biggest thing that you should probably work on is basic mechanics. A lot of times when girls aren't throwing well, it's because their legs. Either they're striding out too far or the big word is stacked. When you see girls trying to throw a lot with their chest, it feels like they're doing a lot, but in retrospect, it's really not doing a ton. Especially when pitchers get tired, their legs. Like everyone thinks like it's the arm, it's the arm, it's arm, it's really your legs, your legs are tired. You've been jumping literally a hundred times off the mound and when your legs go, your whole motion goes. So I would say making sure that you have a good solid like foundation from the waist down would really help every pitcher become faster, more accurate, throw with more spin and just try not to do too much with. the top half, all your power is gonna come from your drive and your bottom half. The other thing I kind of see a lot of is pitchers pulling instead of just whipping. And in their brain, they're thinking like, I'm trying, I'm trying, and everyone's like, you need to do more. And they are trying to do physically more, but truly it would serve their body if they relax and whip the arm rather than pulling the shoulder. I think those are the two major things that I see on a... an average basis when it comes to youth pitchers. And of course, the mental aspect is like thinking to do more than rather just let your training sink in. Mechanically, if you keep thinking about what you need to do is probably not the best thing to do in a game. You have to go back to like the bullpen. So all you can do as a pitcher in a game is your best what you have that day. And then you can, you know, the next day, go back and see what you can fix mechanically. But I would say The main thing is probably the bottom half not being strong enough or mechanically sound where they can use their top half the most efficient way.
Rob D.: Gotcha. Now if let do you see a difference too if let's say it's an two count and they're coming down or if it's a three count, do you think that they they stress out a little bit more and try and do too much on a three count to try and get that ball over the plate?
Margo Ostarticki: would say I see it more when it's 02. They really want to get that girl out and it's so cool to see you did it in three pitches. But truly, it's more about, especially at more like 14s, second year 12s, 16s, 18s, it's like setting up where you don't have to, you don't give away a hit that they didn't deserve because you wanted to blow it by them. We could say, are you a thrower or are you a pitcher? And a thrower is just basically someone that's gonna get a sign from their coach or catcher or whatever and throw it. And a pitcher sees the why behind each pitch calling that we have. It's like telling a story. So I would say if you could slow down and really think about the why behind each call, you would become a way better pitcher than you would just like seeing the sign and trying to throw it.
Rob D.: this episode is sponsored by Team Coach Shu. Are you training to get tired or training to get better? Team Coach Shu isn't about surviving the workout, it's intentional training for speed, explosiveness, and first step quickness. Their structured eight-week programs tracks real matrix to make you a dominant athlete. Stop just sweating and start performing. Call 619-370-6328 or click on the booking link in the show notes to schedule your first workout. so y you're you're a powerhouse at the plate in in Corpus Christi at Texas A and there. you're also a a key starter for the Islanders. How did you balance the mental demands of stepping into the batter's box right after throwing like say a tough inning in the circle?
Margo Ostarticki: You have to separate the fact that if you had a bad inning, go have a good game, you know, a good plate appearance. And a lot of times I was like, dude, I'm going to hit this ball because I got to do it for my team. And that was just kind of the player that I was. You know, it's funny, I don't think anyone really like understands the mental capacity that comes with pitching and hitting. When I was recruited to A Corpus, I was recruited as a pitcher and a hitter. And that they were supposed have two other girls that were gonna stay. And they ended up not staying. So it ended up being me as a freshman. Mind you, our graduation year, 06, we were pitching at 40 feet in high school, That was the first time we were transitioning into 43 feet to college, when you add three feet, it's a big difference, right? So I went from literally being probably the best in my city to being not good. Freshman year, I gave up 35 home runs. My ERA, I don't even know what it was. Don't look at it, don't Google it, okay? And I had to realize how humbling it would be to be at this level. Because when you're on the top of the world, your junior, senior year in high school, you go and play with people that were just as good as you and you're all together now, I mean, my first game I pitched against, think, I think it was like some ridiculously big, I think it was like Northwestern, which is like, you know, they were so good at the time and I was just this, I was just turning 18 when I got to college. So I was a very young freshman and man, humbling, humbling. Now hitting, that was a different story. But for pitching, it was, It was harder, right? And so my freshman year, my coach leaves. She decides to resign and we get a new coach and the coach saw the stats