Clearing The Bases

This week, I’m honored to welcome Coach Keith Madison — former University of Kentucky Head Baseball Coach, ABCA Hall of Famer, ABCA Lefty Gomez Award winner and author of Coaching With Purpose.

Coach Madison led the Wildcats for 25 seasons, retiring with the third-most wins in SEC history, behind only Ron Polk and Skip Bertman. But his impact extends far beyond the record books. Through Inside Pitch Magazine, SCORE International, and now his book Coaching With Purpose, he continues to guide coaches and players toward something bigger than the game itself.

Coach Madison’s story is about...

The Clearing The Bases Podcast is back with an incredible conversation with Ron "Boo Boo" Schaeffer, Assistant Baseball Coach at Alvernia University!

Coach Schaeffer dives deep into his journey in baseball, sharing insights on player development, team culture, and the lessons that go beyond the field. Whether you’re a coach, player, or baseball fan, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.

This week we’re honored to welcome legendary coach Joe Barth — “The Hit Doctor” of The Hit Doctor USA. Coach Barth’s impact on the game is immeasurable. With decades of experience and a reputation as one of the most respected hitting instructors in the country, he has trained countless players who went on to succeed at the collegiate and professional levels. In this episode, Coach Barth shares his journey and the origins of The Hit Doctor USA, timeless hitting principles that have stood the test of time, his philosophy on player development and building confidence at the plate and storie...

We’re joined by Shawn Chuipek, founder of Muscle Baseball and coach at Notre Dame College Prep, to talk about developing complete players and leaders on and off the field. Shawn dives into his approach to player development, building a winning culture, and why creating strong fundamentals and character matters more than ever in today’s game.

This week we sit down with Matt Cole of Bethlehem Little League and the Youth Baseball Coaching Support, Drills & Philosophy Facebook Group. Matt shares how community-driven baseball programs can shape young athletes — not only by teaching fundamentals, but also by building relationships, life skills, and a love for the game. From supporting coaches through one of the largest online baseball groups to giving back at the local level, Matt’s passion for community involvement shines through.

We’re joined by Tracy Tanguay — better known as The Mobility Chick — to talk about how athletes can move better, recover faster, and prevent injuries through proper mobility work. Tracy shares practical tips, common mistakes she sees in training, and how simple daily habits can make a big difference for players at every level. If you’re a coach, parent, or athlete looking to improve performance and stay healthy, this episode is for you!

This week, we sit down with Coach Sal Sepulveda of Hiawatha Park Youth Baseball to discuss what it takes to build a strong community-driven program.

Coach Sal shares powerful insight into coaching the next generation, creating a positive culture, and why youth baseball is about so much more than wins and losses.

We’re joined by Victor Burgos, former New York Mets Hitting Coach, to talk hitting, player development, and the mindset it takes to grow at the highest levels of the game. From the cage to the clubhouse, Victor shares incredible insight into what it takes to help hitters unlock their full potential — and what really matters in the development process.

Whether you're a coach, parent, or player… you’re going to want to hear this one.

We’re joined by Ryan Strickland, Head Baseball Coach at Colquitt County High School — a program built on discipline, development, and doing things the right way. Coach Strickland dives into building a culture that lasts, teaching mental toughness and why coaching is more than just baseball.This is a must-listen for any coach who believes in investing in people first and winning the right way.

We sat down with Chance Beck, Head Baseball Coach at White House Heritage High School, for an honest and insightful conversation about coaching, culture, and the impact of doing things the right way.

Coach Beck brings passion, purpose, and perspective to the dugout—and now to your earbuds. You won’t want to miss this one!

We’re joined by CJ Beatty – the one and only Baseball Motivator – for an unforgettable episode packed with energy, wisdom, and Motivational Nuggets. CJ brings the heat with insights on: Mindset for success, Turning adversity into opportunity, Coaching with purpose and how he's changing lives on and off the field. Whether you're a coach, player, or parent—this one will light a fire in you. 

We’re joined by Michael Huber, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, to dive into the mental side of the game that often goes overlooked—but never underappreciated.

In this powerful conversation, Michael breaks down: How mindset impacts performance, tools athletes can use to stay focused and confident, managing pressure, failure, expectations and building habits that lead to long-term success

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or parent, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to elevate their mental game.

