“Just wanted to let you and Michelle know that the last few clinics attended, the young ladies have spoken highly in regards to your detail oriented techniques and skills you offer to them. It certainly reflects on your individual gifts you share in a positive, energetic way with these girls. You each bring your individual personality that reflects highly and in a such a positive influential setting. The response from parents as well has been so positive because of the professionalism but relaxed, fun environment you have created for these young ladies. It is a joy to bring these young ladies to your facility and look forward to bring the rest of the players during the off season. Already have a few more girls showing interest this weekend for pitching and batting, I will get you numbers as soon as I can.”
- Vince
“In June 2011 when our current pitching coach moved out of state we felt anxious having to “start over,” so to speak, with a new pitching coach. Hannah had been pitching for 6 years and Rachel for 4 years. After a couple lessons we knew we made the right decision going to Strike 3 Pitching with Julie. She started first by observing both girls, then adding in subtle little adjustments with their mechanics, worked with their spins on pitches creating greater ball movement and also worked with them on staying relaxed on the mound. In a very short time with some tweaking both girls had greatly improved, with Hannah even learning a new pitch.
Thanks to Julie and her wealth of knowledge about pitching, Hannah is now throwing all her pitches with confidence and her base on balls have gone down dramatically. Hannah attended fall showcases with her summer team in IA, IL, MO and received many compliments from college coaches and even umpires!
We are very confident we have put our daughters’ pitching futures in the right coach’s hands and we highly recommend Julie at Strike 3 Pitching.”
–Wayne and Kim Evavold
“In both the pitching and hitting clinics my daughter received personalized attention from the coaching staff, working with her on specific improvements to her swing and motion. The coaches made the drills fun, so that she couldn’t wait to come back every week and learn more. Best of all, she was able to put the tips and techniques to use during fall ball and we saw immediate results–better control, more strikeouts, more extra-base hits… improvement in every aspect of her game.”
–John T.
"Our daughter, Alexa, started playing around with pitching last summer (2009). However, since she wasn’t getting much time on the mound, she found it hard to dedicate time to it. This winter, we knew from team tryouts that she would be placed on a team where she had the "most" pitching experience and that she needed to put some time in or it was going to be a rough season. We were referred to Julie by Alexa’s batting coach. She started taking lessons from Julie in February.
I knew right away that Julie was going to be a good fit for Alexa. She maintains a coaching relationship with the kids, which we appreciate as she continues to hold a position of respect with her players. Julie pays close attention to the details of Alexa’s pitching and is continually making small adjustments that have big results in the pitch. She has a great way of articulating what she wants and expects that our competitive daughter accepts.
Julie also does a great job coaching the emotional aspects of pitching. She listens to what we have to say from her recent games, what she did well in recent games where she struggled. She talks to Alexa about what it takes to "be a pitcher" not just the "mechanics of pitching".
Julie’s instruction is positive and constructive and helped Alexa’s team had a very successful season. Alexa and Julie put in a lot of time this summer and their hard work paid off; she has grown by leaps and bounds in her pitching in a very short period of time. She enjoys her time with Julie and is very happy with the results! We would absolutely recommend Strike 3 Pitching!"
– J. and C. Miller
"Julie has coached my daughter, Hailey, the past two years. Hailey’s accuracy on her fastball is now unbelievable and she’s gained so much confidence in her other pitches. When we took our team down to Iowa for a tournament, I had an umpire tell me ‘Your pitcher sure throws a nice ball.’ With all the talent at the tournament, it was so nice to hear.
We really enjoy working with Julie and appreciate all she does."
– R. Cummings
"To some young ladies, the game of fastpitch softball is a summer highlight spent cheering, laughing, training, winning and losing with their team, their comrades. To others’ it is a passion that elevates this camaraderie to new heights. Fastpitch is in their hearts and souls when the fall asleep at night, when they wake and even when the snow is falling and the coveted mound on the fields of summer lays silent.
When one of these passionate young athletes has dedicated themselves to the position of a pitcher, a whole new world opens before you. A pitcher is committed to train not only with their team but is on that mound sweating, training and reaching for a dream while others watch Sponge Bob or go to the mall. It is this dream that we, as parents, have the responsibility and privilege to protect and nurture. To honor that level of commitment and passion in the hearts and lives of our daughters’.
The greatest thing we have ever done for our daughter, the athlete, the Fastpitch pitcher, is to have her work with Julie Westbrock Healy of Strike3Pitching. We have been around a few bends in this world of fastpitch softball and have learned, many times the hard way, how to recognize a genuine mentor, teacher, athlete and coach that understands not only passion, integrity and hard work, but leads by example by respecting the hearts and dreams of each student. Julie’s skill is exemplary and her contribution to our daughter stretches far beyond the dusty mound. Julie is precise and personalized in her training and works with the individual gifts, talents and weaknesses of our daughter to help her become the best she can be… not a copy of someone else."
– J. Speckel