and he was like, you're terrible. You're just going to be a hitter. And I was like, well, I'm not like, okay, you know, and so you have to basically do whatever you can to, you know, fulfill your role on the team. And so my role on that team was to not be in bullpen. And then people quit and I was back in the bullpen. So I went from not pitching for nine months to pitching in a division one level. And over time, obviously, I got back like kind of riding a bike, And I did my best and we were terrible, And then my junior year, he said the same thing, I recruited girls, I don't need you to pitch, you're just gonna hit. I was like, okay. And mind you, to me, I wanted to pitch, but I knew he knew what he had recruited and I was fine with whatever, you know, kind of bought into his system, right? Same thing happened is, know, girls didn't make their grades or, you know, things just happen in college. and ended up being in the bullpen again. And I pitched more than I ever thought I would. And so by my senior year, I looked at them I go, I'm gonna pitch this year. I don't care what you say, I'm gonna stay the bullpen, I'm gonna practice, I'm gonna do all the things, because what I was basically having to do was get back into pitching shape, and I wasn't being able to give my best product because I was in the mindset that I wasn't gonna have to. when all these pitchers are pitching year round and I'm not and I get thrown back in the bullpen because I'm a teammate, I really want to be successful. And over time, with practice, what do know, practice, I was able to be a very competitive pitcher I probably should have advocated a little bit more for myself, but in hindsight, it was something that I realized I did whatever was best for my team, whether it served me well or not. I was willing to sacrifice anything because I believed in the team. So I would say over time, I became tougher and tougher on the mound because I knew that I could do it one, and two, it was already the worst, so it could have only gotten better, And by my senior year, my curveball was awesome and I could compete and it was awesome. I tell my young pitchers I hit, I'm like, know, like, cause all my pitchers on my travel team, like they're great hitters. And so we depend on them to pitch, we depend on them to hit. And if they're not doing one well, they feel like they're failing everyone. And I said, look, even sometimes I'm like, I don't even care if you can hit the ball today. I just need you to be locked in on the mound. I need you to do your job on the mound. And it kind of takes a little bit of pressure off of them, but I can totally understand like the head space that comes with being. you know, the third hitter or the, you know, the one that's always getting on base and then having to go throw lights out. I do think it takes like a special person to manage all that, but I do think it's obtainable as we've seen, you know, from certain people. But being a coach now, it's like I can manage, I can see where it gets really stressful for some of them and I try to slow down the game a little bit for them. And then just take that pressure off. Like your job is just to have a good at bat. Quality at bat that we can work with, be a competitor and then whatever happens at the end, you're still a really great hitter. Even if you're not hitting well when you're pitching, you're vice versa.
Rob D.: Margot, I absolutely love your answers to that question. I love that you were like, okay, my role was to be a hitter and so I'm gonna be the best hitter I can be and when I need to go in and pitch, I'm gonna go in and and and pitch. So that's really excellent. I love that. Great,
Margo Ostarticki: We have some.
Rob D.: great story. looking back at your time at Texas A and Cor Corpus Christi, is there a single game or matchup or moment that stands out above the rest while during your time there.
Margo Ostarticki: That place is... I'm gonna get like emotional. That
Rob D.: I love it. Yes.
Margo Ostarticki: place is special because it was the best fit for me. I loved the school and I loved being there. And so I would say my senior, senior weekend, we were playing UTA and like, I think we had to win two out of three to... get to the conference tournament. And I think I pitched really well on Saturday. And I think we won that one. And then I hit a walk off home run. I think I hit a walk off home run, I think the Saturday game. And I remember like it was yesterday and it was so surreal. Cause it was just like our last game on that field and my last like home, home game for the Islanders. And I hit it right center and I hit the crap out of the ball.
Rob D.: I love it.
Margo Ostarticki: And I remember when it came off my bat, I was like, we're done, bro. We won this game. And
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: I remember being like, hell yeah, that was awesome. I would also say like there was moments with teammates that like I'm still friends with that we went through really hard times together. We went through, you know, fun and they've made me who I am today. So I would say like the teammates that I had were so special. And but I would say probably that game was like my favorite game for sure.
Rob D.: Thanks for sharing that and I just love your authenticity and you're like, I'm about to to get a little emotional here and I I love that. Thanks for sharing that story. I I when when you first said I love that, I'm like, You're you're loving that she's gonna cry What are you, Oprah?
