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WELCOME TOTHE SOFTBALL PROJECT

With group and individual lessons, strength & conditioning classes, various camp and workshop opportunities, The Softball Project offers an elite, comprehensive approach to training. Your daughter will be coached by former Professional and Division 1 athletes who provide a unique influence gained only by competing at the highest level.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

Because it’s so much more than a game.
It’s an opportunity.
To cultivate a work ethic you can be proud of. To be led by women who have lived your dreams, and are eager for you to do the same.
It’s a life lesson.
A chance to find out what you’re really made of. To decide how bad you want it. To give everything you have in your body, and then push a little further.
It’s an environment.
A safe place to take that risk. To be able to taste defeat and let that fuel a fire so deep, giving up is not an option.
It’s a sisterhood.
You’ll build confidence and pursue excellence in character and performance, all while creating some of the best memories you’ll ever have

What WE EXPECT

Eye contact. Paired with the best effort & body language you have to give. That’s it. Show up every week, give us that, and we’ll make you better.

What they’re saying

From the first lesson with Kelsey we saw immediate results. Kelsey’s direction and guidance in breaking down and explaining the components of a quality swing in a way Gracie can easily understand is second to none. Kelsey has been an amazing role model for my daughter not only teaching her about the game but also about confidence, work ethic, and other important life skills. Kelsey’s knowledge and passion for the game has inspired my daughter to work hard and strive for excellence. She not only challenges Gracie but also encourages her to believe in herself. I highly recommend Kelsey to any softball player that is trying to take their game to the next level.

Crystal Kiker

Mom to Gracie of Team NC

Kelsey is one the the most understanding, encouraging, and dedicated people I have ever met. Every week I look forward to working with her because she not only makes me a better player, but also a better person. I admire her journey as an athlete and coach and I would not be where I am today without her.

Jenna Carter

College of Charleston commit

Kelsey Bruder is the premier softball batting instructor in the Charlotte area. Her accolades as an instructor and immensely successful collegiate and professional career led us to seek her out. My 11 year old daughter has been taking batting lessons with Kelsey for 2 years and the transformation has been incredible. Kelsey skillfully tailors her instruction to each batter, recognizing and correcting breakdowns in the swing and teaching proper mechanics. I’ve seen vast improvements in my daughters bat speed, power, pitch recognition, and consistency since attending lessons with Kelsey, which has directly translated to an increase in extra base hits and an improved batting average. Kelsey’s style of instruction is the perfect mix of positive reinforcement and encouragement while setting challenging expectations resulting in a dramatic boost to her confidence. On a personal note, my daughter has made a very special connection with Kelsey, viewing her as a mentor, role model, and someone she aspires to be like and make proud. Participating in lessons with Kelsey was the best decision we have made for our child’s softball career.

Jackie Miller

Mom to Madelyn of Lady Blues

There is a big difference in being able to hit and being able to teach the mechanics and mentality of hitting!!! Kelsey is the best I have seen at teaching the mechanics and the thought process of hitting, as well as being able to connect with and push her students to their maximum potential. She is also a great role model for any young athlete to have a relationship with. I have personally witnessed the success of multiple kids playing at the highest level of the game under her instruction. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! She is a GAME CHANGER!!!” –

Tracy Holmes

Former Team NC coach and dad to Darbi of North Greenville University softball

My daughter has been working with Kelsey for about 3 years and words alone cannot completely describe our experience with her. She has helped her develop and excel not only in softball but also in life. She is compassionate, caring, but doesn’t mind getting tough when needed. She is a true mentor and role model for our daughter. We are truly grateful to have the opportunity to work with her.

Tonya Hanson

Mom to Ciara of the Vienna Stars

Kelsey Bruder is an amazing instructor! Not only has she played the game at the highest level, but she is a positive teacher of the game. Kelsey is professional, dedicated and makes each player feel special. She helps her students reach their goals by developing their skills and their mental game She is a wonderful role model for young athletes. We LOVE her!!

