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Evan

Episode #020: Lou Colon- Drew University Coach/ Infield Instructor

April 2021 By Evan

Ep. #20: Lou Colon- Drew University Coach/ Infield Instructor

Join Evan and Lou Colon, Drew University Coach and Infield Instructor, as Lou provides insight into his baseball journey, college coaching and passion for the game.  Lou shares ways Infielders may take their game to the next level and so much more!

What You’ll Learn:

01:20   Lou’s youth baseball story

04:39   His journey to Professional Baseball

09:35   Coaching at the college level

16:09   Tight V and creating efficiency when throwing

17:35   Tips to increasing throwing velocity

24:18   Tips for executing the slow roller play

25:46   Ways an infielder can increase range and cover more ground

27:22   Reading the spin on the ball

27:22   Insight into the College recruitment process

27:22   What makes a Player stand out?

36:09   Lou’s popular infield clinics

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Instagram @coachloucolon24

YouTube: Coach Lou Colon

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Episode 020_LOU COLON_DREW UNIVERSITY COACH_INFIELD INSTRUCTOR

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of Born To Baseball is sponsored by the BTB Travel team and training tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for a travel team or training facility in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple t tracker at borntobaseball.com, make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Music 0:23

Calling all ballplayers. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in. it's game time.

Evan 0:40

Hey guys, and welcome to the born to baseball podcast. I'm Evan. And today we have Lou Colon joining us. Lou played three seasons professionally with the Baltimore Orioles organization, and played two seasons of professional winter ball in Puerto Rico. He's currently the first assistant coach, recruiting coordinator, fielding and hitting coach for the Rangers at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. I'm super excited to be here with you at Drew University. It's such a beautiful campus.

Lou Colon 1:07

Thank you, Evan, I am excited that you're here. And I just want to thank you personally for attending all my clinics, and doing so well in them.

Evan 1:16

Your clinics were great. And thank you so much for talking with me today.

Lou Colon 1:19

Of course, of course.

Evan 1:20

So yeah, I'm going to jump right into it. I want to start off with your baseball journey. What age did you start playing baseball and what was your youth baseball experience like?

Lou Colon 1:30

Oh my gosh, I started I guess I started playing organized baseball, I would say I guess seven or eight years old playing t-ball baseball. It was a lot different back then than it is now. I think, I think I played more with my friends then the organized part. I think today the kids, if there's not a coach or if it's not so structured kids kind of back off on it or won't practice or play. But back then we, any time, any moment, any sunny day, and if we had a couple of baseballs or even with three players, we would just play baseball. But as far as playing organized, I would say about seven or eight years old playing for Franklin Township Little League t-ball.

Evan 2:19

Yeah.That that first part and playing with friends too. It's what makes you love the game more.

Lou Colon 2:26

Yeah. 100% I think when you, when you play with your friends, you start to understand what competition is, right? You're trying to be a, trying to make a better catch then your best friend or trying to hit the ball farther than your best friend. It's healthy competition. There's not that coach kind of telling you Hey, you have to do it this way, you have to do it that way. You're just playing and you're trying to compete against your friends.

Evan 2:55

Yeah, that motivation too, just to beat one another. What was baseball like for you in high school?

Lou Colon 3:01

High School. We um, It was good. I was um, I played varsity. I started playing third base my freshman year and our shortstop, our varsity shortstop made four errors. The first two games so they brought me up to varsity. We didn't have great seasons my first three years but our senior year we were mid-state conference champs

Evan 3:26

Congratulations

Lou Colon 3:27

Yes, thank you. It took a lot to get there because we, believe me we'ds taken our beatings but that was um, I still remember that lineup and that team for sure.

Evan 3:38

No, I hear a lot of players they also grow and really mature during that time. It's definitely a good time for that.

Lou Colon 3:44

Yeah. You learn your, it reveals your character when you lose. And so that's, that's part of it for sure.

Evan 3:56

What adjustments did you have to make when going from high school to college baseball?

Lou Colon 4:02

So that's a great question. So every jump the game gets faster. Okay, so as an infielder you have to be more efficient. Alright, so I think the the biggest jump from from high school to college was in high school I could take my time as a shortstop. I could take my time making that throw across but in college these kids are bigger and faster. So I had to learn ways to be, to play smarter and take better angles. But um, yeah, that's, the biggest adjustment the game just overall gets faster.

Evan 4:39

Can you walk us through your journey to professional baseball?

Lou Colon 4:43

Sure. I played college at Fort Myers Junior College in Florida. So a kid from Somerset, New Jersey, central jersey. I think the reason I got into baseball and playing it at that level, was my, my parents, my dad did not play baseball, didn't even understand the game. In fact, my my dad grew up in Puerto Rico, loved boxing, boxing, loved boxing, and that was a great, legitimate volleyball player in Puerto Rico. My mother used to watch the professional winter league games in Puerto Rico. So my mother was the one who got me into baseball. And ironically enough, when we moved to New Jersey, the house that my dad purchased was right next to Franklin Township Little League baseball field. So my backyard Evan, four open baseball fields. So when I would wake up in the morning, I'd see four open baseball fields. And it goes back to the point we spoke earlier is, all we did every summer was play baseball, just play baseball, baseball, and I grew a love for it. Even though my dad didn't understand the game. It helped me. And the reason I say that circling back to your question is, that my last pro seasons were actually winter ball in Puerto Rico. So my mother actually got to see me play in Puerto Rico, when she would see all the others. So that was, that was a great moment for me. So that, that's kind of briefly my story. But I played at a junior college in in Florida Fort Myers Junior College. Back then they had two drafts. They had a fall Draft, I signed as a free agent, and didn't play professionally long. I was always a great fielder, but I couldn't, I just couldn't hit at that level, I couldn't hit at that level. So I knew that God put me on earth to be a coach to develop infielders and demonstrate my passion for it.

Evan 6:47

Now, that's an awesome passion.

Lou Colon 6:48

Thank you.

Evan 6:49

So how did you feel when you like signed that contract that you were going to play professional baseball?

Lou Colon 6:56

Nervous nervousness, right? Again, when you're, when you sign as a free agent, when you're not drafted, you're typically filling a spot of a kid who was, who didn't sign on the draft. So you really have to, you really have to perform right away. So, lots of pressure. I knew I could, I knew I could play defensively at that level. But I knew early on, hitting was a struggle for me. So I always kind of, when I was on the field I was relaxed. But when I was batting, I was a little bit nervous and had anxiety. So but the overall, I think the overall experience, the relationships that you built with the players are quite, you know, obviously, the fondest of memories for me.

Evan 7:42

Yeah, the relationships are the things you cherish, and you've take in forever.

Lou Colon 7:46

Sure, of course,

Evan 7:48

What were some of the most important things you learned while playing in the minor leagues?

Lou Colon 7:52

Um, great question, um, how to deal and cope with favor, with failure, rather. And what are you going to do about it? You know, it's all on you. You know, it's, I have this saying to my players F.I.O. (figure it out). You know, if I made if I made an error or two I would, I would, you know, what am I going to do about it? You know, it's my career, it's my responsibility. So I would work harder, you know, talk to the coaches and ask what I needed to improve upon or what do you see? But learning, ownership, accountability and responsibility on your actions?

Evan 8:32

Yeah, those are those are great lessons there.

Lou Colon 8:34

Yeah.

Evan 8:36

I know, you talked about how your, your mom used to always watch the, the Puerto Rican winter ball, those games. But how did the opportunity to play in the liga de beisbol profesional come up?

Lou Colon 8:49

They had a, they had, I was released from the Orioles. I went over there. They had open tryouts. And I tried out and, and I made the team for sure. Yeah.

Evan 9:00

Oh, that is awesome. And yeah, you mentioned your mother was able to watch you on TV, that had to be special.

Lou Colon 9:06

Yeah, she actually watched me in person. Because she went to Puerto Rico and I played for Santurce. And she, it brought tears to her eyes, you know, because as, when she was a young lady she'd watch, and she saw her son play so that, that meant a lot to me. Yeah.

Evan 9:23

That's that's really special.

Lou Colon 9:25

Thank you.

Evan 9:27

You've had experienced coaching at the high school and college level. What's been unique about coaching at the college level?

Lou Colon 9:35

Great question. college level it's a it's a process because you're recruiting these kids, right, So you're, I treat them as my, my kids. Okay, see your um, you may recruit them as sophomores and juniors in high school. You're following them during their summer, summer seasons, you're, you're constantly communicating back and forth via email via text. How are doing in school? There are lots of layers and responsibility on both ends. And then once they get on campus now you're, you're watching them in development for another four years. So, with high school, you know, I was the head coach at Franklin High School. So sometimes although you're responsible for the full program, you're typically coaching the varsity kids. So with college, it's, it's just a huge commitment. Athletically personally, and with the family. Yeah.

Evan 10:36

And that has to be a good time, bonding with those players. And really, and I like how you said, it's almost like a family there.

Lou Colon 10:43

Sure, sure.

We do, we do a good job here. I feel, at Drew University, building relationships and building that family program. We um, if our kids are struggling academically, we have mechanisms in place. Mandatory study hall, or you know, they all have to have a certain GPA, of course, to play at the NCAA level, but we exceed the standard.

Evan 11:07

That's, that's awesome.

In 2014, after you joined the Rangers coaching staff, the Rangers ranked first in the landmark conference in fielding percentage, and committed the least amount of errors in the league. That's, that's pretty incredible.

Lou Colon 11:21

Thank you. I'm, I'm proud of that accomplishmen.t We've been, we've been doing very well, the kids are, are committed to that standard. They work hard, that's probably 10% me and 90% of the players.

Evan 11:37

What were some of the changes you made and also the players to get to that level?

Lou Colon 11:44

A system, a system that they... you have to you have the players to believe in first, okay, Believe in the coach and believe in the system and see results like anything, right. So I love, I feel that baseball players are creatures of habit, right? They, they, you know, they're into routines, whether it's from the things they do in the morning to at night to till they go to sleep. So we put a system in place in our practice plans, a lot of isolation work. If when we practice six days a week we'll, four of those days, Evan we'll do isolation and drill work. And two days we'll do mass ground balls so it's more feel work. So the ISO days, today's an ISO day, we'll you know, we'll focus on possibly, maybe just handwork, isolation and handwork, you know, and then tomorrow, we may isolate the footwork. And then mass days, we kinda just put it all together. And we take a lot of video. We, we do a lot of video breakdown, you know sometimes when you're, when you're working with an infielder, and you tell him Hey, Evan, you know, you're not getting low, get in your legs more. And the player may feel that he's getting low, but when he sees it on videos,he's like oh my gosh, you're right. I'm not getting low. So I, we break, we do a lot of video work with our players individually. And we compete, we compete in our practices as well.

Evan 13:13

video, it's a great tool to help get better and have those players see like you said what they're doing wrong and help them adjust.

Lou Colon 13:19

Sure.

Evan 13:20

The drew Rangers have consistently been at the top in fielding percentage since you started there. How do you coach to maintain that performance even with new rosters each year?

Lou Colon 13:31

That's also a great question Evan, you're crushing it with the questions today.

Evan 13:34

Thank you.

Lou Colon 13:37

So again, it goes back to having a system in place. So when my, my seniors and juniors actually coach the freshmen and sophomores because they're used to the system. So it's, it's amazing. Sometimes they'll finish my sentences, you know, and say, hey, what Coach means is this, this and this. And typically the first, a typical freshman that comes into our system, a shortstop, the first three months of practice, he is overwhelmed. He is overwhelmed with all this information. And we tell them hey, just survive your freshman year everything you learn your freshman year, you're going to take into that summer, we're going to place you in the summer, a competitive summer league, and you're going to start feeling it the next, your sophomore year in the fall. It happens all the time. The kid you know, we, we recruit, we recruit athletes and, and good players. But once they, they're in our system, we teach them how to be more efficient right. To understand, you know the spin of the ball, the speed of the ball, the flight of the ball, how to be efficient with your arm action, center exchange. All these small micro movements that collectively just make a better infielder.

Evan 14:54

No, having, having the systems in place, systems can be amazing to creating a player and how they operate, it can just either keep them at the same level or boost them to the next level.

Lou Colon 15:10

Yeah, for sure. You're exactly right. And that's why the results are measurable, you have to have measurable results

Evan 15:20

What do you enjoy the most about coaching?

Lou Colon 15:23

The relationships, the relationships with the, with the players, their, their success and, and their failures, right? Not every player is going to be successful, right? Not every player is going to go 4 for 4, not every player is going to field 1,000% so part of having that great feeling with moments of success is you have to have that talent, you know, you have to have moments of failure in order, you know, to feel the difference. But the relationships even now, you know, kids that have moved on to, you know, in life, you know, in jobs and just the communication back and forth. So I would say the relationship with the players.

Evan 16:09

That's, that's great. I've gone to a number of your infield clinics, and I've definitely learned a lot from them. I know you teach the importance of having a tight v after you field the ball. Would you explain what a tight V is and the importance of it?

Lou Colon 16:26

Sure, a tight V is simply bringing your throwing hand closer to your body kind of in a V shaped position. And that is the strongest position you want to be prior to throwing. If you're and again, I'm just demonstrating with my hand here. But if you're if your arm is outside your body, it's kind of akin to if you're lifting weights, right, if you're lifting weights, you're curling your hands tight, right? If you're lifting weights and your arms are straight or out, you're not going to have that integrity or that strength. So getting to that center exchange, it's either called a tight V, I call it your slot before you throw. And that's going to be the most efficient way to throw as an infielder.

Evan 17:14

See I know you've said it keeps you healthy, and you have to be healthy to be out there on the field every day.

Lou Colon 17:19

Yeah, baseball players throw every day, play 162 games 180 days, so they have to throw every day.

Evan 17:26

Yeah.

Can you share one or two tips for older players to help them work on increasing their throwing velocity across the diamond?

Lou Colon 17:35

Great question. Um, long toss, understanding how the ball moves, the flight of the ball, if you're, if you're a shortstop, you want to have 12/6 spin. 12/6 spin is kind of just really good backspin on the ball. And in order to do that, it has a lot to do with your throwing mechanics, right. Getting to that tight v, being short in the beginning, but long at the end, creating length and whip and looseness at the end that will, that will increase the flight and the pace of the ball. But you have to work on it. You have to work on it. I was just having this conversation with, with a player this morning. We were working on slow rollers, two hands to his right side. And I asked him Well, we'll how often do you work on this particular play? And he goes, coach maybe I don't know, maybe once every two weeks. Well, like what is the expectation of success if you only work on it, just once in two weeks. So you know let's let's come up with a routine or if this is a play that you're challenged with, let's put it, make it part of our, our practice plan, our sustainable practice plan. So now, you're gonna be one of the top players making that play simply because you're working on it every day. Your body understands it and now it becomes habit.

Evan 19:00

What would you say are some of the key things an infielder should work on every day to help them become fundamentally sound?

Lou Colon 19:09

I always, if you focus on three things, I tell infielders that if you focus on three things, moving with great posture, moving athletically. Having a clean catch point. Alright, securing that ball off your index finger, right into your control hand, out in front where you could see the ball and glove, bringing it to center exchange with thumbs down. Everything else will work. The dots will connect. The dots will connect those three simple things, if you work on those things. You will be fine. You'll be fine.

Evan 19:42

Do those things change at all when you go from the size of the field being like 50/70 everything's close to when you get older. 13 teenage years and above to that 60/90 field.

Lou Colon 19:55

No it's, it's, again, the change the consistant change as you get older will be the speed of the game. Okay, so think about it when you're swinging a bat. If, if you have a really good swing, if a pitcher throws harder, do you change your swing? Do you change your swing speed? No, it's the same swing, you just get there a better timing. And as an infielder, it's all about as you move up, it's all about efficiency, okay, it's it's now maybe in high school the kid is, you have to, when the ball is hit, from the contact of the bat to when the first baseman catches the ball, typical high school or college is 4.2 seconds. If you want to play pro baseball, you have to get that ball over there in 3.9 seconds. So we have to find ways to kind of take shortcuts and be more efficient. Right. So now we're, what's the definition of efficiency, right? Maybe more straight lines instead of long, you know, kind of curved lines. Better angles, right? Minimize those long actions with our arms and shoulders. The kind of things we went over in our clinic. And now we're, we're playing, we're practicing smarter to kind of catch up to that speed. So now Yes, I can, I can throw that left handed batter that gets down the line with that time if I use this footwork. You know if I'm if I'm consistent with our center separation, and I'm in a good throwing slot every time

Evan 21:25

Those key things you work on. Just they help you stay fresh and make those routine plays.

Lou Colon 21:31

Absolutely.

Evan 21:33

In your opinion, what's more important for an infielder? Good Hands or Good Feet?

Lou Colon 21:39

Oh my gosh, that's I've never been asked that question. That's, that is a great question. Um, oh my gosh. Geez, that's tough. I would say. I would say, Man, you got me there. I would say hands I guess. They're so, both, both components are so important. I would say hands because there are going to be times when you're not going to use your feet. Let's say you're playing infield in. Right. And there's a hard hit ball right to you, you know, where you can't adjust your footwork or you can't move your feet, you have to just trust your hands. So I would say having soft hands understanding how to use your your wrist as a hinge and your elbow as a hinge. And, and yeah, I would say hands

Evan 22:29

The hands. They're, they're crucial and just being able to field a ground ball and the reaction time

Lou Colon 22:35

For sure. For sure.

Evan 22:37

I actually mentioned to you last week that the first time I'd ever heard the term heel toe roll was at one of your infield clinics. Can you share what heel toe roll is and why you see it and a lot of guys sure.

Lou Colon 22:53

So heel toe roll is your, your shortstop right handed throwing shortstop, the heel toe roll is your left, the landing of your left foot. Okay, oftentimes infielders when, their approach to the ball is, they get stuck, their both feet are flat. Okay. If you look at pro infielders, really focus on the relationship of when the ball makes contact with the glove and how the left foot heel toe works. Kind of like how we walk right, when we walk, we could walk heel toe, heel toe, heel toe, heel toe. well, why wouldn't we want that same action, that same fluidity going through. So we'll preset, we'll have some preset drills where we'll have the left toe up and kind of just heel toe roll. And that's going to keep your momentum, just going to press through the ball. And now when coaches see a play, they'll say well that kid has good action, he plays through the ball instead of getting stuck and having two parts to throw.

Evan 23:58

After I heard you say that in one of your clinics, I went and now every time I watch an MLB guy, I always see it and it's something, it's like, and I would never see it before because I wasn't aware of it. So

Lou Colon 24:11

There you go.

Evan 24:13

What drills do you do with your players to help them execute like the slow roller play?

Lou Colon 24:18

Slow roller play. We'll do a lot of, that's a great question. A lot of ISO drills. There are so many versions of the slow roller right, there's the barehand slow roller, there's the come get it two hand slow roller. We try to keep it consistent with that slow roller. One of our rules are If the ball is bouncing, kind of a slow roller bouncer and the ball is above your knee we typically field that with two hands to center exchange separation if the ball is approaching you below your knee, we'll field it with one hand. So the constants are, the constants are ball security out in front, bring it to center exchange and be athletic, be athletic. One of the things we, we really push on our players is, I don't want them thinking mechanics when they're fielding. I tell him just be athletic. In fact, there's two personalities when I coach, and my players will tell you, during practice, I'm a little bit more stern, a little bit more tough. And in the games, it's just fun time. Is it just fun time. I'm a totally different person in the games, because my job, practice time is my time. My job is to, to make sure they are prepared. So I'm a little bit more forceful and stern and practices but in the games, it's just fun time. Hey, let's have fun today, lets win, Let's win.

Evan 25:42

I love the way you think.

Lou Colon 25:44

Thank you.

Evan 25:46

What are some things an infielder can practice to increase their range and cover more ground?

Lou Colon 25:52

Footwork, footwork, understanding footwork patterns. Often times, when kids practice both youth and in high school and I see it in the college level, their practice regimen is just simply ground balls, you know, within their fielding radius, okay, maybe with five yards, five yards to the left, five yards to the right. So there's, there's no adjustability there. Okay, so I like placing cones, you know, I say alright, we're gonna, we're gonna extend this cone now. Instead of a forehand play to your left it's going to be a reach forehand play to your left where you have to, instead of replacing your feet, you have to crossover with good posture. And, you know, use your hinges to get in the right throwing position. So I'll, I'll challenge my players and place cones so we're isolating their footwork and they understand well, yes, now I can make that 5/6 hole play if I use this footwork pattern, instead of this other footwork pattern.

Evan 26:51

Footwork, it helps you get to the ball, create good angles, and really be comfortable when you're out there.