Margo Ostarticki: You know, it's weird because it's it's not the fact that I, it was just such a defining moment. Like college defines people, you know, and you figure out who you are and your mom's not telling you what to do or eat or, you know, go anywhere. And you're really trying to become something different. And I feel like Corpus did that for me. Like it was, I was able to be crazy at times. I was able to make choices and, you know, kind of rape. the percussions of those and also like just learn from, I had seniors my freshman year and they were so direct and I thought, who are you? And then when I was a senior, I was like, dang, I should have listened to them. Like, what did I know? I was just an 18 year old girl that was just like fresh out the coop, ready to just do anything, you know? I felt invincible. So I do think like if you're getting insight from seniors that have been there to listen to them because they've done what you've done. They've done it four years, know, sometimes five, I guess now, but.
Rob D.: That's another over the show.
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, they care, and they're only saying it to care. They care about them, they care about the program, they care about you, and they needed me, and I should have heard them a little bit more openly, you know?
Rob D.: And folks, you heard it here first. Listen to the seniors. What was your your go to reset routine as a pitcher when an inning started to get out of hand? did you have something that you did to get you back in?
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, I think, well, every pitch I would walk to the back circle, touch the dirt, walk back to the circle, touch the dirt. And I think that was kind of something that subconsciously I did. No one kind of told me I needed to have this, but I think that was my, that pitch is gone, reset, sweaty hands, get dry again, and move on. I would say I'm a big breath person. Not that I have this routine, but even my husband's like, what's wrong with you? I was like, I'm just taking a breath.
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: You know, like, relax, dude, it's all good. So that would be something that I would probably do every, I mean, every pitch, every pitch. And I would just try to find someone that I connected with that season and just look at them and be like, okay, they got me, you know? It's really important for pitchers to feel that way because I think a lot of times girls feel like if they're making contact that you're not doing your job. But my narrative to my pitchers now is like, dude, 21-outs, ground balls, pop-ups, that's easy money. Everyone's involved, everyone's having fun, and you're pitching less. Strikeout pitchers have to pitch a lot. They have to pitch a lot of pitches. Don't get me wrong, strikeouts are cool. We love those too. But I would say knowing you can't do it all by yourself is important, and having a defense behind you, and you looking at them and be like, dude, I got you. I'm like, right. I'm gonna calm down, I'm gonna hit my spots. I'm gonna think about what I'm gonna do before I do it. I don't have to do it all by myself.
Rob D.: How did your experience as a student athlete shape shape your leadership style today as a coach, content creator? how does that play into things for you?
Margo Ostarticki: I would say at, I feel like I've always kind of been a leader of sorts. mean, my parents kind of raised us to, do the right thing and make sure that you're example for all. And we believe that Jesus wants us to all be leaders. And I even
Rob D.: Amen.
Margo Ostarticki: told my husband, like, we just, if we aren't making our kids what we want to see in youth sports, we're not being a good example. Nobody cares what you're saying. Sometimes you kind of have to separate yourself from like the you know general team because you are Leading,
Rob D.: I I like how you said, you know, lead by example. It reminds me of a saying that I love is don't tell me, show me. What is your like fundamental philosophy when developing young pitchers? I know we talked a little bit about velocity. Are you trying to Teach them just to hit a spot without any movement on the ball. Like what w what how do you approach that?
Margo Ostarticki: Well, you every pitcher has like six pitches, right? No, they don't. They don't have six pitches.
Rob D.: I know. They think they do.
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, and I think it's, there is a, like a buildup, maybe like a pyramid of where you should be. And I would say if you're pitching for sample and you're at a young age and you're feeling like soreness or pain where you shouldn't, not from overuse, but like from your actual mechanics, that's a red flag that you should probably go back and look at kind of what you're doing. I would say over time when we were training pitchers, especially in my early 20s doing pitching lessons all the time, the more that we did the pitch and the more that the fundamentals got better, the faster they pitched. mean, it makes total sense. A lot of times, too, girls try to overwork one part or the other and I always just tell them, let that body part do what they need to do and don't let the shoulder do the whip. Let that arm fall and stride out big. I think it's hard because there's so many things going on in the motion. Like when you look at a softball pitcher's motion, you're like, my God, like that is a lot, you know? And it is, it's wild, it's wild that we teach these kids this, but I would say like, fundamentally, I would start with definitely just a fast ball. You should spot your fast ball, see that you can hit, you know, every little spot. There's even a video of this little girl. We would just put a ball on a tee. and she would have to the ball off the tee before she could leave. And it was like this simple, simple drill, you know? And when she hit it, she was like, dude, I'm like, I know. It feels so good to accomplish
Rob D.: Yeah for me.
