Ahead Of The Curve with Jonathan Gelnar: Recent Episodes

Jonathan Gelnar

Host Jonathan Gelnar and an array of guests from differing backgrounds discuss how to develop the complete baseball player. This will be your source for the most up to date coaching strategies for baseball player and coach development.

Original 2020: Today we have on Joe Espada, Bench Coach for the Houston Astros. Joe grew up in Puerto Rico and attended college the University of Mobile before being drafted 45th overall in the 1996 draft by the Oakland A’s. Joe played 10 years in the Minors before retiring and getting into coaching. He got his first coaching job in 2006 with the Marlins and was named the big league 3B coach in 2010. In 2014 he was hired by Brian Cashman and became an assistant to the GM and the infield coach with the Yankees, and in 2017 he was hired by the Astros to be the bench coach. On the show we discuss lessons learned throughout his professional career, we discuss how working in the Yankees front office helped him become a better on field coach and we dive deep into how to learn about and build the culture in the clubhouse.

Resources Extreme ownership- Jocko Willink Measure what matters- John Doerr We’re all in this together- Mike Robbins

Today we have on George Lombard. First base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. George has been a member of the dodgers for 5 years, after previously serving various roles in the Braves and Red Sox Minor League Systems. George’s story is one word, powerful. His mom was a civil rights activist with Martin Luther King jr. His grandfather was the dean of Harvard business school for 40 years. George was an all American running back and signed at the university of Georgia before ultimately deciding to pursue baseball which led to playing 6+ years in the big leagues.

Throwback to 2019: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I engage in a discussion with Andrew Wright, the Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Recruitment and Retention at the University of Charleston in West Virginia. Coach Wright generously shares his wisdom regarding how to not only evaluate players, but also ways to empower the coaching staff as well. Find out what Andrew Wright’s training methods typically consist of what valuable advice he has benefited from along the way. Show Notes: Andrew Wright introduces himself and shares his background How does player development and evaluation work in his program Which types of information do they measure and evaluate What are his players competing against and which skill metrics are involved It is one thing to identify problems, it is another to offer assistance to fix them What daily routines and drills do they do to establish a productive team culture A lack of education, empowerment, or accountability lead to the process breaking down How can you convey problems to players without shattering their confidence Don’t let players feel let down, put down, or shut down How do you get all of your coaches on the same page What does your coach development process look like What are some great interview questions for recruitment Being a super stubborn coach is a disservice to your team When you think kindly of someone, where is that coming from What are some unique things that Andrew’s organization is doing that others aren’t How is this spring’s practice plan shaping up What does Andrew suggest to head coaches or assistants that want to be head coaches It is important to respect how your ideas get results When pitchers get behind, it is typically because of their fast ball What is something that Andrew Wright has learned lately that he is excited about Which resources are useful that have come up in staff meetings 3 Key Points: Don’t just bog the players down with the details. Show them how to apply them. Team culture is a product of your belief, behavior, and experience. Learn how to listen and how to manage your reaction when addressing issues.

Tweetable Quotes: “In a given year we have anywhere from 47 to 55 players for whom we are responsible. So, we have to get very creative.” – Andrew Wright (2:49) “At the Division 2 level, you can’t just recruit your wins, you have to recruit and develop them.” – Andrew Wright (4:24) “Unless we are willing to share the information, and be very transparent about what we are doing, we can’t really prove our worth. It’s just an opinion at that point.” – Andrew Wright (5:54) “We probably gather more information than we can actually process at this point. But the beauty is in the application.” – Andrew Wright (9:54) “We want to be candid with each other, and we want to be vulnerable, and we really want to be real with each other.” – Andrew Wright (13:53) “If we don’t have daily conversations about what it is supposed to look like, and hold each other accountable, then it is not going to work. You are doing it for show.” – Andrew Wright (31:32) “I want people who are willing to hold their own opinions as accountable as they hold someone else’s.” – Andrew Wright (37:01) “Be authentic. People see right through you when you are not.” – Andrew Wright (52:07)

Throwback Bio 2021 national champion JT Gasso has spent the past 6 seasons as Oklahoma's assistant coach. His primary responsibilities are focused on working with OU's outfielders and the Sooner offense. During Gasso's tenure, the Sooners have had one of most potent offenses in the country, and in 2021 broke almost every offensive category you can think of The Sooners broke the NCAA single season home run record, the single season runs record. and OU also broke the record for runs and home runs at the Women’s College World Series. So on the show, we go over how they developed into national champions and the offensive juggernaut they were in 2021 Here is JT Gasso!

Time Stamps 01:00- Intro

03:00- Closet Talks/Meetings during games

14:00- Elimination Games and the thought process.

21:00- Setting up the fall

42:00- mental/Tactical side 50:00-

Training Adjustability 1:05:00-

Last Things Resources

https://hubermanlab.com/ http://www.onbaseu.com/ Gamechanger- Fergus Connolly Contact https://twitter.com/jtgasso Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doug Quotes We dont chase results. We chase the ability to move in balance and take an effortless swing. The human body is the strongest and most efficient in a position of balance.

Curt Quotes The more information we can spread about good swings, the more our game is going to progress in the right direction and especially for the players which is what its all about. Timing is the most important thing, always

Cody Atkinson We’ve got to learn to time for best fastball and adjust on the fly without taking panic swings. An athlete will self organize if you give them the right things to focus on.

Contact Doug Latta Ballyard6@gmail.com Curt Nelson Curtis2819@gmail.com

Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com

Twitter @aotc_podcast

Instagram aotc_podcast

Bio

Rich Hofman - Legendary High School Baseball Coach

Rich Hoffman is celebrated as one of the most accomplished high school baseball coaches in history, renowned for his unparalleled success and ability to develop future professional athletes. Across his storied career, Hoffman amassed 1,020 wins, 10 state championships, and two national titles, leaving an indelible mark on high school baseball.

During his tenure at Westminster Christian in Miami, Hoffman built a powerhouse program that achieved three consecutive state championships in the 1990s, including a national titles in 1992 and 1996 as recognized by Baseball America. His teams also achieved an extraordinary 60-game winning streak, showcasing their dominance. His 1993 squad was particularly remarkable, producing four future Major League Baseball players, including Hall of Famer Alex Rodriguez and World Series champion Doug Mientkiewicz.

After transitioning to Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Hoffman continued his winning ways, adding two more state titles and completing an unprecedented streak of five consecutive championships between the two schools.

Hoffman’s influence extended far beyond wins and titles. Known for his emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and skill development, Hoffman created a legacy that resonates throughout the baseball community.

Part 2

2:00- Pre Season Structure
14:00- In Season Structure
20:00 “stealing reps”
24:00- Quick Hitters

Bio

Heath Autrey is the head baseball coach at Corsicana High School in Texas, where his leadership has propelled the Tigers to consistent success. With over 400 career victories, Coach Autrey emphasizes building "overachievers," instilling discipline, and fostering a winning mentality both on and off the field. Known for his strategic approach and player development skills, he has become a respected figure in Texas high school baseball.

In addition to his on-field success, Coach Autrey actively engages with the baseball community through clinics and podcasts, sharing his insights on the game and coaching philosophies.

Part 2

02:00 - Pre Season Focus:
10:00 - Offensive Mindset
15:00 - Scrimmages / Tournament Season
25:00 - Quick Hitters

Bio: Joe Sato - Head Coach, Bingham High School (UT)

Joe Sato is the head coach of the Bingham High School baseball team, where he has been instrumental in developing a winning culture for over several decades. He is not only an alum of Bingham but has been coaching there since 1975. Under his leadership, the team has secured three state championships and consistently ranked among the top teams in the state.

Known for his innovative coaching techniques, Joe emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship, creating an environment where student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field. His dedication to the sport has earned him several accolades, including multiple "Coach of the Year" awards in Utah. He has has been inducted into the National High School Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Joe actively engages in community service initiatives, promoting the importance of giving back and supporting local youth programs. His dedication to the sport and his players makes him a respected leader in the local sports community.

Contact Information:

binghamathletics.com

Part 2* 02:00- Pre Season Focus * 16:00- Efficient In Season Practices and favorite drills * 30:00- Quick Hitters

Bio: Robbie Britt- Head Baseball Coach, Eastern Michigan

Robbie joined Eastern Michigan University as head baseball coach in 2023, bringing a legacy of success from his tenure at the University of Charleston. With a career winning percentage of .722, Britt is known for transforming teams into competitive powerhouses, both athletically and academically. At Charleston, his teams clinched multiple conference championships, three NCAA appearances, and a historic 43-12 record in 2023. His commitment to excellence extends off the field; under Britt's leadership, his players achieved eight consecutive semesters with a GPA above 3.0 and dedicated over 4,000 hours to community service.

Now at EMU, We talk through how Robbie continues to foster a competitive and supportive culture while preparing his players for success both on and off the field. Here is Robbie Britt!

For further information about Coach Britt's career and his accomplishments, visit EMU Athletic

Contact Information:

rbritt@emich.edu

Part 2* 2:00- “skill work segment 2 and 3” * 6:00- Pre Season Focuses * 13:00- Scouting and Game planning * 18:30- Game like practice design * 25:00- Quick hitters

Bio:

Todd Fitz-Gerald is the head baseball coach at Stoneman Douglas High School, where he has led the Eagles to multiple Florida state championships, including titles in 2016, 2021, and 2022. Under his leadership, the program has become a national powerhouse, known for producing top-tier talent, with several players advancing to college baseball and the MLB draft. Fitz-Gerald has over 20 years of coaching experience, previously guiding American Heritage to a state title before joining Stoneman Douglas. His coaching philosophy centers on discipline, teamwork, and developing players both on and off the field. In addition to his on-field success, Fitz-Gerald’s resilience and leadership were critical in guiding the team through the aftermath of the tragic events of 2018, uniting the community through the sport of baseball.

Contact:

Email: Todd.fitzgerald@browardschools.com

Website: www.stonemandouglasbaseball.com

01:00 Pre Season structure
05:00- Player meetings
08:00- how to efficiently conduct practice in season
- Daily routines for practice
- Pre game Routines
17:00- Pregame routines and Drill sets
24:00 Quick Hitters

Bio: Mark "Pudge" Gjormand has been the head coach of the James Madison High School baseball team since 1995, he is starting his his 30th season in 2024 and marking his 38th year in high school coaching. Under his leadership, the Warhawks have become a dominant force, winning 14 Liberty Conference titles, 2 Concorde Conference titles, 4 regional championships, and 3 Virginia state titles. His success and dedication to the game earned him a spot in the BCA Hall of Fame in 2021, the first Virginia high school coach to receive this honor.

Gjormand has also served on the executive committee of the BCA, becoming president in 2010-2011. He continues to be an influential figure in high school baseball, contributing to the national rankings committee and will be speaking at the ABCA in January.

"In Part 2 We discuss how he prepares his team during the preseason, his approach to in-season drills and development, and the role of player meetings in building strong team dynamics and individual growth. Gjormand shares his strategies for keeping players sharp throughout the season and the importance of open communication with his athletes."

Time Stamps – Part 2:

1:00 – Preseason Preparation
- How Gjormand prepares his team before the season starts, focusing on conditioning, strategy, and mental readiness.
11:00 – In-Season Drills/Development
- An exploration of in-season drills that keep players sharp and game-ready, ensuring they continue to develop throughout the year.
30:00 – Player Meetings and Conversations
- Gjormand discusses the importance of player meetings, covering the approach he takes to communicate effectively with athletes, address concerns, and foster team cohesion.
45:00 – Quick Hitters

Bio

Brian Kitamura has led the Whitman College Baseball program through one of its most successful eras in school history. Entering his 10th season as head coach and 15th year with the program, he has turned Whitman into a perennial contender. In 2024, Kitamura guided Whitman to its first Northwest Conference regular-season title since 1952, earning a 26-17 overall record and 16-8 in conference play. His leadership was recognized with the 2024 Northwest Conference Coach of the Year award.

Since taking over, Kitamura has led Whitman to the Northwest Conference Tournament four times in five seasons in 2019, the team won its first-ever NWC Tournament and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, facing top-ranked Chapman University in a thrilling series.

Under his leadership, the program has also made strides off the field. Kitamura helped secure major upgrades to Borleske Stadium, including a new clubhouse and indoor training facility. His commitment to player development has seen many athletes continue their careers at the NCAA Division I level while excelling academically, with Whitman teams consistently maintaining a GPA above 3.0.

Part 2 Intro:

"In Part 2, Brian Kitamura takes us deeper into the day-to-day strategies behind Whitman’s success. He walks us through preseason preparation, the in-season drills that help his players stay sharp, and the importance of holding player meetings to foster both individual and team growth. Get an inside look at how Kitamura keeps his team performing at the highest level year-round."

Contact Information:

Email: kitamubt@whitman.edu
Phone: (509) 522-4438

Part 2: Time Stamps2:00 - Player Meetings* Discussion on the importance of regular meetings with players for communication and development.

5:00 - January Plans* Overview of strategies and goals for the upcoming month and how they align with the season's objectives.

14:00 - In-Season Practice Advice* Tips and best practices for managing practices during the season to maximize player performance and team cohesion.

20:00 - Quick Hitters

Bio

Career record of 927-549-6 over 29 seasons Four FCSAA state championships (1997, 1998, 2022, 2023) One NJCAA National Championship - 2023 Four-time FCSAA Coach of the Year Eight-time Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year

Head coach Marty Smith enters his 30th year for the Patriots and second year as the Manager of Athletics for the College of Central Florida. In 2023 Smith became one of only two active coaches in the state to reach 900 wins in the FCSAA.

Smith led the Patriots to the 2023 NJCAA Division 1 National Championship with a school record 56-7 mark in 2023, with the Pats shattering many records including wins and home runs in a season (119). Smith led the program to its second consecutive Mid-Florida Conference Championship and second consecutive FCSAA State and South-Atlantic District Championship.

Smith's 2023 squad garnered four 1st Team All-State selections and Two 2nd Team All-State selections. The 2023 Patriot team produced One 1st Team All-American (John Marant), One 2nd Team All-American selection (Edwin Toribio) and one Honorable Mention All-American (Cam Schuelke). The 2023 Patriot National Championship Team saw all 10 graduating Patriots move on to NCAA Division 1 In 2017, Smith had the highest draft pick come out of his program to-date in RHP Nate Pearson, who was selected 28th overall (Rd. 1) by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2017 MLB Draft. Pearson, Rawlings JUCO National Pitcher of the Year, and a Golden Spikes Award finalist, was the second highest JUCO player drafted in 2017.

Email: smithm@cf.edu

Time Stamps Part 2

02:00- Pre Season and Ramping Up

07:00- Balancing Development and Winning

13:00- Player Meetings

18:00- Game planning and Pregame Routines

27:00- quick hitters

Bio

Chris Turco is the Head Baseball Coach at Pope High School, where he has led the Greyhounds to the state championship in each of his three years at the helm, winning the title in 2022 and finishing as runner-up in 2023 and 2024. Under his leadership, Pope has continued its legacy of excellence, competing for the state championship 7 of the last 8 full seasons and advancing to the Final 4 for 9 consecutive years.

Turco’s success extends beyond baseball, having led his softball teams to three straight titles in softball (2018, 2019, 2020). Known for his dedication to player development and building a culture of winning, Coach Turco is committed to preparing athletes for success on the field and in life.

Part 2

02:00- tryouts in January
04:00- practice design
12:30- favorite drill sets and competitions
18:00- quick hitters

Bio

Hired by Lackawanna College in June of 2018, Mike McCarry is in his sixth season as the head coach for the Falcons in 2024.

In his tenure, McCarry has guided the Falcons to three NJCAA Division II World Series appearances. The Falcons have captured three Region championships, as well as three District titles, under the tutelage of coach McCarry. He has coached a Region Pitcher of the Year, two Region Offensive Players of the Year, three NJCAA All-Americans

On Part 1 we go over changes from last year to this year, culture building and how they structure the fall. Here is Michael McCarry!

Email mccarrym@lackawanna.edu

Part 2 Time Stamps

02:30- January / Pre Season

05:00- Indoor drills vs outdoor drills

08:30- “the seasons within the seasons”

13:00- Preparing for the post season

16:00 Quick Hitters

Bio

Brian Brewer

Now in his 21st season at Marietta and 25th season overall, has established himself as one of the finest head coaches in college baseball. Brewer recorded his 600th career victory in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.

With three national titles, Brewer has secured his place in Marietta baseball history. With Brewer at the helm, the Etta Express won the 2006 national championship and became the first school since Rowan University in 1978-79 to win back-to-back Division III crowns with the 2011 and 2012 championships.

The success has earned Brewer an array of honors, including three ABCA/Diamond NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year awards, NCAA Mideast Region Coach of the Year and the Don Schaly OAC Coach of the Year.

Brewer, a 1993 graduate of Marietta, had been the assistant coach at his alma mater since 2000. The Pioneers went 163-38 in his four seasons as the assistant. He helped guide the Etta Express to three OAC Championships, two NCAA Mideast Regional Championships and two NCAA National Runner-up finishes.

Brewer spent four seasons as the head coach of John Carroll University’s baseball program before returning to Marietta College. While at John Carroll, Brewer earned his master’s degree in 1995.

On part one we hit on fall development, high standards, how to be a baseball teacher and his mosrt challenging leadership moments. This episode is so good with Brian Brewer!

Time stamps part 2

02:00 pre season meetings

12:00 January practices

15:00- balancing development and rest

26:00- quick hitters

Contact

brewerb@marietta.edu

Bio for Steven Cutter

Steven Cutter serves as the head baseball coach at Lansing Community College, where he was appointed as the program's 9th head coach on August 20, 2021. Since stepping into this leadership role, Coach Cutter has focused on elevating the program’s tradition of excellence through his commitment to player development, a competitive mindset, and fostering a culture of teamwork. His coaching philosophy centers on developing well-rounded athletes both on and off the field, preparing them for success in baseball and beyond.

With a reputation for strategic thinking and a passion for the sport, Coach Cutter has become a respected figure in collegiate baseball. His ability to connect with players, inspire performance, and build a winning culture makes him a pivotal leader in the Lansing baseball community. Whether guiding his team to success on the field or mentoring them for life after the game, Coach Cutter’s impact is far-reaching.

For inquiries, you can reach Coach Steven Cutter at:
Email: cutter@lcc.edu
Phone: (517) 483-1234

Follow Lansing Community College Baseball for updates and highlights:
Website: www.lccstars.com
Twitter: @LCCBaseball

Podcast Intro: Today, we’re joined by Michael Barta, the head baseball coach at Johnston High School in Iowa. Michael Barta is the head baseball coach at Johnston High School in Iowa, where he has built one of the premier baseball programs in the state. Known for his commitment to developing not only skilled athletes but also well-rounded individuals, Coach Barta's leadership has helped guide countless players to success both on the field and in their futures. With a focus on discipline, teamwork, and a passion for the game, he continues to shape the next generation of baseball talent With a proven track record of building winning teams and mentoring young athletes,

Part 2 Pre-Season Preparation (01:00): Coach Barta explains the significance of the pre-season in getting his team ready both mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. * Technology & Team Management (08:00): He delves into how technology and a strong managerial team help streamline operations, from tracking player performance to organizing game-day logistics. * Alignment Between Teams & Scouting (18:00): Barta highlights how aligning his various teams fosters better communication, collaboration, and effective scouting strategies that keep them competitive. * In-Season Practices & Pre-Game Routine (23:00): He shares his approach to maintaining sharpness during the season, detailing how practices and pre-game routines ensure the team stays focused and prepared. * Quick Hitters (34:00)*: In the final segment, Barta gives rapid-fire insights into key topics, offering practical tips and takeaways for listeners.

Contact Information: To connect with Coach Michael Barta or learn more about the Johnston High School baseball program, you can reach him at: Email: mbarta@johnston.k12.ia.us * School Website*: Johnston High School Athletics

Jake McKinley, who spent four seasons (2018-22) with the Milwaukee Brewers and has more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience, begins his second season at the Nevada helm in 2024.

He was the Brewers’ Vice President of Player Development since 2021, having previously served as the organization’s Director of Player Development Initiatives (2019-21) and minor league pitching coordinator (2018-19). He oversaw player development strategies throughout the entire organization, as well as oversight of all minor-league coordinators. The Brewers made the playoffs in each of McKinley’s seasons with the club, capturing the National League Central Division pennant in 2018 and 2021, and earning wild card berths from 2019-20.

Prior to joining the Brewers’ organization, McKinley spent 13 years in the collegiate ranks, including five seasons as a head coach (2014-17 at Menlo College; 2018 at William Jessup). At Menlo College, McKinley won 131 games over his four seasons at the helm, becoming the program’s all-time winningest head coach. The following season, he inherited a William Jessup team that had won just 10 games the previous year, and guided it to a 41-17 campaign, marking, at the time, the largest single-season turnaround in college baseball history.

Time stamps part 2

04:00- “more with less”

08:00- Fall Development

19:00- Competitions

31:00- culture and standards

38:00- throwing programs

Time stamps part 2

02:00- January throwing program

05:30- Attacking weaknesses

12:30- Pre season Team Development

17:30- developing role players and hard conversations

27:00- quick hitters

Contact

EMAIL baseball@unr.edu

Bio

Head Coach Boston College High Eagles for the past 3 seasons. in those years, he has been the Massachusetts Division 1 State Champs in 2024 Division 1 Massachusetts Coach of the Year in 2024 2018 ABCA Assistant Coach of the Year Presently serving as President of the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association

On the show we talk about his state champion group last year, his preparation for taking on the head coaching opportunity, and what they do for culture development in the fall. Here is part 1 with Steven Healy!

Time stamps part 2

02:00- preseason

13:00- organization of teams and tryouts

26:00 quick hitters

Contact

healy@bchigh.edu

Bio

A veteran coach among the college ranks, Lawn has 38 years of coaching experience dating back to his first job as the pitching coach at Contra Costa College in 1986. He spent two seasons with the Comets before moving on to be the graduate assistant at Nevada in 1988. After two seasons with the Wolf Pak and before heading to Cal, Lawn coached the Cape Cod League’s Brewster Whitecaps to its first-ever championship in the summer of 2000.

Lawn went on to spend 10 seasons at Cal (1991-00), seven at USC (2001-07) and two more at Nevada (1989-90, 2014-15). Additionally, Lawn spent part of the 2013 season as Director of Player Development at Cal State Fullerton. He made his way to Tucson and the Wildcats in 2015. From 2007-11, Lawn was the head coach at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif.

Under Lawn’s guidance, 42 players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including Mark Prior, the 2001 Golden Spikes Award winner from USC. Lawn’s teams have four times earned trips to the College World Series, six times played in the NCAA Super Regionals and 12 times earned NCAA Regional berths. Additionally, his clubs have won three Pac-12 Championships, one Big West title and one Mountain West regular season championship.

on the show we discuss life lessons in the game, the art of teaching the changeup and he goes in depth on how to help players play catch better. You’re gonna love this episode with Dave Lawn!

Running Game, Changeups

contact

d.lawn@TCU.edu

Part 2

02:00- December Break and On Ramping in January

08:00- Preseason Conversations

11:00- In Season Development

17:00- Routines and Mental Game

26:00- Recovery

30:00- Quick Hitters

Bio

Rich Hofman - Legendary High School Baseball Coach

Rich Hoffman is celebrated as one of the most accomplished high school baseball coaches in history, renowned for his unparalleled success and ability to develop future professional athletes. Across his storied career, Hoffman amassed 1,020 wins, 10 state championships, and two national titles, leaving an indelible mark on high school baseball.

During his tenure at Westminster Christian in Miami, Hoffman built a powerhouse program that achieved three consecutive state championships in the 1990s, including a national titles in 1992 and 1996 as recognized by Baseball America. His teams also achieved an extraordinary 60-game winning streak, showcasing their dominance. His 1993 squad was particularly remarkable, producing four future Major League Baseball players, including Hall of Famer Alex Rodriguez and World Series champion Doug Mientkiewicz.

After transitioning to Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Hoffman continued his winning ways, adding two more state titles and completing an unprecedented streak of five consecutive championships between the two schools.

Hoffman’s influence extended far beyond wins and titles. Known for his emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and skill development, Hoffman created a legacy that resonates throughout the baseball community.

On the show, we discuss:

The moments of change from losing to winning. The legendary 1993 team with four future big leaguers, including Alex Rodriguez. Conversations around building and maintaining a winning culture.

Part 1

02:00- Intro and starting in coaching in the 60’s
10:00- The moments of change from losing to winning.
19:00- 1993 with 4 big leaguers, including Alex Rodriguez.
28:30- Offseason Programs
44:00- Conversations around culture
50:00- Challenging leadership Moments

Bio

Heath Autrey is the head baseball coach at Corsicana High School in Texas, where his leadership has propelled the Tigers to consistent success. With over 400 career victories, Coach Autrey emphasizes building "overachievers," instilling discipline, and fostering a winning mentality both on and off the field. Known for his strategic approach and player development skills, he has become a respected figure in Texas high school baseball.

In addition to his on-field success, Coach Autrey actively engages with the baseball community through clinics and podcasts, sharing his insights on the game and coaching philosophies.

In this episode, Coach Autrey dives deep into the structure of the offseason. Phase 1, focusing on foundational work. shares his insights on how Phases 2 and 3 evolve to build readiness. The episode concludes with a meaningful discussion at the 25-minute mark about his philosophy of “building overachievers” and the importance of valuing Standards > Feelings.

Part 1

02:00- Phases in the in the offseason
08:00- Phase 1
17:00- Phase 2 and 3
25:00- building "overachievers” and Standards > Feelings

Bio: Joe Sato - Head Coach, Bingham High School (UT)

Joe Sato is the head coach of the Bingham High School baseball team, where he has been instrumental in developing a winning culture for over several decades. He is not only an alum of Bingham but has been coaching there since 1975. Under his leadership, the team has secured three state championships and consistently ranked among the top teams in the state.

Known for his innovative coaching techniques, Joe emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship, creating an environment where student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field. His dedication to the sport has earned him several accolades, including multiple "Coach of the Year" awards in Utah. He has has been inducted into the National High School Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Joe actively engages in community service initiatives, promoting the importance of giving back and supporting local youth programs. His dedication to the sport and his players makes him a respected leader in the local sports community.

Contact Information:

binghamathletics.com

Time stamps* 03:00- His start in coaching * 06:00- Offseason Training * 13:00- Constants in baseball and changes over the years * 18:00- The development of the program * 28:20- Indoor drills during inclement weather * 34:00- What’s your most challenging leadership moment

Bio

Chris Turco is the Head Baseball Coach at Pope High School, where he has led the Greyhounds to the state championship in each of his three years at the helm, winning the title in 2022 and finishing as runner-up in 2023 and 2024. Under his leadership, Pope has continued its legacy of excellence, competing for the state championship 7 of the last 8 full seasons and advancing to the Final 4 for 9 consecutive years.

Turco’s success extends beyond baseball, having led his teams to state championships for the past 6 consecutive seasons, including three straight titles in softball (2018, 2019, 2020) before shifting his focus to baseball. Known for his dedication to player development and building a culture of winning, Coach Turco is committed to preparing athletes for success on the field and in life.

Part 1

02:00- transition from working as an assistant for his legendary HS coach, to the head coach
07:00- fall development, leadership and yearly adjustments
16:00- leadership. Coaching staff and players
22:00- challenging leadership moments and communication.

Contact Info

Pope High School - www.popebaseball.com
@Pope_Baseball – X
@Coachturco8 – X
@Championhitter – X

Bio: Robbie Britt- Head Baseball Coach, Eastern Michigan

Robbie joined Eastern Michigan University as head baseball coach in 2023, bringing a legacy of success from his tenure at the University of Charleston. With a career winning percentage of .722, Britt is known for transforming teams into competitive powerhouses, both athletically and academically. At Charleston, his teams clinched multiple conference championships, three NCAA appearances, and a historic 43-12 record in 2023. His commitment to excellence extends off the field; under Britt's leadership, his players achieved eight consecutive semesters with a GPA above 3.0 and dedicated over 4,000 hours to community service.

Now at EMU, We talk through how Robbie continues to foster a competitive and supportive culture while preparing his players for success both on and off the field. Here is Robbie Britt!

For further information about Coach Britt's career and his accomplishments, visit EMU Athletic

Time Stamps

03:00- Wide view of year 1 and changes from year 2

11:00- Constants and changes from Charleston to EMU.

21:00- “Championship Behaviors” and challenging players to uphold high standards

36:00- Challenging Leadership Moments

Contact Information:

rbritt@emich.edu

Contact Todd:

Email: Todd.fitzgerald@browardschools.com
Website: www.stonemandouglasbaseball.com

Time Stamps:Todd Fitz-Gerald is the head baseball coach at Stoneman Douglas High School, where he has led the Eagles to multiple Florida state championships, including titles in 2016, 2021, and 2022. Under his leadership, the program has become a national powerhouse, known for producing top-tier talent, with several players advancing to college baseball and the MLB draft. Fitz-Gerald has over 20 years of coaching experience, previously guiding American Heritage to a state title before joining Stoneman Douglas. His coaching philosophy centers on discipline, teamwork, and developing players both on and off the field. In addition to his on-field success, Fitz-Gerald’s resilience and leadership were critical in guiding the team through the aftermath of the tragic events of 2018, uniting the community through the sport of baseball.

03:00 - Offseason Focuses: Insights into how the team prepares during the offseason.
09:00 - Competitions: Discussing the competitive landscape and how the team stands out.
12:00 - Championship Standards: The expectations and standards that drive success.
22:00 - “I’m Only as Good as My Coaching Staff”: The importance of teamwork among coaches.
27:00 - Most Challenging Leadership Moment: Reflecting on the tragic events of 2018 and how it shaped the team's unity and resilience.

Bio: Mark "Pudge" Gjormand has been the head coach of the James Madison High School baseball team since 1995, he is starting his his 30th season in 2024 and marking his 38th year in high school coaching. Under his leadership, the Warhawks have become a dominant force, winning 14 Liberty Conference titles, 2 Concorde Conference titles, 4 regional championships, and 3 Virginia state titles. His success and dedication to the game earned him a spot in the BCA Hall of Fame in 2021, the first Virginia high school coach to receive this honor.

Gjormand has also served on the executive committee of the BCA, becoming president in 2010-2011. He continues to be an influential figure in high school baseball, contributing to the national rankings committee and will be speaking at the ABCA in January.

On the show about his incredible 30-year journey as a head coach. We’ll explore the positive changes he’s made in youth baseball through his travel teams, the importance of offseason player development and drills, and some of the most challenging leadership moments he’s faced throughout his career, along with his advice for fellow coaches."

Time Stamps – Part 1:

01:00 – Starting his 30th year as a head coach
- Gjormand reflects on three decades in coaching, discussing his journey, growth, and evolving philosophy in high school baseball.
07:00 – Making Positive Changes in Youth Baseball with His Travel Teams
- Insight into how Gjormand has contributed to youth baseball development through his travel teams, focusing on player mentorship and fostering a positive environment.
11:00 – Offseason Player Development / Drills
- A detailed look at the offseason routines Gjormand emphasizes, including essential drills that enhance players' technical and physical skills.
27:00 – Challenging Leadership Moments and Advice
- Gjormand shares personal leadership challenges and provides advice for young coaches navigating difficult situations.

Brian Kitamura has led the Whitman College Baseball program through one of its most successful eras in school history. Entering his 10th season as head coach and 15th year with the program, he has turned Whitman into a perennial contender. In 2024, Kitamura guided Whitman to its first Northwest Conference regular-season title since 1952, earning a 26-17 overall record and 16-8 in conference play. His leadership was recognized with the 2024 Northwest Conference Coach of the Year award.

Since taking over, Kitamura has led Whitman to the Northwest Conference Tournament four times in five seasons i n 2019, the team won its first-ever NWC Tournament and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, facing top-ranked Chapman University in a thrilling series.

Under his leadership, the program has also made strides off the field. Kitamura helped secure major upgrades to Borleske Stadium, including a new clubhouse and indoor training facility. His commitment to player development has seen many athletes continue their careers at the NCAA Division I level while excelling academically, with Whitman teams consistently maintaining a GPA above 3.0.

Part 1 Intro:

"On this episode, we sit down with Brian Kitamura, head coach of Whitman College baseball, as he shares insights from his journey leading the program through a historic era of success. We’ll dive into his experiences starting his 10th season as head coach, his thoughts on building strong teams through offseason player development, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned during challenging leadership moments."

Part 1: Time Stamps01:00 - Offseason Install Period* Discussion on the importance of the offseason for player development and team strategy.

09:00 - Fast Paced Drill Sets* Explanation of drill sets designed to keep players engaged and improve skill acquisition.

14:00 - How to Teach Bunting* Step-by-step guidance on teaching bunting techniques effectively.

23:00 - Player Ownership in Development* Emphasizing the role of players in their own development and the impact of self-directed learning.

31:00 - “Our Success Has Come from Getting Feedback from Our Players”* Insights on how player feedback contributes to coaching strategies and overall team success.

35:00 - Challenging Leadership Moments* Reflections on difficult moments in leadership and lessons learned.

Contact Information:* Email: kitamubt@whitman.edu * Phone: (509) 522-4438

Podcast Intro: Today, we’re joined by Michael Barta, the head baseball coach at Johnston High School in Iowa. Michael Barta is the head baseball coach at Johnston High School in Iowa, where he has built one of the premier baseball programs in the state. Known for his commitment to developing not only skilled athletes but also well-rounded individuals, Coach Barta's leadership has helped guide countless players to success both on the field and in their futures. With a focus on discipline, teamwork, and a passion for the game, he continues to shape the next generation of baseball talent With a proven track record of building winning teams and mentoring young athletes Coach Barta is a true leader on and off the field.

Part 1 Key Discussion Points:

Head Coaching Insights (01:00): Michael shares valuable advice from his first year as head coach in 2012, focusing on leadership and building a solid foundation for long-term success.
Fundraising & Relationships (09:00): He dives into the importance of fundraising efforts and building relationships with the community, which have been crucial for the program’s growth.
Team Building, and feeder programs (23:00): Coach Barta discusses the role of technology in modern baseball, team alignment, and how scouting is seamlessly integrated into pre-game practices.

Contact Information: To connect with Coach Michael Barta or learn more about the Johnston High School baseball program, you can reach him at: Email: mbarta@johnston.k12.ia.us * School Website*: Johnston High School Athletics

Marty Smith, Head Baseball Coach, College of Central FloridaThis episode is brought to you by Motor Preference Experts"Ready to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself.”

Bio

Career record of 927-549-6 over 29 seasons Four FCSAA state championships (1997, 1998, 2022, 2023) One NJCAA National Championship - 2023 Four-time FCSAA Coach of the Year Eight-time Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year

Head coach Marty Smith enters his 30th year for the Patriots and second year as the Manager of Athletics for the College of Central Florida. In 2023 Smith became one of only two active coaches in the state to reach 900 wins in the FCSAA.

Smith led the Patriots to the 2023 NJCAA Division 1 National Championship with a school record 56-7 mark in 2023, with the Pats shattering many records including wins and home runs in a season (119). Smith led the program to its second consecutive Mid-Florida Conference Championship and second consecutive FCSAA State and South-Atlantic District Championship.

Smith's 2023 squad garnered four 1st Team All-State selections and Two 2nd Team All-State selections. The 2023 Patriot team produced One 1st Team All-American (John Marant), One 2nd Team All-American selection (Edwin Toribio) and one Honorable Mention All-American (Cam Schuelke). The 2023 Patriot National Championship Team saw all 10 graduating Patriots move on to NCAA Division 1 In 2017, Smith had the highest draft pick come out of his program to-date in RHP Nate Pearson, who was selected 28th overall (Rd. 1) by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2017 MLB Draft. Pearson, Rawlings JUCO National Pitcher of the Year, and a Golden Spikes Award finalist, was the second highest JUCO player drafted in 2017.

On part 1 we go over their plan for individual player development, which is a staple in their program. We talk through coaching development which has led to 7 assistants get jobs in professional baseball and he talks through some challenges with this past season after winning a national title in 2023. Marty is one of the best, so you’re gonna love this episode with Coach Marty Smith!

Time Stamps

02:30- Fall development

10:00- coaching development

17:00- changes from this past year

20:00- Standards

29:00- leadership challenges

Email: smithm@cf.edu

This episode is brought to you by Motor Preference Experts

"Ready to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself.”

Bio

Hired by Lackawanna College in June of 2018, Mike McCarry is in his sixth season as the head coach for the Falcons in 2024.

In his tenure, McCarry has guided the Falcons to three NJCAA Division II World Series appearances. The Falcons have captured three Region championships, as well as three District titles, under the tutelage of coach McCarry. He has coached a Region Pitcher of the Year, two Region Offensive Players of the Year, three NJCAA All-Americans

On Part 1 we go over changes from last year to this year, culture building and how they structure the fall. Here is Michael McCarry!

Time Stamps

02:30- “the Information Gathering Stage”

11:00- Individual Tracking within the team setting

15:30- Balancing live vs reps

19:00- Culture Development

29:00- Favorite Offseason Activities

Email mccarrym@lackawanna.edu

This episode is brought to you by Motor Preference Experts

"Ready to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself. "

Bio

Brian Brewer

Now in his 21st season at Marietta and 25th season overall, has established himself as one of the finest head coaches in college baseball. Brewer recorded his 600th career victory in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.

With three national titles, Brewer has secured his place in Marietta baseball history. With Brewer at the helm, the Etta Express won the 2006 national championship and became the first school since Rowan University in 1978-79 to win back-to-back Division III crowns with the 2011 and 2012 championships.

The success has earned Brewer an array of honors, including three ABCA/Diamond NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year awards, NCAA Mideast Region Coach of the Year and the Don Schaly OAC Coach of the Year.

Brewer, a 1993 graduate of Marietta, had been the assistant coach at his alma mater since 2000. The Pioneers went 163-38 in his four seasons as the assistant. He helped guide the Etta Express to three OAC Championships, two NCAA Mideast Regional Championships and two NCAA National Runner-up finishes.

Brewer spent four seasons as the head coach of John Carroll University’s baseball program before returning to Marietta College. While at John Carroll, Brewer earned his master’s degree in 1995.

On part one we hit on fall development, high standards, how to be a baseball teacher and his mosrt challenging leadership moments. This episode is so good with Brian Brewer!

Time stamps part 1

02:00- fall development

14:00- standards / teaching

22:30- challenging leadership moments

Contact

brewerb@marietta.edu

This episode is brought to you by Motor Preference Experts

"Ready to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself. "

Bio

Head Coach Boston College High Eagles for the past 3 seasons. in those years, he has been the Massachusetts Division 1 State Champs in 2024 Division 1 Massachusetts Coach of the Year in 2024 2018 ABCA Assistant Coach of the Year Presently serving as President of the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association

On the show we talk about his state champion group last year, his preparation for taking on the head coaching opportunity, and what they do for culture development in the fall. Here is part 1 with Steven Healy!

Time stamps part 1

02:00- 2024 state champs

09:00- preparing for his head coaching opportunity

14:00- fall development

21:00- culture development

26:30- being a great assistant coach

Contact

healy@bchigh.edu

Jake McKinley, who spent four seasons (2018-22) with the Milwaukee Brewers and has more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience, begins his third season at the Nevada helm in Fall 2024.

He was the Brewers’ Vice President of Player Development since 2021, having previously served as the organization’s Director of Player Development Initiatives (2019-21) and minor league pitching coordinator (2018-19). He oversaw player development strategies throughout the entire organization, as well as oversight of all minor-league coordinators. The Brewers made the playoffs in each of McKinley’s seasons with the club, capturing the National League Central Division pennant in 2018 and 2021, and earning wild card berths from 2019-20.

Prior to joining the Brewers’ organization, McKinley spent 13 years in the collegiate ranks, including five seasons as a head coach (2014-17 at Menlo College; 2018 at William Jessup). At Menlo College, McKinley won 131 games over his four seasons at the helm, becoming the program’s all-time winningest head coach. The following season, he inherited a William Jessup team that had won just 10 games the previous year, and guided it to a 41-17 campaign, marking, at the time, the largest single-season turnaround in college baseball history.

Time stamps part 1

04:00- “more with less”

08:00- Fall Development

19:00- Competitions

31:00- culture and standards

38:00- throwing programs

Time stamps part 2

40:00- 02:00- January throwing program

43:30- 05:30- Attacking weaknesses

50:00- 12:30- Pre season Team Development

55:00- 17:30- developing role players and hard conversations

1:05:00- quick hitters

EMAIL baseball@unr.edu

Bio

A veteran coach among the college ranks, Lawn has 38 years of coaching experience dating back to his first job as the pitching coach at Contra Costa College in 1986. He spent two seasons with the Comets before moving on to be the graduate assistant at Nevada in 1988. After two seasons with the Wolf Pak and before heading to Cal, Lawn coached the Cape Cod League’s Brewster Whitecaps to its first-ever championship in the summer of 2000.

Lawn went on to spend 10 seasons at Cal (1991-00), seven at USC (2001-07) and two more at Nevada (1989-90, 2014-15). Additionally, Lawn spent part of the 2013 season as Director of Player Development at Cal State Fullerton. He made his way to Tucson and the Wildcats in 2015. From 2007-11, Lawn was the head coach at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif.

Under Lawn’s guidance, 42 players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including Mark Prior, the 2001 Golden Spikes Award winner from USC. Lawn’s teams have four times earned trips to the College World Series, six times played in the NCAA Super Regionals and 12 times earned NCAA Regional berths. Additionally, his clubs have won three Pac-12 Championships, one Big West title and one Mountain West regular season championship.

on the show we discuss life lessons in the game, the art of teaching the changeup and he goes in depth on how to help players play catch better. You’re gonna love this episode with Dave Lawn!

timestamps

02:00- Life Lessons in Baseball

12:00- Adjustments you're making from last year to this year

16:30- The art of the changeup

26:30- Fall Structure

30:00- Pitcher Throwing Programs

36:00- Player Evaluations / Recruiting

44:00- High School Pitchers opportunities to improve

50:00- two way guys

Contact

d.lawn@TCU.edu

This episode is brought to you by Motor Preference Experts

"Ready to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself. "

Bio

Perry Keith has been coaching at Connors State for the last 40 years. He is the all time wins leader in junior college with over 1800 wins, surpassing the previous record of 1804 by another Oklahoma legend at Seminole State College's Lloyd Simmons.

He has led the Cowboys to 7 NJCAA World Series appearances, 9 Region 2 titles, 18 conference championships, has coached 40 All-Americans, and has had over a dozen players make it to the Major Leagues.

Time stamps

02:00- Head coach at 22 years old

09:30- Time tested advice

15:00- Fall development

36:30- pre season / energy management

48:30- standards of excellence / champions class

Contact

Pk@connorsstate.edu

This episode is brought to you by Motor Preference Experts"Ready to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself. " BioDave Turgeon is currently the Field Coordinator at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Turgeon played in the New York Yankees farm system from 1987-1990 after being drafted out of Davidson College. Before playing for the Baltimore Orioles’ AAA affiliate in 1998 he spent eight years playing abroad. From 2000-2002 Turgeon began managing in the Cleveland Indians organization before entering the college ranks where he coached with Boston College, the University of Connecticut, Duke University, and Virginia Tech. He spent the next 11 years managing and being the Coordinator of Instruction for the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization. He is also in the St. Bernard High School Athletics Hall of Fame as well as the Davidson College Athletics Hall of Fame. Recently, Turgeon was named to the 100 Year Anniversary Team for the Southern Conference. Time Stamps* 02:00- Role as field coordinator * 07:00- Coaching Coaches * 22:00- Routines and Fighting Boredom * 33:00- Team > Me and creating cultures * 42:00- Periodization of fall program * 55:00- Competitions

This episode is brought to you by Motor Preference ExpertsReady to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself. BioThe 2024 season was Dannys 34th year coaching and 32nd as a head coach in Texas High School baseball. In 11 years at Flower Mound High School, the Jaguars have won four district championships, appeared in three Regional Finals and won two State Championships. In 2014 he led the Jaguars to the Texas State 5A Championship as Flower Mound finished 34-11 with a 10-0 win over San Antonio Reagan. Last season the Jaguars captured the 6A State Championship with a 6-4 win over Pearland finishing the year with a 37-10 record. In June, Coach Wallace was named Max Preps National Coach of the year.

In February of 2021, Coach Wallace won his 600th game as a head coach. In his previous 10 seasons at Georgetown High School, his teams captured three district titles and two appeared in the 5A regional finals in 2007 and 2008. In 1998 he led Hutto High School to the 2A state tournament.

Danny Wallace graduated from Seagonville High School in 1985. He lettered three years in baseball and was named district MVP in 1985. He then attended the University of Texas and was a walk-on member of the 1986-87 Longhorn baseball team under Cliff Gustafson.

Coach Wallace graduated from the University of Texas in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He married his wife, Stacy, in January of 2023, a current LISD elementary teacher. They have six children in the family: Jordan, a graduate of UNT, Austin, a 2019 FMHS graduate, Kayla and Abby, twin FMHS graduates of 2020, Garrett, a current Senior at FMHS, and Lily a current Junior at FMHS.

Time Stamps* 02:00- 2024 Season Wrap Up * 09:00- Fall Development * 18:00- Standards * 21:00- Pre Season * 28:30- In Season Schedule / Meetings * 35:40- Parent Meetings * 47:00- Preparing for Playoffs

Contact* Twitter

This episode is brought to you by Motor Preference Experts"Ready to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself. " BioDusty Hart and Blinn just finished their 2024 campaign with a 47-17 record, a Region XIV South Division regular-season crown, a Region XIV South Regional Tournament title, and a Mid-South District championship.Hart is now 93-32 in two seasons at Blinn and holds a 718-314 career mark across 18 seasons as an NJCAA head coach.Prior to arriving at Blinn, Hart spent 16 seasons as head coach of the Grayson College baseball team (Denison, Texas).During his head coaching career, Hart has compiled an impressive 671-297 record, which includes the 2008 NJCAA Junior College World Series championship. In 2008, Hart was named the NJCAA National Coach of the Year, American Baseball Coaches Association Junior College Coach of the Year, and Diamond Baseball Coach of the Year, as well as the JUCO World Series Coach of the Tournament. Hart is a seven-time Region V North Coach of the Year and a two-time Southwest District Coach of the Year. Hart is a graduate of Lubbock Monterey High School, where he played for legendary high school baseball coach Bobby Moegle. Hart was the starting shortstop during Lubbock Monterey's successful run to the 1996 Texas 5A state championship. He attended Grayson College and was a two-year starter at shortstop during the 1997 and 1998 seasons before moving on to the University of Texas-Pan American. Hart played two seasons at shortstop for UTPA and graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology. Hart spent one season as an undergraduate assistant for UTPA and served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Grayson from 2001-05 before being named Grayson's head coach. Hart has sent dozens of players to Division I universities and 25 of his student-athletes have been drafted by Major League Baseball organizations. On the show we go through last years national championship team, what they do for hitting development (check out their world series scores) and Dusty gives of a ton of practical advice on how to practice better. This episode is so good with Dusty Hart! Time Stamps* 02:00- National Champs * 14:00- Fall Development * 26:00- Standards/Rules/Leadership * 35:00- Pre Season / Player Meetings * 45:00- Game planning / Pre Game Routines * 57:00- Quick Hitters

Contact* dusty.hart@blinn.edu * @DustyHart

This episode is brought to you by Motor Preference Experts"Ready to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself. " BioIn his 18th season at Misericordia, Pete led the Cougars to the first national championship in school history. MU finished 44-11 while setting a school record for wins in a season. The Cougars won their 11th MAC Freedom championship and captured NCAA Regional and NCAA Super Regional titles. Egbert is 509-243-2 at Misericordia and owns a career record of 600-330-2 in 22 seasons as a head coach. On the show we discuss what set this last years national championship group apart, pete discuss culture development, how the win the preseason in the North with inclement weather Time Stamps02:00- National Champs07:00- Upcoming Fall11:30- Pre Season17:00- Culture Development30:00- Player Meetings40:00- In Season45:00- Post Season and Quick Hitters Contactpegbert@misericordia.edu

This episode is brought to you by Motor Preference Experts "Ready to elevate your performance? Meet Motor Preference Experts, the premier authority on natural motor preferences in North America. Discover how understanding your innate balance and coordination can optimize your performance and minimize injury risks. Whether you're passionate about playing, coaching or strength and conditioning, dedicated experts will guide you to respect and enhance your body's natural motricity. Join us today. Explore more at motorpreferenceexperts.com. Motor Preference Experts: Helping you become the best version of yourself. " Today we have on Chase Rowe CEO of the Battleground Baseball Group, owner of Respect The Game and the Marucci Spikes Baseball Club. His extensive experience as a player, coach, and entrepreneur demonstrates his deep involvement and impact in the baseball community. His success at La Roche University, along with his contributions to professional baseball and his entrepreneurial ventures, reflects a well-rounded and influential career in the sport. Time Stamps04:00- Travel Ball Development16:00- Long term player development26:20- Evaluation Process40:00- College / Recruiting advice45:15- Game planning / In game talks * A little background on Chase + He played one season at Gulf Coast Community College under Coach Darren Mazeroski and three seasons at Slippery Rock University under legendary head coach Jeff Messer. * Coaching Career at La Roche University: + At the age of 23, Chase took over as the head coach of the La Roche University Baseball program in the fall of 2006. + Under his leadership, the program has achieved a remarkable record of 340-180-1, boasting a .654 winning percentage over twelve seasons. + Notable achievements from his program include 8 All-Americans, 35 All-Region selections, 89 players named to the AMCC All-Conference Team, and 79 players named to the AMCC All-Academic Team. + Five players from his program have signed professional contracts. + Chase has been recognized as the AMCC Baseball Coach of the Year eight times. * Pro Baseball Experience: + Chase has held several roles in professional baseball, including serving as a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) Hitting Coach for the Detroit Tigers organization. + He has also been involved in scouting for the Florida Marlins and the Colorado Rockies. * Entrepreneurship: + In addition to Battleground Baseball Group, Chase is the owner of Respect The Game LLC. + He also owns the Pittsburgh Spikes Baseball Club.

