In today’s episode, we have Steve Merriman. Steve returned to the Wolverines baseball program for the 2021 season after previously serving as pitching coach in 2002 and 2012, in addition to starting his coaching career at U-M as a hitting coach in 1995. Steve worked in the Colorado Rockies organization, where he was the minor league pitching co-coordinator and pitching coach for the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats. He worked with the Chicago Cubs in 2018 at their high-tech pitching lab in Mesa, Ari...
Jun 27, 2022•52 min•Ep. 259
In today's episode, I speak to Brady Kirkpatrick. Brady joined the Florida Atlantic University staff as pitching coach in September of 2021. Brady comes to FAU most recently having coached at Harvard University for the past three years. Prior to Harvard, he coached for two seasons at Monmouth University. Before that, he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Rochester University, and coached two summers with the Mountain West College Summer League as well. Brady’s playing career be...
Jun 20, 2022•45 min•Ep. 258
In today's episode, we have Troy Merriman Troy is currently the hitting coach at the University of Findlay. He played at the University of Findlay, and now he's coached there for eight years. In this episode, he gives some insight into not only how they do things at the University of Findlay, but also how the DII landscape is laid out, what scholarships are like at that level, how they allocate money at Findlay, and then he gets into a little bit more in-depth on what specifically are they looki...
Jun 13, 2022•51 min•Ep. 257
Resilient. That would be the best word to describe T.J. Bruce. After his playing career ended, he decided he wanted to get into coaching. When he first started coaching junior college baseball he was making 5k while supporting his wife who was still in school. He was passed over three times while he was a volunteer assistant at Long Beach State for the paid position. He never gave up. After he became the head coach at the University of Nevada, he had a player pass away, and then two weeks later,...
Jun 06, 2022•49 min•Ep. 256
Currently, in his 7th season as a Volunteer Assistant and the University of Louisville, Adam Vrable loves what he gets to do, coach. His passion for baseball sticks out like a sore thumb when you listen to him talk. Adam played College Baseball at Coastal Carolina where get graduated with a degree in History. After graduating he began his coaching journey, with stops at The Citadel and Charleston Southern. He also was involved in travel baseball coaching in South Carolina right after graduating ...
May 29, 2022•53 min•Ep. 255
In today’s episode, I talk to Adam Cornwell. Adam joined the University of Indianapolis coaching staff after a two-year stay at the University of Dayton. The Flyers finished second in the A-10 during the regular season. He helped guide the Flyers to the 2nd most strikeouts in program history during the 2021 season. He joined the University of Dayton baseball staff in August 2019 following a one-year stint as an assistant coach at Iona College, where he served as the pitching coach for the Gaels....
May 23, 2022•46 min•Ep. 254
In this episode, we have Craig Snider. Craig is currently the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas A&M University. He won a National Championship when he was at his prior school, Florida State University, back in 2018. Craig talks a bit about what they do at Texas A&M from a development standpoint and what he's looking for in recruits. It's fun to go across onto the softball side and see some of the similarities and differences between baseball and softball, doing some cool ...
May 16, 2022•36 min•Ep. 253
In this episode, I talk to Mark Helsel. Mark is the founder and current director of US Elite Baseball which is a successful travel baseball organization for several years. US Elite is one of the top travel baseball organizations in the country. He talked about practical guides for parents of young athletes and how to develop youth players. He shares tips with parents and coaches on how to act during practices and games. SHOW NOTES: [2:57] What separates US Elite Baseball? [4:40] What advice woul...
May 09, 2022•50 min•Ep. 252
In today’s episode, I speak to Marcus Davis. Marcus is a hitting coach in the private sector but has been on each side of the spectrum from former Midland and professional player to now coach of the 17U Braves. He brings a wide variety of content about college recruiting, working with players, parents' expectations, and hitting as well. He talks about working with players in the cage. Learn about work habits and the ability of players to work through some adversity in this episode. SHOW NOTES [2...
May 02, 2022•53 min•Ep. 251
In today’s episode, I talk to David Pearson. David is in his first season as a volunteer assistant coach with the University of Iowa baseball program. He serves as the Hawkeyes’ hitting coach. David joins the program following a two-year run as an assistant coach at North Dakota State – his second stint with the Bison. He also has served as head coach at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) from 2016-19. In this episode, he shares tips and pieces of advice with young coaches and young playe...