Linda Mcgowan

Coach of Lady Lightning

What they’re saying

From the first lesson with Kelsey we saw immediate results. Kelsey’s direction and guidance in breaking down and explaining the components of a quality swing in a way Gracie can easily understand is second to none. Kelsey has been an amazing role model for my daughter not only teaching her about the game but also about confidence, work ethic, and other important life skills. Kelsey’s knowledge and passion for the game has inspired my daughter to work hard and strive for excellence. She not only challenges Gracie but also encourages her to believe in herself. I highly recommend Kelsey to any softball player that is trying to take their game to the next level.

Crystal Kiker

Mom to Gracie of Team NC

Kelsey is one the the most understanding, encouraging, and dedicated people I have ever met. Every week I look forward to working with her because she not only makes me a better player, but also a better person. I admire her journey as an athlete and coach and I would not be where I am today without her.

Jenna Carter

College of Charleston commit

Kelsey Bruder is the premier softball batting instructor in the Charlotte area. Her accolades as an instructor and immensely successful collegiate and professional career led us to seek her out. My 11 year old daughter has been taking batting lessons with Kelsey for 2 years and the transformation has been incredible. Kelsey skillfully tailors her instruction to each batter, recognizing and correcting breakdowns in the swing and teaching proper mechanics. I’ve seen vast improvements in my daughters bat speed, power, pitch recognition, and consistency since attending lessons with Kelsey, which has directly translated to an increase in extra base hits and an improved batting average. Kelsey’s style of instruction is the perfect mix of positive reinforcement and encouragement while setting challenging expectations resulting in a dramatic boost to her confidence. On a personal note, my daughter has made a very special connection with Kelsey, viewing her as a mentor, role model, and someone she aspires to be like and make proud. Participating in lessons with Kelsey was the best decision we have made for our child’s softball career.

Jackie Miller

Mom to Madelyn of Lady Blues

There is a big difference in being able to hit and being able to teach the mechanics and mentality of hitting!!! Kelsey is the best I have seen at teaching the mechanics and the thought process of hitting, as well as being able to connect with and push her students to their maximum potential. She is also a great role model for any young athlete to have a relationship with. I have personally witnessed the success of multiple kids playing at the highest level of the game under her instruction. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! She is a GAME CHANGER!!!” –

Tracy Holmes

Former Team NC coach and dad to Darbi of North Greenville University softball

My daughter has been working with Kelsey for about 3 years and words alone cannot completely describe our experience with her. She has helped her develop and excel not only in softball but also in life. She is compassionate, caring, but doesn’t mind getting tough when needed. She is a true mentor and role model for our daughter. We are truly grateful to have the opportunity to work with her.

Tonya Hanson

Mom to Ciara of the Vienna Stars

Kelsey Bruder is an amazing instructor! Not only has she played the game at the highest level, but she is a positive teacher of the game. Kelsey is professional, dedicated and makes each player feel special. She helps her students reach their goals by developing their skills and their mental game She is a wonderful role model for young athletes. We LOVE her!!

Linda Mcgowan

Coach of Lady Lightning

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Middle middle middle. I know we can live in the 5-6 hole. But when power slapping do all you can to fight driving the ball middle on outside pitches. It starts with training! Get your set up - tee outside - a boundary that forces you to stay middle.

The most vulnerable defender when power slapping is the pitcher, use that to your advantage stay away from other defenders DRIVE MIDDLE!

P.s. pitchers we still love you ❤️ just trying to execute here❗️
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I’ll never get tired of these. Another girl achieving her dream. Another girl I’ve been with since she was 12! Riley’s a great athlete, with great character and a swing as smooth as butter. Proud of you gf @rileyg0225 ...