Lou Colon 26:57

Sure, and the mind, you know, it's, it sounds very basic, but the mind will remember things. Okay. And if you if you did it 20 times, you know, three weeks ago, you're going to make that play in the game. Right? Bbut if you've never ever practiced that play, you're probably going to make the play, but your throw may not be there, there may be one component of that play you're not going to complete.

Evan 27:22

What can you tell us about reading the spin on a ground ball and trying to get the good hop?

Lou Colon 27:28

You've been listening at my clinics huh? Spin on the ball. Typically, kids, when they're reading the approaching ball, they will read the flight of the ball and the speed of the ball. But oftentimes, they will not read the spin of the ball. So what does that mean? On a top spin ground ball, the ball will repeat it's hop, repeat it's hop. That's why you see a lot of big leaguers they'll field with one hand and that youth coach will say, well, that player is doing that because he's a big leaguer. He's super talented. Well, yeah, that's a player I want to see because I want to be a big leaguer. So I want if he's doing something, he's obviously doing something right and he's talented. So on that top spin ball, it will repeat it's hop and kind of die at the end. So that's the ball, you can come in, field it with one hand, with two hands. Where in contrast, that backspin ball on the first hop, it will check, the second hop it will reverse spin. And that's a lot of kind of bites you. You ever feel that ground ball, you think it's a perfect ball and it kind of gets on you quickly. So that's why it's important to read spin because it's going to help you with the approach to the ball.

Evan 28:35

We hear a lot about the importance of a pitcher-catcher relationship, but in your opinion, how important is the relationship between middle infielders?

Lou Colon 28:44

Huge, huge... we have, we have about six shifts with our infielders. So, when you get to the college level and the pro-level, even in now, I would say it's in the high school level, there's so much more going on. Okay we, they have about three checks, right. My infielders are looking at me in the dugout and I will tell them the speed of the runner, right, if i do one, it's a fast runner, two, it's an average runner, three, it's a slow runner. I will give them a shift. We have a.... now I'm gonna give you my secrets. We have a, we have a shift called Oregon, where we're shifting pull side right handed batter. Alright, so over 80% of ground balls to third base, third baseman are typically right handed pull batters. Alright, so we're gonna have that first baseman move over, but the infielders are, I will call the speed of the runner I will call the play, the shift and I will call the depth. So the depth is the distance, how deep they are. So my infield, my middle infield guys are not only communicating with each other, but they're always giving, they're also given signs to the outfield with the shifts. There's a lot, there's a lot going on. There's a lot going on within those, those 15 seconds, you know, 15 to 20 seconds that the pitcher has to throw the ball.

Evan 30:06

It's a whole different level in college. It's, it just gets that much faster as you said and things, the little things get more important.

Lou Colon 30:14

100%... I mean, think about it. We talked about, we talked a little bit about prep step, not here but in the camp, in the clinic. And in a typical game, you're going to pre pitch or prep step about 150 times for possibly, Evan, receiving maybe four to six ground balls. So the, sometimes the mind wanders, right, sometimes the mind wanders in between prep-steps so you have to be super focused and not miss, miss a pitch.

Evan 30:47

Yeah, staying focused, being able to be on task. You're there. And if you truly love it, it's gonna be fun

Lou Colon 30:55

100% 100%

Evan 30:57

I want to talk a bit about the college recruiting process. So what do you look for when you're recruiting and scouting an infielder?

Lou Colon 31:06

So Drew Universiy is um, we're considered kind of a high academic school. So grades are number one. So you have to have good grades. One advice that I would give most kids out there, get good grades, you will simply be more recruitable with good grades. There's more academic scholarships, more funds out there allocated for academics and then there are for for athletics. So we're division three and in the ivy League's, we do not offer athletic scholarships. So most of our kids here are on some type of merit, or academic scholarship. So the grades are important for us to get in. And then we of course, like any other school, we look at their athletic athletic ability. We have a recruiting board, so we know how many shortstops we need for 2022, 2023. We know how many pitchers how many first basemen. We don't, we don't try to over recruit. We try to commit to our board and the kids we're recruiting and there's different levels. There's, there's little interest, there's high interest, and we'll track these kids. It's typically hard to watch these kids during the high school season because we're in our season. Right. So we will go out in the summer and watch a couple of their their travel teams. And yeah, we, we, it's an overwhelming process for kids in the recruiting process. But I would... one of the things that I that I see trending is so many kids are focused more on marketing themselves. Right? They all have these Twitter pages and everything and, and instead of focusing on your development and your grades, alright. You don't need to have a Twitter page and have 10 million followers, you know, believe me coaches know. They'll say yeah, he can play, he can play at this level. Alright. So I would, you know, tell kids to hey, continue to to achieve academic success. Continue your development, and then focus on your recruiting after that.

Evan 33:23

That's, that's great insight. So, what qualities make a player stand out above the rest?

Lou Colon 33:32

He has to... that's also a great question. And that's where the the development comes in. Okay. There are so many recruiting events, right. There's PBR. There are all these recruiting events all over the country. And oftentimes, you may have about 30 college coaches there from Division one, Division Two, Division Three, NAIA, junior college. And these coaches are there all day. These coaches are there from eight o'clock in the morning to six o'clock in the afternoon. Okay. And when you're watching about 200 players, right, after a while, they kind of all look the same, right? Kind of a blur, like this line. So you have to have something plus, something that's going to give them a plus or a check, whether it's your running speed, you're faster and everyone else, right. Whether it's your arm strength, you know, whether it's your range, whether it's your plus power. You know, those, those are typical tools that college recruiters look at right away. That's the immediate, Alright! He caught my eye. So you have to work on that. Right? You've been training all your life for possibly, maybe a two hour event.

Evan 34:47

Yeah,

Lou Colon 34:48

Right. And often, oftentimes kids are, kids are, you know, their, their training is um, they're kind of focusing on the basic stuff, basic stuff instead of well... I need to focus on how to relax in these events and execute my natural ability. Oftentimes, you know, these kids, I see them and they're, they're nervous. There's a lot of pressure, their parents are there, this is, I've been waiting all year for this. So part of training is understanding how to perform in front of pressure situations, how do I breathe? How do I relax? You know, how can I play the way I practice? And, you know, how does this surface when accounts,

Evan 35:27

Mindset, it also plays a huge role in everything really.

Lou Colon 35:31

Of course.

Evan 35:32

Would you be open to coaching or joining the coaching staff of a big league organization in the future?

Lou Colon 35:40

That, that's a, that's, that's one of my goals. That's one of my goals. I'm working on that. There are people working on that for me as well. So we'll see. We'll see what happens.

Evan 35:52

Now, I hope you get that opportunity.

Lou Colon 35:53

I appreciate that. So do I.

Evan 35:55

So I want to talk about your infield clinics quickly. So you work with at least a couple hundred kids a week at your clinics. How did the idea of putting on infield clinics and filming them come about?

Lou Colon 36:09

So I always, I would run my Drew infield clinic here all the time, every year, once a year. Last year, well, prior to COVID, the year before, we had tremendous success. We had about 100 kids here, and just parents reaching out to me. I've always trained kids all year, I've always trained... when I was a head high school coach prior to college, I ran camps there. And it was fun for me. You know, it wasum... People always ask me, you know, put more stuff out there, you know, on my social media pages. It's almost like a, coaches use it, you know, because I can, I think because there's no bells and whistles. I can train a seven year old kid, you know, on a Tuesday afternoon and train a 17 year old prospect that a coach sent me to work on a Wednesday afternoon, okay. And it's, I could be training let's say slow rollers, right? I can be training the same thing. But you know, the language is different. Right? And the way you communicate, right, there's... I always say there's, there's people who communicate and there's people who connect. Okay, because kids will often forget what you tell them. Kids will often forget what you did for them. But kids will never forget how you made them feel. Kids will never forget how you made them feel. That's why we play baseball. Because at some point on a baseball field, you had a good feeling.

Evan 37:39

Yeah, all the time.

Lou Colon 37:40

Whether it's a good play, or otherwise, why would you play? Why would you play something that's not a good feeling? Right. So that's, so when kids come to my camp, you know, I hope they have a good feeling and that's why they come back. When kids train, they have a good feeling and they want more, they want more. But that's what got me into it. I love, I have a passion. You know, I tell people every day, two things I am every day is lucky and grateful. Lucky and grateful. You know I get a chance to make a difference every day. It's a constant, a daily great dream. I'm gonna wake up tomorrow, It's gonna be another great day. I look forward to this day. I'm blessed every day.

Evan 38:17

That's wonderful.

Lou Colon 38:18

Thank you.

Evan 38:20

I have to plug your YouTube channel because I think your videos are a must see if you're an infielder who's serious about playing at a high level. So the channel is coach Lou Colon. So listeners Definitely be sure to check it out

Lou Colon 38:33

Coach Lou Colon 24,

Evan 38:35

sorry about that.

Lou Colon 38:36

That's okay.

Evan 38:37

I have a few quick questions before we wrap up. So first, what's your favorite type of ground ball to field?

Lou Colon 38:44

Favorite type of ground ball is the short hop. Low topspin short hop. A lot of kids will say the the shelf, the kind of, the topspin shelf hop but I like the, the feeling of securing that ball and playing through it on the short hop. Two inch short hop.

Evan 38:59

Who are your favorite two infielders, one from the past and one who plays currently?

Lou Colon 39:05

Omar Vizquel was my favorite, my favorite infielder. He was he was amazing. Lindor, Lindor. If you watch Lindor play, when I'm doing a lesson or I'll break down Lindor's, fielding mechanics. He is, I think he is probably one of the best sound infielders mechanically in the big leagues right now. He is, if you want to study an infielder from a pasture, to tight V position, to band separation, to glove tilt, to everything. He's a great infielder to study.

Evan 39:45

Yeah, both of those, those infielders, they're incredible.

Lou Colon 39:47

Sure.

Evan 39:49

And last but not least, I know you talked about how the passion and the love for the game makes you really want to continue what does that really mean to you?

Lou Colon 40:03

I want to do this for the rest of my life. This is what I do. This is what God put me on earth to do. To teach baseball. So, day by day, day by day, you know, tomorrow, I know I have my schedule. I have my lessons and practice. And if I'm not doing private lessons or clinics, I have my responsibilities, my responsibilities here at Drew University. And this is, this is what I want to do. My faith is in God. So whatever he has planned for me.

Evan 40:34

That's amazing.

Lou Colon 40:35

Thank you.

Evan 40:35

Well, Coach Lou, thank you so much for coming on today. It was it was truly a pleasure.

Lou Colon 40:40

Well, thankyou for having me and much success and congratulations on your podcast.

Evan 40:46

Thank you so much.

Lou Colon 40:47

Great

Evan 40:49

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at borntobaseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media @borntobaseball where we can connect live. Now, Let's play ball

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Episode #019: Endy Chavez- Former MLB Player

March 2021 By Evan

Ep. #019: Endy Chavez- Former MLB Player

Join Evan and Endy Chavez, as Endy shares his baseball journey, what influenced him to become an Outfielder, great moments from across his professional playing career and making “The Catch”. Endy also shares his experiences now as a Coach for the Mets organization as well as key insight, tips and advice for youth ball players dreaming to play professionally one day. 

What You’ll Learn:

03:49   What influenced Endy to become an Outfielder

06:29   His journey to Professional Baseball

10:53   His first MLB game experience

15:02   What contributed to success with the 2006 Mets

16:31   On making “The Catch”

23:30   The must-see recreation of “The Catch 2021”

25:24   What contributed to his success as a player

26:49   Endy’s approach at the plate

29:11   Key qualities every young player must have to play at a high level

33:28   Tips for becoming a stronger Outfielder

35:29   Joining the Mets organization as a Coach

38:11   What Endy enjoys most being a Coach and things he’s learned

40:15   Advice to youth baseball players dreaming of playing in the bigs

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.

If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here.  This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  

Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

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Born To Baseball Links:

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Episode 019_ENDY CHAVEZ_FORMER MLB PLAYER

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of born to baseball is sponsored by the BTB Travel team and training tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for a travel team or training facility in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple t tracker at borntobaseball.com. Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Unknown Speaker 0:23

Calling all ballplayers. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in? it's game time. Check it out.

Evan 0:40

Hey guys, and welcome to the born to baseball podcast. I'm Evan and today we have Endy Chavez with us. Endy Chavez has played over 13 years of Major League Baseball with several different organizations. He's played 21 years of professional baseball since his minor league debut in 1997. Baseball fans of all ages are familiar with one of the best catches in New York Mets history made by Endy in game seven of the 2006 NLCS. Endy, I really appreciate you coming on today.

Endy 1:11

My pleasure, man. I hope you like it and everyone enjoys it.

Evan 1:16

Yeah, no, I'm really excited. I would like to start off with learning more about your baseball journey. You grew up in Venezuela. When did you begin playing baseball?

Endy 1:27

Oh, very early. I think I was kind of six years old. And I always loved baseball from the beginning. And, you know, I think that was one of my wish to be a pro player. So like I say, like, every kid wants to do it. But I didn't know if that was going to be possible. But, you know, when I started growing up, I get more, how you say focused on what I want. So, and it's still baseball. So um, you know, preparing myself training alot and I started practicing in an academy and you know, get the best out from from the academy and be a better baseball player too. So I can sign pro baseball, and that's what I did and here I am.

Evan 2:29

Yeah, yeah. So what was your training like, as a kid?

Endy 2:35

Well, like a normal kid. I didn't use that kind of training that you can see in social media right now. I think my training was more, you know, playing every sport... soccer, basketball, baseball, riding bike, and stuff like that. I enjoyed myself as a kid. I was doing what kids are supposed to. I understand, you know, life now is a little, You know, a lot changes. Like kids from eithgt,nine years old they are already getting training like pro players, and all that kind of stuff. So a lot of people ask me how you see the kids and all that kind of stuff. And I'm like Oh, he's just 10 years old. Let him be a kid. You know. I cannot tell you if he is going to be in the majors or not. Because it's too early. So yes, let him be a kid and enjoy it.

Evan 3:38

Yeah. No, you talked about playing all different sports. And that contributes to just being an athlete. And that ultimately helps them yeah.

Endy 3:47

Oh, yeah. I love basketball. So,

Evan 3:49

yeah. So did you always want to be an outfielder from a young age?

Endy 3:55

Well, yes. That's what I was playing from the beginning. I remember the first position that I played was first base. And because I didn't know what position to play, and I asked my dad, and he said, a leftycan play first base, so I don't think I liked too much. ground balls. So... the ground ball was hard. Every time I missed it hit me on my leg or on my arm. It kind of hurt. So I didn't like it that much. So I asked my dad again, lefty can play another position and he said yeah, right field. And I'm like where is that? And he said, in the back of the field, and I'm like Yeah, I want to go back. I didn't want to be any more in the front so I start playing right field. And I liked more the flyballs. So I;m like yeah, this is what I like. So then the coach say oh, you can catch a lot of fly balls, so you're going to play in centerfield. And I'm like, NO my dad told me lefty's can play in right field. And he said no, a lefty can play also in center field and I'm like Okay, well I'll play.

Evan 5:14

no, that's awesome. That's awesome.

Endy 5:16

Yeah.

Evan 5:17

Who are some of the like the major league guys you looked up to when you were a kid?

Endy 5:22

Ken Griffey, Jr. I like him. Well, I was like growing up. I think I was what 12,13, something like that when I loved Ken Griffey Jr. as a player. And I wanted to be like him.

Evan 5:36

No, he's definitely a great player. Great player.

Endy 5:38

Yeah.

Evan 5:40

When did you know you wanted to play like professional baseball?

Endy 5:45

Like I said, when I was very, very little I dreamed to be in the major level, like, you know, a big league player. But like I said, that's a dream that we have as a kid. But when I was about 16 years old, I realized that I really want to be a professional baseball player and try to make it to the major league level.

Evan 6:12

Well, it's awesome that you were able to achieve that goal and get there to that level.

Endy 6:17

Oh, yeah. It takes a lot of work. But it's not impossible.

Evan 6:21

It's worth it. So can you tell us about like the moment you found out you were getting signed by a major league organization?

Endy 6:29

Oh, yeah. I was, uh, the Mets the New York Mets. When, first of all, I was in the Colorado Rockies. Academy. And when the the Academy was closed, they say we're going to close so we want to see you next year. And I'm like, okay, I keep training so they can see me next year. And you know, before like, I think a week before they opened, the Mets showed up and they signed me. And I told him well, I think the Colorado Rockies are waiting for me to show up this year. They said they are gonna sign me and they're like don't show we're gonna sign you. And I'm like, okay, I stay here. So I signed with the Mets. That was pretty exciting. And you know, my whole town was, you know, very, very happy. And it was a fun experience.

Evan 7:32

No, that has to be a special moment there.

Endy 7:35

Oh, yeah, definitely. Very nervous too.

Evan 7:40

So, as you said, you were signed by the Mets and you were picked up by the Kansas City Royals in the rule five draft. You went back to the Mets and then traded to the Royals before making your MLB debut. That's a lot of change. How did you manage to stay positive during that time?

Endy 7:57

Well, um, you know, first of all, when I was the first four years with the Mets, I was in rookie ball, middle A, and single A, and that year, you know, you just want to play and do the best year you can have, have the best year. And year was the rule five draft and the Mets, they didn't plut me on the 40 man roster. So that's when the Kansas City Royals picked me in the rule five. And I'm like wow, for the major league level and I, I can't believe it you know, I was very excited. And the thing was like, the rule five, You have to be on the 25 man roster the whole year. So if, they take you out you have, I had to go back to the Mets. And it was very exciting. And I'm like oh, a full year in a major league season. But when I was in spring training, all that kind of stuff, the last day of spring training, they called me in the office and they said I didn't make the team. And but they were so happy because I trained me and I'm gonna start in dougle A. And you know, that was a big hit for me because I was very excited that I'm going to be in the major league level and now I'm not. So it caused a lot of frustration in that moment. for me. I feel like I can't play baseball anymore. It was a big hit. So I started in double A and I played two months in double A and finally they called me to the major league level after two months.

Evan 9:55

I know it was a big hit. Like you said when you didn't make that MLB team but you Pushed through and you're able to make it later on.

Endy 10:02

Yeah, and the thing is, like, I saw the major league level so close, and then when they put me in double A I saw it, I see the the major league so far, that I was like, you know, my dream is gone, you know, I'll never be able to make it. So, you know, I start playing again. And I had that surprise that I got called up to major league level. So I played a month and three weeks when they called me up, and then they sent me down to AAA. And that's when I get more confident. And I say, Well, if I already was there, I know I can be back. So I started working harder, and made it again to the major league level.

Evan 10:51

Yeah, that's awesome. In 2001, you made your MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals, what were some of your emotions leading up to that first game?

Endy 11:02

Woof! It was a lot of excitement because I was double A like I said, and I remember, I flew from Arkansas, to Texas. And that was my first stadium when I played ever, at the major league level and you know, everything was so different everything, even the hotel, and I'm like, Whoa, yeah, this is nice. So I get to the field, to the stadium. And saw the lineup and the board, on the board, and I saw my name, playing left field, No centerfield and hitting ninth. And I'm like, wow, I'm playing so I get ready. I went to the field, take batting practice and I started the game. And when I when my to my first at bat I was a lot of nervous. I want you know, to show everybody that I can play in the major league level. And everything was so no, alot, alot of adrenaline in there. Yeah. And it's, a lot of things happened in my head. So I can't believe I'm there. And like I said, I saw for the first time. I saw the big cat Andres Galarraga, A-Rod, Rafael Palmiero . I saw all those guys that I've only seen on TV. So I'm playing against them so, To be honest, I don't feel like a real baseball player feel more like a fan in there. But the thing is when I start playing, and I get my first hit I think it was in the 3rd at bat. You know, I like I released a lot of pressure. So I remember I made it to second base with a base hit. and RBI. And A-Rod came to me and asked me Oh, your first base hit. Okay, congratulations. Where are you from? I'm from Venezuela. Venezuela, Okay. Oh, congratulations. You know, here it's the same baseball. The only difference that we are here is everybody got money. And I'm like, okay, you know, and I like wow he was so nice to me. And then, you know, that moment I'm never gonna forget.

Evan 13:41

Oh, yeah, no, that must have been incredible.

Endy 13:45

Yeah.

Evan 13:46

So, as you progressed in your career, you were picked up by the Montreal Expos and recorded the final out and Expos history before their transition to the Washington Nationals, which had to be a cool experience. And soon after that you made your way to the Mets. Were you excited when you first learned you were going to play for the New York Mets?

Endy 14:06

Oh, yeah, like I say, I like to be back home, you know, and I was very excited. And I know New York is a city where the people like the competition, There's a lot of latin fans in there that know, know the game. So you're not going to fool those guy like, oh he's good, he's not good, he can play he cannot play. So I'm like you know, you have to play you have to show that you can play in New York. And, and I like this kind of challenge. And I was happy and like I said, I like that kind of challenge. And I had a very, very good year that year.