Apr 24, 2022•33 min•Ep. 250
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND SUMMER RECRUITMENT WITH TYLER JACKSON In today's episode, I speak to Tyler Jackson. Tyler has helped Liberty to the finals of an NCAA regional in 2021 and is in his first season on the Morehead State baseball coaching staff as an assistant coach. Tyler, who also was part of two NCAA Tournament qualifying teams at the College of Charleston, helped guide Liberty to 41 wins and the Atlantic Sun regular season title this past season. The Flames won two games in the NCAA Knoxvi...
Apr 17, 2022•34 min•Ep. 249
How to Achieve Greatness Charles Schultz is the Owner of Super Fit Ohio and Edge of Greatness Podcast. Charles has always been enthusiastic about the pursuit of excellence, both personally and in coaching others. He talks about why is it important to have relationships and build connections with players. He shares why coaches should have real conversations and open the door for players to understand that all these little things that they're working on are a specific part of their journey towards...
Apr 10, 2022•34 min•Ep. 248
In today's episode, I speak to Kyle Decker. Kyle was brought on as an assistant coach in November 2020. He came to the Flyers after working as a volunteer assistant coach at Harvard University for the previous two years. While there he helped lead the Crimson to the 2019 Ivy League Championship and a spot in the Oklahoma City Regional in the 2019 NCAA Championship. He served as a volunteer assistant coach at UMass for one year and as an assistant coach for the Plymouth Pilgrims of the New Englan...
Apr 04, 2022•55 min•Ep. 247
In today’s episode, I speak to Kirk Cabana, Assistant Baseball Coach for Carolina University. He shares his experiences being a Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Baseball Coach. He talks about establishing a culture, direction, and foundation for player development. He talks about the importance of having a growth mindset towards everything and finding your pursuit of purpose, making it to the next level, and making a difference. He shares tips on how to build the foundations & values tha...
Mar 22, 2022•46 min•Ep. 246
In today's episode, I speak to Shane Sharkey. Shane has been a part of the success of Brookhaven Baseball for years. He was a member of the 2013 team that reached the NJCAA DIII World Series. He was an Assistant Coach on the 2019 team that reached the NJCAA DIII World Series. In this episode, he shares how he recruits future JUCO players. He shares what coaches are looking for when it comes to players that they want to bring into a program from a scouting standpoint. He gives advice to coaches a...
Mar 13, 2022•33 min•Ep. 245
In today’s episode, I speak to Jared Gaynor. Jared is currently the minor league pitching coach for the Minnesota Twins. In this episode, he shares his job as a pitching coach. How he builds trust and relationships with players. He shares tips to coaches on how to narrow the player’s focus and help put up some guardrails to make sure players are staying on the right path. He shares why it is important to get to know yourself better, understand your strengths, and understand how to make adjustmen...
Mar 07, 2022•43 min•Ep. 244
In today’s episode, I speak to Devin Mesoraco. Devin is currently the Volunteer assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets. Devin was an MLB All-Star in 2014. In this episode, he shares his job as a catcher. How he got to be ready to call a game and be good defensively. He shares that at the end of the day he's there to serve the pitcher and how he needs to do what he can to help their career. He shares why ...
Feb 28, 2022•42 min•Ep. 243
In today’s episode, I speak to Brock Hudgens and Justin Seager, they played D1 ball together, got Drafted, and started a business. They started an Airbnb Concept website to help parents & players find college baseball & softball camps in their area. In this episode, they share setbacks in their own career and how that helped them in the long run. We also talk about why is it rewarding to give back to the game and why sharing your knowledge and experiences with others is important. SHOW N...
Feb 21, 2022•46 min•Ep. 242
In today’s episode, I speak to Corey Smith, assistant baseball coach at McNicholas High School. He shares what he learned being a high school baseball coach for the past five years. He talks about the importance of conditioning, strengthening the core, and doing everything in a baseball mindset to make a positive impact on the team. He shares some of the sacrifices players, parents, and coaches make and how they resulted in players making it to the next level. He talks about the need for a level...
Feb 14, 2022•50 min•Ep. 241
In today’s episode, I speak to Josh Kauten, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers out of Illinois State University, where he was named the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and studied Exercise Science and Biomechanics. After 5 seasons in professional baseball, he helped start the Heartland CC baseball program as the Pitching and Strength Coaches. He has worked with 100+ D1 players and 30+ Pros. His CSCS and CFSC certifications help give him a unique understanding of the human body and how to opti...
