Softball

Softball Academy

The Twins Softball Academy is a high-performance, high-calibre program for athletes who want to develop their skills to the highest level possible, unlocking their potential and achieving goals in the sport of softball.

The program will be a balance between hard work and fun. Athletes will train on a daily basis, focusing on throwing, hitting, running and specializations such as pitching and catching. Up-to-date and groundbreaking mechanics will be introduced to maximize athletic movements and efficiency. Game knowledge and strategies will be introduced and coached to the highest level. In several instances, softball athletes will train in tandem with their baseball counterparts, mastering the skills essential to both of these sports.

Within the program, students’ passion and drive for the game will be nurtured and encouraged, allowing them to maintain their mental readiness and preparation, which are key life skills both on and off the field.

Basic Information

Cost: $275-325 per month. Exact cost information coming soon. This includes all programming costs, midday transportation to facilities and apparel.

School Locations:

Grade 6-9: École Broxton Park School (505 McLeod Avenue, Spruce Grove)
Grade 10-12: Memorial Composite High School (50 Westerra Centre, Stony Plain) OR Spruce Grove Composite High School (1000 Calahoo Road, Spruce Grove)

Outdoor Softball Location: Henry Singer Ball Park (South Avenue, Spruce Grove)

Indoor Softball Location: TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre (221 Jennifer Heil Way, Spruce Grove)

Transportation: Students will be bused midday to the facilities for their softball programming, where they can be picked up at the end of the day.

High School Academies: Grade 10-12 students interested in the Softball Academy should contact Jackson Parker. Some details provided on this page are only applicable to Grades 6-9.

Softball Schedules

Junior High Schedule

The Junior High softball schedule runs on a six-day rotation. Below is a sample three-week schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Softball Development	Sports Science	Softball Development	Dryland Training	Total Athlete Development
Day 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Softball Development	Softball Development	Sports Science	Softball Development	Dryland Training
Day 5	Day 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Total Athlete Development	Softball Development	Softball Development	Sports Science	Softball Development

High School Schedule

The High School softball schedule runs on a five-day rotation. Below is a sample three-week schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Softball Development	Softball Development	Total Athlete Development	Dryland Training	Softball Development
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Softball Development	Softball Development	Sports Science	Dryland Training	Softball Development
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Softball Development	Softball Development	Total Athlete Development	Dryland Training	Softball Development

Carrie Jespersen

Carrie grew up playing baseball in the Parkland area. Chris James (Program Director, PSAA Baseball) coached her for a number of years and introduced her to women's baseball and the National Team--her ultimate baseball dream!

Carrie participated on Team Alberta (under-13, under-16 and open women's divisions) bringing back one gold medal and multiple bronze medals. With Team Alberta, she has travelled to BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

At eighteen years old, Carrie’s childhood dream became a reality when she made the roster for Team Canada and competed in a series against Team USA, in Washington, D.C. Carrie made Team Canada again in 2019 and competed in Mexico to qualify Team Canada for the World Cup the following year. During that tournament, Carrie hit a solo home run to help clinch the bronze medal game 3-1. She also had the joy of playing with her sister Ellie on Team Canada.

After high school graduation, Carrie played on the softball team at Briercrest College and Seminary in Saskatchewan before deciding to head to the United States to play college ball. She was accepted to Cedarville University in Ohio and played four years of college softball (Division 2). Carrie played mainly as an outfielder, third baseman and shortstop while earning a degree in Middle School Education (Gr. 4-9). During her senior year at Cedarville, her team awarded her Most Valuable Defensive Player and the Attitude and Effort Award.

Over the years, Carrie has both participated and coached at girls’ baseball camps in St. Albert and has also enjoyed assistant coaching with Chris James when her younger sister competed. These experiences, along with her passion for sport, discipline and excellence, have uniquely qualified Carrie to inspire, teach and challenge the next generation of women softball and baseball players. Coaching camps and weekend clinics for the academy have been a highlight this year and now, coaching regularly with the academy is a new and exciting opportunity to further strengthen her career and love of sport while connecting with new talent.

Softball Development Program

Parkland Twins Academy offers a comprehensive program focused on developing elite softball players while continuing to foster a love for the game. Coaches with extensive experience work closely with student athletes on their athletic development and progress.