Resourceshttps://battlegroundbaseballgroup.com/

This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc. BioChris is fresh on leading the Heartland Community College baseball team to a national title this past season. Chris Razo also was named the 2023 ABCA NJCAA Division II Coach of the Year.

Under Razo’s leadership, the Heartland baseball team has made two appearances in the NJCAA DII National Tournament, and won the tournament this past season.

Razo joined the Heartland staff in 2018, serving as pitching coach, and became Interim Head Coach in the winter of 2020.

As a player, Razo spent two years as a Heartland Hawk before moving to Illinois State University where he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 24th round in 2013. While at ISU, Razo was selected to the MVC All-Conference first team, and also won Pitcher of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference.

On the show we discuss the national championship run from last year, what it was like being named interim head coach at semester, and why the value winning first and development next. Here is Chris Razo! Time Stamps02:00 National Champs04:00- Being named interim head coach at semester, and during COVID08:30- Past summer agenda11:30- Culture over Everything 18:30 - Fall Development27:30- Pre Season to In Season41:00- Post Season45:00- Quick Hitters ContactChris.Razo@heartland.edu

This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc. BioScott is coming off back to back state championships in class C in New York State . He is 3X ABCA Regional High School Coach of the Year, a 15+ year member ABCA Selects the ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association) Region 1 High School All-Americans for the Northeastern states. On the show we discuss how he turned the program from a .500 ball club to competing for state championships, we go over how he adjusts his practice and development for multi sport players and how they contribute to get better as the season goes on. This episode is so good with Scott Steltz! Time stamps02:30- state champs08:00- offseason development17:00- culture and standards28:00- pre season structure36:00- arm health with multiple sport and multiple position athletes41:00- in season practices52:00- quick hitters ContactEmail- steltzs@chatham.k12.ny.usInstagram- https://www.instagram.com/hangingcurve5

This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc. BioTyler, in his first year leading his team, led them to the first NAIA National Championship in program history. The Warriors went 48-9 last season, which culminated in a 7-6 victory over Lewis & Clark State in the 66th Avista NAIA World Series. LaTorre came to Westmont from Sacramento State where he served as pitching and catching coach. He also previously coached at San Jose State and San Francisco State. While at San Jose State, LaTorre was honored as both the 2018 San Jose Assistant Coach of the Year and the 2019 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year. On the show we discuss last years national championship run, how they are attacking the transition from NAIA to division 2, and we go over lessons learned in his first season that set them up for success. You’re gonna love this episode with Tyler LaTorre. Time stamps01:00- national champs07:00- fall development and the transition to d220:00- year 1 reflections28:00- fear of failure33:00- Pre season42:00- in season / post season50:00- quick hitters

ContactEMAIL tlatorre@westmont.eduPHONE 805-565-7092Twitter-@tylerlatorre

Bio

Rob Valli has amassed 30 plus years of experience educating students and has worked at every level of baseball from youth to Major League Baseball.

Coach Valli is entering his 24th season of collegiate baseball with 20 years of experience as head coach That span includes an impressive 650+ wins, averaging 35 wins per season, 12 of 13 trips to the NJCAA World Series, and 1 NJCAA National Championship.

Regarded among the finest player development experts in college baseball; 28 of his players have been named All American, 72 advanced to professional baseball, including 7 major leaguers. The vast majority Gloucester players are receiving high value baseball scholarships at prominent universities. In 2019; 7 of alumni began professional baseball careers.

As a Major League Baseball Scout for 9 years; Valli served five with the Colorado Rockies and four with the Miami Marlins. Working primarily in the Northeast; his role was to identify and evaluate top high school and college prospects being considered for the amateur draft. Additional responsibilities included evaluating minor league players in opposing organizations and administering personality evaluations to top prospects.

Valli and his wife Sara have two children, Sophia and Alex.

ContactPhone:856 468 5000 Ext. 2213Email:rvalli@rcsj.edu

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.BioBrook Cupps is the Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Centerville High School in Ohio. Brook graduated from Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio near Springfield in 1995, and following a 4-year playing career at Capital University in Columbus, he returned to Graham. He became the head coach in 2000 and spent 12 seasons at Graham. In 2012, following his time with the Falcons, including a trip to the state semifinals, Coach Cupps left his alma mater to become the head coach at Centerville High School where he has earned several coach of the year honors while guiding the Elks to multiple sweet 16 and elite 8 appearances. His 2021 team recorded a school record 26 wins on the way to the Division I State Championship in Ohio, the first in school history. His 2022 team was the state runner-up.Brook is the author of the book “Surrender the Outcome”, teaches two leadership courses at Centerville and also writes a weekly blog on bluecollargrit.com On the show we discuss installing culture, how to live out and establish core values, and we take a dive into application of roles and parent advice! You’re gonna love this episode with Brook Cupps! Time stamps01:00- intro02:30- off season personal growth10:30- installing culture21:20- core values43:00- application of roles49:10- parent advice53:00- Quick hitters ContactTwitterBlog

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc. BioKevin Brooks has guided the Angelo State baseball program to six NCAA Division II College World Series appearances with six South Central Championships and has compiled an impressive 742-333 overall record since starting the ASU program in 2005. In 2023, the Rams claimed the Division II National Championship for the first time in program history. The only coach in ASU baseball history, he has recorded 10 trips to the NCAA postseason. The Rams are the only Lone Star Conference team to ever make the College World Series and Brooks has taken them there six times in 19 seasons at the helm, including back-to-back appearances in 2015-2016 and three consecutive seasons in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Rams have also won the Lone Star Conference tournament championship six times, including sweeping the competition in 2015, 2021, 2022, and while also winning in 2007 and 2012. The Rams have never had a losing season under Brooks and have compiled 40-plus wins in 10 seasons. He has coached 125 All-Lone Star Conference selections, 55 All-Region picks and 28 All-American selections. Brooks has also prepared his players for the next level as 51 former Rams have played or are currently playing professional baseball. On the show we discuss his messaging to his team after coming off of a National Championship, what they are doing this fall, and his advice on how to win in the post season. Here is Kevin Brooks! Time Stamps01:00- national champs11:00- Fall Development27:00- pre season34:00- in season advice45:00- developing coaches48:00- Post Season Advice52:00- Quick Hitters ContactEMAIL: kevin.brooks@angelo.edu

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc

This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.

Bio
Rob is the head baseball coach and co-athletic director of Clinton High School (TN). Before Clinton Played college baseball 2 years at Brevard College, 2 years at the University of Pikeville and coached 2 years at the University of Pikeville. He then got into personal training Director of Personal training at Lifestyles Fitness Center And Part owner and founder of CrossFit East 10 for 9 year before getting back into coaching as an assistant coach Assistant Baseball at David Crockett High School

on the show we discuss his journey to being the head coach at Clinton, and Rob shares his plan for building better baseball player but more importantly better men.

Time stamps
02:00- Journey to head coach
11:00- fall development
27:00- standard and rules
35:00- player meetings and winter break
48:00- pre season to season
55:00- quick hitters

Contact
Follow Rob on Twitter

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc. BioBrad has been the Head Baseball Coach for Lawrence High School since 2005. In 2009 6A State Champions (Largest Class in Kansas) Team finished ranked #27 in Baseball America's final rankings. In that same year he was the Kansas 6A Coach of the Year, Region 6 National Coach of the Year, National Coach of the Year Finalist. The Chesty Lions have 2 Alumni in the MLB: Garret Cleavinger (Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay) and Bryce Montes de Oca (New York Mets) and in Brads tenure they have had 73 college baseball players. So on the show we talk through they use the in season for development, his 6 ways to steal an out, and how Tshirt designs have made an impact in their program. This episode is so good with Brad Stoll! Show Notes02:00- intro06:00- fall leadership development19:00- ABCA presentation highlights and drills45:30- post season advice55:00- last things Contact@coachstoll@lionbaseball

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotcThis episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc. BioHead Coach Barry Davis begins his 20th season at Rider University in 2024. During his tenure, Davis has transformed the program into a consistent contender in the Metro-Atlantic Conference (MAAC), winning four conference tournament championships, two regular-season championships, and qualifying for twelve conference tournaments. The 2023 season was one of unprecedented success. Rider Broncs tied a school record with 36 wins, highlighted by regular season wins on the road over 2022 national runner-up Oklahoma and nationally ranked Duke. The Broncs won their second Liberty Bell Championship and captured its second conference tournament championship in three years. Davis also picked up his 1000th win this past season. In his first 11 years, he led Gloucester County College (Rowan College of South Jersey) to unmatched success, followed by four years at NAIA (now Division II) Georgia Southwestern State University. He was named Rider's eighth head coach in July 2004 and has been only Rider's s third head coach since 1960. On the show. we discuss his PhD over coaches and great teams in regards to leadership and leadership development, we go through their Show Notes02:00- PHD Research in Sports Leadership08:00- leadership development18:00- fall development phase27:00- new head coaches33:00- January schedule43:00- team cohesion50:00- in season development59:00- quick hitters Contacthttps://twitter.com/BarryDavis42http://www.drbarrydavis.com/

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc

This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.

Bio

J.P. Nerbun is a world-renowned leadership coach, sports consultant, and the visionary founder of TOC, a leading global sports-consulting and coaching business. With an accomplished career as a professional basketball coach spanning over a decade, J.P. has solidified his expertise in team culture, drawing from his extensive background and knowledge.

J.P. is also the founder and co-host of the highly acclaimed sports leadership podcast, Coaching Culture. In 2019, J.P. published his debut book, Calling Up: Discovering Your Journey to Transformational Leadership. In 2022, he followed up with The Culture System: A Proven Process for Creating an Extraordinary Team Culture, launched The Culture System Online Training Platform in 2023, providing leaders with leadership training that equips them with practical skills and tools to enhance their team's culture.

on the show we discuss coaching coaches, including assistants and head coaches. We go through his ideas on how to build systems within our programs, and we go over leadership councils, competitive cauldrons and more. here is JP Nerbun!

Show Notes

02:00- Background Info

08:50- First few months on the job/first 100 days

22:00- Leadership / Captains Council

33:00- Competitive Cauldrons

44:00- Parents

68:00- Quick Hitters

Contact

Twitter
Website
email

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc

This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.

Bio

Brian enters his 13th season as the Head Baseball Coach at Baldwin Wallace University in 2023. The 2019 and 2023 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Coach of the Year has won 482 career games, including 341 at BW. Harrison has led the Yellow Jackets to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III National Tournament on six occasions, including the school's first-ever trip to College World Series in 2014 and consecutive appearances in 2022 and 2023.

on the show we....

Show Notes

03:00- Fall Development

15:00- Culture Building

21:00- Pre Season

27:00 - Gameplanning and Approach

34:00 - Recruiting

35:00- Quick hitters

Contact

bharriso@bw.eduhttps://twitter.com/BHarrisonBW

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.

Bio

Hall of Fame head coach Jeff Willis begins his 22nd season as skipper of the Bengal baseball team and 20th year as Athletic Director at LSU Eunice.
The Bengals have established themselves as one of the most dominant junior college programs in the nation under Willis, holding a 995-218 record (.820 winning percentage) since his arrival in 2003 and have never finished ranked lower than 7th in the country. LSUE's winning percentage under Willis makes them the second winningest college baseball program in the history of the sport, regardless of affiliation or classification.
LSU Eunice has won seven NJCAA National Championships, made ten World Series appearances, captured 11 Regional Championships and won ten District Championships. The seven NJCAA National Championships are tied for the most in the sport in NJCAA history from one school. Their most recent title game in 2021, as Willis guided LSU Eunice to the NJCAA National Championship with a 51-7 record, securing eight wins in the postseason over Top 15 ranked teams.
Willis cemented his place among the top coaches in the history of the National Junior College Athletic Association as he was enshrined into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023.
He was also announced as an inductee to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame, Class of 2024.

Show Notes

02:00- Fall Player Development Schedule

20:00- Standards of Performance

28:00- Year 1, 22 years ago

39:00- Offensive Development

50:00- Team Building

60:00 - In n Out Routine, In Season Practice

Contact

jwillis@lsue.eduhttps://twitter.com/CoachJeffWillis

BioAdam Williams is enter his 12 year as a head coach and his 7th at Pickens. Last season he lead the Dragon to the first ever region championship in school history, and has won the schools only playoff series. Adam has coached travel baseball for 10 with Nelson Baseball School. Last summer coach Williams help pick the Gold medal winning 12u team as a trials coach. This year Adam is looking forward to repeating the successes of the previous season as he continues to grow the Pickens Baseball program Time Stamps01:00- Summer "Stuff"04:00- Fall Development 10:30- 4 on 1 time17:00- Rules and Standards23:00- Spring season 38:00- Culture 49:00- Last Things Contactadamwilliams@pickenscountyschools.org@coachwilliams

BioHead Baseball Coach, South Salem High School (Oregon), 2017-presentCareer record: 96-58 (10th head coach in program history, 69 years)Collegiate commitments: 14Drafted players: 2 (Aaron Zavala, Ryan Brown)Semifinal appearances: 2Host, High School Coaches Club Time stamps04:00- below .500 to setting a wins records in 1 year18:00- fall development season24:00- first 100 days/new head coach27:30- rules/standards37:00- individual player meetings41:00- offensive culture 50:00- post season advice56:30- quick hitters Contact@mrmaxprice

Bio

With 10 years of Division I coaching experience in addition to a decorated collegiate and professional playing career, Rudy Darrow was named K-State pitching coach on July 7, 2022.

Known for his relentless work ethic and charismatic leadership, Darrow has improved each pitching staff he has been a part of and saw records fall at each stop at Nicholls State, Oklahoma, New Orleans and Central Oklahoma while sending multiple arms to the next level.

Darrow played four-years as a professional, reaching Double-A Eerie within the Tigers’ organization in 2008 and Double-A Mississippi in 2009 with the Atlanta Braves’ system.

On the show we discuss chaos bullpens, throwing programs, recruiting and we dive deep into the mental game. You're gonna love this episode with Rudy Darrow!

Time stamps

02:00- reflection on season 1

04:00- bullpens routines and warmups

08:30- fall throwing programs

11:40- chaos training

19:20- throwing through fatigue vs injury

23:00- recruiting trail observations

25:30- preseason/in season ramp up

35:00- mental game

47:00- quick hitters

BioOn todays show we have on Ryan Phillips at baseball coach at Yukon high school. Ryan was drafted by the Red Sox and played 4 seasons in the Red Sox minor league system and decided to retire and get into coaching. He took his first job at Southmoore high school as an assistant coach before getting his first head coaching position at Edmond Santa Fe. He was a Head Baseball Coach- at Santa Fe for nine years making the state tournament 5 times. Reaching the finals twice and winning the state championship once. He then decided this last summer to take the Yukon High School job. Last year they finished at the semi finals and the 6A state tournament in Oklahoma, which is the highest class in the state. On the show we can go over building culture in a new program, the changes he made moving from Santa Fe to Yukon, and we take a deep dive into leader.. here is Ryan Phillips Time Stamps01:30- Transitioning jobs in 202208:30- Reflection from 2022, transitioning to fall 202310:30- Fall Development 20:00- Getting the community involved 28:00- Structuring the fall32:00- Pre Season / In Season Practices40:00- Post Season Play45:00- Quick Hitters Contact
ryan.phillips@yukonps.comtwitter- @ryanphillips25

BioDr. Gallo is a former professional baseball player and current doctor of Physical therapy. Dr. Gallo is a renowned expert in the field of baseball and softball training, dedicated to empowering players, coaches, and parents to take charge of their training. With a strong mission in mind, he seeks to revolutionize the training industry by challenging the status quo and offering innovative solutions for on-field performance and overall well being.

Driven by a commitment to accessibility, effectiveness, and affordability, Dr. Gallo and his team strive to provide comprehensive programs, educational resources, and user-friendly technology that revolutionize the way coaches, parents, and individual players approach player development. The goal is to simplify training methods, making them accessible to individuals and teams of all ages and levels of expertise.

With a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices, improving on-field performance, and a commitment to simplicity, Dr. Gallo’s mission is to empower individuals to take control of their training and fully embrace the joy of every moment spent in training and on the field.

Follow Dr. Ismael Gallo on Twitter: @flowsdoc

Contact him at: www.baseballflows.com

BioAnthony Gilich just finished his 10th season as Head Coach and 17th overall at Central Arizona College.The Vaqueros finished 2023 season as the conference champions for the 3rd consecutive year and the 47-12 record ranks 4th best winning percentage All-time in the history of the program. He was also voted as ACCAC Coach of the Year for the fourth time. Coach Gilich guided the 2022 Central Arizona baseball team to an NJCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP defeating Cowley (KS) 4-2 in the title game. The National Championship is the 4th in school history and 2nd under Gilich's leadership. Along the way, Gilich earned ACCAC Coach of the Year, West District Coach of the Year, ACCAC Coach of the Year, the Walter "Bus" Bergman Coach of the World Series and the ABCA National Coach of the Year. The 59-13 record was he most wins in school history. On the show we discuss how to get buy in, what advice he would give to new head coaches, and why they make a big deal over "the small stuff" Time Stamps01:00- Summer Ball Plans06:40- 4 F's of buy in (Fear, failure, follow, faith)14:17- New head coach advice19:00- Fall Development 26:00- Pre Season Meetings35:00 - Pre season and in season load management37:00- Preparing for the post season42:00- “whip it” drill47:00- quick hitters59:00- contact info

Barry and Eddie Youtube Video Bio2008-2016 Head Coach – Belton High School 2016-Present Head Coach – Midway High School THSBCA Regional Director for Region 1 and Region 2 All Star Committee Assistant Baseball Coach – Team Texas in the Sun Belt – Norman Oklahoma 2 years- Head Coach Tom Collins Head Baseball Coach – Team Texas in the Sun Belt – Norman Oklahoma 3 years Time Stamps05:00- First 100 days on the job09:00- Mental Game24:00 Leadership Group30:00- Core Covenants37:00- Fall Development45:00- pre season meetings50:00- in season practices54:00- post season preparation57:00- quick hitters1:04:00- contact info

BioPhil Cebuhar - Assistant Coach / Hitting Coach at Charlotte. Going on his third season at Charlotte where he has helped develop and assisted Charlotte's vision in being a college program centered around Player Development and building teams that compete in June. Coming off Charlotte's Conference USA Championship and their 2nd NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three years, Cebuhar and company at Charlotte look to continue to build that vision. Cebuhar has had previous stops at the University of Arkansas as a Graduate Assistant and time in professional baseball with the Cleveland Guardians. Time Stamps02:00- Offensive Culture this past season08:00- Fall Pillars of Development10:00- Styles of Batting Practice12:00- Prep Work 20:00- Getting into the pre season25:00- Discussion on timing 33:00- Training Tools41:00- Training in small spaces48:00- Simplifying Information 53:00- Quick Hitters56:00- Contact Info

Bio19 years (18 seasons) as head coach at Noblesville High School 1 state championship 4 conference championships 2final fours 4 sectional championships Probability & Stats Teacher at noblesville high school. Member of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association leadership Council. Time Stamps01:00- Sustained success at Noblesville06:00- Standards22:00- Summer Wrap Up and Fall Training38:00- Player meetings 48:00- Post Season Play53:00- Player/Parent Meetings58:00 -Quick Hitters1:09:00- Contact Information

Today were welcomed by Matt Denny head baseball coach at Casteel high school in Arizona. Matt was the former guest of the show and one that I knew I had to bring back. Matt is in his fourth year at Casteel and took over the reins after being at Greenway high school, and Mountain Pointe HS. In 2023 they won the Arizona 5A State championship.

On the show, Matt and I discussed implementing culture at a brand new high school, we talk about standards of behavior, and we take a deep dive into implementing the mental game and what it takes to win at a high level.

Time Stamps 01:00- building the brand04:00- compete 08:00- Getting/Creating buy in22:00- Dugout Behavior27:00- Standards of behavior36:00- Fall Development 50:00- Kangaroo Court1:07:00- post season play1:15:00- contact information Compete by Bruce Brown

This Episode is brought to you by www.seventy8sports.com

BioIn just its fourth year as a collegiate program, the Mid Michigan College baseball team did exactly that in 2022. As it was the Lakers turned in the best season in program history this past spring as they went 31-8 overall and finished third in the conference.

The Lakers also earned their first-ever postseason berth under head coach Scott Pickens.

Pickens took over the program near the end of the 2021 season, a season that ended with an overall record of 4-22. The 1998 Mt. Pleasant graduate and former CMU catcher and assistant coach earned MCCAA Western Conference ‘Coach of the Year’ honors after leading the Lakers to their best season ever.

So on the show we discuss what it took to go from 4 wins in 2021 to 31 in 2022, we take a deep dive into player ownership on the field,
Time Stamps01:00- Vision and First Steps10:00- Standards/Rules33:00- Pre season to In Season43:00- Player Ownership50:00- Quick Hitters Contact

https://twitter.com/PickenBaseballhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYqhWasnhpWDcRNoOX56YFA

BioMatt Swope just finished his 6th season as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at the University of Maryland and is his 11th season overall on staff at Maryland after serving as the Terps' director of operations for five seasons from 2013-2017. Swope has been a vital part and played key role in Maryland’s rise to national prominence both as a player, and coach. In the 2022 season they set program records for: Home Runs, Hits, Runs, RBI’s, Slugging %, Walks, and doubles. So on the show we discuss what led to such a successful year this spring and i one work "relentless. We also go over what hes planning this fall.I loved this episode and i think you will too. Here is Matt Swope! Time Stamps02:00- Offensive Culture08:00- Fall Outline15:00- Prep Work / Routines22:00- Pre Season Focus's27:30- Game-planning in season37:00- Non Everyday players42:00- Quick Hitters Resourceshttps://beteyah.com/Cant Hurt me- David Goggins Contactmswope@umd.eduhttps://twitter.com/mdmadehitting

This Episode is brought to you by www.seventy8sports.com

Bio

Evan Burk is an author, keynote speaker, leadership coach, and podcast host specializing in leadership, high performance, and building winning team cultures. Coach Burk has spent nearly two decades coaching elite athletes and leaders within top sports organizations. As a former NFL and college football coach, he knows how to bring teams together, overcome adversity, and elevate high performers to achieve at their highest level.

Now he uses his unique football coaching background to educate and inspire leaders, high performers, and teams for corporate clients and organizations by teaching the principles and practices learned from coaching teams at the highest levels of football.In 2022, Evan Burk released his first book, Finding Intangibles, in which he helps organizations identify the hidden traits that drive elite performers and championship teams. He also hosts a weekly leadership podcast, The Highest Level with Evan BurkTime Stamps

1:00- Intro

6:00- "The Best Teams"

9:00- Character Evaluation

17:00- The Talent Paradox

26:00- Measuring team chemistry

31:00- Body Language Discussion

36:00- Importance of clarity of role and goals

44:00- 6 questions to ask

Contact

https://twitter.com/CoachEvanBurk

https://www.coachevanburk.com/

Finding Intangibles: How to Uncover the Hidden Traits that Drive Elite Performers and Championship Teams

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BioBrenton Del Chiaro is in his sixth season with the Brewers and first in his current role as hitting coordinator after spending the previous two seasons as assistant hitting coordinator. He joined the organization in 2016 as a hitting coach with the Arizona Brewers, a role he continued through the 2021 season in addition to his duties as assistant hitting coordinator. Prior to joining the organization, Del Chiaro spent nine seasons (2008-16) with the Los Angeles Angels organization. This included roles as a coach at Rookie Orem (2008), hitting coach (2009-10) and manager (2011) at Class-A Cedar Rapids, manager with the Rookie Arizona Angels (2012), hitting coach at Class-A Inland Empire (2013-15) and hitting coach at Double-A Arkansas (2016). He also spent time with the Major League team as a bullpen catcher in 2007 after retiring following a seven-year playing career in the Angels system (2001-07).On the show we discuss his role as a hitting coordinator, we talk hitting environment, and how he goes about having conversations when making swing changes. This episode is so good with Brenton Del Chiaro! Time Stamps01:00- Mike Trout07:30- Role of a hitting coordinator13:00- Training Environment 21:30- What are some of the first things you do when evaluating what a player needs to work on?30:00- Conversations when making swing changes36:30- Gameplanning and approach42:20- In dugout conversations54:40- Quick Hitters ResourcesMike Trout Articlehttps://theathletic.com/3346131/2022/06/03/mike-trout-minor-leagues/ Contacthttps://twitter.com/BDel_Chiaro

This Episode is brought to you by www.seventy8sports.com

Bio:

13 years as an assistant – 6 years HS and 7 years collegiately

10 years as Head Coach 144-120

7 at Arcadia HS in Phoenix AZ (state playoffs 4 years – Semifinals in 2017)

Just finished 3rd year at Chaparral in Scottsdale AZ 34-25 covid shortened record (State tournament quarter finals 2021 and Semifinals 2022)

USA Baseball since 2012

2018 15U National Team assistant coach – Won the Gold at the World Championships in Panama.

2022 12U National Team assistant Coach – Will compete for Gold in Taiwan @ World Championships in August

Time Stamps

01:00- Vision of the program

06:00- Standards and Non Negotiables

16:30- Offseason Calendar

25:20- Communication with players in the pre season

46:00- Conducting in season practices

55:00- Quick Hitters

Contact

https://twitter.com/gerlach13

Check out www.seventy8sports.com

BioJose joined the Houston Astros in December 2019 as a minor league hitting coach, He is currently the Low A hitting coach in the Astros Organization. He coached at the high school level since 2006, most recently at MacArthur High School and Johnson High School in San Antonio, Texas. He was an assistant coach Steele High School from 2007-2012 and an assistant at Wagner High School in 2015-2016. He owned and operated a select organization named San Antonio Cardinals from 2007-2010 Time Stamps01:00- Journey to Pro Ball04:00- Helping players through a professional season11:00- What separates professionals from amateurs17:40- Game Prep26:30- Mental Game30:00- In Between AB's conversations50:00- Quick Hitters Contacthttps://twitter.com/JosePuentes04

This Episode is brought to you by www.seventy8sports.com

Bio

Head Coach at Patrick Henry CC Fall 2019-Present

2021 season- Won region for first time in program history, finished 4th in the JUCO D2 World Series, 43-17 record

2021 Region COY, South Atlantic District COY, ABCA South Atlantic COY

USA Baseball

2021- PDP League Manager

2019, 2021, 2022 USA Task Force Member for 16U and 17U

Time Stamps

01:00- Vision and first 100 days on the job

08:00- Rules and Standards

18:00- Fall Program

23:00- Feedback

26:00- Winning the fall

34:00- Winning the preseason/In Season

50:00- Quick Hitters

Contact

https://twitter.com/PHCC_Baseball

https://twitter.com/CoachCodyEllis

This Episode is brought to you by www.seventy8sports.com

Bio All-American Baseball Player and National Gold Glove Winner (Catcher) at UC San Diego Played 1 season of Independent Professional Baseball Master’s Degree in Sport Psychology from John F. Kennedy University PhD in Performance Psychology from Grand Canyon University Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology Previous Positions Assistant Director of Baseball Operations at Santa Clara University Master Resilience Trainer-Performance Expert (MRT-PE) Mental skills training and instruction for the US Army Current: Adjunct Faculty for Sport and Performance Psychology Master’s Degree Program at Holy Names University Current: Mental Skills Coach for the San Francisco Giants

Time Stamps 01:00- Where do we start with the mental game 11:00- Self Talk 26:00- In Dugout Needs 38:00- In Dugout Questioning 43:00- What do players want more of? 50:00- Quick Hitters

Contact https://twitter.com/MentallyPerform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Bio Two-time Northeast Region Coach of Year and two-time finalist for National Coach of the Year Kevin Graber has led Phillips Academy Andover to 12 consecutive Central New England Prep Final Four appearances, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, the school’s 10th Central New England Prep Championship in 2016, and another -- the program's 11th -- in 2018. And just this week they dogpiled again to finish first in 2022! In 2021 and 2018, Graber was named Northeast Region Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), New England Coach of the Year by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association, and finalist for National Coach of the Year by both organizations. He’s also a featured presenter each year at the World Baseball Coaches Convention at Mohegan Sun, and he’s also presented at last year’s ABCA National Convention in Chicago. On the show we discuss

Time Stamps 01:00- First 100 days on the job 05:00- Dogpile stories 13:00- The art of communication 21:00- Standards/Core Values 25:00- Promotion of the program 38:00- Offseason Program 45:00- In Season Practices 50:00- Post Season Contact https://twitter.com/real_PAbaseball https://www.instagram.com/bigbluebaseball/ kgraber@andover.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Barry Rose is the head baseball coach at Rockwall High School and has been coaching for 25 years (19 as a head coach) and has a career record of 400-227. Rose has led his teams to the playoffs for 12 consecutive years including 2 state final fours (2010, 2017), 5 regional finals, 7 regional semifinals, and 8 regional quarterfinals. Before coming to Rockwall, he was the head coach at Frisco Wakeland from 2009-2018 where he posted a 248-93 record in 9 years. Coach Rose also coached for DBAT in the summer from 2011-2020, and from 2008-2010 Rose coached the Coppell Copperheads in the Texas Collegiate League. Barry is a native of Coppell, TX, where he played 4 years under Coach Dave Curliss from 1989-1992. Following high school, Coach Rose played baseball at Lon Morris Junior College in Jacksonville, TX. After playing there he graduated from the University of North Texas ('97) in Denton. Coach Rose has been married to his beautiful wife Jessi for 21 years and has 2 sons, Barrett (20) who plays baseball at Northern Oklahoma College and Mac (17) who is a junior P/1B for Rockwall.

Time Stamps 02:00- Vision for Rockwall 10:00- Coaching "todays kids" 12:20- Changing Behavior 17:00- Consistent Messaging throughout the program 20:00- The meaning behind JFND 23:00- Fall Program 30:00- Pre Season 33:00- "small ball" execution 36:00- In season practice design 53:00- "dealing with" parents 57:00- Coaching your own kids

Resources Presentation https://www.jdrf.org/

Contact https://twitter.com/BRose2344 barry.rose@rockwallisd.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio The 2022 season will be Tim Held’s 15th as the Varsity Head Baseball Coach and his 26th year at Moeller. In Coach Held’s first fourteen seasons, the Crusaders made seven trips to the state final four including the 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2015 State Championships.Coach Held is an eight-time GCL Coach of the Year; three time City Coach of the Year, the 2009 Bob Sumerel Greater Cincinnati Coach of the Year, the 2010 State Coach of the Year, 5 time Defiance College Alumni Coach of the Year, the 2013 Cincinnati Reds/MSA Sport Coach of the Year, and the 2015 NFHS Coach of the Year for the state of Ohio. Coach Held was also selected as the Head Coach for the East team in the 2015 Perfect Game All-American game and an assistant coach for the East team in the 2017 game in San Diego, CA. Prior to being the head coach, Tim spent six seasons as an assistant with the varsity baseball team under Mike Cameron. He was part of three GCL championships, five sectional championships, four district championships, one regional championship, two city poll championships, one state poll championship, and the 2004 state championship. In addition, three of these teams ended the season nationally ranked. On the show we discuss the tradition and culture at Moeller which includes Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Ken Griffey Jr. and we take a ton of time on how to conduct in season, basically everything which includes video, in dugout conversations, practices and much more. Here is Tim Held!

Time Stamps 01:00- Moeller Tradition 02:00- Transitioning from assistant to head coach 06:00- First 100 days on the job 08:30- Fall Program 12:00- Pre-Season 15:00- In season practices 20:00- in Game Video 25:00- In game coaching 29:00- Baserunning 33:00- Preparing for a post season run 38:00- Developing coaches 40:00- What is a Moeller baseball player? 44:00- Behavior change 50:00- Quick Hitters

Resources ABCA Ohio State Baseball Clinics 108 Performance

Contact theld@moeller.org https://twitter.com/timheld Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio This week I got the pleasure of interviewing Dave National Team Head Coach at IMG Academy. Dave has enjoyed a career in baseball that includes thirteen years of professional playing experience that has spanned the globe combined with decades of managing and coaching experience at the professional and collegiate levels. Dave was drafted out of Davidson College in North Carolina in the 1987 by the New York Yankees and on to play thirteen seasons of professional baseball. As a Coach, Turgeon has managed and coached at the professional level as well as coached at the collegiate level. His first stop was in the Cleveland Indians organization in 1999. After which he spent time in various college coaching roles with Boston College, UConn, Duke and Virginia Tech. His passion for working with professional players steered his career to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010. Dave is also a contributing blogger on USA Baseball’s website. Show Notes 01:00- Ramping up from skill work 04:00- "respect the rep" 10:00- Skill Acquisition 15:00- Individualizing parts of practice 20:00- Training Decision points 35:00- Legacy Question

Contact https://twitter.com/davidturgeon45 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio https://wsucougars.com/staff-directory/brian-green/1458 Brian Green is in his third season leading the Cougars after being named the 17th baseball coach in Washington State history June 3, 2019. If you know one thing about Coach Green, his teams can hit. In the 2021 season they lead the Pac-12 and fifth in the country in doubles-per-game (2.4), second in the conference in hitting (.302), third in extra-base hits (101) and third in scoring (7.2 runs/g) while pacing the league with 74 doubles in conference games. So on the show, we discuss how they spend the first third of the fall on culture, and we go over his process of developing hitters during the fall.

Part 2: 01:00- Flipping the switch into pre season 05:00- Bucketing pitchers 13:00- 2K Approach 20:00- Quick Hitters

Resources Gary Ward ABCA Mental Game of Baseball- HA Dorfman Heads up baseball- Ken Ravizza The Winner Within- Pat Riley

Contact b.green@wsu.edu https://twitter.com/coachbriangreen

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Bio https://charlotte49ers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/robert-woodard/846 On July 1, 2019, Robert Woodard returned home to the Queen City as the fifth Head Coach of the Charlotte 49ers Baseball program. He does so coming off of being an assistant coach at his alma mater, North Carolina, for three seasons. Woodard, a Charlotte native, has also served as pitching coach at UNCW and Virginia Tech. In his first full season of 2021, Woodard guided the 49ers to a 40-win season, Conference USA Regular Season Championship and berth back into NCAA Postseason play for the first time since the 2011 season. Woodard, also took home C-USA's Keith LeClair Coach of the Year honors

Time Stamps 01:00- "On Season" 03:00- Ramping up pitchers for the season 07:00- Technology Use 10:00- Listening and communication 22:00- "9 ATC" 37:00- Players Favorite Drills 40:00- Legacy Question

Contact Email- charlottebaseball@uncc.edu Twitter- @rwoodardCLT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Jesse is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. He was the Mental Skills Coordinator for the 2017 MLB World Series and 2019 & 2021 AL Champion Houston Astros. Prior to working in professional baseball, Jesse spent four years working for the United States Army as the Lead Master Resilience Trainer – Performance Expert at the Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2) Training Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Where he provided hands-on training and self-development tools so that members of the Army family were better able to cope with adversity, perform better in stressful situations, and thrive on and off the battlefield. On the show we discuss how to get started in mental training, different pillars we can use in our programs, and practical tips to integrate them on field. This episode is so good with Jesse Michel.

Time Stamps 01:00- How he got started in Mental Training 05:00- How he got into professional baseball 08:30- Defining "mental game" 16:00- Pillars of the mental game 24:00- "good, better, how?" 34:30- World Series Champion 40:00- Getting Buy in 50:00- What do players wish coaches did more of? 56:00- Quick Hitters

Resources https://www.mindsetforexcellence.com/ Heart Rate Variability Learned Optimism- Martin E. P. Seligman Mental Game of Baseball- Harvey Dorfman Mind Gym- Gary Mack Blink- Malcolm Gladwell

Contact https://www.mindsetforexcellence.com/ https://twitter.com/JesseDMichel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Kevin Kimball enters his 11th year at the helm of the Bears Baseball program. In July of 2010 Kimball was hired after two years as an assistant at Gateway Community College. At the time, the Phoenix College baseball program had only one winning season since 1993. Since Kimball took the reins his teams have produced 3 of the top 5 win totals in school history. Kimball’s 2015 Bears squad was a few outs away from a World Series birth after eliminating the defending national champions in the Region I semifinals. In 2017 Kimball finally did break through and won a region championship. That 2017 team also broke the school record for wins in a season and was ranked in the top 20 for 9 consecutive weeks – which was another first for the program

Time Stamps 01:00- Flipping the script from Offseason 07:00- Gameplanning and scouting 14:00- Focus discussion 16:00- Neutral Mindsets 26:00- Oppo Taco Tuesdays 30:00- Legacy Question

Contact Phone: 602.285.7293 Email: kevin.kimball@phoenixcollege.edu https://twitter.com/kimballk11

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Bio The 2021 season was the 3rd as head coach at Olentangy Orange for Tom Marker. During his tenure Marker has turned the Pioneers into a state and district power, leading Orange to a number one State Ranking and top 50 National Ranking last season. Marker’s record of 48-11 (.814) is first all-time in winning percentage at Orange. In his career as a head coach Marker is 247-143 (.633). Marker’s efforts have paid off in the win column and across the board as Prep Baseball Report has tabbed Orange as the top program in the state in the final State Poll Rankings. Over the last seven seasons, Marker has led his teams to five district final appearances, winning the district in 2021. Marker was named Ohio State Baseball Coach of the Year, Central District Baseball Coach of the Year, and Ohio Capital Conference Coach of the Year in 2021.

Time stamps 01:00- Pre Season 05:00- Training Gamelike Environments 10:00- In Game Data they track 25:00- Scouting 30:00- Resources

Contact https://twitter.com/coachmarker thomas_marker@olsd.us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time Stamps 01:00- Highlights from the fall 05:00- Player Evaluation 10:00- Pre Season Focus 19:00- Vision in hitting 23:30- Teaching an approach 30:00- In Season Routines / Psychology 45:00- In Dugout Conversations 50:00- Gameplanning 57:00- Last Things

Bio https://tulanegreenwave.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/jay-uhlman/3440 A veteran with over 25 years of experience as both an assistant and head coach, Jay begins his third season on Travis Jewett’s staff this spring. Uhlman arrived at Tulane after he spent the previous eight seasons as a member of the University of Oregon staff where he was the associate head coach for the last three seasons. On the show we go over some of their highlights from this fall, what they're doing to prepare the team for the season, and how we can develop in season. Here is Jay Uhlman!

Contact juhlman@tulane.edu https://twitter.com/jezk1010 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Bio Michael Earley is in his first season as the hitting coach at A&M and arrives in the Brazos Valley after five seasons at Arizona State. Earley has built a reputation for developing hitters with his most notable work being the rise of Spencer Torkelson to the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. who went Undrafted out of high school. In the 2020 MLB Draft, four of Earley’s hitters were selected as Arizona State was the only school in the country to boast five players chosen in the shortened, five-round draft. Toby Bio DeMello joined the Wildcats after spending three seasons at Sacramento State from 2019-21. He began his tenure with the Hornets serving as the program's Director of Operation and Analytics in 2019 before moving into the volunteer assistant role for the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. While at Sacramento State, DeMello's primary duties included serving as the team's catching coach, assisting with the hitters, aligning the defense, and coaching first base. Under his direction, the Hornets posted a record of 84-54 (.609) and improved their team batting average from .235 in 2019 to an impressive .283 in 2021. DeMello's coaching journey has also seen him make stops at Southern Illinois (2018), Occidental College (2017), and Sierra College (2016-17)

Michael Time Stamps 01:00-20:00

Toby Time Stamps 21:00-34:00

Contact https://twitter.com/earleybaseball https://twitter.com/tobydemello Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio 21 years in professional baseball: 7 years - professional baseball player in the SF Giants organization 5 years - coaching in the SF Giants organization (3 years hitting/infield coach in Short-Season A, 1 year hitting/infield coach in Rookie-league, 1 year managing in Rookie-league) 9 years - mental skills coach (5 years with Giants, 2 years with Mariners, 2 years (currently) with Diamondbacks in mental performance consultant role) Spent one year as the Director of Mental Conditioning at the University of Notre Dame

Show Notes 05:00- Intro 10:00- Trevor Moawads impact 14:00- How would you have coached yourself as a player? 17:00- Mental skills: The ability to focus on the right thing at the right time. 27:00- What you measure you can manage 31:00- Setting process goals 35:00- Pillars of peak performance 42:00- Consistency of presence 50:00- The importance of good body language (as coaches) 55:00- Resources

Resources Derin's Podcast The Obstacle is the Way- Ryan Holiday

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Bio https://plnusealions.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/justin-james/1020 Justin James is in his third season as the head coach of the Point Loma baseball team in 2021. James returned to his alma mater to take over as the head coach of the Sea Lions in the summer of 2018. He has over 13 years of collegiate coaching experience, including two as the pitching coaching at UC San Diego, where he helped lead the Tritons to back-to-back NCAA West Regional Championships. In his first season as the leader of the program, James guided PLNU to a 32-21 record, a pair of postseason victories and into the final game of the NCAA West Regional #2. The Sea Lions ranked as high as No. 2 in the West Region poll, and reached No. 14 in the national rankings. James' second season was cut short due to the COVID pandemic. At the time, the Sea Lions were playing their best baseball. PLNU finished conference play 3-1 (9-8 overall) and in second place in the PacWest standings. On the show we discuss how to get arms ready for the season, how they develop in season and how to prepare teams for post season run. Here’s Justin James! Time Stamps 01:00- Pre Season 06:00- How to get arms ready for the season 11:00- In Season Development 20:00- Post season and beyond.

Contact justinjames@pointloma.edu https://twitter.com/CoachJames_3

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Bio Today we have on hitting coach, Micah Franklin. Micah has spent a total of 28 years in professional baseball, 15 years as a player. In 1997 he made his MLB debut with with the St Louis Cardinals. He then spent 2 seasons in Japan with the Nippon Ham Fighters and Hanshin Tigers and 2 seasons in Korea with the Hyundai Unicorns He actually started his career as a scout for 8 years, 5 years for the Diamondbacks and then 3 years MLB pro scout Seattle. then has spent the last 5 years MILB Hitting Coach with the Diamondbacks Time Stamps 01:00- Flipping the mental switch to pre season/ in season 04:15- Mental side of hitting 10:40- In Season Development 14:00- Timing/Gameplanning/Approach Contact https://twitter.com/micahf56 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Rachel Folden is a minor league Hitting Coach in professional baseball, the first female to hold such a position in her organization. Folden also recently launched EliteFastpitch.tv, the most comprehensive hitting drill library available for softball players. Now players from around the world can train with Rachel and her team. Rachel is a former professional softball player in National Pro Fast-pitch. She was drafted out of Marshall University after being a 4-time NFCA Division I All-American. Folden currently holds Marshall career records in batting average, hits, home runs, RBI, total bases, and walks. On the show we discuss what the transition into professional baseball was like, we discuss coaching male athletes and female athletes, and we take an in depth dive into training timing and adjustability. You're gonna love this episode with Rachel Folden!

Show Notes 01:00- Being one of the first women in professional baseball 06:00- Trying to solve the "rise ball" problem 11:00- Coaching Male athletes vs coaching female athletes 14:00- Pre season, getting ready for the season 26:00- Tech Discussion 31:00-"it all starts with relationships" 37:00- Timing Discussion 45:00- Gameplanning and Approach 50:00- Lightning Section

Resources Elitefastpitch.tv https://www.elitebaseball.tv/liveclasses/elitebaseball-tv-elite-baseball-talk-podcast-episode-4-sit-down-with-rachel-folden/

Contact https://www.foldenfastpitch.com/ https://twitter.com/foldenfastpitch

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Bio Today we have on Jason Thompson, head baseball coach at Brennan HS. a few highlights, Jason has Over 250 Career Wins, Was the Texas 5A State Runner Up (2016), they Set Alamo Heights School Record for Wins in a Season (28 in 2015) and Reached the Texas Regional Semi-Finals Part 2: We go over pre season through playoffs. Which includes practice plans, team D/O, and his process on getting his team ready to make a run through playoffs. Here's Jason Thompson!

Show Notes 01:00- Pre-Season Thoughts 08:00- Preparing an offense for games 10:30- Drills his players love 18:30- Priming a team for playoffs 22:00- Legacy Question

Contact https://twitter.com/CoachJ_Thompson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio https://vcuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/shawn-stiffler/551 Head Coach Shawn Stiffler enters his 10th season at the helm of VCU baseball for the 2021-2022 season. Over his tenure, the Rams have climbed back into national prominence. VCU stands as one of just eight programs in the country with 34-plus wins over the last seven full seasons. Stiffler was named the the sixth head coach of the VCU Baseball Stiffler was named the the sixth head coach of the VCU Baseball program in December 2012 following the passing of his mentor Paul Keyes. Stiffler was promoted after serving as the associate head coach for the first half of the 2012 campaign and serving as the interim head coach for the remainder of that season. Prior to being named head coach, he spent five seasons on Keyes' staff as the Rams' pitching coach and recruiting coordinator and was promoted to Associate Head Coach prior to the 2012 season.

Timestamps 01:00- Game Ready (pre-season) 10:00- Putting together a process that helps us win games 22:00- Getting ready for post season

Contact https://twitter.com/ShawnStiffler29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Dane comes to HPU from coaching in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system since 2019, and spent the last season as manager of the Blue Jays Dominican Summer League team. He was an assistant coach at Illinois State in 2019 where he helped the Redbirds to a Missouri Valley co-championship and an NCAA Tournament berth before joining the Blue Jays. He also coached at Sacramento State, William Jessup and Menlo. As a player, the new Sharks skipper was an Academic All-WAC performer as a catcher at Sacramento State, where he started 135 of 152 games at catcher for the Hornets. He finished his collegiate playing career at Menlo where he started all 54 games and was second on the Oaks with a .280 batting average with four home runs, nine doubles and 22 RBIs. Time Stamps 01:00- First 100 days on the job 12:00- Building the culture 18:00- Fall Training 32:00- Defensive Sets 40:00- Staffing and what he has learned lately 48:00- Resources Resources Talent Code- Daniel Coyle Culture Code- Daniel Coyle Top Dog- Po Bronson How to win friends and influence people- Dale Carnegie

Contact https://twitter.com/_danejah_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Brian Green is in his third season leading the Cougars after being named the 17th baseball coach in Washington State history June 3, 2019. If you know one thing about Coach Green, his teams can hit. In the 2021 season they lead the Pac-12 and fifth in the country in doubles-per-game (2.4), second in the conference in hitting (.302), third in extra-base hits (101) and third in scoring (7.2 runs/g) while pacing the league with 74 doubles in conference games. So on the show, we discuss how they spend the first third of the fall on culture, and we go over his process of developing hitters during the fall. Here's Brian Green!

Time Stamps 2:00- Vision of the program 7:00- Staff Development 21:00- Fall Outline 27:00- "hitting talk"

Resources Gary Ward ABCA Mental Game of Baseball- HA Dorfman Heads up baseball- Ken Ravizza The Winner Within- Pat Riley

Contact b.green@wsu.edu https://twitter.com/coachbriangreen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio DeMello joined the Wildcats after spending three seasons at Sacramento State from 2019-21. He began his tenure with the Hornets serving as the program's Director of Operation and Analytics in 2019 before moving into the volunteer assistant role for the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. While at Sacramento State, DeMello's primary duties included serving as the team's catching coach, assisting with the hitters, aligning the defense, and coaching first base. Under his direction, the Hornets posted a record of 84-54 (.609) and improved their team batting average from .235 in 2019 to an impressive .283 in 2021. DeMello's coaching journey has also seen him make stops at Southern Illinois (2018), Occidental College (2017), and Sierra College (2016-17) Time Stamps 01:00- New Staff/new players and the transition 07:30- Fall Foundation 12:30- "coaches are translators" 20:00- Fall Drills and 2K Tuesdays

Resources Pitch Decision Chart-https://twitter.com/Tyler_Coolbaugh/status/1450933903867330561?s=20 https://www.theprogram.org/

Contact https://twitter.com/tobydemello Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio https://charlotte49ers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/robert-woodard/846 On July 1, 2019, Robert Woodard returned home to the Queen City as the fifth Head Coach of the Charlotte 49ers Baseball program. He does so coming off of being an assistant coach at his alma mater, North Carolina, for three seasons. Woodard, a Charlotte native, has also served as pitching coach at UNCW and Virginia Tech. In his first full season of 2021, Woodard guided the 49ers to a 40-win season, Conference USA Regular Season Championship and berth back into NCAA Postseason play for the first time since the 2011 season. Woodard, also took home C-USA's Keith LeClair Coach of the Year honors So on the show we discuss his first steps in year one, we talk building the foundation and we go over what theyre doing this fall! You're gonna love this episode with Robert Woodard!