Feb 07, 2022•51 min•Ep. 240
In today’s episode, I speak to Dave Anderson, he was a member of the Dodgers team that won the 1988 World Series. Anderson was the manager for the 1994 Jamestown Jammers of the single A short season New York–Penn League. Dave Anderson played 10 years in the major leagues 1988 world series champion. He shares some advice to high school coaches who are trying to develop infielders. He talks about the importance of having a routine and staying ready during the game. He also talks about the importan...
Jan 31, 2022•45 min•Ep. 239
In today’s episode, I speak to Jay Uhlman, the Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator -Tulane University. He is a veteran with over 24 years of experience as both an assistant and head coach Jay 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. He shares some advice to high school parents about going into the recruiting decision-making process. He also talks about elev...
Jan 24, 2022•59 min•Ep. 238
In today’s episode, I speak to Michael Deegan, the Head Baseball Coach at Denison University. He shares his vision and experiences as a coach on how to lead and live a meaningful life. He talks about the importance of having great conversations and building relationships with players and coaches in the best way possible because he believes that finding your own voice and true self is really powerful. In this conversation, he talks about living your values and being the best version of yourself. ...
Jan 17, 2022•47 min•Ep. 237
In today’s episode, I speak to Mike Rabelo, the Major League Field Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mike was the hitting coach for the Gulf Coast League Tigers and the Short-season A Connecticut Tigers. He was hired as manager of the Connecticut Tigers for the 2014 season. He was also in the managerial position for the West Michigan Whitecaps, Lakeland Flying Tigers, and Erie SeaWolves'. He shares his experiences and what he learned as a field coordinator, what goes on behind the scenes, ...
Jan 10, 2022•48 min•Ep. 236
Joe Ferraro is a high school teacher, former baseball coach, and currently is the host of the 1% Better Podcast. I have been working with Joe for several months now to continue to improve my skills as an interviewer, as well as a better speaker. No matter what walk of life you're currently in, you can always get better at your communication skills. Joe's Website Sponsor Driveline Plus - Listen to episode for exclusive discount! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 03, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 235
For the past three years Callix Crabbe has been the MLB Assistant Hitting Coach for the Texas Rangers. In this episode, Callix shares what he learned over his career as a hitting coach, how to evaluate coaches, and working with infielders. Free Presentation on 'Timing' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 27, 2021•49 min•Ep. 234
With over 40 years of coaching experience, it is an honor to have on a legend in this weeks episode, Mike Roberts. Mike and I met this past season in spring training when I was working for the Baltimore Orioles organization. I instantly felt a connection with Mike and enjoyed picking his brain on all of the intricacies in the game. He spent 23 years as the head coach at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. During the summer he is the head coach for the Cotuit Kettlers in the Cape Cod Le...
Dec 20, 2021•54 min•Ep. 233
Why do you swing the bat you do? What was the reason you went with the specific length, weight, handle? Is there a way to identify what specific bat you should be swinging? On this week's episode, we have Liam Mucklow who is the founder of the Baseball Performance Lab and Micah Gibbs who is the Director of Player Development at BPL on the podcast to discuss Bat Fitting. I have yet to see anyone in the Baseball world do what these guys are doing from an equipment standpoint. They are using object...
Dec 13, 2021•47 min•Ep. 232
For the past thirty years, Art Senato has been coaching high school baseball. This year he decided to take on a new challenge and become the Head Coach for Centennial Spartans High School Baseball Team, in Burleson Texas. Art takes us behind the scenes and tells us how he's building the program in his first year as head coach. We also talk about helping kids in the recruiting process, playing time, off-season workouts, and building a culture. Coaches sign up for content I only share via email Ho...
Dec 06, 2021•51 min•Ep. 231
Walter is a father, coach, and advisor. He has been helping players and families with the recruiting process for over thirty years. In this episode, we talk about how parents should act during games, advice to kids who aren't getting recruited, not playing travel baseball before 14u, and verbally committing to a school as an underclassman. Walter just came out with a book to help families through the recruiting process. “Committed : The Guide to Developing College Ready Recruits from Middle Scho...
Nov 29, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 230