Athlete development is focused on the six tools of the game:

Throwing (arm strength and accuracy)
Hitting for power
Hitting for average
Fielding (infield/outfield defensive skills)
Speed
Mental game

In each of these areas, the program takes a data driven, evidence based approach of Test, Train, Retest in order to track individual athlete’s progress and maximize individual skill development. Coaches and athletes use this information to set goals and design precise and individual programming to optimize development and help athletes achieve their goals.

Testing and program design for each of the six tools of a softball player includes:

Throwing

Max velocity
Average velocity
Accuracy
Pitch design
(age and athlete dependent)

Hitting for Power

Exit velocity
Launch Angle

Hitting for Average

Contact %
Barrel %

Fielding

Fielding %

Speed

Sprinting (60-yard dash)
Agility test
Reaction test

Mental Game

Measured performance in live competition

First Season of Play (September-January)

General

Week 1-5

Introduction to philosophy, routines, expectations & culture
Individual evaluation & assessment
Skill and physical testing
Introduction to foundational concepts
Introduction to individual goal setting

Week 6-10

Introduction to team building
Continued emphasis on culture
Introduction targeted and individualized plans for athlete development aligned with athlete goals
Introduction to video analysis

Week 11-15

Continued emphasis on team building and culture
Mid-point individual evaluation & assessment
Mid-point skill and physical testing
Review & adjustment of individual athlete goals
Review & adjustment of targeted, individualized plans for athlete development
Video analysis
Introduction to creating recruiting video

Week 16-20

Continued emphasis on team building and culture
Final individual evaluation & assessment
Final skill and physical testing
Review & adjustment of individual athlete goals
Review & adjustment of targeted, individualized plans for athlete development
Live competition video analysis
Creation of recruiting videos
Showcase days (introduction to scout days)

Throwing

Week 1-5

Introduction to arm care (plyocare, J-bands, pre- and post-recovery)
Off-season build up (stacking the base, long toss)
Introduction to Kinetic Chain
Introduction to movement patterns

Week 6-10

Arm care
Off-season build up (velocity building, long toss, pull-downs)
Developing kinetic chain and movement patterns
On-ramping for mound work
Introduction to pitch design

Week 11-15

Arm care
Off-season build up (velocity building, long toss, pull-downs)
Development of kinetic chain and movement patterns
Integration for mound work
Introduction to pitching program
Pitch design
Introduction to live competition at bat

Week 16-20

Arm care & maintenance
Maintenance of throwing program
Improvement of kinetic chain and movement patterns
Pitching program
Live competition at bat

Hitting

Week 1-5

Introduction to developing bat speed (overload & onderload training)
Introduction to Kinetic Chain
Introduction to elite swing mechanics & movement patterns

Week 6-10

Developing bat speed (overload & underload training)
Introduction to quality of contact hitting program
Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns
Introduction to swing adjustibility (location and timing)

Week 11-15

Introduction to developing bat speed (overload & underload training)
Introduction to kinetic chain
Introduction to elite swing mechanics & movement patterns

Week 16-20

Maintaining & improving bat speed (overload & underload training)
Maintaining & improving quality of contact
Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns
Adjustability of swing (location and timing)
Live competition at bat

Fielding

Week 1-5

Introduction to foundations of infielding
Introduction to foundations of outfielding

Week 6-10

Development of foundations of infielding
Development of foundations of outfielding
Introduction to position-specific skills

Week 11-15

Development of foundations of infielding
Development of foundations of outfielding
Development of position specific skills
Introduction of individual positions-targeted focus
Introduction of team defense concepts
Introduction of competitive fielding (reaction & decision making)

Week 16-20

Development of foundations of infielding
Development of foundations of outfielding
Development of position-specific skills
Development of individual positions-targeted focus
Development of team defense concepts
Competitive fielding (reaction & decision making)

Speed

Week 1-5

Introduction to strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning
Introductory & assessment phase
Introduction to nutrition

Week 6-10

Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning
Growth phase
Development of a nutrition plan

Week 11-15

Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning
Growth phase

Week 16-20

Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning
Maintenance phase

Mental Game

Week 1-5

Growth mindset
Thinking habits

Week 6-10

Identifying individual mental approach
Work ethic
Process & preparation

Week 11-15

Development of individual mental approach
Focus on confidence: becoming a fearless competitor
Focus on attitude: making plays