Evan 14:57

Yeah, New York baseball. It's definitely exciting., definitely exciting

Endy 15:01

Yeah,

Evan 15:02

The 2006 Mets were a really strong team you had guys like Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, David Wright and yourself a bunch of superstars there. What was it like to play with all those guys on the same team?

Endy 15:20

Oh that was amazing. I think we had the year we had because the chemistry we had during the whole season, it was very, very, very good. You know, everybody having fun at the same time we're working hard as a team. And like I said, the chemistry, the chemistry was very amazing. And I think that made it easy for each one to make their job and, you know, focus on the game and be professional. Because we know we had a talent. We had a lot of talent on that team, we just had to let it go on the field.

Evan 16:07

Yeah, no, the guys in the clubhouse in the team. It's it's like family. It's like a second family.

Endy 16:12

Exactly. That's my point when you feel that way. a lot of positive, good positive things happen. And like I said, the baseball will take care of himself when you do the things right and you have the ambience around you.

Evan 16:31

So that brings us to NLCS game seven, the score is tied onc to one and Scott Roland is at the plate and you make "the catch" Knowing the hitter and knowing how a pitcher is trying to pitch to a hitter can be very important. Can you tell us about your awareness during that at bat and how it contributed to being able to make one of the greatest catches in postseason history?

Endy 16:54

Well, um, what I can say is like, when you focus in the game, and you're into it, you know, you read what's going on, like, you know, who's the pitcher, who's hitting. If he's fast, he got power or something like that. You, you're involved in everything and trying to anticipate what's going to happen. In this situation, we had a man on first and Scott Roland was hitting. And I know because of the advanced report, they challenged him in with the fastball. So I'm playing left field and I'm like you know, normally I play where I was playing, I say, at this time, I want to pull a little bit back, I make like four or five steps back, because I was getting prepared in the scenario like if the ball is in the gap, I'm gonna grab it quickly and throw to the cut-off man, if the ball goes down the line, I'm going to do the same thing. So I want to attack the ball, the fastest I can so the guy from first don't score. And that was my mindset. So I pull myself back. And the first pitch I saw that bullet to left field. And my reaction was, you know, trying to get to the fence, the fastest I can. And, and I know right away the ball was in the fence or was a homer. So when I"m hitting the warning track, I still see the ball very high and I'm like Oh, well the ball is not here. So I didn't have that time to to make it to the fence and wait for the ball. So I feel the ball is passing me already. So on my way to the wall, I just tried to time the perfect moment to make a jump and trying to go for it and that's what I did. And honestly, when I elevate my arm, I, I saw the ball in front of me for the last time, but when I catch it, I wasn't able to see my glove. So I just feel when the ball hit my glove and I'm like, Whoa, it's in. I got kind of surprised. Like, oh, the ball is in so I cannot grip it because almost my my glove went off my head because the hit with the fence and I tried to pull it in. And I say well if you had thrown any air, at least it's a double not a homer so I can throw the ball in but when I pull it in and I'm looking for the ball in the air, I saw it right in the top of my glove and I'm like well it's here. So my reaction was look for, Edmunds that was running from first base. And I saw him stopping around shortstop to go back to first and I'm like, well, he better hurry up because I got you. So I saw Reyes and the shortstop shortstop waving at me like Give me the ball. And I'm like you know what Reyes, I got a good arm and I saw Valentin like, near to second base, and I go for it because I love the infield to make the short throw, and that's what I did I throw the ball to Valentin and he threw to first ihe ball to Valentin and we doubled up the inning.

Evan 20:39

those hops came from basketball when you were a kid

Endy 20:42

the alley-oop you I call it the alley-oop.

Evan 20:49

When you were in the dugout at the end of the inning, like the crowd wouldn't stop cheering and they made you come out and do two curtain calls. How connected Did you feel to the fans at that moment?

Endy 21:01

I mean, when I made the catch that I was running into the dugout, I thought Shea Stadium was going to fall apaty. I thought it was gonna drown. And I you know, it was so much noise that honestly I wanted to cover my ears. It was so loud and when I get to the dugout, I can hear they're calling my name. And and the guys like Endy, you gotta go out. And I'm like, okay, I'll go out. So I, I wave to the people, I clap. You know, let's go. And they won't stop. They keep going and I'm like but what I should do. I already did it. And I never seen like the same guy go twice on the same play. And they say Endyjust go again. So I did it two times. And it was fun. Because everybody was like, what are you waiting for go ahead.

Evan 22:13

That's hilarious.

Endy 22:15

Yeah.

Evan 22:17

Your catch is known as one of the greatest catches in postseason history.

Endy 22:22

Thank you.

Evan 22:24

Yeah. What does that mean to you being able to have the catch as a part of your legacy?

Endy 22:28

I mean I feel very, very proud. Because like I said, That year, they gave me a trophy as a play of the year. And I'm like, wow, that's very cool. I never thought they got those kind of trophy. And, you know, to have that it was very special. You know, it's something like it's gonna be there for years, you know, for all my life. Like I said that was 13,14 years ago, and the people are still talking about it like it was last season. And it's crazy, you know, because I made a lot of good plays. But like I said, that's the famous one.

Evan 23:21

No, you made a ton of good plays. But yeah, that one, it was just the right spot at the right time.

Endy 23:28

Exactly.

Evan 23:30

I have to say, your recreation of the catch. That was incredible in the snow. That was incredible. The internet went crazy. reposted all over. That was awesome.

Endy 23:44

Yeah, well, I I got surprised that people liked it because my kids over there were like, you won't be able to do it. You cannot do it. You're too old, you're a dad, like, Oh, really? I don't do it. Okay, watch me. They were laughing. And they said yeah, but that's not all you have to put it on social media and I'm like, oh really! okay. I'll do it. It was fun because I was enjoying with the kids over here and the people liked it. I think they love it because that was... oh well, I didn't know it was going to have that kind of impact.But it was fun to watch all that.

Evan 24:27

It was crazy. No clearly you still got it. I want to move kind of on to the Texas Rangers. So what was it like playing in the World Series with the Texas Rangers?

Endy 24:41

Oh, that was special because that was my only world series appearance. And it was special. You know, I wasn't playing every day but I had some action in there. And like I said when when you get to the World Series it's like another world, you know. You, you're in air you know, you're in outer space I don't know. It's very different. And it's the same baseball but the stadium looks so different, you know, it's very fun to be there. I feel blessed to be part of that kind of show.

Evan 25:21

No, that must have been a lot of fun.

Endy 25:23

Definitely, yeah

Evan 25:24

thinking back. What contributed most to your success as a player?

Endy 25:31

I think discipline, I think discipline was my main core for playing baseball. Because you have to have passion, talent, and be smart about what you have to do. But when you do it consistently, with discipline is when you every day get successful. So you can have talent and, and let's say you today feel "like I don't want to play today". But I'll play tomorrow or play the next day, or I'll play this week, next week, you know, I'll play so-so, that, that doesn't count for me as a baseball player, pro baseball player because you have to work hard every day, every day. No rest you rest when the season is over. And, and that was my, my way to play baseball.

Evan 26:35

No discipline, that's big. And like you said baseball's every day, every day,

Endy 26:41

Every day,

Evan 26:42

As a leadoff hitter, did you have a certain approach or mindset at the plate?

Endy 26:49

Sure, everybody, not just leadoff hitters, everybody has to have a plan, every time you go to the plate, you have to know or have an idea what you want to do. In that is specific at bat. And one thing that I just always tell to the young guys, don't wait to your way to home plate to think what you want to do. That starts from the dog out, because you have the hitter, you have the one guy on deck. When you're in the dugout, ready to be on deck, that's when you are watching everything. So by the time you go to home plate, you already know what's going on. So you have to know if the pitcher is throwing strikes or he's just wilds or he just made two out with four pitches. So you have to know all that kind of stuff before you you step to the plate. And that's why I always recommend to the guys be ready from the dugout, start making your plans in the dugout and not wait to go to home plate to make one.

Evan 28:09

That's great. That's great. Were you always naturally a fast runner? Or was it something you had to build over time?

Endy 28:19

Well, I used to be fast but not that fast. Because I was like when I was young, I was too skinny that my legs weren't powerful. And after I signed I think the training or the, you know, eating helped me and I got stronger and I start running faster. But that helped me a lot after I signed as a pro player and I started like, looking at it like, well I can do a lot of things you know on the bases, cover some ground in the outfield and in I love the speed in the game

Evan 29:05

No it brings another aspect into it being fast.

Endy 29:09

Mm hmm. Yeah.

Evan 29:11

What would you say are one or two things a young outfielder must have in order to have a chance at playing at a high level?

Endy 29:20

Well, like I said every player who signs to pro players is because he has talent, right right. From the rookie to the major league level it's the same talent. They from the rookie can throw. if it's a pitcher they can throw 100 miles an hour from the rookie to the major league level. If it's a position player they can do the same thing from their rookie to the major league level. The only difference they, they have to do to make it to the major league level is how much baseball you have in your head,

Evan 30:01

interesting.

Endy 30:01

So that's, that's why you have to learn how to play the game. So you can leave behind the group where you are or where you was. So every time you step in a level, in the minor league level like rookie, middle single A, high A, double A, you will see the thinking of those players, it goes up and up and up. That's why even if they have the same talent, but you're telling everybody you know how to play the game, that's the difference. So like I said, if you you, you miss a ground ball, you drop a fly ball, you know, that's part of the game. And you know, everybody makes mistakes. But what the organization doesn't want is like, if you caught the ball, you must know where to throw it. Where are you going to throw the ball. Not, I caught the ball and what do I with the ball? So that is unacceptable on the major league level, you have to know what to do. That's why you have to anticipate every time the play is coming. So that's basically my opinion on what's the difference between the minor leagues and the major leagues

Evan 31:29

Yeah, no, that's that's great insight right there. That's great. In your opinion, what unique skills would an outfielder need when they are playing left field versus right field or centerfield?

Endy 31:46

Well, for me, like, I played from the beginning I played just center field. But, like, in the middle of my career, I had to play left and right, that I never played before. Andthat helped me to have a job. Because if A, like the example they gave me, If A, uh, you know, Ken Griffey, Jr. was in Cincinnati. And they said if Cincinnati want to trade you over there but you are a centerfielder and they want you to play left field like, they are going to trade you because that's the only position you play. So like, they are not gonna give me the chance to be at the major league level because I don't play anything else just center field. And they're not gonna give me the position because Ken Griffey Jr. is there. So, that made sense. And, I was like well, I better prepare myself to play the others too. It's a little bit different. It's not the same thing. And it's like, you know, you have to practice and play because I always say, it doesn't matter how much time you practice, but if you don't play a game, you don't get in shape, you know, to get to the top of the on your skill. So yeah, started practicing hard in the corners. And I started dominating too

Evan 33:28

Yeah, that's amazing. Can you share some tips that would help young players become better outfielders?

Endy 33:37

Yes, um, one of the keys is the feet. Always move your feet when the ball is crossing the hitting zone. Because that makes you have an explosive reaction. Then to have your feet flat on the ground. So always like I'm always walking and boom, and boom, every time the ball is crossing in the hitting zone, I know a lot of players they say like yeah, that's too much, I'll just wait, I'll catch it anyway. But for me the right way is that, you know, be always in position every time when the ball is crossing the the hitting zone you know.

Evan 34:25

All those diving plays, sliding plays you made, they were, I guess they were because of that, that explosion at the beginning.

Endy 34:32

Yeah. Like I said, I don't catch the ball far away when I get to there. I catch the ball the way I started running from the beginning to there, because most of the time I prefer to wait for the ball. Not the ball wait for me. So I start explosive to get the ball and if I get there before the ball, I'll wait, I'm not hurrying up, I wait for the ball, you know, but if the I'm going slow, and then I see like, Oh, I gotta put more speed, that's when the ball beats the outfielders, and it's too late when you react. That's why always when you see me diving catch, making diving catch or running catch, it's because I didn't have the time to get there first.

Evan 35:29

I love what you said earlier when you talked about it's not when you get there, you make the catch. It's it's those first few steps. It's that explosion at the start. I love that. After playing in the MLB, you went on to play for the Bridgeport bluefish and the Somerset patriots in the Atlantic league and the pericos de puebla in the Mexican League, you then rejoined the Mets organization as a coach, how did it feel to be back with the Mets organization?

Endy 35:57

Oh, well, I'm happy you know, especially when I get there, 2019. And I was in, Brooklyn cyclones the low single A. And, you know, I was learning how to be a coach and all that kind of stuff. My first experience ever, and I was excited, because I feel like I know a lot of stuff those guy don't know yet. So I'm able to help them, you know, and, and tell them what I already see in the game that they don't. You know, and, and it was cool. And I was having very good communication with the guys. And we made a very good team. And for my surprise, we had the you know, we won the championship. And it's like, my first year as a coach, and we already have a ring. It's Awesome, you know, yeah, then well and then comes, you know, the pandemic, we didn't have a season and well I'm waiting for this year and see how's it gonna be?

Evan 37:14

Yeah, no, I remember going to one of the cyclone two games in MCU. Park. And

Endy 37:21

oh, you were there?

Evan 37:22

Yeah I think I was along the third base side. But I remember I saw you in the dugout.

Endy 37:27

Oh ok.

Evan 37:28

No the team played really well. Yeah.

Endy 37:30

Yeah, we had a great team.

Evan 37:32

I mean, that's what coaching is all about and being able to share the information that guys may not know yet.

Endy 37:38

That's why I want to keep being in baseball,

Evan 37:43

Were there some things you learned as a coach that you wish you knew as a player?

Endy 37:49

I think the experience, the experience, that especially earlier in my career when I had my talent on the top. I didn't have the experience that I have now. And I said well, if I had, if I knew everything that I know right now with my talent, it would have been a lot different.

Evan 38:11

Yeah, that's, that's interesting. What do you enjoy most about being a coach?

Endy 38:18

Being on the field, being around baseball, you know, makes me be alive, and I always like the challenge, I like the competition. And like I said, baseball is my passion.

Evan 38:33

Is there a difference on how you see the game now that you're a coach compared to when how you saw it when you were a player?

Endy 38:41

Oh, yeah, big difference. Because as a baseball player, you know, you just think about yourself. You get prepared with what you have to do to prepare for the game and everything. But as a coach, you have to pay attention to everybody. You have to think for everybody. You got to pay attention for everybody, not just you. So that's one of the things I learned. Like, okay, I didn't have to prepare for myself to play the game by have to know if he's ready, he's ready. You know, I have to be all over everybody. And I'm like, Yeah, you know. I cannot think just about me. I have to think for everybody on the team.

Evan 39:30

Yeah there is so much that goes into this strategy as a coach, definitely

Endy 39:35

Oh, yeah.

Evan 39:37

Do you have any interest in managing at the big league level someday?

Endy 39:42

Yeah, why not? I keep that open door because I like, I like know and understand the game a lot. And I like to be in that position. That's why I'm like learning right now. Because it's a lot of things on the side to learn to be a manager, it's not just to watch the game and make decisions. And that's why I'm learning right now. But in the future Yeah, why not?

Evan 40:15

That's great! Endy, what advice can you give to youth baseball players like myself who want to play in the major league someday?

Endy 40:25

Just play the game, enjoy the game, every time you play, go happy. And think about the way you can beat the other team. So if we, they give you something, take it. That's the way I think you can be very successful. Learn from the other guys' mistakes. Don't wait. until it happens to you to learn. Because I think that's why I get very fast to the major league level. Because when my team makes an error or making mistakes, okay, I know that I'm not supposed to do that, you know, so I don't wait to til it happens to me to learn. So watch the game and see everybody's mistakes and learn from them.

Evan 41:18

that's great advice.

Endy 41:19

Even the mistakes we make too. But don't wait for those mistakes to come to you to learn. Let everybody else do it (laughter) Yeah,

Evan 41:30

so I have a few last questions before we wrap up. I call them rapid fire questions. So first, what's your favorite MLB stadium? You've played him?

Endy 41:41

Well, I got a few. You know, I love playing at the Montreal Expos in Canada, And the Atlanta Braves the old stadium. I love to play there too. And Texas

Evan 41:58

Yeah, those are great stadiums.

Endy 42:01

Oh, yeah.

Evan 42:02

Second, who's one of your favorite outfielders that you've enjoyed watching or learning from?

Endy 42:09

My favorite outfielders, Andruw Jones is one. I learned a lot watching him play. Ken Griffey Jr. and I had the opportunity to play with him in Seattle. I think those guys, I learned a lot from them.

Evan 42:28

And last but not least, I hear you're a big salsa music fan. And you love to play percussion.

Oh, yeah. Ask your dad (laughter)

Yeah. So if you had to choose, which is your favorite, the timbales or congas?

Endy 42:44

oh, los timbales, timbales. Yeah.

Evan 42:48

No, I have to hear you play sometime soon.

Endy 42:51

Well, I'm waiting for Bobby to invite me one day (laughter).

Evan 42:56

So Endy, thank you so much for coming on today. This was amazing.

Endy 43:01

No problem. My pleasure. I hope people like it and I had fun talking to you man.

Evan 43:08

Thank you. It was a pleasure.

Endy 43:10

All right.

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at borntobaseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media at born to baseball where we can connect live. Now, Let's play ball!

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Episode #018: Anthony Santiago- White Sox Latin Cultural Development Coordinator

February 2021 By Evan

Ep. #018- Anthony Santiago- White Sox Latin Cultural Development Coordinator

Join Evan and Anthony Santiago as Anthony shares his baseball journey from Catcher to Pitcher to Coach. Anthony shares pitching and hitting tips with youth baseball players as well as the value of perseverance, character, and work ethic.

What You’ll Learn:

01:11  Anthony’s youth baseball journey

09:36  Being signed by the White Sox

11:34  On having an older brother in the MLB

18:59  Transitioning from Catcher to Pitcher

24:54  His first professional pitching experience

28:54  On becoming a coach

37:57  His experience as Latin Cultural Development Coordinator with Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert

41:36  Importance of coaches building trust with their players

55:35  Getting on plane early

1:03:46  The grind and trusting the process

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Anthony’s Instagram @santiagosoldiers

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

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Episode 018_ANTHONY SANTIAGO_WHITE SOX LATIN CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of born to baseball is sponsored by the BTB. Travel team and training tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for travel teams or training facilities in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach?

Then you have to check out the BTB triple t tracker at born to baseball.com. Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Unknown Speaker 0:23

Calling all ball players. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in, it's game time.

Evan 0:40

Hey, guys, and welcome to the born to baseball podcast. I'm Evan. And today we have Anthony Santiago joining us. Anthony signed with the White Sox in 2012. He later became a coach for the White Sox organization in 2015. and is now their Latin cultural coordinator. Anthony, thank you so much for joining me today.

Anthony 0:59

Thanks for having me. It's a pleasure.

Evan 1:01

I'd like to start with your baseball journey. So how old were you when you first started playing baseball? And what was your youth baseball experience? Like,

Anthony 1:11

um, when I first started, I was very young, somewhere, somewhere around four or five years old. You know, and it started off obviously, just as having fun. You know, being a kid. You know, at the time, I was too young to think too big and think, you know, I want to make the Major Leagues but I started off playing baseball and for the Ironbound Little League in North New Jersey, and eventually ended up moving north a little bit going to the north north side to the north Ward and continue playing there and so forth. My journey in baseball is very long, there's a lot of different routes that I took, and, you know, a lot of steps and obstacles that I had to overcome. So we'll get there little by little, but yeah, you know, it all started at a playing for the Ironbound Little League.

Evan 2:02

What was high school baseball like for you?

Anthony 2:05

Yeah, I went to Bloomfield tech, vocational school in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and high school, you know, I was I was a pretty good ballplayer. You know, I was always I was always on different teams, travel teams, playing for North project pride and, you know, different travel ball teams and just staying active constantly at, you know, at the park with friends, just staying active, whether it was with an organized team, or just with friends. So going to Bloomfield tech I originally made that decision because my brother was there had some other friends that played at the same school. And, you know, we were trying to put together a pretty good ball program. And so we all came together and kind of decided, you know, let's all play together, stick together make make something out of a program. And at the time, it wasn't, you know, that school wasn't really known for baseball. So we kind of turned it around a little bit. And you know, now it's, it's still it's they changed the school. And now they've combined a few schools and made one big one. But eventually, after the few years that I was there, and my brother ended up getting some pretty good ballplayers that came through there as well, because of kind of the history and the culture, that we created there. So it was pretty awesome to see, you know, other guys want to follow in our footsteps and choose Bloomfield tech to play baseball there because of the program as opposed to just what the school had to offer. So yeah,

Evan 3:36

just like you said, That's awesome. And being there with your brother, as well as yourself. And that's just a really cool experience being able to play with your brother and sort of help each other out.