In this episode, we’re joined by Kevin Wilson, founder of KW Baseball, trusted hitting coach, author, and speaker. Known for his “Good At-Bats” approach, Kevin has helped shape the careers of hitters at every level—from youth players to MLB stars. Kevin shares his journey from pro player to elite coach and offers a deep dive into: The power of simplicity in hitting, why communication is a coach’s superpower, building trust and connection with players and helping athletes discover who they are at the plate and in life. This episode is full of actionable insights that will help you u...

In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Tom Marker, Olentangy Orange’s Head Baseball Coach to dig into building a winning culture in high school sports. Coach Marker credits clear expectations and intentional planning for turning Olentangy into a powerhouse. 

As Coach Marker reminds us, “the wins don’t always show up on the scoreboard”. This mindset shift highlights how growth and learning count as victories too. Tune in for more of Coach Marker’s insights on practice habits, video analysis, and setting team standards that lead to long-term success.

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Sharf, Recruiting Director at Rockland Peak Performance (RPP), one of the top player development facilities in the country. Sam shares incredible insight into the ever-changing world of college baseball recruiting — breaking down the process, the myths, and what players and families really need to know to succeed.

This week on the show, we sit down with Steve Nikorak, former professional ballplayer and one of the driving forces behind Dominate The Diamond — one of the most trusted names in coaching education and player development. Steve shares his journey from high school standout to pro ball, and how his passion for the game evolved into a mission to help coaches and players at every level succeed the right way.

We’re joined by Zach Casto, Baseball Coach at Sissonville High School, author and a contributor with USA Baseball, for an in-depth conversation you won’t want to miss. Zach shares his passion for player development, coaching education, and building a winning culture rooted in consistency and care. From leading a high school program to working with the best through USA Baseball, his insights are both practical and inspiring. Whether you're a coach, parent, or player — this episode is packed with value!

We're joined by one of the premier minds in baseball performance — Nunzio Signore, owner of Rockland Peak Performance (RPP), author of Pitcher’s Arm Care, and Co-Director of the Pitching Lab. From biomechanics to individualized programming, Nunzio breaks down what it really means to train smarter, not just harder. If you're a coach, player, or parent serious about developing athletes the right way - this is a must-listen. 

We’re honored to have Mark "Pudge" Gjormand join us on Clearing The Bases! Coach Gjormand, the legendary Head Coach of James Madison High School and the driving force behind MVP Baseball and Softball School, shares his insights on building a championship culture, developing young athletes, and the keys to sustained success. Pudge is one of the most respected figures in high school and advanced placement baseball!

Size Doesn’t Matter – When it comes to baseball, the numbers on a scouting report don’t always tell the whole story. Just ask Jett Williams, the New York Mets' 2022 1st round draft pick and current prospect with the Syracuse Mets (AAA). At 5’6”, Jett has heard the doubters his entire career—but he’s never let size define his game. Instead, he’s let his elite speed, smooth glove, and explosive bat do the talking. Jett’s journey is a masterclass in proving doubters wrong. He’s got the grit, speed, and skills to play at the highest level. 

I am beyond excited to celebrate the 100th episode of Clearing The Bases with none other than Butch Chaffin, a legend in the baseball world and a proud representative of USA Baseball! ⚾

Coach Chaffin’s impact on the game is undeniable. From leading Cookeville High School to his role in shaping the future of USA Baseball, he has spent decades teaching, mentoring, and inspiring players at every level. His insights on coaching, development, and the state of the game are must-listen material for anyone passionate about baseball!

In t...

I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Ryan Brownlee, Assistant Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), for an insightful and inspiring conversation about the game we all love.

With years of experience as a coach, mentor, and leader within the baseball community, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. In this episode, we dive deep into: The mission of the ABCA and its impact on coaching development, the evolution of baseball education and how the ABCA is shaping the future, the importance of mentorship and relationships in coaching success and...

Get ready for a wildly entertaining episode as we sit down with Adam Virant of the legendary Savannah Bananas! 
Adam shares the inside scoop on what it’s like to be part of the team that’s revolutionizing the game of baseball with creativity, energy, and a whole lot of fun. From behind-the-scenes stories to the impact the Bananas are making on and off the field, this is an episode you won’t want to miss for an unforgettable conversation about baseball, innovation, and the power of thinking outside the box!

