Shows
Clearing The BasesPeter Caliendo - Caliendo Sports InternationalThis 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!
2025-01-181h 06Clearing The BasesMike Cassidy - Marymount UniversityWe 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.
2025-01-121h 12Clearing The BasesDiamond Coaches Development Group 3As 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.
2024-12-291h 11Clearing The BasesDiamond Coaches Development Group 2This 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!
2024-12-221h 12Clearing The BasesDiamond Coaches Development Group 1The 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.
2024-12-141h 14Clearing The BasesTaber Mongero - UNCW & Dirt Bro BaseballTaber 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...
2024-12-071h 15Clearing The BasesJoey Greany - Pro Athlete Strength & Speed CoachWay 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.
2024-11-3054 minClearing The BasesChris Roof - Governor Livingston High SchoolChris 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.
2024-11-231h 07Clearing The BasesDuke Baxter - Dominate The DiamondDuke 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.
2024-11-1054 minClearing The BasesJohn Rosen - 6 Tool App6 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.
2024-11-0248 minClearing The BasesJordan Baltimore - NY Empire Baseball & ABCA Committee MemberJordan 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.
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ABCA PodcastJimmy Filingeri - Head Baseball Coach, Our Lady of Lourdes High School (NY)This week on the ABCA Podcast, we return to youth baseball with Jimmy Filingeri, head coach at Our Lady of Lourdes High School (NY) and host of the Clearing the Bases Podcast.
Filingeri brings a wealth of experience from his work with Evolution Baseball Club and his contributions to ABCA’s Inside Pitch Magazine, the Youth Baseball Committee, and the upcoming Youth Baseball Summit in November.
In this episode, we talk practice planning for youth baseball, covering effective strategies and insights to help young players develop their skills and love for the game.
Th...
2024-10-281h 17Clearing The BasesJordan Baltimore - NY Empire Baseball & ABCA Committee MemberJordan 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.
2024-10-271h 07Clearing The BasesPeter Lyons - The College Recruiting JourneyMy 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!
2024-10-201h 06Clearing The BasesJosh Kozuch - Mental Performance Coordinator Tampa Bay RaysJosh 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!
2024-09-281h 03Clearing The BasesBrad Lachemann - Arroyo Grande High School & USA BaseballBaseball 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.
2024-09-231h 11Clearing The BasesErick Quesada - Mingus Union High School & USA BaseballErick 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.
2024-09-141h 13Clearing The BasesLane Farmer - Your Formula NowLane 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...
2024-09-081h 11Clearing The BasesRoger Wright - USA Baseball 12U National TeamWe 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.
2024-08-311h 07Clearing The BasesJean Linscott and Ken Ruoff - What is The Goal?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.
2024-08-241h 05Clearing The BasesJosh Ellison – USA Baseball 12U National TeamWe 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.
2024-08-171h 08Clearing The BasesWes Brooks - USA Baseball 12U National TeamA 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.
2024-08-101h 25Clearing The BasesJay Huggins - Pioneer Coach's EducationJay 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
2024-08-031h 16Clearing The BasesBryan Madsen– USA Baseball 12U National TeamBryan 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!
2024-07-281h 07Clearing The BasesDave Clay - Kime PerformanceDave 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.
2024-07-201h 10Clearing The BasesBecky Beaulieu - Championship Culture CoachBecky 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.
2024-06-2359 minClearing The BasesJeff Schaefer - USA Baseball & The Schaefer Baseball ReportJeff 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.
2024-06-151h 19Clearing The BasesDavid Klein - Speedball & Legends CampsDavid 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.
2024-06-0846 minClearing The BasesKen Carpenter - Athlete 1 PodcastKen 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!
2024-06-021h 13Clearing The BasesRich Taylor - Don't Throw StrikesRich 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!
2024-05-251h 15Clearing The BasesDon Hooton Jr. - Taylor Hooton FoundationDon 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).
2024-05-1851 minClearing The BasesScott Steltz - Chatham High SchoolScott 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!
2024-05-051h 18Clearing The BasesBert Gonzalez - Indyball JobsBert 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!