Time Stamps 01:00- Intro 05:00- Building the foundation 12:30- Recruiting 17:10- Offseason Schedule 26:50- Building the culture on a daily basis

Contact Email- charlottebaseball@uncc.edu Twitter- @rwoodardCLT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Bobby's pro career began when the Seattle Mariners selected him in the 50th round of the 1989 MLB draft. He played in professional baseball for 12 years, with six of them in the Mexican League. Bobby's coaching career started in the Los Angeles Angels' organization in 2002. And since, he been a manager or hitting coach in the MiLB until he was brought up to the major leagues with the Atlanta Braves. In 2020, the Braves promoted him to the major league coaching staff as assistant hitting coach. and most recently he was a member of the 2021 World Series champions. On the show we discuss what separated this Braves club and we take a deep dive into what makes a great hitter and a great hitting coach.

Time Stamps 01:00- What makes a world series champion 05:43- Relationships are huge 10:00- Peak Performers and how they separate themselves 12:00- Blocked and Random Practice 20:00- On Field BP and Routines 26:00- Pressure filled moments in the World Series 34:30- 2K Approach 41:00- Team Chemistry and Makeup 45:16- Quick Hitters

Resources Mindset- Carol Dweck Motor learning and performance- Schmidt and Lee https://thelearnerlab.com/train-ugly/ The Bible

Contact (Instagram) @magallanesbobby @SwingUgly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Kevin Kimball enters his 11th year at the helm of the Bears Baseball program. In July of 2010 Kimball was hired after two years as an assistant at Gateway Community College. At the time, the Phoenix College baseball program had only one winning season since 1993. Since Kimball took the reins his teams have produced 3 of the top 5 win totals in school history. Kimball’s 2015 Bears squad was a few outs away from a World Series birth after eliminating the defending national champions in the Region I semifinals. In 2017 Kimball finally did break through and won a region championship. That 2017 team also broke the school record for wins in a season and was ranked in the top 20 for 9 consecutive weeks – which was another first for the program

Time Stamps 01:00- Intro 03:00- Changing the culture 06:00- BP Rounds 24:00- Mentality / Mental Game 34:00- There are always exceptions to the rule 38:00- Swing Decisions and Timing

Contact Phone: 602.285.7293 Email: kevin.kimball@phoenixcollege.edu https://twitter.com/kimballk11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio This week I got the pleasure of interviewing Dave National Team Head Coach at IMG Academy. Dave has enjoyed a career in baseball that includes thirteen years of professional playing experience that has spanned the globe combined with decades of managing and coaching experience at the professional and collegiate levels. Dave was drafted out of Davidson College in North Carolina in the 1987 by the New York Yankees and on to play thirteen seasons of professional baseball. As a Coach, Turgeon has managed and coached at the professional level as well as coached at the collegiate level. His first stop was in the Cleveland Indians organization in 1999. After which he spent time in various college coaching roles with Boston College, UConn, Duke and Virginia Tech. His passion for working with professional players steered his career to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010. Dave is also a contributing blogger on USA Baseball’s website.

Show Notes 01:00- Intro 05:00- Ins and outs of IMG Academy 15:00- A day in the life at IMG 19:00- Fall Instructs

Contact https://twitter.com/davidturgeon45 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio The 2021 season was the 3rd as head coach at Olentangy Orange for Tom Marker. During his tenure Marker has turned the Pioneers into a state and district power, leading Orange to a number one State Ranking and top 50 National Ranking last season. Marker’s record of 48-11 (.814) is first all-time in winning percentage at Orange. In his career as a head coach Marker is 247-143 (.633). Marker’s efforts have paid off in the win column and across the board as Prep Baseball Report has tabbed Orange as the top program in the state in the final State Poll Rankings. Over the last seven seasons, Marker has led his teams to five district final appearances, winning the district in 2021. Marker was named Ohio State Baseball Coach of the Year, Central District Baseball Coach of the Year, and Ohio Capital Conference Coach of the Year in 2021. Along with that, he was named Central District Baseball Coach of the Year in 2013. He also served as President of the Central District Coaches Association and is currently a member of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association staff. Several players from Orange have gone on to play at the next level, including a 2021 roster with commitments to Vanderbilt, Wright State, Toledo (3), King University, West Liberty University and Ohio Northern University. Marker teaches sixth grade math at Olentangy Orange Middle School and lives in Lewis Center with his wife (Amie) and three children (McKenzie 9, Jackson 4, and Lainey 1). He has been on numerous podcasts including most recently being asked to be on the “Making Math Moments” podcast. Time stamps 01:00- First 100 days 09:00- Offseason Outline 15:00- Videoing Practice 18:22- Rules and Standards 21:30- Parent Communication 31:00- Very intentional with time Resources Greg Canvel Podcast

Contact https://twitter.com/coachmarker thomas_marker@olsd.us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio https://plnusealions.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/justin-james/1020 Justin James is in his third season as the head coach of the Point Loma baseball team in 2021. James returned to his alma mater to take over as the head coach of the Sea Lions in the summer of 2018. He has over 13 years of collegiate coaching experience, including two as the pitching coaching at UC San Diego, where he helped lead the Tritons to back-to-back NCAA West Regional Championships. In his first season as the leader of the program, James guided PLNU to a 32-21 record, a pair of postseason victories and into the final game of the NCAA West Regional #2. The Sea Lions ranked as high as No. 2 in the West Region poll, and reached No. 14 in the national rankings. James' second season was cut short due to the COVID pandemic. At the time, the Sea Lions were playing their best baseball. PLNU finished conference play 3-1 (9-8 overall) and in second place in the PacWest standings. On the show we discuss how they approached this fall, we go over their program standards, and how they utilize gamelike practice to steal reps and get ready for the season. Here's Justin James!

Time Stamps 01:00- Vision of the program 04:00- First 100 days 09:30- Standards 18:00- How to build culture 28:00- Offseason Calendar

Contact justinjames@pointloma.edu https://twitter.com/CoachJames_3

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Bio Michael Earley is in his first season as the hitting coach at A&M and arrives in the Brazos Valley after five seasons at Arizona State.

Earley has built a reputation for developing hitters with his most notable work being the rise of Spencer Torkelson to the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. who went Undrafted out of high school. In the 2020 MLB Draft, four of Earley’s hitters were selected as Arizona State was the only school in the country to boast five players chosen in the shortened, five-round draft. On part 1 of the show we discuss his transition to College Station, their player evaluation process for this fall and he shared with us some video of their Fall Training Sessions

Time Stamps 01:00- Transitioning to College Station 05:00- Nolan Arenado Discussion 12:30- Player Evaluation Process for this fall 18:00- Fall Training Sessions and Video

Contact https://twitter.com/earleybaseball

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Bio Today we have on Jason Thompson, head baseball coach at Brennan HS. a few highlights , Jason has Over 250 Career Wins, Was the Texas 5A State Runner Up (2016), they Set Alamo Heights School Record for Wins in a Season (28 in 2015) and Reached the Texas Regional Semi-Finals This offseason he took his current job at Brennan, so On the show we discuss his first 100 days on his new job, how he goes about relationships with parents, and how they plan out the fall by backwards planning from round 3 of the playoffs

Show Notes 01:00- First 100 days of his new job 06:00- Core values as a program 19:45- Parents being a part of the program 29:50- Fall Outline 37:30- Blending to Pre-Season

Contact https://twitter.com/CoachJ_Thompson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Today we have on hitting coach, Micah Franklin. Micah has spent a total of 28 years in professional baseball, 15 years as a player. In 1997 he made his MLB debut with with the St Louis Cardinals. He then spent 2 seasons in Japan with the Nippon Ham Fighters and Hanshin Tigers and 2 seasons in Korea with the Hyundai Unicorns He actually started his career as a scout for 8 years, 5 years for the Diamondbacks and then 3 years MLB pro scout Seattle. then has spent the last 5 years MILB Hitting Coach with the Diamondbacks

On the show we talk player evaluation, what hes doing with players this fall for training, and how we need to approach swing problems using the what, why, and how method. You're gonna love this episode with Micah Franklin!

Time Stamps 01:00- Player Evaluation 07:15- Developing trust with players 13:40- Fall Development

Contact https://twitter.com/micahf56 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio https://vcuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/shawn-stiffler/551 Head Coach Shawn Stiffler enters his 10th season at the helm of VCU baseball for the 2021-2022 season. Over his tenure, the Rams have climbed back into national prominence. VCU stands as one of just eight programs in the country with 34-plus wins over the last seven full seasons. Stiffler was named the the sixth head coach of the VCU Baseball program in December 2012 following the passing of his mentor Paul Keyes. Stiffler was promoted after serving as the associate head coach for the first half of the 2012 campaign and serving as the interim head coach for the remainder of that season. Prior to being named head coach, he spent five seasons on Keyes' staff as the Rams' pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.

Time Stamps (part 1) 01:00- First 100 days 09:00- Standards/Core Values 23:00- Offseason Calendar 33:00- What does success look like at VCU? (what style of players)

Contact https://twitter.com/ShawnStiffler29 smstiffler@vcu.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Jackson's first college coaching job came as an assistant for the Fairfield Stags baseball program in 2001. The next season, Jackson became an assistant coach at Emporia State University. Jackson spent the 2003 season as an assistant at Coffeyville Community College before moving on to Jefferson College for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Jackson coached at Nicholls State University from 2006–2007 and St. Louis Community College in 2008. Jackson left college baseball to become a professional scout for the Washington Nationals from 2008 to 2010. On August 14, 2010, Jackson was named the recruiting coordinator and assistant coach for the Missouri Tigers baseball program under coach Tim Jamieson. On May 27, 2015, Jackson left his position with Missouri because of his wife's promotion. Jackson spent his two year hiatus from coaching as an agent. On July 25, 2017, Jackson returned to coaching as the head coach of the Southern Jaguars baseball team. In 2019, Coach Jackson led the Southern Jaguars baseball team to the SWAC Baseball Tournament championship and a berth in the 2019 NCAA Baseball Tournament. Southern was eliminated after losses to the Mississippi State University Bulldogs in their first game, 11-6, and the University of Miami Hurricanes, 12-2, in the losers bracket elimination game on the following day. On November 30, 2020, Jackson resigned as head coach of the Southern Jaguars to accept a position as the President of MLB Draft League. Time stamps 01:00- MLB Draft Job and his vision for it in year 2 05:00- Several different roles 15:00- Being a generalist vs being an "expert" in one field. 18:00- Diversity Committee 28:00- Worst (2018) to first (2019) 40:00- Building Alignment within the coaching staff 50:00- Building "teams" 52:00- Lightning Section Resources - It takes what it takes- Trevor Moawad - Lead for Gods Sake- Todd Gongwer Contact https://twitter.com/im_that_dad_kj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Trevor Flow- Head Baseball coach, North Hall HS in Gainesville GA Since he arrive at North Hall, he has been a part of a 193-64 overall record. In his first year as head coach of the Trojans, they finished 24-7 and made it to the Sweet Sixteen, in year 2 the Trojans finished 21-16 and made it to the Final Four, in year 3 the Trojans were 12-4 and ranked #1 in AAA before the Covid shortened season. and this past season, the Trojans won the 3 AAA State Championship for second time in school history and set a school record for wins in a season. Coach Flow earned Region Coach of the Year honors during the 2018 season and AAA Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2021. On the show we go over the vision of the program, how he stays on top of things by being extremely organized, and how to teach "attention to detail."

Time Stamps 01:00- Vision of the program 18:00- Rules/Standards 25:00- Favorite team building activities 29:00- Offseason Outline 32:00- Pre Season Outline 37:00- Attention to detail 42:00- In Season Practice 54:00- Last Things Resources Obstacle is the way- Ryan Holiday Good to great- Jim Collins Extreme Ownership- Jocko Contact https://twitter.com/TrevorFlow https://www.trojansbaseball.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bios Jason is a globally recognized Performance Coach, who emphasizes the mental aspects of optimal performance in high pressure environments. In addition to golf, where he has coached 6 Major champions, multiple top 10 players, and taken two golfers to World #1, Jason has worked in many major sports including MLB, NFL, NBA, USTA, NCAA (DI/DII), and with athletes and coaches from the U.S. and Great Britain Olympic teams, including the 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist in Golf and 2018 FedEx Cup Champion, Justin Rose. Tom has been called the "father of modern pitching mechanics," and a "professor of throwing." and has live his best life, as the kids say these days. some highlight he caught Hank Aaron’s 715th. Maybe most famous for working with Nolan Ryan, was portrayed in the million dollar arm, then decided to jump into football to work with 2 guys you've probably never heard of in Tom Brady and Drew Brees, among others. On the show we discuss how the mustard app will change the landscape of coaching baseball pitchers, we talk about internal drives and motivations, and we get into some stories about some of the aforementioned athletes. Website https://teammstrd.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio In the fall of 2021 Dr. Bryan Moses will enter his sixth season as the McPherson head baseball coach and ninth overall as a collegiate head coach. His school record entering the season is 144-92, while his career record is 226-148. Moses also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations and is the lead play-by-play broadcaster for football and basketball.

In 2021 the Bulldogs accomplished their highest winning percentage in Bulldog baseball history, compiling a record of 38 – 15 (.717). 38 wins was also a Bulldog record. During the campaign, the Bulldogs landed on the national stage after being ranked #17 in the country. In the conference tournament, the Bulldogs knocked off the number 1 seed in route to advancing to the championship game. After the conclusion of the conference tournament, the team was award a regional berth in O’Fallon, Missouri as a number 4 seed. The Bulldogs won two games in O’Fallon and were one game away from the championship round. The Bulldogs fell just short of reaching the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho. During the season, the Bulldogs shattered the following team records: Single Season Wins, Team Winning Percentage, Seven All-KCAC Award Winners, Batting Average, RBI per game, Slugging, Runs scored per game, Hits per game, Doubles per game , Home Runs per game, Opponents’ Batting Average, Strike Outs per game, Shut Outs, and Team Fielding Percentage.

Time Stamps 01:00- Vision of the program 07:00- "what do we have to do to win, here." 12:00- All About Culture 20:00- Team Building 30:00- Fall Program 40:00- Pre season to In Season 53:00- Last Things Resources Geno Speech- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3_wgb3OREQ The Score Takes Are of Itself- Bill Walsh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Perry Husband is a pioneer in the world of Baseball Science. He introduced many modern hitting metrics to baseball, including Exit Velocity and Launch Angle. Through the groundbreaking discovery of Effective Velocity, there were countless pitching breakthroughs, including Ev Pitch Tunnels, Location Adjusted Speed (True Reactionary Speed) and many, many other Deception Metrics. Perry Husband is also the Author of the Downright Filthy Pitching Series, including 4 books. The Foreword is by Dr. Tom House, who helped bring the science to light introducing Ev to both Japan and Korea. Ev has also been adopted by hundreds of university coaches/players in both softball and baseball, including many NCAA champions These same advanced mindsets helped the Back to Back National Champions in softball, University of Oklahoma and UCLA softball programs to become two of the most potent offenses in the game this past season. So on the show, Perry presents an introduction to what effective velocity is, how we can train it, and how to combat it as a hitter. Let me introduce Perry Husband!

Resources/Contact https://hittingisaguess.com/ https://twitter.com/evperryhusband Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Justin Haire is in his sixth season as head coach of the Campbell University Fighting Camels and his 13th as a member of the Campbell baseball coaching staff. After spending seven seasons as recruiting coordinator, assistant coach, and eventually associate head coach under former skipper Greg Goff, Haire was named the 10th head coach of Campbell baseball (senior college era) on June 6, 2014. Haire has coached dozens of all-conference players, over 20 all-region players, seven conference players of the year, two region players of the year, and 15 All-Americans. Haire has recruited or coached every baseball All-American in Campbell history. and He is one of four head coaches in program history to reach triple-digit wins. On the show we discuss program building, competitive practices, and player led standards. And with that heres Justin Haire!

Time Stamps 01:00- Transitioning from the assistant to head coach 13:00- "what did you start, stop, and continue doing when you transitioned?" 19:00- Standards within the program (player led) 30:00- Victory in the margins 43:00- Fall Outline 54:00- Pre Practice Meetings 1:01:00- Chaos BP 1:24:00- Quick Hitters

Resources Barnstormers Video www.Stealbases.com Matt Riser ABCA Talk Daily Stoic- Ryan Holiday Contact Website/Email https://twitter.com/jhaire03 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Dylan was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. His playing career started at Stockdale High School in Bakersfield before moving to Bakersfield College for three years, Hofstra University for a year and the University of South Carolina Beaufort for a year. Dylan started coaching in the summer of 2012 at Bakersfield College and remained there until the spring of ‘20 when he was hired by the Dodgers. At BC he worked as the hitting coach every year and also had duties working with catchers, infielders, outfielders, and baserunning. He was slated to work in Ogden last year before covid, and this year he is in Rancho Cucamonga. he and his wife Jacqueline are expecting our first baby girl at the end of July.

On the show, we talk about his passion for helping high school hitters, which led him to write his book (linked below, We go over his assessment process and his advice on training hitters to compete in todays high velo high spin environment.

•And with that here's Dylan Nasiatka

Time 00:30- Info on his book 04:00- Assessment Process 12:00- Training Hitters 24:00- Training Adjustability 34:00- Technology Best Practices 40:00- Mental Side of the Game 54:23- Last Things

Resources - Dylans Book - Chase the Lion- Mark Batterson - Who moved my cheese

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The High School Baseball Hitter's Handbook: A guide through the high school years for baseball players and parents

Bio 2021 national champion JT Gasso has spent the past 6 seasons as Oklahoma's assistant coach. His primary responsibilities are focused on working with OU's outfielders and the Sooner offense. During Gasso's tenure, the Sooners have had one of most potent offenses in the country, and in 2021 broke almost every offensive category you can think of

The Sooners broke the NCAA single season home run record, the single season runs record. and OU also broke the record for runs and home runs at the Women’s College World Series. So on the show, we go over how they developed into national champions and the offensive juggernaut they were in 2021 Here is JT Gasso!

Time Stamps 01:00- Intro 03:00- Closet Talks/Meetings during games 14:00- Elimination Games and the thought process. 21:00- Setting up the fall 42:00- mental/Tactical side 50:00- Training Adjustability 1:05:00- Last Things

Resources https://hubermanlab.com/ http://www.onbaseu.com/ Gamechanger- Fergus Connolly

Contact https://twitter.com/jtgasso Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Formerly Buena Vista University's associate head coach/pitching coach, Ryan Dupic was named Concordia University Head Baseball Coach prior to the 2015 season. He just completed his seventh season as head coach in 2021. Dupic has made an immediate positive impact, leading the program to its winningest seven-year stretch in program history. The 2021 season continued the upward trajectory of the program as the Bulldogs advanced to the NAIA World Series for the first time ever. Not only that, Concordia broke school single-season records for wins, home runs, runs scored , hits and pitcher strikeouts . As part of the greatest season in program history, Dupic's squad won the Bellevue Bracket of the NAIA National Championship Opening Round and swept GPAC regular season and postseason championships. Prior to Dupic's arrival in Seward, the program had not produced a winning season since 1979. Concordia's most recent conference baseball title had come in 1986. Under Dupic, the Bulldogs reset the school single-season wins standard three years in a row (2015 through 2017 and again in 2021 So on the show we spend a bulk of our time on changing behavior and culture, but we also go over increasing leadership opportunities with players and coaching staff alignment, Here’s my conversation with Ryan Dupic!

Time Stamps 01:00- Vision of the program 02:30- Changing behavior and culture 21:00- Increasing Leadership Opportunities 30:00- Increasing Alignment 42:00- Building Teams 50:00- Offseason Calendar 55:00- In Season Advice 1:00:00- Lightning Round

Resources Susan Fowler Books Culture Code Legacy Thinking fast and slow

Contact Ryan.Dupic@cune.edu https://twitter.com/RyanDupic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Jonas Fester is in his third season as LVC's head baseball coach in 2021. He is LVC's 33rd head coach in the program's 125-year history.

Before Lebanon Valley, Fester most recently served as the associate head coach at Division III powerhouse Johns Hopkins. From 2008 to 2010, he served as an assistant coach before returning to the program in a more prominent role in 2012. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Fester served as the top assistant at Catholic University for two years. Under his guidance, the Cardinals secured their first NCAA Tournament appearance and defeated the No. 1 team in the nation.

In addition to his time at JHU, Fester was also the head coach for the Baltimore Redbirds Youth program from 2015 to 2017. There, he oversaw their development as both players and young men. Today, he continues to assist them in placement in college baseball programs. Jonas also has international experience, as he was head coach of Switzerland's Hunenberg Unicorns in 2013. The Dallas, Texas native was the first player in Johns Hopkins baseball history to reach the College World Series as both a player and coach. On the show, Jonas talks about why its important to have a culture of feedback, His system for accumulating command, and why he only has 1 rule and thats "dont cross your arms"

Time Stamps 01:00- Vision/First 100 days 05:00- Team Rules and building culture 12:00- Fall Offseason Calendar 19:30- Feedback 34:00- The command system 40:00- Pre-season/In season 50:00- Last Things

Resources - Harvey Dorfmans Mental keys to hitting Contact - https://twitter.com/jonasfester - fester@lvc.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mental Keys to Hitting: A Handbook of Strategies for Performance Enhancement

Time Stamps 1:00- Schedule/Time/Goals 10:00- Fall Practice 15:00- Spring Practice Schedule 25:00- Training using game-like environments

Resources https://marvtraining.com/

Contact coachlongley@gmail.com https://twitter.com/CalebLongley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Travis is the Director of Player Development for Elite Baseball Training in Chicago, Ill. A little background on him, he played at Madison Area Technical College, his team was ranked #1 in the country throughout the entire 1998 season. During the 2000 season he was named a Pre-Season All- American. He continued catching until his senior year in college, when he converted to pitching. Travis played 6 years of professional baseball and then worked for 10 years with the Chicago White Sox Academy, with 5 years being spent as Academy Director.

Travis is one of the most sought after instructors in the Midwest for his ability to teach several facets of baseball at a high level. So on the show we dive deep into movement prep and assessments. We also spend some time at the end of the show discussing decision training and some of Travis's favorite drills. Theres a ton to unpack this episode and it will take more than 1 listen to get it all. Here is Travis Kerber!

Time Stamps 1:00- Assessment process 25:00- How to bucket players in the team setting. 40:00- How to help players move better 58:00- Decel 1:18:00- Drills

Contact - Tkerber@elitebaseballtraining.com - https://twitter.com/TravisKerber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Eric Horner is in his first season as head coach of the Johnson County Community College baseball team, and his 18th with the program. He is just the fourth head coach in the 47-year history of the program. He replaced NJCAA and ABCA Hall of Fame coach Kent Shelley who retired at the end of the 2020 season. Horner served 17 seasons as an assistant coach with the Cavaliers, 13 as the top assistant to coach Shelley, and was instrumental in the success of the program that racked up incredible numbers. In 17 years, Horner helped guide Johnson County to five 30-win seasons, eight 40-win seasons and one 50-win campaign. In 2020 the Cavaliers were on pace to add to that list before the COVID-19 pandemic cut the season short with a 20-3 mark. In his 17 years as a recruiting coordinator, Horner recruited and coached 123 all-conference selections, including a record 14 in 2017, 27 All-Region VI selections, 10 NJCAA All-Americans, one Region VI Player of the Year, three conference Players of the Year, one conference Pitcher of the Year, two JUCO All-Stars, two Rawlings Big Stick Award winners, two Rawlings Gold Glove winners and 2020 three Baseball Blog All-Americans, including the National Player of the Year. Additionally, seventy-six players went on to the NCAA Division I level, 87 to the NCAA Division II level, 20 have gone to NAIA programs, and another 20 have gone on to professional baseball. So on the show we go over his transition from being an assistant at Johnson to being the head coach, we tallk the JUCO grind and how that develops baseball players, and then we dive deep into developing the person, the player, and the student.

Time Stamps 1:00- Transitioning from Assistant to Head Coach 3:00- Preparing for a playoff run 4:50- Preparing for the fall 11:00- What the fall looks like at JCC 14:30- Whats a Cavalier look like? 19:00- Pitching Development in the Fall 23:00- Team Development 32:00- Pre season/In season and Practice Plans 44:00- After Season Wrap-ups 47:00- Quick Hitters

Resources www.ABCA.org

Contact https://twitter.com/jcccathletics/ ehorner1@jccc.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Adam Enright just finished his third year as head coach after taking over the Viking baseball program prior to the 2019 season. In his first season at the helm, Enright guided the Vikings to the opening round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament for the first time since 2016. Previously, Enright served as assistant coach at Trinity Christian College, and was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2018 season, Adam also spent the 2013 season as an assistant coach for NCAA Division I University of Arkansas-Little Rock, serving as hitting coach after starting his coaching career at Enright started his coaching career in 2012 at Chicago State. On the show we talk about lessons he has learned from being a young head coach, how he will be constructing the fall, and change he is making from this past season to next and we spend most of the latter half of our talk on organizing practice and drills. here is Adam Enright

Time Stamps 1:00- First 100 Days/Vision 7:15- Standards/Rules/Culture 17:00- Fall Program 29:30- Transition from Fall Season to Pre Season 37:00- Developing an Offense (dynamic) 44:00- In Season Advice 55:00 - Last Things

Resources - Headway App - ABCA.org

Contact Email: enrighta@moval.edu Phone: 660-831-4113 https://twitter.com/baseballvalley https://twitter.com/adamenright17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to WhatAboutBaseball.com/curve to get your special offer. Thats 20% off AND free shipping. Bio Today we have on Eric Borba, head baseball coach at Orange Lutheran High School. Eric is in his 13th year there after leaving a very successful program at De LaSalle High School where he was the head coach from 2004-08. Over 13 years, Borba has proven himself to be one of the elite coaches and programs in high school baseball. He has also been a frequent coach for several teams for team USA. On the show we discuss the standards that it takes to be a player and a coach at Orange Lutheran, and we dig heavily into player development. Resources - FCA Coaches Bible - Leading with the heart- Coach K Contact https://twitter.com/coachborbs23 eric.borba@lhsoc.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to WhatAboutBaseball.com/curve to get your special offer. Thats 20% off AND free shipping. Bio Derek Sullivan begins his eighth season as the Head Coach of the Panthers, his 16th year as a member of the coaching staff, and his 19th involved in the City College program. In addition to his coaching duties, he also teaches full-time in the Kinesiology, Health, and Athletics Division. In his seven years as the head coach, Coach Sullivan has had 90 players transfer to four-year universities. Having a commitment to prepare for the next level, both on the field and off, is a huge part of becoming a “Sac City Guy”. While at City, Coach Sullivan has amassed an overall record of 191-108 (.639 winning %). The Panthers have qualified for the postseason in six of his seven years, won three Super Regionals two Sectionals and finished 3rd in California in 2019 and as the State Runner-Up in 2018! “Sully” returned to the coach for the Panthers in 2005 after playing for ABCA Hall of Fame coach, Ed Blankmeyer, at St. John’s University in 2003 and 2004. On the show, Derek fills us in on what a "sac city guy" is and we spend a bulk of our time on going through a year of individual player development. This episode is so good with Derek Sullivan! Time Stamps 1:00- Sac City History 6:20- First 100 days/Vision of the program 12:30- "Sac City Guy" Standards 20:00- "Whats a big leaguer look like?" 28:20:- Team Building activities 35:00- Outline of Player Development 43:00- Offseason-Pre Season 48:30- In season-Post Season 1:00:00- Self Reflection after the season 1:05:00- Last Things Resources Sleep Research and studies Mans Search for meaning- Victor Frankl Heads Up Baseball 2.0 Old School vs New School- Eugene Bleecker Contact https://twitter.com/dsullivanscc sullivd@scc.losrios.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to WhatAboutBaseball.com/curve to get your special offer. Thats 20% off AND free shipping. Bio Among the most highly respected coaches and recruiters in college baseball, Mitch Thompson is beginning his 8th year as head coach at McLennan Community College. Thompson was named McLennan head coach before the 2014 season and immediately began rebuilding the program to prominence, National Runner Up in 2015. 5th place in 2017. Had the top JUCOMLB Draft pick in two of the last three years. They are also one of only 7 Division 1 JC’s to have 40 or more wins in each of the last 5 years. Before being named McLennan head coach, Thompson spent one season as the South Texas area scouting supervisor for the Kansas City Royals organization after spending nearly two decades on staff at Baylor University (1995-2012) where he was the Bears’ hitting instructor and primary recruiter. Mitch also began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for legendary coach Ron Polk at Mississippi State. on the show we discuss building the culture at a JUCO, we talk practice development/design, and how to make the big time where you are. Time stamps 3:00- Vision of the program 5:00- Big time is where you are 10- Rules and s 13:30- Building the culture at McLennan 23:37- Offseason Calendar 30:00- Developing a team offense. 34:05- Pre Season- In season Practices 46:00- Last Things Resources Ron Polks Baseball Handbook ABCA Conventions The Travelers Gift- Andy Andrews Contact 254-299-8148 mthompson@mclennan.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to WhatAboutBaseball.com/curve to get your special offer. Thats 20% off AND free shipping. Bio Larry Vucan- Head Baseball Coach, Southlake Carroll (TX) Larry took over in 2017 as the head coach at Carroll since he took over, they reached the final four 3 times in his first 4 years and won back to back Texas High School 6A State Baseball Championships in 2018 and 2019 He was Named Dallas/Ft. Worth High School Coach of the Year 2017 and 2019 A little background on Larry He is a native of El Paso. Played Collegiately at New Mexico Highlands University. and Played professionally in the Italian Baseball League in Trieste, Italy and then Coached and Managed there. On the show we discuss how to communicate throughout a large program (they have 5 total HS teams) Larry goes in depth over his player evaluation system and we discuss how to get teams ready for post season play Here is Larry Vucan Timestamps 0:30- Playing in Italy 2:30- Vision of the program 26:35- Developing a player evaluation system 37:34- Pre-Season 42:03- In-Season Advice 55:00- Last Things Resources Lincoln on Leadership BF Skinner- Operant Conditioning John Wooden Augie Garrido Contact Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to WhatAboutBaseball.com/curve to get your special offer. Thats 20% off AND free shipping. Bio Wes Carroll heads into his 14th season as head baseball coach at the University of Evansville as the Aces usher in a new era of Evansville Baseball and has taken the program to new heights. Carroll learned the “the Purple Aces’ way” growing up just a few minutes from campus in nearby Newburgh, Indiana. He watched his older brother and former Major League infielder, Jamey Carroll, excel at shortstop, and later got to experience the success the program is capable of first-hand as a four-year starter for the Purple Aces and a member of UE’s 2000 NCAA Tournament team. Following his college career at Evansville, Carroll was drafted in the 37th round of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. Carroll spent the next five years playing Minor League Baseball for the Phillies, and later, for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals organization. As a part of the now-Nationals organization, Carroll played parts of two seasons at the AAA level. He retired from the professional ranks in the spring of 2006, but not before he was able to play alongside his older brother, Jamey, in two spring training games for the Washington Nationals. Carroll then returned to his alma mater in the summer of 2006 as an assistant coach with the Purple Aces’ program and was named the 12th head coach in UE baseball history on July 2, 2008. On the show we discuss how to create a family culture, a year of player development, and change he made from when he started as a 28 year old head coach. Time stamps

1:00- Sports Family/Growing up and coming back to Evansville

9:00- Changes he has made in his career

22:00- Our culture is family

28:30- Fall Development

37:00- Pre Season

51:00- In Season

1:00:00- Resources

Resources

Mental Game of Baseball- HA Dorfmann

Anything Jon Gordon

Contact

wc2@evansville.edu

Twitter

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Bio Matt Parker started in 2018 as head coach of Eastern baseball. Year one they were 25-23, last years COVID year was 19-4, nationally ranked and leading league when shutdown and this year they are 26-3, nationally ranked, and were leading the league at the time. Before Eastern, Matt over and took the Oklahoma Wesleyan baseball program to new heights, breaking program records and turned the Eagles into an NAIA regional power and national contender. They won four conference championships and two NAIA World Series appearances. He was a three-time conference Coach of the Year and two-time ABCA Region Coach of the Year. Prior to Oklahoma Wesleyan, Parker spent three seasons as an assistant at California Baptist University, two seasons as an assistant coach at Garden City (Kan.) Community College, and he also spent the 2005-06 season as an assistant coach at Henderson State University. On the show we talk about how he implemented a championship vision to 2 programs on 2 different levels which includes standards on and off the field, consistent self reflection, and building players not only on the field, but off the field and in the classroom.

Time stamps 1:30- Vision when you started (at both OKWU and Eastern) 10:20- Developing Arms 25:00- Standards 30:00- Offseason Calendar 53:00- In season Changes 102:00- Last things Resources Rapsodo Synergy Core Velo Belts Driveline/J-Bands Clean Fuego Balls Mind Gym- Gary Mack Contact https://twitter.com/MattParker37 mparker@eosc.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to WhatAboutBaseball.com/curve to get your special offer. Thats 20% off AND free shipping.

Bio Freddy Hilliard is in his 11th season as Head Baseball Coach at Malvern Preparatory School in Malvern, Pennsylvania. In his time at Malvern Prep, he has amassed a school record for wins with a 282-71 record and has led the Friars to 7 league championships and 6 State titles including the previous 3 in a row to go along with 8 straight seasons of making the state final. Coach Hilliard has been named Coach of the Year 3 separate times during his tenure, and his teams have been nationally recognized both with preseason and postseason national rankings in several publications 7 times. Coach Hilliard has helped mentor over 65 players onto the collegiate baseball ranks including 40 that have gone on to play at the division one level. He has also had a player of his selected by MLB in 3 of the previous 4 drafts. On the show we discuss the meaning behind Malvern having "no rules", defining and teaching core values, and practice organization. Time Stamps 1:00- Vision of the program 7:00- Making the switch from assistant to head coach 10:20- "Our rule is we have no rules" 13:50- Core Values 20:00- Offseason Calendar 30:00- Practice Design 50:00- Lightning Section Contact @coachhilliard16 fhilliard@malvernprep.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to WhatAboutBaseball.com/curve to get your special offer. Thats 20% off AND free shipping. Bio Matt Hobbs is in his third season as the Arkansas pitching coach in 2020, joining the Razorbacks in November 2018. Matt helped craft the Razorback pitching staff into one of the top groups in the country in his first year on the Hill in 2019. and In a shortened season, the Hogs put together a 3.68 ERA and an 11-5 record with three saves and one shutout. Arkansas racked up 143 strikeouts in 142.0 innings Hobbs has coached eight players that have been drafted in the top-10 rounds, including 2018 first-round pick Griffin Roberts, and has helped develop a total of seven big leaguers. Before Arkansas, Hobbs was the Pitching coach at Wake Forest and in each of his first three years in Winston-Salem, the Demon Deacons improved in ERA, strikeouts , walks per nine and opponent batting average Hobbs pitched at Missouri from 1999-2002, where he won 13 games and struck out 125 batters. Hobbs was drafted twice, first by the San Diego Padres in 2001 and then by the Kansas City Royals in 2002. On the show we talk all things pitching development, including who they like to recruit, what pitching assessments they use, and how they use tech for offseason development and measuring in season progress. Time Stamps 5:00- Things he has changed from 2020 14:00- How has player development changed? 21:30- Recruiting talk 27- Assessments 30:30- Readiness Scores 36:00- Recovery 42:00- In season development 58:00- Using tech for development 1:07:00- Last Things Contact Twitter mh099@uark.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's show we have on Tanner Reklaitis Tanner works as the Director of Operations at Tread Athletics. He also writes a weekly email newsletter for coaches called Monday Morning Edge which will have you thinking every Monday morning. His work is focused on helping coaches succeed in the 21st century. Previously, he worked at Driveline Baseball and was a Minor League Pitching Coach for the Los Angeles Angels. On the show we discuss the systems approach, power laws and the what, why and how of coaching. Time Stamps

:30- Journey to Tread

2:00- Systems approach

1940- The Power Law

29:00- What, why and how of coaching

35:20- Studying coaches in other sports

40:20- The Importance of communication

43:50- Getting players to own their career

55:- Last things

Resources

https://tanners.blog/mme/

Jurgen Klopp Biography

Conscious Coaching- Brett Bartholomew

Alchemy- Rory Sutherland

Zero to One- Peter Thiel

Contact

https://twitter.com/treklaitis

https://tanners.blog/

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Bring the Noise: The Jürgen Klopp Story

Bio Spencer Allen is the 26th head baseball coach of the Northwestern program and was named to the position on June 14, 2015. Allen came to Northwestern after serving as an assistant coach at Illinois in 2015. He helped the Fighting Illini set the school record with 50 wins and win the first NCAA Regional in program history. the Illini ranked near the top of the Big Ten in numerous offensive categories, leading the league in hits, runs, RBIs, total bases, home runs and slugging percentage.

Prior to his stint with Illinois, Allen served a two-year stretch as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Creighton. Reaching the college world series. From 2010-12, Allen worked as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Washington State University. Allen was the recruiting coordinator for the Boilermakers during the 2008-09 seasons. He also worked as a scout in the Detroit Tigers organization, and as a volunteer coach at Iowa (2004). Allen's coaching career began at Edmonds Community College in 2002, where he was an assistant coach. He played three seasons at Iowa State from 1999-2001. He was a team captain during his final season and a 2001 All-Big XII Academic selection. On the show, we discuss the pillars that Northwestern is built upon which includes a high challenge, high support environment and Deliberate practices This episode is so good with Spencer Allen! Time Stamps 1:20- Vision of the program 5:00- The Underdog Story 8:00- Compared to what? 13:00- High Challenge, High Support 16:45- Consistent Habits and Routines 20:45- "Everything that happens to you is your fault" 30:00- Deliberate Practice 40:00- Drills for developing infielders 47:00- Last Things Resources

Eat smarter- Shawn Stevenson

Golfs Sacred Journey- David Cook

The Gift of Failure- Jessica Lahey

Contact https://twitter.com/CoachAllen_37 spencer.allen@northwestern.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Today we have on John Carter, Head Baseball coach at Round Rock High School. John is a graduate of Round Rock High School and attended Round Rock schools growing up. Upon graduation from high school, Coach Carter attended Texas Tech, where he played both football and baseball. After his playing days ended, he remained at Tech as a graduate assistant from 1992 – 1994. He returned to Round Rock in 1995, coaching multiple sports including softball, soccer, football, and baseball. John became the head coach in (when). John also was the Texas HS baseball coach of the year in 2017 a year after graduating 7 D1 players. On the show we talk culture, competition and core values so much more! Here is John Carter! Time Stamps

3:00- Vision of the program when he started

6:20 - Core Values

16:00 - Culture building

21:20 - Competitions

227:00 - Parent Involvement

31:30 - Transition periods from offseason to in season

36:13- Baserunning

38:00- Quick Hitters

Resource

Culture Code- Daniel Coyle

Lead for Gods Sake- Todd G. Gongwer

Contact

Twitter- https://twitter.com/Rockhardball

Email- john_carter@roundrockisd.org

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Bio Nate Thompson, Hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for Arkansas Following the completion of his own collegiate playing career at Dallas Baptist in 2006, Thompson aided a Dallas Baptist coaching staff working with the DBU outfielders while assisting with hitting instruction and the implementation of the club’s strength and conditioning program. Nate then spent three seasons at Nebraska as the Cornhuskers’ volunteer assistant, then served as Hutchinson CC’s primary hitting coach from 2011- 2014 season. Nate next took a job as the hitting coach at Missouri State and they went on to hit .270 or better in each of his three seasons and averaged just under seven runs per game. And since 2017 Nate has been in his current role as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for the Arkansas Razorbacks From 2018-20, Arkansas leads the conference in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, weighted on-base average, OPS, runs, homeruns, extra-base hits, runs batted in, total bases and sacrifice flies. So on the show we talk….. Time Stamps

3:00- Recruit Evaluation

9:00- Player Evaluation

19:00- Using upperclassmen as leaders.

20:20- Training adjustability

29:30- Balancing tech with player development

35:30- Training Competitiveness

48:00- In Dugout talks

50:00- Last things

Resources

Bible

7 habits of highly successful people

Andy Andrews (author)

Contact

https://twitter.com/CoachT_RZRBacks

natethompson@uark.edu

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This podcast is powered by Stick & Ball TV. Today we have on Jamey Carroll from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jamey Grew up in Evansville Indiana, graduated from the University of Evansville, and after earning all-american honors at SS, he was drafted in the 14th round by the Montreal Expos. Jamey made his Major League Debut in 2002 and in 2004, scored the Expos final run in their history before moving to Washington DC. Besides playing with the Expos/Nationals franchise, Jamey also played for the Rockies, Indians, Dodgers, Twins and Royals franchises. Jamey retired and got into coaching in 2015 as a Pirates front office assistant. On the show we discuss what his role with being a Defensive Coordinator entails, we go over how coaching has changed since he played and what he has implemented, and he gives us us a ton of drills we can take to practice tomorrow. Here is Jamey Carroll! Time Stamps 2:10- What does a Defensive Coordinator do? 6:02- Discussion on Shifts 11:32- How to scout infielders. 16:00- Unique skills per position 21:40- Unique skills that are innate and we can teach. 27:15- What can amateur players get better at? 32:56- Teaching the game within the game 44:40- Practical ways to use sports psychology 48:40- Tao Training 51:40 Blending Science and Art of coaching 56:20- Pushback with trying new things 58:05- Last things Resources Keep Chopping Wood- Kevin DeSchazo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What can we learn from a ship captain that got his ship stranded in the ice 80 miles the coast of Antarctica? Find out next.

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This podcast is powered by Stick & Ball TV THE baseball and softball streaming platform. If you haven’t check it out, there are hundreds videos and so much great content waiting for you. And the cool part? It’s all updated weekly. Check it out at StickandBall.TV, or on the Stick & Ball TV mobile app Today we have on Alan Jaeger- founder of Jaeger sports. Alan founded Jaeger Sports on the principle that athletes need to develop both their physical and mental skills in order to be successful in game situations. Since 1991 Alan Jaeger, as a personal trainer and consultant, has worked with over 200 professional players, including 2002 Cy Young Award Winner Barry Zito, and All-Stars Dan Haren and Andrew Bailey. Alan, has also consulted with many schools and professional organizations. Alan’s intention is to help athletes merge the “mechanics” of the Western athlete with the “insight” of the Far Eastern mind, to position athletes to best realize their potential on and off the playing field. On the show we extensively cover all things mental game. Including meditation, visualization, routines, self talk, and awareness. Not only do we go over the methodology behind it, Alan puts it all on the table for us with countless practical drills and scenarios that you can take to practice tomorrow. Heres Alan Jaeger! Time Stamps 2:00- Defining the mental game 11:20- What separates the good team from great teams? 16:40- Where do we start? 26:40- Getting players to buy in 36:40- Practical Strategies to use 42:40- Routines and process oriented 50:30- Failure Recovery 52:10- Mindfulness Plans and Breathing 1:03:10- Last things Resources https://www.jaegersports.com/mental-practice-plans/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h4er5U38SU&ab_channel=AlanJaeger Contact https://www.jaegersports.com/ @jaegersports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we make data relevant? By giving in the story or experience. In order to gain attention from players using data. We have to show that we can connect with them in meaningful and useful always. And we use data to positively influence an outcome, one way or another. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Ryan has a degree in Exercise Physiology from University of California at Davis and he has worked on improving athlete’s visual performance on the field since 1999. Through the years he has worked hundreds of baseball stars. He has also worked with the 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Champion San Francisco Giants, the Toronto Blue Jays, the Philadelphia Phillies 2009-2012 as well as 9 other Professional Baseball Organizations. Collegiately he has worked with the 2016 NCAA Champion Coastal Carolina, the 2012 NCAA Champion Arizona Wildcats, the 2013 NCAA Champions UCLA Bruins, as well as Oregon State, Wichita State, Kentucky, and Long Beach State. Ryan has worked with many Collegiate Softball programs On the show we go over several drills you can take and implement in practice tomorrow. We talk balance, depth perception, and one of my favorite discussions was over when, where and how to look Here is Ryan Harrison! Time Stamps

3:00- Where do we start?

6:30- Cognition tests

15:50 When, where and how to look

23:50- Setup to see

29:10- Depth Perception

33:00- Balance and its effect on vision

36:60- "mechanics are a result of proper vision"

40:30- In game discussions

47:30- Reaction time vs predictive vision

55:50- Perception/Action Coupling

58:30- The Barry Bonds drill

1:01:30- Drills

1:13:00- Last Things

Contact

https://www.slowthegamedown.com/

ryan@slowthegamedown.com

https://ndvperformance.com/

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Most of us are transitioning from offseason to in season this time of year. So I wanted to put some thoughts together from things I've learned and some thoughts on what I would do different. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Patrick Murphy, Head Softball Coach, University of Alabama Murph is in his 25th year at Alabama; 23rd year as head coach. In his tenure, he is the winningest coach of all-time in any sport at Bama. They have been to the NCAA tournament 22 straight years and all 15 Super Regional rounds that have been played. They have been a 12-time WCWS participant. He is a 6-time SEC champion, they have been the national attendance leader 14 years running and they have had the most academic All-Americans of any softball program the past 10 years. On the show, we discuss all things program building which includes leadership dinners, involving parents, creating a culture of affirmations and gratitude and so much more. You're gonna love this episode with Patrick Murphy! Time Stamps

4:00- Vision when Patrick got the job

8:11- First Steps

12:30- Combating the anxious generation

15:30- "its all about the relationships"

17:15- Leadership Dinners

23:15- "Dont hold grudges"

27:20- Involving Parents

35:00 The power of affirmations

41:30- Holding teammates accountable

46:40- Classroom Sessions

49:40- Practice Planning Advice

56:30- Quick Hitters

Resources

Leadership from a dancing man

The Choice- Edith Eger

Contact

Coach Murphy

pmurphy@ia.ua.edu

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This week, we're talking why we should start with and continually focus on clarity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intro Entering his 13th year in the Cleveland Indians Organization, and his second year on the Major League Staff. Justin spend the first 7 years as a minor league player reaching AAA, and the past 6 years as a coach. He was a hitting coach from 2016-'19 and Spent 2020 in his current role as the Major League hitting analyst. Justin Attended/played collegiately at the University of Iowa. Spent a week in the American Association before he was fortunate enough to sign with the Indians as a non drafted FA. He just finished a masters program in Performance Psychology this past March. On the show dive into the art of coaching, facilitating a learning environment, blending intuition and science, simplifying analytics, and of course, psychology. Time Stamps 2:00- What does a hitting analyst do? 6:00- Filtering Information 9:45- Advanced Reports 16:50- Evaluating new players 20:00- Communication 23:32- Teaching and its role in coaching 30:40- Blending the art of coaching with science/data 37- Facilitating learning environments 43- Mastery vs Performance goals 47:20- Giving Better Feedback 50- Focal Points, Routines and breathing 56:00- Quick Hitters Resources

The Coaches Guide to teaching- Doug Lemov

Greenlights- Matthew McConaughey

Daniel Coyle Books

Legacy- James Kerr

Relentless- Tim Grover

Mind Gym- Gary mack

Range- David Epstein

Contact

https://twitter.com/Tooleyj24

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This episode is powered by stick and ball. If you'd like a free month? go to stickandball.tv and enter the code AOTC2021 for a free 30 day trial, it WILL be worth it. I'm going to do some shorter podcasts on some topics i'm passionate about, periodically and in addition to the weekly podcast. Todays topic is about creating a system for retaining information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bio Born in Northern Alberta, Canada in an area where there is very little baseball, his parents let him move to Lewiston, ID when he was in the 9th grade and live with a host family and play high school baseball. He then played at Spokane Falls Community College and Whitworth University After playing he coached at Spokane Falls CC for 4 years working with hitters and outfielders and also serving as the S&C coach. During that time, he got His Master’s degree in Exercise Science from Eastern Washington University. Robin then got out of coaching and pursued a PhD and While working on it, he was Ed Cheff’s S&C coach at Lewis Clark State College. Robin completed his degree in 2002 and landed a tenure-track faculty position in the Department of Kinesiology in cedar falls Iowa. After 18 years, he got back into coaching and became the volunteer assistant for the University of Northern Iowa softball team in the Fall of 2018 and then in January of 2019 he took a job at the university of Iowa, where he started as the hitting coach and then became the pitching coach in the Fall of 2020. On the show, we go over player assessments, developing motor learning plans, and blending the art and science of coaching. Time stamps 3:50 - Player Assessments 16:00- Blending art and science of coaching 18:30- Motor Learning Plans for pitchers 25:27- Motor learning plans for hitters 33:30- Using in game data for pitchers 37:00- Using in game data for hitters 43:30- Gameplanning 45:00- Pre-pitch routines 46:45- Post Game reports 50:30- Simplifying data 55:30- Quick Hitters Resources Motus Sleeve Trent Otis Google sheets/Pivot tables Functional Movement Screen Frans Bosch Contact @Lunderton robin-lund@iowabaseball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Lance Zawadski, Minor League hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox. Lance played at San Diego State University and Lee University. He also played for 6 different organization and indy ball before getting into coaching. On the show we talk about the lower half function in the swing, training adjustability in the swing and using technology efficiently Time Stamps 2:30- Player Evaluation. 10:48- Exploring the lower half. 13:00- Environment/Adjustability. 19:50- Training vs preparation 28:00- Lower half adjustability 35:00- Bill Belichick on technology and Technology best practices 46:30 Gameplanning 51:30- Resources Resources

https://www.synapse-ccr.com/

Anticipation and Decision Making in Sport 1st Edition, Kindle Edition by A. Mark William

Contact

IG- @Lancezawadzki

Twitter -@Lancezawadzki

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On todays show Keith is currently a senior baseball writer for the Athletic. He previously wrote for ESPN.com and ESPN Scouts, Inc. and for Baseball Prospectus. Keith also worked in the front office for the Toronto Blue Jays from 2002-2006. On the show, we discuss scouting and its role in player development which includes a discussion on what traits can be taught, and what cant. Then we take a deep dive into analytics and what Keith thinks could be the most impactful information for the next decade. Time Stamps 2:30- How Keith started in baseball 8:30- Analytics 11:30- Future Trends 25:30- Scouting 34:30 cognitive Biases 40:00 Traits that we can develop and traits that are innate 47:35- Acquiring players with traits you can develop 53:00- Resources 55:30- Last Things Contact The Athletic Paste Twitter Blog Resources Thinking Fast and Slow- Tversky and Kahneman Inside Game- Keith Law Smart Baseball- Keith Law Whistling Vivaldi- Steele Biased- Eberhardt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on the Athletic Mission Baseball Academy staff Geoff Rottmayer and Darrell Coulter. AMBA is located in Tulsa Oklahoma and specializes in helping two way baseball players develop a strategic advantage mindset so they can deliver on game day. Geoff is the owner of AMBA, was Drafted by the Florida Marlins out of High School 2003 but went on to sign at Seminole State College 2003 and later Florida Gulf Coast University 2004. He has 15+ years of coaching and mentoring hundred of player through the college recruiting and pre-draft and draft process and is the Creator of “The Command Hitting System” Darrell signed with the Philadelphia Phillies out of High School in 1986 and played 4 years in Phillies Minor League System. Darrell has more than 15 years of College Recruiting Consulting and Advising for Parents & Players. he has Consulted with over 100+ College and Professional Pitchers. and he is the Owner of S.T.A.R.T.T. Pitching and theCreator of “The Strategic Pitcher Program” They both also Co-Host of The Strategic Baseball Podcast. On the show we go dive into what player development consists of, how to create strategic in game advantages, we talk game-planning, assessments and much, much more. Contact http://www.athletic-mission.com/staff https://www.strategicbaseballpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Trevor Burmeister, MiLB hitting coach for the Colorado rockies. Trevor started his coaching career at UW-La Crosse in 2014 as Outfield and Assistant Hitting Coach. In his second year at the school the team went on to take second place in the NCAA World Series. The following season, Burmeister started pursuing his Master’s Degree at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and in his first season there, they also had the third best batting average and second best home run totals in NCAA DII. Before getting hired by the Rockies, Trevor was an assistant coach at Madison College. And In 2019 he was named the NJCAA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year by the ABCA and Baseball America on the show, we discussed how to best use technology, how to create a challenging training environment, and Trevor goes in depth with implements and constraints training. Resources Old School vs New School https://108pa.com/book Contact https://twitter.com/T_Burm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On todays show we have on Kyle Stark who is a leadership and coaching consultant. Kyles went to ball state, got his law degree from Toledo but he always knew he wants to be in baseball, so much so that in grad school he also serves as the pitching coach for St. Bonaventure, where he got his masters in business administration. He started as an intern with the Cleveland Indians and then he was hired by the pirates and worked his way up to be the assistant GM until 2019. On the show we discuss coaching and feedback, we take a deep dive into culture and we discuss why conversations need to start with clarity, connectedness and consistency.