This week, we welcome the one and only Peter Caliendo of Caliendo Sports International! Peter’s expertise spans the globe as he works to grow the game of baseball in the United States and internationally, sharing invaluable insights into coaching, player development, and the sport's worldwide impact. From coaching strategies to global baseball experiences, this episode is packed with knowledge and inspiration for coaches, players, and parents alike!

We sit down with Mike Cassidy, the head coach of the Marymount University baseball program, to explore his journey in coaching and his vision for developing a winning team culture. Coach Cassidy shares his strategies for fostering player growth both on and off the field, highlighting the importance of academics, leadership, and accountability. He delves into his approach to recruiting, focusing on identifying talent that aligns with the program’s core values.

As we wrap up Group 3, we want to thank all the incredible coaches, mentors, and listeners who joined us on this journey. This episode is the culmination of shared wisdom, passion, and dedication to the game we all love. Let’s finish strong! Tune in to the final episode and celebrate the legacy of growth, collaboration, and inspiration that defines The Diamond Coaches Development Group.

This episode is Group 2 of The Diamond Coaches Development Group. This coach’s clinic is hosted by Jeremy “Sheets” Sheetinger, Head Coach at Georgia Gwinnett College. Whether you are a veteran coach or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights, from our second group of coaches, to enhance your coaching journey. Listen in to discover how this incredible group is shaping the future of baseball coaching! 

The Diamond Coaches Development Group is a coach’s clinic hosted by Jeremy “Sheets” Sheetinger, Head Coach at Georgia Gwinnett College. This clinic is dedicated to fostering growth, education, and collaboration among baseball coaches. The group emphasizes professional development, sharing best practices, and advancing coaching skills at all levels of the game. The goal is to empower coaches with the tools needed to develop both players and programs effectively. The focus is on creating a supportive community where coaches can learn from one another and stay updated on the latest techniques, trends, and strategies in baseball coaching.

Taber Mongero is a former collegiate baseball player known for his exceptional defensive skills and high baseball IQ. He played shortstop at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), where he contributed significantly to the team with his consistent glove work, leadership, and ability to make high-pressure plays. He comes from a family deeply rooted in baseball, Taber was coached and mentored by his father and former podcast guest, Coach Trent Mongero, a well-respected figure in the baseball community and an expert in teaching infield play.

Taber has since transitioned from playing to the Director of...

Way back in May, a good friend of the show, Joseph Guzman, introduced me to the Tampa Bay Rays Strength and Conditioning Coach, Joey Greany. We decided to wait until the season ended to get him on the show and we finally got to dive deep into the world of elite performance training. Joey has worked with some of the top athletes in the game, helping them reach new levels of strength, speed, and durability.

Chris Roof is a New Jersey Hall of Fame Coach and the Head Coach at Governor Livingston High School. Coach Roof has won several State Championships and is instrumental in the organization of the 4th Annual Garden State Baseball Coaches Clinic. Coach Roof shares his insights on building championship teams, fostering player development, and what it takes to maintain a winning culture on and off the field. 

Duke Baxter is the mastermind behind Dominate the Diamond and Zoned Sports Academy. Duke brings his passion for baseball and years of coaching expertise to the mic, sharing insights on player development, leadership, and the latest in coaching innovation.

Whether you're a coach, player, or baseball parent, this episode is packed with invaluable advice and actionable tips to take your game to the next level.

6 Tool App is a groundbreaking platform designed to elevate athlete performance and development in baseball and beyond. The app offers tools for players and coaches, and to assess and refine the skills that every youth baseball player needs. The 6 Tool App is the ultimate companion for anyone committed to reaching their full potential on the field.

Jordan Baltimore is the Founder and Director of Research and Training At New York Empire Baseball. He sits on both the Youth and Travel Committees of the American Baseball Coaches Association and has been instrumental in the development of the Youth Baseball Summit. Jordan brings decades of insight, from the field to the boardroom, sharing practical advice and stories that every player, coach, and baseball parent will love.

Jordan Baltimore is the Founder and Director of Research and Training At New York Empire Baseball. He sits on both the Youth and Travel Committees of the American Baseball Coaches Association and has been instrumental in the development of the Youth Baseball Summit. Jordan brings decades of insight, from the field to the boardroom, sharing practical advice and stories that every player, coach, and baseball parent will love.

