COVID-19 has disrupted the sports world causing tournaments, games, and competitions to be canceled or postponed from the professional level down to the amateur ranks. The coronavirus hasn't just stopped sports competitions dead in their tracks as it has prevented amateur sports teams from training.

The spring and summer are filled with travel fastpitch softball practices, games, and tournaments, yet none of the three are possible currently. Teams are having a difficult time planning for the future and when they can return to the diamond.

Individual training can still be undertaken by fastpitch softball players and the good news is, technology makes it possible for coaches to advise each player on their practice. Apps that aid in sports training are at an all-time high right now. Players and parents seeking to train during the COVID-19 outbreak have plenty of options. Technology makes it possible for players to track their training whether it be hitting, throwing, fielding, or conditioning. The great thing about modern technology is the opportunities players have that were not possible 10 years ago.

Famer, an interactive sports coaching and training app, has seen its downloads and usage increase to levels never before seen in the last month. Famer is one of many apps on the market that is making it easier to stay connected at a time when teams cannot assemble.

According to Famer's website, it offers sports teams advanced technologies and custom training content production to enable team and personal training programs with interactive feedback between athletes and their coaches. The app had 5,000 users going into March; however, since the cancelation of amateur sports at the beginning of the month, the number of users has exploded far past that number. It is a rather advanced tool for softball teams but it isn't the only one that is being used.

There is practically an app for every sport. Softball is no different as a variety of smartphone applications make it possible for coaches, parents, and players to remain connected. The Team app, which is considered the world's No. 1 sports team application, is one of the more popular ways that teams stay in touch. Coaches can communicate and coordinate information with players and parents. Individual training sessions can be created and passed on.

While there are apps with advanced technology available for download, there are far simpler apps to use to stay connected. An app is anything you make it. Coaches can use something as simple as Facebook, YouTube, or Twitch to communicate with players. Softball coaches can simply record and upload training instructions and videos to YouTube and send out a private link to players. Teams can even communicate live via social media thanks to video chat.

Many of the apps softball teams can take advantage of are free to use. However, most offer exclusive features for a monthly subscription. Coaches and players simply need to find out just how they want to communicate and train during the COVID-19 outbreak. Each team will be different while the softball season is on pause. Coaches should explore their options for keeping their teams connected. An excellent training model during the COVID-19 outbreak could prepare softball teams for a successful campaign once the virus is over.