Anthony 3:47

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Evan 3:49

What was your college baseball experience like? And do you feel like it really prepared you for the next level?

Unknown Speaker 3:59

So getting to my college experience, this is where it got really long and complicated. So I ended up going through, I ended up going to five different colleges, throughout my college career. You know, I was kind of on and off, coming out of high school, you know, I watch, I watched my brother get drafted. Another friend of mine that we played together get drafted as well the same year as my brother in 2006, out of bloomfield tech. So that kind of, you know, gave me that push to want to work harder to want to get better. So I wanted to really make the correct decision. When I was going to college. I didn't want it to just be about academics. I also didn't want it to just be about baseball. But at the time, like all I saw was my one goal and I said you know what i want to follow in their footsteps. I want to play professional baseball. And originally My plan was to go to William Paterson University, which is in New Jersey, Wayne, New Jersey, and things kind of changed. I was playing in the summer at a tournament and a college coach approached me and some of my friends. And at the time, he didn't think I would decide to go with them. Being that he knew I was probably going to have more offers. But it was a community college in Baltimore, I decided to, to go that route. I knew that the coach at the time had worked for Cal Ripken Jr. So I know there was some background there. So I figured, you know, that sounds like a good choice, you know, I'm going to be around the right people. And I decided to go there. I won't get into too many details about all these schools, because we can be on this call for two days. But anyway, so I went there for a little while, it kind of things didn't work out with, you know, recruiting and other players. And it was just a tough atmosphere to be in. So I eventually decided to leave. I went to another school, I transferred over to NJCU, which is College in New Jersey, was there I kind of had some issues with the coach and we just kind of didn't see eye to eye so I decided, you know, it wasn't for me. At that time, I made the choice to go to Dominican Republic. So I ended up going overseas and trying to you know, try to try to take the fast route and sign professionally. in Dominican Republic was there for a few months, you know, had a lot a lot of scouts watch me. It didn't work out and I came back. I ended up going to William Paterson University, which was going to be my original choice finally finally went there. I finished up a semester, I played with them in the fall, I didn't get a chance to play spring. I ended up leaving, there going. I believe I went back to Dominican Republic again, after William Paterson went out there for a few more months, got some looks, you know how to how to do some had some offers. Nothing that I ended up deciding to take afterwards came back and at this point was kind of was probably the most important point in my college career. I was kind of at the point where I'm like, you know what, maybe it's not for me, it hasn't happened yet. I've kind of went through a you know, I've had a lot of obstacles, a lot of negative, you know, things going on a lot of no's. And someone actually the agent, my brother's agent at the time kind of saw me catching a bullpen for my brother. You know, he was in the offseason, he was already with the White Sox. And he saw me and he's like, hey, why aren't you in college, you know what's going on. And he saw something in me said you should be playing Listen, I'm gonna make a call. And I have a friend who would love to have you. And the friend of his was a he had just got a head coaching job at Mitchell college, which is a division three College in Connecticut. And, you know, we we talked, he saw me play he loved me. I you know, I thought it was an amazing coach. He was a great person, you know, he really seemed like he was interested in making me a better player and helping me get to the next level. So I made the decision to to go to that college. So now I'm in Mitchell college in Connecticut. You know, we had a great baseball program, we had, you know, great players, we had an amazing coaching staff. We ended up winning a championship there, I was ready to stay there. You know, I had some scouts watch. Had some scouts watch me I had some offers, you know, possibly getting drafted. It didn't work out, didn't get drafted, I was ready to repeat. And my coach lost his job at that school, which kinda, you know, broke me because I was very comfortable Finally, after so many different schools and being all over, so I ended up having to leave again, which is where I finally ended up going to Florida, Community College in Florida College of Central Florida. Finally played another season there had some scouts see me didn't get drafted. But after the draft about I believe, a week or two after get a phone call, and they offer me to sign with the Chicago White Sox.

Evan 8:46

Yeah, that's awesome. And really, I know, you mentioned that at a point there was almost like you almost wanted to give up and say, maybe this isn't for me, but you persevered and you kept trying, and eventually things worked out for you. That's awersome.

Unknown Speaker 9:01

Absolutely, absolutely. And you know, that that's why I like to share my journey with a lot of, you know, players, I train along with just you know, through Instagram and, you know, people who follow me and just trying to kind of send out that message so that, you know, if it helps one other player, kind of just just keep pushing through after, you know, a lot of obstacles they have to overcome or persevere and might kind of just give them that one little push, they need to get forward and keep going to that next step and hopefully, you know, it can help them get to their, to their next level, whatever it may be.

Evan 9:36

Yeah definitely. You were signed out of the College of Central Florida by the White Sox, how did it feel to get signed by a major league organization and say, I'm here I made it to the next level and now I got to keep grinding.

Unknown Speaker 9:52

Um, no, it was it was it was obviously it was amazing. You know, it was it was the moment that every kid dreams of you know, for me it was, I just felt like it was even, it was even better than, you know me being drafted out of high school, you know, because I always enjoy my story and how I got to where I got to, because of all the failure that I had to had to go through first to get it. So it just made it so, so much more sweet. When the moment actually happened. You know, I always say, I, you know, being a coach now for for so many years, with the White Sox seeing so many players drafted and, you know, I can see all the different personalities between first rounders and free agents, you know, or late round draft picks, you kind of see how players act based on, you know, what round they're selected in or how much money they get. And it actually, you know, it makes a big difference. And, you know, how far they go in their career. And I believe everything that I went through really humbled me. So in that moment, you know, I just I broke down, I cried, and I'll be honest, you know, I was in tears. I was I was amazed. I, you know, I didn't, I didn't think it was gonna happen. You know, we all hope it does. So when it did happen, it was just, you know, that much more awesome

Evan 11:08

A mix of emotions.

Unknown Speaker 11:10

Absolutely, absolutely. But you know, once, once I did, finally sign that contract, that was all right now, onto onto what's next, you know, we are here now, what's the next goal?

Evan 11:21

That's a great success story and being able to go through some of the failure that you did, but then you you achieved one of your goals, and it's just makes it all the more better?

Anthony 11:33

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Evan 11:34

At the time you were assigned, actually, your brother was playing in the MLB. For the White Sox. having that connection to the organization? Did that make signing with the White Sox any more special?

Unknown Speaker 11:47

Oh, yeah. 100%. And it's funny too, because at the time, when I was playing for the College of Central Florida, you know, I had, I had a lot of a lot of scouts watching me, you know, more for my defense, I was a very, very good defensive catcher, I had a strong arm. And, um, at the time, though, there was two main teams that we're watching, that were constantly communicating with me, you know, I built a good relationship with those two scouts, it was the White Sox, and it was the Angels. So obviously, you know, I was hoping it would go that route with the White Sox, just because of the you know, the history, the background. But at the same time, if it was the Angels, you know, would have been just as great. And then eventually, my brother ends up playing for the Angels as well. You know, so who knows, if I had signed with the angels at the time, it could have ended up being to where we ended up being on the same organization, as well. But yeah, I think it worked out for the best. Once I did get to the White Sox, I tried not to. And it's funny, because my brother actually was the first one to tell me, I try not to tell people who I was, you know, because he didn't, he didn't want anyone to treat me differently, because of the fact that they knew we were brothers, we were related. He kind of wanted me to earn everything, you know, and everyone's respect, based on who I was, as opposed to them respect me just because they knew who my brother was. Ultimately, they would see the last name on the jersey and asked me anyway, any any chance you're related to Hector. So, you know, people found out but it was after a few months of me being with the organization, and after, they kind of got to know me a little bit, which was much better because then I got a chance to build my own relationships with everyone, as opposed to just everyone knowing me because of being Hector's brother.

Evan 13:34

It's also a great job by your brother too, just because he had some success at the time, he made sure that you you earned some stuff, and you didn't have to have people Oh, you're his brother. Oh, that's, that's cool. It's like you made them respect you for who you were.

Anthony 13:53

Exactly. And that was the idea. Yeah.

Evan 13:56

So I know you you've shared with me a story about when he faced Miggy, Miguel Cabrera. Can you share that story with our listeners and sort of what went on?

Anthony 14:05

Yeah, so um, I forget exactly what year it was, but it was during his time with the twins and we were in Minnesota, I went out to go watch him play. And they were facing the Tigers. Yes, they were facing the Tigers. So he's up against Miggy. They had previous at bats. You know, my brother had bested him a few times with a few strikeouts. Miggy had a few hits off of him. So they kind of knew each other and respected each other. So Miggy being the professional he is he knew already, you know, my brother's game plan. He kind of knew how he would pitch to him. And the reason I brought that story up to you was to kind of talk about, you know, having a plan and sticking with it. And I know my brother, so I knew what he wanted to do. And I'm watching Miggy, just as a hitter and you know, obviously seeing him, his previous at bats and his career, knowing what type of hitter he is and being a coach Now I, what I like to do is I like to watch hitters I like to watch how they react to certain at bats, how they react to, you know, certain pitchers, how they how they change from one pitch to another. And the best of the best they usually stick to their game plan. Miggy is obviously one of the best hitters in the major leagues, he's been one of the best hitters. So I'm watching them. And I already know my brother, he loves throwing fast balls to righties. So he's coming in, you know, Miggy's fouling some balls off, he gets the two strikes, and I can just watch Miggy every time he steps out, you know, after foul ball, he would step out, and he'd, you know, he'd stick to his approach either, you know. He'd get his feel of his swing, before stepping back in and every one was staying inside the ball, you know, looking, looking to go the other way. And obviously, it's the opposite of what my brother is trying to do. He's trying to pound him in, you know, hoping he obviously swings and miss or tries to pull the ball and break his bat, whatever it may be. And every timehe would foul the ball off. Miggy would step out and do the same thing. Try to go the other way, with his swing to go the other way. My brother eventually ended up throwing him something that Miggy was just sitting there fighting pitches off hoping he would do. And I'm in my head, I'm sitting in the stands like don't throw him an off speed. Don't throw him anything over the plate, he slips in a curveball, Miggy sits back and drives it the other way hits a double, I believe it was either one hopper off the wall, he gets a double. But in that moment, it was funny just to see, you know, I'm watching. I obviously know my brother, I know his game plan. I'm watching Miggy, I know his game plan. And just to see, you know, such a professional hitter, stick to his game plan, no matter what the pitcher was doing. And as hitters you know, we tend to make adjustments based on what the pitcher is doing. But the best, they know what they do well, and they stick to it.

Evan 16:47

Yeah, staying within yourself. That's a big key.

Anthony 16:51

Yes, big time.

Evan 16:54

Who would you say, are the people who've had the biggest influence on you as a ballplayer?

Anthony 17:01

Um, I've had a lot in my career, to be honest. Um, but by far the most would have to be my brother and my father. My father, obviously, you know, he was always there for us. You know, he was the one who had us at the ballpark, all the time, not just because he was trying to force us into, you know, playing baseball professionally, but more because he loved the sport. And he knew that there was something in us that would eventually turn into something better. So he made sure that we were there, he also made sure that we always needed all the equipment, you know, that we always had all the equipment we needed. You know, whatever it was, whether whether it was showcases, he was always there to support us, there was never... We never got a no from my father. And one thing that he taught us was always to work hard. You know, he made us, He made us go to work with him from a very young age, just to kind of teach us, you know, what it was to earn something, you know, to work hard to earn something. So he kind of put that into us. So we knew that, whatever we were going to achieve in our life that we were going to have to earn, it wasn't gonna be handed to us. So definitely my father for that, and my brother just for you know, just for always being a positive influence and being able to watch him grow as a player and be a professional. And watch other people respect him for his work ethic, kind of taught me, you know, to follow in his footsteps. And just kind of gave me something to, you know, look up to and to want to try to be as good as or even better.

Evan 18:33

Fathers play a big role. They really help us out and help us ultimately achieve our goal. You were a catcher pretty much your whole life. And like you mentioned earlier you transitioned to a pitcher. So you're a pitcher in the pros, but a catcher through college. So how did you make that transition from catcher to pitcher as a pro baseball player?

Anthony 18:59

Yeah, so this is another funny story. So obviously, my scout that was watching me through college, watched me as a catcher. You know, I did a little bit of pitching in high school, but not much because I was our, I was our best catcher. So a lot of the times that we played on fields, they had big backstops, and we wanted to make sure that we weren't giving away runs so I didn't get too many times too many opportunities to pitch because I had to be the one catching the, you know, to make sure we weren't just giving up runs. So I did you know, when I did pitch it was more of just throwing so I wasn't really a pitcher, but I did have a strong arm. And as I was getting scouted in college, you know, I was told that there would always be a possibility that I would be converted to a pitcher. And I was okay with it. You know, and in my mind, I just wanted to play professional. I wanted to get get the chance to prove to myself you know that I could compete at that level. And I was, I was ready for it. But I didn't know because when my scout called me You know, it also could have been the fact that there was so much emotion going on. But I remember our conversation and my scout says, Yeah, you know, you're gonna be headed to Bristol, Virginia, which is where the rookie, rookie ball affiliate is for the White Sox. So he's like, you know, pack up your gear. They're gonna they're gonna send you your your plane ticket. And, you know, you'll go from there. So, in my head, when I was told to pack up your gear, I'm assuming my catchers gear, you know, but I wasn't, I guess I probably should have asked a little more questions. But anyway, so I show up, I show up to the field. And I remember signing my contract with with our trainer, he pulls out my contract. And when I'm reading my contract, I see believe it was RHP, like, right handed pitcher, or right handed reliever or something like that. And I'm reading and I'm like, I told my trainer like, hey, but um, I'm a catcher. He looks at me and he goes, not anymore. So at that moment, I'm like, alright, I sign the contract. And I didn't even have a pitchers glove with me. I had all my catching, all my catching equipment, my trunk was full of bats. So I literally had to borrow a pitching glove from from another teammate. At the time, there was a player who was, who had played at a higher level. And he's like, Hey, I got you, man, I got an extra glove. You know, so I went out and played catch as a pitcher for the first time. And I remember thinking, like my arm is not gonna be able to hold up. I'm like, I hope I hope I can. Because as a catcher, I had a lot of bicep pain when I threw, and it ended up working out. I ended up becoming a pitcher and my arm held up, I never really had, you know, thankfully, never had any arm issues. And then at that point, it was just all about, alright, you know, I got to put that in the past and I have to teach myself. I have to listen, I have to become a pitcher now.

Evan 21:55

That's a pretty cool story. Being able to know, and it's last minute, but I got it, whatever it takes.

Anthony 22:02

Yeah, exactly. Whatever it takes.

Evan 22:05

So do you think catching almost helped you transition to a pitcher? Because just because you're working with pitchers a lot, and you're sort of in their head?

Anthony 22:15

Oh, no, definitely 100%. Um, and it's tough. Because as a pitcher, you're on the mound and you know, things go so fast, the game speeds up on you, especially at the professional level, you know, when you're just starting off. So you don't even have the time to think to yourself, you know, about the catching process about, you know, what, what pitch you would call at the time. It just becomes, you know, just competing. So I think it did help me in the sense of being able to kind of stay calm a little bit and realize that hitting isn't easy. You know, obviously, as a catcher you have to hit. So, you know, I knew that. It's difficult being a hitter, you know, whether you have a great swing, and we always talked about this. You can have the best swing, but if your timing is off, you're not going to hit. So I knew when I was on the mound, I said, Listen, I may not be a pitcher right now but as long as I throw strikes, I have a chance at getting outs. So that that I would say was the biggest helper for me kind of transitioning, just trusting that if I get the ball over the plate, hitters are bound to get themselves out.

Evan 23:22

That's a great mindset to take into it. Hitting is one of if not the hardest thing to do in sports.

Unknown Speaker 23:30

In all of sports. Yes. 100%

Evan 23:32

So I heard that you had a very interesting first pitching appearance. Can you share that story with us?

Anthony 23:42

Absolutely. So um, you know, I become a pitcher. And obviously in professional baseball, everyone's an investment. So they can't just throw you out there right away. They have to kind of transition you into it. So you know, everyone, we started our season and everyone's pitching except me because I had to you know, I had to throw bullpens and get my rest. I'd go into the bullpen get my rest, you know, work on my mechanics work on my pitches. Then I got into throwing live batting practices to our own hitters, you know, so I'd go out and face our own hitters. So I was at the time I was more of a high three quarter pitcher with a you know, fastball curveball, very simple threw a changeup here and there. So when I was facing our own hitters, I did really well you know, I was striking out some of our guys you know, guys were telling me a throwing pretty hard. You know, so the results were there. You know, I was I was getting getting outs. But then obviously sitting in a bullpen Finally I was told, hey, today is going to be the first day you're active about halfway through the season. So obviously my adrenaline's going, I'm in the bullpen.

Evan 24:52

Awesome.

Anthony 24:54

I get I get the call down to the bullpen, you know, they they give me my sign and my adrenalin You know, starts starts going, my bloods pumping. I warm up and I get out on the field, you know, I get loose, I'm looking around, it's such a different feel, you know, when you're in a game on the mound, especially at the professional level compared to being a catcher looking at a completely different view. So I get out there and, you know, I'm obviously new to professional baseball, so I'm not really sure how it works. But all I knew in my head was that I wanted to throw strikes. So I said, Listen, don't try to overthrow I'm talking to myself, don't try to overthrow you know, just throw strikes, get ahead, you don't want to be the guy that's out here walking everybody and become, it becomes an embarrassment. So in my head, I say, you know, I'm just gonna throw, I just want to get my first pitch over. This guy is probably not going to swing. And you know, I'm sure they know that it's my first time pitching, which I don't know why I thought that. Like, he's probably just gonna let me get the first pitch ahead. So I'll just throw it over. So I throw a fastball probably at 87 miles an hour, who knows. And it's up and away to a left handed hitter, lefty. He goes and swings at the first pitch, Yanks a homerun over the fence. And it was such a crazy moment because immediately my,my mind went to negativity and I go, I'm not a pitcher, I just thought I'm like, Wow, my first pitch, they hit a homerun off me like, that's what's going to keep happening. I'm like, I'm not a pitcher I'm a catcher. But then, you know, just being a competitive person, a competitive player. You know, I shook it off fast. I looked at the umpire and said give me the next ball. I get the ball. You know, I didn't even watch the guy round the bases. I was just focused on the next hitter. I go in, and I didn't think as opposed to my first pitch, I was just overthinking. When I break the next guy's bat and a ground ball. Next guy comes up, I get a pop up. Last hitter, broken bat ground ball, and I get out of the inning. I get three quick outs after they're given up a first pitch home run. And as I'm coming into dugout, you know, everyone's kind of laughing joking about it, like oh, you know, welcome to the league, you know, welcome to the pro ball, or welcome to pitching. And I it's funny, because in my in my head, I'm just I'm thinking like, wow, I just sucked, you know, I gave up a home run. It's terrible. Like, they're probably going to release me and just immediately just all the negative stuff. And everyone's coming up to me like, Hey, nice job, nice job, good job. I'm just wondering, like, why they're telling me good job. But they obviously knew that it was my first time out and I give up a home run and next thing you know, I go and get three outs. And my manager at the time was Pete Rose, Jr. who was an awesome, awesome manager, great person. And the next day, you know, we always meet up and talk about the game. And he's having a meeting, we lost a lot at the time. So he yelled a lot. But during his meeting to us, He used me as an example. And he goes, um, this guy went out there yesterday and on his first professional pitch gives up a homerun. And guess what he goes in right after, you know, and he gets three quick, quick outs. He's like, that's the kind of pitcher that I want on the mound every day. Like, I don't want anyone going up there scared. He's like, I'm gonna, he's I'm gonna ask for this pitcher every day. Because that's the guy went out there. And it kind of motivated me. And I was like, wow, you know, in my head, I was like, That was terrible. And in his eyes, you know, it was, it was something that he felt he could use to motivate the other players. And from there on out, you know, I use that as motivation. And it kind of pushed me to think you know, it's possible I can do this.

Evan 28:41

Yeah, bouncing back is huge. And that's, that's a really cool and really special first pitching appearance. And that story is awesome.

Anthony 28:52

Definitely, definitely. Thank you.

Evan 28:54

After 2014, you signed your very first coaching contract with the Chicago White Sox. What was it like going from player to coach?