My good friend Peter Lyons unpacks his recent experience with college baseball recruiting and shares what he has learned about the new NCAA landscape and the post-grad option after high school. We even spent some time discussing travel and community baseball. Whether you're a youth coach, parent or player, this episode is packed with invaluable insights! 

Josh Kozuch (Cuz-you) is the Mental Performance Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays. Josh dives deep into the world of mental performance in both the professional ranks and youth baseball. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or just looking to improve your mental game, this episode is packed with valuable tips and strategies. Don't miss it!

Baseball runs deep in Brad Lachemann’s family. Brad's father was a Major League pitcher and managed the California Angels. His Uncle Rene Lachemann managed nearly 1,000 MLB games, and his Uncle Bill has coached in the Angels' organization for decades. Coach Lachemann led the Arroyo Grande High School baseball program for 20 years, ending his tenure in 2020. His dedication to baseball extends beyond high school as he served as a coach for USA Baseball's 12u Open in 2019 and, most recently, he contributed his expertise to the USA Baseball Task Force for the 11u NTIS in 2023.

Erick Quesada is the Head Baseball Coach at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona. He was one of the 12U USA Baseball National Team Coaches in 2023. Coach Quesada touches on a number of key topics, including his insights on the state of youth baseball, the importance of maintaining high standards in player development, teamwork, discipline, and the critical role coaches play in shaping future generations of our baseball players.

Lane Farmer is a mental performance coach that believes if you want to be great and grow as an athlete, you must learn how to suffer and endure failure. Players all don't come from the same background; they don’t experience the same things early on in life and may be going after different dreams and passions. At the end of the day, they are all athletes, and the same systems and processes, used in sports, can be applied to other areas in life to achieve success. 

Lane also believes that failure produces perseverance; perseverance builds character; and...

We finish up our USA Baseball 12U National team conversations with Roger Wright. Coach Wright was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame in 2022, Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016 and Huntsville Metro Coach of the Year five times. Coach was the head coach at Buckhorn High School (New Market, Ala.) for over two decades. He is currently a coach at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. His son, Kyle Wright, is an MLB pitcher with the KC Royals. 

Jean Linscott, Ph.D. and Kenneth Ruoff, Ph.D., are a husband-and-wife team that are veterans of the youth sports industry. Their new book What Is the Goal?The Truth About the Youth Sports Industry, demonstrates how the Youth Sports Industry (YSI) accentuates the wealth and participation gap by pricing out most families. Young athletes have become valuable commodities to the sports clubs who secure greater earnings in a lucrative industry if they play their business cards right.

We continue our USA Baseball 12U National team conversations with Coach Josh "Jelli" Ellison from Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jelli is a former professional baseball player in the Mariners and Yankees organizations and has a wealth of baseball experience and knowledge. Once you listen to Jelli speak, you will then understand why Coach Madsen asked him to be part of his USA Baseball staff.

A longtime high school baseball coach, Wes Brooks will be an assistant for Team USA for the first time in 2024. Brooks has been involved with USA Baseball in several different roles for over a decade. Coach Brooks talks about the structure of the program that he built at Oxford High School in Oxford, Alabama. 

Jay Huggins is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach & Registered Physiotherapist. With a proven track record of working with athletes at all levels, Jay is passionate about sharing insights that bridge the gap between physiotherapy and coaching. He offers an online course “Strike Out Injuries” – A Baseball Coach’s Guide to Injury Prevention! Check out his website – https://pioneer-coach-education.thinkific.com

Bryan Madsen, affectionately known as "B Mad," is the Head Coach of the USA Baseball 12U National Team. His extensive experience and leadership are evident in his approach to coaching. Madsen emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with talented and dedicated coaches, believing that a strong support system is crucial for success. Under Coach Madsen’s leadership, the 12U National Team is well-positioned to make a mark on the international stage by bringing home the gold for the USA!

Dave Clay is the owner of KIME PERFORMANCE. A premiere baseball and softball facility focused on identifying and training the athlete's unique motor preferences. Motor Preference is the cheat code for player development. They train amateur and professional athletes towards greater performance through the individualization of movement. There is a lot to be learned from Dave regarding how the body moves and how we train our athletes.