Resources

The Bible

Contact tkstark8@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Bhrett McCabe Clinical and Sports Psychologist. Bhrett has worked with professional athletes including 12+ PGA and LPGA Tour players whose rankings have reached #1 in the world. He has been a consultant and Sports Psychologist for The University of Alabama Athletic Department, working with all teams and coaching staffs and he has been a featured speaker to numerous Fortune 500 companies and organizations. On the show dive deep into his experiences at LSU playing for Skip Bertman, we go over practical mental game strategies, and we discuss "how to win awareness" which includes classroom sessions and how we can coach in game strategy to players. Contact https://www.bhrettmccabe.com/ https://twitter.com/DrBhrettMcCabe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on the Jim Maciejewski, Athletic Director/Head Baseball Coach at Mauldin HS in South Carolina. Maj has been the head baseball coach at Mauldin since 2009, so we go over what building the culture over the last decade has looked like, we discuss how we can leverage social media as a celebration tool but also how to use it to keep alumni connected and we dive deep into what he has done differently because of the COVID pandemic. Resources Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners Contact https://twitter.com/Maciejewski24 jmaciejewski@greenville.k12.sc.us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Andy Bass Coordinator of Mental Conditioning for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Andy has an awesome story, with playing professional baseball and developing the yips, then deciding he wanted to focus his attention onto helping players with the mental side by getting his advanced degrees in psychology and then motor learning. On the show, we discuss how to integrate mindfulness into our practice sessions, we go over how to allow some autonomy players, we dive deep into game-like practices and feedback loops

Resources Blackbox thinking- by Matthew Syed Beartown- by Fredrick Backman Contact Andy.bass@pirates.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Jeremy Sheetinger, head baseball coach at Georgia Gwinnett College. Sheets is by far one of the most popular baseball coaches in the world. After working for the American Baseball Coaches Association and running the podcast, he took the job at GGC last year. On the show we discuss what he has learned during the 4 years he stepped away from the field, and how he has implemented so much information into what they do at GGC. We go all in on competitions, classroom sessions, and how to teach the mental game. If you're looking for a copy/paste episode, sheets delivered. This episode is so good, and here is Jeremy Sheetinger!

Resource

Baseball Playbook- Ron Polk

Help the Helper- by Kevin Pritchard, John Eliot

Contact

@CoachSheets3

Sheets@ggc.edu

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Rich Benjamin begins his 6th year at the helm of the Indiana Wesleyan University In Benjamin's first year at Indiana Wesleyan the Wildcats had one of the most successful seasons in program history as they advanced to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round for the first time.The Wildcats topped their 2016 success two years later going 37-20 in the 2018 season, winning the Crossroads League and reaching the NAIA Opening Round for the second time in program history. Coach Benjamin was named the Crossroads League Coach of the Year for his leadership during the 2018 season. Prior to Indiana Wesleyan, Benjamin was the head baseball coach at Judson (Ill.) for eight seasons where he accumulated the most wins in program history with 304. On the show we go over how being a pitching coach early on helped him to develop a well rounded approach as a hitting coach and now head coach, we discuss why we need to simplify things in a world of constant noise, and we dive deep into what Rich calls “training zone focus vs performance zone focus” Resources Romans- The Bible Contact rich.benjamin@indwes.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe here! Description Kyle is a former standout high school baseball player who went on to play Division 1 baseball at Wake Forrest and a year professionally in the Angels organization. Kyle was also a part of the historic 2015 Red Land Little League team that wen on to win the United States Championship. He is the author of two books- Green light hitting and How the Rivercats won. Kyle is one of my favorite twitter follows because he always helps me to think deeper on different subjects like practice design and player development. Resources How The RiverCats Won: Lessons on Relationships and Competition Green Light Hitting from the backyards to the big leagues Contact https://twitter.com/GowagsKyle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on David Jeans, head baseball coach for De La Salle HS. David is an industrial engineer by trade and after pursing that for several years, started coaching a 6th grade basketball team. This led him to coaching football at De La Salle during the Bob Ladouceur era, which is one of the most successful dynasties in HS football history. He worked his way up the ranks and became the head baseball coach in 2012. And Since 2012- De La Salle Baseball has reached title game every year, won in 12,14,16,17,18,19. So on the show we discuss how being a football coach has helped Under coach Lad helped him to establish a “development first” program. We discuss how being an engineer has helped with with practice plan design in limited space. And we dive deep into what being Spartan looks like on a daily basis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Curt Nelson, Professional Hitting Consultant and NW bandits head coach (WA). Curt works with players from the big leagues to little league. So on the show we discuss what his evaluation process looks from when a person walks in the door for the first time, to fine tuning professional hitters mechanics. We dive deep into hitting mechanics, game planning, timing and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For over 19 years, Kevin Wilson has been one of the most sought after hitting consultants in the game. Kevin currently works with or has worked with with Minor and Major League players from all 30 MLB organizations. In 2013, Kevin was the hitting coach for the USA Baseball 18U National Team. Team USA beat Japan for the Gold medal at the IBAF World Cup in Taiwan. On the show Kevin and I discuss what #goodbatting is, we talk about how hitting is a conversation. And Kevin walks us through what it sounds like to be in a cage session with him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're joined by Tom Sutaris. Tom has spent time coaching at every level. He was a high school English teacher and coach, a college coach, and is now the AA hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies. On the show Tom shares with us some ways he has grown as a coach, especially getting to coach at each level, we talk how to make changes with the player and how to ask questions to get to the root of the problem, and Tom dives deep into how to create a hitting culture. Resources Energy Bus- Jon Gordon Atomic Habits- James Clear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Billy Berry, Head Baseball Coach at Tennessee Wesleyan University Billy was the head coach of TWU from 2005-2015 and then returned to TWU in July of 2017 after a two year coaching stint at the Baylor School. Billy and TWU have won 2 NAIA national championships during his 2 stints and In his twenty + years of coaching, He has seen over forty former players move on to professional baseball. He wants to continue to help young men use baseball as an avenue to get their education, continue on the bulldog baseball success and have kids that represent the school, their families and the program with pride. So on the show we talk about how he uses the Weslyan tradition to ingrain the culture every year. How he helps players to own their career and holds them accountable, and he discusses how to “attack the day” everyday. Books: Energy Bus; Books about programs or seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today were joined by Episode #1 and #5 guests Butch Chaffin and Wes Brooks. Wes Brooks is the head coach at Oxford HS in Alabama and Butch Chaffin, Head coach at cookeville HS in Tennessee. I may have mentioned it several times on the podcast, but I want to reiterate it here. Butch and Wes are two of the best coaches in the country and they absolutely get the most out their guys and love them to death. So on the show, we talk about what’s important to them. We discuss what growing men in your program means, we talk all things culture building, and you can develop a system that works for your program. Contact: @oldgoldsports @gawbage29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by Athlete's Brand. Today we have on Ryan Sienko- Catching Coordinator for the LA Dodgers Ryan was a catcher at the University of Iowa, played professionally for the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and in independent baseball where he was an All-Star. His current responsibilities include catching philosophies and drills, deciphering receiving metrics, blocking philosophies and drills, throwing philosophies and drills, coordinating player plans, working with the research and development department, drills and skill work, and traveling to all affiliates to work with the catchers. On the show, we discuss how he evaluates catchers, what data and trends we can look for, and we go through several drills and thought processes with how we can setup up catchers to maximize their potential, on and off the field. Resources Choose love not fear Getting outside of your comfort zone. “Ask other people what challenges the face, and how they overcome them." Contact @Catch_and_Throw https://www.catchandthrow.com/ Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Jason Kanzler Jason was undrafted/unrecruited out of high school, tried to walk on at Northeastern University in Boston and Was cut after fall ball, He Went on to attend the University of Buffalo and became the first D1 player ever to win the gold glove award twice, won MAC player of year, won UB student athlete of year, then was drafted in 20th round by Twins as senior sign for $1k Jason played 3 years in twins system, during which they a Florida state league championship and then spent the next 2.5 years teaching high school physics/chemistry while also coaching baseball He was hired by with Astros last year, and was the hitting coach in high A. On the show we talk about the art of coaching, we discuss the importance of data and how subjective measurements are also important. We dig in conversations in the dugout an how we can teach the game within the game. Resources: owntheoffseason.com Antifragile- Nassim Nicholas Taleb Stuart McMillan Blog. Show Notes (Zach Casto). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Chris Gimenez from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Michael McCarthy from the Minnesota Twins. In parts of 10 seasons, Chris appeared in 386 Major League games and tallied 1067 plate appearances between the Indians, Twins, Mariners, Rays, Rangers and Cubs. While the bulk of Gimenez’s work came behind the plate, he was versatile enough to spend time at first base, in the outfield corners and, more briefly at third base. Beyond that, Gimenez took the ball for 11 relief appearances in his career. He is currently the game planning coach for the LA Dodgers. Mike went from mowing lawns, dragging infields and “just trying to be a part of” Cal State Bakersfield’s first baseball team to being 14th round selection by the Boston Red Sox in the 2011 MLB draft and he spent parts of his final three seasons with Triple-A Pawtucket. His final season came in 2016. and is currently the pitching coach for AAA Rochester in the Minnesota Twins organization. On the showOn the show we dive deep into the pitcher/catcher relationship, we discuss how we can break down data for players into a tool thats most relevant for them, and we go over game-planning and in dugout conversations. You’re going to love this episode with Michael McCarthy and Chris Gimenez. Resources Books Smart baseball MVP Machine Make your bed Jocko Willink Fortitude https://www.baseballmiracles.org/ Contact Chris Gimenez https://twitter.com/ChrisGimenez5 Michael McCarthy https://twitter.com/mmccarthy35 Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Aaron Bates. The Dodgers MLB assistant hitting coach, and he’s also the director of hitting for the minor leagues. Aaron was a third-round pick out of North Carolina State by Boston in 2006, and played eight professional seasons — he logged 12 plate appearances with the Red Sox in 2009 — before joining the coaching ranks. His final swings came with the Dodgers in 2014. From there he served as a hitting coach in the Arizona, Midwest, and California leagues. In 2018, he became the assistant hitting coordinator for LA’s minor league system. On the show, we discuss the process and what that means to the Dodgers minor league system. We go over game planning, simplification, what he has learned during COVID and so much more. Favorite books Culture Code- Daniel Coyle Talent Code- Daniel Coyle Contact https://twitter.com/a33bates Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Rick Franzblau. Rick is in his first year as the director of olympic sports strength and conditioning. The previous three years he served in the capacity of assistant director of olympic sports strength and conditioning. He is responsible for the supervision of the assistant strength coaches, graduate assistants and volunteer interns. Rick oversees the strength and conditioning for all 14 of the Olympic Sports an he is directly responsible for the strength and conditioning efforts of the baseball, men’s soccer and track and field teams. On the show we discuss how to match hardware and software, in both hitting and pitching. How what we find on movement screens affects in game performance. How to communicate and collaborate with on field staff and strength staff. We talk deceleration training, proper breathing and so much more. Here is Rick Franzblau! Resources Understand basic concepts of postural restoration institute Basic anatomy Contact https://twitter.com/FranzblauRick Richarf@clemson.edu Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Marvbands. Use code AOTC for 10% off of team sets! Today we have on The King of Jewish Baseball Nate Fish. We go over what he has learned in playing and coaching in 20 plus countries. He also has experience in the world baseball classic, in Cape Cod and starting the national baseball program in Israel. And one of the coolest things about Nate is his experience coaching from little league, to coaching in the minor leagues with the Dodgers. Contact https://twitter.com/kingofJbaseball Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Marvbands. Use code AOTC for 10% off of team sets! Today we have on Joe Espada, Bench Coach for the Houston Astros. Joe grew up in Puerto Rico and attended college the University of Mobile before being drafted 45th overall in the 1996 draft by the Oakland A’s. Joe played 10 years in the Minors before retiring and getting into coaching. He got his first coaching job in 2006 with the Marlins and was named the big league 3B coach in 2010. In 2014 he was hired by Brian Cashman and became an assistant to the GM and the infield coach with the Yankees, and in 2017 he was hired by the Astros to be the bench coach. On the show we discuss lessons learned throughout his professional career, we discuss how working in the Yankees front office helped him become a better on field coach and we dive deep into how to learn about and build the culture in the clubhouse. Resources Extreme ownership- Jocko Willink Measure what matters- John Doerr We’re all in this together- Mike Robbins Contact Joeespada4@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/josueespada/ Guest Speaker PDF show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Andy Haines, MLB hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. Andy is in his his second season in the Brewers organization. Prior to joining the Brewers, spent one season as assistant hitting coach with the Chicago Cubs. Under Haines (and hitting coach Chili Davis), the Cubs led the National League in batting average and ranked second in on-base percentage in 2018...Served Chicago as minor league hitting coordinator from 2016-17... Spent eight seasons with the Miami Marlins, where he joined the organization in 2008 as Rookie GCLMarlins hitting coach. On the show we discuss the differences in working with big leaguers and minor leaguers and amateurs, we go over gameplanning, pre game routines and it all ties back into gaining trust with players. You’re going to love this episode with Andy Haines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on the Chicago cubs major league hitting coach, Anthony Iapoce. Anthony was named the Cubs major league hitting coach in October, 2018 after three seasons as the hitting coach with the Texas Rangers ... prior to joining Texas, he spent the previous three years in the Cubs organization as a Special Assistant to the GM while overseeing the club's minor league hitting program from 2013-15 ... Has been in a coaching/player development capacity since the 2006 season. On the show we talk about working with some of the best players in the world and how we can be an advocate for them. We talk about daily routines, which includes game planning and preparation and we get into how we can best serve all of our players. This episode is so good with Anthony Iapoce! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on George Lombard. First base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. George has been a member of the dodgers for 5 years, after previously serving various roles in the Braves and Red Sox Minor League Systems. George’s story is one word, powerful. His mom was a civil rights activist with Martin Luther King jr. His grandfather was the dean of Harvard business school for 40 years. George was an all American running back and signed at the university of Georgia before ultimately deciding to pursue baseball which led to playing 6+ years in the big leagues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Marvbands. Use code AOTC for 10% off of team sets! Today we have on 2018 World Series champion, Andy Barkett. Andy was an assistant MLB hitting coach with the Boston Red Sox in 2018-2019. On the show, we talk about how to earn trust with our players, why learning their routines is important, we discuss game-planning, approach and why Andy thinks that hitting coaches are basically part time psychologists. You’re gonna love this episode with Andy Barkett! Contact @abarkett17 Foundations of Coaching Professional Hitters https://bsbliq.com/courses/foundations-of-being-a-professional-hitting-coach/ Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on the Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Hitting Coordinator, Hunter Mense. Born in Liberty, MO, Hunter attended the University of Missouri. And was drafted in the 17th round by the Florida Marlins. After his playing career, he went back to Missouri and served in several roles- undergrad and graduate volunteer assistant coach, and color commentator on the team’s radio broadcasts and then made the jump back to pro ball with the padres for 1 season, then the bluejays as the AA hitting coach and now as the hitting coordinator. On the show, we discuss what the process of making changes with players looks/sounds like, we go over the process of experimentation coupled with communication, and we discuss his role as a coordinator which essentially coaches coach’s. You’re gonna love this episode with Hunter Mense! Resources Range- David Epstein Instagram and Twitter Relationships Contact Twitter Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Chuck Box, Head Baseball Coach and assistant athletic director at Hartfield Academy. We flipped the script a little today, and so Chuck takes us through an entire year of what they do at Hartfield. We go over individual player development plans, schedules, culture building and so much more. If you want a practical episode, this one is for you. Here is Chuck Box! Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Today we have on the Tennessee Volunteers head coach Tony Vitello Vitello arrived on Rocky Top following four seasons as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at Arkansas. His rise to the head coaching ranks also included stops at Missouri (his alma mater) and TCU. After leading the program back to the NCAA Tournament in 2019, Vitello and the Vols looked poised to take another step forward in 2020 after a strong start to the season. The Vols were ranked as high as No. 11 in the nation after a 13-0 start to the year and were 15-2 heading into SEC play before the season was halted and eventually canceled due to COVID-19) global health crisis. Prior to the season being canceled, Tennessee led the country in total runs and runs per game while ranking second in home runs, slugging percentage, walks, and on-base percentage. On the show, we discuss what he looks for on the recruiting trail, how to get players to own their career, and we go over what they do for competition everyday and how that propelled them into leading the country in runs in 2020. Here is Tony Vitello Resources Heads up baseball- Ken Ravizza Mind Gym- Gary Mack Joe Rogan Podcast Trevor Moawad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Head Coach Rob Cooper from Penn State and Steve Owens from Rutgers In this episode we have over 40 years of bead coaching experience between the two, so we dive into lessons learned, how to communicate with players, how to build relationships and how the formula for recruiting and the process of building culture changes year to year and especially program to program. Here is Rob Cooper and Steve Owens! Contact Rob- rjc40@psu.edu Steve- baseball@scarletknights.com Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're talking with Alon Leichman, Milb pitching coach for the Seattle Mariners. Alon has an interesting background, being born and raised in Israel and then playing college baseball in the States. So we talk about his journey to the Mariners, which includes volunteer coaching in Cape Cod during his first summer after playing. What he learned as a bullpen coach in the World Baseball Classic, coaching with Jerry Weinstein. And we also dig into how we can get to better know our players and why that is vital to everything we do as coaches.

Resources Hoops Whisperer Range Contact alonleichman@gmail.com Alon Leichman Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto

Alon Leichman: MiLB Pitching Coach (Seattle Mariners) Surround yourself with good people. Relationships with your players are the first part of success. Get to know your staff the same way you get to know your players. This creates whole team trust. Pick the brains of the members of your staff, friends, and others. This time is a great opportunity to learn. You are either learning and growing or you are getting passed up. Take a step back and appreciate what you have during these circumstances. Have gratitude for all the blessings you are given. Spend time with the players and be yourself. Be your authentic self so that the players will trust you. When coaching players they are ELL’s don’t be afraid to mess up with Spanish. This allows the ELL athlete to be vulnerable and trust you as well One of the biggest problems players have is overthinking. Have a strong enough relationship to allow players to come to you to talk about it. The sooner you recognize this the quicker the problem will be fixed. Reassure them they it’s okay to struggle and they we are all in this together. You want to get them out o an athletic mindset and not struggle with over thinking. The more we can use external cues and give the players a goal the better chance the athlete will self organize and accomplish the goal. The more we think about our mechanics the more the mechanics will break down. Without data, we must use an educated guess to help the player. When you see video: see if the delivery is fluid. When at foot strike, is the arm in a good position? Is the elbow and shoulder level? Deficiencies: body limitations. Talk to strength coaches and have them help you find out these deficiencies. The arm recoil isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For some players it is natural to do this. It’s natural with some hard throwers. Recoiling is a natural deceleration for the throwing arm. Take the strengths of the player and give data based off of the technology of what you have. The data can show you where you’re at with accomplishing your goal. Individual plans and goals provide clarity for the player on what to do to dominate their role. “Process over results.” Individualized plans provide buy in for the player. If you don’t know the player and the his strengths the. You won’t be able to help develop the player the best way possible. Involve the player when making decisions on their goals. Don’t change without asking the player’s side first. Give evidence as to why you want to make a change. Learn to listen but don’t switch super fast. You have to know how to tell evidence to your players. “It’s not the content that you speak, it’s the way you speak it to the player.” You want to be engaged with your guys. Example: one way to be engaged is to throw with the pitchers every day. Throw different pitches with each guy. Have your catchers try out different stances in bullpens.

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Today we have on Nick Winkelman, Head of Athletic Performance & Science for Irish rugby and recent author of “The Language of Coaching.” Nick's primary role is to oversee the delivery and development of strength & conditioning and sports science across all national and provincial teams. Before working for Irish Rugby, Nick was the director of education and training systems for EXOS and oversaw the speed and assessment component of the EXOS NFL Combine Development Program and supported many athletes across the NFL, MLB, NBA, National Sports Organizations, and Military. Nick has his Ph.D. on motor skill learning and sprinting. On the show we talk mainly about the role communication plays in coaching, and here’s a hint, it's a big one. More specifically we get into internal and external. Cues, how we can use coaching feedback loops and we discuss the role of attention and so much more Here is Nick Winkelman! Resources Julian Treasure Ted Talk www.languageofcoaching.com Contact info@languageofcoaching.co www.languageofcoaching.com @nickwinkelman Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Tyler Yearby Co Founder of emergence which is a dedicated resource and community for coaches and movement specialists looking to explore the ever growing world of skill acquisition through ecological dynamics. Tyler also works at Starters Sports Training, which trains baseball and softball players. Tyler’s speciality is in skill acquisition, so we go over how we can use skill acquisition techniques in baseball. A few things we go into, constraints led approach, how we know if a skill “Sticks” long term, what is “game-like” and we go into how to do this in a team Resources Nonlinear pedagogy Constraints led approach Dynamics of skill acquisition Dexterity in its development https://emergentmvmt.com/ “Underpinnings” course Visual perception and action in sport Contact @TylerYearby @EMERGENTMVMT http://www.starterssportstraining.com/ Show Notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have on Hugh Quattelbaum, hitting coordinator for the Seattle Mariners. Q has such an awesome background from his playing career, to being a screenwriter and then becoming a coordinator. On the show, we talk about the rewards and challenges of coaching coaches, we talk about how to execute organizational principles, we talk plan/approach and mindset and how to simplify these to help the player focus. You’re gonna love this conversation and here is Hugh Quattelbaum! Resources The way of baseball Inner game of tennis Obstacle is the way Antifragile Contact Twitter Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today show we have Todd Interdonato, head baseball coach at Wofford College. Todd is in his thirteenth season as head coach of the Wofford baseball program. He was named head coach of the Terriers on June 26, 2007 after previously serving for two seasons as an assistant coach at Wofford. With 323 career wins, he is first all-time among Wofford baseball coaches in that category. Interdonato has led the program to unprecedented success, with 30 or more wins in five of the last six seasons. On the show We talk about how we give a ton of ownership to players, while holding them accountable, Todd gives us some insight into how to provide clarity to players in their roles, and we talk about how to build a team offense that is multifaceted. Contact interdonatotj@wofford.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coaches vs. Covid fredhutch.org/coachesvscovid Today we have on the pitching coordinator for the Baltimore Orioles, Chris Holt. Chris Oversees the development of every pitcher in the organization and have an increased presence on the Major League side. On the show we talk about how he builds in autonomy and lets the coaches in the system utilize their strengths, how we can embrace who the player is but also help the improve and we talk about what he thinks the next wave is in pitching development is. Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto

When you have a small amount of players. (6 players) play double or nothing. Players go for a double no matter where the ball is. This can build instincts. “Coordinators coach the coaches.” You have to realize you want guys around you who will do things the right way. You want your players to do things their own way in order for them to problem solve the best way possible. Once you have buy in the approach has to be “Let’s get work done.” There is less difficulty to create buy in when there is objective data. Tell players what they do well and what they don’t. Explain why behind each finding and how they can improve. Understand the player as a person and find out how they learn best. With players who aren’t buying in be honest and real with the player. Players need to realize that “We don’t have time to waste, so let’s not waste it.” Our time playing the game is very short. Be close with your players so that you can be completely truthful with them. Understand where the player comes from and his background. Spend time in the office talking to the player and what they believe in. “Players need to maintain what got them good in the first place.” We want our players to own their performance. Throw your regular bullpen and then then finish off with a game called one shot. The coach gives the location, count, pitch, and situation. If the player executed this pitch then the coach will do ten pushups or some other exercise. If the player misses then they have to do the exercise. This allows you to be vulnerable around your players and creates a fun atmosphere. The next goal is to maximize the sequencing and deception aspects of the pitcher’s mix and delivery. To get a players as good of a pitch off that he can the pitcher needs to have athleticism, rhythm, and tempo in the delivery. The pitcher must have a be on attack mindset. There must be an intent behind the work instead of an intent to throw hard. “Intent is having a purpose.” The next wave of guys are those who can pitch vertically and horizontally. (Nightmare repertoire). Work on simplifying what you are saying for clear understanding. Get into the art of cues. This can help players understand to maximize their performance. “You want to be simple and concise.” Find out what kind of learning that excites the players. Players need to understand that failing is a part of improvement. Be positive and enthusiastic with the player. Take complicated aspects and simplify it down to simplistic terms. When reading and learning focus on what speaks to you. Your thoughts become your habits, and habits become your performance. Whatever we are learning, we need to create mastery in order to teach it well.

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Tracy Smith, the 2013 National Coach of the Year, was hired as the fifth head baseball coach in program history on June 24, 2014, and enters his sixth season at the helm of the Sun Devil baseball program. Smith has established a reputation of evaluating and developing talent as more than 75 student-athletes since 2000 improved their stock in the Major League Baseball Draft under Smith’s tutelage, including four who became first-round draft picks after going undrafted out of high school. In 23 total years as a head coach, Smith has seen 85 of his players selected in the MLB Draft, including 78 draftees since 2000 and 35 in the first 10 rounds. He has mentored 53 Major League Baseball draft picks over the past eight seasons. On the show, we talk about his ecosystem of winning and the Arizona State culture. We go over how to establish clear expectations and communication with players and staff and we talk about what the look for in recruits and how that sets the tone for culture on a daily basis. Here is Tracy Smith! Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re joined by UCLA Head Baseball Coach John Savage. Through 15 seasons as UCLA’s head coach, John has established the Bruins as a consistent national championship contender. Savage helped UCLA reach college baseball’s pinnacle in 2013, as the Bruins won their first-ever NCAA baseball title. Under his guidance, UCLA has advanced to the postseason in 11 of the last 15 seasons, hosting an NCAA Regional in six of the last 10, including four-straight from 2010 through 2013. Savage completed his 15th season as UCLA’s head coach in 2019. He is currently the third longest-tenured head coach in UCLA baseball program history and has gone 539-360-1 in the past 15 seasons. On the show, we talk about steps he and his staff have taken to build the culture, we get into staff development, we talk about competitive situations in practice and much, much more. Here is John Savage! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

fredhutch.org/coachesvscovid Today we have on Athletic Training Institute founder Kirk Bradshaw. ATI works with athletes and individuals who aspire to be athletic to develop and maintain their potential utilizing Muscle Activation Techniques, Performance enhancement and integrated systems. On the show, Kirk and I discuss how athletes compensate, which is vital for our survival but can be a good or a bad thing for out athletic movements. We get into muscle activation techniques and a ton of different ways to recover including sleep and what we eat. This was such an enlightening conversation, and you’re gonna love it with Kirk Bradshaw! Contact Info 425-882-2122 nfo@athletictraininginstitute.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

fredhutch.org/coachesvscovid Todays conversation is with two college hitting coaches in Neil Walton from Cal State Northridge and Ronnie Prettyman from the University of Washington. On the show, we discuss how they train hitters through collaboration and freedom. We talk about how we (as coaches) can best adapt to our players, we go over game planning, scouting reports and how to adjust. Both of these guys are rising stars on the collegiate level, and you don't want to miss this conversation with Ronnie Prettyman and Neil Walton! Neil Walton Contact Info @ _neilwalton11 @CSUNBaseball Ron Prettyman Contact Info @rpbaseball15 @UW_Baseball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re joined by Darin Everson. Hitting coordinator for the Colorado rockies. On the show, we talk about all things hitting. Including swing prep, game planning, communication and so much more Twitter @eversonbaseball Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s show, we have TJ Bruce, head baseball coach at The University of Nevada. Th was hired at Nevada in 2015 and arrived on campus as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation after spending five seasons at UCLA where he helped the Bruins to four postseason appearances and a 2013 College World Series title. In 2019, Bruce led Nevada to the Mountain West Tournament for the fourth-consecutive year. As it won 30 games for the second time with him at the helm, including sweeping No. 2 and 2018 National Champion Oregon State in two home contests. On the show, we talk about what is was like when he arrived at Nevada and the first steps he took with the program. We also talk about how he goes about growing his assistant coaches to become head coaches someday, what their program standards are, how he helps grow young men in their program, and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh was a scout and coach for the dodgers organization before heading overseas to coach in the KBO and on the show we talk about how his scouting background has helped him become a better coach, we discuss some of the first steps when he took his coordinator role, some differences between Major League Baseball and the KBO and much, much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coaching with Flexibility and Communication with James Ramsey During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed James Ramsey, Hitting Coach at Georgia Tech. James Ramsey talks about the importance of clarity, simple wins, communicating with players, measuring players in the off-season, his BP set-up, what a hitting meeting looks like in the fall, and not overthinking things. Episode Highlights: How did James Ramsey get involved in baseball and as a coach? Was coaching something that he had in the back of his mind when he was playing baseball? What are some life lessons that he has learned from other coaches that he will never forget? What was his transition like into the Georgia Tech program? What did this past off-season look like for him? Are there any set things that he is looking for in players to group them together to address their needs? When new players arrive on the team where does he start with them? What does ‘plan and approach’ mean to James? What kinds of competitions have they used in their training practices that they really like? What are some different ways that he really likes to train game-like practices, especially on the hitting side? What are some different ways that we can train players to make better decisions? What is his advice to be a better communicator? What does his BP set-up look like? What is something that James Ramsey is excited about learning and applying? What changes has he been making from last year to this year? What are things his players get excited about doing during practice? Is there anything that he believes that other coaches might disagree with? What is something we would notice at one of James Ramsey’s practices? Are there any resources that James Ramsey would recommend? 3 Key Points: Make sure you are ready for when your opportunities come. Keep the most important things important. Have an accountability partner on the field that can keep the expectations going on and off the field. Tweetable Quotes: “I love to read and it’s baseball, it’s mental toughness, it’s corporate culture books. I think that baseball has a lot to learn from some other areas.” – James Ramsey (09:18) “Being able to kind of relate off the field too as well. I think telling the players, ‘I don’t know what I don’t know and I’m new to this as well and I’m going to make mistakes. But I’m going to make them aggressively.” – James Ramsey (11:46) “I did 6 BP groups, laminated them, stuck them out there so I didn’t have to take the time on the day-to-day to do it and so, some of them are grouped by ‘rightys’ versus ‘leftys’ as basic as that sounds. Can we throw a different angle on the machine?” – James Ramsey (15:54) “I have clarity. That is one thing I try to search for.” – James Ramsey (18:20) “These guys have grown up in a showcase setting where some of them have never had a first and third plays put on.” – James Ramsey (19:22) “As far as the team is concerned, doing self-evaluations, doing evaluations on the coaching staff, I want to make sure, hey, am I communicating this clearly?” – James Ramsey (22:05) “We can overthink it sometimes too. So it’s, can I just fundamentally get to, where did this kid come from? What is his style of learning? What is his style of coaching? What is his motivation style that he likes?” – James Ramsey (22:58) “Every pitch a pitcher is forced to throw, I believe that there is probably a good correlation to winning a game.” – James Ramsey (40:24) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast James Ramsey: Twitter Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Matt Borgschulte, MiLB Hitting Coach, for the Minnesota Twins. Matt Borgschulte discusses where his baseball career has taken him, the importance of working on the swing in the off-season, helping players process the mental side of success, how to train for adjustability and pitch recognition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Kyle Wilson, Milb Hitting Coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, OBU-TPI-FMS Certified, and Owner of TPA (The Performance Academy) in Apex, North Carolina. Kyle Wilson talks about how he got into coaching, starting his own performance facility, keeping players interested and engaged, making training more like real games, the importance of balance in your swing, and giving back to younger players through training and mentorship. Episode Highlights: How did Kyle Wilson get involved in baseball and as a coach? How did Kyle start his own performance facility? What does he wish he had known last year that he knows now? What were his main goals for the off-season? What are some things they do for teenaged players? What are some ways they train for adjustability in the swing? How can we train better for decision-making? Are there any competitions that he likes to use with players? What are things that he is looking for when watching video? How does he help players whom English isn’t their first language? How does he go about individualizing training in the team setting? What is something that Kyle Wilson is excited about learning and applying? What are things his players get excited about doing during practice? Is there anything that he believes that other coaches might disagree with? What is something we would notice at one of Kyle Wilson’s practices? Are there any resources that Kyle Wilson would recommend? 3 Key Points: If you are not balanced through your move it becomes hard to control and adjust when you are swinging. Facilitate environments that are more game-like for players. The average attention span of people is 8 seconds. The attention span of a goldfish is 9 seconds. Tweetable Quotes: “The game of baseball has taught me so much about life and how to overcome adversity and just the team camaraderie and the friends. I wanted to get into coaching to mentor kids through the game, which has taught me so much.” – Kyle Wilson (02:15) “I think why I truly enjoy coaching is just purely being able to impact and see the development of kids turn into young men and learn things through this beautiful game.” – Kyle Wilson (05:05) “Guys that are in professional baseball or have an opportunity to have a little bit of a break, I highly encourage to try and to get set up with some type of facility to give back to the youth, for one. For two, to maintain your craft .” – Kyle Wilson (08:51) “I set up evaluations. They come in and it’s an hour evaluation. We are sitting down, first and foremost, and I'm asking them a bunch of questions about what that player’s goals are.” – Kyle Wilson (13:05) “It should be a goal of every hitter in my opinion...become more adjustable, to have and create movements that allow you to sit on a fastball and adjust to an off-speed and still be able to do damage with that.” – Kyle Wilson (16:32) “I think we can learn to reward guys for taking good pitches.” – Kyle Wilson (21:55) “At the end of the day, if you aren’t competing and having fun, then it is going to be a long, long season.” – Kyle Wilson (25:29) “I personally believe there’s a lot of really, really good things from, call-it ‘old-school baseball.’” – Kyle Wilson (45:03)

Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Kyle Wilson: Twitter The Performance Academy: tpanc.com Kyle Wilson’s Email: kwilson@tpanc.com Book: Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Michael Deegan, Head Baseball Coach at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Michael Deegan talks about writing his book Let It Rip: Life Lessons Learned Through Sports, being elite as a coaching staff before being elite as a program, competitive scrimmages, meeting with players individually, and facing the struggle of wanting to make everyone happy while knowing this is virtually impossible. Episode Highlights: How did Michael Deegan get involved in baseball and as a coach? What made Michael decide to write a book? How can you go about forming a strong team? Michael talks about 2013 and taking the job at Denison? What did this past fall look like in their baseball program? What are some of the details of building up his team culture? What are some of their favorite practice competitions? One-on-one meetings are crucial with players. How do they create a ‘culture of coaching?’” How does he prepare assistant coaches to be ready to be head coaches one day? What are some standards they have and how do they hold each other accountable for them? What does a typical day look like in the spring? How does their BP setup work? How does Michael handle the struggle of wanting everybody to be happy? What is something that Michael Deegan is excited about learning and applying? What are things his players get excited about doing during practice? Is there anything that he believes that other coaches might disagree with? What is something we would notice at one of Michael Deegan’s practices? Are there any resources that Michael Deegan would recommend? 3 Key Points: Michael Deegan has been able to learn from fantastic people by sharing his own thoughts through his writing. Identify where you are has a coaching staff or as a baseball program, get your ego out of it, set goals, and take action. They do six individual meetings with the players to ask questions and listen to what motivates them. Tweetable Quotes: “What I’ve learned is that by having the courage to put something out there, then you learn a lot in return and so I did that through the newsletter and I’m just excited to see where the book takes it.” – Michael Deegan (03:41) “One of the things I have been able to do over my life is surround myself with really good people and put myself in environments that allow you to thrive and are curious and allow you to learn and grow, and to me, that is what team formation is.” – Michael Deegan (05:26) “If I were taking over a program right now I would say what you have to do is strip away everything. Take the emotion out of it and decide, where do you sit right now?” – Michael Deegan (08:31) “I think you really have to identify where you want to go. It’s creating clarity. We use a phrase that ‘clarity is king.’” – Michael Deegan (09:07) “We want to be elite as a coaching staff before we are elite as a program.” – Michael Deegan (09:44) “We want to play baseball a lot. I think there is sometimes a push for ways to manipulate our game. Our game is also beautiful in itself. So just a straight-up scrimmage is an opportunity to compete.” – Michael Deegan (18:21) “The biggest competition that we try to focus on is ‘me versus me.’” – Michael Deegan (19:29) “That inherent wrestling match between wanting everybody to be happy and also knowing that’s never happen, right? That’s just not going to happen. So for me, I always call on the shared vision of the program.” – Michael Deegan (39:34)

Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Michael Deegan: Linkedin Twitter Book: Let It Rip: Life Lessons Learned Through Sports by Michael Deegan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Michael Schlact, MiLB Pitching Coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. Michael Schlact talks about ways to properly communicate with players on your team, the importance of learning how to lose, how he approaches data, and why pitchers needing to learn how their fastball works. Episode Highlights: How did Michael Schlact get involved in baseball and as a coach? What are some different changes he is making from last year? What has been Michael’s process to become better at incorporating data? How does Michael Schlact communicate with a large range of diverse players? What should a pitcher’s off-season look like? What are we missing at the amateur that at the major league level they need to know? What does Michael look for when viewing a player video? How does workload management factor into working with players? What are some different ways to address player development from a pitching standpoint? How do you address a player who needs to be convinced to use a better pitch? What is something that Michael is excited about learning and applying? What are things his players get excited about doing during practice? Is there anything that Michael Schlact believes that other coaches might disagree with? Strive to make your players better people. 3 Key Points: Learn who your players are first, and then help them second. Be vulnerable enough to prove to your players that you are there for them when they are playing well and when they are making mistakes as well. Pitchers need to understand how their fastball works, what does it do, and how they can play it into your benefit. Tweetable Quotes: “I want to continue to learn what makes a player better, and specifically for me being a pitching coach, what is it that I can use that allows the pitchers to get better.” – Michael Schlact (05:22) “For me, it is what is most important and how can I communicate that to a player without overwhelming him?” – Michael Schlact (06:04) “Understand the player’s background that you are coaching. You have to know them as people. You have to know where they came from. You have to know what their learning styles are. There are so many different learning styles.” – Michael Schlact (07:56) “There is something really rich about a player asking you a question and you saying, ‘You know what, I don’t know. But let me find that out for you.’” – Michael Schlact (12:54) “If you don’t understand your fastball and the profile that it has, you’ll never truly understand the best pitches for you to work off of that.” – Michael Schlact (17:44) “If you don’t learn how to lose, you will never really win.” – Michael Schlact (19:08) “Pick out something each time. Don’t feel like you have to just watch that video, that one setting for 10 minutes, and never go back to it.” – Michael Schlact (22:27) “Everyone wants to be told the truth. People don’t like to hear the truth all the time. But everyone wants it.” – Michael Schlact (37:52) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Michael Schlact: Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suggested Title: Developing Players Individually Inside the Team Structure with Casey Dunn During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Casey Dunn, Head Baseball Coach at Samford University. Casey Dunn pulls from his extensive experience to talk about helping his players develop their own development plan, the importance of concentrating on advantages instead of what you are lacking in your situation, building a strong connection with players, and being aware of their needs. Episode Highlights: How did Casey Dunn get involved in baseball and as a coach? Baseball was very much a part of Casey’s upbringing. What are some of the first steps that Casey took as a coach? Don’t get caught up in what you don’t have. What did the fall look like for his team? How did he transition into his team and develop the baseball culture there? What are some ways that he connects with his players individually? How does he help develop his assistant coaches into potential head coaches? What are some rules and standards he has for his team? What does a typical spring practice plan look like? What does their BP setup look like? What is something that Casey is excited about learning and applying? What are things his players get excited about doing during practice? Is there anything that he believes that other coaches might disagree with? What is something we would notice at one of Casey Dunn’s practices? Are there any resources that Casey would recommend? 3 Key Points: Casey Dunn started at Samford University in 2004 and he has been there for 15 seasons. Focus on the advantages of where you are at. Know where your team members want to go in order to provide them valuable opportunities and prepare them. Tweetable Quotes: “As a coach, it is tough to have a lot of family time with what we do and growing up and having a close relationship with my dad, going to the field, going to practice, going to the cage, that was the way for me to spend time with my dad.” – Casey Dunn (02:30) “It is so easy to get trapped in what you don’t have or get trapped in what other people have that you don’t.” – Casey Dunn (05:15) “There are positives to every situation.” – Casey Dunn (05:25) “The fall is a developmental time. The fall is not a period of time where you are trying to win games.” – Casey Dunn (06:54) “The thing I tell our guys all the time, in the game of baseball, I think more than any other sport, you have to take personal ownership in you. You have to invest in yourself.” – Casey Dunn (10:06) “The thing I like best that I get the greatest value out of at this time in my life is watching guys do it at an elite level.” – Casey Dunn (12:52) “One thing I tell our guys is you have to represent our program as you would your family, as you would yourself, your mom and dad, your last name.” – Casey Dunn (25:52) “A lot of this quote, ‘new stuff’ that is out there with the enhanced video and all the technology and all the metrics we’re getting on players, I don’t think it is that new.” – Casey Dunn (37:01) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Casey Dunn: Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Demetre Kokoris, Pitching Coach for the Vancouver Canadians, an affiliate team of the Toronto Blue Jays. Demetre Kokoris expresses his dedication to the game of baseball, the ways he solves problems with pitching development, strategies to enhance skill acquisition, communicating with players, and prioritizing individual player development within the team structure. Episode Highlights: How did Demetre Kokoris get involved in baseball and as a coach? What should off-season pitching development look like? Are there any common problems that he sees with development? How does Demetre use video in training? What is an area of skill acquisition that Demetre has gotten better at? What is Demetre Kokoris’ advice regarding prioritizing individual development within the team setting with a small budget or a small staff? How does he communicate particular needs with players? In what ways does he assist players whom English isn’t their first language? How does he tackle workload management? What are some of Demetre Kokoris’ favorite data to track? What is something that Demetre is excited about learning and applying? What are things his players get excited about doing during practice? Which three pitching tools would Demetre Kokoris focus on if he could only have three? Is there anything that Demetre Kokoris believes that other coaches might disagree with? Which resources does Demetre recommend? The more information you put out the more information that comes back to you. Be sure to learn everyday. 3 Key Points: The more athletic and fluid players can be, and the better they understand the game, the better off they can be on the backend. Is a particular weakness a detriment to the club or to the individual? Or is it just something that would just be nice to have corrected? You’ve got to listen to your player and find out what that player thinks is going on and his impression of his skillset. Tweetable Quotes: “What I learned at the collegiate level that I saw guys be very successful with was, your off-season is your best opportunity to change your body.” – Demetre Kokoris (03:13) “With the off-season there is no competitive environment. So, it’s your chance to really slow things down from a movement standpoint on your throwing. So, I think that is your best opportunity if you want to make a mechanical adjustment.” – Demetre Kokoris (03:50) “At the age of 24, I took my first yoga class and I felt like I really felt my body and was able to begin to get a lot more coordinated.” – Demetre Kokoris (04:15) “When kids play the game of baseball and they start competing and they start learning the little nuances and the tactics of the game, that’s when they start doing things instinctually.” – Demetre Kokoris (06:46) “As far as skill acquisition is concerned, I think the things that I always go back to are, start with the anatomy, is making sure the guy is physically capable of performing the thing that you need.” – Demetre Kokoris (12:14) “I think first and foremost, you’ve got to understand your team and what you need each person to do. What role do they play?” – Demetre Kokoris (15:35) “If you do want to make changes, is having objective data. Showing him. Showing him with the numbers. ‘Hey man, I know you think your knuckleball is a good pitch. But you throw this at a 20% strike clip in such-in-such situations.” – Demetre Kokoris (19:07) “I think you have to take it back to the three things that you want to do with a pitch. Do you want it for called strike? Do you want it for a swing and miss? Or do you want it for weak contact?” – Demetre Kokoris (19:50)

Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Demetre Kokoris: Linkedin Twitter Instagram Demetre Kokoris’s Email: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Reggie Christiansen, Head Coach of the Sacramento State Hornets college baseball team. Reggie Christiansen talks about the important balance between developing players individually and as a collective team, how a typical week of training unfolds, how he goes about getting to know his players better, and recommendations for building a productive team culture. Episode Highlights: How did Reggie Christiansen get involved in baseball and as a coach? What were the first steps Reggie took as a head coach? What did his team do last fall when his players started to report? What are they doing on a daily basis to build the team culture? How does he get players to buy into the individual player concept and the collective team concept? What ways does Reggie Christiansen get to know his players better? Does he have a process to help his assistant coaches to grow? What are some different competitions that he loves to use with his players? What are some important rules and standards that his team organization has? Reggie Christiansen talks about what they are doing this spring and making practices more efficient. What advice does he have for guys getting into their first year of head coaching? What are things his players get excited about doing during practice? What is something done during practice that his players really love? Is there anything that Reggie Christiansen believes that other coaches might disagree with? Which things that typically happen during practice would we notice? Are there any resources that Reggie Christiansen would recommend? Remember why we all got into baseball to begin with. 3 Key Points: Put players in training situations where they have to overcome fears and to evolve as a team. Take ownership of your performance and be honest about your mistakes. Balance routine training elements with switching things up. Tweetable Quotes: “When I was in high school I coached middle school basketball and I actually coached little league baseball when I was in high school my senior year. I just fell in love with the organization of putting practices together.” – Reggie Christiansen (00:40) “I think you are probably short-changing your players if you are trying to do everything.” – Reggie Christiansen (06:09) “I think that my job as a head coach is to really allow these guys to chase their dreams individually, and obviously we have team goals as well. So there is a balance.” – Reggie Christiansen (10:00) “Mondays and Wednesdays are very individual skill-based. The focus is on the player...We built Tuesday and Thursday night practices where the focus would be on the team...Friday would be a very short practice.” – Reggie Christiansen (10:50) “I think our players understand that I do care about them individually. But, we also need to make sure that the team component is at the forefront.” – Reggie Christiansen (11:27) “We do some other things that I would call, ‘shared diversity.’ Some might call it ‘shared suffering.’ We try to have as much competition or put them in some experiences that allow them to grow together.” – Reggie Christiansen (11:37) “Give the new guys more of an opportunity to talk a little bit more, to ask questions, to open a little bit, because I think those guys are somewhat pleasers, right? They want to say and do what they think we want.” – Reggie Christiansen (16:04) “I want their best effort all the time. I think that it is simple as that. There is nothing that frustrates you more than seeing a guy not run hard. Just do what you are supposed to do.” – Reggie Christiansen (23:27) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Reggie Christiansen: Twitter Reggie Christiansen’s Email: Christra@CSUS.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Lorenzo Garmendia, Founder of Gradum Baseball. Lorenzo shares information about his experiences training players from the major league all the way down to children. Lorenzo Garmendia also talks about exit velocity, launch angles, swinging flaws, and how hockey is a great way to train for baseball. Episode Highlights: How did Lorenzo Garmendia get involved in baseball and as a coach? What is Lorenzo doing with players for training? What are the first things Lorenzo Garmendia does with players? Lorenzo talks about the Tuesday Teaching videos. How does Lorenzo go about analyzing a player’s videos? What are some things that players are doing the same? What are some practical ways that Lorenzo helps players train their swing in practice? Is he training swings with slider pitches in practice? What spin rate does he want players to be able to be within? How does Lorenzo train players for decision-making? What is the best way to train hitters individually? How do you balance between staying directionally center to swinging pull side? What types of tools are Lorenzo using? Lorenzo shares his theories on exit velocity and launch angles. What are things his players get excited about doing? Is there anything that Lorenzo Garmendia believes that other coaches might disagree with? Which things that happen during practice typically that we would notice? What are some learning things that Lorenzo Garmendia is excited about? 3 Key Points: There are typically fives hitting flaws that you can train players on after accessing each player’s swing individually? Hitting is a physics equation. It is force equals mass times acceleration. It is the force you impart into the ball for exit velocity. The best launch angle you want as a hitter is 25 degrees. If you hit a ball at 25 degrees at a 100 miles-per-hour exit velocity, you are hitting a home run to dead center in any stadium in the United States. Tweetable Quotes: “I have a mathematical background and I was looking at it like, God, what they (coaches) are teaching them (players) really doesn’t make sense from a hitting perspective and from a pitching velocity perspective.” – Lorenzo Garmendia (01:10) “The first thing I look at is lower half. So, one of the main things is if you aren’t using your legs in the swing you’re not going to be very successful.” – Lorenzo Garmendia (05:50) “The biggest thing we see is what we call, ‘Whether you’re a pusher or do you swing the bat?’ Do you push your hands and your hands swing the bat? Or are you letting your body sequence correctly and the body swinging the bat?” – Lorenzo Garmendia (06:01) “Watch a hockey game and if let’s say the goalie is in front of you, you’ll never see a hockey player come around a puck. They are always to and through it. So, when you look at direction, that is huge in regards to baseball.” – Lorenzo Garmendia (06:16) “Every player was taught east to west. When in reality the object of the game is to hit the ball forward. So if you want to hit the ball forward, technically you want to be working from back to front south to north.” – Lorenzo Garmendia (06:35) “Even at the highest levels, guys don’t know what they’re doing. And what I mean by they don’t know what they’re doing, they don’t know what they’re swing is supposed to be doing or how they can repeat it.” – Lorenzo Garmendia (09:22) “Let’s train the swing to be able to hit every pitcher’s pitch and then let’s go to work.” – Lorenzo Garmendia (13:39) “Contact point is huge. But contact point is determined by the pitcher and where you make contact.” – Lorenzo Garmendia (25:08) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Lorenzo Garmendia: Linkedin Gradum Baseball Website: gradumbaseball.com Gradum Baseball: Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To wrap up a great year, we're featuring the top 10 most downloaded shows of the past year and combined them into one show. Here are the direct links to each episode. Dr. Greg Rose- Co-Founder of Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) and OnBaseU Steve Johnson- Founder/CEO of LegKickNation Tanner Swanson- MLB Catching Coach, New York Yankees Cage Work with Doug Latta and Craig Hyatt Ep. 1 Max Weiner- MiLB Pitching Coordinator, Seattle Mariners Robert Woodard- Head Coach, University of Charlotte (NC) Rob Benjamin- MiLB Hitting Coach, Seattle Mariners Chan Brown- Head Baseball Coach, Parkview HS (GA) Andrew Wright- Head Baseball Coach, University of Charleston (WV) Chase Lambin- MiLB Hitting Coach, Texas Rangers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Tyger Pederson, Hitting Coach at St. Louis Cardinals. Tyger discusses working with amateur players as well as more experienced players, communicating with players with whom English isn’t their first language, helping hitter improve their adjustability, and the importance of players getting into a good hitting position.

