UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2024

My name is Amanda Werth. I currently am in my 11th year coaching softball. During my time as a coach, I have trained and developed many girls into the area’s best softball players. I have helped girls achieve their goal of playing high level travel ball and then moving onto successful college softball careers. I consider myself very fortunate to have a job that I love and am so passionate about. My goal is to help players achieve their dreams as I did mine. I hope to influence the next generation of athletes in a positive way and help them become the best they can be both on and off the field.

I started my softball career at Royalton-Hartland High School, where I was a 5 year Varsity starter. Through hard work and excellent coaching I was able to continue my softball career at Niagara University in Lewiston, New York. I played almost every position for Niagara including outfield, first base, third base, catcher and pitcher. Always considered a dynamic defensive player, I believe my biggest contribution to the team was my consistent bat in the lineup.   Not being the biggest player on the field, my favorite aspect of hitting is proving people wrong. Little girls CAN hit the ball hard when we know what pitches to hit, discipline, and correct mechanics. Teaching this competitive mindset to my players and seeing it translate both on and off the diamond is one of my favorite and most rewarding things to see as a coach. 

I started my career as a coach after one of my Varsity games, where the opposing head coach told me she loved how I played, and asked if I would be interested in giving her 10 year old daughter a few pointers (how awesome, right?). Fortunately, my Dad had built me a batting cage in our backyard in Gasport, NY. Eventually 1 girl became 3, and 3 girls became 6 etc. Word of mouth spread and I eventually realized I loved how rewarding coaching was.

As a freshman in college, I started coaching as an assistant travel ball coach in 2011 and started offering private lessons in Williamsville. Eventually, I progressed as a head coach for the Lou Gehrig organization where several of my players went on to play college softball. Although I enjoyed my time playing, I realized that coaching and giving back my knowledge of the game was where my heart was.

Now that my college career has ended, I am determined to help the newest generation of Western New York athletes and coaches get to the next level of play. Through dedication, patience and hard work I hope to help the young women of Western New York prepare for their futures whether on or off the field.

AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2012-2015 Niagara University Starter

2012-2015 MAAC All-Academic Team

2012 MAAC Tournament

5 Time 1st Team Niagara-Orleans League Honoree

2009-2011 NYSSWA All-State Team Honoree

2010 All WNY Softball Team Buffalo News

2011 All WNY Small Schools First Team

5 Year Varsity Starter

11 Years of Coaching Experience

Two Master’s Degrees – Management and Marketing

FAVORITE AWS MEMORY
To be honest, there are too many to count. But if I had to choose, I would pick our Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse Clinic – where we had over 100 players and a staff of 35. This sounds amazing, and it totally was! We had LSU and Georgia Tech and so many other of the area’s best coaches and players show up to help (even Sean McDermott was there!) – but LOGISTICALLY it was my biggest challenge to date. Making sure sign in was smooth, having the right equipment on hand, and coordinating a staff of 35 was no an easy task.  Months and months of planning went into this event.  I think I slept for about 3 days straight afterwards (lol).  But actually – the moment that I remember most clearly from that day is that the parents of my players (and some of my players) continuously asking if they could help, or if I needed anything – and that to me was so touching.  I am reminded every day how much these players and their parents and siblings have truly become like an extended family to me over the years, and that extra support meant the world to me.

FAVORITE SOFTBALL MEMORY
I know this probably isn’t specific enough, but my coaches. I used to be such a shy kid when I was younger.  You could NOT get me to talk, and doing group sessions? Oh my gosh, forget it. But my coaches were patient with me and helped me gain confidence both on and off the field. They made such an impact on me when I was younger, and even now, continue to do so. Part of the reason why I love what I do so much is because I hope to inspire my young girls like my coaches did for me. And for that I will be forever grateful.

FAVORITE TOPIC TO TEACH AND WHY
Where to begin? Being a ‘Jack of All Trades’ I actually love to coach all aspects of the game. But one topic in particular is my favorite. And that has to be CONFIDENCE. As I mentioned before, I used to be painfully shy. In between games I used to want to sit in the AC and read books rather than sit and play with my teammates. I loved being on the field with them, but definitely needed my downtime afterwards. I know many of you won’t believe this if you have seen me coach, but I am still an introvert even to this day – just not on the field. Knowing how intimidating heading into a group setting can be for a shy girl – It is my mission at every clinic to make all the girls feel welcome and special. I absolutely love watching the ‘shy’ girls walk in, and a confident player who isn’t afraid to fail walk out at the end of the day. Teaching girls to believe in themselves and seeing that confidence grow throughout the course of a single session is truly one of my favorite things about coaching.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT TEACHING SOFTBALL
This is a no brainer. My relationships that I have built with my players and their families over the years. I can truly say I have met so many amazing and wonderful families through the course of coaching softball. A lot of you feel like extended family at this point, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you at my wedding someday (lol). It’s so rewarding seeing my girls grow up through their awkward stages, braces, to prom, and off to college. Many of my former players now coach too, and that’s probably the most amazing and rewarding part of this whole experience is seeing your players come full circle and making their impact on the younger generation. I am honestly so proud of so many of my girls for their many accomplishments both on and off the field.

FUNNY/INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT YOU (NOT SOFTBALL RELATED)
– I am an introvert through and through
– Most of my family lives all around the world, which is very convenient for me since I LOVE to travel!
– I am a neat freak – except for my car (I blame it on the softball dirt)
– I am VERY lactose intolerant (but still eat it and suffer the consequences, lol)
– I have an at home gym (because you know – introvert and all) and have been into fitness my entire life
– My Dad is a body builder, my mom is a personal trainer, and my brother is in the Navy and just completed his first body building show in Hawaii (proud sister!)
– I have many plant babies that I end up killing because I am TOO responsible and end up loving (watering) them too much!
 
FUNNY/INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT YOU (SOFTBALL RELATED)
– I broke my foot off my leg playing in college and they had to reattach it (I’m fine now, but I do set off metal detectors!)
– I was approved to play baseball my senior year in high school instead of softball (because what girl doesn’t want to make the boys look bad?) but ended up deciding against it because I was afraid of loosing my scholarship if I was injured
– Known to have all of the best snacks in the dugout, and chances are if you need something – I probably have it because I am always uber-prepared

AMANDA’S HOBBIES
– Traveling
– Hiking, biking & being outside
– Anything competitive
– I love attending my girl’s games and being their own personal hype woman!