This girl is an absolute gem. Will do ANYTHING you ask. Admirable work ethic. Super athletic & the type of teammate you pray your daughter is. Incredible family (which is why she wanted to stay so close) that I just couldn’t be happier for. @boatrightpaisley you are one of a kind with a heart of gold. I’m so lucky I get to coach you & am deeply proud of your success. ...

Power slap drill to keep you in your legs + coiled in your back hip & explosive to and through contact! #slapping #powerslap ...

Small but mighty! I always get the question, is it too early to learn how to slap at a young age? My opinion is… it’s never too early to LEARN or TRAIN when slapping. At a young age, sometimes you don’t always get the consistent pitching for speed and or strikes, so it does make it a bit challenging to do in games. But as we all know time flies, and 10/12u and 14u comes quick! If you’re thinking about making that change for the future, there’s no hurt in learning and training the short game. ...

Footwork pointer when slapping…

IF you are the slapper that has a negative move back (first step, right foot) to begin your footwork. Make sure you are bringing that foot to the center of your body opening your foot up towards shortstop.

Our 2nd second step is all about covering ground making sure we can get to that front corner. Staying belly button to short stop. Whatever direction your toes are in is where your ball will go!

Remember our 2 main footwork goals
1) get to the front corner of the box
2) stay to short stop with your feet.

#slaphitting #slappingfootwork
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Probably the most hated part of my camps but you’ll never go to anything I run & not have some sort of fitness involved. I can not overstate how important being physically fit is & am sad that it is often overlooked in our sport.

Will you ever run a 300 yd sprint on the softball field? No. But you know what that type of training produces? GRIT. And it’s grit that makes you unwilling to lose. Don’t neglect this aspect of our sport. Start today.
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Placement is critical when slapping! Push yourself when training!! Set up cones where you want to place the ball between and adjust from ball to ball! Here we have cones set up in the 5-6 hole but we also want to create an early big bounce to get it over the noodle. #slapping #slappingdrills ...

Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you, Lauren Haeger, the HALL OF FAMER!!!!

A well deserved honor for a truly remarkable career. If you want your kid to learn from the best, it’s here at TSP. There’s really not a place in North Carolina that’s even close.

It’s one thing to have studied the game, and it’s another to have lived it. To be the winning pitcher in the World Series Championship game. To hit 70 home runs against elite SEC pitching. She can offer insight that others just straight up can’t. It’s a pleasure to see her invest in the next generation, her kids improve week after week. Thank you for your investment Lauren! You are leaving the game better than when you found it.
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Had an awesome couple days of camp! Thanks to everyone who came out ready to learn. We’ll have our next camp this winter but if you don’t want to wait that long come see us for lessons weekly! ...

Simple outfield drill you can do by yourself. We always want to be behind the ball moving through the ball. But our focus here is to make sure we are stepping with the correct foot when we are behind the ball and going into our transition smoothly. If we step with our glove side foot (left foot for righty throwers) we can easily transition into our crow hop and throw. If we step with our barehand foot we end up taking several steps before our throw. #outfielddrills ...

Registration will close soon. Sign up now! ...

Camp Szn!!!
-Aug 4, 9-1p, Pitchers & Catchers
-Aug 5, 9-1p, Position Players

All camps for ages 7-12.
Registration is open on our MindBody app NOW! Click the “classes” tab & choose the date you’d like to attend. All sales final.
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2-in-1 here working bat speed & balance on our power slap! #slappingdrills ...

🚨NEW INSTRUCTOR ALERT!!🚨
Sam Reele, former starting catcher at Western Carolina has joined our staff at TSP!

During her time at WCU:
-2020-2023 was awarded all SOCON Academic awards and won the Presidential Graduate Scholarship in 2023.
-Lead the WCU softball team in doubles during the 2022 season.
-2022 started 46 out of 56 games and ended the season with a .989 FLD%.
-2023 was a member of the All-District Academic Honors list.

Sam will coach hitting, catching & defense. Her availability is open to be booked on Mindbody NOW!
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