Episode Highlights: How did Tyger Pederson get involved in baseball and as a coach? What are some of his main goals for the off-season? What are some resources that Tyger is making use of? What is Tyger’s process for working with amateur players? How does he approach more experienced players? What are some different ways that Tyger trains for adjustability? How does Tyger help out with decision-making? Is there anything that Tyger Pederson is very intentional with players? Does he ask more questions than give answers? How does Tyger work with players when English isn’t their first language? What do conversations look like when communicating from the top down? How does he communicate with players when emotions can run high? What does his pre-game time look like? How does he balance individual training for each player? What are some training things that Tyger is excited about? Are there training activities that his players love to do? What are the three things we would notice if we watched Tyger Pederson’s practice? What are some of Tyger Pederson’s favorite books and resources? 3 Key Points: Never stop learning. Get to know your players, what they need, what works best for them, and what their goals are. Hitting adjustability is key. Pitchers are getting better and better. Hitters need to make better decisions when they decide to swing. Tweetable Quotes: “I grew up in a baseball family in Palo Alto, California. My dad played 13 years professionally and definitely raised me and all my siblings up in a sport athletic environment.” – Tyger Pederson (00:26) “There comes that time in everybody’s career where you kind of decide what’s going to be the best move for you after your baseball playing career and I always knew that I wanted to be a coach.” – Tyger Pederson (01:14) “I would say one of my main goals as a coach is to definitely to continue learning. Continue to develop as a coach.” – Tyger Pederson (03:14) “When I get an amateur player who wants to work with me I usually start trying to get to know them as well as I can. Ask them about where they have been and their experiences and are they working on anything.” – Tyger Pederson (07:05) “A lot of amateur players have different goals and a lot of people aspire to play at the higher level. Maybe it’s college, maybe it’s pro. Some amateur players just want to have fun and enjoy their time.” – Tyger Pederson (07:52) “Being able to move efficiently and get yourself into a good hitting position is the number one most important thing. Once you can get into a good position and move efficiently it definitely promotes adjustability.” – Tyger Pederson (11:32) “Being able to challenge yourself in an environment where you can feel your misses is really important. The importance of feeling your misses is now you see where your swing is breaking down.” – Tyger Pederson (11:53) “I think it is really important to create a setting where you are challenging hitters to make game-like decisions.” – Tyger Pederson (13:36) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Tyger Pederson: Linkedin Twitter Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Jon Shehan, Head Baseball Coach at Millersville Univ. NCAA D2. Jon discusses the importance of coaches being humble and admitting that they don’t know everything, creating an enjoyable environment to make players love coming to baseball practice, and ways to adapt practice time to player’s needs. Episode Highlights: How did Jon Shehan get involved in baseball and as a coach? What were some of Jon’s first steps when he became a head coach? What is he doing with the time and staff he has? Are there things that have worked for team culture building? How can you go about relationships with players individually? What is he doing to make the lives of his assistant coaches easier? What are some other rules and standards he has in his baseball program? What are some different practice plan tips Jon Shehan recommends? If Jon Shehan could go back to being a first-year head coach, what advice would he have for himself? What are some training things that Jon is excited about? Are there training activities that his players love to do? What are the three things we would notice if we watched Jon Shehan’s practice? What are some of Jon Shehan’s favorite books and resources? 3 Key Points: Jon Shehan’s players track their nutrition using apps every single day and turn their numbers in on Friday mornings. Jon Shehan has read and recommends the book “Old School vs. New School” by Eugene Bleeker. Jon has read it twice now. Try changing practice activities every 5-10 minutes. Tweetable Quotes: “For the young coaches out there, man, just don’t be afraid to dream.” – Jon Shehan (05:08) “The guys that work for nothing are probably your most valuable resource and you have to find ways to thank them, and keep them involved, and keep challenging them as well. Not overwork them, but challenge them.” – Jon Shehan (07:21) “Being able to take that data, then show it to the players has been crucial for us. Because so many of these guys feel like things are going the right way. But I think what we have done is speed up the development process.” – Jon Shehan (09:47) “At the end of the day, our values aren’t going to change. That is what you are signing up for. Because we may find something better next week that we are going to adapt and put into our program..” – Jon Shehan (16:10) “Making it intentional that we are building relationships with each and every individual on the team, even though it is a competitive environment. And maybe one of the toughest things we have to do.” – Jon Shehan (17:36) “One of the interesting things we do as a team the first week of class every year is going over those core covenants, and first ask, ‘Are there any other values that we need to add?’” – Jon Shehan (26:00) “One of the biggest values, sometimes, it’s a blessing and a course, is...make it better. It’s just simple, make it better.” – Jon Shehan (42:33) “One of my biggest theories is making practice fun. I want our guys to show up and enjoy practice and have it be one of the best parts of their day.” – Jon Shehan (46:07) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Jon Shehan: Twitter Book: “Old School vs. New School” by Eugene Bleeker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Jason Bell, MiLB Field Coordinator for the Houston Astros. Jason Bell talks about the art of cultivating team culture, methods to adapting your coaching style to your various players, and his process of adjusting to a diverse group of players. Episode Highlights: How did Jason Bell get involved in baseball and as a coach? How does Jason Bell go about designing practices? Jason Bell talks about: how to get on each player’s individual level? What is Jason;s take on positive and negative affirmations? What are the things Jason does to adapt his baseball style? What does Jason Bell believe team culture is? What if your players don’t seem to be adjusting to training? What is his process after the practice of self-reflection? What advice does Jason Bell give to be useful to a diverse group of players? What are some learning things that Jason is excited about? What are things his players get excited about doing? Is there anything that Jason Bell believes that other coaches might disagree with? Which things that happen during practice typically that we would notice? What are some of Jason Bell’s favorite books and resources? 3 Key Points: Get on each player’s level. Research says that it should be 3-1 positive to negative affirmations. Pay attention and listen to your players. Tweetable Quotes: “Teaching life through a game. I know what the game has done for me and how much better of a person I’ve become through the game of baseball.” – Jason Bell (00:37) “We just believe that the body will self-organize itself, and you know, maybe sometimes it does. But maybe it doesn’t do it in the most powerful way.” – Jason Bell (08:10) “I think the art of coaching and why we are most important is that it is our job to relate to each and every player that we have.” – Jason Bell (16:13) “If there are 25 players on a team, it is more important for us to be 25 different types of people rather than 25 different people changed to our system as a coach.” – Jason Bell (16:22) “You need to use feedback on the player’s body language. How he is taking the coaching that you’re giving him and kind of wonder like, ‘Man, it doesn’t look like he has bought in. Maybe he doesn’t feel comfortable disagreeing.” – Jason Bell (27:06) “If this player feels like he needs more work in this area and we aren’t getting it to him, I’m so glad that he feels comfortable in saying that.” – Jason Bell (35:49) “Showing where you can add value and creativity is great. But, use the creativity to like actually develop somebody’s skills and not being creative for the sake of being creative.” – Jason Bell (38:23) “Communication is key. And being able to communicate with players of all sorts of backgrounds.” – Jason Bell (38:41) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Jason Bell: Linkedin Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Peter Caliendo, Host Of Baseball Outside The Box which is an educational podcast, Former Coach for the 1999 Intercontinental Cup for USA Baseball, President of Caliendo Sports International, Vice President/Board Member of International Sports Group, Member Baseball Tournament Committee for WBSC World Baseball Softball Confederation, and Technical Committee for Confederation of Pan American Baseball. Peter Caliendo pulls from his 37 years of baseball experience, providing tips, advice, and training styles that he has learned from many other countries and cultures, such as Cuba, Japan, and the Dutch. Episode Highlights: How did Peter Caliendo start his podcast Baseball Outside The Box? How did Peter get involved in baseball and as a coach? What are different countries doing in baseball training? What are some great baseball strategies in Japan? What are Peter’s thoughts on Dutch training? How are other countries coaching coaches? What makes Cuba different for baseball? What are some training things that Peter is excited about? What are some things Peter may believe about baseball that other coaches may disagree with? Peter is big in having parents involved in baseball training. What are the things we would notice if we watched Peter Caliendo’s practices? What are some of Peter Caliendo’s favorite books and resources? 3 Key Points: Peter worked with Baseball Schools USA, setting up over 60 schools in the Chicago area. Attention to detail is key in baseball training. Peter Caliendo was the only US coach ever to be giving courses in Cuba prior to the revolution and after. Tweetable Quotes: “Why are we teaching things that we have been teaching in the past? It could be ok but there’s maybe better things out there.” – Peter Caliendo (00:50) “As coaches, we need to have an open mind. We need to be open about what we are teaching. We need to always question what we are teaching, and always ask ‘why’?.” – Peter Caliendo (01:10) “Volunteers are great people. If we didn’t have volunteers, we wouldn’t have the sport.” – Peter Caliendo (19:53) “Baseball can be boring. And I have been in it for 37 years. And especially for kids because if things aren’t moving fast and things are getting better...they are going to find something else to do.” – Peter Caliendo (20:11) “I would say a good 80% of coaches around the world are volunteers. There are not many getting paid and if they are, they aren’t getting paid very much. They are doing it because they love it.” – Peter Caliendo (21:03) “We need to get back to free play and we need to incorporate it within our practices.” – Peter Caliendo (28:20) “I’m excited about trying to keep up with the technology aspect because I really believe that what we are doing is we are utilizing the technology to tell us our we doing it correctly.” – Peter Caliendo (30:42) “Don’t always do what other coaches taught you, even 10 minutes ago. If there is something you came up with, be creative yourself.” – Peter Caliendo (34:02) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Peter Caliendo: Linkedin Baseball Outside of the Box podcast: baseballoutsidethebox.com/category/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Monte Lee, Head Coach of Baseball at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. Coach Lee shares his passion for wanting to become a coach from a young age, the methods he uses to communicate with his team players and staff, how he goes about designing practices, and the importance of players being intentional with their pitching and hitting. Episode Highlights: What are the main reasons that Monte Lee became a baseball coach? What does Monte do to instill his teach culture? What does his fall training session look like? How does his mind work with practice design? Does he use technology with his practices? How does he intentionally develop his staff? What are some of the rules that Monte Lee has? What does a typical practice plan look like? What are they doing in the batting cages? Does Monte Lee have a system for communicating within the team setting with players that don’t play regularly? What advice would he give to first-year coaches? What is something that he digs into that works for learning and improving? What is something that his players love to do in practice? What is something he may do that other coaches may not do? Which resources have been helpful to Monte? 3 Key Points: He tries to eliminate the fear of failure. It is more about the process, not the result. You can learn so much from just sitting back and listening. When you do say something to a player, make sure that it matters. Tweetable Quotes: “Got into coaching, really to be honest with you, I never thought about doing anything else. I just knew from a very young age.” – Monte Lee (00:47) “I can remember being 15-years-old and my high school baseball coach asking me what I wanted to do when I grew up, and I told him I want to come back and be the head baseball coach.” – Monte Lee (00:54) “The first thing I tried to instill in our guys is that everything that we do on a baseball field...we are on offense.” – Monte Lee (03:28) “We want our pitchers to throw every pitch with conviction and intent. We want our infielders when they are throwing the ball across the field to throw the ball with intent. We swing the bat with the intent to do damage.” – Monte Lee (04:23) “I would hope that if you were to ask anybody who ever worked for me, I always wanted to make sure that everybody on my staff feels appreciated and that their voice is heard. We have staff meetings at least once a week.” – Monte Lee (21:22) “We go over our team rules and our expectations and I have them sign it. It is pretty detailed. But it is pretty simple too. In a nutshell, it is just, be a good citizen.” – Monte Lee (25:29) “We have two square cages and two long cages at Clemson and we have one cage that we kind of call our data cage.” – Monte Lee (037:16) “You care about them and sometimes you probably don’t communicate with them as much as you would like to just because you feel bad for them. You feel bad that they are not getting the opportunity.” – Monte Lee (43:05) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Monte Lee: Twitter Email for Monte Lee: montel@Clemson.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Chase Lambin, Hitting Coach in the Texas Rangers organization. Coach Lambin shares information about hitting, pushing players to be their own coaches, learning from everybody, creating a proper teaching environment, and how to deliver data to players without overwhelming them. Episode Highlights: How did Chase Lambin get involved in baseball and as a coach? What are some learned lessons Chase has acquired? What does the off-season look like for Chase Lambin Where does he start in the process of coaching? How does Chase relate to and get to know his players better? What does Chase Lambin say to players to access their confidence? How does he help players make better decisions? What are some different competitions that he uses with players? How does he balance individual training needs within the team setting while trying to win games? How can we filter data to players to be the most beneficial to them? Is there anything that Chase Lambin believes that other coaches might disagree with? What are some things that he works on with players on a regular basis? What are some of his favorite books and resources? Play baseball with joy. It is what we do, not who we are. 3 Key Points: As a coach, be a “mentern” - a combination of a mentor and an intern. Every swing is like a snowflake. Each one is different for the situation and the moment. Chase Lambin wants his players to be their own best coaches. Tweetable Quotes: “I have a list of goals for the off-season, and all of it involves learning and growing. First off, I have to make up for lost time with my wife and kids because I think pro ball can be a bit of a grind and it puts a strain on a family.” – Chase Lambin (03:57) “Everybody has something to offer. Whether it be a first-year pro player, a college kid, a 10-year big league veteran, or a coach that has coached for 40 years.” – Chase Lambin (04:47) “There is no right and wrong. There is what does and does not work. I really don’t subscribe to absolutes.” – Chase Lambin (07:55) “We are more psychologists than we are mechanic. I usually start with a lot of questions that have nothing to do with baseball. I try to ask about their siblings, their parents, or do they have a girlfriend.” – Chase Lambin (11:28) “I think sometimes all a hitter needs to hear sometimes is that they are not alone.” – Chase Lambin (22:10) “You’ve got to create the environment to teach. You’ve got to train it.” – Chase Lambin (26:14) “When you make the preparation and the training as competitive as the game. It’s like getting a running start into the actual competition.” – Chase Lambin (33:10) “The last thing I want to do is muddy the waters. My main job is to distill information and give it to them in digestible chunks.” – Chase Lambin (41:45) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Chase Lambin: Linkedin Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Darren Fenster, Minor League Outfield and Baserunning Coordinator for the Boston Red Sox. Darren discusses how his coach at Rutgers University got him interested in being a baseball coach. He also shares the elements that make base-running and being an outfielder very important, and what it takes to get better as a baseball player and a coach. Episode Highlights: Darren Fenster introduces his background, including never envisioning himself as being a coach. Darren Fenster went to the minor leagues for the Kansas City Royals. How did he go from being a stellar infielder to the outfield coordinator? What are some different things that can make base-running better. Which drill help players do better with base-running? How does he structure his time to handle base-running with so many players? Darren talks about his journey of learning out the outfield. Coaches haven’t taught until their players learn. You can get better by watching baseball. How does he go about communication with players from different locations and languages? What is something that Darren has been working on and looking to get better at? What is something that his players love to do in practice? What is something that Darren Fenster believes that other coaches may disagree on? What would we notice during Darren’s practices that he typically does? E 3 Key Points: Darren Fenster played baseball in New Jersey at Rutgers University, met Coach Fred Hill who got him into coaching, and left Rutgers as the all-time career hits leader. Assume that your players know nothing and everything will surprise you. Darren breaks down the game of baseball into singular steps to isolate movements and playing moments for his players to rehearse and practice repeatedly to develop skills. Tweetable Quotes: “Right now, I am the outfield and baserunning coordinator for the Red Sox on the minor league level.” – Darren Fenster (00:42) “I’m responsible for what we are doing with regards to developing our outfielders and what we are going to do in our approach to base-running. This my 8th year with the Red Sox.” – Darren Fenster (00:51) “For them to see my potential in a role that I really was not an expert in by any means. For them to say, ‘I think you can become one,’ that is as big of a value in leadership as anything else.” – Darren Fenster (12:27) “Base-running, I think, people just look at in the general term of running harder around the bases, and it is so much more than that. The entire skill begins with effort.” – Darren Fenster (13:40) “If we can start every day of spring training with a 10-15-minute block, where the entire camp is doing base-running...a player’s attention span is always going to be at their height at the beginning of your day.” – Darren Fenster (23:43) “I am a huge believer in having groups small enough where guys can get as many reps as they possibly can within the time period that they can.” – Darren Fenster (34:17) “You are actually going to field far more balls on the ground than you ever will on the air because just about every single base hit turns into a ground ball for an outfielder.” – Darren Fenster (29:59) “A lot of people are putting the game in a vacuum, and they are making the ‘always’ and ‘nevers’ to the game. For me, you have to take bits and pieces of everything.” – Darren Fenster (35:24) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Darren Fenster: Linkedin Twitter Coaching Your Kids: coachingyourkidsblog.wordpress.com Coaching Your Kids Email: CoachingYourKids@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Doug Wren, Head Baseball Coach at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. Coach Wren talks about what it was like as a young 25-year old coach, how he prepares his assistant coaches to give their best and learn enough to be head coaches one day, and how he works with players who might be struggling. Learn from this coach who has had multiple All-American players under his coaching tutelage over the years. Episode Highlights:

How did Doug Wren get involved in baseball? What was Doug’s vision when he started as a coach? What does Doug Wren’s fall training season look like? What is he charting for offensively? What type of environment does Coach Wren set up to integrate new players into the team culture? Are there any specific things that Doug Wren requires his players to do? How does he develop his assistant coaches? What does a typical spring training plan look like? How does he go about communicating to players about what they need to work on? What advice does Doug have for first-year head coaches? What is the latest thing that he has learned that he is excited about? What is something that he does in practice that his players love?

3 Key Points:

Learn from the coaches that you serve under and write those ideas down. Give your players 100% of yourself as a coach and expect the same from them. You are not doing your job if you aren’t teaching your assistants to one day take your job.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I got a light verse that I coach by and its First Corinthians 11-1 and it’s, ‘Follow me as I follow the example of Christ.’ So for me, that has kind of really pointed me in the direction that I wanted to take my coaching career in.” – Doug Wren (03:00) “I restructured practice a little bit to kind of suit what I was trying to do from an offensive and defensive perspective. From the gear that we wore, kind of putting our spin on that.” – Doug Wren (05:30) “We try to play our outside opponents on accommodation on Wednesdays and Fridays, and so Monday becomes a teaching day. So show up Monday morning. Hopefully, the guys are excited.” – Doug Wren (10:29) “Our guys never miss class for baseball. They are never chasing down professors. They are not behind in their work. They are always in class, and if they miss, it is most likely on them.” – Doug Wren (11:44) “There is nothing worse than having an exit meeting at the end of the fall and you felt like this kid could have done a little bit better and maybe he fell behind. But in his mind, he only remembers the good things.” – Doug Wren (13:30) “Excellence in small things is excellence in all things. How you do anything is how you do everything.” – Doug Wren (18:50) “I‘ve had multiple All-Americans that didn’t start the year out as starters.” – Doug Wren (39:31) “Be where your feet are. Be the best assistant you can be where you are at. Be a sponge. Take notes.” – Doug Wren (42:46)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Doug Wren: Linkedin Twitter Doug Wren’s Email: dwre@tjc.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Joe DeMarco, President and Chief Operations Officer at ELITE Baseball, who oversees all the Elite Baseball teams and private instruction. Joe DeMarco’s extensive experience includes: coaching baseball at the University of Kansas and spending two seasons in the San Diego Padres organization as a member of the Peoria Padres and the Idaho Falls Braves. Joe DeMarco discusses how he trains batters for timing, focusing on finding the ‘when,’ and good sequencing and how do you measure it. Episode Highlights: How did Joe DeMarco get involved in baseball? What does Day 1 look like? What is Joe doing to train for timing. What did his process look like when he began his position? What is the definition of good sequencing and how do you measure it? What does Joe mean by ‘focusing on finding the ‘when’? From a timing aspect, what advice does Joe DeMarco have? What drills did Joe DeMarco share with Rick Eckstein? What do they assign for their hitter’s homework. What are you doing in the dark when no one is watching? 3 Key Points: Joe trains for timing in areas that include the ball flight timing at the point of contact and working on the player’s sequential timing. Praise the right process even if the result is not what the player wanted. Joe DeMarco encourages players to keep a journal of the drills and hitting areas that they work on. Tweetable Quotes: “Day 1, for me you know, I like to develop a relationship and connect with the player. Any time a new player comes in for an assessment, I try to make sure I’m there.” – Joe DeMarco (05:27) “A lot of the stuff with sequencing and just ball flight, we kind of get them to understand, at least our focus is, how their body is operating, and each guy’s rhythm and pace.” – Joe DeMarco (11:17) “Ultimately, I believe the only decision you make is to stop your swing.” – Joe DeMarco (11:50) “If I was going to break down into kind of body part sequencing, when that lead foot hits, then that heel plant. Then there is stabilization of the head, which I think is really important.” – Joe DeMarco (18:35) “The plan has to match the decision.” – Joe DeMarco (49:40) “Trying to train things with rhythm and timing, adding decision in there through your control drills with any kind of toss or seated overhand I think you’re onto something. You have given them a really good chance.” – Joe DeMarco (50:09) “We have the striped balls too. We do a lot of fast ball change out of the hand.” – Joe DeMarco (53:09) “You always want to maintain a good posture with your head and your chest, and really on your backside. You are never going to shift past your backside.” – Joe DeMarco (1:06:16) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Joe DeMarco: Linkedin Twitter Joe DeMarco’s Email: info@eliteballball.net ELITE Baseball: elitebaseball.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Matt Midkiff, Head Baseball Coach at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Coach Midkiff, shares how he entered into his head coaching with a list of the things that he would accomplish in the first 100 days, how he juggles drills with the 16 falls days he has with players, the rules and standards that his team has to live up to, and how he goes about building strong bonds with his players. Episode Highlights: Matt Midkiff shares his baseball background and how he got involved in coaching. What did the vision look like when he got started coaching at Swarthmore? What were some of the things that were on his ‘First 100 Day List?’ How does he find players that meet high academic standards? What does the fall training look like and what time restraints does he have? Which things do they cram into their fall practices? When do they take their 16 days? Coach Midkiff describes the high-level of work ethic his players have. How does he establish the team culture? Is there anything that he specifically does to make sure that he builds an individual connection with each player? What are some different competitions that they do? What are some of the different rules and standards that are in place for his team? How is he helping his assistant coaches grow? What are some things that they do offensively during training? Coach Midkiff discusses spring training drill sets that they do that may be different? What advice does Matt have for first-year head coaches? What is the latest thing that Coach Midkiff has learned that he is excited about? What is something that Matt does in practice that his players love? What is something that he believes that other coaches may disagree with? What are three things that would stand out during Coach Midkiff’s baseball practices? Does Matt feel that his players feed off of his energy? What are some of Matt’s favorite books and resources that he has learned the most from? What is the last piece of advice that Matt Midkiff does have to offer? 3 Key Points: In the fall, they split their days into teaching, practice, a competitive game piece, and a strength and conditioning component. Coach Midkiff is cultivating his players to be responsible on and off the field. You are going to fail. But it is the only failure if you fail to learn from it. Tweetable Quotes: “In Division 3 we have 16 days of practice that we can have in the fall.” – Matt Midkiff (08:02) “The more we can just play baseball, the more we can just have live pieces in our practice and read balls off the bat and see live pitching and things of that nature, the better we are going to be.” – Matt Midkiff (11:20) “You are talking about high-achieving students that are oftentimes in the top 10%, 5%, 1%. We’ve got a valedictorian on our team. We’ve got some perfect AST, SAT scores on our team.” – Matt Midkiff (14:37) “Myself and our assistant coaches, we really develop a strong bond with our players and their families too.” – Matt Midkiff (17:06) “I try to be as real as I can. If I make a mistake I own it. The guys will make fun of me and we’ll joke back and forth and we just have that relationship where, I take my job seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously.” – Matt Midkiff (18:28) “We like to have a live segment in every practice that we do.” – Matt Midkiff (23:58) “Don’t get your self-worth from your team’s performance.” – Matt Midkiff (42:02) “Take a skill that is a little bit above the level of the player and make them attempt it until they get it.” – Matt Midkiff (45:10) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Matt Midkiff: Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Twitter @tjeskelaa @slugfest2019 Slugfest.com Today, we’re joined by Tyler Jeske. Minor League Hitting coach for the Los Angeles Angels. Tyler has had an array of background experiences in the game including coaching in the DR, being a video coordinator in the SEC and at Missouri State. On the show, we talk about his background which includes several applicable ideas on how he got into professional baseball. We talk about the things he has learned in the past year and why systems and reflections are so vital in coach. Tyler also has an amazing event coming up for any hitting coaches listening. Slugfest will be start on November 22 and run through the 24th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Larry Day, Manager of the Arizona League Indians Red for the Cleveland Indians. Larry shares a wealth of information regarding how he goes about balancing the development of players with winning, how he establishes the team culture with players that are from all over and may not speak English as their first language. Larry Day also provides advice from mentors like Coach Tim Corbin from Vanderbilt University that has been very beneficial to him. Episode Highlights: How did Larry Day get involved in baseball and as a coach? What set’s Coach Tim Corbin apart as a coach? What is the reason for the fist bump touches among the players? What did his process look like when he began his position? Larry discusses the importance of communication. What does the process look like for balancing the development of players with winning? What does a typical day of training look like? How do they go about culture-building and transitioning players from all over to be ready to be a professional baseball player? What are some different things that Larry helps grow the coaches he is around every day? What are some things Larry does to build relationships with his players from different backgrounds? What are some of the latest things that Larry has learned that he is excited about? How do we relay complicated details with data for players that don’t naturally speak English? What is something that he does in practice that his players love? Is there anything that Larry Day believes that other coaches might disagree with? What are some of his favorite books and resources? 3 Key Points: Embracing the diversity of different races, cultures, and ages of players helps to establish culture-building. Dan Coyle, the author of the book “The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups” works with Larry Day’s players. Players don’t care what you know until they know that you care. Tweetable Quotes: (Coach Tim Corbin) “He certainly is elite as it comes to coaching and teaching and that is what he truly is. He is a teacher.” – Larry Day (03:45) “Everything that is executed within that program (Vanderbilt) is 100% intentional. Planned, thought out. prepared.” – Larry Day (06:51) “It comes down to having the ability to pre-plan and pre-communicate.” – Larry Day (10:04) “You have anywhere between 4 to 6 fields with games on potentially 4 to 6 fields. You have morning workouts, and you know how baseball workouts go.There is the defense component, there is the throwing component.” – Larry Day (11:12) “You put that time in 8 days out of a 7-day week to be able to run a clean, productive workout.” – Larry Day (20:29) “The last thing that we want our players to do is be confused, or our coaches to be confused on what the objective is, what we are trying to accomplish, what the objective is for the day or the drill.” – Larry Day (20:42) “We have a learning and development component of our organization that solely targets the continued development of staff.” – Larry Day (25:39) “The smile is international. The ability to non-verbally connect and to have a sense of where your players are at from an emotional, mental, standpoint. You can see the physical.” – Larry Day (30:04) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Larry Day’s Email: LDay@indians.com Book: “The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups” by Daniel Coyle Book: “Legacy” by James Kerr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Ari Ronick Minor League Pitching Coach for the Seattle Mariners. Ari has a doctor of physical therapy and a masters of business administration from the University of Montana. On the show Ari discusses how to tackle mobility challenges, addressing player movement, resources that can help with the movement screening process, and ways to shape progress in pitching development.

Episode Highlights: What are the key reasons that Ari Ronick became a baseball coach? What does his pitching development look like? How does Ari address mobility challenges? What are common problems that Ari sees, and how can we fix them? What are things that pop out to Ari Ronick when he looks at a video? Does he start with lower body when addressing player movement? How does Ari handle customizing individual player development in a team setting? What are great ways to go about teaching players new pitches? What is his postseason routine like? How do you prepare players in between starts? What things has he recently learned? How often does his pitchers know what their strengths are? What is something that his players love to do in practice? What are his thoughts on the long toss and weighted balls? What would we notice during Ari’s practices that he typically does? Which resources have been helpful to Ari? 3 Key Points: Find some objectives that you can improve in that can be tracked. FMS (Functional Movement Screen) and OnBaseU can help with the movement screening process. Physical stress theory means that demands that are put on the body lead to adaptations. Tweetable Quotes: “I grew up in a family where I was the youngest of three boys. It was a baseball household. We were playing all the time as a kid. I played through highschool, through college and as long as I could professionally.” – Ari Ronick (00:28) “Coaching, it allows me to use two skillsets, to see pitching through the lens of a player, someone who pitched, and as a physical therapist.” – Ari Ronick (01:23) “Everyday I get to breakdown human movement. I get to watch how people throw. In physical therapy, our mission is to optimize movement to improve the human experience.” – Ari Ronick (01:35) “I’m going to start by looking at a range of motion. I’m going to look at strength. I’m going to look at a quick movement screen.” – Ari Ronick (04:24) “What we are ultimately looking for here is, are they able to throw in a way that leads to a favorable pitch? Whether that be velocity movement, command, whatever it happens to be. Do these translate to a change on the baseball field?” – Ari Ronick (07:19) “A good place to start is always with using strengthening, either or gain length, or to add the muscle that you might need to even get to that position as a player.” – Ari Ronick (09:35) “What I find with pitching videos is we just want to make everything so perfect that we lose track that the body is pretty complicated. It’s a complex movement and players are going to move in the way that they most efficiently can often times.” – Ari Ronick (11:31) “This past season I’ve spent a lot of time learning about pitch characteristics and how that can relate to in-game strategy.” – Ari Ronick (27:05) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Ari Ronick: Linkedin Ronick Baseball Academy: ronickbaseballacademy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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https://medium.com/@jgelnar7/creating-problem-solvers-in-the-box-part-2-training-adjustable-hitters-fec40062c2b4

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Adam Moseley, Head Baseball Coach at Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama. Coach Moseley, who was awarded as the World Champion 2018 USA Baseball 15u Pitching Coach, offers an informative discussion about what it takes for him to develop fantastic pitchers, establishing the team culture for new players, getting to know his players better, Episode Highlights: How did Adam Moseley get involved in baseball? What does Adam’s fall training season look like? What has Adam Moseley done to be able to develop great pitchers? What type of environment does Adam set up to integrate new players into the team culture? Are there any specific things that Coach Moseley requires his players to do? What are some different strategies for getting to know each player better? How does he develop his assistant coaches? What are some different things that Adam does during interviews of potential hires? What different rules and standards does he have in his program? What does a typical spring training plan look like? How does Coach Moseley deal with parents or players complaining about playing time? What advice does Adam have for first-year head coaches? What is the latest thing that he has learned that he is excited about? What is something that he does in practice that his players love? What is something that he believes that other coaches may disagree with? What are three things that would stand out during Coach Moseley’s baseball practices? What are some of Adam’s favorite books and resources that he has learned the most from? 3 Key Points: Coaches have to be able to trust their kids. Coach Moseley talks to each player every two weeks and keeps an updated chart of all of his players where he adds the date and discussions he has had with them. If winning isn’t fun, then why are you doing it? Tweetable Quotes: “I’ve been at Hoover (High School) for five years. This will be my 6th year, and we’ve had a pretty fun run here. We’ve had a lot of college players and a lot of great young men that we’ve been able to coach.” – Adam Moseley “In Alabama, we have some different rules, I know every state does. Essentially, we can spend as much time as we want in strength training and conditioning with our kids. There really isn’t a limit on that.” – Adam Moseley “We hire out a company called Godspeed. The guy’s name is Lance Rhodes and he started this business years ago. He is a Hoover graduate. Almost every NFL guy that lives in Birmingham, it seems like, trains with him.” – Adam Moseley “The best athlete on the mound means that in the 7th inning of the biggest game of the year he’s able to make the adjustment that he has to make to get the guy out, whether it is all working for him, or it is not.” – Adam Moseley “If you are doing the same drills for everybody, 25% of them are getting better, 25% of them are not getting any better, 25% are getting worse, and 25% are hurt.” – Adam Moseley “Any time you start sharing sweat, and you are all sweating together, I think the culture builds right away.” – Adam Moseley “First and foremost, I think it goes into who you are hiring. You need to hire guys that fit the development profile that you are looking for. I want to hire a guy that wants to be a life-long learner.” – Adam Moseley “I’m not a big, giant ‘rule sheet’ guy. Our program is not full of tons of rules. To me, the more rules you put out there, the more that they start looking for ways they can get around them.” – Adam Moseley Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Adam Moseley: Linkedin Twitter Facebook Instagram Adam Moseley’s Email: AMoseley@Hoover.K12.AL.US Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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https://medium.com/@jgelnar7/creating-problem-solvers-in-the-box-part-1-timing-and-how-to-train-it-1cf1008a3c17

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Randy Sullivan, Owner and CEO of Sullivan Rehab Services, The ARMory Power Pitching Academy, and The Florida Baseball Ranch, Baseball Player Development Specialist, and Physical Therapist. Randy discusses his concept of linking hardware to software, constraint-based training, and the differences between the old school versus the new school. Episode Highlights: Randy Sullivan talks about the Skill Acquisition Conference. What are some things that he took and utilized from last years’ Skill Acquisition Conference? What are the difference between coaching hitters and coaching pitchers? What does Randy mean by ‘linking hardware to software?” Does Randy see the Bernstein Principle getting used out of context? What was Randy Sullivan’s blog post addressing the old school versus the new school about? Coaches need to help players sift through the data that matters and doesn’t matter. What is involved in Randy’s constraint-based training? How is Randy Sullivan teaching and training for timing? What are ways to be able to take action and perception and match them together? In any given hitting session, Randy wants 15% of his player’s swings to be against the fastest pitches, 15% against the slowest pitches, 15% against their 2-strike approach. The rest will be variable. What is the latest thing Randy has learned that he is excited about? What is something that his players do in training that they love? We need to stop labeling kids as having mental disorders. Every player has potential. 3 Key Points: Randy Sullivan’s concept of linking hardware to software is to understand a player’s particular body abilities to apply the right customized techniques to make them a better player. The way to change movement is through manipulating sensory information. Data is just telling you how you are doing. Intent alone without any guidance isn’t going to solve problems. Tweetable Quotes: “When there is time pressure, you kind of have to revert to our more primitive sensory stream which is, you’ve got to move. You know? Like when you touch a slug with a stick, he moves.” – Randy Sullivan (08:45) “One thing we all have to remember is that, coaches have been teaching human movement since the game began. Since anything began. And so, all we are doing is kind of refining the things that we are already doing.” – Randy Sullivan (09:49) “Hitting is probably more complex because you have to respond to sensory information and it is a little more complex than teaching pitching.” – Randy Sullivan (11:31) “In nature, we want to accomplish important goals and we want to do it. Complex organisms are inherently lazy. They have to be. They have to conserve energy.” – Randy Sullivan (13:33) “This generation of player is not afraid of hard work. This generation of player is afraid of things that may make them think they are stupid. They’ve got more information than they have ever had before.” – Randy Sullivan (20:35) “It’s not that we are teaching you a new way to throw or hit. What we are teaching is a new way to view throwing and hitting, which leads to a new way to teach throwing and hitting.” – Randy Sullivan (29:33) “You can never repeat a movement, that ever single throw and every single swing is going to be different.” – Randy Sullivan (31:34) “There is no good drill for everything.” – Randy Sullivan (34:55) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Randy Sullivan: Linkedin Florida Baseball Ranch: floridabaseballranch.com Phone Number for Florida Baseball Ranch: 866-STRIKE-3 (866) 787-4533 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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https://medium.com/@jgelnar7/becoming-a-data-driven-program-part-3-onbaseu-movement-screen-3dc9a57c1afc

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Cliff Godwin, Head Baseball Coach East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Coach Godwin’s coaching experience spans across many collegiate programs in the assistant coach capacity including University of Notre Dame, Louisiana State University, University of Central Florida, and Ole Miss. Learn about practice design, hitting routines, advice for assistant coaches, and how he molds a positive, family-orientated team culture. Episode Highlights: How did Cliff Godwin get involved in baseball? How much have mentors benefited Cliff Godwin? What were some of Cliff’s first steps as a coach? What does Cliff Godwin’s fall training season look like? How did he execute his vision? What do the conversations about striving for excellence about look like? What are his players doing for competition? What advice does Cliff Godwin have assistant coaches? How does Coach Godwin implement efficiency and practice design for spring training? What does his BP drills look like? What does his interview process look like? What is the latest thing that he has learned that he is excited about? What is something that he does in practice that his players love? What is something that Cliff Godwin believes that other coaches may disagree with? What are three things that would stand out during Cliff Godwin’s baseball practices? What are some of Cliff’s favorite books and resources that he has learned the most from? 3 Key Points: Always give your best because someone who can help you later could be watching you. If you aren’t falling short of your goals than you aren’t setting your goals high enough. The P.I.R.A.T.E.S acronym is: Purpose, Integrity, Responsible, Attitude, Toughness, Excellence, Self-less. Tweetable Quotes: “You never know who is watching. We all as coaches tell our players that.” – Cliff Godwin (06:38) “My vision was very ambitious. I don’t think that you can set goals too high.” – Cliff Godwin (08:43) “We have not had below a 3.4 team GPA in the past two years. How about that?” – Cliff Godwin (11:11) “You can get your players to do anything, you just can’t get them to do everything.” – Cliff Godwin (11:23) “First of all, in the fall, we compete at something every day, whether it be in the weight room or skill instruction.” – Cliff Godwin (26:41) “Accept all the players. Tell them that they are your players, and go with it.” – Cliff Godwin (29:46) “I think that it is important just to have your assistants feel like this is a family atmosphere.” – Cliff Godwin (34:24) “I am very lucky now that in this stage in my career that there are a bunch of guys in the profession that I really trust.” – Cliff Godwin (44:56) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Cliff Godwin: Linkedin Instagram Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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https://medium.com/@jgelnar7/becoming-a-data-driven-program-part-2-blast-bat-sensors-8f3d25574e6

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Mike Glavine, Head Baseball Coach at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Mike shares advice on how he transitioned into his head coach position at Northeastern University, the power that can be found with indoor practices, typical practice plans, and his players getting to play the Boston Red Sox. Episode Highlights: How did Mike Glavine get involved in baseball? Does he teach his brother’s change-up? How does it feel to coach at North Eastern as an alumni? What were some of the first things that Mike did as a coach? What does Mike’s fall training season look like? What are some things that Coach Glavine does to establish the culture of the team? How does he get to know his players better? How does he keep competition strong on the team? In what ways does Mike handle the weather changes? Are they leveraging technology during indoor practices? How is he preparing his team to play the Red Sox? What does a typical practice plan look like? What do post-season player meetings look like? What are some different things that Mike Glavine does during interviews of potential hires? What would Mike do differently as a head coach? What is the latest thing that Mike Glavine has learned that he is excited about? What is something that Mike does in practice that his players love? How does he develop his assistant coaches? What is something that Mike believes that other coaches may disagree with? What are some of Mike’s favorite books and resources that he has learned the most from? What are three things that would stand out during Mike Glavine’s baseball practices? 3 Key Points: Mike Glavine’s two key components for coaching are preparing the team and developing the team. Mike’s typical practices run around 2 and a half hours and finish with a competition where something is at stake for the losing side. Give your players goals and honest feedback on what they can work on. Tweetable Quotes: “I think really what I want to do is build on what Coach McPhee has established during his 29-year career here at Northeastern. But then give it a fresh look, a reboot, a restart, reengage with everybody.” – Mike Glavine (09:38) “We’ll start fall baseball, and with that, it’s aggressive like most programs. We’ll go six days a week. We’ll have our day off. We’ll hit the 20 hours during the week. We’ll spend time in the weight room.” – Mike Glavine (13:49) “Competition right? It's such a key word, and a great word in sports. It’s something that we focus on all the time.” – Mike Glavine (28:21) “I have learned to love the indoor practices. Because it forces you as coaching staff to get more creative and maybe work on things more on the inside part of your season that you would never work on as much.” – Mike Glavine (33:16) “To me, this game, so much of it is about feel and instincts and what might feel right to Player X might not feel right to Player Y.” – Mike Glavine (39:59) “The guys really appreciate honesty. They want to know where they stand.” – Mike Glavine (52:40) “The summer allows them (players) a fresh start, a re-group. So that when they come into the fall, you know, they are ready to go.” – Mike Glavine (52:51) “How is this coach going to be with me as the head coach? Is he going to be able to handle me? Is he someone that will talk baseball with me all the time? I love to talk baseball?” – Mike Glavine (59:59) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Mike Glavine: Linkedin Twitter Mike Glavine’s Email: @m.glavine@northeastern.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed David Webb, Head Baseball Coach at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona. David shares his vast knowledge of focusing on the mental game of baseball, building up players to get in touch with who they are, building a team culture of having a strong character, and why he doesn’t talk to parents about playing time. Episode Highlights: How did David Webb get involved in baseball coaching? What are David’s time restrictions and how does he work within them in fall training? What are some different things that his team does for culture building? What does David Webb talk to the parents of his players about? How does he personally get to know his players? How does he prepare assistant coaches to develop their skill-sets further to be head coaches one day? What are some interview questions he asks during his hiring process? What things are expected of players? How does spring training typically unfold for Coach Webb? When does David Webb get his bullpens in? How does he handle a parent’s complaint about their kid’s lack of playing time? Is there something that David Webb has learned lately that has him really excited? What is something that David’s players do in training that they love? What is something that David Webb believes that other coaches may disagree with? What are things done during David’s training that would stand out to people? What are some of David Webb’s favorite books and resources that have benefited his coaching? 3 Key Points: In late summer and early fall, David focuses on getting his players strong. The “rebel” these days is the one choosing not to lower their standards and aims to have a true character by action, not just by their words. Show assistant coaches that you value their time, and give them room to invest their time by letting them do their job. Tweetable Quotes: “More is not necessarily better, especially when it comes to the mental side of things.” – David Webb (08:48) “I am all about building character and having a standards-driven program and building young men. The wins will come.” – David Webb (09:43) “One of the greatest things you can do for them (players) that gets them to realize there is some investment is, you get them to know who they really are.” – David Webb (19:35) “I am a huge watcher of players and mannerisms. Have they changed their mentality from day-to-day? And if I see anything, I will pull them aside and I will have conversations.” – David Webb (22:11) (On coaches) “Whether they are young or they are coming in and they are saying, ‘I’ve been a head coach and I just want to be an assistant now, I’m tired of the parent dynamic,’ or whatever, you got to let them coach..” – David Webb (28:36) “The beginning of the year, the practice looks like a lot of situation play, a lot of fundamental individual work.” – David Webb (46:32) “My policy is, which is stated to parents in our Aztec Baseball 101 meeting, I don’t talk playing time with parents.” – David Webb (55:16) “Using Twitter a lot and kind of getting on the same page with other coaches and see what they are doing on the mental side of the game. I’m really focused about that. So, anything mental is really very important to me.” – David Webb (59:33) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast David Webb: Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Training the motor- a template for bat speed development and proprioception. https://medium.com/@jgelnar7/training-the-motor-a-template-for-bat-speed-development-and-proprioception-a64de513ca53 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Adjustments we are making from the past season. https://medium.com/@jgelnar7/adjustments-we-are-making-from-the-past-season-eb9c635fc9

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Peter Fatse, MiLB Hitting Coordinator for the Minnesota Twins. Peter shares a wealth of information about how to execute decision training, ways to remain competitive during training, the importance of building an adjustable swing, and techniques to implement individualized training for players. Episode Highlights: How did Peter Fatse get involved in baseball coaching? What should we focus on in the off-season? What questions does he ask players to address deeper learning? What does an average week of training look like? How do we train an adjustable swing? What are some ways that he trains for decision training? How do they like to compete during training? What are the things that Peter looks for that he thinks that really good players do? How does Peter issue a plan that maximizes individual development in a team environment? Is there something that Peter Fatse has learned lately that has him really excited? What is something that his players do in training that they love? What is something that Peter believes that other coaches may disagree with? What are things done during Peter’s training that would stand out to people? What are some of Peter Fatse’s favorite books and resources that have benefited his coaching? 3 Key Points: Be honest about your weaknesses, strengths, and areas of development. Adjustability swings are a trait of elite hitters. Stay open-minded to learn from various other people. Tweetable Quotes: “We have a lot of information. But you have to be hungry to apply it and you have to be hungry to learn and dig in for yourself, because, ultimately, it is your career.” – Peter Fatse (02:49) “Make a realistic evaluation of your previous year and really take the time to look and say, ‘what are the attributes that I possess that right now are strengths for me?’” – Peter Fatse (04:06) “When I think about competitive design, there are two ways that we as hitters compete, the internal and the external.” – Peter Fatse (21:48) “When I have guys in the training center, one of the first questions I will ask is, ‘are you right-handed or left-handed?’” – Peter Fatse (30:05) “A lot of the times, the drill passages, from a bat path perspective would change depending upon their dominant hand and then ultimately, how the barrel created early excerration.” – Peter Fatse (30:10) “Be able to utilize bat and ball information to create a plan, because the ball, ultimately, is going to give us the best depiction of what is happening.” – Peter Fatse (32:57) “Every player’s career is extremely important, especially to myself and the rest of the staff.” – Peter Fatse (34:26) “I think you want to kind of look to layer on stress so that when a guy gets to the game, the idea is more about execution and they are not worried about being prepared anymore.” – Peter Fatse (40:45) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Peter Fatse: Twitter Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Suggested Title: Developing Players and Coaches with Ryan Phillips During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Ryan Phillips, Head Coach for baseball at Sante Fe High School in Edmond, Oklahoma, who became the 2019 Oklahoma State Champs. Ryan shares how he helps develop team culture, improve the confidence of players, his passion for developing coaches, and how he adapts and makes the most of the one-hour practice limitations. Episode Highlights: How did Ryan Phillips get involved in baseball coaching? What does an average week of training look like? What are some of their training methods and drills for stealing bases? Which types of fundamental training do they offer for all of their players? How does Ryan handle developing their team culture? Ryan Phillips takes us through his process of coaching coaches. What are some different things they do to train for a competitive game situation? How does Ryan adapt to one-hour practice training restrictions? Are there any questions while interviewing staff that he asks to figure out who the person is? What are the rules and standards that they have for their program? What does training look like in the spring? How do they go about handling their bullpens? Ryan Phillips talks about batting practice and lifting. What do post-season meetings look like? What advice does he have for first-year head coaches or assistant coaches that want to be head coaches? How does Ryan Phillips respond to parents asking questions about their kid? What is something that his players do in training that they love? Is there anything about Ryan’s training that would stand out to people? Is there something that Ryan Phillips has learned lately that has him really excited? What is something that Ryan Phillips believes that other coaches may disagree with? What are some of Ryan Phillips’s favorite books and resources that have benefited his coaching? 3 Key Points: Learn how to adjust as the season progresses. Mental stability, mental toughness, and not pressuring kids about their mistakes is important to build confidence. Communication is key between coaches and players. Tweetable Quotes: “As a high school coach, once your season is over, seniors are gone, and then you start evaluating your next year’s class or next year’s team.” – Ryan Phillips (04:08) “We base our fall off of our next year’s team. It’s not the same every year.” – Ryan Phillips (04:27) “When the players see that we love each other and that even though sometimes we disagree we can get on the same page, I think that is the backbone of the culture.” – Ryan Phillips (14:26) “When I’m trying to help a coach, I try to give him more responsibility. When it comes to responsibility, a lot of the times they surprise me and they do a really good job.” – Ryan Phillips (18:30) “Everything we do you have a winner and a loser. So, it starts with the catch.” – Ryan Phillips (20:24) “The hour-long practice, a lot of people don’t like it, and of course you would like to have a little bit longer. But, it’s made us more creative and more efficient.” – Ryan Phillips (24:22) “Our first standard is you’ve got to do what’s right. That’s for your family, at school, that’s in baseball.” – Ryan Phillips (28:51) “We learn from failure.” – Ryan Phillips (29:13) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Ryan Phillip’s Email: Ryan.Phillips@EdmondSchools.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud. iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Michael Earley, Assistant Coach and Hitting Coach for the Arizona State University. Coach Earley shares his typical training drills, how he approaches batting practices, how he handles players of various skill levels and, the types of tech that he finds useful. Michael Earley also discusses decision training as well as self-scouting. Episode Highlights:

How did Michael Earley get involved in baseball coaching? What does a typical week of training look like? What do you decide to work on during training with the smaller groups of players? Coach Earley provides a review of working with first-year players and laying down the groundwork for them. Are their training drills that all players can do every day? What types of angle tosses do they do? What kind of culture does Coach Earley work to build and how do they do it? What is Michael looking for when they start training in the fall? How does he work with players to prepare them for harder game situations without overwhelming them? How does he go about ‘decision training’ for his players to make better swinging choices at the moment? What are qualities that he sees in elite players that he tries to recreate in his team? What types of tech is beneficial to players? How does Coach Earley approach self-scouting? How does he set up batting practice for his players? Is there something that Michael has learned lately that has him really excited? What is something that his players do in training that they love? What is something that Coach Earley believes that other coaches may disagree with? Is there anything about Michael’s training that would stand out to people? What are some of Michael Earley’s favorite books and resources that have benefited his coaching?