2024-04-2148 minClearing The BasesJustin Sherman - Justintime BaseballJustin 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.
2024-04-141h 06Clearing The BasesCatching Up With Anthony PlaWe 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!
2024-03-3132 minClearing The BasesRJ Farrell & Jeremy "Sheets" Sheetinger - Meritorious MenOne 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!
2024-03-2946 minClearing The BasesPaul Gallo & Pudge Gjormand - Youth Baseball SummitThere 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.
2024-03-2435 minClearing The BasesMatt Rienzi - Roger Williams UniversityMatt 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.
2024-02-1734 minClearing The BasesCatching Up With Jake Lindmeier - Dallas College BrookhavenAnother 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.
2024-02-1036 minClearing The BasesCatching Up With Taylor Valentine - Centre CollegeNew 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.
2024-02-0134 minClearing The BasesJim Chester - Gardner Webb UniversityAs 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...
2024-01-2842 minClearing The BasesCarl Nichols - The Prospect NationCarl 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.
2024-01-2445 minClearing The BasesChris Gissell - Baseball DudesThe 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.
2024-01-211h 10Clearing The BasesDeven Morgan– Director of Youth Baseball / Driveline AcademyDeven 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.
2024-01-151h 25Clearing The BasesJeff Sopha & Shon Plack – KC Royals Baseball DevelopmentI 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!
2023-12-311h 28Clearing The BasesNick Serio - VeloUNick 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.
2023-12-241h 20Clearing The BasesJon Osborn - RJ Performance GroupMental 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!
2023-11-3058 minClearing The BasesRyan Forrest- Boston CollegeWe 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.
2023-11-131h 05Clearing The BasesRyan Forrest- Boston CollegeWe 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.
2023-11-121h 05Clearing The BasesWayne Mazzoni - Get RecruitedWayne 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!
2023-10-181h 40Clearing The BasesClay Cox–Paris Junior CollegeWe 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.
2023-09-261h 36Clearing The BasesNick Lorusso – 2023 NY Mets Draft Pick - University of MarylandFrom 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.
2023-09-161h 21Clearing The BasesKeith Richardson - Archbishop Stepinac High SchoolWe 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.
2023-09-031h 07Clearing The BasesTrent Mongero - Winning BaseballHe’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.
2023-08-021h 22Clearing The BasesThe Parent Point of ViewWe 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!
2023-07-031h 41Clearing The BasesRules, Pitch Counts and Bunting… Oh My!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.
2023-06-121h 14Clearing The BasesEric Holtz – Israel National Team And GameOn 13 Baseball/Softball TrainingEric 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...
2023-05-221h 28Clearing The BasesTravis Dorsch - Utah State University Families in Sport LabDr. 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.
2023-05-091h 15Clearing The BasesAlan Jaeger - Jaeger SportsAlan 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!
2023-04-161h 20Clearing The BasesTaylor Valentine - Centre College and USA Baseball"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!
2023-03-121h 21Clearing The BasesLive From The ABCA Convention 2We 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!
2023-03-051h 13Clearing The BasesLive From The ABCA Convention 1We 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!
2023-02-221h 21Clearing The BasesMike Capps – The Voice of The Round Rock ExpressFrom 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!
2023-02-121h 20Clearing The BasesReggie Bibb– A Coach’s DiaryThere 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.
2023-02-011h 21Clearing The BasesKirk Cabana - Marian University’s Ancilla CollegeThe 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.
2023-01-171h 20Clearing The BasesPaul Reddick - The Baseball Education CenterPaul 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!
2022-12-301h 18Clearing The BasesBill Eckstrom – The Coaching EffectBill 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.
2022-11-261h 05Clearing The BasesMike Kazlausky - Flying High at The U.S. Air Force AcademyThere 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!
2022-10-271h 16Clearing The BasesMoney & Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports & Why It MattersAuthor 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.
2022-10-161h 13Clearing The BasesPractice? We Talkin’ ‘Bout Practice?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!
2022-10-011h 08Clearing The BasesEric Wubbena - The Baseball BluebookNavigating 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”.
