Flexible, national-championship instruction at just $20 per hour - that's the basis of Beth Keylon-Randolph's Chattanooga State fall instructional program for area fastpitch softball players.
In a new concept for the longtime personal instructor and college coach, girls ages 5-20 can come as often as they want for one to three hours every Monday and/or Tuesday through the end of November, beginning on Labor Day, to the Chattanooga State campus.
Either on the softball field or indoors in inclement weather, they can receive teaching and do drills in various aspects of pitching, catching, hitting, baserunning, fielding and throwing. The hitting dimension includes specifics in left-handed slapping, and each of the groups will be tailored for the ages and ability levels of the participants.
All 27 players on this year's roster for the reigning NJCAA Division I national champions will be available to teach, along with Keylon-Randolph and her assistant coach and former McKee Baking men's fastpitch standout Steve Jaecks.
Paying as they go, attendees can take part from 6 to 7 p.m., 7 to 8 or 8 to 9 or any two or all three of those sessions, with each hour devoted to one of the skills. Participants just need to arrive at least 10 minutes before the first session they want to be in.
The maximum ratio of players to instructor will be eight to one, Keylon-Randolph noted.
"We pride ourselves on being very good teachers of the game, and we've taught kids of all ages," she said. "We can identify what level they're on and raise that level quickly. In addition to rec players, we want to help the select kids and the high school girls who want to be seen by college coaches.
"The benefits for us are that our players get to instruct and give back to the community, and I think it will help them improve as they teach, and the money we raise can help us continue to travel and operate our program at a national-championship level."
She and Jaecks, also Chatt State's athletic director, sent detailed flyers to area youth leagues and coaches starting about three weeks ago, and they've been getting positive feedback even though pre-registration is not necessary.
"We've had excellent response," Keylon-Randolph said Saturday. "And we'll be glad to email brochures to anyone who wants one. Even though it's not required, it would help to have an idea of how many people think they might be interested."
Those can text Jaecks at 400-3103 or email steve.jaecks@chattanoogastate.edu or beth.randolph@chattanoogastate.edu.
"We look forward to a big turnout and a big time this fall at the Chattanooga State softball field," Jaecks said.