3 Key Points:

Coaches need to know when to listen to players, when to dictate instructions to them, and when to hold them accountable. Build a baseball team’s culture starts with recruiting. Have a plan before you step into the game instead of relying on other people’s reports.

Tweetable Quotes:

“We do it a little different I think, just because we have the weather and we have two fields. So, we are always able to hit on the field. We hit outside every day. We start in the cage, but we are always outside hitting.” – Michael Earley (02:40) “I can’t coach 15 guys at once. So, when I can get them down to groups of 3 or 4, it makes it more personal, you learn the guys more.” – Michael Earley (03:22) “You lay down the foundation of the daily stuff, and you’ve got to be willing to make adjustments. You’ve got to be willing to listen to them and you‘ve got to be willing to tell them to be quiet, this is the way it’s going to be.” – Michael Earley (06:58) “We bring in guys that live and die baseball. If you come to Arizona State you are going to get a great education. But if you come here, you love to play baseball.” – Michael Earley (15:48) “I think that the best way to train is to train as close to game-like as possible. I think there is room for the easy stuff because that stuff makes you feel good, and confidence in hitting is everything.” – Michael Earley (20:24) “I think as a coach, you have to be willing to sacrifice some of your life and your time just to make them better.” – Michael Earley (21:45) “My biggest thing that I look for in every guy is how their back leg works.” – Michael Earley (33:39) “I want to say quote-unquote we are data-driven, it’s more of like data-supported.” – Michael Earley (39:00)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Michael Earley: Twitter Arizona State University Michael Earley’s Email: mearley1@asu.edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Dave Turgeon, Coordinator of Instruction for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This thorough and expansive discussion covered training and transfer, techniques Dave learned while playing in different countries, his “Training the 15 Seconds” concept, how to hit the breaking ball, and the debate between block training and random training. Dave Turgeon also talks about the importance of training players to be adaptable and competitive. Episode Highlights: How did Dave Turgeon get involved in baseball? Are there any things that come to mind from the different countries he played in? What does Dave mean by training and transfer? What are the things that Dave Turgeon has changed to improve baseball drills? What is ‘Training the 15 Seconds? How does Dave Turgeon train for fundamental play? Dave explains to deliberate practice and what he means by ‘Respect the Rep?’ Is block practice relevant? How can players hit the breaking ball better? Which ways does Dave Turgeon integrate competition into practice? Baseball players have to be competitive and adaptable problem solvers. What is something creative that Dave Turgeon has tried lately with his players? Keep searching for the truth. Is there something that Dave has learned lately that has him really excited? What is something that Dave believes that other coaches may disagree with? Is there anything about his training that would stand out to people? What are some of Dave Turgeon’s favorite books and resources that have benefited his coaching? 3 Key Points: Body control directly correlates to ball control in the zone. The difference between block training and random training is practicing movements versus practicing how to think and move at the same time. Learning and skill acquisition need to be put at a premium and made part of competition during practice. Tweetable Quotes: “Through the art of show, a little bit of tell and mostly do, it’s an amazing equation for acquiring skill to help you perform better.” – Dave Turgeon (10:54) “Your best pitches thrown with conviction have a really good chance of having success.” – Dave Turgeon (11:52) “Wherever you are playing, you have to learn to assimilate into that culture to win at that game, not at the one that you play. You have to figure, ‘How are they trying to beat me.” – Dave Turgeon (12:38) “The player resides in the man.” – Dave Turgeon (17:32) “It is not about feeling good as it is about performing because acquiring skills is not a feel-good exercise. It is hard, it is slow, messy, and it takes a while.” – Dave Turgeon (18:11) “You’ve got 12-15 seconds between pitches. The average major league game is about 2 hours and 55 minutes. There are about 75 minutes off in between pitch time. There are about 13-15 minutes of total action.” – Dave Turgeon (30:22) “There is some value to a block blend. But for me, the higher you go, the lower the blend of block and the more there is to the challenge variability and randomness.” – Dave Turgeon (52:46) “Number one, we’ve got to hit off the fastball to be able to adjust to hit the hanger. That’s the game. That’s the game from where you are at to the big leagues.” – Dave Turgeon (59:44)

Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Dave Turgeon: Twitter Linkedin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Kevin Davidson, CEO of BaseballCloud. Kevin discusses how BaseballCloud was developed, the problems that it solves, and how data in baseball is not only beneficial, but Kevin also shares the ways in which the game has embraced data. Episode Highlights: How did Kevin Davidson get involved in BaseballCloud? What does BaseballCloud provide to users? Baseball doesn’t get enough credit for being a fast adapter to data. What was Kevin process for finding the right team to develop BaseballCloud? What made Kevin realize that BaseballCloud could fill a void? How are teams using data? What is Kevin’s advice for amateur teams using affordable options? How far back does BaseballCloud capture data on players? What different routes can you go in with data as a player? Have players been intellectually curious about their personal data? How many schools is BaseballCloud working with right now? 3 Key Points: BaseballCloud is integrating players with data. BaseballCloud has data going back five or six years of game data on many different baseball clubs on different devices. As BaseballCloud is capturing data on players, they see the data that represents their performance and go back and see historically where success has been found with that data. Tweetable Quotes: “I’m not your prototypical data guy. That’s for sure.” – Kevin Davidson (01:24) “Essentially, I owe Wes Johnson the core credit for the evolution of BaseballCloud.” – Kevin Davidson (04:43) “What if I created a centralized software system that takes all this data from all of these different sources and automates it, filters it, consolidates it, and turns it into visuals?” – Kevin Davidson (3:45) “I blame the disconnect between the old school and the new school on the selling of it by the new school guys. The new school guys do a poor job of selling what data really is.” – Kevin Davidson (5:29) “Data is not a philosophy. Data is just a result of a philosophy.” – Kevin Davidson (5:59) “Which set of data produces the most optimum results? That’s all that is really happening and that is where data becomes valuable, once you understand, ‘hey, what did I do to create that result?’” – Kevin Davidson (6:35) “I knew that if we just put together some quality visuals and allow the data to interact with each other and tell the story, we were going to be on the right path...and so far so good.” – Kevin Davidson (17:06) “One of the things that we really take a lot of pride in is our database of data. We have one of the largest databases of amateur data in the United States.” – Kevin Davidson (18:17) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Kevin Davidson: Instagram BaseballCloud: baseballcloud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and Axebats. Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Steve Dintaman, Head Baseball Coach at Sinclair Community College and an Associate Scout for the Texas Rangers. Steve Dintaman shares what he has learned as a head coach at Sinclair for 12 years, what it takes to maintain the team culture with young players constantly coming and going, and what he looks for in players and coaches. Episode Highlights: What is a Tartan? Why did Steve Dintaman get involved in baseball coaching? What is the fall training program over at Sinclair Community College like? How do they indoctrinate new players into their program? What are some things that Coach Dintaman does to build the team culture? How do you balance team chemistry with players coming and going? What does the team do to instill a sense of competition? How is he getting to know his players? How does Coach Dintaman develop coaches? Does Coach Dintaman hire his own coaches? What would make ideal hires for the Sinclair Tartans? How does the typical spring practice plan look like at Sinclair? What does his batting practice setup look like? What are the after-season meetings look like when talking to players? What advice does Steve have for someone who wants to be a head coach one day? Are there things that they do in practice that the players get excited about? What is something that you believe that other coaches might disagree on? Which books or resources does Coach Steve Dintaman recommend? 3 Key Points: Don’t go into a team bragging about how good you are. Let your play do the talking. The core values of the Sinclair Tartans are: sacrifice, confidence, character and brotherhood. Join the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) if you want to become a coach. Tweetable Quotes: “Just lifting during the season, there are still some guys in high school that haven’t done that before. So we are lifting two or three times a week” – Steve Dintaman (09:68) “We are probably practicing anywhere from five to six times a week with an off day built in.” – Steve Dintaman (10:03) “I think my advice for any student athlete going in the fall is: be ready to go and keep your mouth shut and go to work.” – Steve Dintaman (11:43) “The number one emphasis for our program is always going to be player development and the guys understand that our goal is their goal. We want them to reach the highest level they can play.” – Steve Dintaman (22:44) “We are all part-time coaches too. No coach here is a full-time coach.” – Steve Dintaman (33:43) “I think the first thing I would do is if I bring someone in obviously they have had some success and they have some nice pedigree with some references, but that we have the same philosophies.” – Steve Dintaman (37:15) “There is nothing worse than a center fielder trying to track a ball and he’s going near the wall, about to make a catch, and all of a sudden his pitcher just catches it, and your like, “Come on Bro, get out the way.’” – Steve Dintaman (43:44) “The thing I have always told people is, ‘surround yourself with good people and good things will happen.’” – Steve Dintaman (50:20) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Steve Dintaman: Linkedin Twitter sinclairathletics.com/sports/bsb/index Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! Full Episode Here http://www.aotcpodcast.com/e/36-brett-kay-head-baseball-coach-jserra-catholic-hs-ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and Axebats. Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interviewed Jeff Leach, Manager of Hitting at Axe Bat. Jeff Leach shares his wealth of experience as a swinging coach for players as young as 8-years old all the way up to the professional level. Jeff offers tips on various methods of training swing timing, when players should shut down on a swing, and how to find solutions for issues that players may have with their swing. Episode Highlights: How did Jeff Leach get involved in baseball coaching? What does Jeff do for Axe Bat? What is Jeff Leach’s system for developing players when he starts with them? How does he balance his training for players of very different skill levels? What are Jeff’s main goals for the off-season? What tools does Jeff Leach use to evaluate player’s abilities? Where does he start looking first to identify solutions for the problems of players? Are there different ways that Jeff uses to train swing timing? How does Jeff help players to decide when to shut down on a swing? What is Jeff’s advice to players about what to swing at? Is there something that Jeff has learned lately that has him really excited? What is something that his players do in training that they love? What is something that Jeff believes that other coaches may disagree with? Is there anything about his training that would stand out to people? What are some of Jeff Leach’s favorite books and resources that have benefited his coaching? 3 Key Points: Baseball skill tools include arm strength, hitting, hitting for power, speed, and fielding. Jeff’s swinging advice is to look for speed or look for a location. Finding a feel you trust in a competition is probably more important than rehearsing a perfect swing movement. Tweetable Quotes: “I’m the manager hitting for Axe Bat. My role is to engage the baseball and softball community and help players really discover the Axe handle and the benefits.” – Jeff Leach (02:08) “I migrated from an individual to a group training environment. I could train more players more often with more tools.” – Jeff Leach (04:02) “If you are looking at an 8-year-old kid, he doesn’t have a lot of experience in the game. He may not be motivated at a high level to really train and practice at his craft without being pushed.” – Jeff Leach (04:39) “My philosophy basically is that, hitting is an infinite moving problem and I need to give them as many solutions to that problem as possible.” – Jeff Leach (07:35) “I think that every off-season for a player should be, first and foremost, about improving the player’s tools.” – Jeff Leach (10:22) “As far as drills, I really like to work with drills that require the least amount of verbal reinforcement.” – Jeff Leach (11:00) “Adjustability is really what we are talking about when talk about timing. Are you on time? Can you adjust your timing to barrel a baseball when your body is off?” – Jeff Leach (20:00) “I love to throw wiffle balls and have wiffle ball games with guys. I think that's one of the most exciting things that a player can do. The competition level increases when they start competing against teammates.” – Jeff Leach (32:50) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Jeff Leach: Linkedin Twitter Jeff Leach’s Email: Jeff@axebat.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! Full Episode Here http://www.aotcpodcast.com/e/greg-brown-head-baseball-coach-nova-southeastern-university-fl/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and Axebats. Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Jeff Carlson, Ex-Head Baseball Coach at Elk Grove Baseball in Elk Grove, California. Jeff Carlson shares his wealth of knowledge for father’s that are coaches and have kids playing baseball. Jeff also offers valuable tips on how to communicate openly and accurately with players and coaches, how to handle parents that are concerned about their kid’s playing time, and what have been beneficial strategies for fundraisers. Episode Highlights: How did Jeff Carlson get involved in baseball coaching? What advice does Jeff Carlson give to those transitioning from coaching to focusing on family? What has been Jeff’s experience with his two sons playing baseball? What did the conversations look like with Jeff’s sons when he had to critique their playing? Was there ever a time with his sons playing baseball where he had to push them to practice more? What was Jeff Carlson’s experience like at Elk Grove when he first started? What are some different practical ways that Jeff was able to get players prepared to succeed? How did Jeff turn his coaching approach into a system that he could apply? What are Jeff Carlson’s thoughts on the power of communication? What is the fine line between effective communication and something they may not need to worry about? How did Jeff Carlson deal with parents feedback about their kids not playing in games? What hard rules did Jeff Carlson set out each year? What were his teams’ best fundraisers? Did his staff interview with him or through the school’s athletic director? What is something they did in practice that his players loved? What books and resources that have benefited Jeff Carlson? 3 Key Points: Find ways to get your team to spend time together before and after practice, such as having a clubhouse. You can’t coach and communicate the same way with each player. It has to be tailored to their individual personalities. Informal conversations with coaching candidates have been Jeff’s interviewing process. Tweetable Quotes: “For your kids, always try to challenge them. Don’t be afraid that they might fail. When they learn failure at an early age, it’s just going to make them stronger and a better person and player down the road.” – Jeff Carlson (04:15) “As far as building culture, building communication as a head coach, I think that it is important that when a kid makes a mistake, that maybe you put your arm around him and tell him.” – Jeff Carlson (09:22) “My main goal was about developing players, so that they could play at the next level.” – Jeff Carlson (16:21) “My philosophy was, ‘If you’re not hitting, you aren’t going to be able to play at the next level.’” – Jeff Carlson (26:03) “We always brought the kids in and we would talk to them where they are at and tell them their roles. And we tell the kids, ‘We are going to be honest. You may not like what you hear. But, we are going to be honest to you.’” – Jeff Carlson (33:33) “My rule was always, the player can always come to me at the appropriate time and discuss playing time. I was not going to discuss it with the parents, ever.” – Jeff Carlson (40:01) “I think our budget when I finished was about $100,000 to run our program, which is a lot.”– Jeff Carlson (46:00) “Try to surround yourself with the best possible coaches you can find.”– Jeff Carlson (47:30) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast Twitter: @AOTC_podcast Jeff Carlson: Twitter Jeff Carlson Email: JEGCarls@EGUSD.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! Full Episode Here http://www.aotcpodcast.com/e/9-chris-dunn-hitting-coach-and-author-of-the-high-performance-hitter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and Axebats. Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Drew Saylor, Player Development and Assistant Hitting Coordinator with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Drew provides listeners with an inside look into recruiting and communication strategies, how he is able to maneuver between both of his job roles, how to train players to get their mind and body in sync to respond in game situations, and what it takes to improve timing and rhythm as a hitter. Episode Highlights:

How did Drew Saylor get involved in baseball and coaching?

Drew Saylor discusses his dynamic relationship with his wife.

What were some of the first things he did when he got hired?

How are some of the recruiting conversations like when you are a new hire?

What are the unique tasks of having two different roles within the Pittsburgh Pirates organization?

How can you maximize communication for development from a macro and micro level?

What are ways Drew addresses hitting issues?

How is the communication successfully executed with players?

How can players be trained to develop timing and rhythm?

What are ways to help players learn to adjust to various situations in the moment?

What are ways to get players excited about training and implementing competition into their training?

Which books have had a strong impact on Drew Saylor?

What are things that are done in training that his players love?

Which additional resources have benefitted Drew Saylor?

3 Key Points:

Being transparent and vulnerable add to being a trusted leader.

Coordinators aren’t just problem fixers. They are also a higher-level form of overall support and feedback.

It’s not about trying to speed up your swing. It’s about trying to give yourself more time for your A-swing to get the contact.

Tweetable Quotes:

“A lot of what we’ve done is create the culture, create the relationships, and then now we are trying to build out how we view and how we evaluate our people.” – Drew Saylor (10:00)

“A lot of what I’ve done as a leader is be able to go, ‘Hey I’ve failed this way. I have messed up this way. I have fallen short of the mark this way,’ and have those transparent moments.” – Drew Saylor (12:15)

“For me, what I’ve tried to accomplish as a coordinator is to not lose that feel of that day-to-day.” – Drew Saylor (14:08)

“One of my big goals is spending time with the hitting coaches and with the managers, and say, ‘Hey, how is the chemistry of the club? What are some of the hot spots? How can I support you?’” – Drew Saylor (17:19)

“I like to think about failure as moving forward.” – Drew Saylor (19:42)

“It really starts with their ability to, swing at something they can hit hard.” – Drew Saylor (22:14)

(Timing) “I think that when players are not necessarily on time, or they don’t have the ability to get on time, one of the first questions that we try to ask them is, ‘When are you starting?” – Drew Saylor (33:13)

“When the idea comes from within, there is more investment. But you’re also helping the player indirectly think through a batting process of their swing.”– Drew Saylor (36:25)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

Twitter: @AOTC_podcast

Linkedin: Drew Saylor

Twitter: @DrewSaylor19

Books: “Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman “The Traveler’s Gift” by Andy Andrews

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! Full Episode Here http://www.aotcpodcast.com/e/7-travis-hergert-head-coach-northern-iowa-area-community-college/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Video Link This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and Axebats. Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Episode Highlights:

Why did Justin Willard get involved in baseball coaching?

In what ways have the Minnesota Twins changed in recent years?

How can you maximize individuals in a team setting?

How does Justin Willard access his players?

In what ways can a player’s skill faults be fixed?

As far as proprioception, does it have to be sport specific?

What is Justin looking for in a pitcher?

What does communication look like with his players?

Are their common problems that Justin sees?

How can coaches get players to implement individual corrections?

How is the communication system within coaches established?

How do we develop command to help pitchers compete in the strike zone?

What is Justin’s advice to teach a lefty pick move?

What would a week look like for training a pitcher?

How can you prepare the pitcher’s body to throw?

How does rest and recovery work after a pitcher has been throwing?

How can you simplify data to make it accessible to players?

The ultimate goal is hit and miss.

What is the fine line between having too many pitches and focusing on go-to pitches?

What resources have Justin really excited right now?

What training routines keep Justin’s players motivated?

Are there any books that Justin loves?

Baseball is an organism with many moving parts.

3 Key Points:

Justin Willard accesses players by rating their proprioception, mobility, stability, and mental capabilities.

70% of our brain is optical power.

The training goal is to ‘feed the flaw,’ which is to help players feel what their flaw is and overcorrect it.

Tweetable Quotes:

“The people aspect is something that we as coaches often overlook. Helping people grow is a huge, huge aspect of coaching.” – Justin Willard (01:38)

“I’m going to put you in the best position to see the ball. That’s what we as humans do. We want to see.” – Justin Willard (09:07)

“If you can’t throw a change-up, it’s probably because you can’t get a proper extension of your arm. So, let’s work on the things that will help you get there.” – Justin Willard (20:55)

“You need to have all your information and your ability to communicate in one kind of central location.” – Justin Willard (22:09)

“I’m very big on restraint-based training, understanding and manipulating the organism, the task, and the environment.“ – Justin Willard (25:59)

“Throwing should be the easy part. Getting our body warm and ready and sweating, that happens before throwing.” – Justin Willard (36:41)

“I would rather have a guy with an 80-grade pitch and no command than a guy with a 40-50 grade pitch with phenomenal command.” – Justin Willard (40:07)

“If you boil down this whole player development process, you can’t just look at one sphere.”– Justin Willard (51:1)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

Twitter: @AOTC_podcast

Linkedin: Justin Willard

Twitter: @JustWillard2

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iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Go to axebat.com and use our code AOTC at checkout to save 10% on your purchase of Axe Bat training products including all of the Axe Bat Speed Trainers and wood bats! Full Episode Here http://www.aotcpodcast.com/e/5-wes-brooks-head-coach-oxford-hs-al/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Video link This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Donegal Fergus, Associate Head Coach at University of California at Santa Barbara. Coach Fergus describes his deep and eventful journey toward getting into baseball coaching. Learn from Donegal Fergus’ experience with gaining trust in his team players, training them to think on their feet for themselves, and how to train properly for having great timing as a hitter. Episode Highlights:

Why did Donegal Fergus decide to get into baseball coaching?

What are the typical fall training routines for Coach Fergus’ team?

What is the process of getting to work with training after establishing trust with the team?

What were the main goals for Coach Fergus to make his team successful?

What are habits that good players do on a typical basis?

How does Donegal Fergus go about training for timing?

What does the phrase ‘bat or barrel’ mean to Coach Fergus?

How does Coach Fergus handle batting practice?

What is the latest think Donegal Fergus has learned that has gotten him excited?

Are there things during practice that his players can’t get enough of?

What are some of his favorite resources?

3 Key Points:

Kids have a strong sense when adults aren’t authentic and are pretending to be something they aren’t.

Hitters should learn how to ‘dance with the pitcher’,’ meaning sync up and feel the rhythm of the pitcher’s throws and movements.

A hitting exercise of having players miss a hit on purpose is a way to train their bat path and timing.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I tell our guys almost every day, ‘Hitting is really hard.” We are going to have days, no matter how good you are, that you aren’t very good.” – Donegal Fergus (07:55)

“One of the biggest things with building relationships is that it has to start from a baseline of safely, with a safe environment, where you aren’t afraid to share, and you aren’t afraid to collaborate.” – Jonathan Gelnar (10:30)

“I don’t want to get boxed into what my guys need.” – Donegal Fergus (19:33)

“We went into it with sort of the blank slate of getting with our guys and letting them lead us where we need to go.” – Donegal Fergus (22:59)

“The less that I have to be involved from a hand-holding standpoint the better. The more I can take myself out of the equation the better, creating curious learners that ask questions, versus asking for the answers.”– Donegal Fergus (23:30)

“We need to figure out what we’re seeing and what our body does in reaction to that, and rewire it sometimes.“ – Donegal Fergus (28:26)

“Don’t swing at his pitch, swing at your pitch…if it’s not your pitch then it is a ball in our mind.” – Donegal Fergus (39:52)

“Why certain CEOs or politicians are so successful is because they stopped worrying about external expectations or external social ques. It doesn’t affect them.” – Donegal Fergus (51:04)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

Twitter: @AOTC_podcast

Linkedin: Donegal Fergus

Instagram: @donegalfergus

Twitter: @coachferg

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During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Adrian Dinkel, Head Coach at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Coach Dinkel shares his wealth of experience in developing his team culture of accountability and not being afraid of opening up to players and setting firm expectations. Adrian also explains how he keeps his modes of baseball training competitive, builds up his player’s levels of responsibility, and establishes a respect for hard work. Episode Highlights:

Why did Adrian Dinkel decide to get into coaching?

How does a typical week come across in Adrian’s system?

What are some ways that Adrian Dinkel gets training elements done faster?

Does Coach Dinkel rely on older guys helping the younger guys?

What are some things that players are doing when everyone is present in training?

How do they keep training competitive?

What are the different standards Coach Dinkel implements for the team culture?

How is Coach Dinkel developing his players and his assistant coaches?

What is Adrian looking for in staff during the interview process?

What are the rules that people need to do to be successful on the team?

How does Coach Dinkel prioritize individual development within players?

Are there ways to get the players to regulate themselves?

What does a typical week look like during the season for a starting player?

How does batting practice operate?

What are the routines for the weight room?

What does a post-season meeting look like with a player that is returning?

How can you communicate difficult feedback?

What advice does Coach Dinkel have for first-year head coaches?

What is the latest thing that Coach Dinkel is excited about using?

How has Adrian gotten creative with his resources?

Which resources does Adrian Dinkel find the most useful?

3 Key Points:

Coach Dinkel gives players more live randomized training instead of block training with instructions yelled out.

Coach Dinkel gets to know his players personally by sharing his personal life and having an open-door policy with them.

There has to be an expectation to be great every day.

Tweetable Quotes:

“We assume that everybody knows nothing every single day. And so, we are constantly on them and sooner or later it becomes a routine and they start to hold each other accountable for it and they turn it into a game.” – Adrian Dinkel (05:07)

“We are trying to just teach them to be competitive and to support one another through selfless acts, whether it is picking trash or whatever we do.” – Adrian Dinkel (10:30)

“Your culture is set by your coaching staff and your players that are returning from the year before, sure. But it’s going to change with the 20 new transfers you have in the door.” – Adrian Dinkel (11:31)

“Number 1 is I want people that want to work, that aren’t afraid of work. I don’t want a guy that wants to be in the office at 9 and be out by 5.” – Adrian Dinkel (15:13)

“When you get into college baseball there are three things. You got your social, you got your academics, and you got you athletics. One of those has to disappear. Which one you think it’s going to be?” – Adrian Dinkel (20:47)

“We also make sure that we are communicating with them daily on, how do you feel? How does the body feel? How much work can we get in?” – Adrian Dinkel (29:36)

“Don’t be afraid of discipline. Don’t be afraid to hurt someone’s feelings.” – Adrian Dinkel (34:47)

“I think the number resource still to this day is pick up the phone and call other coaches.” – Adrian Dinkel (40:04)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

Twitter: @AOTC_podcast

Twitter: @AdrianDinkel

Email: ADinkel@SEU.edu

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Summary:

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I have a really useful discussion with Lance Spigner, the Baseball Coach at Horatio High School in Horatio, Arkansas. Coach Spigner walks us through his 28 years of coaching experience, shares how he goes about training his players for success, and what types of competitive efforts and events keep his players embracing a winning attitude and having fun on the field.

Show Notes:

Lance Spigner introduces himself and shares his background

What new challenge is Lance going to take on in his retirement

What does Coach Spigner’s fall training program look like

What is involved in the competition that Lance calls the “Dirt Bag Olympics’

How does their bat speed training methods work

What are some different competitions that Lance’s players engage in

How does the strategy of stickers for hit by pitches work

What are some different fundraising efforts that Lance’s team has used

What are rules and standards that Lance’s team implements for players

How many players are in Lance’s program

What does his BP set-up look like and how are they are grouped together

How does he get his team ready to peak at the right time

What advice would Coach Spigner give his younger self

What has Lance learned lately that has gotten him excited

Which resources have been beneficial to Coach Spigner

What training efforts are kids enthusiastic about

Set up your training program systematically and measure the results

3 Key Points:

Coach Spigner’s team is known for winning with underdogs, player development, and trying to get the most out of everybody.

Coach Spigner’s team embraced the identity of ‘dirt bags’ to help their country and rural area kids utilize a tough mindset.

Enjoy the journey because suddenly you will blink, and it will be time to retire.

Tweetable Quotes:

“Everything we do, if we can, we turn into some kind of competition, because competition is fun, and that’s what you want out of your players.” – Lance Spigner (8:20)

“We’re going to be ‘dirt bags.’ And one of the things that is involved with that for us is we try to think that we’re tougher than you are.” – Lance Spigner (15:00)

“Our community has been spectacular and our administration too as far as supporting our program.” – Lance Spigner (16:59)

“We’ve found the easiest thing to do a lot of times with our fundraising is to go with some of the online fundraisers.” – Lance Spigner (19:06)

“The more written rules you have, the more rope sometimes you leave people to hang yourself.” – Lance Spigner (21:54)

“We throw all of our bullpens at the start of practice. We’ve done that now for I guess three or four years, and it has worked out really well for us.” – Lance Spigner (26:26)

“Make the ‘big time’ where you are.” – Lance Spigner (39:42)

“We love base running. The StealBases.com website and information that they have put out is tremendous.” – Lance Spigner (43:48)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

@AOTC_podcast

Twitter for Lance Spigner: @Spigner23

Facebook for Lance Spigner

Lance Spigner’s Email: LanceSpigner@gmail.com

StealBases.com

ABCA.org

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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During this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Dave Therneau, Pitching Coach at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Coach Therneau has been named Collegiate Baseball’s Pitching Coach of the Year in 2018, and shares the advice that he has found beneficial in recruiting great pitchers, training players to be their best, and enhancing his hard-working team culture through internal motivation. Episode Highlights:

Why did Dave Therneau decide to get into coaching?

What does day one look like during Dave Therneau’s program?

How does a typical week come across in Dave’s pitching system?

What are the most common problems that Coach Therneau notices?

Which player elements stand out positively to Dave Therneau during recruitment?

What exactly is the “hatter?”

How does Coach Therneau go about developing the culture of the team?

How does Dave motivate and keep his players competitive during training?

How does Dave Therneau prioritize individual development in a team setting?

What makes a good bullpen setting?

How does he develop command of the pitch?

What does a typical week look like during the season for a starting player?

What is the latest thing that Coach Therneau is excited about using?

Does he have fun traditions that his players enjoy engaging in?

Which resources does Dave Therneau find the most useful?

3 Key Points:

Video of Coach Therneau’s pitchers helps to improve their delivery.

Pitchers are only as good as their strike zone.

Self-motivation can be accomplished by getting players to compete against themselves.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I always talk to them about conditioning the arm. They don’t play catch. I don’t believe in that…I don’t like using that term hear.” – Dave Therneau (10:04:)

“If you are trying to go ‘full go,’ whether it be on the mound, roaming short stop or center field…and you do that for a few games, and then you are not training in between, I think it puts kids at risk.” – Dave Therneau (13:38:)

“If you want to be a hard-working, tough group, which is what we are trying to build here, we’ve had that, you have to bring those types of kids in.” – Dave Therneau (20:18:)

“I try to get these guys to compete individually against themselves.” – Dave Therneau (23:02:)

“You are pretty much using 25-27 guys, If you think about a major league roster, I think it’s around that, 25-27. All of those guys are contributors and important pieces to the team.” – Dave Therneau (27:06:)

“Every pitch has a purpose.” – Dave Therneau (34:02:)

“If something works for a guy, I like to study why.” – Dave Therneau (45:34:)

“Teach the game and teaching routines, and I just hope that that is a focus, from all of us responsible for that in baseball, because as a college coach, sometimes we get kids that are unprepared.” – Dave Therneau (52:33:)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

Twitter: @AOTC_podcast

Dave Therneau’s Contact: gohatters.com/staff.aspx?staff=140

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Summary:

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I interview Matt Denny, the Head Baseball Coach for Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Matt walks us through what his typical training sessions look like, how and why he developed a ‘hard-nosed’ culture in his baseball program to integrate consistency into his team, and methods for coaches to get players to overcome their fears and mistakes.

Show Notes:

Matt Denny introduces himself and shares his background

What does a typical week during fall training look like

How do they go about grouping players for training needs

How many coaches does Matt have in the fall

Which internal competitions does Matt integrate into training

How is Matt developing a hard-nosed culture for his team

What does Matt look for in his players on a regular basis

How does he bring his players closer together as a team

Matt walks through their weekly training plan during the season

How do their BP sessions work in practice

What data does Matt track besides BP and defense

How does he get his team ready to play in the post-season

What is meant by the belief that ‘fear is a liar’

How does the summer program operate

What advice does Matt Denny offer to first-time coaches

Be fair and be consistent

What gets Matt excited the most lately

Which training drills get the most enthusiastic reaction from Matt Denny’s players

Matt Denny shares his biggest baseball resources

Be a part of coaching associations

3 Key Points:

Coach your players to be leaders so the program can lead itself.

Players are more likely to listen to you when you develop trust and open communication.

Talk to your team about other programs that are worthy of being state champions.

Tweetable Quotes:

“You can’t move on to anything else that we’re doing until you can do things exactly how we want them to be done.” – Matt Denny (5:05)

“To have a culture like that (hard-nosed) it’s not just something you can talk about and it happens, it is something that has to happen over time.” – Matt Denny (17:20)

“Every single mistake that they make, my coaches and my assistants are instructed to talk about every single mistake.” – Matt Denny (18:24)

“’We have a sign that just says, ‘Do Things Right,’ and it’s kind of has been our mantra this year, D.T.R...” – Matt Denny (21:00)

“As hard as we are on them, it is because we love them and there are times when things aren’t going our way and we are all in it together.” – Matt Denny (23:16)

“Preparing for the post-season, in my opinion, starts the day you lose your last game the last year.” – Matt Denny (34:36)

“To beat the best you have to be ready to play the best.” – Matt Denny (36:24)

“Fear is not an actual thing. It is something you choose to do. You’re choosing to be nervous. You’re choosing to be scared.” – Matt Denny (36:42:)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

@AOTC_podcast

Matt Denny’s Email: mdenny@tempeunion.org

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I engage in a discussion with Andrew Wright, the Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Recruitment and Retention at the University of Charleston in West Virginia. Coach Wright generously shares his wisdom regarding how to not only evaluate players, but also ways to empower the coaching staff as well. Find out what Andrew Wright’s training methods typically consist of what valuable advice he has benefited from along the way. Show Notes:

Andrew Wright introduces himself and shares his background

How does player development and evaluation work in his program

Which types of information do they measure and evaluate

What are his players competing against and which skill metrics are involved

It is one thing to identify problems, it is another to offer assistance to fix them

What daily routines and drills do they do to establish a productive team culture

A lack of education, empowerment, or accountability lead to the process breaking down

How can you convey problems to players without shattering their confidence

Don’t let players feel let down, put down, or shut down

How do you get all of your coaches on the same page

What does your coach development process look like

What are some great interview questions for recruitment

Being a super stubborn coach is a disservice to your team

When you think kindly of someone, where is that coming from

What are some unique things that Andrew’s organization is doing that others aren’t

How is this spring’s practice plan shaping up

What does Andrew suggest to head coaches or assistants that want to be head coaches

It is important to respect how your ideas get results

When pitchers get behind, it is typically because of their fast ball

What is something that Andrew Wright has learned lately that he is excited about

Which resources are useful that have come up in staff meetings 3 Key Points:

Don’t just bog the players down with the details. Show them how to apply them.

Team culture is a product of your belief, behavior, and experience.

Learn how to listen and how to manage your reaction when addressing issues.

Tweetable Quotes:

“In a given year we have anywhere from 47 to 55 players for whom we are responsible. So, we have to get very creative.” – Andrew Wright (2:49)

“At the Division 2 level, you can’t just recruit your wins, you have to recruit and develop them.” – Andrew Wright (4:24)

“Unless we are willing to share the information, and be very transparent about what we are doing, we can’t really prove our worth. It’s just an opinion at that point.” – Andrew Wright (5:54)

“We probably gather more information than we can actually process at this point. But the beauty is in the application.” – Andrew Wright (9:54)

“We want to be candid with each other, and we want to be vulnerable, and we really want to be real with each other.” – Andrew Wright (13:53)

“If we don’t have daily conversations about what it is supposed to look like, and hold each other accountable, then it is not going to work. You are doing it for show.” – Andrew Wright (31:32)

“I want people who are willing to hold their own opinions as accountable as they hold someone else’s.” – Andrew Wright (37:01)

“Be authentic. People see right through you when you are not.” – Andrew Wright (52:07)

Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast @AOTC_podcast Andrew Wright Twitter: @UCWV_awright ICGoldenEagles.com Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Nunzio Signore, athletic trainer, Owner of Rockland Peak Performance in Sloatsburg NY, author of the book Pitchers Arm Care, Director of the Pitching Lab and a contributing writer for such publications as Inside Pitch Magazine, Elite Baseball Performance and Stack Sports. Nunzio Signore shares his wealth of knowledge about how to properly access the needs of players during training, how to assist players with strength and velocity, and strategies to help them recover in a healthy manner. Show Notes:

What made Nunzio transition from soccer to baseball

What is the first step that Nunzio would take to train a 16-year player

How does Nunzio undergo his player assessments

What are some of the things that most kids have problems with

How does the core velocity belt help players

What is the strength-speed continuum program

What will players get out of the pitching lab training

Which three things are the top issues that Nunzio is looking for in players

How does Nunzio feel about when is it right to give players time off

What makes up a great bullpen setting

Which factors bring about an unstable pitch

Breathing, a good night sleep, and water are fantastic for player recovery

What tools and strategies does Nunzio use for his assessments

Until velocity of a player increases, he doesn’t add more weight to a player’s weight training

What are the biggest new training elements that Nunzio is excited about

Why do Nunzio’s players love jump profiling

How can you make nutrition a proper part of their training

Which resources does Nunzio recommend

3 Key Points:

Everyone should sequence their pelvis, thorax, elbow extension, and shoulder internal rotation.

The pitch lab aims to produce the complete pitcher by merging pitching inside the nets and strength training.

Instead of paying for showcases, pay to develop yourself as a player.

Tweetable Quotes: - “People are hungry out there to make sure the kids stay safe and we can increase velocity and command and control safely.” – Nunzio Signore (1:49) - “The assessment in our facility, that’s the cornerstone of what we do at RPP. I honestly believe that it’s the way to create a blueprint for an athlete.” – Nunzio Signore (3:01) - “You don’t want to add strength to disfunction.” – Nunzio Signore (4:57) - “If you can feel it, you can do it.” – Nunzio Signore (9:09) - “I just don’t ever think that we should get out of the pattern of throwing.” – Nunzio Signore (24:51) - “Don’t take mechanical solutions to athleticism problems.” – Nunzio Signore (33:35) - “I don’t really believe in trying to get rid of soreness by running. I don’t really feel like running for a pitcher is something that we would do at all.” – Nunzio Signore (35:54) - “My recovery for my athletes is breathing.” – Nunzio Signore (36:17) Resources Mentioned:

Aotcpodcast.com

Twitter: @aotc_podcast

Linkedin: Nunzio Signore

RocklandPeakPerformance.com

“Starting” Strength,”

“Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes,”

“Ultimate MMA Conditioning”

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify Summary In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I talk with Tanner Swanson, minor league Catching Coordinator with the Minnesota Twins. He shares about his journey of coaching and teaching and how that has led him to this point in his career. He shares incredible insight into the importance and mechanics of solid catching techniques, and brings a wealth of insight to the catching position. Episode Highlights:

Tanner grew up playing baseball in a small town and had positive experiences and connections with coaches.

Gained an interest in teaching and coaching in college.

Shares about how catching has shaped his career, and how he got to spend focused time on teaching the catching program at the University of Washington.

Tanner talks about the parallel of the catching position and middle linebacker, as opposed to the quarterback analogy typical used.

Tanner shares about the importance of framing metrics in the catching position.

There's more complexity to stances than just 2 stances.

Tanner shares some insight into a variety of positions for different situations, and how varying setups and hand positions affect outcomes.

A deep dive into receiving position

Important to understand the pitcher's mix and qualities

Discussion on varieties of extension styles and manipulations

3 keys to high level throws

Importance “on the field” communication for catchers.

Discuss next phase of motion technology

3 Key Points:

When you step back and look at anything from a distance, it allows you to question and see things from a different perspective.

Developing a versatile, well-rounded skill set needs to be the foundation.

We need more voices to come forward and push the catching position forward.

Tweetable Quotes:

“Coaching is teaching, and they parallel each other.” – Tanner Swanson

“Good ideas, inspiration, and creativity are drawn from asking the right questions.” – Tanner Swanson

“A catcher has to be very instinctive, very reactive, and has to have really advanced perceptive skills to be able to read, react, and respond to a lot of different variables in a really short amount of time.” – Tanner Swanson

“It's important to start prioritizing your training economy based on what actually happens in competition” – Tanner Swanson

“Not a single catcher in baseball is a better pitch framer from a big, active secondary stance.” – Tanner Swanson

"The key to the strike zone is down, being able to dominate the bottom of the strike zone is critical." - Tanner Swanson

"Down is better than up, right is better than left." - Travis Swanson

"We should be promoting what we want pitchers to do, not what we want them to avoid. - Tanner Swanson

Resources Mentioned:

"Dare to Lead" - Brene Brown

"The One Thing" - Gary Keller

"The Culture Code" - Daniel Coyle

D1 Catching Website

Tanner Swanson Email

Tanner Swanson Twitter

D1 Catching Twitter

Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes Stitcher Google Play Spotify Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Rob Benjamin, a highly experienced baseball hitting trainer at R.I.O.T. Hitting based in the New York City area. Rob Benjamin discusses how to help players break out of their stiff batting routines, and become more adaptable to real game situations. Rob also expresses important processes to assist hitters gaining movement solutions and degrees of freedom in their swings. Show Notes:

Guest: Rob Benjamin, baseball hitting trainer at R.I.O.T. Hitting

Rob Benjamin shares his upbringing in Puerto Rico and New York City playing baseball

His journey towards coaching began in the early 2000s

Who is the player, what is their hitting experience, and what are their parents’ concerns

Video review includes dissecting major league hitting swings

Recreate the unpredictability of the real game in the batter’s box

Playing sound effects of loud crowd noises helps players prepare for game distractions

Player assessment involves using video to help evaluate them

How does Rob Benjamin help clean up player’s movement patterns

Many players have been overcoached to the point that their body’s move too robotically

Players need to trust you to communicate what they need

How do you coach the timing of hitting

The swing starts as soon as the foot lifts off of the ground

What should be the focus when using videos for training

Do players have too many degrees of freedom to their swing

Bridge the gap between training information and the experience of movement solutions

What are training drills that Rob Benjamin’s players love

Watching his own children develop is an enlightening experience for Rob

Look for challenges and obstacles, and embrace failure

3 Key Points:

Having a successful bat swing includes the launch, the barrell, and de-excelleration.

Techniques during hit training include: throwing screens up, ball drop drills, and two pitchers throwing at the same time.

Know what your players’ goals are.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I want to see these players adapt.” - Rob Benjamin (10:21)

“Being the ‘teacher king,’ I don’t want to do that. I want the environment to do that for me.” - Rob Benjamin (12:27)

“Some kids have been so over-coached that a lot of the athleticism has been stripped from their bodies.” - Rob Benjamin (26:53)

“It’s important that you create a foundation of trust so they can talk.” - Rob Benjamin (29:10)

“I want them to make one choice...hit the baseball.” - Rob Benjamin (36:32)

“Figure out how players learn with respect to stable components of their swing.” - Rob Benjamin (41:47)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

@AOTC_podcast

Instagram: @RiotHitting

Twitter: @riothitting

Books: “Dynamics of Skill Acquisition” “The Rise of Superman” “Talent Code” “Game Changer” “Outliers”

Email: rob@riothitting.com

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Marty Smith, the Head Baseball Coach for the Central Florida Patriots at the College of Central Florida. Marty Smith is overflowing with essential experience, going into his 25th season, and having won two FCSAA state championships, rewarded twice as FCSAA Coach of the Year, and is also a five-time Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year. Gain some applicable training advice, ways to personalize methods to players, and what it takes to shape a successful team culture. Show Notes:

Guest: Marty Smith, Head Baseball Coach at the College of Central Florida

What has Marty Smith’s career in baseball consisted of

How has Marty put his training team together

What are some intentional things that Marty Smith has done to built the team culture?

What are the expectations that Marty has for his players

How does his fall training structure look

Marty gives players the chance to eat during practice

How are players trained to address individual issues

What numbers are they tracking for their players to monitor success

How is his typical spring training program look

Which baseball machines does Marty Smith utilize for his team

What machine did Barry Bonds use that Coach Smith has learned from

What advice would Marty Smith give to his younger self and current coaches

Dive into useful Twitter feeds and keep reading about strategies to get better

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes...and learn from those mistakes

“The Performance Cortex” is a heavy book that Marty Smith is reading now

What are the training drills that Coach Smith’s players love

3 Key Points:

Establish the work ethic, credibility and respect that will last beyond your time on the team.

If you had a bad game, let your team know that it wasn’t because you didn’t work hard.

Be a coach for the love of the game and keep making yourself valuable.

Tweetable Quotes:

“Last year, breaking our records for home runs, it was crazy. We hit 95 home runs in 46 games. Our record before that was like 55.” - Marty Smith (07:39)

“I’ll take the credit for being smart enough to trust my assistants.” - Marty Smith (10:22)

“We want our culture to be a happy, content, smiling fun group to be around that want to play for each other, whether we win or lose.” - Marty Smith (11:21)

“When you’re winning and your hitting home runs, and all of your guys are 90+ throwing. And you know that they’ve developed and have gotten better, and they are going to go to good schools from here. That’s kind of the culture we want.” - Marty Smith (12:08)

“Be on time. Go to class. Work hard. Lift hard. Be a good guy.” - Marty Smith (14:58)

“There is a fine line between killing your confidence and getting some confidence.” - Marty Smith (38:18)

“You can move up by being a smart guy, and being a nerd, and getting jobs in pro ball because you know things that other guys don’t.“ - Marty Smith (41:11)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

@AOTC_podcast

Central Florida Patriots

Email: Baseball@CF.edu

Twitter: @GoCFBaseball

Books: “The Performance Cortex”

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 4 video This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU.

