Figure It Out Baseball

Coach Repking is a Wisconsin native who is now the Head Coach at College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. After graduating from Crown College in 2019, Repking accepted a coaching job at his alma mater in 2020 working with hitters and infielders. In this episode we will gain insight into Repking's transition from player to coach, hitting approaches, recruiting and visits, and much more!

In this Figure It Out Baseball podcast, Mark Van Ameyde joins us for a second time to discuss his coaching career, networking, boundaries, and more. Mark Van Ameyde is the current pitching coach at Michigan State University in the Big Ten Conference. Prior to Michigan State, Van Ameyde also held coaching positions at Detroit Mercy, Georgetown, and Eastern Michigan. Tune in to learn all about navigating the coaching world!

Coach Repking is a Wisconsin native who is now the Head Coach at College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. After graduating from Crown College in 2019, Repking accepted a coaching job at his alma mater in 2020 working with hitters and infielders. In this episode, we will touch on Coach Repking's success as both a player and coach at Crown College, and what ingredients were essential for high-level winning.

In this Real Dirt Podcast with Florida International University Baseball Athletic Trainer, Rodolfo Martinez, we will dive into the most important aspects of injury prevention for overhead athletes.

Nick Puccio is in his first season as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Penn State University after a successful run as Assistant Coach at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. In this episode, we touch on the common denominators between Division I and Division III baseball, recruiting players authentically, finding ways to win, and so much more!

In this podcast, analytics consultant Brian Goebel and host Jeff Stanek discuss constructing the top of your lineup based on real data. With a background in applied analytics and a passion for baseball, Goebel dives into how utilizing statistics can improve runs scored, run scoring consistency, and more!

Anthony Plá is the Head Coach at Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania. Not only is he the Head Coach, but he was also the only Coach for a large portion of his career. In this Podcast we discuss how he navigated being the only Coach of Lincoln University Baseball, Having Fun vs. Disrespecting Opponents, and more!

Addison Rouse is the former Head Coach at Salem University in Salem, West Virginia, and the current Head Coach at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois. As the Head Coach at Salem University, the Tigers ranked among the nation's best in stolen bases. In this Real Dirt Podcast, Coach Rouse and Jeff Stanek will be diving into Base Stealing as an equalizer and a way to put pressure on the defense.

In this podcast, host Jeff Stanek talks with Clay Cox about how he got his start in coaching, the coaches who have shaped his coaching style (and him), why gaps in talent levels often begin and end with a commitment to the weight room, how to be who you are as a player to maximize your own abilities, why "grind" and "relentless" are two main ingredients to their offensive identity, using a 2-strike approach as a slump buster, recruiting blue collar hard-nosed players to build a roster, What "O.K.G." means for Paris Junior College, sending players on to the 4-year level and much more!

Our website consists of more than 900 FREE videos and podcast episodes featuring collegiate and professional and players. And we're now bringing our platform to YouTube! Through our channel, you can find expert coaching and teaching points in the areas of Hitting, Pitching, Defense, Baserunning, Recruiting, Strength and Speed Training, Mental Strength and so much more. Baseball players and coaches like YOU deserve a better educational baseball resource. FIOB is that resource.

www.figureitoutbaseball.com.

In this podcast, how Jeff Stanek talks with the New York Yankees pitching coach, Matt Blake, about the differences between being a pro coordinator and pitching coach, taking time for family amidst the season, the flaw of watching too much video, how (and when) to use pitch data and analytics, how to close the gap between your goals and your current reality, the importance of understanding your players as individuals, conversations with players who don't like to look at the data, everything that happens between MLB starts, how to properly assess the success of a bullpen, what the goals of a high school pitching staff should be, steps that can be taken to get into coaching pro ball, how his interview with the Yankees went and much more!

Our website consists of more than 900 FREE videos and podcast episodes featuring collegiate and professional and players. And we're now bringing our platform to YouTube!  Through our channel, you can find expert coaching and teaching points in the areas of Hitting, Pitching, Defense, Baserunning, Recruiting, Strength and Speed Training, Mental Strength and so much more. Baseball players and coaches like YOU deserve a better educational baseball resource. FIOB is that resource.

www.figureitoutbaseball.com.

In this conversation, host Jeff Stanek talks with UMBC Head Baseball Coach Liam Bowen about the future outlook of the UMBC Baseball program, UMBC's timeline in recruiting high school players, how college teams fill immediate roster needs, why recruits need to be such a specific fit to the university, the three difference makers when evaluating PSA's, things that a first-time head coach can expect, how player / coach relationships evolve as coaches move up the ladder, and much more!

Our website consists of more than 900 FREE videos and podcast episodes featuring collegiate and professional and players. And we're now bringing our platform to YouTube!  Through our channel, you can find expert coaching and teaching points in the areas of Hitting, Pitching, Defense, Baserunning, Recruiting, Strength and Speed Training, Mental Strength and so much more. Baseball players and coaches like YOU deserve a better educational baseball resource. FIOB is that resource.

www.figureitoutbaseball.com.

In this podcast, host Jeff Stanek talks with Jason Colleran about a lot of hot-button topics in the baseball world including the issues with weighted and plyo balls, how the baseball world is in love with creating too much shoulder and elbow stress, questioning whether the quick results that you're seeing will be sustainable, learning how to make the body function optimally using positional isometrics, the mistakes made by coaches and players who rely on motion capture cameras, why stretching too much can make you worse and more susceptible to injuries (and a great alternative to stretching), the myth of running to get rid of the lactic acid and much more! 