Anthony 29:06

Um, it was it was interesting. At the time, you know, I was still young. I, you know, I still technically was in my prime as a player. And I had never thought about becoming a coach at the time. You know, it was all about playing. And until I was released by the White Sox, I was in winter ball playing in Puerto Rico at the time, they called me to release me. And it wasn't, it was just a few months later that they called me right back. And I remember getting the call and I was pitching really well in Puerto Rico, facing, you know, high level competition. And I was performing. I was probably at the time one of the best relievers that we had out there. And so I was thinking, you know, I'm gonna get a call by somebody, hopefully, the next day and I get a call from the White Sox and I'm kind of confused. I'm like, these guys just released me and they call me kind of asking You know, how I was doing and what I was doing? And if I was still playing or if I had signed with another team? And my answer was like, No, you know, I'm still waiting. I'm in Puerto Rico, I'm performing well, kind of just waiting for the call. And then Okay, well, good, you know, we got some got some good news, we have a position here for you. And my first thought was, okay, well, as a player, obviously, I'm just thinking like, Oh, I guess you know that something must have happened, they need more pitching, and I'm pitching well, so they noticed that, and he goes, Well, it's a coaching position. And I was kind of shocked, I'm like, okay, because, you know, typically coaches go, and they'll apply for these jobs, if they have the experience. And I did no such thing. But it was, it was just more of the fact that they saw something in me as a player, you know, going, you know, going about my business and my work ethic, and also helping other players along the way. Just things you know, the ins and outs, that people notice, you know, personality traits, things like that. They noticed this in me, and they had a position available. And, you know, I remember them telling me, they're like, Hey, listen, you're the first one on our list. The job is yours. If you want it, you know, think about it. Talk to your brother, talk to your family. And let us know. We're not going to make any other moves until you give us you know, your decision. And yeah, I was like, Alright, well, yeah, let me let me think about it. I'm going to talk to my brother and stuff. And I talked to my brother right after and he was like, so shocked, like, it's not easy to get into professional coaching. He's like, you have to take it, you know, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. And obviously, it was a tough decision because I was pitching well, you know, I was at the peak of my career doing very well. And, you know, facing big league hitters, and AAA hitters and AA hitters were, at the time had only faced rookie ball level guys or A ball guys. And I was doing well. So I really thought I could compete at higher levels. But then I thought to myself, like, you know what, you know, if I become a coach, I'm gonna, I'm going to be around a lot of people who have a lot of knowledge, I'm going to get the ins and outs of how things work, I'm going to learn, not just, you know, I didn't think of it as I'm going to go and teach people. In my mind, I was like, Alright, I'm going to go in, and I'm going to learn, I'm going to listen, take advantage of, you know, this opportunity, and try to become a good coach. So that one day, I can come back home. And I can share all this knowledge that I knew a lot of the players from the inner cities are getting this information, you know, as opposed to people that are in professional baseball, you know, they're able to get all this information, and a lot of people aren't as privileged. So I thought to myself, like, you know what, this, this can be something where I can make a difference somewhere else, not just about becoming a professional coach, but more about helping others. So I told them, You know, I called them back within probably 10 minutes. And I told them that, you know, that was that was gonna agree, and I was going to agree, and I was gonna sign the contract.

Evan 33:04

Yeah, it's awesome to be recognized and say, okay, we, we think you'd be perfect for this. And, like, let me know what you think you're the first on our list, and we're not going to do anything until we really get you because we really want.

Anthony 33:19

Yeah, and that was, that was, that was a big thing for me. You know, I figured, alright, if they see something in me, then, you know, they obviously know what they're doing. So, you know, let's, let's, let's see it out. And let's see what happens.

Evan 33:32

10 minutes, only 10 minutes.

Anthony 33:35

That's it. That's it. It was really a really quick decision

Evan 33:39

in 2017. Now, I'm going to skip ahead here, but you were promoted to the Latin cultural coordinator for the White Sox. Can you talk more about what this role is? And what made you want to help players in this way?

Anthony 33:54

Yeah, so my, when I first signed my contract, was as an assistant coach. When I got to spring training, they started talking to me about talking to me about my job responsibilities. I had a few different responsibilities. One obviously was on on field coaching, you know, coaching, first base, and obviously throwing batting practice and hitting fungos, and all the all that kind of stuff. Being an instructor, as well as I had to help out with the Latin American players, younger Latin American players, so I was doing some translating. I was handling some paperwork stuff outside of the field, there was a lot of a lot of things going, going into that position. So I did it for two years. After my first year, I remember my boss talking to me telling me that you know that I was overqualified for the position. So I kind of knew that eventually it was going to transition into something bigger. And the way the way, the way that I am the person that I am I no matter what I'm doing, I'm going to want to do it the right way. And there are there are people out there who, who aren't that way. So, in the position that I was in, typically that role, people didn't last long in that role, you know, they'd be in for a year or two and out, they'd find someone new, get them in and get them out. Because people, certain guys would take advantage of situations. But for me, I was like, you know, I wanted to make sure I did everything that I could, especially with the position that I was in. The position was helping younger players, younger Latin American players, who were coming into a country where they didn't know the language, you know, they didn't know the culture, they didn't know how to order food, you know, so everything was completely different for them, and they're trying to live out their dream. So if I could be there to help them, I wanted to do it. So I went above and beyond, you know, outside of the field, I made sure that I helped these guys, and I made them feel at home. You know, I had to find them apartments, I had to keep them, you know, comfortable making sure that you know that they weren't homesick that they were that they were going to be able to perform on the field at their, you know, optimal level. And I took, you know, I took a lot of pride in that. So eventually, they, you know, they took notice to it, and my boss, they actually created this position for me at the time, they didn't have this role. So I remember in that offseason, I got a call. And my boss at the time Buddy Bell, he said, listen, you know, we're gonna, we're going to promote you, we're going to give you a promotion, you're going to become a coordinator now. And a coordinator and professional baseball is basically there's there's many, they all have their own specific, you know, jobs, for example, hitting coordinator, pitching coordinator catching coordinator, they all work specifically at certain positions. So what they do is they travel from affiliate, affiliate. So as opposed, instead of just being at the triple A level, or double A level or A ball level, they throughout the season, they, they hop from one team to another, they're in one place for a few weeks or a few days, they'll go to A ball for a few days, triple A double A, all over. So when they he told me about this, you're going to be a coordinator. You're This is going to be your title, it's the latin cultural coordinator. We kind of spoke a little bit about about the responsibilities but I had already knew at the time that I didn't have to change anything that I was doing that obviously what I was doing was what made them give me that promotion or what made them create that position for me. And I actually didn't get a full opportunity to or haven't yet got an opportunity to do that position to the full extent. Because in 2017, when I was actually given that position.

In the offseason, we made a trade with Boston for for Chris Sale. When we made that when we made that trade, we obviously we got Yoan Moncada was a high profile, you know, Cuban player, and a huge investment. So before that spring training, before I got a chance to actually start that position, the way it was supposed to go. I get a call from my boss again. And they had spoken to our general manager at the time. And they wanted to make sure that Yoan Moncada was going to be taken care of, they wanted to make sure that they had somebody that was going to travel with him to make sure that everything was going the right way, you know, on and off the field. So obviously, they thought highly of me. So they decided like, Hey, listen, we're going to have you specifically with Yoan Moncada. You're going to go to major league camp, you're going to go to AAA until he gets to the major leagues. And, you know, basically you're gonna, you're going to be the guy that that makes sure everything goes smoothly. So that was the kind of transition to transition into that role. Once Moncada got to the major leagues, I fell back into my role and I started to travel. You know, I went to Dominican Republic, watch our players out there to kind of oversee everything with the young Latin American players. You know, I was roving around all the lower levels. I did that for a few months until the season ended. And then we signed Luis Robert, who was the next high profile guy, and then obviously transitioned back into that. So he became my next responsibility.

Evan 39:32

That's awesome. Luis Robert, he's a star in the making right now. And Yoan Moncada a big name in baseball. So it's awesome how you got to sort of help them and guide them a little bit and really make sure they were well taken care of. I read that when you played in the Dominican Republic, you didn't know any Spanish but your teammates would help you out and correct you if you said anything wrong in Spanish. Did that make you any more passionate about Coming into this role just because you've been helped before, so you want to give back and help others.

Anthony 40:06

Definitely, definitely. And that that was, that was the big reason why when I was a player, I took it upon myself to help these players, you know, without it having to be my job. You know, I was constantly I actually lived with all of the Dominican and Venezuelan players, you know, we all we all stayed together. Obviously, the minor leagues, you don't make a lot of money. So you kind of have to grind it out and get by so we used to live in apartments, you know, 6,7,8 players altogether, you know, there'll be three to four of us in a room. So I made sure you know, I had a car at the time. These guys didn't, I made sure that, you know, I was helping out, helping them out, open up bank accounts, you know, help them buy their groceries and help them order food, a little bit of everything, without it having to be my, my job. And I did it just because I understood, you know, what it is to be in a place to be in a different, different country where you're, you're not comfortable, you don't know the language, you don't know anyone, and to have other people help you out. So I took it upon myself to make sure that I was doing that. And that was, you know, some of the reason why they decided to add me on as a coach, not just because of, you know, my knowledge of the game, or you know, from my work ethic, but as well as being a just being a good person. And, you know, having a big heart

Evan 41:29

What advice could you give to coaches to help them build trust quickly with their players?

Anthony 41:36

Now, I'm actually glad that you bring that up, you know, trust. That's, that's a very, very important word in baseball, especially in coaching. And it was kind of why, why a lot of the players respected me, because they trusted me. They knew they knew. And it happens all the time in professional baseball, in college, or in high school. A lot of times players don't, they don't trust their coaches enough to listen to whether it be advice or listen to, you know, mechanics, whatever, whatever it is. So to give other coaches advice, I'd say just, you know, just to be honest, I know, I know, there's a lot of a lot of times where coaches like to put their egos first. They want to make sure that people feel like they know it all, or they have all the answers. No coach has all the answers, I definitely don't have all the answers. Especially the way baseball is. The game constantly changes, there's always new ways to teach it. There's new ways to play it. So you just basically have to continue being a student of the game, even though you're the teacher, you're the coach, you still have to learn. And just just be real with your players. Make sure that you guys have you know, build the relationship, not just, you know, it's not just coaching, you got to make sure that you know, these guys on and off the field. And just to make sure that, you know, you show them that you actually care about them.

Evan 43:00

Yeah, that's, that's awesome advice for the coaches, they might not know everything. And a lot of it is just adapting and adjusting to new information, whether it's whether you're a hitting coach, and you're trying to learn a new method, or there's a new philosophy out there, maybe a more efficient swing, whether it's pitching, how to throw harder how to hit your spots, like nine out of 10 times, everything's adapting.

Anthony 43:25

Absolutely.

Evan 43:28

Could you share some of the cooler moments you've had with guys like Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert,

Anthony 43:37

um, I mean, there's a lot, obviously, you know, it's funny now, you know, watching and watching these games, and watching this Robert play now. And, you know, I saw this, I saw this kid kind of grow and mature over the last few years, coming into professional baseball, now I'm gonna get an opportunity to watch him perform at the highest level. So it's just funny, you know, just just to kind of meet and me being able to know these, these, these kids and these players, you know, personally, I kind of know, I know how they think. So I'm, as I'm watching them, I can already imagine, you know, what he's saying, when he gets back to the dugout, and, you know, for example, like Robert he still he doesn't realize how much of a, you know, high profile guy he is. And he forgets that, that people read, you know, people can read and they, they know who he is, and they know how good he is. So I remember his, his first spring training in the major leagues. I think he he faced one of his first at bats he faced like Kelly Jensen, and he goes up right away and he hits a double down the line. And I remember thinking in my head, I'm like, he has no idea what pitch he just hit. Like he's that good that he didn't, he doesn't know what pitch he just hit, he just he saw the ball, he hit the ball. But he's so raw,he's just that talent that he can get away with it. Typically guys are gonna go in saying, oh, it's Kelly Jensen, like, I know he's gonna throw me either a fastball or cutter, most likely, nine out of 10 times he's gonna throw me 95,96 mile per hour cutter. And that's what the pitch was. And I remember asking, asking him, when he got back in the dugout, like a will pitch what pitches to hit? And he's like, fastball, I think. And I'm like, No, I'm like, it's a cutter. And he goes, and he tells me he's like, what's a cutter? Didn't know what the pitch was, you know, cuz he's coming from Cuba. And out there. It's you know, they're, they're not facing anybody throwing that hard. They're facing a lot of curveballs, they don't see you know, splitters and all these different kind of pitches. So I had to, like, explain to him what what a cutter was, and like, what kind of movement it you know, it had, but it was just funny to see, like, you know, how good he actually is. And he doesn't even realize it, he had another experience where he went up the hit, and he's looking for a fastball, and they would not throw it. Thgey wouldn't throw him a fastball and mind you he is in Major League camp, but he would get upset because he's like, I don't know why they're throwing me breaking balls, like, I'm not even in the major leagues yet. They should be throwing fast balls. And I'm like, No, you got to understand that, you know, you're obviously like a super prospect. They're not gonna want you to, you know, to do damage, it doesn't matter if you're not there yet. They know you will be. So these guys already, respect you. And being able to watch him now, you know, on TV and watch his games. You know, I see certain pitches, I already know, I'm like, I already know what he's thinking. So you know, and with Moncada you know, kind of the same stuff. But from with Moncada it's pretty cool, you know, he's, he's actually become more of a leader now. You know, when when I was with him, he was still coming up. And, you know, he only had a little bit of big time with Boston. So he didn't really, he was still learning, but now he's at that point where, you know, within the last two years, he's become more of a leader. So that's, that's been pretty cool to watch.

Evan 47:06

Now, I want to move more into the technical side. So I'm gonna start off with pitching and then we'll, we'll get into hitting.

Anthony 47:12

Okay, oh,

Evan 47:14

I've asked former professional pitchers before, whether they think velocity or location is more important. So far, everyone has said location? Do you agree with them? Or do you think velocity is more important?

Anthony 47:30

To be honest, for me, it's gonna depend on the pitcher. You know, I, and this is this is, you know, something that I teach to all my players, I just make sure that they know what kind of player they are, whether it's hitting or pitching, I know we're on the pitching topic right now. So, as a pitcher, I make sure that they know what you know, what they have, what they, what their arsenal is, what pitches they have, how fast they throw, what movement they have, if they can command the zone, or if they have good pitches, if they can command those pitches. So to me, it's all about knowing who you are, and, you know, pitching to your strengths. So for example, if you have somebody throwing 86, and they have a lot of movement on their on their fastballs, a lot of sink, you know, and they can throw strikes, then it's gonna, it's gonna come down to command. But if you have somebody who can throw 95 Plus, and they can throw strikes with it, then obviously, I'm going to say velocity, you know, because that's what's that's what's going to help them is being able to blow by guys. But there are people out there, there are guys who were in college and throw 90 miles an hour. And in their head, they're just like, you know, I throw 90 I throw hard. And nowadays, 90 is not that hard. So you know, it's all about, it's all about, you know, forgetting about the ego, and knowing your strengths. And, you know, using it to your advantage. So if your hard thrower it's going to be velocity, you know, blow it by guys, yeah, keep the fastball up in the zone. You know, make sure you're throwing 95. Don't hold back and throw 92 or 90 because now you're going to be more in the hitting speed. But if your ball has a lot of movement, don't try to blow by guys, you know, live down in the zone, get ground balls, forget about strikeouts, you know, throw, get deep into the game.

Evan 49:20

That's great advice. Sometimes as pitchers, we tip our pitches. So what tips would you give to pitchers on helping them disguise their pitches?

Anthony 49:31

Yeah I mean, I guess you know, to keep it simple as just making everything the same, you know, especially with grips. The thing with with pitchers is we have certain pitches. For example, if you have a fastball slider, and a changeup, you grab all of them differently, and the good hitters you know or good coaches can pick up on, you know how pitchers start the ball in their glove. Most guys start with a fastball grip They're holding a fastball in their glove. And when they go to a change up, they end up you know, even though they wiggle their fingers, they wiggle them more than they would when they go to the slider because from the fastball to the slider, you might not move too much, you know you're closer, you're closer to that grip, as opposed to being having a grab a circle change or split change, whatever it is. So finding what pitch what grip, you should start, you should start with in your glove, all the time. So a lot of guys, if they have a changeup or they have a splitter, they'll start with a splitter, so that when they get to that pitch, they don't have to, you know, manipulate the ball and dig in, and do all this extra stuff just to get that grip, they'll start with it so they're already there. And even if they have to fakeit kind of, you know, they just make sure they're consistent on every single pitch.

Evan 50:50

It's definitely super helpful for a guy like me who I do pitch and guys for, even at the higher level, who pitch a lot. Now, as a hitter, how do you pick up on these tendencies?

Anthony 51:02

Now this this part's tough, because you don't want to do it while you're hitting obviously. So a lot of times, it comes down to paying attention to the game. And a lot of guys forget about this because, you know, we're with our teammates or with our friends and, you know, we forget about watching pay attention, paying attention to the game, but the best players, you know, they know how to focus on the pitchers, and watch the pitchers in the in the bullpen. You know, watch them as they're throwing their warmup pitches, they you know, they pay attention, all the little things, they pay attention to all the details, or even just communicating with with other teammates, you know, if somebody, if you're hitting fifth in the lineup, and the leadoff guy gets up, and he sees you know, hopefully he sees a few pitches, he can go and you can ask him questions, hey, what do you see, you know, whatever he's doing, his fastball, whatever it may be, but making sure that it's actually something that you notice, as opposed to, you know, just seeing something and saying, Oh, I got him, I know he's doing this, and you go up there guessing and you're wrong. So it's a matter of, you know, doing your homework, making sure that they're actually tipping the pitches, you know, if you pick up on something, make sure he goes through a few more hitters and make sure he does it the same to those hitters before you go in. And say, you know, I'm going all in and I'm going to watch him tip his pitch, so I can know what's coming and sit on that pitch. And it was actually something I did in college a lot. Not with everybody because not every pitcher tips his pitches. And sometimes from the dugout view, you can see things that it's not the same when you get in the box. So it's tougher, but um, you know, it's not for everybody. Because a lot of guys who know what, they can know what's coming. And because they know what's coming, they think too big, like I'm getting this fastball right here, I'm gonna hit it 900 feet, and you know, they over swing and they pop it up, or, you know, their timing is off. So it's a matter of, you know, if you can, if you can handle it, and you're good at seeing it and use it, if not, you know, go up and have a plan and see the ball hit the ball.

Evan 53:01

That's, that's important. And I've actually had one of those experiences recently where I've caught a pitcher they, they were taking their pitches, and it was simple. They were just, you could see them sort of manipulating the grip and the glove from the on deck circle. But it still can give away and I like how you said sometimes it can make hitters overthink?

Anthony 53:22

Yes, definitely.

Evan 53:24

When it comes to hitting How do you coach your players on really feeling what they're doing, as well as making sure the mechanics are right.

Anthony 53:33

It's for me, it's it's it's different. You know, because every every player is a little bit different. Every player has their their tendencies that they've done since they were since they first picked up a bat. So it's a matter of getting to know the player really, before you just say, you know, alright, this is the drill we're doing. You know, I like to, I like to talk a lot as you know, you know, we communicate a lot when we're having our sessions. You know, so I like to like to get to know the player. You know, I love video, I always give video and so we can slow things down and talk about it. And then just finding different ways that they can feel it. And that's the big, that's the biggest way using different different examples, whether it be a verbal cue or a physical cue. But one thing that I do like to keep up with, if I am doing any drills with my players, I like to make sure that I do them myself first. So that I'm not just telling them what to do that I can actually go and show them. A lot of players are visual learners as well. You know, I'm big time into feel but visual as well. So, you know, sometimes it's not just saying it or feeling it, it's actually seeing somebody do it. You know, I'm sure you watch a lot of Major League games. And I'm sure there's things that your you know, your batting stance, you might have gotten picked up from a player just by watching them play and you didn't realize Next, you know, you're doing something like oh, I'm kind of doing this, like, you know, Josh Donaldson or, you know, or Albert Pujols, whatever it may be. But you do it without realizing just by watching. So making sure that they're, the hitters can actually visually see what you're trying to get them to do.

Evan 55:16

I like how you, you say you do the drills before you have them do it, just so you're able to show them. And for those guys who are more of visual learners, it can sort of come to them easier just being able to help all your players and think, okay, maybe this might not work for you. But let's try this and see if this does.

Anthony 55:34

Yep.

Evan 55:35

I've often heard the phrase get on playing early used, can you talk about what that means and why it's so important in the swing?

