Note: The National Fastpitch Coaches Association Convention kicked off yesterday (Wed.) and runs through this weekend.  Key figures at all levels of softball–coaches, event producers, corporate sponsors, etc.–attend this annual meeting and I will be there Friday and Saturday to meet up with as many folks as I can!  There will be content as usual while I’m there so keep checkin’ back on the site! — Brentt Eads, Full Count Softball

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The following info provided by Brian Stanley, Dir. of Media Relations, NFCA…

The 2014 NFCA National Convention officially kicked off on Wednesday at the Bally’s Las Vegas with a record 1400-plus members in attendance.

The annual event began at 8:30 a.m. with committee meetings as the various groups had an opportunity to meet face-to-face, often for the first time, to toss around ideas and discuss issues from rules to education to recruiting to NFCA publications.

The highlight of the day was the annual pre-convention seminar as Jeff Janssen, the founder and president of Janssen Sports Leadership Center, led over 300 attendees through a talk from Noon-4 p.m. entitled “Building and Sustaining a Championship Culture: How to Create a Winning Culture of Commitment and Accountability.”

In an interactive seminar, Janssen focused on the eight kinds of cultures (Congenial, Constructive, Country Club, Comfortable, Competitive, Corrosive and Cut-Throat) and the five “Aligned Systems” (Credible Leaders, Clear and Compelling Vision, Core Values, Standards of Behavior and Committed and Unified Team), had coaches discuss their cultures with fellow colleagues, evaluate themselves and develop their core values.

Following the pre-convention seminar, the NFCA Golden Shoe and Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year awardees in attendance were honored during the 4:30 p.m. General Session.

In an emotional moment, the newly-created Donna Newberry Perseverance Award was presented to Notre Dame Head Coach Deanna Gumpf, whose daughter Tatum recently reached her second year of remission in her battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (diagnosed in 2010).

Following presentations on the state of National Pro Fastpitch by league commissioner Cheri Kempf, opportunities in USA women’s baseball by Jenny Dalton Hill and updates on the International Softball Federation and USA Softball from executive directors Ron Radigonda and Chris Cress, respectively, NFCA Executive Director Lacy Lee Baker provided members with an update on the state and growth of the Association.

NFCA President Rhonda Revelle (head coach, Nebraska) followed with the annual President’s report and internationally known motivational speaker Dan Lier wrapped up the session with the keynote address.

New attendees got a chance to learn the ropes at a one-hour orientation presented by President Revelle, Michigan State head coach Jacquie Joseph and NFCA Associate Executive Director Carol Bruggeman. The evening concluded with the Louisville Slugger reception, along with Division I and II Head Coaches Committee meetings, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Panel, a Mid-American Conference meeting and the International Caucus.

The 2014 NFCA Convention program continues on Thursday as numerous divisions hold their annual Caucus Business Meetings (DI, DII, DIII, NAIA and NJCAA) before the exhibit hall opens for business at 11 a.m.

Coaches who reached milestone victories in 2014 will be honored with certificates, plaques and crystal during the Easton Victory Club luncheon at 11:45, while the exhibit hall drawings and silent auction are slated for 1:30 p.m.

Speakers including Florida State head coach Lonni Alameda and an all-star Hall of Fame Panel featuring four retired Hall of Fame head coaches, Bill Edwards (Hofstra), Dr. JoAnn Graf (Florida State), Margie Wright (Fresno State) and Dr. Gerry Pinkston (Central Oklahoma).

The evening includes a mentoring session from 7-9 featuring NFCA Hall of Famer Sue Enquist where veteran coaches shared their knowledge with the new and young coaches.

Coaches will conclude their day sharing food and fellowship at either the Diamond Sports Social at the Chateau in Paris or by participating in the FCA Three-Dimensional Coaching Session (9 p.m.).