Becky Beaulieu has no doubt that culture coaching was what she was meant to do. She has culture coached teams such as the University of Illinois, Long Island University, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, The College at Brockport, and the Saint Paul Saints. She is passionate about serving athletes and enhancing team culture through observations, interventions, and recommendations learned through her 20 years of working in NCAA athletics and time spent as a licensed psychologist. 

Jeff Schaefer is a former MLB player and a Regional Director for USA Baseball. Jeff believes in developing youth baseball players, creating opportunity and giving back to the game that has given him so much. He has earned a widely regarded reputation as an authority on travel and showcase baseball and has become known as a leading national source for player evaluation and promotion.

David Klein is a nationally recognized, award-winning transformational coach and experience designer in the baseball and softball world. David’s transformative influence extends beyond the field. He’s profoundly impacted thousands of youth players through his “Legendary Life Playbook,” an experiential 10 week guide that instills vital life lessons through sport. His recent creation, SpeedBall™, introduces a fresh approach to baseball and softball, involving three teams of five players competing and rotating across the field.

Ken Carpenter is the host of the Athlete 1 Podcast. On his show, Ken examines success, failures, and life lessons in sports. He provides valuable insight and an understanding of playing and coaching team sports. Ken is in the Ohio Central District Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and has too many accomplishments to list! Give a listen to Ken and make sure you listen to the end of the show, there is a message for everyone!

Rich Taylor is the former pitching coach at Pepperdine University and the owner of The Pitching Kingdom. He is also the author of “Don’t Throw Strikes.” Rich is passionate about nurturing young pitchers and helping them unlock their full potential on the mound. Rich has too many accomplishments to list so, listen to the show and find out what he is all about! 

Don Hooton Jr is the President of The Taylor Hooton Foundation. The Taylor Hooton Foundation was founded in 2004, in memory of Don’s younger brother Taylor Hooton, a 17-year-old baseball player from Plano, Texas. Taylor took his own life after abusing anabolic steroids. Don provides education through the Foundation’s All Me Assembly program, a science-based program that includes a team of speakers visiting schools across the country speaking to students, athletes, and their adult influencers about the dangers of Appearance & Performance Enhancing Substances (APEDs). 

Scott Steltz is not just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill baseball coach. He is the Head Coach of the Chatham High School Panthers. The Panthers have won back-to-back NYS High School Baseball Championships and Coach Steltz is the recipient of the 2023 ABCA/ATEC High School Div. III National Coach of The Year. He is truly an amazing coach and shares a lot of his knowledge and experience with us. I want to wish Coach all of the best as he guides his Panthers to, hopefully, a third state title in a row! 

Bert Gonzalez is the manager of the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League in Independent Baseball and also the founder of Indyball Jobs. Independent Baseball provides another avenue for high level baseball players to compete and continue to develop in professional baseball. Many Indyball players have gone on to further their careers with MiLB teams and some even make that giant leap to the big show in the MLB!

Justin Sherman is the founder of Justintime Baseball, an independent baseball training, softball training, and coaching business located in Westchester, NY. They partner with little leagues, recreation programs, private groups, and individuals throughout Westchester and Connecticut. They believe in building and developing fundamental skills in baseball and softball, while also instilling a sense of confidence and independence through individualized instruction.

We wrap up our recordings from the 2024 ABCA Convention by catching up with Anthony Pla. These conversations have become an annual occurrence and are just one of the many reasons that I look forward to the beginning of January at the ABCA each and every year. One last thing... I would not be a good father if I didn't thank my son, Vinny Filingeri, for acting as my sound engineer for these shows. He did an awesome job! I hope that you have enjoyed our 2024 Convention shows as much as I did!

One of our last interviews from the 2024 ABCA convention was supposed to be with USA Baseball National Team Head Coach RJ Farrell but we wound up with an added bonus to the show by inviting Georgia Gwinnett College Head Coach Jeremy Sheetinger to join in. Now, RJ would be an unbelievable conversation on his own but having Sheets join us made it that much more incredible. There were even a few jabs thrown at Coach Butch Chaffin!

There are so many great baseball minds just roaming around at the ABCA convention. Paul Gallo and Mark “Pudge” Gjormand are 2 of them that I have had the pleasure of spending some time with both in Kansas City during the Youth Baseball Summit and at the 2024 ABCA Convention. We jump into youth baseball and do a little recap of the Summit.