Week 16-20

Application of individual mental approach
Focus on overcoming failure & adversity
Learning how the situation dictates approach

Second Season of Play (February-June)

General

Week 1-5

Introduction to philosophy, routines, expectations & culture
Individual evaluation & assessment
Skill and physical testing
Introduction to foundational concepts
Introduction to individual goal setting
Introduction to try-out preparation

Week 6-10

Introduction to team building
Continued emphasis on culture
Introduction to targeted and individualized plans for athlete development aligned with athlete goals
Introduction to video analysis
Try-out preparation

Week 11-15

Continued emphasis on team building and culture
Mid-point Individual evaluation & assessment
Mid-point Skill and physical testing
Review & adjustment of individual athlete goals
Review & adjustment of targeted, individualized plans for athlete development
Video analysis
Introduction to creating recruiting video

Week 16-20

Continued emphasis on team building and culture
Final individual evaluation & assessment
Final skill and physical testing
Review & adjustment of individual athlete goals
Review & adjustment of targeted, individualized plans for athlete development
Live competition video analysis
Creation of recruiting videos
Showcase days (introduction to scout days)

Throwing

Week 1-5

Rest, Restore, Recover (for athletes in SOP 1)
Continuation of arm care (plyocare, J-bands, pre and post recovery)
Off-season build up (stacking the base, long toss)
Introduction to kinetic chain
Introduction to movement patterns

Week 6-10

Arm care
Off-season build up (velocity building, long toss, pull-downs)
Development of kinetic chain and movement patterns
On-ramping for mound work
Introduction to pitch design

Week 11-15

Arm care
Off-season build up (velocity building, long toss, pull-downs)
Transition to in-season maintenance
Development of kinetic chain and movement patterns
Mound work integration
Introduction to pitching program
Focus on pitch design
Introduction to live competition at bat

Week 16-20

Arm care & maintenance
In-season maintenance
Refinement kinetic chain and movement patterns
Continuation of pitching program
Live competition at bat

Hitting

Week 1-5

Introduction to bat speed development (overload & underload training)
Introduction to kinetic chain
Introduction to elite swing mechanics & movement patterns

Week 6-10

Bat speed development (overload & underload training)
Introduction to quality-of-contact hitting program
Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns
Introduction to swing adjustibility (location and timing)

Week 11-15

Maintenance & improvement of bat speed (overload & underload training)
Quality of contact hitting program
Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns
Adjustability of swing (location and timing)
Introduction to live competition at bat

Week 16-20

Maintenance & improvement of bat speed (overload & underload training)
Maintenance & improvement of contact quality
Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns
Introduction to swing adjustiblity (location and timing)
Live competition at bat

Fielding

Week 1-5

Introduction to foundations of infielding
Introduction foundations of outfielding
Continuation of SOP 1 athlete development

Week 6-10

Development of foundations of infielding
Development of foundations of outfielding
Introduction of position-specific skills

Week 11-15

Development of foundations of infielding
Development of foundations of outfielding
Development of position-specific skills
Introduction to individual positions-targeted focus
Introduction to team defense concepts
Introduction to competitive fielding (reaction & decision making)

Week 16-20

Development of foundations of infielding
Development of foundations of outfielding
Development of position-specific skills
Development of individual positions-targeted focus
Development of team defense concepts
Continuation of competitive fielding (reaction & decision making)

Speed

Week 1-5

Introduction of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning
Introductory & assessment phase
Introduction to nutrition

Week 6-10

Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning
Growth phase
Development of a nutrition plan

Week 11-15

Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning
Growth phase

Week 16-20

Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning
Maintenance phase

Mental Game

Week 1-5

Growth mindset
Thinking habits

Week 6-10

Identifying individual mental approach
Work ethic
Process & preparation

Week 11-15

Development of individual mental approach
Focus on confidence: becoming a fearless competitor
Focus on attitude: making plays

Week 16-20

Application of individual mental approach
Focus on overcoming failure & adversity
Learning how the situation dictates approach

Dryland Training Program

Information coming soon.

More Information

For more information, please contact:

Jackson Parker
Phone:780-963-0507
Email: jackson.parker@psd.ca