This podcast is not for the faint of heart in the baseball world. If you're afraid to hear a qualified individual tell you that what you've been doing might be wrong, this podcast is not for you. However, if you're open minded and interested in learning better ways to train athletes as a coach (or a self-coached player), this is a MUST-LISTEN!  

Our website consists of more than 900 FREE videos and podcast episodes featuring collegiate and professional and players.

www.figureitoutbaseball.com.

In this podcast, host Jeff Stanek talks with Matt Parker about how to handle being a highly ranked team and playing with a target on your back, playing vs. yourselves (instead of playing vs the other team), setting crazy expectations to win, "If you'd just score one more run than the other team, you'd win every game!" as an offensive philosophy, why you should want to see good players play badly, being up front in the recruiting process so there are no surprises, a blueprint for building a successful JUCO roster, getting better by playing a lot at JUCO (instead of sitting the bench at a D1), the JUCO recruiting timeline and much more!  

Our website consists of more than 900 FREE videos and podcast episodes featuring collegiate and professional and players. And we're now bringing our platform to YouTube!  Through our channel, you can find expert coaching and teaching points in the areas of Hitting, Pitching, Defense, Baserunning, Recruiting, Strength and Speed Training, Mental Strength and so much more. Baseball players and coaches like YOU deserve a better educational baseball resource. FIOB is that resource.

www.figureitoutbaseball.com.

One of the most incredible stories you will ever hear in professional sports, this is the full story (so far) of Wynton's Bernard's against-all-odds, faith-filled journey through baseball. It starts with Bernard hardly having any college baseball opportunities, transferring twice, being a 35th round pick as a senior and being released after only two part-time years of pro ball. It continues with his unlikely free-agent signing with a new team followed by his stunning emergence into baseball relevance. Now playing in AAA for the Colorado Rockies, Bernard is on the precipice of getting his first MLB call-up at age 31, and it couldn't happen to be a better man with a brighter smile. You wouldn't believe his story if you didn't hear it from his mouth, so take a listen as Wynton Bernard tells his story like no one else could!  

Our website consists of more than 900 FREE videos and podcast episodes featuring collegiate and professional and players. And we're now bringing our platform to YouTube!  Through our channel, you can find expert coaching and teaching points in the areas of Hitting, Pitching, Defense, Baserunning, Recruiting, Strength and Speed Training, Mental Strength and so much more. Baseball players and coaches like YOU deserve a better educational baseball resource. FIOB is that resource.

www.figureitoutbaseball.com.

In this podcast, host Jeff Stanek and Coach Jeff Calhoon talk about his first steps into coaching, working odd jobs to make coaching work, what a "grind" really is, improving situations on his coaching staff, learning to budget money both for the team and for his own finances, how his former head coaches prepared him to be a first-time head coach, the value of being around people who make you better, developing critically thinking young men and much more!  

Our website consists of more than 900 FREE videos and podcast episodes featuring collegiate and professional and players. And we're now bringing our platform to YouTube!  Through our channel, you can find expert coaching and teaching points in the areas of Hitting, Pitching, Defense, Baserunning, Recruiting, Strength and Speed Training, Mental Strength and so much more. Baseball players and coaches like YOU deserve a better educational baseball resource. FIOB is that resource.  

Figure It Out Baseball. Real college coaches. Real honest answers. Visit www.figureitoutbaseball.com.

Jerry Edwards is an Assistant Coach with Jacksonville University, a NCAA Division I program located in Jacksonville, Florida. A quick background on Jerry, he is a graduate of N.C. Wesleyan and began his collegiate coaching career there as an assistant coach in 1998.  Then, from 2000-2001 he spent two seasons as the pitching coach at Eastern Kentucky.  He then ended up at Lander University for one season in 2002, from 2003-2005 he was the Head Coach at Hiwassee College, and from 2006-2008 coached at Louisburg College.  Then Coach Edwards went back to Eastern Kentucky from 2009-2012, from 2013-2019 he coached at UNC Greensboro, and in 2020 he was hired on at Jacksonville University.

In this podcast, we start off talking about his experiences coaching at the different levels of collegiate baseball, including Division I, II, III, and JUCO.  We than discuss how players can use JUCO as a springboard to a higher level, why Coach Edwards recruits JUCO players and the process of recruiting them.  

Coach Edwards and I also talk about college coaches evaluating players (and other coaches) a their on-campus camps, the art of mentoring young coaches on his staff, and how technology has changed the way you coach pitchers. We also dive into why Coach Edwards still considers himself and old-school pitching coach, how to keep pitchers locked in for a complete bullpen session, and why commanding the fastball is still the most important aspect of pitching in college baseball.  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Division I assistant coach, Jerry Edwards.

Aaron Leasher is a Minor League Baseball Left-handed Pitcher in the San Diego Padres Organization.  A quick background on Aaron, he played collegiately at Morehead State University, a Division I program in Morehead, Kentucky.  Following his junior year there he was drafted in the 6th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres.  In 2021, his most recent season he split time between Double A and Triple A, pitching a totaled 64 2/3 innings with 62 strikeouts.  Aaron is currently starting his 5th season with the San Diego Padres Organization.