Matt Rienzi began his tenure as the Assistant Baseball Coach at Roger Williams University during the 2023 season and is the new Head Coach of the Ocean State Waves of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. Matt sat down with us in Dallas for a great conversation.

Another one of our good friends, Jake Lindmeier, sat down with us to catch up with what was going on at the convention and just baseball in general! Jake is from Dallas College Brookhaven and always has some good advice for our listeners.

New relationships are always being built at the the ABCA Convention but another great attribute of the convention is the ability to foster existing friendships. In this episode we spend some time catching up with our good friend, Taylor Valentine of Centre College.

As we continue along with our recordings from the ABCA convention we move to our next guest, Jim Chester of Gardner Webb University. Jim is going into his fifth year as the head coach of the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Coach Chester is an active member of the American Baseball Coaches Association and has served as the South East Region Chair, as well as being on two committees. He has also been heavily involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, as well as several other charitable organizations. I am happy to call Coach Chester a fr...

Carl Nichols is a former MLB catcher that played parts of six seasons for the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros but what was appealing to me was his ability to teach and develop baseball players. Carl joined me on Podcast Row at the 2024 ABCA Convention in Dallas, Texas for an amazing conversation.

The mission of Baseball Dudes owner, Chris Gissell, is to guide and mentor players, their families, coaches, and his social media followers to a successful life on & off the field. Develop confidence. Teach the game. Instill Character traits that help lead to success and help develop as many leaders as he can along the way. He believes that it’s about the kids, which is why we want you to hear his message.

Deven Morgan is the Director of Youth Baseball at Driveline Academy and author of the new book, Skills That Scale. He has one of the best baseball minds in the country. You will be hard pressed to find someone that is more passionate about developing young baseball players. In this episode, Deven shares his knowledge and experience with us. You are only cheating yourself if you pass this by.

I had the honor of participating in the ABCA Youth Baseball Summit hosted by the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium this past November. While I was there, I had the pleasure of meeting Shon Plack and Jeff Sopha. There are too many accolades to list, but Jeff serves as the Youth Liaison for the Kansas City Royals Amateur Development program and Shon is the Manager of Sport Development for Baseball for the Kansas City Royals. Give a listen to what these great leaders in youth baseball have to say!

Nick Serio is a coach that has a doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology. He established Athletes Warehouse in 2014 and extended his commitment to athlete empowerment with the founding of Velo University in 2020. Nick helps athletes optimize performance by facilitating cognitive and physical resiliency. His unwavering mission is to reshape the conventional perspective on the development of student-athletes and usher in a new era of athletic excellence.

Mental performance coach at RJ Performance Group, Jon Osborn, joins us to talk about how parents can make an impact on their child’s sports experience by understanding his Parents Do’s and Don’ts. He has created a simple chart that shares some scenarios parents might face with their young athletes and suggests what a parent should do and, more importantly, should not do! 

We continue with a recent common theme of talking to pitching coaches. Ryan Forrest was the pitching coach for former guest Mike Kazlausky of the Air Force Academy and has now moved on to Boston College. Ryan talks about his means and methods when he works with his players. We wish him nothing but the best as he embarks on his new journey with the Eagles new coaching staff.

We continue with a recent common theme of talking to pitching coaches. Ryan Forrest was the pitching coach for former guest Mike Kazlausky of the Air Force Academy and has now moved on to Boston College. Ryan talks about his means and methods when he works with his players. We wish him nothing but the best as he embarks on his new journey with the Eagles new coaching staff.

Wayne Mazzoni is a coach, author, advisor, and has been a speaker at over 500 high schools, coaches’ conventions, and athletic director conventions. As you can imagine, with that type of background, he has an incredible amount of information to share with everyone. We cover everything from pitching velo, change ups, multi-sport athletes, player portal, post grad programs, camps and showcases and so much more. Listen to this episode and… Get Recruited!

We always say that there are great coaches at all levels of play, and we’ve had many conversations with some of the best baseball coaches you can find. Clay Cox is the Head Baseball Coach at Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas and is certainly among the best that this game has to offer. Coach Cox has so much to offer that we couldn’t fit it all in one episode but what we did cover will make us all better coaches, players, and people. 