Margo Ostarticki: something so hard. And I would say working from there, and of course, no one's going anywhere to play college stop ball if they don't have a change up. I mean, maybe, maybe they are, I don't know. But I would say you should probably have a change up. So I would say the change up is like the next pitch to learn, you know, having a fastball change up. then to me, this is my big theory and I've never really like discussed it like heavy on, but like not every body type is going to serve every single movement pitch. I don't know if I could put it into a box, but like when I look at girls strides, that kind of dictates if you're curveball, screwball pitcher, drawball, riseball pitcher. If you cannot get back to go under the ball, you're not gonna be a riseball pitcher. It's okay, you don't have to be. There's a ton of other ways pitches you can have or set up pitches or strikeout pitches or whatever. But I would say if there could be a service that people looked at emotion from a fastball perspective and said, I think the next pitch that you would have best would be a drawball or whatever. And so when I get these girls that I'm like, maybe trying out for our team or whatever, I'm like, hey, what's your first, other than a fast one, a change up, okay? What's your go-to movement pitch to throw a strike, get ahead, whatever? And they tell me, and then they show me, and then when they go onto the other ones, I'm like, you should just forget about that one. You are so much better off mastering these two pitches and throwing it 700 different ways than trying to throw five movement pitches average. Like we have girls on our team that are really great in and out. some girls are really great up and down and like finding your niche and really like honing in on that niche is important. I always tell people my best game of my life I pitched ever senior or junior year in high school. I pitched a curveball and a drop ball all night and my drop ball was so meticulous to me. Like I had to practice it. 10 times more than I ever had to practice curveball. Okay? And don't get me wrong, I had the best game, but for me, the work was so much more and I couldn't really do it continuously through. my drop ball was so erratic. so I just like, okay, I'm gonna like 86 the drop ball. I'm gonna go with the curveball and I learned a screwball in college. And like, I just pitched the crap out of those two and it worked. It was fine. So even if you ask girls in college and I don't know like verbatim what people like, you know, guarantee on, but I would say they probably have two good ones and then they mix in the like maybe a fastball spotted in a change up. So I don't think you have to know all of them. I would say learn the fastball, control it, make sure you can like thread it through a needle, get the change up working where you can throw it for a strike, where you can throw it for a waste, and then just pick two. Be really, really good at two movement pitches and then you'll be fine.
Rob D.: I like that idea though about looking at how they're pitching right now and then figuring out what's the next pitch for them.
Margo Ostarticki: it's not to say they can't learn or change their motion to serve that pitch, but they're just like a natural motion that every girl has. Like their bodies are all different that could dictate faster success and long-term success.
Rob D.: what was your favorite pitch to throw in a three two count with runners in scoring position and why?
Margo Ostarticki: The curveball because it was just to me I could I could spot it I could spin it I could control it That are the screwball. I feel like the screwball is it was something I didn't know until I got to college and This our coach Tina McCauley taught it to me and it was it changed my whole game because Sometimes when you can cut the plate in half, know, like okay, she's only throwing out or she's only throwing this But when you have both sides and you can kind of throw the screw kind of up and in,
Rob D.: Mm
Margo Ostarticki: it definitely, you know, gives a different dynamic to like what the batter is trying to look for. But I would say in some games, I might have thrown the curveball like 90, 95 % of time.
Rob D.: how has the game of of fast pitch softball changed the most?