In this podcast, we start off looking back and discussing his freshman year at Morehead State University, and how he overcame and learned from his struggles on the mound.  We also discuss what led to his big velocity jump on the mound and the process it took to make it happen.  

Aaron and I also talk about what his path to the MLB looks like, learning from and collaborating with other professional pitchers, and why and how baseball turns into a job once in pro ball.  We than dive into a conversation about his professional baseball offseason, looking at his offseason plan in the weight room and his offseason throwing program with how he’ll use it to become more consistent on the mound.  We finish off this podcast talking about his first invitation to Big League Spring Training and what that experience was like, as well as what Aaron believes he would be doing if he wasn’t playing baseball. Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Minor League Baseball Pitcher, Aaron Leasher. 

Dan Bertolini is the Head Coach at Youngstown State University, a Division I program in Youngstown, Ohio. He is a 2008 graduate of Mercyhurst University where he was a four-year starting shortstop.  After graduating he played professional baseball for a few years before deciding to turn in his cleats and begin a coaching career.  Dan’s first coaching position was at Mercyhurst North East, a JUCO in Pennsylvania where he spent 8 years as the Head Coach.  Then, in 2017 he took over the Head Coaching position at Youngstown State University where he still remains.  

We start off this podcast with Coach Bertolini answering the question, “what makes up a successful college baseball program?”, as well as what he believes will help make the Youngstown State University baseball program what he wants it to be.  

Coach Bertolini and I also dive into a conversation about recruiting and what kind of players he looks for to join his Program.  We also talk about the importance of playing showcase baseball, devaluation of winning, recruiting off of the field, nutrition, and much more! Lock into this podcast to learn and hear from Division I Youngstown State Universities Head Coach, Dan Bertolini. 

Mike Gambino is the Head Baseball Coach at Boston College, a Division I program in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.  A little background on Coach Gambino, he played his collegiate playing career at Boston College, graduating in 1999.  The following two years he played professional baseball in the Red Sox Organization.  After deciding to end his playing career he jumped straight into coaching, in 2002 he split the year as a Special Assistant to the Boston Red Sox coaching staff and a Coach for the Single-A Lowell Spinners.  Next, he dove into College Baseball, spending 2003-2005 as an Assistant Coach at Boston College.  Following that, he spent two seasons as a Regional Scout for the Detroit Tigers Organization, and then from 2007-2010 the Recruiting Coordinator at Virginia Tech University.  In July of 2010 he became the Head Coach at Boston College where he still remains. 

In this podcast, we start off talking about what his mindset and goals were going into taking over the baseball program at Boston College. We than dive into a conversation about the future of Boston College Baseball and what’s to be expected, as well as Coach Gambino explaining the fun in building a program.

Coach Gambino and I also discuss the value in analytics along with the limitations it brings, his thoughts on recruiting super competitive multi-sport athletes and how to successfully interview and hire assistant coaches.  We also dive into the importance of helping your players reach their potential in life, adapting to changing life situations, and much more.  We finish off this podcast with Coach Gambino explaining how he balances family priorities with coaching in the ACC.  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Boston College Head Coach, Mike Gambino.  

Rob Fournier is the Head Coach at Wabash Valley Community College, a Junior College in Mount Carmel, Illinois.  A little background on Coach Fournier, he started his collegiate playing career at Ventura Community College from 1991-1992 and then transferred to MacMurray College, graduating in 1994.  One year after graduating he started his collegiate coaching career, spending 1995-1996 as a hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at MacMurray College.  In 1997, he was given the head coach position at Wabash Valley Community College, where he still remains.  

We start off this podcast discussing how Coach Fournier, as an Ojai, California native ended up playing his collegiate baseball career in Illinois.  We than dive into his journey of getting a head coaching job at such a young age, as well as his first season with Wabash Valley. 

Coach Fournier and I also talk about what he does to make Wabash Valley a consistent winner year in year out, he explains why his coaches have played such an important role in that and his take on coaching coaches.  Coach Fournier explains his hiring process, as well as what tools he uses to help himself and his fellow coaches learn and grow.  We also dive into “The Happy Moment”, Junior College Baseball 101, and multi-sport athletes.  Lock into this podcast to learn from one of the most successful JUCO Coaches, Rob Fournier. 

Jason Burke the Head Coach at Lander University, a Division II program in Greenwood, South Carolina. He began his collegiate baseball playing career at Lander University and finished it at Southern Wesleyan University in 2004. Not soon after graduating he began his coaching career, spending 2006-2007 as an Assistant Coach at Wofford University. Then, from 2008-2011 he was Assistant Coach at Gardner Webb University and from 2012-2016 returned back to Wofford University as an Assistant Coach. In August of 2016 he was officially hired on as the Head Coach at Lander University, where he still remains. 

We start off this podcast asking Coach Burke if he thinks it’s smart for a pitcher, at any level, to take a break from throwing and what he believes is the recommended time period.  Also, diving into a conversation about what it looks like for one of his pitchers to ramp up and get prepared for the long season.  

Coach Burke and I also discuss in-season throwing plans and the difference between starting and relief pitchers, as well as in-season lifting.  We finish off this podcast talking about picking an instructor and why Coach Burke finds it so important.  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Southern Wesleyan University Head Coach, Jason Burke. 