From Masuk High School in Monroe, Ct to Villanova University to the University of Maryland to the New York Mets. Nick Lorusso has been on a journey that very few get to experience. His trek has involved hard work, self-discipline, passion, persistence, a continuing desire to improve, and a big commitment to learning. Listen in as Nick recounts his experiences while climbing the ladder to become an MLB draft pick of the NY Mets. 

We have had many conversations with high school coaches, college coaches, authors, speakers, advisors, players, and many people involved in amateur baseball. In this episode, we get a look inside the baseball program at Archbishop Stepinac High School by speaking to Varsity Baseball Head Coach, Keith Richardson. It is an honor, for me, to be involved in this great baseball program and you’ll see why by listening to what Coach Richardson has to say.

He’s a self-proclaimed blue-collar coach, a high school coach by choice, and he’s genuinely trying to make a difference for all baseball players. He travels the country delivering his message and breaking down fundamental skills that are so important in building a strong foundation. He was the 2017 National High School Baseball “Coach of the Year” and a two-time State of Georgia “Coach of the Year”. It was an absolute pleasure sitting down and talking baseball with Coach Trent Mongero.

We invited a few travel baseball parents on the show to share some of their experiences with us. The idea came from one of our listeners and we decided to give it a try. What transpired was an interesting conversation regarding various topics with different points of view from a cross section of the country. There was a lot of ground to cover, so the episode is a little lengthy, but we thought that you might enjoy it!

There were a few things that have happened in the high school and college baseball world that we found to be noteworthy. We preach that there are so many aspects of the game that coaches and players need to be on top of, so we wanted to bring these occurrences to the forefront. In this episode we discuss rules, pitch counts, practicing events that happen most often in games and bunting. 

Eric Holtz is the former manager of the Israel National Baseball Team. He was the assistant coach for the gold-medal-winning Team USA Baseball team at the 2013 Maccabiah Games, and the Team USA head coach for the gold-medal-winning 18U baseball team at the 2017 Maccabiah Games. He was the Head Coach of the 1st and only Olympic Baseball team to represent Israel. He currently owns and operates the GameOn 13 training facility in Elmsford, NY. Coach Holtz is passionate about embodying the values of hard work, perseverance, sportsmanship, and respect for the game. He is committed to helping players develop the skills...

Dr. Travis Dorsch is an Associate Professor at Utah State University and the founding director of the USU Families in Sport Lab. Dr. Dorsch’s research is specifically targeted at understanding the impact of parent involvement in organized sport across the stages of child and adolescent development, the role of sport participation on family relationships, and the impact of parent involvement behaviors on developmental outcomes for youth in various achievement domains. 

Alan Jaeger 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. He is one of the most well respected and sought after trainers in both of these crucial aspects of baseball. Get your notepads ready because you won't want to miss any part of the best baseball information out there!

"It's not really people stealing other people's information, it's really people helping people because at the end of the day we are all in this together high school, summer ball, college ball, pro ball… we're all doing the same thing we just might be at a different level." - Taylor Valentine - Centre College and USA Baseball National Team Identification Series.
Lot's of good stuff from a great guy in this chat. You'll love what this rising star has to say!

We went live at the 2023 ABCA Convention in Nashville. Our last 2 interviews were with Jonathan Reinebold and Zach Casto. These two guys wrapped up our visit to Nashville with a nice tidy bow!

We went live at the 2023 ABCA Convention in Nashville. Our first 3 interviews were with Anthony Pla, Buzz McNish and Jake Lindmeier. Listen to what they have to say in this first episode and stay tuned for part 2!

From the front lines to the foul lines... we bring you the Voice of the Round Rock Express - Mike Capps. Mike worked in radio and TV news for 22 years before landing in his prized home, the Texas Rangers AAA broadcast booth for the Round Rock Express.  There is so much more to the man including authoring the book, "Grinders: Baseball’s Intrepid Infantry" where he tells the tales of the game's unheralded foot soldiers. Give a listen to what Mike has to say... We're sure you will be glad that you did!

There are well-known, high-level coaches that we all know and respect. Then there are relatively unknown coaches that have a great message and fully understand what it takes to be “that” coach that can change a young players life. In this episode, we pull back the curtain and give everyone a look at the man behind A Coach’s Diary, Reggie Bibb. Reggie is a young coach that brings so much to his players. You’re not going to want to miss this conversation.