2022-09-041h 08Clearing The BasesTryouts... Making The TeamIt 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!
2022-08-211h 07Clearing The BasesCan We Change Youth Baseball?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!
2022-07-261h 15Clearing The BasesHoly Sheets! What A Conversation!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.
2022-07-171h 20Clearing The BasesThe "C" Word... CommunicationThere 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.
2022-07-041h 06Clearing The BasesPeter Caliendo - Baseball Outside The BoxThere 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.
2022-05-291h 13Clearing The BasesAttacking Umpires - The Lunatic FringeWe 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.
2022-05-011h 26Clearing The BasesRick Wolff - The Sports Edge WFAN RadioRick 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.
2022-04-101h 13Clearing The BasesOne Year Ago - Our Anniversary ShowOne year ago on March 23, 2021, we released the first episode of the Clearing The Bases podcast. We decided to do a "quick hit" show to give you a little history of how we got started and to say thank you to all of the listeners and guests that have made this show a huge success.
2022-03-2819 minClearing The BasesJoseph Guzman - Empowerment Sports GroupThere are many baseball players that for one reason or another that do not get noticed by scouts or recruiters. Player advisor and player agent Joseph Guzman of the Empowerment Sports Group joins us for a conversation that will help youth, high school and college players understand what it takes to get to their next level.
2022-03-201h 10Clearing The BasesJeff Frye Tells It Like It IsOvercoming obstacles is not an easy thing to do. It is our responsibility to teach our players how to do navigate the unpaved road that they will travel. Former MLB player, Jeff Frye talks about his journey and the many hurdles that he had to leap in order to make it to the pinnacle of the game we love.
2022-03-021h 12Clearing The BasesA Conversation With Jonathan Reinebold - Kaizen Mental PerformanceThe game of baseball is filled with pressure, mental stress and lots of distractions. Are we teaching our players how to remove all of these "performance killing" pieces of the game? Stay focused and control what you can control during this episode while we take a peek into the mental side of baseball.
2022-02-171h 17Clearing The Bases2022 Starts With The ConventionThe American Baseball Coaches Association kicks off the year in early January with their annual convention. Dave and I recap my visit to the "Windy City". We also talk a little bit about ego and start a conversation about how to run a practice. Practice is a constantly evolving discipline. We try to give some insight to help get practices moving in the right direction to start 2022.
2022-02-011h 00Clearing The BasesA Conversation With Peter Lyons - Fishkill Little LeagueIf leagues and organizations adopted the "growth mindset" philosophy, it would be a win/win situation for everyone in the world of youth baseball. In this episode we talk with Peter Lyons of the Fishkill Little League about how he, and his board of directors, are creating an environment to grow his league and develop the players in order for them to reach their full potential at the next level.
2022-01-061h 17Clearing The BasesThe Board Of DirectorsWe talk about coaches, players, and parents, but what about the people entrusted with the task of creating a suitable environment to develop youth baseball players? Are they creating an appropriate atmosphere for teaching the skills, mental and physical development, respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. Do they practice these principles amongst themselves? Let's take a look at The Board Of Directors.
2021-12-231h 05Clearing The BasesThe Off Season and A Little MoreIt's the off season and we decided to talk a little bit about it. What should players be doing this time of the year? What should players not be doing this time of the year? We also jump into a discussion about 6U travel baseball and try to help out a baseball parent by answering a question he had posted on social media.
2021-12-0857 minClearing The BasesSave The Game With Kevin GallagherIn this episode we talk to former pro player, author and visionary Kevin Gallagher. We will be discussing his book ”Teach Your Kid to Hit … So They Don’t Quit” and the movement that Kevin is spearheading called "Save The Game". Be part of this exciting journey by signing up at https://savethegameus.com/ to stay informed of the progress that Kevin will make as this movement gains traction! You won't want to miss this episode where Kevin details the reasons and needs for change in Americas favorite pastime!