Toni Langhans is the Sports Dietician at Oregon State University, a very well-known Division I school in the Pac-12 Conference.  She graduated from Indiana State University in 2014 with a degree in dietetics, there she also competed on the Track & Field team.  Not long after graduating she completed a performance nutrition internship at Baylor University and then received a job at Washington State University as sports dietician.  Next, she spent time in Okinawa, Japan on a Military Base helping United States and their families with their nutritional needs.  Then in 2019, she was hired at Oregon State University as the Director of Sports Nutrition.  

We start off this podcast discussing the videos that Toni has on the Figure It Out Website and what they entail.  Then, we dive into a deep discussion about different nutrition-related topics, talking about eating before workouts, proper preparation for those early morning lifts, and pre-workout supplements and whether student-athletes should use them.  We also cover caffeine’s effect on athletes, protein after workouts and as a meal replacement, and much more!

Toni and I also discuss “food fear” in today’s society and her thoughts on the topic, as well as what she recommends in terms of sleep for athletes and how lack of sleep has a domino effect on an athlete’s day.  We finish off this podcast talking about proper hydration for a student-athlete and what dehydration does to the body. Lock into this podcast to learn and hear about everything sports nutrition with the Director of Sports Nutrition at Oregon State University, Toni Langhans. 

Eric Valent is a former Major League Baseball player, now National Scouting Supervisor for the Miami Marlins.  He was drafted out of High School by the Detroit Tigers in the 26th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft, but decided to go to college instead.  He spent his collegiate playing career at UCLA and was drafted at the end of his junior year by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1st round of the 1998 MLB Draft.  Eric had his MLB Debut in June of 2001 and spent the next 5 seasons in the MLB and one more playing professionally in Japan before putting up his cleats and retiring.  He quickly jumped into coaching and spent time as a Minor League hitting coach in the Phillies organization.  He then began his scouting career and in 2017 was hired by the Miami Marlins as their National Scouting Supervisor, where he still remains.

We start off this podcast asking Eric what his best memory was in his time as an amateur baseball player.  Then, diving into a conversation about building his love for the game, as well as playing multiple sports and when to stop and focus on one.  

Eric and I also talk about listening to Regional and Area Scouts, variables that separate professional prospects from one another, professionals’ ability to overcome failure and the new difficulties of being a part-time player. We finish of this podcast discussing how important velocity is when drafting pitchers and what goes into drafting non-Division I college baseball players.  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from former MLB player turned MLB National Scouting Supervisor, Eric Valent.  

Andrew Wantz is a right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels.  He played collegiately at UNC Greensboro, a NCAA Division I program in Greensboro, North Carolina.  He began to stand out his Sophomore year, being named 1st Team All-Conference and Conference Co-Pitcher of the year.  In 2018, following his Senior year he was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 7th round of the Major League Baseball Draft.  Three years later on July 4th, 2021 he made his Major League Baseball Debut.  In that 2021 season he made 21 Big League appearances, striking out 38 batters with a 1.24 WHIP.  

We start off this podcast talking about his collegiate baseball experience, more specifically his experience transitioning from the starting rotation to the bullpen and everything that came out of that.  We than dive into a conversation about Arm Care and what Andrew does to help him bounce back and recover between outings, as well as what his focus is for in-season workout.  

Andrew and I also discuss his off-field support system, how he gained velocity and developed his secondary pitches, the improvement he made thanks to the development process in college and trusting catchers to call his game.  We finish off this podcast talking about the “wow” moment he experienced from his debut as well as Andrew answering a number of fun baseball questions.  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Major League Baseball Pitcher, Andrew Wantz. 

Deskaheh Bomberry is the Pitching Coach, Recruiting Coordinator and Mental Skills Coach at Sacramento City College, a Junior College in Sacramento, California.  In this Real Dirt Podcast, Coach Bomberry and I will be diving into the important question of “why do you practice?”.  

Too often practice is seen by players as less than the game, not as important, and something that doesn’t require a certain level of focus.  In this Real Dirt podcast, we discuss the right and wrong reasons for wanting to practice, the goals of practicing, and much more! Lock into this podcast to hear Junior College Coach, Deskaheh Bomberry share his thoughts and that of his team on the matter.

Dr. Kevin McGovern is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Owner of Perfect Motion Sports Therapy.  Throughout his time as a Physical Therapist he has founded two other Physical Therapy practices: McGovern Physical Therapy and Game 7 Physical Therapy.  He invented G.A.M.E or Graded Active Movement Exam, a system of evaluation and corrective exercises for athletes. Dr. McGovern is also the founder of Velocity RX and a Podcast named Prove It Live. He has worked with many different athletes across many different sports throughout his career, but in this podcast, we will be diving into his experiences with Baseball.

We start off this podcast with Dr. McGovern addressing controversial topics in youth baseball and what he believes are issues and what needs to be changed for players of that age group.  Also, diving into a conversation about injury prevention and what Dr. McGovern believes are the best ways to combat them.

We also thoroughly discuss the fact that injury prevention is often an afterthought in baseball today, whereas velocity is the focus.  Dr. McGovern believes it is possible to safely make velocity gains on the mound and he shares his thoughts on why.  Lock into the podcast to learn about injury prevention in baseball with Physical Therapist, Dr. Kevin McGovern. 

Jon Shehan is the Head Coach at Millersville University, a Division II Program in Millersville, Pennsylvania.  As the Head Coach at Millersville he has won 8 Eastern Division Conference Championships, made 9 NCAA tournament appearances, and won 2 NCAA Regional Championships.  In this Real Dirt Podcast, Coach Shehan and I will be diving into the timing of recruiting.