Anthony 55:44

Yeah, for me, um, you know, getting on plane, it's not so much about the, you know, the hitting plane or the strike zone. For me, it's all about the pitch angle, you know, and got a lot of guys talk about, you know, launch angle, and, you know, the degree that the ball goes out on, for me, it's just a matter of, you know, the the line, you can say, or the angle that the ball has, when it's coming from the pitchers hand, into the catcher's glove. You know, and I like to visually show hitters, like, you know, what that angle is, you know, so I'll put the ball on a tee, you know, give them the visual of the ball coming out of the pitchers hand up on top of the mound, so that they can know the difference between a low fastball and a high fastball, they're not coming in at the same, you know, at the same plane at the same angle. So it's a matter of being able to match that as early as you possibly can, giving yourself the best chance to have room for error. You know, like we spoke about already hitting is very hard. You want to give yourself a chance to be late, to be early to be on time and to have success. You don't want to just have success, when you're perfectly on time, if you have success only when you're perfectly on time, you're not going to have that much success. It's not that easy, especially at the higher level where you have all these big high velocity pitchers, a lot of movement, multiple pitches, there's a lot that goes on. So we have to give ourselves the best chance to succeed, whether it be late, early or on time. So just matching that plane as early as possible, just gives you the best chance to not be that great and still get away with things.

Evan 57:27

Getting on plane early, huge key to being able to be successful. that's helped me and I'm still working on it. But getting on plane early and as as really as early as possible. And like you said, low fastball is not going to be the same as a high fastball. So when it comes to a curveball and getting on plane, it's more up and down, let's say 12, six, curveball, that's a steeper plane. And if you do match the plane, you're most likely going to hit a pop up or fly ball. So how would you get on plane with that without sort of getting on plane?

Anthony 57:59

Yeah, you know, that's, that's actually a really good question. And, you know, kind of like I spoke about earlier, not everyone has the answer. So for me, that can that can vary depending on on the on the hitter, there's guys who are naturally gifted, and just they're better at that talented to have good hand eye coordination, that they're able to make that adjustment, you know, that they're able to, you know, get their timing to the point where they can still stay in the zone and adjust based on the movement of the ball. Because when you when you see a ball, you know, a breaking ball, curveball slider, whatever it may be, you're not immediately going to calculate, you know, how much movement this ball has, how much spin it has, and you know, where the ball is going to be when it gets to you, but we just naturally as as ballplayers, which is why repetition is so important. You know, we go through, we see so many curveballs that we start to realize more or less, we have an idea, without being a computer having to be a computer that we can, we can tell more or less where the ball is going to be. So yeah, it's a matter of I like to teach it as you know, just having one consistent, consistent swing, so we're not going to adjust our swing just because it's a breakable where no one is going to be that that good. So it's a matter of approaching everything like it's a fastball and then just being able to trust that your hand eye coordination is going to help you be able to barrel it up as as well as you can.

Evan 59:28

Hand eye it's a skill that you to have. It doesn't come to everyone. I know there's training for it. But some guys, they are just super talented and they have that aspect already. They don't have to work on it as much. Are there certain drills that you would recommend for youth players to do when it comes to getting on plane early.

Anthony 59:49

There's different ways to kind of you know, to think about it, but for me, it's all about getting guys to not think about going directly to the ball. first instinct, you know, and, you know, as a young player you have coaches tell you, you know, be short to the ball, be quick to the ball, you know, get them out to the ball. And you know, those cues typically get guys to go directly to the ball, you see the ball and you get there with your hands, which typically leads to the barrel following and downward action, which, as we spoke about, most fastballs are coming downward, if our bat's coming downward, it's gonna be very hard to get on plane. So just a matter of thinking, you know, whether it be getting the barrel off the back, the back shoulder, coming behind the ball, you know, I know I've done this drill with you using the deep Tee. You know, setting up the Tee deep in your swing, so that you can try to naturally just find a way to get the barrel on the ball without having to manipulate our bodies. And, you know, as you've you've seen, if you come down to the ball, or your, your too direct to it, you're not going to be able to hit that pitch, you know, on the barrel. And going back to what we talked about with being able to give yourself a chance to be late to be early to be on time and still hit the barrel. You know, I really love that drill to be able to feel the swing, get in the zone early, to get on path early, you know, plain, get behind the ball and just let the natural, you know, bat path you know, give the ball and bat a chance to meet up

Evan 1:01:25

That drill has helped me and it's it really is an awesome drill. And for our listeners, if you want to do it, you can just set the tee up somewhere around your back foot, I would say, and you try to hit it, but just really without I know you've talked me about not compensating with another part not staying back, super back, or not really manipulating your body too much. I like that drill tip. What hitter in the MLB right now do you recommend use players that you work with to really study and why?

Anthony 1:02:03

The first one I'm going to go to is Nolan Arenado. And it's it's really not just about you know, if you just watch a not just in game swings, but if you watch his, you know, his highlight videos, whether it be you know, hitting in the cage or hitting off a tee, the way he goes about his you know, his work, it just goes to show you that it's it's not easy to hit. And it takes time. And it takes effort to become a good hitter. And it seems like he's constantly making adjustments, and constantly, you know, trying to find different ways to consistently get better. But the biggest reason why I bring him up is because, you know, I'm sure you've heard it 1000 times or more. But you know, when you're in games, our head pulls off and naturally wants to pull off, we want to see where the ball is going right away. And he's a major league hitter who's had very, you know, so much success, and he's an all star. And if he's able to make contact with the ball, and keep his eyes, his head at contact point and not look up immediately, which most guys do, and it they don't realize what it takes their body out of the zone, it takes their swing out of the zone too soon. And every young player should be able to do it. So yeah, the way he the way he goes about two things, you know, keeping his eyes on the ball, keeping his head at contact point, even through through contact and getting extension are the biggest two things. And I really love watching him mainly for that reason, whether it's a ball that he pulls and hits 400 feet to left, or a ball that he slices the other way for a base hit. He's he's keeping his head there, as long as he can. His eyes are at contact point even through extension. Yeah,

Evan 1:03:41

he's he's a great example. Youth players were often told to trust the process and grind every day. What's some advice that you would give to youth players on really trusting the process, even when they're not seeing the results yet?

Anthony 1:03:59

Um, yeah, I mean, it's, it's tough. You know, it's tough as a young player, because you want to see results right away. But if you if you think about it this way, and just see, you know, Major League players go, you know, go about their business and how they approach everything. You'll realize that they didn't get there, you know, just in just in a few days or a month, you know, it doesn't, it takes repetition, you know, you have to constantly work at it, even when you perfect it, you know, the game throws you a curveball, and now you're trying to find another way out of a slump. You see major leaguers do it all the time, even even some of the best, you know, they're they're at the peak of their careers. And next thing you know, they have an off season. So they have to find another way to be successful, whether it's the change in the velocities or you know, the change in the way pitchers are approaching hitters. It could be anything, but it takes time and I was able to watch a lot of players over the last few years come up through the minors and, you know, are currently playing in the major leagues. And when they first got the professional baseball, they weren't the same players that they were, that they currently are. It took, it took repetition. And the big thing is, in professional baseball, there's not that many days off, these guys are out there every day, they're practicing for a few hours before playing every day, for seven months straight, eight months straight, and then they, they get home. And guess what they have to continue working to get ready for the next season. So it takes a lot of time, a lot of a lot of repetitions to start feeling things, and especially as you know, youth players younger, you guys are still growing into your bodies, you guys are still figuring out how your body works, or you know what kind of player you're going to be in the future. So you got to give it time, you got to be patient, you know, just enjoy the game, while you're playing it. And, you know, just let let your work ethic and let the amount of time and work that you put in, do its job on its own. Just make sure that you're actually you know, going about your business the right way, and, you know, practicing with a purpose, as opposed to just going through the motions waiting for the day, for you to get big and strong and hit all these homeruns it's not that simple. You know, you got to really, really put the time and effort in

Evan 1:06:19

you got to grind to get achieve your goals and get where you want to be. That's, that's really helpful advice. In your opinion,

What are some of the qualities that successful players should all have?

Anthony 1:06:33

For one being humble, I think that goes a long way, being a good person, you know, being a caring person, you know, to where you become a good teammate. And a good listener, there's a lot of coaches out there, who, who have a lot of a lot of knowledge, a lot of information. And some players take it for granted. You know, and and I, you know, I'm a, I'm an example of that I've, I've been in professional baseball, I've been into certain meetings where you know, I'm just tired, and you really don't want to listen to too much talking, you know, you kind of just like, I'd rather just get out there and hit batting practice. So just being you know, being a good listener, and actually making sure that you know, that you're you're thanking everybody along the way who has helped you out, it'll go a long way, trust me. You know, I'm, I'm an example of that. Because, you know, I tried to pride myself on being a good person and being a good teammate. And eventually, it helped me out to the point where, you know, people were to, were able to see something in me that gave me an opportunity to become, you know, the person that I am today.

Evan 1:07:40

I want to wrap this up with some rapid fire questions. So you're ready

Anthony 1:07:45

I think so, here we go.

Evan 1:07:46

Who's your favorite pitcher in the big leagues right now?

Anthony 1:07:50

Oh, I was gonna say Hector Santiago, but he's currently not there right now. Um, but a fun one to watch for me is Lucas Giolito. He's been the White Sox. And you know, I was able to see him in triple A Charlotte before he got to the majors. And he's made some some adjustments and his mechanics. And it's been interesting to see how much success he's had by making those adjustments.

Evan 1:08:12

Second one,

if you could have one person in baseball history, mentor you who would it be?

Anthony 1:08:19

tough one. I'd say probably I know. I know. This is a different position. But probably Ivan Rodriguez, Pudge. He was, he was somebody you know, I watched a lot when I was a catcher. Obviously, he's Puerto Rican as well. So if I could have somebody mentor me, you know, when I was a catcher would definitely be him.

Evan 1:08:37

Last, but definitely not least, you grew up in New Jersey, if I was visiting for the very first time in my life, what's one place that I would just have to go check out?

Anthony 1:08:51

That's a good question. Maybe the Jersey Shore just because it's such a, you know, such a big name. And obviously, I you know, when I was younger, I grew up, you know, going there and enjoying Memorial weekends there and certain holidays and, you know, I always had a blast that or Wildwood

Evan 1:09:08

Okay, two great suggestions. Anthony, do you have any projects that you're currently working on? or places that people can reach you and learn more about you?

Anthony 1:09:19

Oh, yeah, I actually am um, you know, I was kind of waiting around because obviously, this this year has been a, you know, a very different year for everyone. But, uh, you know, our minor league season was canceled, which is the reason why I've been home, excuse me for the last few months. And I obviously recently just started doing given baseball lessons again, but um, I am planning on this winter depending on how everything you know, is going with the virus. I am planning on doing a few big clinics, getting some some pro guys as well to come in and help me out with that. No dates are set yet but that is one thing and I'm also open Putting together a, a pitching velocity program that I'll be doing this winter as well. For some, you know, some of the high school, older high school, college guys who are interested in building some velocity, we're going to do some strength and conditioning stuff as well as, you know, pitching mechanics a little bit, a little bit of everything to kind of help these guys get them themselves ready for the next level.

Evan 1:10:23

Are there some places that our listeners can reach you or learn a little bit more about you.

Anthony 1:10:30

Yeah, I mean, obviously, I'm constantly posting on my social media. My my Instagram is ant_santiago6. And I have two Instagrams, but that's my my baseball page. And, you know, I constantly put posts up, you know, I post some of my sessions with my players, our training sessions, as well as just motivational, you know, quotes or, you know, just just anything that kind of pops in that I feel might help a player out.

Evan 1:10:57

Anthony, thank you so much for joining me today.

Anthony 1:11:01

Thanks for having me over the pleasure.

Evan 1:11:05

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at born to baseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media, at born to baseball where we can connect live now let's play ball

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Episode #017: Todd Coburn- “The Catching Guy”

December 2020 By Evan

Ep. #017- Todd Coburn AKA “The Catching Guy”

Join Evan and Todd Coburn AKA “The Catching Guy” as Todd shares his catching  journey and provides a wealth of knowledge, tips and insight on being the best catcher, and the best ball player, you can be.

What You’ll Learn:

01:13   Todd’s journey as a Catcher- from Little League to Pro ball 

02:30   Work ethic and his major transformation 

18:37   How he became “The Catching Guy”

24:53   Importance of the Pitcher Catcher relationship 

28:18   Todds “Big 3” for receiving 

42:12   “Mitt Magic”

43:01   Characteristics of a great Catcher 

45:27   On “Blocking” as the difference maker 

50:14   The age catchers should start calling their own game

54:03   Pitching “by the book” and pitching “backwards”

1:07:35  Favorite Foot Quickness Drills

1:12:16  Todd’s “Big Four” for Throwing 

1:16:42  Mindset and managing emotions 

1:26:15  Training and Clinics for Catchers 

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
 If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Website https://thecatchingguy.com/

Facebook https://m.facebook.com/TheCatchingGuy/

Twitter @TheCatchingGuy

Instagram @TheCatchingGuy

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/c/ToddCoburnTheCatchingGuy

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

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Instagram: @borntobaseball 

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Twitter: @bornto_baseball

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Episode 017_TODD COBURN_THE CATCHING GUY

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of born to baseball is sponsored by the BTB Travel team and training tracker.

Are you a parent or player searching for travel teams or training facilities in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple t tracker at born to baseball.com. Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Music 0:23

Calling all ballplayers. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? didn't bring it in. it's game time.

Evan 0:40

Hey guys, welcome to the borns baseball podcast. I'm Evan and today we have the catching guy, Todd Coburn with us. Todd was an all conference catcher at Butte junior college and went to the D 2 college world series with California Polytechnic State University. He was drafted by the Astros in 1991 and spent some time catching in the Phillies organization. He is the founder and president of the catching guy and gamer baseball. Todd, I really, really appreciate you being here today.

Todd 1:10

You bet and thanks for having me.

Evan 1:13

Can you start us off by sharing your early baseball journey through high school? Did you always love catching?

Todd 1:21

I did. I've always been a catcher from from literally practice number one. Kind of a funny story how it started I was I actually got put in the outfield at first but I was kind of hard to focus and I would watch airplanes fly by and birds fly by and the coach had a good idea said you know what we're going to make them have to focus put them behind the plates that Todd put the gear on. And I fell in love with the position immediately. And played it literally every year my entire career. All the way up in the high school. And I think I have a pretty unique story with with my experience, at least in high school baseball, getting to the point that I got to I was actually cut from the team my freshman year I wasn't very good baseball player. I love baseball. There was nowhere else I'd rather beat. I wasn't very good at it. I got cut my freshman year of high school I made the team my sophomore year, I always say that I was just kind of average Joe just average player average hitter average catcher. I did play most of the time because I was the best option that coach had. I made varsity my junior year. Super excited. Of course, I thought I was gonna be a varsity baseball player. I ended up being what they call the bullpen guy. All I did was warm up pitchers all season long. I got like 10 at bats my whole junior year. And in between my junior and senior year, I had this mindset of man. All I want to do is play baseball. I want to get a college scholarship. My dream has always been to play professional baseball. But I'm not even playing on my high school high school team. I better figure this out. And that's when work ethic kind of kicked in for me. And then in between my junior and senior year, I practiced and worked out literally every day practice so much. My parents were like, Hey, you need to take a break, take a day off. I'm like, No, I've got goals. I've got dreams. And to make a long story short, by the end of my senior season, I got drafted by the Houston Astros. So pretty, pretty unique story. But yeah, I've always been a catcher, and always loved that position. And that's kind of where it all started for me.

Evan 3:16

What was it about catching that made you fall in love with it so quickly?

Todd 3:21

I think for me, it was. Again, I started in early age. And one thing was when I put on that gear, I felt like a gladiator. I thought man, this is really cool. I look all tough in this cool gear. And then once the game started, I realized I had the whole field in front of me all eyes were on me. You know, I was able to you know, set an example for my team, I was always high energy I would I would never shut up and I just kind of fit perfectly into the position. I mean, that's, you know, communication and being loud. and energetic is a super important part of being a catcher. And just with my personality type, it just fit perfectly. So again, just being being in the action being involved in every pitch, I get bored really easily. I think that's one of my work ethic comes to this dam, always doing a camp always doing a clinic always on a podcast always doing something because I get bored really easy. And as a catcher, you're always in the action. So again, it just kind of with my personality type of fit right in.

Evan 4:23

That's great. Like you mentioned you were drafted out of high school, but you decided to go to college instead. What influenced that decision?

Todd 4:33

There was a couple things about that. Number one, I wasn't like a high draft pick where it was going to be like this life changing money. And I thought you know what, I know I can't play baseball my entire life. I better get some school done. So I wanted to go to school to get bigger, better, stronger and smarter. So it was a financial situation for the family. And also I knew I wanted to get some school done. So I knew once I got drafted at the level I did wasn't a very high draft pick, there wasn't very much money involved. I thought I need to get get some education and, and just work on, you know, work harder and work on getting drafted even higher.

Evan 5:15

It's a really mature decision too because a lot of times it's like, you get drafted especially out of high school and it's like it's a dream come true. But then it's like, you know what, let me make a smarter decision No way, in a way

Todd 5:27

No, absolutely. 100% it was a you know, again, it was basically just going to be a plane ticket they say we will sign you if you want to sign we'll get you out to spring training and what happens happen so I thought, you know what, it just makes more sense to get some school done first. Again, continue to work hard like that work ethic kicked in and just continue to do that and and see what happens and I did I got drafted 10 rounds higher than next time I got drafted. So I was drafted in 1990. drafted higher 1991. Again, it was another situation where, you know, financially, it wasn't gonna make that big of a difference. For me and my family. It made more sense to get to go play an awesome awesome school live in an awesome city in San Luis Obispo, California. Play for a great program. Like you mentioned the intro get a get a chance to play in a college world series even though it's de to college world series of so called World Series. Yeah, absolutely. And we almost want it all We lost four to two in the national championship game rebels national champions. But again, get getting that school done. I fell in love with San Luis Obispo. I go back there all the time, and never would have happened if I didn't decide to go to school instead. So pretty cool.

Evan 6:36

Yes, definitely. Really, really cool. You're an all conference catcher at Butte Junior College. What would you say were one or two things that contributed to your success?

Todd 6:49

Oh, well, definitely. Again, I kind of turned myself into a baseball player in high school. So I think the thing that the biggest thing that attributed to my success and being able to be recognized all conference when I got to college was just the time I put in. And I stress this all the time of my camps and tell them the kids that I work with. I was literally you can ask all my old teammates, I was literally the first one to the field, whenever possible. Obviously, there were some instances where something for school prevented me from from doing that, or, you know, other circumstances, but I was almost always the first one to practice. In the batting cage. If there was no other teammates there, I was hitting off the tee until a teammate showed up. And then we could throw to each other. And then after practice, depending on practice winner, if I had something going on after not, then I'd be in the cage again, hitting more after so 100% think it was doing my work ethic and the time that I put in. And for me, I took a lot of pride in my performance, I wanted to be known as the best I wanted, you know, my teammates to think I was the best I wanted my opponents to think I was the best. So I took so much pride in everything that I did, that there was no no holding me back, so to speak. And I that was always a goal of mine, be the best on the team, be the best in the conference, do what I could, you know, needed to do to shine and and kind of made it happen. So I think work ethic is probably the number one most important thing.

Evan 8:16

It's a huge key success. Do you think that work ethic is something you can teach? Or does it just come with a player?

Todd 8:25

That's a great question. So I stress it all the time. And there's some players that I speak with at my events, that I think that portion of my talk goes in one ear and right out the other, and they still end up spending majority of their time playing video games, you know, vision out on the couch, whatever you want to call it, but the ones who really listen, the ones that really want to have success and want it to happen and really have a passion for the game and getting better. Those are the ones I can't tell you. You know, again, I've been doing working with kids for over 20 years now, numerous emails, messages, even phone calls, saying hey, you know, I thought my son had a good work ethic after your camp. He's taken it to a whole other level. I want to thank you so much. Not only is he doing better in baseball, but he's actually doing better in school because we understand that you don't get good grades you don't play so we got to work just as hard in the classroom as you do in the gym and on the field in the batting cage. So yeah, it's a it's something that I preach all the time. And the kids I think that really, you know, have a passion and want to make it happen. Make it happen to kids for whatever reason that you know, baseball is just something that's fun for them or they enjoy catching but it's not necessarily a goal of theirs. They might not you know, vibe with it as much as the others do. So, I've always said it that way too. If you truly want to make it happen. You'll make it happen. You'll buy in you'll put in the time and they'll do what you got to do and if not you You won't, and there's you know, maybe you just have a different passion in life. And it's not going to be baseball or catching in particular, and it is what it is. And you just do the best you can whatever it is you decide you want to be the best that

Evan 10:11

it's a decision that every player has to make, whether it's it's really their passion or just something they enjoy doing.

Todd 10:18

Excellent, absolutely.

Evan 10:20

What was your college world series like? Like, what was that experience like?