Margo Ostarticki: Well, one, there's like way more technology that we're able to see stats like, you know, a drop of a hat. That's cool, but also can be very time consuming. And I don't think that stats are, the Bible when it comes to your lineup. I think that they're a tool, but they're not like the end all be all. I would also say that, I mean, when I was in high school in college, like, cell phone, like iPhones were just kind of coming out and people could actually afford them. And I mean, now like you could film your kids at bat, look at it, see the film, like that's what you need to change. And then they could go change it. My dad was like hooking up like a camcorder to a VCR to a DVR, you you're just like took him 45 minutes to set it up. And then by that time, you're like, I'm not even interested in looking at this anymore. And then it was like so hard to rewind it and put it back and whatever. So. That is something very cool, we try to record all the at-bats that we can. I look at Game Changer a lot just to see film, because a lot of times when you're in the moment, you don't feel like I was doing that, and that is the easiest way. You don't say anything as a coach. You just show the kid their swing, and you say, what do you see? And they're always gonna see something negative. So it's always important that you show them a good one. and something they can improve on. So they can define what felt good and what didn't feel good and then what was success and what needs to be fixed. are gonna always, girls are always gonna look like, my hair looks weird. I'm like, we're not looking at your hair, okay? We're looking at your hands. Look at your hands, okay? And so I would say film is way more accessible than it's ever been before, obviously. Also like the safety stuff. Like you only wore a mask in my day if you got hit in the face and you had like, you know, you were trying to not get another concussion. Now masks are everywhere, you know, for pictures for sure. And I think that's great. I mean, these girls are beautiful. Like we don't want them to get pummeled in the face because they got unlucky,
Rob D.: we just interviewed, actually it was a couple of episodes ago, the Neo Mass. That is a new mas
Margo Ostarticki: yeah.
Rob D.: that yeah, and so they can and so it's it's the right fit every time 'cause they can dial it in and I meant that's like really helping with the safety of the game, what inspired you to launch softball with Margot and bring your coaching concepts to social media?
Margo Ostarticki: My dad and I, probably before I was even married, we tried to do stuff online and it wasn't as easy, because there wasn't as many tools online, there wasn't these apps where could edit the film, and we were filming these tutorials, and it of just fizzled out. And then after I had my second baby, I was like, dude, I can do this. I always see someone that's doing it, I'm like, dude, if that person can do it, I can do it. who knew if it was gonna stick or not. And then I was seeing people have success and it was like, looked like fun. And they always say you need, you know, a hobby that makes you money. You need a hobby that brings you joy and then a hobby that you can be creative with. And so I felt like this was gonna be all three of them, you know? And so I just started like randomly posting. And of course, like, if you look back at my other stuff, you're like, know? And I, my high school kids made fun of me and I just was like, dude, I don't care. I don't care. I love softball. I want everyone to know about it. And if it can help one person, it's cool. And so just like anything, you start practicing at it. You start trying to understand one, like algorithms and all that kind of stuff. But really it was just to give somebody that was probably struggling with the fact that they're reading all this stuff online and it's just not that serious. Or like, hey, this is important. You should really look into this. then my husband and I try to like, love to refer people to like everything that's good in our lives. And I thought like, we could refer them to these people because we like them. And just over time, it kind of evolved. And then you meet all these people that are trying to do the same thing or feel that, you know, passionate about a sport. And you've literally grown a community where you're just like, wow, this is so cool, you know. And softball has given us so much, given me so much, meaning like from the relationship with my father that I got to spend so much time with him and working and doing something bigger than myself to traveling all over the United States and getting to go places just because of softball. That's awesome. People don't even get to get on a plane sometimes until they're out of high school or college. then, of course, the community that you, the girls you meet and people you played against. It is a... crazy world the online world is a crazy world and I say the more haters better because it it gets those comments going and that algorithm loves them comments so
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: At first I was like, my gosh, like, you know They're calling me fat or they're calling me this or that and then I just was like I don't even know user 52786 like I don't even know that dude like it's probably some dude that's mad at something else and they just picked my video. And so over time you just learn like, wow, what a weird world you can be in. Now I will say, you can be whoever you wanna be online. And I would say, some people don't even do their research and see is this actually a valid source to be telling me about softball stuff. Because there's some people and I'm like, I get gas lit. I'm like, that's how you throw now? That cannot be how you throw now. And then I look it up and I'm like, I don't even know what that dude, mean, he's, you know, never played before in his life. Like, but he's teaching people how to throw underhand. Like, so don't get me wrong. Like when I see those videos, I can't imagine being a mom and being like, my God, we've been learning the wrong way the entire time. No, you haven't. No, you haven't. You know, and so I do think people like to reinvent the wheel to be relevant. And I don't think that's something that you need to buy into. It's never really like it's it's going to be. the general consensus, like looking at people that are actually having success doing that, like Jenny Fetch. know, she's teaching her, you her daughter plays softball with her on her 12s and now I guess 14s. And then, you you look at all these other people that are posting stuff online, like that's who you need be listening to, you know? I mean, a dad could literally get on here, that's never played softball in his life, and his daughter plays travel ball for three years, and now he's an expert, you know? I'm not saying that he couldn't be an expert in like being a travel ball dad, but that doesn't mean that he can teach her daughter. to hit home runs against an elite, them out on our picture. So
Rob D.: Right.