We start off this Real Dirt Podcast discussing what “timing in recruiting” means and how it can affect a prospective player.  Also, discussing Coach Shehan’s thoughts on creating deadlines for recruits and why college programs can’t always wait for a player to make a decision. We finish off this podcast talking about a typical timeline of the recruiting process and what that looks like.  Lock into this Real Dirt Podcast to learn all about the timing of recruiting with Coach Jon Shehan. 

John Merkh is the Head Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Immaculata University, a Division III school in East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania.  He began his collegiate playing career at Junior College, Camden County College and then transferred to Penn State Abington University.  He began his collegiate coaching career in 2013 as the Pitching coach at Camden County College.  He was than promoted to the Head Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator and then in 2017 promoted to the Head Coach.  In 2019, he left Camden and accepted the Pitching coach position at Stockton University.  Then, in 2020 he accepted the Head Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator position at Immaculata University, where he still remains. 

In this podcast, we start off talking about Coach Merkh’s time spent at the Junior College level and his experiences there as a player and a coach.  Next, we discuss recruiting at the JUCO and Division III levels, diving into when that recruiting calendar begins. 

We also talk about balancing baseball and academics, priorities of a college athlete, the changing speed of the game at higher levels.  We finish off this podcast discussing the mental side of the game and addressing academic struggles.  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Head Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, John Merkh.

Wayne Mazzoni is the Pitching Coach at Sacred Heart University, a Private Division I school in Fairfield, Connecticut.  He is a 1991 graduate of Gettysburg College where he played his collegiate baseball career. Coach Mazzoni started his collegiate coaching career in 1992 as a Graduate Assistant for Nova Southeastern University.  From 1993-1996 he was the Pitching Coach at Fairfield University and from 1997-1999 took a break from coaching and spent that time as an author and speaker.  He then got back into coaching in the year 2000, spending 2000-2005 as the Head Coach at Post University and 2006 as the Pitching Coach at Holy Cross University.  Then, in 2007 he accepted the Pitching Coach position at Sacred Heart University, where he still remains. 

In this podcast, we start off talking about Coach Mazzoni’s time at Gettysburg College, and why he switched from playing football his freshman year to baseball the rest of his time there.  Also, diving into a conversation about his thoughts on the different levels of college baseball. 

We also talk about sport specialization, recruiting pitchers, paring your college list and experiencing failure.  We finish off this podcast discussing successful habits and how Coach Mazzoni has changed throughout his Collegiate Coaching career.  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Division I Pitching Coach, Wayne Mazzoni.  

Zach Kokoska is a Minor League Baseball Outfielder in the Colorado Rockies Organization. In his Senior year of High School, Zach was voted the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of The Year, as well as the USA Today Pennsylvania Player of The Year.  He stated his Collegiate playing career at Virginia Tech and then transferred to Kansas State University.  Then, Zach was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 10th round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft.  He made a name for himself in his first season of professional baseball, hitting with a .395 AVG and a .993 OPS. 

In this podcast, we start off talking about Zach’s collegiate career and what helped him put up consistent numbers on the field.  Here, we dive into creating success through routine and work ethic, as well as pre-game physical and mental preparation.  Also, discussing opposite gap approach and why that works, and the importance of a proper hitting approach.  

We than dive into Zach’s offseason training program, making the best of daily opportunities, and mental toughness through a long baseball season.  We finish off this podcast with a conversation about Zach’s path to the MLB.  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Minor League Baseball Player in the Colorado Rockies Organization, Zach Kokoska. 

Steve Smith is a Pitching Coordinator in the Detroit Tigers Organization.  A little background on Coach Smith, starting with his collegiately playing career.  He played at Mississippi College for one year before transferring to Baylor University where he spent the next three years of his career.  He was then drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 5th round of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft.  He spent a few years in professional baseball, making it as high as Triple A in the Giants Organization.  He then retired from playing and started his Collegiate Coaching career.  From 1988-1989 he was an Assistant Coach at Texas A&M and then from 1990-1994 he coached at Mississippi State University.  Next, he was given a Head Coaching position at Baylor University, where he spent 1995-2015.  While at Baylor, in 2012 he was named the All-Time Winningest Coach and at the end of his career there accumulated an impressive 744 wins.  Then, he coached collegiately for a number of years before entering into the Professional Baseball Coaching world in 2021 as a Pitching Coordinator in the Detroit Tigers Organization.  

In this podcast, we start off with Coach Smith discussing his mentors and the biggest influences on his Coaching Career, as well as talking about the three principles to coach by.  We than talk about Coach Smith getting fired from Baylor Unexpectedly and his healing years at Auburn.

Next, we dive into a conversation about his new position with the Detroit Tigers and his passion to grow as a coach and a person.  We finish off this podcast discussing how coaching is connecting, the fine line between being needy and being coachable, and coaching as a means to a bigger end.  Lock into this podcast to learn and hear from lifelong College Coach and newly MLB Coach, Steve Smith.  

Hunter Hubbard is the Interim Head Coach at Southern Wesleyan University, a NCAA Division II School in Central, South Carolina.  He played collegiate baseball at The University of Akron, a Division I school in Akron, Ohio.  Upon graduating in 2017 he spent 2018-2020 at East Georgia State as an Assistant Coach.  Then, in 2021 he was an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Southern Wesleyan University and on September 10th, 2021 he was promoted to Head Coach.

