ELIZABETH, Ind. — More than 250 coaches took part in Friday’s first day of the inaugural NFCA Coaches Clinic at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Hotel and Casino.

Featuring a stellar lineup of nationally-known coaches, the two-day educational event provided a golden opportunity for softball instructors at all levels to learn from some of the game’s best, just 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Ky.

University of Alabama Head Coach Patrick Murphy led things off in the afternoon with a presentation of his “12 Championship Hitting Drills,” followed by Tennessee Co-Head Coach Karen Weekly’s “Art of the Short Game,” focusing on bunting and slapping.

After a short break, the program resumed with Michigan State Head Coach Jacquie Joseph offering teaching skills and drills for first and third basemen in her “Solid Corner Defense.” Renowned international pitching star and longtime Nebraska Associate Head Coach Lori Sippel provided insight into her specialty with “Pitching Mechanics and Sequencing,” while Arkansas Assistant Coach Boo De Oliveira pitched her thoughts on “Developing High-Level Catchers.”

After taking a timeout for dinner, Murphy returned to the stage to present “Putting Pressure on the Defense — Baserunning 101” and De Oliveira talked about truths and myths with her “Be Your OWN Recruiting Service,” before day one wrapped up with a fun game of “Last Coach Standing,” during which eight coaches battled head-to-head in a bracket-style competition of competing drills.

Coaches facing off in each round had the same randomly-drawn topic and just one minute to present their best drill in that subject. Audience applause determined which of the two coaches did the best job with their presentation and moved on the next round.

The competition eliminated coaches until De Oliveira and Murphy faced off in the finals, with De Oliveira offering the most popular infield drill to take the title.

Saturday’s second day has the five speakers returning for more instruction on hitting, team building, outfield skills, pitch calling, competitive drills, practice organization and infield defense.