Todd 10:25

It sounds kind of funny, but I almost expected it to happen. That team out I played on this was in 1993, we had our leftfielder sign in playing the angels organization, our centerfielder sign in played in the White Sox organization. We had I don't know if the our rightfielder our normal rightfielder ended up playing professionally. But our third baseman played with the Brewers organization, our shortstop, although he didn't play professional was probably the best shortstop I've ever played with. We had a second baseman that played professionally, we had a first baseman to play professionally. I think four of our pitchers off of that team play professionally, I play professionally. So my point is, we kind of had some swag to us. We knew we were very good. We had like 10 players off of one college team that played professionally. So we're basically a minor league team playing against a bunch of collegiate kids, you know. And I guess my first point again, what I'm getting at is, of course, we were excited. It was an amazing experience, really disappointing to not win at all, because we went into that season, with some swag knowing we were good and expecting it to happen. And we basically made it happen and then we just were that close to that ultimate goal of winning it all. So again, I'm not downplaying it at all I'm just saying it was like it wasn't Wow, we made it it was all right. We've you know we've accomplished a goal we made this happen Alex when it all kind of thing and is it was it was definitely exciting was fun. It was, you know, my first experience with with kids asking for autographs asking for batting gloves. Can I have your hat? So one of the kids at one of the games asked if they could have my cleats. But just really cool to just be in that really exciting atmosphere of really big time games and kind of, you know, lead perfectly into playing some some professional baseball.

Evan 12:27

That's your ridiculous team. You had to be awesome.

Todd 12:33

Yeah, we had a couple that were that close to making it to the big leagues. But no one off that team ended up playing the biggest we had plenty of guys who played 6789 years professionally. And we were really good team fun to play for.

Evan 12:45

You were actually drafted again, like you said, by the Astros, how did it feel to get drafted again? And how did you get your name kind of out in the scouting community? Was it like showcases? Or was it a coach who advocated for you?

Todd 13:03

You know, back in back in my day, there wasn't very many showcases there wasn't a lot of travel. It was just, you know, right place right time. You got to you got to shine, so to speak in front of the right people. So back in high school just to kind of lead into this. Like I said, I was I was, I don't say I'm a nobody. That sounds pretty harsh. But I wasn't known in northern Nevada. In high school because my junior year I never played I played 10 games. So in between my junior and senior year, I told you I worked out so much and worked out so hard. And I think it's important understand that confidence, in my opinion is like the number one most important thing. To be an athlete, you have to have confidence in your abilities. You have to have that swag if you want to succeed. What confidence comes from practice comes from reps I practice so much I went into my senior year, both catching and hitting like on the hitting side of things. It didn't matter what that pitcher was going to throw it to me Didn't matter how hard he threw. I didn't care. I knew I prepared so well that I was going to succeed. So true story, my first two games in my senior season, while the first game I was three for three with two home runs and a triple. Wow, I set my second game I was three for three with three home runs. So I had Yeah, I was five home runs six or six with five home runs in my first two games as a senior just went in with this. This confident swag attitude. I don't care what you throw me. I'm going to smash it. Well, that second. Yeah, that second game in particular. There was some scouts in the stands to watch the opposing teams pitcher. The pitcher was a prospect. And I just happen to have a three for three with free home run game and I actually think I threw two guys out catching. So the scout started to take notice and who's this kid who is this guy and so I had to start filling out Information cards for the scouts. And they started to come out to my games after that. So it was one again, one of those right place right time. And I had amazing game in front of some scouts. And that kind of carried over into going into Junior College, where I made a name for myself. And so the scout started to come out and I had a pretty pretty darn good first season, we had a really good team. My first year Butte went to the playoffs, were 19, and one in league only lost one game really, really stacked. We had a rightfielder who play professionally, a pitcher, you play professionally. So we just we just again, just got has some good games in front of the right people. And, and again, that's how I was able to get drafted.

Evan 15:43

A lot of times, it's just like, being at the right place at the right time.

Todd 15:47

Yep. 100%

Evan 15:49

was it any different playing pro ball than college baseball, like did the game speed up for you.

Todd 15:56

So every level that I played on, hitting was always a challenge for me even after I just told you what a great couple games I had there, I had five home runs in my first two games, I hit two more the rest of the season. That's kind of a little side story to that. Hitting was always a challenge for me. So like I've added about 360, my senior in high school about 310 my first year college just below 300. My second year, and my average continue to go down as the pitching got better and better. So I guess my point is, by the time I got the professional baseball, those pitchers are pretty darn good, right. And so I had some respectable seasons, I've added 261 year to add another year, which is totally respectable numbers. But I really started to get overmatched with not necessarily the fastball is I could always hit the fastball is pretty good. But those pitchers are starting to have the really good sliders and the really good curveballs. And so the average continue to go down. So I guess to answer your question, defensively, I feel like I could catch and throw with the best of them. I was actually what they call utility guy, which I'm sure you're aware of. And I ended up playing a lot of third base first base. I've even played a little bit outfield, so I was athletic enough, lucky enough to be athletic enough to play multiple positions. So on the defensive side of things, I felt like I had, you know, Bigley tools. But the pitching man, it kept getting better and better and better. And my average kept going down, down, down. And I was what they call a perfectionist. And if I didn't, didn't do well, I get pretty frustrated with myself. That's why I stress so much now in my events, the importance of the mental game. And, you know, really got to practice controlling your emotions and understanding that baseball is a game of failure. And you have to learn to deal with those failures and that kind of stuff. So again, to answer your question that the game didn't necessarily speed up just the pitching got better and better pitching made me fail more often and more failure got me frustrated. And yeah, it was a really, really cool experience. It was always my ultimate goal and dream pretty disappointed when I stopped playing. But I do love what I do now and getting to coach kids and tell them my story. So

Evan 18:10

hey, I mean, first of all, hitting hard hitting.

Todd 18:14

No, I say it all the time. You got to you got to learn to control your emotions, if your emotions start to control you. baseballs is a game that, you know, if you try and try and play the game mad and over swing and overthrow. It's it tends to mess everything up. So you have to learn to control those emotions. Stay calm, stay level headed. It's super, super important. maybe more importantly, than the physical side.

Evan 18:37

How did you become the catching guy?

Todd 18:41

Ah, great question. So I did. Once I was done playing, I got into coaching. I coached a couple different high schools, couple different junior colleges, I was actually coaching at Cal Poly as their graduate assistant while I was getting my master's degree. And way back in 2000, year 2000 Excuse me, I got into doing some lessons with some kids and working some baseball camps. And although I thought I wanted to be a collegiate coach, the second I started working with kids, I was like, wow, this is exactly where I need to be. You know, having a positive impact on kids lives was really impactful for me as well. Just seeing when, you know, teaching a young player, whether it's hitting, catching, pitching, whatever, and they get it and they succeed and they start to have some more success was amazing for me. So I've been doing that ever since. So I started to run my own camps, way back in 2006. And I did all around camps, hitting infield outfield catching, you know, bass running everything. I'd done one of my camps. This was the fall of 2016 I think it was maybe 17 and I sat down in my office after camp I'm definitely not bored with it. I loved what I did. But and not burnt out. But I just decided right there on the spot, I need to make a I need to make a change. Every time at all my camps when I teach catching my energy level picks up, I'm more excited about teaching it, have the most fun teaching it and looked on the social media. trying to think of a name of something just to teach catching. I typed in the catching guy, I thought to myself, man, I'm just a true, passionate catching guy. I love teaching catching on the catching guy looked on social media, if anyone had the catching guy, nobody did punch it in started some pages. And there you go, I became known as a catchy guy. And it was just one of those things where I started posting some information, just teaching what I normally teach. And people started to eat it up, I guess, whether it's my teaching style, the way I word things, whatever you want to call it, people kind of vibe with it. And I went from zero followers to 10,000 followers in like a month. And yeah, now after four years, I'm well over 100,000 followers over all the different platforms and travel the country, just teaching, catching and speaking it conventions and all that kind of stuff. So kind of a funny story. But that's where it all came about. Just sit in my office one day and decided to make a change and focus on my passion and what I love teaching the most. And here we are.

Evan 21:28

Yeah, that's a pretty cool story. And I mean, just like early like finding what you're passionate about, even if you might enjoy doing but really finding what you're passionate about doing what you love and enjoy the most.

Todd 21:43

Absolutely, absolutely. I'm pretty I'm pretty lucky to be able to do what I what I love and do what I do might be able to make a living out of it. This is all I do for a living. I don't do any other side jobs. I'm just the catching guy and just get to teach, teach catching and work with kids. It's pretty cool. Kids and coaches.

Evan 21:56

Yeah, really cool. Who has been one of the most impactful people in your baseball career?

Todd 22:04

Oh, man.Well, as a player, I was lucky enough, my senior year when it all started to click for me to have a coach who had a passion for the game. He was actually a former catcher himself, you know himself he played? Actually, I don't think he played professionally. He may have played a little bit of metal maybe, maybe maybe I can't remember but I just know that he instilled his passion in me and his work ethic in me. You know, I told john like a lot of times be the first one out to practice well, he'd be in a cage with me, you know, flipping me baseballs and really working with me to get me better. His name is Ron Malcolm. Coach Malcolm is real fiery coach really intense. And he kind of helped me develop my my passion and intensity toward the game and, and really striving to be the best. So again, as a player, it was definitely coach Malcolm, way back in Little League. It sounds funny because I'm almost 50 years old now. But I still remember my little league coach, his name's Ray, Pawnee, he was the first one to decide to put the gear on me and start that passion and love the position the catcher. So if he didn't decide that day, that first practice to have me put the gear on, there's no telling if I'd end up being a catch or not, but I fell in love with it right away. So way back then it was coach, Pawnee, high school coach developed a passion for me. And then, you know, nowadays, just, I mean, there's so many great catching guys out there that I learned from every day, you know, the social media thing that we have nowadays is pretty amazing the amount of information that's out there. So there's, there's a whole bunch of guys out there that I follow. And I literally daily, every morning, I wake up and see what those guys post and learn from them. And it's been pretty cool. So I think as the catching guy, probably my biggest mentor would be Jerry Weinstein, Coach Weinstein. I don't know if you know who coach Weinstein is J dub They call him. He's been in the game for like 5060 years, he actually recruited me. He coaches sex ed Community College back when I was in high school. And I went over to his his facility for a workout. And he asked me to come play for him. And for whatever reason, it didn't work out. And I ended up at Butte College. But coach Weinstein is a mentor to a lot of us out there. Not only catching guys, but just baseball coaches, period just because of his knowledge and his his passion for teaching and willing to help and all that I have his phone number in my phone, and I can text him and ask him a question anytime. So it's pretty cool. So those are probably the three most that impacted me over my career.

Evan 24:41

And that's great. And I mean, we're, I mean, we're all lucky to have people like that in our lives to help us out when we need it.

Todd 24:50

100%

Evan 24:53

so preparing for this interview, I reached out to a couple catchers to learn a little bit more about the position I realized like there are so many so many interesting and like important aspects when it comes to catching and just being out there and being the leader of the field and you're involved in every place, you have to get almost everything right in a way. So your team can win. So what are some of the things that you did to develop a good relationship with the pitchers that you worked with that you feel that resulted in a good outcome?

Todd 25:30

So I talked about this all the time at my events. 100%, the pitcher catcher relationship is what we call paramount to Team success, right. And I think developing the respect and trust of your pitcher, starts in bullpens and starts in practice. I think learning the personalities of each of your pitchers understanding what their best pitches, what they're really good at what they might struggle with. Are they a pitcher who you can get pretty intense with, and I just call it lighten their butts up, go out and get on pretty aggressively. And then understanding the pitches you need to go out and kind of pat them on the back a little bit. But just getting to know them personally. understanding their their pitch repertoire, what, again, what's our best pitch, what pitch do we just show every once in a while developing the trust as far as well, sometimes, obviously, coaches calling the game but if I'm calling the game, they can trust me and the fingers that I'm putting down, the pitch that I'm asking them to throw is going to successfully get that hitter out developing that kind of trust, developing their trust, and they can bounce that curveball or change up to me and they know that I'm going to block it right. So we want to throw that Chase, we call it a chase pitch, get the batter to chase. But you know, all that trust and all that respect, in my opinion comes from practice time and volken time. And if we can develop that relationship there, once we get in the game, we're just kind of in an autopilot. We're on the same wavelength so to speak. And we just go out there and do our thing and play the game. So a lot of catches, I think especially in particularly young catcher start to kind of dread bullpens, especially on those days where we have to catch four of them in a row, sometimes five of them in a row. The other catcher wasn't a practice, for whatever reason, there was no one else available. Hey, we have five guys who have to throw 2030 pitch pins, and you're the guy so you're stuck in the bullpen literally all practice long. But in my opinion, instead of dreading them, we need to see it as an opportunity for us to get better work on our skills and in receiving and blocking and footwork and everything and develop the relationship with that pitcher. So it all starts in both in time and practice time for sure.

Evan 27:51

Yeah, pitcher catcher relationships. They're they're super important from what I'm hearing right now. And from what I've heard from other catchers.

Todd 27:59

Yeah, absolutely. And I think important thing is, there should be some time, even off the field, where you're hanging out with the, you know, with the pitching staff, a lot of the pitchers and developing that personal relationship as well. Not only the baseball relationship, but even off the field is super important. That's interesting.

Evan 28:18

for players who are newer to catching, what would you say are the basics of receiving? And for more advanced catchers? What are the top one or two things that you're often correcting?

Todd 28:34

So it's funny you asked about receiving first, I think probably whoever you spoke with let you know that receiving is top priority for most catchers nowadays, just the way that the game is evolving, that position is evolving. They've been able to in the last three or four years really since I became the catch and guide, they've been able to quantify or put a number on how catches receive how they block, you know, how successful are they at different skills. And they've just found that how we receive the baseball will have more impact on a bat on an inning and on a game than anything else we do. So receiving has definitely been been prioritized, has been put at the top of the list. And in probably the last two, maybe even three years, the way we receive has changed tremendously. So one of the things they found with all the data analysis and everything that they're doing the stuff I was just mentioning, they found that the catchers that move the ball are getting significantly more strike calls. So back when I was playing and even when I first started the catching guy, I was what we call a stick guy. So stick in the pitch means minimize movement. Wherever the pitcher throws it, you get your mid behind it, you receive it and you freeze and then you let the umpire decide if there's a strike or not. Well, and I believe is probably the Dodgers who were the catalyst of this they started filming every pitch Every game at every level, and they would watch how their catcher received it. What was the location of the pitch? How did our catcher receive that pitch? Did they move did they stick did their glove turn did their arm move. And what they found was, when they the catchers received a pitch, that was a borderline pitch, it could go either way, it could be a ball or a strike. So it's just off the strike zone. It found that when their catcher received it and stuck it, they got a strike call, and my numbers aren't going to be exact, but you get the point, they got a strike call, like 11% of the time, the pitch was a ball, it was out of the strike zone, they caught it froze, but the guy still got a strike call 11% of the time. Well, they've watched again, and then the times where the catcher would catch it and move it over a little bit, they got a strike call 17% of the time, even though that's it even that's, even though that's a small percentage, it's a higher percentage, they're getting worse either getting more strike calls. So if we can get that strike call, depending on account, anytime we can get the count to two strikes, it changes everything. Even in the big leagues, the average, let's say it's a one day we catch that borderline pitch, we pushed it away from the strike zone, instead of moving it toward the strike zone, and it was called a ball. So now it's to one. Again, my numbers aren't going to be exact, but it's somewhere like to one count in the big leagues, the average is like around 300, maybe even just over 300. But if I catch that borderline pitch, and I move it toward the strike zone, and I get the protocol to strike, and now the count is one in two, the batting average drops down to around 200, if not under 200. Yeah, so if we can, yeah, absolutely. So if we can get every strike we get, especially getting those even counts and getting a getting our pitcher ahead, the chances of the batter succeeding go significantly down. So again, what they found is the catches that move the ball are getting more strikes, more strikes equals more success for the pitcher, which in turn, helps, you know makes more success for the team and more wins for the team. So it's one of those things that is often debated on social media, there was actually a talk about it and kind of you could say a debate or even maybe even call it an argument on Twitter, between catching coaches, there's some traditionalist, some that do not believe in moving the ball. But again, the numbers don't lie, the numbers are showing that catches the move the ball are getting more strike calls. So I guess my whole point, kind of get back to your question, you're asking about some some, you know, fundamentals of receiving when I teach receiving, we talked about being on time, and all our time means is as we're receiving the pitch, we want to get moving toward the strike zone. That's how we know Ron timing from it's moving away from the strike zone, we got to that pitch late. We want to manipulate the ball or manipulate the MIT college coaches call it different things. So constantly moving the ball toward the strike zone. And then we want to give the the umpire a nice consistent look both with our mid position and the movements that we make. So those are the, what I call the Big Three of receiving. And again, the biggest thing that they've come to find that helps the most is moving the ball is getting more strike calls.

Evan 33:15

Okay, and when you say giving the umpire like a consistent look and always move in glove. What do you mean by that?

Todd 33:23

So when at all possible, and I don't have my mitt with me or else I'd show you that, but I can use my hand as an example. So with my hand in this position, with my thumb aimed up, my mitt would be in a vertical position. Okay. With my thumb pointing to the side, now my mid is flat, or horizontal, we want to give the umpire a horizontal mid position look as often as possible. If we have to go vertical for any reason, we want to turn on it really quickly back to horizontal, because there's going to be more of the mitt over the plate or over the strikes on in the strike zone. So if I catch Yeah, if I receive a pitch down the middle, like this, and then the pitch is over here on the edge, and I turn my mid vertical, but I leave it there, that's a different look for the umpire, and that's telling me I'm pyre, oh, this pitch must be off the plate a little bit, he's turning his mid vertical to catch it. So the more consistently, we can make the mid look the same. Sometimes we go thumb down, and we turn it up. Sometimes we go thumb up and we turn it down. But getting your mitt looking the same. That's one aspect of giving up our consistent look is with what our mid looks like. And then also, if we every time the pitches in the strike zone, we stick it in. And every time the pitch is a little bit out of the strike zone, we move it and they'll start to pick up on that. So when they see it, they might if it by the way, if they see the move, that means we move late it should be as you're receiving it. If I catch it and then move the umpire will see it and now they're going to start to question what they saw and we might not get the strike call. So as long as we're catching it and moving it all at the same time. That's a consistent look for the umpire. And so sometimes they'll even be pitches that are already in the strike zone. We're going to move those a little bit to if it's low in the strike zone, but it's already strike but it's low. I'm going to lift it a little bit. If it's at the top of the stretch, and it's already a strike, but I'm gonna catch it move it down a little bit. It's off to the sides a little bit, so I'm constantly giving them it just a little subtle move. Sometimes we move more than others. I'm not sure how much you follow on social media, but there was a pitch last night in the Padres game that Austin Hedges caught. It was like six inches out of the strike zone. It was like four inches from the ground and he caught it and lifted it up really quick as he was catching it. And the umpire called it a strike. And everyone was going nuts on social media like this is of course they blamed it on Yeah, of course, they blamed it on the umpire this this is the worst thing ever. Was it bad umpiring? Is it really good receiving by Austin Hedges, right? moved it so quickly, and so on time. But yes, he kind of fold the umpire. But that's our job is to try and get as many strikes as possible for our pitcher to help our pitcher and team succeed. So you know, moving the ball is getting more strikeouts. So that's what I mean by consistent look is always moving a little subtle move, and get it looking the same as often as possible. Sometimes it's nearly impossible, especially in the big leagues nowadays, to have those so many pitchers going 100 miles an hour. And not only is it moving at 100 miles an hour, but it's moving at the same time. So sometimes, you know, we're catching a pitch and just try not to break our thumb or let the ball fly by so our mid position. Sometimes it can be challenging to make it look the same for them prior but when at all possible, given them giving them a consistent look what gets more strike calls.

Evan 36:38

Yeah, that makes a lot more sense. At least for me now. Yeah, there you go. So I'd like to talk to you about some like receiving techniques. For our listeners. I know you mentioned your big three. I believe you only mentioned one of them, though. So if you can mention all three, and how they kind of help you get increased strike calls.