In this podcast, we start off talking about Coach Hubbard’s influence on social media, Twitter in specific.  Also, discussing what makes college baseball so different from other collegiate sports.

We than dive into everything recruiting, first, discussing going all in on a recruit and what kind of talking points Coach Hubbard uses when a player visits Division II Southern Wesleyan University.  We than discuss negative recruiting, what that means and how Coach Hubbard deals with it, as well as organizing the recruiting calendar and what that entails.  Coach Hubbard than explains what he looks for when recruiting players, what the most important tool is, and much more! Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Southern Wesleyan University Head Coach, Hunter Hubbard.  

Danny Perez is the Pitching Coach at Hillsborough Community College, a Division I Junior College in Tampa, Florida.  In this Real Dirt Podcast, Coach Perez and I will be diving into a conversation about in-season bullpens.  

We start off this Real Dirt Podcast by discussing real life examples of what Coach Perez’s players might be working on during an in-season bullpen session. We than discuss how to get the most out of bullpen sessions, Coach Perez believing that having a specific plan and creating competition is the best way to maximize focus and intent of every pitch.  Lock into this Real Dirt Podcast to get your hands dirty with a conversation all about maximizing in-season bullpen sessions with Danny Perez.   

Cedric Mullins is an All-Star Center Fielder in the Baltimore Orioles Organization.  He started his collegiate playing career from 2013-2014 at Louisburg College, a Junior College in North Carolina.  He then transferred and spent 2015 at Campbell University, a Division I college in North Carolina.  In 2015, he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles Organization in the 13th round, only spending a few seasons in the Minor Leagues.  On August 10th, 2019, he was officially called up to the Major Leagues.  In the 2021 season Cedric was named an All-Star, awarded a Silver Slugger and became the first player in Baltimore Orioles history to have a 30 homerun/30 stolen bases season.   

In this podcast, we start off with a conversation about what life was like for Cedric coming into the 2021 season, diving into what he was thinking and expecting from himself.  Also, discussing switch hitting and then his choice to stop switch hitting.  

We than dive into Cedric’s reasons for going JUCO and when he believed playing professional baseball became a real option.  Also, discussing why he decided to incorporate a leg kick into his swing, his optimal bat path and his adjustments to get there, and consistency through a consistent approach.  We finish off this podcast talking about the League’s adjustment to him and what his Big-League Debut entailed.  Lock into this incredible podcast with Baltimore Orioles Center-Fielder and Major League Baseball All-Star, Cedric Mullins.  

Tony Cougoule is the Pitching Coach at Westmont College, an NAIA Division II program in Montecito, California.  He started out his collegiate baseball playing career at Division III Ponoma Pitzer College, then got injured and transferred to JC Cañada College, then was recruited to play at NAIA Division II Mount Mercy University.  After graduating from Mount Mercy University, he went on to coach collegiately, starting out at his alma mater in 2005.  Then, from 2006-2007 he was the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Azusa Pacific University and from 2008-2009 the pitching and defensive coach at Southeastern Community College.  In 2010, he was hired on at Westmont College, where he still remains.  

In this Podcast, we start off talking about Coach Tony Cougoule’s interest in Figure It Out Baseball, what about FIOB made him want to be a part of it, and what types of videos he has shot for the website.

We than dive into everything pitching.  Discussing what a proper warm up looks like, how to create an efficient arm, and the use of weighted balls and plyo balls. We finish off this podcast talking about NAIA baseball, being blessed, and much more!  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from the Pitching Coach at Westmont College and FIOB Contributor, Tony Cougoule.  

China McCarney is the Vice President and CFO of Jaeger Sports, as well as the Founder of Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression.  He played baseball collegiately at three different colleges and was drafted twice throughout his career, first in 2008 in the 29th round and second in 2009 in the 33rd round.  He has been a part of Jaeger Sports in some capacity since 2008.  In 2014, he was named the companies Vice President and in 2019 was named the Chief Financial Officer.  China McCarney is also an author of several books, including Tell your Story and Off the Field.  

In this podcast, we start off talking about how he got involved with Allen Jaeger the founder of Jaeger Sports and how he became such an integral part of the company.  We than dive into a conversation about why J-bands work and how they help to keep baseball players arms healthy. 

We than talk about individual throwing programs within a team, the “What, Why, How” approach to player development, and real-world and accessible mental health.  Also, discussing Athletes Against Anxiety & Depression (AAAD’s) beginnings and much more!  Lock into this podcast to learn and hear from Vice President/CFO of Jaeger Sports and Founder of AAAD, China McCarney.  

Shane Davis is an Assistant Coach at Youngstown State University, an NCAA Division I School in Youngstown, Ohio.  He played collegiate baseball at Eastern Michigan University and graduated in 2007. Post-graduation he has spent the last 12 years as a Division I Baseball Coach.  From 2007-2008 he was an Outfield and Catching Coach at Eastern Michigan University and in 2009 was a Catching Coach at the United States Air Force Academy.  Then, from 2010-2011 was a Catching and Bullpen Coach at Cleveland State University and from 2012-2018 was a Hitting and Outfield Coach than transitioned to a Pitching Coach at Western Illinois University.  In 2019, he was hired on at Youngstown University, where he still remains.  