The coaching journey can take you down many different paths. Many times, that track is a long and windy road. Coach Kirk Cabana, Head Coach of Marian University’s Ancilla College, talks to us about his, let’s say unorthodox, arrival at his current position as well as his experiences and beliefs as a college baseball coach.

Paul Reddick transforms pitchers and so much more. He has been endorsed by Hall Of Famers, MLB pitching coaches, and Navy SEALs. In this episode we discuss pitch counts, recovery time between innings, weight training for pitchers, hitting and, of course, some mental aspects for coaching players. There was so much to talk about that we didn't even get into his book, "The 5-6-7 Dad". We will have Paul back for that conversation soon. So, sit back and enjoy Part 1 of a conversation with Paul Reddick!

Bill Eckstrom is a leading authority on performance coaching and growth. He is the founding CEO of Ecsell Sports  and Ecsell Institute. With nearly two decades of experience, Bill remains a renowned TEDx Talk presenter, keynote speaker and podcast and radio show guest. In addition, he is the author of numerous research articles and white papers and the co-author of the best selling book, The Coaching Effect. You will also find his written work in Coach & AD Magazine.

There are many distinguishable differences between baseball coaches. Coach Mike “Kaz” Kazlausky of The U.S. Air Force Academy has a very discernible distinction. He not only prepares players for high level competition on the field, but he must also prepare them for so much more than that. Take a listen to what the “Life Coach” has to say in this episode, have a pen and paper ready to write down the many powerful quotes from Coach Kaz and prepare to feel extremely proud to be an American!

Author and freelance journalist Linda Flanagan joins us to discuss how big money and high stakes have transformed youth sports. We talk about many of the issues that parents have with the current state of youth sports and the consequences of raising the stakes for kids and parents alike – and the changes that must be made.

When we talk about practice, what should our main goals be? Are we practicing the areas of the game that happen most often so that they create an automatic response during games? Are we being efficient, purposeful, and productive? Are we keeping it simple? Are we perfecting fundamentals? Do we have a plan? Are we making it FUN? There are a lot of components to having a great practice so, let’s set up our… Practice!

Navigating through the recruiting process can be quite a challenge. Why not make it fun and interesting? The Baseball Bluebook App affords players, recruiters, vendors, and everyone involved with baseball a place to develop relationships. In this episode Eric Wubbena, President at Baseball Bluebook, talks about “The LinkedIn of Baseball”. 

It is that time of year once again! Tryout time. What does a good tryout look like? How do I decide what team is the right fit? How do coaches and organizations run their tryouts? There are so many questions that need answers as players and their parents navigate through the complex maze of youth baseball! One wrong turn can get you locked into the puzzle, scurrying for a way out!

In this episode we meet up with author, coach and youth baseball administrator, Adam Sarancik. Adam shares his views on the current state of affairs and uses his many years of experience to explain what, he believes, is needed to make participating in youth baseball more enjoyable for everyone!

There are coaches and then there are coaches that are among the best in the country. What makes them tick differently from the others? How did they become part of an elite fraternity? Every coach’s journey is different from the other and in this episode, we get some great insight from the 2021 National Coach of The Year, Jeremy “Sheets” Sheetinger.

There are many tools in a coaches tool box that need to be honed and sharpened. The is no greater aspect to the craft than communication. In order to be an effective coach, communicating skills have to be high on the priority list. All of the great coaches throughout the history of sports are great communicators.

There are many people in the baseball world that aim to promote our game for the betterment of all who are involved. There are a lot of good ones but there is no better advocate than Peter Caliendo. Peter has literally traveled the world teaching coaches and players how to be the best that they can be. He also shares some knowledge of what he has learned from his many journeys.   

We start the show with a little state of affairs for our high school teams and our observations at this point in our seasons. We then take aim on the out-of-control sports parents and coaches who physically attack refs/umps/officials at our kids' games. We need to find a solution for this toxic environment that continues to plaque youth sports. 

Rick Wolff is the host of The Sports Edge on WFAN radio in New York City. Rick’s show has been running for well over 20 years and is heard all over the country. The content of his show revolves around youth sports and sports parenting. We thought that he would have a lot of insight as to what is going on in youth baseball. Thanks for stopping by Rick we thoroughly enjoyed the conversation.