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Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I proceed forward in the discussion with Craig Hyatt, the Hitting Coach at East Valley High School in Yakima Washington, and Doug Latta a hitting trainer from Bally Yard based in Northridge California. This fourth episode covers topics related to drills to improve movement of the heel and foot kicks during the swinging process. Gain some guidance on how to create more consistent hitters that can self-correct their process. Show Notes:

Guests: Craig Hyatt, the Hitting Coach at East Valley High School in Yakima Washington, and Doug Latta a hitting trainer from Bally Yard based in Northridge California

Craig and Doug discuss a beneficial heel drill

How to create a backside drive into a front side brace

What is the “kick drill” for swinging

Any move that doesn’t allow your foot to release will jeopardize your line

How do you fix holes in your swing

What is a good process to hit a baseball

How many different body types do they see in high school

Hitting the ball hard is a myth

Get consistent in your hitting path

Learn how to self-correct your swing

Avoid cookie-cutter coaching advice

Move forward from mistakes

Getting upset and emotional makes a player unbalanced

3 Key Points:

It is natural for the body to want to kick during a swing.

All we can do as a hitter is go on time, find a good balance point, and take a swing.

Vision and timing are a part of balance.

Tweetable Quotes: “If the front foot comes up underneath my hip, I carry athletically.” - Doug Latta (2:45) “I’m going to keep the foot, knee, and hip together, even in a practice.” - Doug Latta (3:54) “A lot of people say ‘keep that foot down’ Don’t you dare, that’s an anchor.’” - Doug Latta (8:12) “You’ve got to be able to do damage on any pitch.” - Doug Latta (10:14) “He just missed that pitch. Don’t throw it again because he won’t miss it twice.” - Doug Latta (11:40) “Why do people quit playing baseball? Because they can’t hit. This game is no fun when you can’t hit.” - Doug Latta (14:13) “Strength compliments a swing. It doesn’t define a swing.” - Doug Latta (16:50) “The key is, the more they understand their body and feel it, they're going to be able to fix.” - Doug Latta (19:22) Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

@AOTC_podcast

Craig Hyatt Twitter: @HyattCraig

Doug Latta Twitter: @LattaDoug

Ballyard.net

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

YouTube Video This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU.

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Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I continue the discussion with Craig Hyatt, the Hitting Coach at East Valley High School in Yakima Washington, and Doug Latta a hitting trainer from Bally Yard based in Northridge California. During this third installment of our talk, we get into the importance of developing a natural, clean hitting setup and establishing a fluid hitting range. Show Notes: Guests: Craig Hyatt, the Hitting Coach at East Valley High School in Yakima Washington, and Doug Latta a hitting trainer from Bally Yard based in Northridge California “The Two Hand Under” move is explained by Craig Hyatt and Doug Latta What has helped Craig become trained to see proper swings Typically only hits and home runs are showcased, not the consistency level of a hitter How do kids pick their hitting set-ups What can we learn from the sound decibels of hits What is the importance of having an effective range of contact Which training drills are very beneficial for hitters What is the movement called “moving into the staircase” You have to have front side resistance to have back side Every hitter has to operate on their own terms 3 Key Points:

Swing clean, free, and fast, but not necessarily harder.

Sound is loud and long at the point of contact during a hit.

A good miss is having a good position, with your energy driving towards the pitcher.

Tweetable Quotes:

“One major leaguer that I assembled some video for, who just ordered one season. I had 80-some videos of him, just in one season.” - Craig Hyatt (1:12)

“There is no ABC, 123, cookie-cutting way to make a hitter.” - Doug Latta (2:32)

“New hitters are going to grow. Even big leaguers change. But, there is not ’this is the perfect swing.’” - Doug Latta (2:48)

“People ask me all the time, with all the videos I’ve seen, ‘who is your favorite?’ I don’t know. My favorite is the player’s best swing.” - Craig Hyatt (2:59)

“I don’t fix swings. I fix setups.” - Craig Hyatt (3:48)

“If we get in a good set-up, it will create a good first move, that will get the balance, and everything takes care of itself after that.” - Craig Hyatt (5:00)

“My shoulders need to stay very level in my move in order for me to have balance. Because if my shoulders go downhill, I’m going to fall, I’m going to rush, and I’m going to come in and out of the zone.” - Doug Latta (13:30)

“It is not easy to spin, which is not a natural move for the body.” - Doug Latta (22:25)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

@AOTC_podcast

Craig Hyatt Twitter: @HyattCraig

Doug Latta Twitter: @LattaDoug

Ballyard.net

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 2 YouTube Link This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU.

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Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I join in on the discussion with Craig Hyatt, the Hitting Coach at East Valley High School in Yakima Washington, and Doug Latta a hitting trainer from BallYard based in Northridge California. We break down the impact of balance in leveraging the power and abilities of the human body, and how to break bad habits that are hurting hitters. Show Notes:

Guests: Craig Hyatt, the Hitting Coach at East Valley High School in Yakima Washington, and Doug Latta a hitting trainer from Bally Yard based in Northridge California

How do they define balance and why do we need it

What is the biggest grind move

Describe what people mean by “get into the ground”

How can coaches get their players moving more effectively

Why can tennis drills improve hitting

How can hockey slap shot drills benefit baseball hitting

Backspin is built in when you hit through a spin

How does tennis showcase how players create power

Homes runs come from being smooth and productive with your body

You have got to have consistency

What is a the hitting strategy called “shut piece”

How prevalent is the analysis of high school player stats and data

You have to hit through each pitch

What does it mean to have a soft entry into the zone

Don’t hit your pitches with your front arm

Video and data can show a hitter what their body is doing

3 Key Points:

The body works better from a position of balance.

Tennis drills offer players the chance to feel proper body movement when hitting.

One hit every two weeks, at the big league level, is 20 points towards your average

Tweetable Quotes:

“I have a very strong bias for balance. I think it is elemental to the way bodies move.” - Craig Hyatt (01:35)

“I really think tennis and actually throwing are the best ways that really exemplify how our bodies should move when we hit.” - Doug Latta (13:18)

“We really hit balls in a line and in a rectangle.” - Doug Latta (17:38)

“The thing with tennis, all the bodies are different. So there is variation of how guys create power, but they also need to be consistent, they need to hit the ball in a certain direction.” - Craig Hyatt (21:08)

“‘I worked really hard to hit that home run.’ No, you hit that homerun because you were clean and efficient with your body.” - Craig Hyatt (22:37)

“Most young hitters and a lot of professional hitters have big shoulder moves. And if we don’t get those out of them, they aren’t going any farther.” - Doug Latta (24:36)

“Once we get down to balance, the one key I want and give people is, you have to hit through every pitch you see.” - Doug Latta (30:33)

“Train young hitters so that they have the same basic moves that they’re going to have up the latter, and their adjustments become internal.” - Doug Latta (31:40)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

@AOTC_podcast

Craig Hyatt Twitter: @HyattCraig

Doug Latta Twitter: @LattaDoug

Ballyard.net

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 1 YouTube Link This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes Stitcher Google Spotify

Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Craig Hyatt, the Hitting Coach at East Valley High School in Yakima Washington and Doug Latta a hitting trainer from Bally Yard based in Northridge California. Craig and Doug have an informative discussion about how to perfect batting swings through balance, posture, vision, timing, coverage, and body awareness. Learn how to identify and break the cycle of flaws that hitters often carry along into their careers if not stopped early on. Show Notes:

Guest: Craig Hyatt, Baseball Coach and Doug Latta,

What is Craig Hyatt’s training currently focusing on

Doug Latta has been working on trying to match posture with control

You don’t really need a lot of space to hit the ball

How can you determine when your posture breaks

What does it take to create a hitter with body awareness and balance

What are some of the problems that hitters face

Get awareness of your body along with your swing

90% of what you do as a hitter is not swinging, but preparing to swing

Hitters are losing coverage and time through body moves that they think are strong

If your shoulders are up you are out of your legs and are shoulder-driven

Tennis is a better overlay than golf for how your body should swing a baseball bat

A good swing should feel effortless without the body grinding

The bat will do what your body does

At some point your repeated flaws will bring your game to a grueling halt

Even the best are always working on their game

With the right dynamics you can put your full body weight into your swing

Pitch recognition is important to technique

You want your heels down as long as they can be during your swing

3 Key Points:

If you throw a baseball slow motion you control it with the back leg.

When the brain is off balance it fires muscles against what the body is trying to do.

Many of the big league problems with hitters come from timing of their swing.

Tweetable Quotes:

“We are really trying to concentrate on doing a good forward move...but finding out the muscles that really achieve that move so we can control it.” - Craig Hyatt (00:22)

“We’ve got to try to match our alignment, our posture, on the move at the same time.” - Doug Latta (03:24)

“Some hitters are great enough to survive flaws. Well, 99.99% of the people aren’t going to.” - Craig Hyatt (4:51)

“Our move to 50-50 is a lot easier if I’m in balance and my posture holds.” - Craig Hyatt (6:38)

“The minute my posture breaks a little bit, lots of things go wrong.” - Craig Hyatt (6:45)

“If you can create a hitter that has total body awareness, but they know what move and what muscles is going to get them to that spot, you can create consistency over a long period of time.” - Doug Latta (9:38)

“There is game time, and game time in adjustments.“ - Craig Hyatt (11:05)

“I want to hit through every pitch I see.” - Craig Hyatt (24:08)

Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast @AOTC_podcast Craig Hyatt Twitter: @HyattCraig Doug Latta Twitter: @LattaDoug Ballyard.net

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes

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Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Jeff Sherman, the Head Coach of baseball at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas. In our discussion, Jeff Sherman imparts the wisdom he has accumulated over his seven years at Marcus, methods of addressing deficiencies in players, and preparing players for real game scenarios. Coach Sherman also focuses how to turn players into productive citizens to excel beyond the game itself. Show Notes:

Guest: Jeff Sherman, Head Coach for baseball at Marcus High Schoo

Four years of being a financial planner prepped Jeff Sherman for baseball coaching

Sherman’s fall training plan improves movement, cognitive abilities, flexibility, and team mentality

People scout you. People know your deficiencies. People don’t like you.

Learn how to respond in a “jungle mentality” to evolve out of the safe, controlled “zoo mentality”

The pitcher/batter confrontation in baseball has a clear winner/loser dynamic to see who lets their team down

“The Pack” is family, unity, selflessness, and serving others

A young cancer patient watches the team place to gain strength and hope

Serving the community teaches the team that life is bigger than baseball

The culture of Marcus baseball is building strong relationships with others

If kids are struggling at something, make it harder for them

Coach Sherman handles the hitting and infield work for personal development training

Recreate the movement that will happen in a real game

Games are lost, not won, based on base running

Half hour movement and hitting training feature drag bunting, infield, outfield, and hitting the center of the baseball

Batting practice includes power ground balls, line drives up the middle, and batting cages

Lay out and getting dirty creates a strong live game mentality

Data helps track pitching and hitting

Be honest with players and don’t mislead them

Self-motivation declines when you aren’t playing

Parents are a huge part of what makes a coach successful with their players

All sports have about 5 million unpaid coaches, 2 million each year of which are new

“Development night” every Thursday sharpens up players and coaches

You live once, what will be your impact?

3 Key Points:

Experiment, always be learning, and understand what failure is.

“Jungle mentality” is understanding how to respond and survive compared to “zoo mentality” of a controlled environment.

When you work hard and give all you've got, you are always a winner.

Tweetable Quotes:

“Failure is something that we want them to experience.” - Jeff Sherman (4:04)

“For my guys, its a win or a loss.” - Jeff Sherman (10:53)

“There is something very, very cool about watching a pitcher and a hitter. That’s like awesome watching that battle between the two, because, there is a winner and a loser.” - Jeff Sherman (14:59)

“I want them to be bold leaders and speak up when things aren’t right, and serve others.” - Jeff Sherman (18:35)

“It’s not about you, it’s about the relationships that you build with others.” - Jeff Sherman (20:53)

“I always thought a negative plus a negative equals a positive.” - Jeff Sherman (23:02)

Resources Mentioned:

Twitter: @JeffSherman26

Marcus High School Baseball

Email: ShermanJ@LISD.net

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes

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Summary:

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Dave Coggin, former Major League Baseball player, author, and owner of PFA Fitness. Dave Coggin talks about the best practices to intensify pitching and create more command over the ball. Dave also shares own his personal journey from a professional athlete, to his inspiring evolution as a performance trainer and owner of PFA Fitness.

Show Notes:

Guest: Dave Coggin, former Major League Baseball player, author, and owner of PFA Fitness

How did Dave Coggin get involved in baseball from being a three-sport athlete

What major league baseball teams did Dave play for

Where did Dave Coggin’s involvement in injury-prevention and performance stem from

Volunteering, even after playing professionally, opened up new opportunities for Dave

Arm path and mechanics are popular areas that athletes come to PFA Fitness for

Pitching habits need to be addressed before you can improve them

Understand how the body has to act to move properly

What are the most common problems Dave sees with arm path

Which examples of major league pitchers does Dave Coggin use for examples

Your arm is like a whip when you are pitching

What are the physical assessments that PFA Fitness conducts on players

How has PTA Fitness been intentional about building their culture

What is Dave’s advice to make individualized plans for pitchers

How do you develop velocity and command of the pitch

If you control intensity, you can have more volume

What would a typical week look like for players training with PFA Fitness

Find ways to keep things competitive for your players

3 Key Points:

Be humble and don’t burn any bridges because you may need to cross them in the future.

Look for flaws in pitching habits, the best arm paths, and then make up drills to improve habits.

When the elbow is right at armpit height, goes into the lay back,’ and stays in that level, that’s the sweet spot for almost effortless pitching power.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I never treated anyone differently that was either the president of a major league team, down to the club house of a Single A team.” - Dave Coggin (05:31)

“I don’t rarely ever talk about my resume. I just try to make sure I do what I do, the best I can do.” - Dave Coggin (09:25)

“The most important part that everybody kind of comes to me for is the arm path and mechanics side of things.” - Dave Coggin (11:07)

“I always tell these kids, 95% of your throws are not on a mound. So, 95% of your habits, good or bad, are in that place that you call your warm-up or your throwing.” - Dave Coggin (12:00)

“We want the efficiency to be enhanced by the athleticism.” - Dave Coggin (16:28)

“Success leaves clues.” - Jonathan Gelnar (1:08:33)

Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast @AOTC_podcast PFA Instagram: @pfastrong1 Twitter: @PFABaseball Books: “Complete Athlete,” “Great Teams," “Competing Against Luck” Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes Stitcher Google Play Spotify Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Dr. Peter Fadde, pitch recognition expert, Chief Officer and Co-Founder of gameSense, and Associate Professor of Learning Systems Design & Technology at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Peter Fadde breaks down the science of pitch recognition and the valuable methods of training hitters to achieve this skill. Coach Sherman also explains occlusion training, and ways that his pitch recognition product at gameSense is preparing players and coaches to implement it into their training regimens. Show Notes:

Guest: Dr. Peter Fadde, Chief Officer and Co-Founder of gameSense, and Associate Professor of Learning Systems Design & Technology at Southern Illinois University

Dr. Fadde explains the benefits of occlusion training

Dillan Lawson’s presentation at Slugfest used a soccer player kicking a goal with the lights turned off 2/3 of the way to teach occlusion training

What is “pitch recognition” and how is it different from “plate discipline?”

Dr. Fadde’s occlusion training offers the batter’s view point facing the pitcher with a maximum possible score of 250

Video cued tee work is tee work that includes the timing off of the pitcher

Hitting baseballs is not like hitting golf balls or baseballs off of a tee

Vision training focuses on visual skills like dynamic tracking, acuity, peripheral vision, and focus

Pitch recognition should help hitters get the feel of the pitcher’s wind-up

If you aren’t looking at a pitcher, then it isn’t really pitch recognition

Live drills for hitters to call out “yes” or “no” on a particular pitch type before the ball hits the catcher’s mitt strengthens pitch recognition

The best form of pitch recognition is standing in the bullpen

Mike Schmidt wrote a fantastic books on hitting

Attention occlusion drills should keep the batter focusing on the pitcher, not the catcher

gameSense certified their first hitting coach Coach Killian at Elite Velocity in St. Louis, Missouri

Softball is getting a boast again from entering into the Olympics

3 Key Points:

Pitch recognition is the perceptual skill of making an actionable meaning out of the pitch you see.

Your eyes can’t track pitch speeds over 83 miles an hour all the way into the bat.

Visualize the pitcher. Visualize the pitch. Visualize hitting that pitch.

Tweetable Quotes:

“If you can test it, you can train it.” - Dr. Peter Fadde (4:53)

“Human beings, and other animals, can learn incredible things with repetition, immediate feedback, and progressive difficulty.” - Dr. Peter Fadde (5:04)

“When we say, ‘somebody has a great instinct for it,’ well, that’s where we now say, ‘ok, let’s try to figure out exactly what that is.’” - Dr. Peter Fadde (6:32)

“Some guys like to have success at every level and build it up. And some guys just like to identify the wall they want to go through and then start smacking it.” - Dr. Peter Fadde (14:41)

“The best way to practice recognizing pitches is to look at pitches.” - Dr. Peter Fadde (30:56)

“A softball hitter really focusing on and getting good at pitch recognition could be looking at at a 20 or 25% improvement.” - Dr. Peter Fadde (51:20)

Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve Podcast

@AOTC_podcast

peterfadde.com

gameSense Sports

Twitter: @DrFadde

Email: fadde@siu.edu

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes Stitcher Google Play Spotify

Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Reed Peters, the head baseball coach at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. During the course of this discussion, Reed Peters puts a strong emphasis on the importance of ‘the mental game’ of baseball. Coach Peters equips listeners with an overview of his practice drills, why focusing on the players makes you a better coach, and how to prevent past success from making your team lazy. Show Notes:

Guest: Reed Peters, Head Baseball Coach at San Joaquin Delta College

They discuss David Smith, a former player of Reed Peter’s was also a former coach of host Jonathan Gelnar

Coach Peters won National Coach of the Year for the Pacific Division and the 2018 California State Championship

His team went from having a chip on their shoulder from losing the previous year to becoming champions

Players are trained in all facets of baseball so no one player is burdened with carrying the team

Teams will be bring their best game against you when you are coming off of success while entering a new season

It isn’t just about champions, it’s about reaching toward the next level of your career

California teams are limited to 12 hour practice weeks so Wednesday is the team’s recovery day off

Training days include academic study halls, mental baseball class, conditioning, throwing program, defense training, hitting, and the weight room.

Saturday is for playing other teams to see how they compare

The competitive culture is instilled by making players compete for their playing time

Calvin Riley, a very competitive player, was shot and killed and is used as a reminder for players to stay focused

After college, Reed played major league baseball with the Angles and the Giants

Coach and author Ken Ravizza inspired Reed on improving the mental game of baseball

The spring practice plan is less intense and includes, conditioning, throwing, hard dirt skill training, offense, defense, swing drills, and competitive games

Coach Peters would rather see a ‘live arm’ so they don’t use pitching machines on the field

Your career as a coach is as good as that of your players’

Lead with your heart and your God-given gifts--not with punishment

Competitive point games keep the players interested and excited

The biggest reward is to stay in contact with players and hear that you have been a positive influence on them

3 Key Points:

Coach Peters’ team was: 1st in runs,hits, and on-base percentage, 2nd in doubles and stolen bases, 3rd in home runs, and had an overall .315 batting average.

Every year the players have to invent their own mission statement to have something to hold each other accountable to.

Realizing his success is based on his players’ success and having positive relationships with them made Reed Peters a better coach.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I think we ended up having, I think, nine guys move on to Division 1 schools.” - Reed Peters (1:13)

“Whatever our opponent gives us, we have to be able to take advantage of.” - Reed Peters (3:32)

“Our philosophy is ‘pass the baton.’ No guy has to carry the team.” - Reed Peters (3:58)

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” - Reed Peters (4:43)

“We make no promises to anybody. All we are going to promise to them is that they are going to have to compete, and fight for a job and fight for their playing time.” - Reed Peters (9:03)

“I think what we do more than anybody else is really focus on the mental game.” - Reed Peters (12:46)

Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast @AOTC_podcast Delta College Email: rpeters@deltacollege.edu Book: “Lead...for God’s Sake” by Todd Gongwer

Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Chan Brown, a coach with 24 years of experience, currently working in Lilburn, Georgia as the Parkview High School head baseball Coach, physical education teacher, and the 15u Team USA coach. During our discussion, Chan Brown walks us through his typical summer and fall training practice procedures, and how things change once the team is formed. Coach Brown graciously gives plenty of useful advice to not just help shape fantastic players, but to make great people out of the young guys he trains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Deskaheh Bomberry, a highly experienced pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Sacramento City College. Our discussion delves into how Deskaheh first became involved in not just baseball as a player, but also his conversion into coaching and the initial moves that brought him to Sacramento City College. Deskaheh provides ample advice for preparing players for strength and mental game training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes Stitcher Google Play Spotify Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Dominic Robinson, experienced coach, mentor, and Founder/Director of 3D Sports Performance and 3D Gold athletics. During the discussion, Dominic dives into his past experience playing baseball and football at Florida State University, and NFL professional football for the St. Louis Rams. Also, the jewels of knowledge he has learned from playing for some of the worlds best coaches like Mike Martin and Bobby Bowden, and how 3D Sports Performance can bring out the best in young athletes. Show Notes: Guest: Dominic Robinson, past football and baseball player, coach, mentor, and Founder/Director of 3D Sports Performance and 3D Gold Dominic fell in love with baseball as an adult He loved basketball growing up and played football professionally Played football at Florida State University and the St. Louis Rams Played for some of the greatest coaches ever

Football player Marc Bulger raised the bar for excellence by wanting passes to hit their intended target, even on successful completions Pay attention to details that matter

3D Sports Performance Dominic began training athletes about 10 years ago Speed training isn’t all he has to offer 3D Sports Performance grew into a baseball program Each training season has a sub-season for preparation for 3D Sports Performance athletes. Identify: When did an athlete finish? When are they starting back up? When do they need to be their best?

Why go to athletic showcases if you have nothing prepared to showcase? Warm-Ups The warm-up, before the weight room and pre-practice, is a place where you can establish your speed development program, flexibility, and mobility. Have at least three distinctive warm-ups. Make sure your athletes know what it is to be fully recovered

Advice for Coaches Have athletes on the clock during sprint training Sprint full speed Uphill sprinting Understanding recovery

Favorite Competitions for Training Pre-game dodgeball Get players thinking outside of the box with games without structural rules

Changes? Simplifying to get players to automatic levels of movement Make goals and expectations clear Customize training to your players Goal-setting

Final thoughts There is no bad teaching, just bad receptions of the teachings

3 Key Points: Being respectful to people, honoring the game, and taking care of teammates all come before winning. Attention to detail has got to be the expectation. The starting point for every athlete is establishing a foundation of fitness and movement. Tweetable Quotes: “At one point I was ranked number one in baseball, and number four in football.” - Dominic Robinson (4:45) “If we say ‘we care,’ let’s show it.” - Dominic Robinson Johnson (13:24) “I’ve now got players from 17 different states, all across the country.” - Dominic Robinson (24:08) “There is no ‘off-season.’ We call it the training season.” - Dominic Robinson (26:03) “I couldn’t tell you how paramount I believe the warm-up is.” - Dominic Robinson (36:03) “You don’t throw to warm-up, you warm-up to throw.” - Dominic Robinson (39:28) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Podcast @AOTC_podcast 3D Sports Performance @3DRobinson @3DSportsPerformance Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Stitcher Google Play Spotify Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Max Weiner, a former pitcher who started his own player development center called the Arm Farm. Max is formerly an MiLB player development coach with the Cleveland Indians and is now the Pitching Coordinator for the Seattle Mariners.

Show Notes: Guest: Max Weiner, ArmFarm creator and MiLB pitching coordinator with the Seattle Mariners How Max improves his pitchers in the offseason Why it is important to take time off in the offseason Problems high school players are encountering and what they can do about it What is the perfect balance of self-exploration and coaching techniques How data factors into game decisions How does the use of data affect player's confidence How can high school coaches create a bullpen program comparable to those of the pros Why the mental side of the game is just as important as the physical side Advice on how to fit specific drills to certain schemes or to fit certain players´ inefficiencies How can teams incorporate a developmental program into their team and private settings How mobility, stability, strength, and mechanics make baseball coaching difficult What Max has learned after a year with the Indians Why Max focuses on his ability to speak Spanish 3 Key Points: Pitching in the offseason looks different for different players. Data plays a huge role in factoring into game end decisions and it can affect players´ confidence. The mental aspects of players are just as important as the physical. Having a developmental program is beneficial for players. Tweetable Quotes: - ¨You have to assess what's going on. That's the first thing, and at that point, what you can pretty much do is determine what their movement quality is, whatever is present, and then make the prediction of what their general movement capacity would be like, what's their total potential? .” – Max. - “You'll hear a lot of mental performance or sports psychology coaches always say, anytime you're going into a game, it shouldn't be the first time you've been there, right?” – Max. - “Creating familiarity whether that's at home or on the road is key.¨–Max - “You have to be a great communicator. And that means speaking and listening..¨–Max - “I think the number one thing to do is humanize the data.¨– Max - “If you can coach the environment and pick out the right internal schemes and understand like, what sort of constraints you're looking for, and how you want to tear those out and understand those from like a long term versus short term standpoint, you can almost say, Okay, I'm expecting this player's performance to go down here for two weeks, while we're working on this ultimate goal.¨–Max Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Max Weiner Twitter Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Brad Gore, head baseball coach of the Enid Plainsmen. Coach Gore emphasizes the importance of developing competitiveness on his team , the importance of older players leading the younger, and building practice schedules around team energy during the spring. The value of connecting with players as people beyond baseball is noted as something that Coach Gore has increasingly appreciated the importance of over the course of his twenty-five year career. Show Notes: Guest: Brad Gore, Collegiate Baseball player turned Coach How a high speed of practice at Enid is important and shouldn’t be any different than the speed of games Team dinners and community sports mentoring help build team culture “Playing hard” and leading by example are important to Coach Gore’s ethos How important it is to show players that their coach cares about them as a person as well Players at Enid have to be students first, with older players holding younger accountable The importance of communication within the program Building competition into practice can help build an exciting and competitive team culture; competition can cause quieter players to open up How coaching during the season can encompass things like noting problem areas during games and working on them prior to the next day’s game. What batting practice looks like for Coach Gore’s team How practice timing during the season can be based on team needs because of things like travel schedule and timing The importance of nutrition for the success of weightlifting How the realization of the importance of a relationship beyond baseball grew over the course of Coach Gore’s career How Coach Gore gives Assistant Coaches independence to coach their way as well as responsibility for that independence, and the opportunity to see the non-baseball related parts of coaching 21 Outs can be a fun and competitive practice exercise

3 Key Points: Competitive spirit in a baseball team can be developed through competitive practice. Taking the time to understand players on a level beyond baseball has become increasingly valuable to Coach Gore over the course of his career. A culture of older players mentoring and holding younger students accountable is important to the team dynamic at Enid. Tweetable Quotes: - ¨I played baseball at Oklahoma State, my brother played baseball at Oklahoma State, he made it to AAA, so it’s one of those things that’s been in our family for a long time, and after my playing days were over I just didn’t want to get away from the game, and I wouldn’t change a thing.” – Brad (1:15) - “We practice extremely fast and we move around and there’s really not much downtime, and that’s really one our things: to beat us you’re going to have to outwork us.¨ – Brad (5:20) - “We hold our kids accountable for everything they do, whether it be on the field or off the field it’s all the same to us. – Brad (11:20) - “If I have a really talented Varsity 2nd baseman that’s extremely competitive and I’ve got a little young freshman just trying to find his way, we call it peer coaching, and I totally believe in that. – Brad (14:20) - “[On assistant coaches] I don’t look it as I’m their boss as much as I’m their peer in coaching.¨– Brad (36:30) - “You can put junk in your body and lift as many weights as you want and you’re not going to get any dividends but if you put the right stuff in there and do the right amount of lifting, it’s really going to pay off.¨– Brad (33:00) Resources Mentioned:

FridayFielders

Brad Gore bdkcc18@gmail.com

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This week we've got 2 bonus episodes that I got from the Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association. I’ve broken them up into a college episode and a high school episode. We will still have our regular episode on Thursday and that will be Enid HS Head Coach head coach Brad Gore. For Bonus Episode 2 we’ve got several outstanding Oklahoma high school baseball coaches from varying levels across the state. We’re going to start with Union head coach Shawn Newkirk who is also my head coach and 2018 state champion. Then we will go to Vici Head coach Kris Webb, Heritage Hall head coach Breck Draper, Edmond Memorial Head Coach Luke Yost, and the closer will be Sante Fe Head Coach Ryan Phillips.

Shawn Newkirk (1:43) on his hall of fame reflection, what his 4 pillars are at Union, and what being a mule means Kris Webb (18:00) on promoting higher level thinkers and what his Big 5 are Breck Draper (28:00) on Pre/Post season meetings and his “baseball test” Luke Yost (45:00 on winning a state championship his first year, and what his 3 C’s are. Ryan Phillips (59:00) on controlling the baseball and empowering assisting coaches

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This week we've got 2 bonus episodes that I got from the Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association. I’ve broken them up into a college episode and a high school episode. We will still have our regular episode on Thursday and that will be Enid HS Head Coach head coach Brad Gore. So for episode 1, were joined by Air Force Assistant Coach CJ Gillman, South Mountain Assistant Coach Tyler Gillum, Wright, Stealbases.com and Wright State Assistant coach Matt Talarico, ORU Head Coach Ryan Folmar and Oklahoma State's James Vilade.

CJ Gillman on getting one percent better in BP every day AND we even touch on bunting…(1:30-32:36) Tyler Gillum on the Growth Toolbox, infield play, and a little bit of green light special (32:40-56:00) Matt Talarico on all things base running (56:06-1:17) Ryan Folmar on building culture in your program (1:17-1:25) James Vilade on a coaches number one job. (1:25-1:34)

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This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud and OnBaseU. iTunes Stitcher Google Play Spotify Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Pat Bailey. Pat started coaching right out of college both high school baseball and football. He focused on becoming a part of programs he aligned with philosophically. He took over as head coach at Oregon State and shares with us common practices that make his team successful season after season. Show Notes: Guest: Pat Bailey, Teacher and Coach

The transition from assistant coach to head coach and how to make it smooth

Practical ways to reinforce expectations with the players and team

How Pat integrates competition into each practice

The benefits of vision training and why it is emphasized on Pat’s team

How Pat incorporates vision training into his daily practices

The power of using data in baseball practices

How perfecting the launch angle can improve batting

The college recruiting process according to Pat

Individual development tactics at Oregon State

How to build professional relationships with the players

What Pat intentionally does differently than other teams to be better

How to practice being a better decision maker

The practice that the team always loves and how to keep players engaged 3 Key Points:

Pat Bailey has a different approach to coaching than others. Starting young as a coach he shares how he became the coach that he is and emphasizes how his experiences as a student as well as having his own kids caused him to shift his coaching focus.

Vision training is an important part of Pat’s training program. Just like the other muscles in our bodies our eyes need to be trained to work together and see the fast balls.

More than anything, Pat recognizes the impact a coach has on a child’s life. He focuses on building character, and in the process the winning piece takes care of itself.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I would not have taken an assistant job if it wasn't with somebody that I really felt that were similar philosophically.” - Pat Bailey (4:26)

“We're here to build man of character. And that's number one mission that we have as as coaches. Iit's the most important thing we do.” - Pat Bailey (5:27)

“He introduced me to his vision training staff, and one of the things he said, man, it really made sense and there's a lot more to it than what I'm going to share here, but what he said to me was that, “your eyes are muscles, and why would you not train your eyes just like you go and lift weights?” And, of course, you can get both your eyes to work together.” - Pat Bailey (17:33)

“It's not about you winning as a cause. It's about helping them become men and helping them become good teammates and helping them to really just and enjoying care for one another, then the winning part takes care of itself.” - Pat Bailey (35:35)

“I bet you the time you spent with your players on a daily basis is more time they spend with their parents.” - Pat Bailey (39:24)

“I just hope the coach is really buy into what I talked about in terms of this being a relation building business and we're here to build that because it's going to make our country better. We have coaches buying that because we have a huge impact on young people's lives.” - Pat Bailey (54:49)

Resources Mentioned: Reach out to Pat: Pat.bailey@oregonstate.edu Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Steve Roof, Head Coach at Madison Central in Richmond, Kentucky. Steve emphasizes the importance of making the team family. At the end of the day, we can lift weights and do more drills, but when the culture rallies around family, there are incredible benefits for the team. Show Notes:

Why bringing the team together like a family is important

How the team reads a book together

How Steve generates leadership by having the seniors lead weights sessions

Why Steve is intentional about spending time with his team

Doing more drills isn't the only thing that can strengthen your team

Steve shares his multi-prong approach to developing a well-rounded team

Fall schedule includes 5-day a week weight training

Fall is where the team-family starts

Competition is a year-long thing for Steve´s team

Scrimmages, batting practice, and weight training competitions

What a typical practice looks like for Steve´s team

Base running, individual defense, and team defense are huge focuses

The practice plan is there if they need it

Why family, attitude, and hard work are key rules for the team

3 Key Points:

It is important that baseball players develop camaraderie and a sense of family with one another.

A typical week in fall will contain 5 days of weight lifting. The fall is the best time to start creating a strong team dynamic.

Key values Steve keeps in mind while structuring a well-rounded team are family, attitude, and hard-work.

Tweetable Quotes: - "Our kids believe in in-season lifting. I think it gives them confidence and it obviously helps them stay strong. We've seen positive gains definitely.” – Steve (15:00) - “That's where I use social media and I'll take pics or whatever and just send it to our guys and say, Listen, this is what the best are doing. And it really makes it easy to sell what we're trying to do.¨ – Steve (16:20) - “I think it's it's only going to make us better as coaches just because we do have to do our research and not just do what we were taught to do, which may or may not have been the right thing.¨–Jonathan (17:13) - “We have three standards, family, attitude and hard work. We're not going to blame the officials. We're not going to blame each other, hey, you might have to overcome my mistake. So a positive attitude and and we're going to work hard. We're going to be one of the hardest working groups around and that's a hard 90 that's running on and off the field.¨–Steve (29:06) - “God, Family and the next thing is going to be about trying to learn and get better.¨– Steve (34:02) - “You can work really hard and have fun doing it.¨–Steve(40:00) Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve

Steve Roof

Steve.roof@madison.kyschools.us

The Carpenter by Jon Gordon

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This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud. Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Steve Johnson, Founder/CEO of LegKickNation. We discuss Steve’s method of rejecting the model of the ‘teacher king’ in order to foster a curiosity-provoking learning environment in which students take responsibility for their own progress, as well as how he teaches methods to reach the state of ‘flow’. We also discuss the practical details of teaching in this new mode and ways to apply them to baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Matt Kosderka, Head Coach of D3 Lewis and Clark College Baseball team. Matt shares how he keeps his players motivated and successful in the game of baseball and the game of life. Show Notes:

Guest: Matt Kosderka, professional baseball player who now teaches and coaches college baseball.

What a typical fall training week looks like for Matts team How Matt recruits key players and strives to get them to the next level How Matt builds the culture of his problem and what sets his team a part from anyone else Why Matt uses coaches pillars in his coaching How competitions can be integrated into practices for the betterment of the team How to prioritize individual development on a team Why communication is important and how Matt encourages open communication within his team What many high school players are doing wrong and how we can improve it What a typical practice looks like for Matts team How Matt sets up his BP Why it is important not to rush practices How Matt uses data with his team How to balance data and player relationships What Matt wishes he knew before he became a head coach How Matt prepares his assistants to become head coaches if that is in their goals Why Matt makes changes each year in his programs and how it benefits his players How Matt learns from his mentors How using mindful apps daily has made a difference in his life

What are the players favorite aspect of practice

3 Key Points:

Coaching a D3 school can pose unique issues for baseball players.

Matt develops intentional training programs, communication, and unique competitions to keep his players engaged.

Matt emphasizes why it is important not to get stuck in the kids and their different upbringings. It is important to teach baseball but it is even more important to teach life.

Tweetable Quotes: - ¨I think of the best ways to help our players is to have a high expectations and hold kids accountable to them.” – Matt. (46:25) - “I think that its normal, regardless how old you are, to love to compete. And so there's two things that I think we probably do that they like the most One is we call for spotlight base running. And so we put a base runner at every position we put to first base, just to have an extra guy there. And then we put a defense against them, and in each hitter gets two swings, to get the ball and play.¨ – Matt. (39:09) - “My career ended because I couldn't handle the failure. So now I want to help my players with that.¨–Matt (38:20) - “Spend your off season studying one element of the game that you want to get better at.¨–Matt (35:50) - “Adjust the culture to develop your identity as a program and we use pillars to teach those things to our guys. And I think that definitely helped last year.¨– Matt (34:40) - “When I started out as a coach 20 years ago, I would say that I had a different definition of success.¨–Matt (29:36) Resources Mentioned:

Ahead of the Curve

Headspace

Compound Effect

Above the Line by Urban Meyer

Matt Kosderka

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This episode is brought to you by baseballcloud. Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I welcome Dr. Greg Rose of OnBaseU and the Titleist Performance Institute. We discuss the OnBaseU philosophy and program for improving the efficiency of baseball swinging and pitching, along with various data-based methods for improving baseball practice regimens. We also discuss the way data is becoming increasingly important baseball as it did in golf, and the possible reasons for the different approaches to data in these sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Summary: I welcome Robert Woodard, pitching coach for the University of North Carolina. Robert walks us through what the training program at UNC looks like while sharing some of his best practices and he also shares what they look for on the recruiting trail. Show Notes: Guest: Robert Woodard, Professional Player turned Coach Robert reveals how he develops his players and what a typical week looks like for his team How Robert shuts-down pitching players The analytics Robert is using to measure players against one another as well as themselves Why the culture is important in a program and how you can build the leadership, team, and culture to be in alignment How Robert recruits players to play in college Important factors for a player to have: Time management, Responsibility of themselves, and Knowing how to fail.

Why Robert ¨messes with timing¨ with his pitching players How Robert structures his recovery program The importance of conditioning and how you need to structure it around your season The best ways to develop ball command Changes that are being incorporated into Robert´s program Fun practices incorporated into each practice for the players 3 Key Points: Robert´s experience with professional baseball and later coaching enables him to share baseball best practice with us. When recruiting players for college, the soft skill like time management, being able to failure, and responsibility are just as important as skill. It is always important to implement change into a program and reinvigorate players with new ideas and methodologies. Tweetable Quotes: ¨I don't really draw any hard lines. I keep an open mind and communicate with each pitcher. We need to communicate with each pitcher in terms of what his vision for his personal processes are.” – Robert (11:00) - “We trust our players. We give them a lot of leeway in terms of policing themselves, and maintaining our team standards, and maintaining that culture.¨ – Robert (20:40) - “The most successful players are the ones that look at failure as an opportunity to grow. They look at challenges as another opportunity to grow and they are open to trying new things as opposed to just getting somewhere and being stuck. - Every player is going to fail or be challenged at some point in their career and you have to you have to be equipped to to handle it and embrace it.¨–Robert (24:14) - “[Messing with pitching timing] It's just another weapon that guys can use to get hitters out.¨–Robert (29:06) - “(On bullpens) It's not necessarily scripted, but it is it is ironed out. Whether it's establishing the fastball or their primary off speed pitch. Then we’ll finish with simulating counts.¨– Robert (36:50) - Command is a daily mindset. Every single throwing session our guys have they to throw targets, or to the glove, or it's checkpoints on the body.¨–Robert (44:18) Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Robert Woodard Twitter: @rwoodard20 Email: rwoodard@unc.edu

Reading Resources Sabermetrics Article Ahead of the Curve by Brian Kenny

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Summary:

We start with St. Christophers head coach Tony Szymendera, then we have Randy Tomlin, Former MLB player and now head coach at Liberty Christian, from there we move to Benedictine Head Coach Sean Ryan, Newly named Fredericksburg Christian head coach Jeff Petty who is also the president of the EVO Shield canes, and we end with Menchville head coach Phil Forbes. Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Summary:

In this episode, I get the opportunity to introduce several college baseball coaches, and the man behind behind the mic at the ABCA Jeremy Sheetinger. We start with Randolph Macon head coach Ray Hedrick, then move to Jeremy Sheetinger and we end with the entire staff at Paul D Camp which include head coach David Mitchell, hitting coach Brandon Matthews, and pitching coach Pat Stafford! Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Summary:

If you are not a fan of analytics, launch angle, exit velocity and spin rate, this episode may not be for you. Tom and I discuss how he is using these to provide individual player development plans for all of his players, and he gives us a ton of practical advice on HOW he does it. Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Summary:

In this episode, I of speak with Virginia Commonwealth head baseball coach, Shawn Stiffler. I did not know much about Coach Stiffler before we got the opportunity to chat, and I was completely blown away by his attention to detail, the culture he has built, and what he is doing to make his players better on and off the field. His presentation was over “finding your difference” and you will love this episode. Website and Social Media sites for the show

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In this episode, I speak with former major league all star and current high school head coach Billy Wagner. Billy gives some great insight on what he learned in his career that he brought back to The Miller School. Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Summary:

In this episode, I of speak with the University of Virginia Head Coach, Brian O’ Connor. In short, Coach O’Connor and I discuss what championship culture vs regular culture looks like from every aspect of the program. Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Summary: In this episode, I get the privilege of speaking with LSU head baseball coach, Paul Mainieri. We hit on what he’s learned in his almost 40 years of head coaching experience. We talk about the value of relationships with our players and our coaches. And we get into his best advice for assistant coaches who would like to be head coaches someday.

VBCA2018

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Summary:

In this episode, I will be going solo! This was a talk I gave at the Virginia Baseball Coaches Association on Nov 30. I hope you can take 1-2 things away from this, just like I usually take 1-2 things away from all of you! Here is the accompanying powerpoint. Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Summary: In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, I talk with Troy Cameron, past professional baseball player in the Atlanta Braves farm system. Today, Troy gives back to the community as Head Coach St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Troy shares his tips on how he develops a killer training program for his team on and off the field

Show Notes: Guest: Troy Cameron, professional baseball player who is now sharing his passion and helping others as a Coach What coaching looks like for a team of 100 kids How Troy develops a conditioning program for his kids Why Florida's new regulations are not hindering the teams practice during the fall Why fall training focuses on baseball fundamentals and building fitness Troy has 14-15 coaches during baseball season Coach- player ratio of 1:4

Why Troy relies on the power of his coaching team and network What a typical spring practice looks like for Troy´s team We do situations a lot

Why Troy focuses on bat control during BP Why Troy focuses on bunting even when he doesn't believe in it How Troy structures his team tryouts What Troy wish he would have known before becoming a coach How Troy handles parent communication with his athletes How Troy prepares assistant coaches to be head coaches What changes Troy makes in his program from year to year 3 Key Points: In the offseason, it is important to encourage overall health. Troy does this through a conditioning program and focusing on fundamentals. Having an integrated support team which includes coaches and teachers allows Troys team to succeed in baseball and academics. Beyond technical training and fitness, communication is key for having a successful team. Tweetable Quotes: - “If you create the right culture, and that culture can kind of grow in a direction that you see it and wanted to be in every year, you have your chance to put your stamp on it.” – Troy. - “You gotta have your top guy that everybody looks up to on your team as the man, this guy is the guy. If he's too good to sweep the sheds, or he's too good to pick up the helmet back, then you're in trouble.” – Troy. - “We try to find as many things we can off the field to get these guys together. And that challenge is certainly one of the things I look forward to every year.¨–Troy - “Our situations are what we really focus in on.¨–Troy - “Play to your strengths and and you'll be able to play the game as long as you're meant to play it.¨–Troy - “One of the core strengths was the communication.¨–Troy - ¨I don't want them to feel like they're forced to have to play for me because I'm their coach. I want to know they want to play for me¨–Troy Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Troy Cameron--troy.cameron@Aquinas-fca.org Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Summary: In this episode, I talk with Ryan Chapman, professional baseball player turned Coach. Ryan focuses on helping players reach their full baseball potential at the Chapman Baseball Compound. He observes, supports, and trains baseball players while imparting his professional expertise.

Show Notes: Guest: Ryan Chapman, professional baseball player who is now sharing his passion and helping others as a Coach How Ryan became a baseball coach When Ryan got drafted and his experience in pro-ball Why the pro-ball journey was more important than the destination for Ryan Why Ryan quit pro-ball to pursue helping others How the Chapman baseball compound is different from other training centers Why Ryan spends the first day of his training observing and learning about the players How Ryan structures his hitting and pitching programs How coaches can fix common and technical players in problems Why consistency over the season is important Why issues are not with hitting and pitching but rather movement How mobility tests can be a good tool for players How are offseason and season training are different How training in the weight room changes from off-season to season playing How technology can make a difference in a players game Why one metric isn't more important than another Techniques that build a better pitcher Why it is important to expose players to varying situations Dynamic vision training is on the horizon 3 Key Points: Ryan played professional baseball but now he is leveraging what he knows to help others as a coach. Movement and mobility are important pieces of improving hitting and pitching, more-so than specific techniques. It is important to practice on-field techniques more-so than sprints and weight training. Though holistically, they are important. It is more important to be able to hit the ball. Tweetable Quotes: - “So in my opinion, a lot of movement issues aren't so much swing issues or pitching issues, they are overall just movement issues.” – Ryan. - “There is no true offseason.” – Ryan. - “We're definitely striving to make sure that we're we're challenging them and making it a fun environment at the same time.¨–Ryan - “So, you know, we only know what we know. And it's up to us to be able to better ourselves.¨–Ryan Resources Mentioned: Ahead of the Curve Ryan Chapman Instagram Twitter

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Quotes

If you’re not sleeping, recovering and taking nutrition seriously, you won’t peak at your highest performance. Im a true believer of lifting in season. Most of our guys were stronger at the super regional than at the beginning of the season. If you’re not competitive you’re not going to be very successful Our rules in the weight room. Always bring enthusiasm and hard work unknown to mankind. Our pitchers do speed work. They may not run the bases but making them more athletic and help them on the mound by understanding his body If you want to be fast then you have to run fast The longest period of time we have to train our players in the weight room is in season. We train in the offseason for the in season and we train in the in season for the post season Resources Rugby strength coach podcast Tobias Jacoby Zach Dechant Contact @StrengthBk37

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Quotes Surround yourself with people, treat them right. Work as hard as you want them to work. Care as much as you wan them to care and you've got a chance to have a really good program Sloppiness and lack of discipline turns into losing. If I'm asking my players to be disciplined, then i better be disciplined. I cant ask my players to do something I'm not doing myself. If you cant hustle, I cant play you. Being able to communicate with your players is one of the best assets of being a good coach Even though times have changed and kids have changed a little bit, they’re still the same. If have high expectations for them, you’re gonna get it. Contact Jackleggett.com Twitter IG FB Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes You’ve got to surround yourself with really good people. Thats one of the biggest reasons I’ve had success. Every coach has to coach to their own personality. Number one- Our players need to understand we’re there for them. We need to do things in practice that will prepare our players for the game so when they’re in a game they will tell themselves that they’ve been there before over and over again. Practice preparation is the most important thing a coach can learn We need to spend most of our time in practice doing stuff that actually happens in the game. Contact Twitter Website Website and Social Media sites for the show

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If you’re the head coach then you need to be able to do everything. You obviously need to delegate but you also need to have an understanding of every aspect on the field. In the end you’ve gotta be committed to winning. Its not the 9 best its always the best 9. Baseball is a relationship game. Its not about your agenda or your wins and losses, its about the player. A bad swing on time has a chance. If we’re going to be good, we need to tell everyone what they need to hear not what the want to hear. Theres nothing more common than a man with talent who has failed and at the end of the day you aren’t going to tell yourself you wish you hadn’t worked so hard. Resources https://www.weinsteinbaseball.com/ Mike Maack Email Contact @JWONCatching Website and Social Media sites for the show

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We vary a lot with tasks, environment, unstable surfaces and bats and we fatigue parts of the body By changing things constantly the body has to find a new solution every time to come up with a good swing. We use alot of variety and we make the enviroment chaotic. The first thing I look for is the endpoint of the swing When we hit batting practice, we never tell them what pitch we’re going to throw. We’re trying to go away from looking at fixed movements because they dont happen in a game. Resources Frans Bosch book Attention and motor skills learning Gabriel Wolfe Rob Gray podcast Dynamics of skill acquisition Contact Twitter- @BartHanegraaff Email- barthanegraaff@icloud.com Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google Play Quotes (On decision training) Athletics is just a series of good decisions, so how can we train that? The thing with weighted bats is they help us to solve problems. The bat itself is a teaching device. Contact @RA_Parker Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes Having a high Level swing doesn’t necessarily make you a high level hitter. Creating a culture of buy in and development comes down to being able to talk with your player. Contact @JD_Hitting jdehart@mariners.com Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes

The difference between good and bad hitters is their ability to time. Our BP is like what they see in the games, they dont go 10/10 and they struggle a little bit.