Margo Ostarticki: everything with a grain of salt. That's what I would say online. Everything with a grain of salt.
Rob D.: We'll be right back with the seventh inning walk off. Welcome back, everybody. this is the seventh inning walk-off. This is a game we play with our guests, and Marg has been so kind to agree to play. it's a trivia game with a couple of opinion questions in there. each trivia question has a point, which we call a run. And if there's a second part for the second point, we call that an RBI. It's a theme on you know softball, seventh inning. So, anyways, are you ready to play, Margot?
Margo Ostarticki: I'm ready.
Rob D.: All right. First question. Y this this should be easy for you. How many home runs did you have in your freshman year at AM Corpus?
Margo Ostarticki: I think I wanted 10.
Rob D.: Nine. Probably came close just with you know, hit the bottom of the fence or something. Okay.
Margo Ostarticki: Seriously.
Rob D.: So how many career home runs did you have?
Margo Ostarticki: 35.
Rob D.: twenty seven.
Margo Ostarticki: Dang, I'm like over shooting. Okay, confident, LL.
Rob D.: Hey, those are those are still good numbers. I love them.
Margo Ostarticki: You know, it felt good. felt right.
Rob D.: Okay, Margot, what year was Texas A and Corpus Christi founded?
Margo Ostarticki: 1947.
Rob D.: Yeah, ding ding ding ding. Dang. Yeah, no hesitation. All right, here's an opinion question.
Margo Ostarticki: Okay, so nine home runs, 27, 1947, okay.
Rob D.: Yeah. Yes. Doing good. I'm gonna give you that first one too, where you said ten, nine. You were you were within the realm, so you got you got that one.
Margo Ostarticki: Basically, yeah, one more game, you know.
Rob D.: Yes, the thirty five twenty seven, we're gonna have to pull that one back. All right,
Margo Ostarticki: Totally, yeah, totally.
Rob D.: so this is an opinion question. No points here available. what's your favorite drill for fastball command?
Margo Ostarticki: Hmm. say that we cut the plate in half and give them like a small target and they have to hit that target five out of ten times and we level up level up each you know try to get ten out of ten times and then there's of course consequences for what we you know have to start over for.
Rob D.: Burpees. All right. you set the single game record at Texas A and Corpus Christi going five for five in April of two thousand and eight. What team did you play that day?
Margo Ostarticki: previewing them.
Rob D.: good yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: Hey, I'll tell you something, that day I forgot my bag in my roommate's car and she wasn't going because she was sick. So I almost didn't have my stuff that game. And then
Rob D.: my gosh.
Margo Ostarticki: my teammate that same game, Kim, went three for whatever and hit a home run over left field, center field, and right field. Like literally hit three
Rob D.: Whoa.
Margo Ostarticki: home runs in a game. I don't know why they kept pitching to her. That was silly, but that was kind of cool.
Rob D.: Yeah. Yeah, that is the alma mater of my nephew Wesley went to Prairieville A and Question number five, true or false. When you retired, you had the all time Islanders records for career home runs and RBIs.
Margo Ostarticki: True.
Rob D.: Very true. for the second part of that, do you know how many RBIs you had f in your career?
Margo Ostarticki: 119?
Rob D.: Ding ding ding ding. What
Margo Ostarticki: Dude, so cool.
Rob D.: what is one song that takes you back to your time at Texas A and Corpus Christi?
Margo Ostarticki: my gosh. Buy You a Drink by T-Pain. That was really fun one.
Rob D.: like it.
Margo Ostarticki: Obviously, anything T-Pain. Drake, the newer side of him. And then, I mean, there was some jams back in the day. You know, we just had the best time. The absolute
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: best time.
Rob D.: All right. Any number seven. Here we go. Can you name one of the Southland Conference honors you received while attending AM Corpus?
Margo Ostarticki: I know I got like academic. Second team academic for me. First team academic. I know I got, I got Southland hitter of the week my senior
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: year. I know that.
Rob D.: So you yeah, you did you just you got both. So you got conference conference hitter of the week, actually won that several times. but Southland all academic team. Yes. That's that's awesome.