In this podcast, we start off talking about Coach Davis’s experience with Figure It Out Baseball, as he has many different teaching videos on our website.  We thank talk about the importance of “mastering something”, in other words, being great at one thing over being good at many.  Also, diving into Coach Davis’s thoughts on throwing breaking balls at a young age.  

We than talk about the importance of having command while on the mound and pitching to contact, as well as only worrying about what you can control.  Also, discussing future videos, starting 0-17, suddenly unemployed, and much more! Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from a longtime contributor to Figure It Out Baseball and Coach at Youngstown State University, Shane Davis. 

Chris Gresham is an Assistant Coach at D’Youville College, an NCAA Division II Private School in Buffalo, New York.  He played baseball collegiately at Virginia Wesleyan College and then transferred and graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College.  Next, he went to the University at Buffalo School of Law, graduating in 1994.  He then spent the next 20 years as a prosecutor before receiving an opportunity to coach collegiate summer baseball in 2015.  Then, in 2016 he was an Assistant Coach at Clarion University and from 2017-2019 was an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Finger Lakes Community College.  During the Spring of 2020 he was an Assistant Coach at Hilbert College and in January 2021 he was hired on at D’Youville College, where he still remains. 

In this Podcast, we start off with Coach Gresham sharing what it’s like to be a minority coaching collegiate baseball.  We than continue that conversation, talking about being in the right place at the right time as a player or coach and increasing minority involvement in baseball.

We than talk about the importance of playing alongside and against talent and the impact that can have in recruiting, as well as the importance of travel organizations that develop their players.  Also, discussing coaching competitiveness into players, scouting players when nothings at stake, learning from accomplished coaches, and much more!  Lock into this podcast to learn and hear from Prosecutor turned Baseball Coach and Assistant Coach at D’Youville College, Chris Gresham. 

Joe Oliveira is the founder and owner of Oliveira Baseball Consulting. His company focuses around helping amateur baseball players reach their potential, market their abilities’, and overall help them find and choose the college that best fits their future baseball careers. Joe played collegiately at the University of Pacific, a NCAA Division I school in Stockton, California. He was then drafted in the 15th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft and played within the Baltimore Orioles Organization for a number of years. Then, in 2013 he started his collegiate coaching career as a coach in the Northwoods Summer League and spent the next 8 years as a coach at San Diego State University. At San Diego, he had many different roles working with hitters, catchers, outfielders as well as spent time as the recruiting coordinator. On June 16th, 2021, he officially resigned from San Diego State University and started up his company; Oliveira Baseball Consulting.

In this podcast, we start off talking about what the decision-making process was like for Joe when thinking of stepping away from on-field coaching. We than dive into discussing his company, Oliveira Baseball Consulting, Joe explains the ins and outs as well as how he helps these players and their families find their perfect college fit.

We than talk about his time as a collegiate baseball coach, discussing his coaching goals when he first started his career and how those changed throughout his career. Also, thoroughly talking about the Division I coach and recruiting coordinator lifestyle and everything that it entails. Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Joe Oliveira, a Division I Coach turned into baseball company owner.

Tyson Blaser is a catching coach within the New York Yankees Organization, specifically their Minor League system. He played collegiately at the University of Iowa, a NCAA Division I program.  Upon graduating in 2011 he was drafted and played in the New York Yankees Organization from 2011-2015, making it as high as Double A.  Next, in 2016 he coached baseball and taught U.S. History at United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois.  Then, in January 2017 he was hired on by the New York Yankees as a Bullpen Coach for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders a Triple A team in their organization.  From 2018-2019 he was the defensive/catching coach for the Staten Island Yankees a Single A team in the Yankees Organization.  Currently, Tyson remains within the New York Yankees Organization as a Minor League Catching Coach.  

In this podcast, we start off talking about his experience when receiving “The Call” from the New York Yankees offering him the coaching position within their organization.  We than thoroughly discuss the MiLB coaching lifestyle.

Next, we dive into Coach Blaser’s coaching goals and if he wants to move up within the New York Yankees Organization, as well as where his passion for catching came from.  Also, discussing his coaching style, talking about establishing trust with his players, daily prep work, borderline pitches, and much more!  Lock into this podcast to learn and hear from New York Yankees Minor League Catching Coach, Tyson Blaser.  

Bryan Torresani is the Head Coach at Arcadia University, a NCAA Division III School in Glenside, Pennsylvania.  He began is collegiate baseball playing career at Penn State Abington and then transferred to Elizabeth Town College, graduating in 2006.  In 2007, he began his coaching career, teaching Social Studies and coaching at Hatboro High School.  Then in 2008, he began his collegiate coaching career at Chestnut Hill College as an assistant coach.  Upon leaving Chestnut Hill in 2012 he was hired on at DeSales University as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.  Then, from 2013-2017 he was the Head Coach at Immaculata University and in the Spring of 2017 was hired on as Head Coach at Arcadia University.

In this podcast, we start off talking about Coach Torresani’s thoughts on having a Master’s Degree and if it can help your coaching career.  We than jump into a conversation about the winning culture that Coach Torresani has helped develop upon at Arcadia University, as well as what team culture means to him and how he has been able to establish it there.  

We than dive into Coach Toressani’s process of hiring assistants and what he looks for to be a great fit in his program.  Also, discussing the correlation between grades in the classroom and statistics on the field, high velocity batting practice, and much more!  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from the very successful Head Coach at Arcadia University, Bryan Torresani.  

