Swinging For The Fences

Episode 32: Jordan Vorbrink (Former WKU Softball player)

In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Vorbrink, a former University of Louisville softball commit, to break down the highs, lows, and absolute chaos of the youth softball world.

🔹 Committing to College… as a Freshman?! – Vorbrink locked in her spot at Louisville as a high school freshman. Did it relieve pressure or just put a bigger target on her back?

🔹 The Cost of Playing Softball – Travel. Equipment. Tournament fees. Many players had to travel with teammates or compete without family in the stands because the sport is simply too expensive.

🔹 Is Softball Rightfully #3 on the “Craziest Youth Sports” List? – Vorbrink gives her take on where softball ranks in the world of youth sports insanity. Spoiler: It deserves the spot.

🔹 Softball Parents Are Built Different – Keeping their own stats, yelling at umpires, claiming “their seat” at every game… Why are softball parents some of the wildest?

🔹 The “Ring Culture” Is Out of Control – Vorbrink weighs in on the obsession with tournament rings in softball and baseball.

🔹 The Objectivity of Softball – Unlike some other sports, stats don’t lie. If you’re the best, your numbers back it up—leaving less room for parent complaints.

🔹 Pitcher = Quarterback? – In both softball and football, one position can dictate the entire team’s success. Does this lead to parents jockeying for their child to be “the star” pitcher at young ages?

🔹 Burnout Is Real – Youth softball emphasizes game after game after game—but is that leading to fewer players sticking with the sport by high school?

🔹 Life After Sports: Welcome to NARP Life – What happens when you stop being an athlete after it’s been your identity for years? There’s even a term for it: “NARP” (Non-Athletic Regular Person).

🔹 And of course… MORE HOT TAKES! – Vorbrink absolutely destroys a beloved sports movie—tune in to find out which one!

If you’ve ever been around youth softball—or just love a wild sports discussion—this episode is a must-listen!