Contact

Twitter- @swingrehab Insta

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Quotes Decision making in practice is a non negotiable for me. We have to get guys off cruise control and just taking swings to take swings while not being engaged. Every time I step into the box im expecting to do damage. We dont want to produce timid hitters, we want confident hitters expecting to do damage Contact @DLawson_Astros

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Quotes Its a priority for me to never lose sight of what its like to be a player. The game REQUIRES us to make adjustments and adaptations based on how they're trying to get us out. Contact mattlawson@missouristate.edu @mattlawdog Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes We test 3 things for power. A vertical jump A seated med ball chest pass and sit up med ball throw So many times in my career I would try and get kids to do a certain movements and I’d get frustrated because they couldn’t figure it out. Now I’ve come to the realization that everyone moves differently. Rotational strength and velocity is one of the most important things there is in throwing and hitting. If you aren’t strong and you dont have the intent to throw/swing hard, not alot else matters because those are the two big foundations. I love using a broomstick or PVC so the kids can actually focus on moving better rather than trying to hit all the time. I think external cues within a team setting would be the way to go. Tell them to hit oppo home runs Resources Baseball Savant Driveline TPI Altis Contact @sabercoach insta Website Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes We want to raise our competitive level as a tea above our talent level every year Practice is the lifeline of our program. Our obligation as a coaching staff is to organize the most efficient competitive fun filled practice as possible If our jobs as coaches is just to go out and win a game we’re pretty short-sided The most important skill we can teach our players is how to be a good teammate, because it translates to every other part of life. Our players earn everything they have in our program We're all doing the same things. BP, Arm Care, ground balls, but its HOW we do it. Thats the separator. Resources ABCA Ken Ravizza John Savage Contact petes@savageandson.com Cell- 775-690-9316

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Quotes Movement is key. Our goal is to train the athlete, not just the baseball player One thing we can all do is get our players breathing better. Joint placement dictates muscle function We want to dominate the sagittal plane We want to set PR’s in season I dont like bands or sprint work post throwing. You aren’t going to make a marathon runner run after he’s done. You’re taking an already exhausted muscle system and exhausting it more. Resources Eric Cressey Loren Landow Chris Dunn Dr. Zach Harmon Dr. Nick Thurlow Contact Dj@performanceco.com IG Twitter Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes Building a baseball player isn’t always exciting, so getting them to internally compete with themselves and the game has to be a priority. We teach our upperclassmen to bring the next group along. The older kids job is to get the younger kids as educated as quickly as possible. Its important for kids to ask questions.

1 in building a better baseball player is getting them to love the game. They learn to love it so they can learn to love the work.

The first 10-15 minutes of our practices, the players are on their own. So they’re expected to have a plan each day on what they’re wanting to work on. We almost never take traditional rounds of BP. Our guys are just up there to crush a baseball. Hit it where its pitched and run like crazy. Resources Craig Hyatt Rob Friedman Twitter Ted Williams Book Moneyball Baseball Coaching Bible Oregon State Practices Casey Fisk Ryan Parker Connor Dawson Steve Carter Donald Ecker Dustin Lind Contact Twitter Email 541-908-3622

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Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google Play Doug Quotes We dont chase results. We chase the ability to move in balance and take an effortless swing. The human body is the strongest and most efficient in a position of balance. Curt Quotes The more information we can spread about good swings, the more our game is going to progress in the right direction and especially for the players which is what its all about. Timing is the most important thing, always Cody Atkinson We’ve got to learn to time for best fastball and adjust on the fly without taking panic swings. An athlete will self organize if you give them the right things to focus on. Contact Doug Latta Ballyard6@gmail.com Curt Nelson Curtis2819@gmail.com Cody Atkinson Cody.atkinson@centralia.edu Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes We play wiffleball in the fall. One because its fun and two because it helps our kids be competitive. We chart with a point system in batting practice 4 points for a home run 3 for a gap shot 2 for a line-drive You’ve got to hit the ball well to be able to get your points

We have big brother/little brother program. Every senior gets 3-4 kids and the seniors have to communicate and and all expectations of the program. (On player responsibility) I tell our guys that we dont punish you, but we do hold you accountable to be a better man and a better baseball player. Until we start scrimmages, all of our teams practice together. We break them up into 4 groups and they rotate around to 4 different stations coached by 2-3 different coaches. That way all of our players get coached by all of our coaches. We all want our players to go out and be leaders, but what have we done to teach them what that looks like? Its really hard to lead if you’ve never been taught Resources Heads up baseball and 2.0 Craig Groeschel leadership podcast 7 keys to leadership Contact Simonk@mustangps.org Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes

Not all throwing is created equal, so we want to try and track every single high intent throw.

Its easy to tell kids we want them to be leaders and be responsible, but you’ve got to give them some opportunities to mess it up and grow. The only way kids will learn to be responsible is to have some responsibility.

I try to be the best example possible for my players.

You want to know what the problem with “kids today?” Its not the kids. Its us.

If we want to win long term, we have to understand the game within the game.

(On command) Its about how good are our misses not necessarily how man hit spots we have.

Resources

www.Drivelinebaseball.com

HTKC

Lantz Wheeler

Ben Brewster

Dr Stephen Osterer and his recovery book

Mental ABCs of pitching

The complete guide to pitching by Derek Johnson

ABCA calls from the clubhouse

Other coaches

Contact

justinjames@pointloma.edu

@coachjames_3 Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes Make yourself worth following. We compete every day in the fall. You have to earn the right to compete for championship and that starts in the weight room. Leadership and mental toughness are behaviors and behaviors can be developed. When we get on first base, were either stealing or were anticipating ball in dirt. I want our practices and our program to be the best part of the players day. Resources Above the line- Urban Meyer Email and Call other coaches Contact @joshgar Jgarcia@brophyprep.org

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Quotes (on hitters) We need more guys that use the big parts of their body and use their stride foot with a purpose Hitters have to test themselves and challenge themselves daily. That's what it takes to get better Sometimes hitters get caught up in the results from the weekend and, as a coach, i'm focusing more on on where they'll be in a few months. We start every batting practice with gap to gap rounds. I don't want them trying to push balls oppo if I throw the ball inside One of the ways we win games is by raising pitch counts early I see a lot of programs that are training players to win games. But I want our players to excel at the next level.

Resources

Social Media

Youtube

Watching baseball games

Starting9 Contact

IG Twitter

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Quotes The key to this for me is relationships The first thing we have to do is understand what these kids are thinking. Once we understand what they’re thinking, then we can take our teaching methods and plug them in Pitcher development is not a problem to be solved, its a bunch of individuals that we need to try to grow and be the best players they can be and go win games. I think that bullpens can be the biggest waste of time ever. We need to have performance level bullpens and track to see if they can on throw with velocity, movement, and location on purpose. The best way to save pitchers arms is to teach them to get hitters out faster Of course I want my kids to throw as hard as they can, but i also want them to get hitters out. If your job is on the line, you want the kid who can execute pitches and give your team the best chance to win. Competition is preparing for the things that have to go right, but at the same time preparing for uncertainty. That's what separates the best players.

Resources Mental ABC's of Pitching- Harvey Dorfman Baseball Dads Podcast The power of healthy tension- Tim Arnold

Contact http://www.starttpitching.com/ http://pitchermatch.com/ DC@starttpitching.com

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Quotes It pays to be a winner. And it pays to be a loser too, just not the kind of payment you want. Competing does not just mean competing against another person, its also competing against yourself to get better. You may be having a bad day but Ken (Ravizza) used to say all the time to “Give me 100% of your 50% today.” Thats competing. You’re making the choice to compete even though you don't feel great, The power of choice is always there. The great ones make the right choices. We believe that failure is an opportunity to learn. If something is hard that means only a few people are doing it. Lets just say the kids today are different, well what if they are? Its our job as coaches to adapt and coach them. Resources Heads up baseball Legacy Daniel Coyle- talent code and culture code Contact rjc40@psu.edu @16RobCooper

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Quotes Everyone wants to be data driven and science based but skill acquisition science is the science that all of this is undergirded by. Its not that you should never use verbal cues its just that words mean different things for different people. There’s no such thing as a best swing, they’re all snowflakes and every single one is different with some sort of variance. Instead of chasing repeatable mechanics, we need to learn to be real time adjusters. Every time someone says “this is something everyone should do.” Then I’m out. There’s not much that everyone should do. When you use variability to enhance command, you’re training adjustability. Velocity, arm health, command and secondary stuff dont have to be mutually exclusive. Contact http://floridabaseballranch.com/summit FBR Twitter Randy Twitter Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes Having played for Jerry (Weinstein) and coached with 11 (Mike Martin), its a constant learning experience with those guys and both have an uncanny ability to know whats going to happen in the game before it happens Communication and having a plan in the fall is vital, especially with incoming freshmen. We tell them 'If you’re going to be successful for your team you have to do A,B,C. And in the mean time we need to increase D,E,F.’ Just to make sure were on the same page. As long as everyone is on the same page, player development plays right into team development. One of our first conversations is “why do you swing like this?” We’re trying to figure out their process but also whether they’re analytical or they just see the ball and hit it. The biggest things we see between HS hitters and college is adjusting to velocity, adjusting to differences in velocity and hitting when they’re uncomfortable. So we have to train in an environment that mimics the game. Winning teams don't win unless they’re developing their players. Resources Twitter Hitting biomechanics The way of baseball- finding stillness at 95 by Shawn Green Driveline Jerry Weinstein Contact @clydekeller ClydeKeller@gmail.com Ckbaseball.com Website and Social Media sites for the show

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@AHmulebaseball Facebook jThompson@ahisd.net

Contributors

@coachbennyb @NWBandits Daryl Hernandez @BKERA_IRISH_RKG @Maciejewski24 @JeffSherman26 @CoachWilliams

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Quotes We want to train efficient, explosive, multi planer, multi joint movements to create explosive athletes. We're looking at the spectrum of athlete and where they need the most work depending on their experience and where they’re at in their career. There’s so much to mechanics and its so much fun to try and dig through everything to find the contributing factor. Giving players options of exercise based on mobility and in the range of the exercise will go a long way for helping individualize movements. At the end of the day its your career, so what do you feel like you need to do and how can I do to help you? Pitching is not like basketball, you can’t go max effort every single day. You have to have deload days, recovery days, command days, etc. Resources Starting strength- Mark Rippetoe Dynamics of skill acquisition Frans Bosch Applied sprint training- James Smith Mathletics Robin Lund Velocity Article(s) Contact Highlevelthrowing.com Wassermanstrength.com @wass_strength Facebook @wassermanstrength Instagram @wassermanstrength Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google Play Quotes No two athletes are the same, but a vast majority of amatuer hitters need to develop batspeed Young hitters are "cued" so much to put the ball in play, that they don't develop the coordination to move fast and swing with intent. Baseball hitting is one of the only skills in the world that trains in an environment that's easier than the game. A lot of our training is trying is trying to replicate game conditions and even making it harder and letting guys fail, because thats what theyre going to see in a game. If you are hitting 700 in practice, you're doing something wrong. What a coach says is important but what a coach doesn't say is equally important Resources TPI Altis P3 Dynamics of skill acquisition Rob Gray Contact @JasonOchart Jason@drivelinebaseball.com Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Mini Clinic Monday Email Signup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Daws We want everything to be player driven, once you make something important to you it now becomes yours As coaches, we know that players have to acquire certain skills, but players need to establish what they want to work on as well. We want them to be their best coach. We have to make sure our players are moving properly. But we also have to help them understand how they feel when they're moving properly and when they're not. Park The first time you do something shouldnt be the first time you do it. As a coach, I need to be able to speak the players language When we're working on the swing, its like trying to find your favorite flavor of ice cream. You're going to find one you like, and you're going to find some you cant stand. Resources Like minded coaches and #hittingtwitter Megaman Vid Ian Renshaw Keith Davids Carl Newell constraints Contact Connor @coachdaws Facebook Instagram Parker @RA_parker

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Contributors This Week Jesse @diamondbbclub @gmanoneone @DtrickN @Hitithere50 @coach33_410 Mike Reed Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes I think my why when I first started was winning ballgames and now all of my focus is on impacting young men. We raise pitch counts by swinging I often get asked, "what's you're two strike approach?" we don't have one I don't have a staff that works for me, i have a staff that works with me You never know what you can learn about your players until you start asking the right questions. We want to manage our drills so we can get maximum volume, maximum variances with attention to the individuals within the context of practice. Resources Eugene Bleecker Craig Wollenbrock Lind google drive Pitching Ninja Phone calls and conversations The obstacle is the way by Ryan Holliday Legacy by James Kerr Jon Gordon Contact @brownie_gb44 greg.brown@nova.edu @nsu_baseball

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Baseball is going to be data driven and we as high school coaches have to evolve. We have to know our players. We have to know who can do what, where and how and what they're good at because everyone learns and develops differently. A great program starts at the home We take these at bats, throw these pitches, and field ground balls with these kids because we want it so bad for them. We want them to see the success that we know they're capable of. By the time our kids leave here, we want to say we did everything we could for them internally, externally, and competitively. We have 2 rules Be on time Do things right

Were gonna teach you how to play the game the right way but we're going to have to act the right way. Resources Driveline Connections/relationships Twitter Heads up baseball

Contact Brett.Kay@jserra.org @coachkay13 @JSerraLionsBB

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Quotes 3 years into coaching I tried to forget everything I knew about hitting. Now I try and continue to make sure everything I do makes sense, is backed up by video and biomechanical movement. There’s a better way to develop players in a team setting. We want our swing to be such that we launch it based on reaction, not anticipation. We chart everything in batting practice. I want every training session to be harder than what you are going to see in a game. Our number one goal as hitting coaches: We have to make players successful in the game, not just in practice. Sometimes what you feel isn’t real Resources Anson Dorrance Eugene Bleecker Ryan Parker

hittingtwitter

Dustin Linds Hitting Drive Craig Hyatt Joan Vickers- Perception, cognition and decision training Contact @zona_baseball Zona Baseball Instruction http://www.zonabaseballinstruction.com/ Favorite resource for less than $100 Mirrors PVC Pipes Therabands Shortbats

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Quotes The more I learn, the less I know. Its really interesting to look at this 4 things during an entire season. Energy Soreness Stress Sleep

We need to educate athletes on what should be done outside of practice and games so that it can create a world where the athlete is recovered and ready to play everyday Alot of kids have developed compensatory patterns where they complete the intended task but they're doing so in a wrong way. I look at movement as a language of our brain In order for the body to function properly, there must be a cohesiveness between the muscles, joints, and neuromuscular system. Resources Dr. Keith Pyne Gee Voyeur Scott Kelso Contact 108 Research and Development Joe Cancellieri- IG

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Diamyn Hall Suggestions 360 Leader Culture Code Talk like Ted The Leader Phrase Book Talent is never enough 7 habits of highly effective people The team captains leadership manual Social Media for Diamyn Instagram Twitter Facebook Leadership resources

Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast Brian Kight Focus 3 Brian Cain Stephen Mackey Above the line Legacy Joe Ehrmann Tim Corbin- What Drives Winning

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Quotes

You can get away with throwing year round as long as we’re managing how much throwing we’re actually doing.

I take the vantage point of pitchers being a lot less fragile than we give them credit for.

One thing we focus on more is quantifying and qualifying range of motion.

Its fairly easy to gain strength but a lot of people don’t fully appreciate how difficult it is to make changes in range of motion.

At the end of the day we’re creating more movement options for hitting/pitching coaches to use during skill acquisition.

There are some things we need to look at more with a critical lens.

Just because it works for a specific individual doesn’t mean we need to throw everything at everyone.

Whats the purpose, whats the rationale, why are we doing this and is it doing what we intended it to do?

I used to throw everything at everyone because someone was doing it and saying it worked. I think we can be better than that.

How we recover in season should be significantly different than how we recover in the offseason

Resources

Link to CARs article

Eric Cressey

Driveline

Fangraphs

Motus

Routledge Textbooks

Rob Grey

Contact

baseballdevelopmentgroup.com

@drosterer

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Quotes Are you looking to increase practice performance or are you looking for skill transfer into the game? We want to replicate the game as much as possible and help our players to determine what movement works best for them given their body type, flexibility and mobility and perception of whats happening in their environment. If your in an environment where you aren’t learning, how do you expect to pass the test on game-day? Until you explain the why to players and coaches, it doesn’t matter what you’re trying to do. Create environments in practice where its ok to push yourself and to fail because that's where the learning happens We want optimization not just organization Resources Social media Shawn Myska Rob Grey The Hoops Whisperer- Idan Ravin Motor learning and performance- Richard Schmidt Contact @slarkin04 Website and Social Media sites for the show

www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Mini Clinic Monday Signup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes

Training is a trial and error process

I was on the low part of the totem pole walking on in college, but it kept me hungry. I also got to see everyday that the other guys weren't superhuman. They were either just a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, better mobility or better mechanics. It wasn't just a genetic thing.

You have the freedom to do things outside of practice. Most think its show up to practice, do what you're told and then leave. Everybody is doing that. So what differentiates you?

Gaining velocity is not an easy or linear process. Much of it is plateaus and you can't frustrated. You have to keep on trying, keep on failing, keep on testing and keep on evaluating until you get through that plateau.

In college, we had a structured snack break before batting practice everyday to help guys gain weight. It was mandatory for everyone to bring something to eat for practice every single day.

There's this conventional baseball wisdom that says "if you aren't doing the exact same stuff as everybody else at every single moment of the practice, you aren't a team player." Baseball is an individual sport played within a team setting. For all of our kids to develop to their potential, they need an individualized program. If everyone develops to their potential, that's going to help the team win.

Most everything i tell the guys i work with is just a suggestion with an explanation behind why i'm suggesting it. Some things repeatedly work for some guys and don't work for others.

Resources Building the 95 MPH body Myfitnesspal Eric Helms Mike Israetel

John Berardi

Precision nutrition

Renaissance periodization

Brian Mann and velocity based training

Jim Wendler

Martin Berkhan Rob Friedman Paul Nyman set pro Best under 100 purchase Plyocareballs- Discount code for 10% off- (tread10athletics) Pocket radar (although not under 100 bucks) Discount code- (TreadBaseball) Contact

www.Treadathletics.com

IG

Twitter

contact@treadathletics.com

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Contributors this week @diamondbbclub @codbra @brose2344 @rweaver23 @Gawbage29 @HyattCraig @jleroux33 @gmanoneone @SHS_baseball @NYFrank27 Alan McDougal Resources

Cody Atkinson at UTRGV Wes Brooks Episode- MBP Craig Hyatt Episode Trent Otis Team Stuff Dan Heefner ABCA (both of them) Nino Giarratano (San Francisco )

Offset BP Jason Ochart

CoachRodrigues2

Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes

Whatever it is in life you are going to do, you need to be fully engaged in it

We post everything. Either on social media for motivation and celebration or in the locker room so that kids always know where they stand. They also get to learn their game and how it can benefit the team.

At the end of every season when we look back, we never say "man i wish we had taken one more round of BP" But I have said "If we could have reached one or two more young men, that would have made the difference.

The better our kids get at the "life skills" part, the better baseball players they're going to be.

When you grow as an individual, all those around you automatically grow too. When you become more, we all become more.

Baseball is what you do, its not who you are. Who you are is far more important than what you do

Resources Optimize with Brian Johnson

Extreme Ownership- Jocko Willink

Periodization training for sport

Periodization theory and methodology of training

Patriot Reign

12 rules for life Contact @bryanconger31

conger@tarleton.edu

Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes There's a difference between kids who play baseball and baseball players More than anything we believe in individuals. We believe that the only thing you can do wrong as a coach/trainer is to make everyone do the same thing. We need to figure out what the players need and not just what it is that we want to teach them. If we make it more about our players and less about our programs, were going to get more out of them as individuals and as a results were going to win more games. There's 5 guys on every team that if they think “swing up” they’re going to have a bad season. There's also 5 guys that if they think “swing down” they’re going to have a bad season. We’ve gotta figure out what each guys needs Its not about the best “cue” its about getting the best results. I grew the most in my career when I stopped looking for what everyone did the same and started looking for what they did different. Players will not always say what you say but they will do what you do. If you aren’t their first example in life on who you would want them to be, then you need to do some things differently. You have a huge impact on them, as a coach, on how they are going to act as a man later in life. Resources

Hittingtwitter

Open minded guys that you can share stuff with Connor Dawson Wes Johnson Rick Strickland Ryan Parker Dustin Lind And his google drive Steve Johnson (leg kick nation) Trent Otis (ZBI Baseball) Nonlinear Pedagogy Contact 108@108performanceacademy.com 951-354-2589 Twitter IG Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes It's not just about putting time in the weight room and on the field, it's a lifestyle. You've gotta make sure your priorities are right in the kitchen, in the classroom and in the weight room. With the data driven/technology driven way the game is going, we try and track everything. Take your body weight and half it and that's how much water you should be drinking a day. Add 6-8 ounces of additional water for every 15-20 minutes of exercise Theres alot of people that can put together a great program for someone. But I think it takes a special person to sit down and have a conversation to get a grown man/woman to buy in to what they're talking about. Being able to communicate to everyone from all types of different backgrounds defines you as a a coach. We mold our coaching to the players, not the other way around.

Resources Conscious Coaching- Brett Bartholomew New Functional Training for Sports- Michael Boyle PRI Driveline Baseball Eric Cressey Contact Twitter @j_kesel @p3_stl Instagran @j_kesel @p3_stl Website http://www.p3stlouis.com/ Email info@p3stlouis.com

Website and Social Media sites for the show

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Quotes We expect our players to be tough, to play hard, and to compete but also be leaders in our school and community. We care about them as people more than we care about them as players. Kids start throwing in January and then all summer, so we completely shut arms from August until fall break halfway through October. Then we start our long toss program. We’ve seen a huge benefit from doing this and it’s been tremendous for our program. If a kid comes into our program and they haven’t left as a better man, we haven’t done our job. Any rule that you put into place, you have to be willing to lose your best player. Consistency is a big deal to us. Nothing infuriates me more than wasted time at practice. We play music, we have fun, and we don’t have 4 hour practices just to say we practiced for 4 hours. We’re going to be fast paced and get after it.

Resources Vanderbilt University Energy leadership- Bruce Schneider The mental game of baseball- Harvey Dorfman Contact @davidsharp455 Facebook IG d4sharp D4sharp@gmail.com Website and Social Media sites for the show

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I love baseball but it's something I had never done in my life. That allowed me to look from the outside and get a fresh look on why I think the best players are getting injured so much and what could be improved in their training.

Diversity breeds immunity. Every great system also creates great deficiency.

Most people think strength is always the answer. But we believe there are many things that come before strength. We first work with coordination, then when we get more organized we find a rhythm. Then that rhythm leads us to more kinetic potential and kinetic potential leads to power exploration. Power exploration then leads us to strength training.

We want baseball players bodies to work in one rhythmic unit spending less energy on moving and putting more energy on where to react properly and making the right decisions.

My background is in art, and what is the most important thing in art? Staying creative. We need to always stay creative and find new alterations

We all need to improve our training methods. We're kind of sleeping there because we have good training methods. What blocks us just being good to getting better? We need to be pushed to look past what is obvious.

Resources Fighting Monkey Baseball Contact https://fightingmonkey.net/

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What typically happens is players get into a game and the game speeds up. So what are we doing as coaches to help them slow the game down. A lot of times we preach that but we don’t teach it. We speed up practice so much that the game slows down. One thing that Coach Garrido and Coach Graham had in common that really resonated with me was that we got into this business to be teachers. To teach these young men to be better people, ballplayers, brothers, and husbands. We typically have 3 objectives

First and foremost we’re going to work individually with each player and look at them as individuals Next we’re going to work collectively (as a team) Then we’re going to work competitively

We have to be well rounded. There’s so many different ways to win ballgames. We owe it to our players to give them different skills. At the end of the day if we have the chance to go to Omaha and we have to get a bunt down but the player can’t do it, if we haven’t given them the necessary skills to do that, thats on us. Same thing with a runner at third and less than 2 outs.

We’re all in this together. At times, coaches want to build walls to separate themselves. Our goal should be to build relationships for 30 years. I didn’t get into coaching to win baseball games. In reality are we defined by that? Yes. But I think its important to understand that when we take the result out of the equation, we start to grow as a coach and as a person. Resources Telephone (calling other coaches) Fiction books Contact @clayvanhook cvanhook@ou.edu

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Quotes For the most part we understand how to make players better and progressing them on the field, but the next frontier in sports and player development is understanding individual human behavior Great coaches have great discernment, They know when to push, when to pull, when to backoff, when to jump someone or when to let it simmer. I can talk mechanics and game strategy all I want, but if the athlete isn’t taking it and owning it, then its just my words. Their not engaged. Coaching is an incredibly dynamic social activity. It varies from situation to situation. Coaching isn’t just teaching, just psychology or just mentoring. Coaching is all of those. Its in our nature to try and create friendships and relationships. When kids want to hang out with you or stand by you when you’re hitting fungo and talk to you. Thats a sign of a great relationship. When it becomes an issue is when we can’t hold them accountable. If we can discipline when we need to, then its an issue. We need to be able to adjust our coaching strategies based on the environment, the athlete and the setting that you’re in Resources Slides (tools 1-5) Conscious Coaching Team of Teams What to say when you talk to yourself Contact Info @24jono jarmold@texasrangers.com Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes Our guys that are elite, whether thats pro/college, we can give them a 5 oz ball or a 14 oz ball, and they have the same arm mechanics every time. That allows us to see the repeatable mechanics. I think its important to make this distinction. We are building athletes that happen to play baseball, we’re not building just baseball players If we view our athlete their own unique being, then I think thats where we get really good results and really quickly. If you dont have any movement restrictions and you can hit all of the metrics of the 90 MPH formula wit h quality form you are exponentially less likely for injury and exponentially more likely to throw 90 I think as a coach we can all agree that 2 of our goals are, how can we keep everyone healthy and how can we win a ton of games. As far as in season lifts go, we lift heavy. We do a lot of 3x3. They get volume of work from playing, so we challenge them with power and get them out so they can go home and eat and recover.

Resources Eric Cressey Spin Rate Driveline Local Strength coaches Contact

@drheenan IG @josh_heenan joshheenan.com www.Advancedtherapyperfromance.com Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes My coach in middle school said 4 words that changed my life and those 4 words were ‘Get on the line’. In that moment I found out what discipline was. Discipline is doing what we don’t want to do today, to get what we want tomorrow. I liked to think I was special, but it was our coaching staff that was special. My coaches taught me how to make choices, they taught me responsibility, they taught me that what the statistics said didn’t have to become who I was unless I chose, and that mindset of taking responsiility changed everything for me.” My life was changed by my high school coaches sand I want to help coaches do that for their athletes.” There is so much power in giving a kid what they don’t don’t deserve. Give kids a second chance, but teach them what to do with that second chance. Sometimes coaches will give a kid a second chance, but don’t teach them what to do with that second chance. So what happens? The same thing they did the first time because they don’t know any different.” Are you more about who you are or what you do? If you are so wrapped up in what you do, then what happens if that gets taken away? Theres a lot of things in life that are optional if you want to be successful. Talent? Optional. The right family? Optional. The right school? Optional. Genetics? Optional. But the one thing that is required to be successful? Sacrifice. Resources Tim Ferriss The Unbeatable Mind- Mark Divine Dave Campbell Podcast Coach 360 ABCA Calls from the clubhouse 1% Better- Joe Ferraro Plus 1 Podcast Pastor Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast Luke Norsworthy Rick Warren Contact @mackeyspeaks 2words.tv 2words.tv/gameplan

Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes

We're going to have more husbands and fathers than we are major league baseball players. We're here to build young men, and when they leave this program they're going to be contributing members to society.

We want guys that will fight at the drop of a hat. Guys that are tough, maybe were a little overlooked in HS. Guys that have some grit can play for us.

One thing we teach our guys is manners. They'll be yes ma'am, no ma'am. Yes sir, no sir. They take their hats off when they walk into a building. They look you in the eye when they shake your hand and they say please and thank you. Most of our guys come from great families and we want to be an extension of them.

People want come complain about this generation, but what are you doing about it? Young men want to please, and what you expect out of them is what you're gonna get from them. If you expect it, they'll do it.

(on the green light mentality) We want to put pressure on defenses because catching and throwing is not as easy as it sounds. Pressure bursts pipes.

We love multi-sport athletes. We can take an athlete and build a ball player. You can necessarily make a guy a better athlete but you can make him a better ballplayer.

Resources Tim Ferris Autobiographies on coaches Twitter

ABCAchats

Contact @coachcox19 ccox@parisjc.edu 254-855-5453 Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Our approach to teaching a new skill is education, application and support. We start with why its important, then we apply it to practice and then from there we figure out what works and what doesn’t for each kid. We say the breath is the MVP of the mental game. We spend a lot of time on teaching it. a concept that Ken Ravizza and Tom Hansen discuss.

Learn it Do it Own it We invest a lot of time learning it, but can we actually practice the skills? We need to create a practice environment that does that.

Theres a difference between a jungle tiger and a zoo tiger. Whats the life of a zoo tiger like? Spoon-fed, easy and comfortable. What’s life like in the jungle? Its stressful and your survival is on the line. Now lets compare it to baseball, which one is practice and which one is the game? We need to be able to create more jungle tigers and put our players in stressful situations. There’s a lot of time to think in baseball. Your mind can be your best friend of your work enemy. It can be a weapon or a weakness. In order to get behavior change, we have to get repetition and progression of skills. If I’m a coach and I do session in the classroom once a week, thats better than nothing. In that setting we expect the players to transfer those skills over to the field. If we only do those sessions in the classroom, we’re going to be setup for disappointment.

Resources Heads up baseball Harvey Dorfman Ken Ravizza Ben Ehrlich Taylor Stutzman 1% Better Podcast ABCA Calls from the clubhouse Contact @MVP_Mindset Zachary.Brandon@img.com Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes Being a cowboy is being a part of one of the greatest programs in the history of college baseball We hang our hat on player development. There’s not a team in the big 12 that has had more draft picks than us in the last 5 years Our demand in practice is energy. You’ve gotta come out prepared to play and practice with an intensity thats going to match game speed. The guys really embrace the fact that the daily competition is that internal check to task yourself to be at your best and to be at a high level every single practice. No matter what spreadsheet you get or saber-metrics stats you use, our number one statistic is “who is our there competing for a spot every single day.” Thats how you win and job and impact the game. Two big things for me as an infield coach are leadership and communication. If we’re constantly communicating were playing the game in a progressive way. If we’re playing the game in a progressive way then we aren’t going to worry about what happened last inning, were going to keep competing. If the players don’t trust you, they’re not going to care what you tell them. It doesn’t matter if you have the best information in the world if your players not trust you. Resources Other Coaches Contact @jimmyv29 Keeperofthegame.org @baseballkeepers IG @keeperofthegame Bryan Hoctor Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Weekly Newsletter 5 Tool Friday Newsletter Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes

"We've been doing an overload and underload throwing program for 22-23 years. We call it the Nate Smith throwing program. We use a tennis ball, a softball, and a baseball."

We throw more than any program than i've ever run into. But i've always had the belief that we pitch too much and we dont throw enough.

We have a much higher focus on individual player development than team development.

We don't allow headphones in our program.That way they cant just sit there by themselves. They have to communicate and they have to talk to each other.

Everyday after practice we line up and shake hands with a firm handshake and looking each other in the eye. IF we had a bad day at practice or if we got onto a kid, we have a chance to read that kid and leave on a positive note.

Our culture is #1 and our alumni are a close second. I have a text group from every year from 99 on that we reach out to on a consistent basis. We have an alumni fantasy baseball league. We want them to stay involved because they’re the ones that build the program. The players are the reason any coach has success

In our program #1 is velocity, #2 is velocity and #3 is velocity. And the reason is that we've never had a kid that throws 80-82 that got a college scholarship. So that's our philosophy with player developmentt

Resources

CB Drill

Heads up Baseball

Jon Gordon

Inside out coaching

Driveline

Rapsodo

Hit trax

Contact

theld@defcity.org

@defiancebball

@fungo20

@rweaver23

Weekly Newsletter 5 Tool Friday Newsletter Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes I want them to be in competition with themselves to be perfect. That's the only way we're going to field at a really high clip and win games. Some elements that I like to include every single day that I don't think coaches do enough of 1. Stretching and catching regardless of position 2. Stretching and picking regardless of position 3. Catching infield fly balls (GB to FB ratio is 4 to 1 in MLB) 4. Picking and tagging. 5. Redirecting the baseball I partner the old with the young. Its always an old guy and a young guy. I want to empower my older guys to provide input. Catch play, picks, footwork. Always an old guy with a young guy. I think that builds leadership, but I also think it builds ownership. On purpose, every single week, I pick a part of practice to watch from the dugout. If ive done my job and we've truly built a unit, the show is going to go on without me. If you're not willing to have a dialogue with your players about why you're doing something, then you need to take a long look in the mirror to make sure that what you're doing is not just something that your comfortable with and that its the best way to do it. Resources Link to ABCA Presentation Watch Elite fielders Watch your competition Watch other sports practices Contact @ThatGuy__Kai http://www.fridayfielderscamps.com/ Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Weekly Newsletter 5 Tool Friday Newsletter Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes I'm anti glancing blows. Networking is about developing true meaningful relationships (on how to remember names) Try and say someone's name 2 times in 20 seconds and 3 times in 30 seconds. There's power in saying someone's name that cannot be manufactured any other way. As long as no one cares who gets the credit, we're going to change the game of baseball. Resources 1% better podcast learning leader Entre leadership topcoach Joe Rogan Contact Sheets@abca.org @coachsheets3 @abca1945 Cell 502-767-7680

Weekly Newsletter 5 Tool Friday Newsletter Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes We call ourselves the valley boys. Because we represent the valley. We're getting out on that field every single day and sweating in this heat and working hard and doing all the extra things so when the valley comes and watches us play, they can be proud. We have our players back and we continually let them know that we love them and are there for them Are you an OKG? Our kinda guy. I'm not a salesman. I'm going to show you everything we do and our vision with development focus. I'm going to get the guys that are in on this thing and the guys that arent, I don't want. Culture coaches when the coaches aren't around. We're going to recruit personality and character before skill. We think we can take anyone and make them better. We believe in having short, efficient practices. We come in, go as hard as we can, and leave. We don't condition because you should be so tired from practice We don't clone people here. We don't cookie cut. We try and help each player find his best swing. You decide NOT to swing, you dont decide to swing. This is a HUGE deal for us.You step into the box swinging at the pitch Hitters make themselves. We don't make them, They do the work and they stand in the box. We can help them but we dont make them. Resources Fearless- Eric Blehm Mindgym- Gary Mack Dustin Lind Google Drive Craig Hyatt Contact Info cody.atkinson@utrgv.edu @coachcody_ Weekly Newsletter 5 Tool Friday Newsletter Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes One of the first conversations we have is where does your arm hurt? We have to start with the pain A lot of what we do is player led. Guys tend to figure out things more when they have to teach other people what the ultimate goal of the activity is. Every year i have someone who doesn't fit the ideal mold, so it keeps pushing me to try and reach everyone in the program. If I have 13 pitchers, I should have 13 pitching programs. Every time a bullpen is thrown, they're competing against someone for something. If we're asking them to compete in games, then practice should be a competition. Our goal has always been to help the players become better people. Learning life lessons will help them to become better baseball players. Start looking at players as individuals. One size doesn't fit all, and one size doesn't even fit one guy for very long. Resources Ron Wolforth Randy Sullivan Eric Cressey Paul Nyman Brent Pourciau Kyle Boddy/Driveline Baseball Contact Information @BRobo_20 Brent Robison on Facebook brobison20@gmail.com

Weekly Newsletter 5 Tool Friday Newsletter Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes Our kids are at their strongest in season Were not training to be good in the offseason, were training to be at our best in season. So it drives me crazy when you see kids not lifting in season, it makes no sense.

All of our incoming freshman are in a developmental group that focuses on 5 major movements 1. Squat patterning (front squat) 2. Hip Hinge 3. Pushup 4. Horizontal Pull 5. Iso Core Series

We do alot of speed work, and to be fast you have to train fast.

We train on gameday. And i see no reason that HS kids cant either. HS kids arent developed enough to get fatigued if they are working out in the morning and getting 10-12 hours of recovery time. You'll find the more consistent your workouts are. the less theyll get sore. You can develop so much in your in season period

Everybody wants to train the pretty muscles, the mirror muscles, chest, abs. Performance happens on the backside. You want to keep kids strong and healthy? It all happens on the backside. Scaps glutes and hamstrings are the powerhouse of athletic performance

There is not a lot of agility that goes on in baseball, its mostly reacting to a stimulus (the baseball) Everything is a straight line. There no cone drills, latter drills in baseball. Its all a straight line to a point, so that what we incorporate into our speed development program. Resources Coach's Strength Training Playbook- Joe Kenn Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance- Stuart McGill Becoming a Supple Leopard 2nd Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain, Preventing Injury, and Optimizing Performance- Kelly Starrett Contact Website Twitter IG Weekly Newsletter 5 Tool Friday Newsletter Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes There's a lot of pressure at Flower Mound high school. But it's pressure to not just do well, it's pressure to win, it's pressure to go deep in the playoffs and to get a division 1 scholarship. We take 30 minutes a day in the fall to install the mental game, and it's crucial for us If you make it fun the kids are going to have fun if you think it's boring the kids are obviously going to think it's boring. We put a lot of pressure on our kids in practice which is more gamelike. We want them to be used to that pressure I am a big field guy, so if your offer still want you to get out the 300 get after it man. If you want to do that for days in a row, go. If you aren't feels good, feed it. When it's game day, all I want you to do is compete. I don't wanna talk mechanics. Just go compete Make the best job the one that you're at. You get to play baseball everyday. You get to hit fungo everyday. My son is a bat boy and they pay me to do it. I've got the best job in the world Resources Brian cain Lantz wheeler Hacking the kinetic chain- Kyle Boddy Jaeger sports bands Steve springer

Charlie Brenneman (The Spaniard 101 Podcast)

Ken Ravizza

Tom Hanson

Baseball Drive Podcast

A Legends Life Podcast

Jerry Weinstein

Xan Barksdale

Paul Reddick

Baseball Dad’s podcast

Contact Bensartor@yahoo.com Sartorb@lisd.net @coachbennyb 214-600-3903 Weekly Newsletter 5 Tool Friday Newsletter Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook Ahead of the Curve Coaches Facebook group Instagram aotc_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes Our culture playbook is resilience, communication, focus and joy. One of the things we say about communication, is we have difficult conversations in person, not text. That doesnt fly in our program Communication is not so that you can be understood, but so that you cannot be misunderstood. If we're not going to be world class on the field right now, then we need to be world class in everything else. If you want a head coaching job, you need to double down on relationship building. Kids want someone who can give them a clear vision, but they wont care unless they trust you. When you are trying to change the culture we want them quantum leaps. Slow down. Progress and speed have nothing to do with one another. Resources Resilience by Eric Greitens Believe in Brynn Brian Kight Contact Info @FerraroOnAir FerraroOnAir@gmail.com @bxvillebaseball

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Quotes (on absolutes) To be fixated on one swing and not knowing the context of that swing is dangerous I think elite hitters hit, and there's a variety of reasons why. sleep. diet. swing. mentality. That all adds up to make a great hitter. There are concepts that they have that arent many absolutes. (on practice) I reverse my coaching. Instead of barking out cues, i let them work on their own with the plan that we put together and then take a player or 2 at a time individually. What i've noticed is kids get a little embarrassed when getting coached around kids, if we can keep it personal with them and build a plan that we can experiment and fail, they'll build some confidence. We stop when they do something good and i ask "why was that good?" and that's how they start to learn We create pressure and competition all the time, If things start getting bored of mindless, we drop what were doing and compete. We need to create situations in batting practice that we're going to see in a game. We "hit" in games. Its not just a swing, we have to learn and trainer hitters too. Resources Bobby Tewksbary Jerry Brewer MLB.tv Contact Info @hyattcraig

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Ahead of the Curve Coaches facebook group

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Quotes We talk about the 4 in the 40 a lot. What are our guys going to do on their 4 years on campus that allows them to be great in the next 40 We combine being a good person, being a good student, and being excellent on the field in your role and that's what a drury panther is We develop our guys as individuals. We figure out what tools and strengths our guys have and try and have success with that. That's the foundation of player development I used to do the 7 week plan where everything was regimented but it didn't suit everybody. It was a one size fits all and it wasn't efficient for development. We needed to do something they could take ownership of and take responsibility for. We have battalion leaders, we don't announce captains. They have to submit an application and interview, then draft teams, and they take care of small issues and problems and come up with a solutions. It's provided an avenue to build leaders in our program We have an open dialogue between the players. They'll tell you what needs to be changed and what doesn't work Resources Austin Wasserman Rob Friedman Driveline ABCA Jeremy Sheetinger @Pitching101 Contact @ericpeterson713 Epeterson004@drury.edu 417-873-7847

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Quotes We drive competition in practice by letting them play a different sport., then we really get to see who wants to compete I'm a big proponent of multi sports athletes. Other sports create toughness, athletic ability and a sense of team. We let the players run a couple practices a year. It really shows you who listens to who and who takes charge. Day 1, all we do is practice communication. We go through every play that could be communicated in a game. People say kids today aren't as hard nosed as they used to be and are soft. I go completely against that. If you push your guys, treat them with respect and treat them like a young man, they'll work as hard as you want them to Kids aren't soft. We let them be soft as coaches sometimes. Have them set goals and mentally challenge them. Resources Steve Springer The catching guy Contact @drap11 @thehallbaseball

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Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google Play Link to "The High Performance Hitter" by Chris Dunn

Quotes Finding a way to create a dialogue and a way to start kids engaged in the process is the best thing you could ever do as a coach When you have a good dialogue with your player, you can start to translate what their feel is and what's actually happening. The best analogy of sequence I got from Jerry Brewer and that's gears in a car. 1-2-3-4, they all have a job, and first gear isn't more important than the other because it's first. But what is the role of each and how do they work together? "Every hitter feels things differently and there's no wrong feel. When you watch Pujols talk about what he feels, it's totally different than what he does in his game swing but that doesn't make his feel invalid, it just makes them different and it makes him who he is. (Regarding small groups) "They're talking, collaborating, asking questions to each other. It is so much more valuable than what I could tell them. It's someone in their shoes going through the same process." "You've gotta find a way to communicate your knowledge but ultimately the only thing that matters is if the kids understand it." You have to be able to customize your information and drills to each player because they're going to move different, have different size and strength and mobility. All that needs to be a factor in developing hitters.

Resources Eric Cressey DJ Edwards Dr. Nick Thurlow Contact Info Twitter @chrisdunn2 @hiprohitting Hiprohitting.com IG Chrisdunn.2 Hiprohitting

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Quotes Most of the time when i put stuff out I'm trying to solve a problem. I'm trying to show that there isn't one way to get it done. The key to coaching in general is to be honest and have an objective view. I just shut up and watch. Then ill make suggestions. My first step is to help them be more explosive. Mostly its about being an athlete. Just because you're standing on a pile of dirt, doesn't mean you have to throw different than you would at shortstop. I treat every single pitcher as an individual. I have a toolbox of ideas, but I don't have a set way of teaching mechanics. One of the reasons i put everyone out on twitter is because i'm curious and I want to show that there are a bunch of people that throw a lot of different ways. I like the idea of being the person that nobody wants to throw with. When you start measuring stuff it brings out competition in everyone. The competitive drive will cause everyone to improve. Resources Driveline Ben Brewster Lantz Wheeler Rapsodo Texas Baseball Ranch

Contact Info for Rob Twitter @pitchingninja Email Rob@pitching.ninja

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COACHES SERIES: USE OF WEIGHTED BASEBALLS AT NIACC – 3 YEARS OF RUN N’ GUNS

Quotes

You want to get kids ultra competitive? Throw a radar gun up and watch them go crazy

If you're going to be a NIACC Trojan, you've got to earn it. There wont be anything handed to you.

Our guys make goals and standards. Then we print it off and we tape it to every single locker so they see it every single day. Now they see those goals and standards everyday and they hold each other accountable We want to teach our guys about servant leadership. It's not about you all of the time. So using our popularity as a platform in our community in order to create some good The World Series' and the championships and the wins are all a byproduct of what our beliefs are. We have to do things better, we have to work smarter and we have to develop a culture of development that is built around the player Resources Rapsodo Motus sleeve Driveline Brian Cain Randy Sullivan Austin Wasserman Dallas Baptist University Minnesota volleyball Contact Info Twitter @coachherg @niaccbaseball Website www.niacctrojans.com

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Link to hitting drive Quotes How often should we evaluate athletes? We have to understand that our athletes are going to change year to year, or even month to month. Constant evaluation and re evaluation is extremely important. How can we help our athletes recover better? Poor sleep quality is rampant amongst all levels of athletes. That is our #1 recovery strategy. If you don't get proper sleep, then you cant recover. On something he has learned since being in the medical field I do not think surgery is always the best option for everyone anymore. Where do coaches get it wrong? Cookie cutters are for cookies. Not everybody is the same, so we cant expect everyone to move in the same way Where do coaches get it wrong? Human movement is incredibly complex and joints don't normally work in a uniform manner. Where do coaches get it wrong? The coaches who push the cookie cutter mold see a standard bell curve of success. You then only get about 1/4 of your athletes that are actually making improvements. what qualities do the best coaches have? The best coaches always have more to learn. They seek quality information and apply it to their athletes on an individual basis. Contact Info Twitter @dustinlind Email dustin.lind@umontana.edu Resources NSCA Neuroscience of human movement- Charles Leonard Frans Bosch Book Eastbay hitting instruction- Jerry Brewer

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Quotes "our kids own practice, we teach them to know it, do it, and own it." Its about building the the young man. If we can build a better man, we will get a better baseball player. The kids, 50 years from now, will remember getting knocked down and getting back up. These are things theyll carry with them the rest of their life. You wont be 100% everyday. You might be at 75% one day, but they better learn to give 100% of that 75% There's no such thing as "shagging" at Oxford high. If you want to shag, go outside of the fence and catch home run balls. We better be trying to run through a fence to catch a flyball. Building leaders is on my shoulders. If we don't have good leaders, its my fault as the captain of the team. Resources Brian Cain Ron Wolforth Driveline Jerry Weinstein Contact Facebook Oxford Black Gold Twitter @oldgoldsports Email wbrooksoh@gmail.com Website and Social Media sites for the show www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook facebook.com/aotcpodcast Instagram aotc_podcast Contact Info for Jonathan Twitter @j_gelnar7 Email jgelnar7@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Quotes We're looking to not only build good baseball players, but create men that can go out into society and change the world. Its easy to tell how good a player is by their actions but i want to see how they react to adversity, i want to see good body language and i want to see how they treat their teammates A lot of baseball teams lose more games than they win, control the baseball, control yourself and play catch. Our hitting cage is a laboratory, i want you to fail and mess up as much as you want as long as you have a specific plan and your learning from it. Understanding how to deal with adversity in life and in baseball. Fail forward. If you don't fail, you don't get better. Be on time, do the right thing, never back down from a challenge The problem is we think we shouldnt have problems. Resources tyler.gillum@southmountaincc.edu cell- 602-370-7649 @gillum13

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Quotes Every throw you ever make is either helping your command or hurting your command. Just because you are the best player on your high school team that doesnt mean that doesnt mean you're going to play in college. Go watch college games and see what those guys look like and see what that level of play truly is Go find hall of famers of guys that have been all stars and have been healthy. Those guys 9 times out of 10 will be connected. (on emulation) Guys in the latin countries are really good at that. They see Pedro and try and throw like Pedro, its definitely a benefit to them. They get to experiment and see how their body moves. I dont want them to be robots and i dont want to have to tell them every single thing. I cant be out on the mound so at some point you have to figure it out yourself. My job is to eliminate my job, to be your own best pitching coach. We use the radar gun for average velocity. They may peak at 90 but their average sits at 86. If their average keeps creeping up, we know the plan we have in place is working. We try to collect as much data is possible One of the most common problems we see now is that kids cannot make basic fundamentally sound movement patterns When in doubt, always return to athleticism. We need to better ourselves so we can better our players Resources ABCA Fighting Monkeys Winter Texas Baseball Ranch Coaches Clinic Contact Info Coachwallace@texasbaseballranch.com @veloplus21

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Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Google Play Quotes "A majority of kids need to learn to move better, have better posture, and learn to move their body in space." "What it boils down to is developing the entire body. The shoulder starts at the feet, you have to start with the ground." "If we get them to actually put the baseball down, and actually focus on training, its a great opportunity to get bigger and stronger." "There are hundreds of things we have to put together to develop the entire athlete, there's not just one way to do it." "How do you individualize a system? Its not easy. But we have to work that in to make it an efficient system." "Coaching became less of a career for me when i figured out that i wanted to develop people, now its my calling." "I got cut from the JV team in high school. But after a couple of weeks I decided i had to get to work, and that's how my love for strength and conditioning got started." Resources Athletic Movement Skills- Clive Brewer Periodization- Tudor Bompa Contact Info @ryan_faer ryanfaerblog.com Website and Social Media sites for the show

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I thank God everyday for making me a cavalier. Our culture is about communication, hard work, and no drama. We just wanna play ball. We get a lot of kids whose parents use to carry their bags to games, so we want to mentally challenge kids. If you’re a coach, and you aren’t learning about your guys every day, you're not coaching.

Your leaders have to be the guys that say things. He has to tell it like it is. We don't have rules. We have standards that you need you need to live up to. Be on time, behave like a gentleman, play against the game, don't talk to the other team. Resources ABCA clinics Contact Info @Gawbage29 Website and Social Media sites for the show

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What is my why for starting this podcast? Listen to find out. Website and Social Media sites for the show Website www.aotcpodcast.com Twitter @aotc_podcast Facebook facebook.com/aotcpodcast Instagram aotc_podcast Contact Info for Jonathan Twitter @j_gelnar7 Email jgelnar7@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices