Today we’re discussing adjusting the power curve in order to better improve performance when training high performance athletes. Topics Include: Force Velocity Profiling Understanding Force-based vs Velocity-based Athlete Profiles The “Special Strength Zones” Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. Twitter https://twitter.com/RPP_Baseball/ I...
Oct 27, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Today we’re sitting down with Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Casey Pierce to discuss the Triple Tommy John Procedure, the newest advancements in Tommy John repair and recovery. Topics include: What makes it different than traditional TJ surgery Quicker recovery / back-to-play time The step-by-step process Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. Twit...
Oct 18, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 116
With the off-season upon us, today, we’re going to sit down and answer a few questions that we get asked often regarding what to look for in a great off-season training protocol for pitchers. Topics include the following, among others: An outline in Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) The importance of determining Strength vs. stability Assessing on day 1 (not an option) Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge...
Oct 13, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 115
In 1981 the song “Talkin’ Baseball” took the country by storm. The song describes the history of American major league baseball from the 1950s to the beginning of the 1980s and was inspired by a picture of the three outfielders of the title (Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Duke Snider). Today we sit down with Songwriter and minor league pitcher Terry Cashman to discuss: Growing up in the Bronx during that era What inspired the song Getting to know Willie, Mickey and the Duke personally Pitching ...
Sep 28, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Today we’re sitting down with RPP Remote Athlete Graham Keen (Class 2027). Graham is ranked #1 in PA and #2 Nationally by PBR and #1 in PA and #34 Nationally by Perfect Game. We're going to talk about what it takes to be ELITE! Topics include: Nutrition (getting those daily calories in) Finding time to Train year-round Playing vs. Pitching Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes th...
Sep 22, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Today we’re sitting down with Coastal Carolina Recruiting / Player Development Coordinator Tyler Shewmaker. Topics Include: The importance for athletes to find “The right fit” Showcases- yes?/no?....maybe? Some non-negotiables when recruiting catchers Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. Twitter https://twitter.com/RPP_Baseball/ Instagram...
Sep 13, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 112
This week’s podcast is with Coastal Carolina S&C Coach Mike Thomson. We spent a few days with Mike assessing Coastal Carolina’s pitchers a few weeks back and today we’re going to discuss his take on the process, as well as other topics including: Strength training during fall ball Expectations of new recruits in the weight room Consistency in training... “Don’t rush the process” Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cu...
Sep 07, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 111
This week we cap off our remote college assessments with the pitching side of things with RPP Director of Pitching Niko Leontarakis. Topics include: Avoiding over-analysis when dealing with elite throwers Some common disconnects between D1 schools and players Disconnects... not always a bad thing, it depends on the athlete Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out o...
Aug 31, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 110
This past week we flew down South to assess Division 1 Pitchers at a couple High-Level Universities. Here are the results and commentary. Topics Include: Assessing Mobility / Stability Determining Plyometric ability and Force-Velocity profiling Are they “Strong Enough”? Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. Twitter https://twitter.com/RPP_...
Aug 25, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Today, we're with Coastal Carolina pitching coach Matt Williams to discuss what goes into starting with a new organization, as well as his experience with the RPP on-site pitching assessments of his throwers that we previously did at University of South Carolina. Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. Twitter https://twitter.com/RPP_Basebal...
Aug 10, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 108
Today I’m sitting down with physical therapist Greg LaMendola who specializes in a technique known as “Total Body Re-activation Therapy”. Topics Include: Bridging the gap between the nervous system and the biomechanical / muscular system Removing “blocks” in the kinetic chain through manual therapy / activation techniques How it can help reduce recovery time from an injury Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge...
Jul 28, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Today, I’m sitting down with former Liberty University and now Ohio State pitcher Ryan Butler to discuss his experiences and lessons learned once you enter the college transfer portal. Topics Include: Topics prompting a decision to enter the portal What happens the day after you sign? Monetary / NIL considerations Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player ...
Jul 21, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 106
On this week’s podcast, we’re talking about global movement patterns, why they’re so important, their influence on performance and some great coaching cues to increase motor learning. Topics Include: Letting the athlete solve the movement problem Improving overall athleticism Common mistakes when coaching Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player developme...
Jul 14, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Today we’ll be taking a look at five reasons to train the anterior core in order to improve efficiency on the mound. Topics Include: Improving extension/Rotation Breathing Patterns Reducing Injury Risk Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. Twitter https://twitter.com/RPP_Baseball/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/RPP_Baseball/ Call us a...
Jul 05, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Today, I’ll be talking about Force Production. While being strong will definitely help produce higher ground force, training the tendons and ligaments to also accept the explosive ground forces that happen on the field is also paramount. Topics Include: Training Eccentric Force for better Deceleration Improving Elasticity and Acceleration Isometric Training for Better Tendon / Ligament Quality Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coac...
Jun 23, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Today, we’re sitting down with sports nutritionist Nick Valenti to discuss the widely misunderstood topic of sports nutrition. Topics include: Calories-in-calories out... Does it work long term? Advice for hard gainers Caloric restriction, when is it necessary Protein... animal or plant-based Nick was previously with the Toronto Blue Jays as a dietetic intern. He also served as an intern with Cressey Sports Performance during the summer of 2023. Nick has a Master's of Science from Florida State ...
Jun 16, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Today I’m sitting down with my partner here at RPP, Bahram Shirazi, to discuss the current status of travel baseball as well as what to look for in a great travel program. Topics Include: Current status of travel ball Why we started our own program, Revolution Baseball Development vs. winning What parents should consider when choosing a program The recruiting front in travel ball Long-term athletic development or lack thereof The importance of great coaching Ready to take your game to the next l...
Jun 07, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 101
This week marks my 100th episode of the “Behind The Seams Podcast”. It’s been, not only an incredible journey but also, an incredible learning experience. This week I’ll celebrate by going through 9 of my “Ah-Ha” moments with 9 coaches from the following star-studded cast. Randy Sullivan – Back leg mechanics Scott Brown - Common characteristics of elite players Mike Boyle - Unilateral versus bilateral training Mike McFerran - Using data with youth players Brandon McDaniel - Understanding the Inf...
Jun 01, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Today, Matt Hartshorn Pitching Coordinator with RPP is guest hosting, and we’re sitting down with Rapsodo’s Director of Marketing Matt Fowles and Chief Analytics Engineer John Garrett. Topics Include: Baseball data’s role in player development How data is used in recruiting Seam-Shifted Wake... how the data is evolving Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of pl...
May 25, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Today I’m flying solo, answering questions regarding playing summer ball (or not). And if so, how to train properly during the hot summer months in order to maintain athleticism. Much of what you will hear is the premise behind our Elite Summer College Programs which begin shortly. Topics will include: Pros and cons To play or not to play…that is the question Finding the right organization and fit Maintaining athleticism throughout the short season Ready to take your game to the next level? With...
May 10, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Today we’re sitting down with Pitching Coordinator Matt Hartshorn and Director of Hitting Andrew Pezzuto, both coaches on the new RPP Revolution 14U travel team. Topics include: Importance of starting LTAD (long-term athletic development) at a young age What to look for in a good travel program Getting baseline numbers and re-assessing Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the gu...
May 03, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 97
This week we're sitting down with 108 Performance owner and operator Eugene Bleecker to discuss some issues when training young athletes as well as getting more athletic going INTO rotation. Topics Include: Coaching out a “fear of the ball” Hand-eye at the plate Water bag training for DNS Eugene Bleecker is an MLB Consultant and the Founder of 108 Performance Academy, one of the most elite baseball training facilities in the country. 108 Performance is a results-driven and data influenced facili...
Apr 27, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 96
Today we’re talking about the importance of efficient sequencing in the delivery and how to view it without the use of technology. Topics include: Self-Evaluation from video Recognizing issues that negatively affect sequencing Corrective protocols Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. Twitter https://twitter.com/RPP_Baseball/ Instagram htt...
Apr 20, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Today we’re talking with Trish Keen, parent of one of our remote high school athletes, Graham Keen. Graham (Class 2027) is ranked #1 in PA and #30 Nationwide with Perfect Game. Needless to say he is an elite athlete who is tearing up the high school baseball world. Join us as Trish talks about the steps she has taken as a parent to get him there, including: Nutrition Dealing with throwing volume and coaches Diligence in the weight room Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic...
Apr 05, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Today we’re sitting down with Alan Jaeger and Randy Sullivan to discuss their new “Jaeger-Sullivan Return to Throw Manual and Schedule”. I had the privilege of providing the Strength & Conditioning portion of this manual and I am excited to sit down and take a closer look at the manual with the two of them. Topics Include: How it differs from the standard back-to-throw protocol The power of eliminating “target dates” Using objective feedback Alan Jaeger Alan is the founding partner of Los An...
Mar 30, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Today, we’re sitting down with the Brewers Pitching and Development Coach Blake Nation. Blake was recently at the Brewers Dominican Academy working with the young Latin players. Topics include: Mechanical trends and differences Managing “high milage arms” Coaching through the language barrier Blake joined the Brewers in March 2023 as the Development Coach in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Prior to the Brewers, he was the pitching coach at the collegiate level for over a decade with positions...
Mar 22, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 92
With the baseball season kicking in, I thought it was a great time for my yearly sit down-talking about the importance of staying in shape in-season. Topics Include: Managing a controlled fall Maintaining velocity and power Minimizing the risk of injury Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. Twitter https://twitter.com/RPP_Baseball/ Instagr...
Mar 15, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Today we’re sitting down with the San Diego Padres throwing coach Eric Junge, founder of Pitch IQ. Topics include: The difference between coaching mechanics between position players and pitchers Workload management Pacing your ramp up to the season With 25 years of professional coaching, scouting, front office & playing experience Eric brings a diverse breadth of expertise as Pitch IQ’s Founder & Principal. Following a fourteen year playing career as a pitcher he has spent the previous e...
Mar 07, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 90
In most situations, athletes are generally trying to gain weight to become more explosive. But when dealing with higher level athletes that already possess adequate size and strength, the key generally lies in improving lean body mass and many times LOSING weight. In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk to RPP Pitching Coordinator Matt Goehrig and discuss the different parameters involved in his transformation… Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, exp...
Feb 25, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Today we’re sitting down with Dr. Ismael Gallo, founder of Baseball Flows. Dr. Gallo and I spoke last year (episode #33) and the response was so great that we’re sitting down again. This time we’ll discuss creating better movers on the field and training stability throughout larger ranges of motion through Dr. Gallo’s Baseball Flows. Dr. Gallo's background is unorthodox to say the least, which is what makes him so interesting. After dropping out of high school at 17, he worked his way into a sta...
Feb 16, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 88