Margo Ostarticki: You know, it's funny when that week that I, my junior year when I got that award, was just, February was not my month that year. I was very distracted. And then I hit the ball and my dad was just like, what'd you do different? I was like, I don't know. I just stopped thinking up there and he was like, well, keep doing it. I was like, I know.
Rob D.: Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: You know, it's so funny because like sometimes people don't understand, like I tell the girls this a of times, like sometimes the ball looks this big to you. Sometimes it looks this big to you and you don't get to pick those days, you know, you just get to manage how you feel so shut off to the hitters that are so consistent all the time because man we know that on those bad days they They just do their best, you know
Rob D.: Right, right. so we wanna thank you for being here. we talked about a lot of good stuff about you know, obviously about the social media stuff and how there's snakes out there. But what you're doing, your philosophy on teaching, overall your your knowledge and your your way of being is amazing. And I and I and I think that's why so many people like fall in love with you online. I mean, y the the stuff you say, the stuff the the recent one you did about Juco, I must have played that over in my car five times. I just I just kept going over. 'Cause y and you're right. 'Cause those girls Are awesome. Love. Yeah.
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, they're dogs man like I remember when this girl Kayleigh Jeter came onto our bus like the first time we had like a charter bus going somewhere she goes We're not in Juco anymore, and I said nah girl welcome welcome
Rob D.: And then one other thing I wanted to mention about the the social media, i this this post and I I love the videos, but I also love like the single posts, you know, where where you're you're putting a nice thoughtful thing up there. But this one was things I think softball players are owed, right? a better system to play in college, better concession stand food. I that that For the parents. I was gonna say that's for the parents. Shoot. a good job comment. I th I think that goes a long way. More mental training. Yes please. Yes please. but I had my own one to add to better pants, right? Better pants. I think and this might be for the parents, it should be only white uniforms when playing on all turf fields. Because then you don't have to worry about washing that dirt out of You know.
Margo Ostarticki: Seriously.
Rob D.: and and a break. And we we talked about that as well. Had you know, taking a break, which is good for the mental aspect of it. So Mark go again, thank you for being here. We love your content. If someone is interested in lessons from you tag all your social media, your businesses and everything you have going on. and then you'll send over the link. We will put your link in the show notes. But go ahead and just shamelessly plug as much as you want.
Margo Ostarticki: Yeah, so I have a link tree that has all this stuff that I kind of, know, people I work with and the training tools that I use, I would say the biggest thing that I would like to plug is just knowing that like life, your situation your story is 100 % up to you. And there should be no reason that it should be about somebody else. that the point of all this is to give people resources and tools and get a picture that can't play on that team in Florida to come to Oklahoma because they met online. so really like... We wanna put on tournaments that are serving and that have the girls first and they're not just pushing people through that have good umpires. so really I always tell the girls life is perspective. And if you can be grateful for the things that you have and work hard with things you don't, then you're gonna be okay. So if y'all need anything, I'm always open to finding it basically. I work with AeroSwing, that's like a training tool that we use for hand speed. I work with 2D Sports to put on tournaments. Hopefully we'll do some in the spring and fall. And then of course just keep on following because the whole point of this is to serve the sport of softball and to grow it as much as it has because it is such an amazing thing that can serve your family, can serve you as a person, make you a better parent, make you a better player, all that good stuff. Don't get caught up in all the drama because at the end of the day you're going to look up and be like, it just really wasn't, it really wasn't that serious. It was just, it's just thoughtful. It's just something you do. It's not who you are.
Rob D.: Remember everybody, if you enjoyed today's conversation, the easiest way to stay connected is by visiting Softball Central Podcast dot com. You'll find every episode, links to your favorite podcast platform, our YouTube channel, social media, and everything happening with the show. All in one place. Have a question, a guest suggestion, or you'd like to be a guest, or just say hello? We'd love to hear from you. You can call or text three two three nine nine two one one two or send an email to info at softball central podcast dot com. if you believe in what we're doing and you want to help grow the game of softball, please support the podcast. You can find all that information at softball central podcast dot com or by going to Patreon dot com forward slash softball central. Thanks again to Team Coach Shu for the support and sponsorship of this podcast. Team Coach Shu provides intentional training for speed, explosiveness, and first step quickness. Call 619-370-6328 or click on the booking link in the show notes to schedule your visit today. I'm Rob D. And I'm Samara. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Softball Central Podcast. Until next time, put that ball in play. You never know what's going to happen. Ciao.