Nick Zaleski is the Associate Head Coach and Hitting Coach at McNeese State University, a NCAA Division I School in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  He played baseball collegiately at Sam Houston State and upon graduating signed a free agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Later, in the Spring of 2013 he began his collegiate coaching career at the University of Texas at San Antonio.  Then, in 2016 he was hired on at McNeese State as an Assistant Coach and in August of 2019 was promoted to Associate Head Coach. 

In this podcast, we start off talking about what it was like playing for Coach Hill at Sam Houston State and now coaching alongside him at McNeese State.  We than discuss Coach McNeese’s role in rebuilding the Lake Charles community following the pandemic and hurricanes they have endured.  

We than dive into the fundamentals of hitting at the Division I level and what Coach Zaleski looks for when recruiting hitters for his program.   Also, discussing redefining success at higher levels of baseball, stepping up in big moments, and much more!  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from Division I Associate Head Coach at McNeese State, Nick Zaleski.  

Mike Deegan is the Head Coach at Denison University, a NCAA Division III program in Granville, Ohio.  He is a 2001 graduate from Marietta College, where he also spent four seasons playing baseball.  He began his coaching career at his alma mater, spending 2004-2012 at Marietta College as an Assistant Coach.  In his time there, the baseball team won three National Championships, in 2006, 2011 and 2012.  Then, in 2013 he was hired on as the Head Coach at Dennison University, where he still remains.  

In this podcast, we start off talking about his time at Marietta College as an Assistant Coach and what he learned in his time there that helped prepare him for being a Head Coach at Dennison University.  Also, discussing how he has changed as a Head Coach in his time at Dennison University.  We than touch on his website and how Coach Deegan uses writing as an outlet. 

We than dive into why too much of a “future focus” is bad for the game and developing players through game-play.  Also, going into depth on recruiting, discussing recruiting players that find joy in and have a true love for the game of baseball, coaches being transparent, being vulnerable and authentic as a secret weapon in recruiting, and recruiting multi-sport athletes.  We finish off this podcast talking about the irreplaceable “compete” factor within players and the gift and curse of obsessive improvement.  Lock into this podcast to learn and hear from the Head Coach at Dennison University, Mike Deegan.  

TJ Wharton is the Recruiting Coordinator, Sports Performance Coordinator and Hitting Coach at Maryville College, a Division III program in Maryville, Tennessee.  He has a very interesting background, starting his collegiate baseball playing career at UNC Greensboro, transferring to Guilford Tech Community College, and transferring again to Catawba College.  He officially graduated from Catawba College in 2017, but in 2015 coached and worked out at Catawba and in 2016 played professional baseball for several different Independent League teams.  After officially graduating in 2017 he also officially became an Assistant Coach at Catawba University.  Then, in 2018 he was an Assistant Coach at Eckerd College and in 2019 an Assistant Coach at St. Petersburg University.  In August of 2020 he was hired on at Maryville College, where he still remains. 

In this podcast, we start off talking about TJ Wharton’s unique life, from childhood to coaching collegiate baseball.  We than discuss the importance of having connections in baseball and how that has helped TJ in his coaching career.  Also, talking about TJ’s blog, why he started it and how it has helped in his coaching career.

We than talk about different types of baseball technology, going in depth into Rapsodo and others.  Also, talking about spin efficiency, attack angle, and much more!  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from ex professional baseball player and Maryville College Baseball Coach, TJ Wharton.

Chris Lemonis is the Head Coach at Mississippi State University, a very well-known Division I program in the SEC.  He was a 1992 graduate at Citadel University and began his coaching career there, spending 12 seasons as an Assistant Coach.  He then spent the following 8 years as an Assistant Coach at Louisville University. Next, from 2015-2018 he was the Head Coach at Indiana University and in 2019 was officially hired on as the Head Coach at Mississippi State University.  In 2019, he set an NCAA record as the Winningest First-Year Coach, leading his team to a 52-15 record.  

In this podcast, we start off talking about Coach Lemonis’ background in recruiting and how it is for him now as a Head Coach to put trust into his assistant coaches when dealing with the recruiting process.  We than discuss the type of player Coach Lemonis looks for during the recruiting process, as well as the type of Coach he looks for to join his program at Mississippi State. 

We than dive into what he believes separates a good recruiter from a great recruiter.  Also, talking about college coaches going pro, the evolution of baseball, quick hitters, and much more!  Lock into this podcast to hear and learn from very successful Division I Head Coach, Chris Lemonis. 

Rob Nelson is the inventor of the world’s most nostalgic gum, Big League Chew.  He went to Nassau Community College and then NCAA Division I Cornell University, where he was a left-handed pitcher.  After graduating from college, he played professionally in Cape Town, South-Africa, and then found himself in Portland Oregon.  There in Portland he became a part of the Portland Mavericks Independent Baseball Team, which is also where Big League Chew was born.  

In this podcast, we start off with Rob telling the story of how and where he got the idea for shredded gum.  We than discuss how Big League Chew went from an idea to an actual on-the-shelf item, including Rob explaining how he cooked the first batch himself in a borrowed kitchen.  

We than continue our conversation with what life was like for Rob before Big League Chew became a household name and how he stays humble now that his gum has entered “Hall of Fame” status.  Do yourself a favor and lock into this special podcast to hear from Rob Nelson, the inventor of every baseball players favorite gum, Big League Chew.