Rita Lynn Gilman's Softball Pitching Tools

Expert fastpitch instruction and softball training tools

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Pitching Lesson Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s Rita Lynn Gilman’s secret to developing 2 National Players of the Year?

Come for lessons and see! It’s not fancy! Both of my Players of the Year (POYs), Lacey Waldrop and Valerie Cagle, started regular lessons with me at the young age of 9 and stayed loyal for a decade. It’s a marathon. 

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How do Rita Lynn Gilman, Inc.’s students throw so hard? 

Because we aren’t afraid to talk about it and emphasize it!  We teach aggressive, efficient mechanics and hold high-energy radar sessions frequently. Never be satisfied with where you are at. Speed will set yourself apart from the crowd.

Our 1 hour 40-minute video and workbook will guide you: Speed Builders Video and Workbook. 

Are we taking new students?

Yes! You’ll create an account in our online appointment system when you book a time slot with one of our available instructors. All appointments require a credit card on file to hold a spot. Give us the courtesy of 48-hour notification of any cancellations. 

If this is your first appointment, please arrive 30 minutes beforehand to warm up. Returning pitchers are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes beforehand.

If you don’t see openings in the appointment schedule, what do you do?

Lesson slots are in high demand. Continue to check the booking system as cancellations will pop open immediately when someone cancels. You can contact instructors directly to see what time slots can be added to accommodate you. 

Availability and Rates for All Instructors

What are lesson prices and lesson duration? 

All individual lessons are one-on-one for 45 minutes. 2 back-to-back lessons are recommended for anyone traveling an hour or more. Pricing:

How can customers pay for the lessons? 

Cash, Venmo, or Zelle. The appointment system allows you to pay with credit card for lessons with Rita Lynn only. It charges an extra $2 service charge. Checks are no longer accepted. 

Venmo accounts:

  • Rita Lynn: @ritalynngilman x6211
  • Jackie: @jackie-magill-1 x2214
  • Rachel: @racheldavis377 x5598
  • Abby: @greenwoodsoftball-llc x6870
  • Sophia: @sophia-peterson-119 x6531

We have Venmo QR codes you can scan after the lessons. The last 4 of our cell numbers are listed above if needed for verification. 

Where are you located?

We are located just north of Richmond, VA in Hanover County on the Gilman Family Farm!

Rita Lynn Gilman Fastpitch Instruction
12187 Chewning Road
Glen Allen, VA 23059
(Google Map and Directions)

212A1017  212A0992

Can we do group lessons?

Yes, add $10 to each time slot for each additional pitcher. Coordinate directly through each instructor. 

How far out is the lesson schedule open?

Rita Lynn’s schedule automatically opens 60 days out. 

All others open up their schedule as they know what they can offer. 

How often are students expected to attend lessons?

It really depends upon how far away you live. Out-of-state students (or those over 2 hours away) should visit every other month. Our Virginia kids should schedule monthly. Local kids should come every other week. 

Can students book with any instructor?

Yes! Our teaching styles are all different but we deliver the same information in varying ways! Many students benefit from bouncing between instructors. You may ask for a specific focus. For instance, an entire speed building lesson with Rachel or a change up lesson with Jackie. It’s up to you!

What should students bring to lessons?

Gloves, turf shoes, taped ball, video device like your phone, notebook/journal, and any pitching tools. 

In your notebook, write the following:

Today’s lesson date:

What I’d like to focus on in today’s lesson:

Your glow and grow:

GLOW (what I’m doing well):

GROW (what I need to improve):

Drills I’ve been doing for:

  1. Mechanics:
  2. Accuracy:
  3. Speed:
  4. Spin:
  5. Change Up:

Current First Pitch Strike (FPS %):

Do pitchers need a catcher?

No. We have cages and four 12-hole Pitcher’s Pockets to pitch into. 

Can students video the lessons?

Yes! We want you to get every detail of what we say during your lessons! Pitchers are expected to watch the video and take notes themselves. 

Can students buy pitching tools at the lessons?

Yes, we have plenty of inventory in-house and will make recommendations of the most beneficial tools for your specific pitching needs. 

What ages do we work with?

8 and up. The sooner the better for pitchers older than that. Don’t wait! It takes years to develop an elite pitcher.  

Do we work with beginners?

Yes we love beginners! It is easier to train them from the beginning!! Don’t wait! First lessons are critical!!

What are the student’s jobs before each lesson?

  • her questions written in journal 
  • her plan for today’s lesson written in journal
  • review/master all lesson notes
  • J-bands and proper warm up
  • hair up 
  • turfs on
  • release flap on
  • pitching mat moved to correct distance
  • empty crate in place for catcher
  • balls out
  • move Pitchers Pocket up if no catcher
  • ready to work = show up!
  • feed our cat Kramer if he begs

If you are from out of state, here’s how you can set up your own personal clinic:

Plan on 2-3 lessons a day for 2-3 days. Book yourself if slots are available. You may contact the instructors directly if you need help fitting into the schedule. 

Plan on hanging out and practicing at our training center during your stay. Pitching tools will be sent home with you each night to continue to practice at the hotel. 

What accommodations are near Rita Lynn Gilman’s training center?

Airbnb 1 mile away! Returning out-of-state students use this place repeatedly so book ahead of time! I expect you to return to the shop after your lessons to practice and this Airbnb makes it so easy to slip over!

Short Pump area is the best place to stay. It is 10 minutes away and it also has plenty of new hotels as well as shopping and restaurants. 

What is expected between lessons?

Immediately after the lesson, pitcher should write in her journal what she recalls from the lesson in her own words. 

Be your own best pitching coach. Work on and perfect everything we covered! Write your workouts in your journal. As our sign says: “Do every damn thing I tell you to do!”

Pitcher should watch the lesson video and write her own notes. 

Practice in front of a mirror with sticky notes detailing exactly what she needs to focus on.

How should I warm up?

Our 47-minute video will guide you: Warm Up To Throw, Not Throw To Warm Up

  1. Dynamic leg/arm warm ups
  2. J-band routine
  3. 14” ball first
  4. Overhand
  5. Underhand stationary a few of all pitches
  6. 12” ball 
    • step-kick all pitches
    • full motion from the mound

What are our favorite pitching tools?

  1. Spin Right Spinner
  2. 14” ball
  3. Release flap
  4. 8oz heavy
  5. 5oz light

What are RLG’s favorite speed building drills?

These are fully demonstrated and explained in our Speed Builders Video and Workbook. 

  1. Long distance pitching
  2. Heavy and light weighted ball routine 

What are RLG’s preferred pitches?

Master these 3:

  1. Fast/Peel Drop
  2. Backhand Change Up
  3. Rise ball

What tools in the store are made personally by Rita Lynn Gilman?

  1. Ball on Stick
  2. Double ball
  3. Drag box

What is your Amazon store link?

Softball Pitching Tools on Amazon

What is the link to your website’s Shopify store?

Softball Pitching Tools on Shopify

If students can’t travel to Virginia for lessons, here’s how we can help!

Our videos are very thorough and our video library can guide you in training at home. Start with our Basic Mechanics and proceed to the Speed Builders Video and Workbook. Then Stationary Drill and then Whip It and Rip It. 

Where are we on social media?

  • X / Twitter: 
    • @ritalynngilman
    • @jackie_magill
    • @rachelldavisss
    • @abby_greenwood1
    • @sophiap2025
  • Instagram: 
    • ritalynn.gilman
    • magilljackie 
    • racheldavis.77
  • TikTok:  
    • @ritalynngilman
    • @rachelsavis377
  • Facebook: 
    • Rita Lynn Gilman’s Fastpitch Softball Pitching Instructional Shop
    • Jackie Magill Softball Pitching

What discount codes are available for training tools?

How can students get their own player profile page to link from our Speed Club so college coaches can get current information on your pitcher?

Visit FastpitchGuidance.com to request your own page today!

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