2021-11-251h 02Clearing The BasesStories From The DugoutMost participants in youth baseball have experienced some type of crazy behavior. It comes at you, sometimes, from every angle. It really makes you want to scratch your head and say, "What the heck is going on here?" In this episode Dave and I talk a trip down Memory Lane and discuss things that we have witnessed throughout our time coaching youth baseball.If you would like to donate to the Newburgh Knights to help Jett Diaz with his battle ahead, please use this link... https://bit.ly/3FdS8TK
2021-11-121h 33Clearing The BasesA Conversation With Jack Smithlin - New Jersey City UniversityExperience is the teacher of all things. In this episode we learn from the experiences of North Jersey Hall-of-Fame coach Jack Smithlin. Coach Smithlin is in his 48th year of coaching at the high school and college levels. He has managed multiple symposiums on sports psychology and sports parenting. Coaches, players and parents, take advantage of the experience, knowledge and wisdom that Coach Smithlin has to offer.
2021-10-261h 20Clearing The BasesA Conversation With Matt Cole - Bethlehem Little LeagueMatt Cole is the Owner and Moderator of the Youth Baseball Coaching Support, Drills and Philosophy Facebook group. He also the coaching coordinator for the Bethlehem Little League in Richmond, Va. In this episode Matt shares his vision for his Facebook group and how he handles coaching for his youth baseball league.
2021-10-131h 13Clearing The BasesA Conversation With Butch Chaffin - Cookeville High SchoolGet those Airpods in! Relax and get ready to hear a fantastic baseball conversation with Butch Chaffin of Cookeville High School in Cookeville Tennessee! We have Coach Chaffin diving into topics such as USA Baseball, High School Baseball, Nekton, Credo and lots more!
2021-09-251h 36Clearing The BasesA Conversation With Anthony Pla - Lincoln UniversityHow do you run a college program alone as a head coach? You develop the “BEAST”! Anthony Pla, Head Coach of Lincoln University and 2021 ABCA convention presenter explains this and many other topics in this episode!
2021-09-071h 21Clearing The BasesA Conversation With Steve Springer - Quality At BatsThere are two types of players... the confident and the... not so confident. These two mental processes live inside of every baseball player. How do we get the right guy playing every day? In this episode we talk to Steve Springer of Quality At Bats and he, not only, tells his story but why coaches and parents need to help our players to "Compete with Confidence".
2021-08-291h 18Clearing The BasesCoaching From The DugoutSome say giving instruction to players during a game is the coach's job. Others say no. In this episode we discuss the pros and cons of coaching from the dugout. Is it right? Is it wrong? We debate and let you decide! We start the show with a look back at some of the happenings at the recently ended Olympic summer games from Tokyo.
2021-08-1456 minClearing The BasesCompetitors vs. Convenient CompetitorsIn this episode we discuss the difference between competitors and convenient competitors. What is the difference? Is the ability to compete something that a player is born with or is it a skill that can be taught? The way a player competes will determine whether or not they reach their full potential in the game of baseball.
2021-07-2845 minClearing The BasesAngel Lugo, Cadets Player Development AcademyThe development of youth baseball players is a process to be understood by players, parents and coaches. In this episode Coach Angel Lugo of the Cadets Player Development Academy launches us into the world of youth baseball development.
2021-07-111h 12Clearing The BasesInside Travel Baseball Part 2As we promised... Here is part 2 of our continuing conversation on the topic of travel baseball. More about organizations, players, coaches and parents. We hope that you enjoy it!
2021-06-0438 minClearing The BasesInside Travel Baseball Part 1The world of travel baseball is vast and complex. The concept can range from very good for our amateur athletes to..... well..... not so good. There is so much to talk about that we decided to bring this to you in more than 1 episode. Here is Part 1. We hope you enjoy it and stay tuned for Part 2!
2021-05-141h 07Clearing The BasesWhat's Wrong With Town Baseball?While participation numbers for youth baseball are on the rise, Little League numbers continue to decline. What's wrong with our youth baseball institutions? In this episode we discuss the problems and possible solutions to save local youth baseball.
2021-04-111h 07Clearing The BasesCoaching The CoachesIn this episode we discuss why it is important for youth coaches to have a good foundation in order to develop our young athletes. We provide some resources for youth coaches to research in order to become the best that they can be!
2021-03-2336 min