Todd 37:01

Sure. So I actually did say all three, I just didn't say a number before I just kind of That's right, I just kind of spit all that information out just so I'll make it a little more clear. So number one on the list, the most important thing with receiving is being on time. And as I was saying, being on time, all that means is, so if say my fist is the baseball, I set my mitt here, and this is where the pitch is, I have to move my mitt over to catch it. If I get there late, my mitts gonna go like this, as I catch it, my mitts gonna be moving away from the strike zone. So to be on time, I have to get my hand behind it as quickly as possible, then the ball gets there. And if that happens, I'm able to move my mitt toward the strike zone. So again, sometimes it's impossible, you guys are throwing so hard with so much movement, it's nearly impossible to be on time every time. But when at all possible, we want to beat the ball to the spot, it's going to get our mid around it and bring it back. So if the pitch is high in the zone, maybe even just out of the zone, I have to do my best to get over the top of it, and then have my mitt moving down as I catch it. If it's down to the bottom of the zone, I want to have my mitt underneath it and moving up as I catch it. If it's on either edge, I need to get around it, or inside of it and move it back as I'm catching up. So that's what being on time means is your mid is moving toward the strike zone. And again, sometimes we move it more than others depends on Pitts location, how early were we? How late were we that kind of stuff. And also, I'll explain this to you the way we're on time. There's two components to being on time, in my opinion, what I teach number one is you have to be relaxed. A relaxed body is a quick body, if I'm really tense back there, and the pitches are away from where I'm expecting it. If my muscles are flexed and I'm tense, I'm going to move slower. If I'm relaxed, I'm going to move a lot quicker. It's just the way the body works, you get into the physiology of the body, a relaxed muscle moves your contracts faster than a tense muscle. So we want to be relaxed. So that's why if you watch baseball nowadays, you'll see so many captors pretty much all of them. There are very few instances where they hold their mitts still, most catchers most of the best anyways will show their target. And then they relaxed their hand and their hand goes all the way down and they touch the ground. Okay, so they're what they're doing is they're relaxing their hand, wrist and forearm, they're relaxing their shoulder, they're getting their mid down below the strike zone so they can move back up toward the strikes. And as they receive the pitch, they're relaxing and getting below the zone. Okay, and then another component to being on time is and this isn't always possible with pitchers your age, but you get to higher levels where the pitchers can throw it where they want, inside and low outside and low up in in up in a way down the middle. So if you have a pitcher that's able to throw it where they want, in order to be on time, it just makes sense to move my mitt into the area where I'm expecting the pitch to go. So my mid is already over there. So if I want that down in a way to a righty and then the pitcher hits there Spot my myths already there, because before the pitcher even threw it, I moved my mid into that area. So that's how we're on time we relax. And then we move our mid into the area of anticipated fits location, that's going to help us be on time and be able to move it back to the struction as we're receiving it. So again, number one on my big three is timing, we have to be on time. And it's funny because I just posted a video. This was the the beginning of this week or the end of last week. And I got into a little bit of debate with some coaches out there that are saying, You can't teach kids to do that to move the ball. But the guys in the big leagues can do it because there's so much stronger, more advanced, more experienced, in my opinion. And again, I've been working with kids for 20 years. So I can I've seen the difference I've seen it's possible, it just makes sense that we should be you can and should be teaching kids advanced techniques, and have plenty of examples out there of kids that I've worked with that are around your age, they're only 1112 years old, and they're just moving pitches, you know, and manipulating the mid and getting strike after strike, call it even at the lower level. So it's 100% possible to have kids use these advanced techniques, okay. Number two is going to be manipulate the mitt or move the mitt move the ball again, back in my day. And even more recently, like in the last few years, we used to teach stikit but they found that moving the ball gets more strikes. So we've already had a really in depth talk about that and why we move it and how we move it. So number two on my list of Big Three is moving the ball. And then number three is like we just got into depth was giving the umpire a nice consistent look. So number one, timing number two, manipulate the myth number three, give the umpire consistent like those are, in my opinion, the three most important things and receiving and some of the catching guys out there might have a little bit different philosophy or feelings on some of those and they might, you know, switch those around or something but but that's that's in you know, for the catching guy for Coach Todd that's that's in my opinion, the big three.

Evan 42:02

Yeah, well, that's really insightful. And those are some great tips I mean for for catcher's and being able to, in a way steel strikes.

Todd 42:10

There you go. Exactly. Some coaches don't like the terminology steel strikes, but I say it that way all the time. We're, I call it mid magic, when done correctly, when done correctly is like a magic trick. The umpire literally can't see it. I've actually I've actually talked to a big league umpire about that. He said they're good. They're so good at it, Todd, we can't see it. Now everyone has that centerfield camera view? So we have all the you know, dads and parents out there and coaches that see the centerfield camera view and they're like, Oh, my gosh, hedges move that 12 inches. How is the umpire calling that a strike will try and get behind a catcher on a pitch moving at 100 miles an hour. And a catcher using crept technique. They can't see it. That's why I call it magic. It's a magician. We're magicians back there.

Evan 42:55

Yeah, I like that name. Yeah, yeah. It's clever. So catching definitely is not for everyone, and is probably the toughest defensive position out there. So what are some characteristics of a young player that they should have if they want to be a great catcher?

Todd 43:17

So for young catchers, I think they're sometimes leadership that that field general mentality comes natural to some kids. But most kids that side of it, it comes over time, it comes with experience, you start to build more confidence in yourself back there. So in my opinion, for most young catchers, probably the most important quality, obviously, you need to be able to catch the ball, right, and you got it, you got to do your response back there. But the most important characteristic is physical toughness, physical and mental toughness. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable, you have to go into it understanding, you're probably going to have some pain at some point in the game, you're going to get, you're going to get hit by the ball, your legs are going to get tired from squatting, your arms going to get tired from throwing so much. Sometimes you run into the runner, you know the runners coming in to score and you're catching energy, all you're doing is turning to try and tag and just the way the play worked out. You guys run into each other. The bats flying right past you. Sometimes the batter throws the bat and it hits you. I mean, there's so many things that happened back there as a catcher that or create or cause physical pain, that it takes a really unique personality to be able to deal with that pain. So physical toughness and again, always include mental toughness, being able to, to deal with the grind of being a catcher. You know, some kids when they get tired, they're like, I'm done. I'm tired, My feet hurt. I don't want to play anymore, but as a catcher. We're like, I'm tired. My feet hurt. My head hurts. Mom's kill me. My wrist hurts from the ball. I just blocked in the dirt and I got a foul tip off my big toe. But it's the life of a catcher. So it says on my shirt, it's the life of a catcher, I'm going to deal with it, and I'm going to pound through it. I'm just going to keep going and be there for my pitcher and be there for my team. So, again, to kind of get back to your question, I think for in particular for young catchers, you have to understand it's a grind being back there. And you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and deal with the pain and toughness, you have to be physically and mentally tough to be a catcher.

Evan 45:27

So how do you train catchers at the youth level to throw their bodies in front of a hard ball and not be afraid of blocking? And what are some of the core principles when you work with your players on blocking?

Todd 45:41

So I call blocking the difference maker. And what I mean by that is everyone thinks they can be a catcher until they need to block and then once they have the block balls in the dirt, especially if they have a pitcher who's throwing hard and they're wild and they're spiking, fast balls. And the balls flying all over the place. And then you know, usually to be like, you know, I'm going to go back to the outfit I don't want to catch up, I don't want to catch. So that's kind of goes back to what we were just talking about that physical toughness with blocking? Well, I'll say it this way. human instinct says if something's flying at you, especially flying at your face, your instincts say, duck, Bob, we've moved Get out of the way this I don't want this to hit me I'm going to move. So catchers we have to go against what our instincts say and actually jump in front on purpose. So getting comfortable with the ball hitting them is super, super important. And so and actually, it's funny because at my camps, when we get to blocking day, I can tell almost immediately the kids that are not going to have much of a future catcher, because what I'll do is I get the catcher down into blocking positions. So they're down on the ground on their knees, and I talked to him about body position and their posture and where should my hands be where should my knees be? Where should my feet be and all that. And I'll literally stand right over the top of them and take a baseball and I slam it into the ground right in front of so hits the ground, and then it hits them. There's some there's some kids that just go like this. And that's it that there's let the ball hit him. And then there's some kids that go in, they start flinching and bobbing and weaving. And I explained to them, hey, you can't be moving like that, it's going to mess you're either going to miss the block, or it's going to hit you and fly off to the side. Because you're moving so much you have to get comfortable heading is so that the flinch is I call them they've got some work to do. If they're flinching, they need to get comfortable the ball hitting them and they're not going to be a catcher. It's just that this is the reality of it. Right. So again, to kind of get young catchers comfortable with the ball hitting them, we have to hit them. So I'll bounce the ball, I'll bounce the ball and make it hit him in the facemask, I'll bounce the ball, make it hit him in their chest, hit them in their arm. Sometimes it's it sounds mean, but I'll do it on purpose, I'll throw it a little bit crooked and make it hit them on their form. So you get that smack sound, they get a little steam feeling. And if their reaction is to curl up and don't want to do the drilling and more, we might have some work to do and turning them into catch are the ones that take it. They're like non good coats, go ahead, throw me another one. That's the mentality that we need. So it's actually what I call a sit and get hit series. They get down in blocking position and I'll bounce ball after ball after ball run into him hit the ground hit him in the mask and him the chest and wherever. Then we practice getting our mid position. And then we get them are they comfortable getting from their, you know, their ready position or their secondary position? Or even if it's a one knee setup, dropping down behind the ball? Are they comfortable? Are they quick and moving? Are they hesitating or they're trying to catch it instead, we just need to get them the ball hitting them. And again, sometimes I'll literally instead of bouncing it I'll go up and I'll just throw a ball right into the catcher's mask. Because if they're if they're flinching and turning, they're actually risking hurting themselves. If they look at it, sometimes sure it hits your mask and it makes your ears ring because it's a you know really hard pitch. But for the most part you don't get hurt. It has to be your the guys in the big leagues. You hear stories about foul tips in the mask and they get a concussion. They actually get concussed from the ball hitting so hard, but those balls are coming in and you know, 100 plus miles an hour. On at the youth levels. There are some definite hard pitchers. But rarely Will you see any kind of serious type of injury I got. I got hit in the mask one time in 20 years of catching and it hurt the rest of the time. I was just fine.

Evan 49:20

I like how you said like the catcher, they have to really get used to throwing your their body in front of it and being able to take those hits and say Yeah, I'm fine and stay in the game instead of curling up and I'm not a catcher. So sometimes I do almost imagined myself catching and it's like, but once I envisioned myself blocking ball. It's like ugh, I really don't really want to try this out. Yeah,

Todd 49:45

yeah, well, you're out there a shortstop and you have the body up on some ground balls, right? You have to take some off the chest body up to it and knock it down and throw them out. Sometimes you get that between off it is what it is. So you guys are doing it sometimes without gear on. So I bet you'd be just fine back there.

Evan 50:01

Thank you. So I attended your virtual pitch calling clinic. And I have to say it was it was really, really good. There was a lot of really great content. And for me, even though I don't catch, I found like even for pitcher, sometimes I do call my call the catcher calls or games, but I get the ability to shake them off. So I was wondering, at what age would be the best for your catchers to start calling their own games.

Todd 50:33

So I think my, my philosophy on this is probably the rarity, not the norm. I was lucky enough, back in my day, that coach was like, Alright, go play, go call your own game. Like he they rarely called pitches. I don't know if it was my era, or whatever it is, or my coach's philosophy, maybe they didn't quite have the understanding of it or something and just put it on me. But literally nine years old, I was already calling my own game. Now obviously, at nine years old, we don't have sliders and all kinds of breaking balls and stuff. I mean, we did throw curveballs probably earlier than we should have a lot of them back in my day. But I think right away, I think we teach the catcher's, you know, to Hey, go go call the game. And then either in between innings or after the game. As a coach, we take notes. Alright, this batter in this situation, this is what was called, and this was the outcome. And then we sit down and talk with our catcher after the fact and say, Hey, so you remember we had second and third, you threw a fastball when a changeup would have been the best pitch. And this is why because the batters reaction to this, that that just kind of teach them how to do it, and give them the freedom to call that game right away. I think it and I did mention this in the pitch con clinic. I think it maintains the tempo of the game. A lot of times a lot of times that catchers like he's got a lot going on his head or he or she has a lot going on their head. And Coach has all that stuff going on. And so sometimes there's like this lol in the game where the catcher finally looks over coach coaches doing something and then coach finally looks over and coach causes and it just slows everything down. infielders. Instead of being off on their toes and ready to go, they start to kind of want mind wander waiting for assigning a call. Okay, now, here we go. So I think it keeps the tempo of the game up. I think it helps tremendously with the pitcher catcher relationship they were talking about earlier. Yeah. And I think it actually helps tremendously with the catcher umpire relationship as well. Because we're keeping the tempo of the game up. And a lot of umpires out there. They do it for the love of the game as well. Right? And I think they respect catchers, you can call a good game and receive pitches correctly blocked balls, and they're like, I just think all of that pitch calling stuff comes can be very beneficial with all those different relationships. Obviously, it's going to help the catcher's learn, kind of develop some more game savvy and learn the game more learning about hitters learning about outcomes, learning about where the defense is set up. It was actually one of my favorite parts of being a catcher, actually, if not, the favorite part was to, you know, have bases loaded in a one run game or to run game toward the end of the game, and full that batter and get him to pop up or get them to swing and miss because of a pitch that I called. It was always so fun. And I took just as much if not more enjoyment out of getting a guy to pop up, strike out a rollover on a ball, as I did throwing a bass run around or getting a good hit. It was so such an important part of the game for me. And I think as coaches we should be teaching these catchers immediately. So by the time they get to the higher levels, they know the game they know how to set up hitters, they know how important is that pitcher catcher relationship. And they're they're good to go and dialed in, by the time they get to high school and beyond.

Evan 53:57

The earlier the better.

Todd 54:00

Absolutely, perfectly said yep.

Evan 54:03

Can you talk about what it means to pitch by the book as well as pitching backwards. And if you could give some like scenarios to support that?

Todd 54:13

Sure. So pitching by the book, like we talked about yesterday, is it's kind of a funny way to put it, but it's just the reality of it pitching by the book is almost everybody in the park knows what pitch is coming. So pitching by the book is after throwing a hard pitch, you throw a soft pitch and then if you throw a soft pitch, you throw a hard pitch. After you throw high and hard one, you go soft and low. If you throw soft and low, you go high and hard. After going soft and away you go hard in you know that it's just like it's doing something different every time mixing up that batter. And again by the book just means you know stereotypical pitch, even the batter a lot of times knows Okay, they just threw one that almost hit me They're probably going to throw a little curveball. Now, after making me move back, it's just, you know, setting up hitters in that way. And there's a lot of times in games, where you can throw by the book and get the batter out, okay? Then throwing backwards or going against the book means, you know, basically, this is the exact opposite. So, every time that pet, the battery is expecting a fastball, you throw a breaking ball, every time they're expecting a breaking ball, you throw a fastball, or anytime they're expecting such a slow pitch and speed pitch, you come with a fastball and vice versa, or after hardening, you go harden in again, after soft and away, you go soft and wagons. So that means doubling up on a pitch during the same pitch over and over again. And there are instances where we double up on a pitch with the same pitch twice. Sometimes a mess with the batter will triple up on a pitch. Every once in a while we'll quadruple up on a pitch. And if you remember in the clinic, one of the examples I showed at the end was and I can't remember the pitchers name. But he throws he threw four straight breaking balls to Kyle schwarber, a very powerful, very big powerful hitter, big time home run hitter. And after the third curveball in a row, the camera goes on the shore when he's like a little grin on his face, he's like, what is going on is that really all you're going to throw me and he's like, yeah, I'm going to throw you through another one. And then out of nowhere after four curveballs in a row, then he snuck a fastball in there. And he got him to take a really weak swing and got him out on an easy ground ball to the first baseman. So again, pitching by the book is hard in and softer way hard, high soft, and they'll soften low hard and high throwing kind of the exact opposite where you threw the pitch before pitching backwards against the book is doing the opposite of that trying to mix them up, double up on pitches, double up on locations, triple up on locations, you know, instead of like by the book is get ahead with the fastball, get them out with us speed, going backwards would be start them off with some kind of off speed pitch a changeup or a breaking ball, and then finish them off with a fastball. So that'd be backwards of what everyone is expecting. So that's what we mean. And again, you said you know, give some scenarios on when you might do that. The example I gave yesterday in the clinic is, you know, maybe the first time through the batting order, you try and just pitch by the book the entire time through all nine batters, or 10. If they have an eh, like they're doing travel ball, you just you get ahead with the fastball, and then you throw a speed to finish them off. And then the second time through the order, that same batter comes up, you throw that fastball, he remembers his last at bat. Okay, after they got a strike on the fastball, they threw me a breaking ball. So I'm going to stay back and hit this breaking ball and then I'll send you throw into the fast one. They're like, Whoa, they're late, it totally fools them. So first time through the audio pitch by the book, second time through the order you pitch backwards. And it's not always the case. I mean, like I think the example I gave you're trying to pitch by the book, and guy hits a double in the gap. And then you're like, Okay, well, that was kind of a fluke, I'm gonna pitch to this next batter by the book, and they hit a ball in the gap, like, Okay, this pitching by the book is not working, we need to start messing it up right away. So there'll be instances in games, and I was some of the examples I gave is, you know, hitters reaction to the previous pitch, success and failure, the previous pitch, what was the outcome of it. So there's different things to take into consideration, but to when we switch it up, but that's what pitching about a book or pitching backwards means,

Evan 58:22

before I went to the clinic that you held, I had no idea what pitching by the book or pitching backwards was. So that was part of it. Like just being so informative, and helping me out and almost it gave me a new approach when now next time I go out on mound, it's like, now I can use these things to help me get more hitters out.

Todd 58:45

No, that's perfectly in it. And as a pitcher on the pitching side. Obviously, as a catcher, we need to recognize this. But sometimes even as a catcher, we might miss out on something that you as the pitcher. See. Right? One of the examples I give a lot I don't think I've talked about this yesterday was Europe on the mound, you're addressing a catcher and you look at that batter. And they're standing like this. And you can just see their eyes are really big and they're frozen like a statue. They're already intimidated, right? Those guys that get in the box and had this kind of stuff going on and had this determined look on their face, like okay, now it's time to go to work. This guy's got some intensity to him. He's got some swag, he's ready to smash. Because they're frozen like a statue. Like, okay, I got this guy, the guys have the swag. We got to go to work, you know what I mean? So that's kind of stuff to look for. Even when you're out there on the mound. You know, sometimes it's before the first pitch is thrown. Sometimes a kid gets in there and he's got that swag and you throw that first fastball. And then the next time you get to the box is like oh, and his swag goes away. You know what I mean? So that's stuff that we should pick up on his catcher's, but a lot of times you might pick up on as a pitcher instead. So, again, that's why I say, in my opinion, I think the pitcher should always have the ability to shake and say no, I want Though this other pitch is something you picked up on in the guy swinging, you know, maybe you realize he's stepping out so we can beat him away. Maybe you notice he's diving in so we can get under his hands, something that I might miss, I think the pitcher can pick up on those as well. So it's always, in my opinion that the pitcher should have the ability to shake. So they have 100% confidence with they're about to throw.

Evan 1:00:20

Definitely. You shared that sometimes a hitters body language, after a certain pitch can determine what pitch you're going to call next. But you also mentioned like different scenarios, whether it's the hitter actually verbalizing something to the catcher or mumbling something under their breath, or if they're just like, really timid, or just super loose. So can you talk more about like, how, as a catcher, you can pick up on those type of things, and how that can affect what pitch you're gonna call?

Todd 1:00:52

Yeah, you know, so this probably happens a little bit at the lower levels. Honestly, I can't remember back that far on. And if I did, I'm sure it probably did here and there, but at the higher levels, especially when you have pitches that can hit their spots, pitches are getting the better arms and going with some pretty high velocity to start to get some movement on their pitches. I just know, in my experience, there were several times where we would purposely call a brushback pitch you know, a pitch inside, a moving back kind of pitch go in for a purpose is what we call it just going inside is throwing inside. But throwing for a purpose is we're trying to get a reaction out of the batter, we're trying to get them going Oh, like and literally having to move out of the way sometimes you go inside, we go a little too far inside about it turns into a gets hit in the wrong gets hit in the back, and they get to go to first base for free. And even in that instance, especially if the guy's going hard. That batter might think twice about leaning into it next time Next time, they're gonna get out of the way kind of thing because it hurt pretty good. But my point is, there were times where we were going for a purpose. And the guy would like do a back flop getting out of the way. They would turn away duck dropped their bat, and they would literally like look at me like was that on purpose? Like you guys trying to hit me? And then I knew right away we got to right where we want them. Every once in a while. You almost hit someone and they get like ultra focused and ultra intense and they still hit it really good. I've actually had a couple of brushback pitches and then a guy hit a home run. Which is like the ultimate revenge for the batter, right. But most of it most of the time, if you knock the guy down, they'll groan theyll moan, they'll, they might even turn to the catch and look at them. They might look at the pitcher, like what's going on. And now you know that they're not focused on their plan anymore. They're not focused on their task at hand. And now we can probably throw some kind of chase pitch next, throw that loan away, change it, throw that loan away, break and ball, we've got the batter all frazzled in their head thinking man, I hope this guy doesn't hit me. They're focusing on what they don't want to have happen instead of what they do want to have happen. And then we've got to write where we want them. Right. And then it doesn't always have to be a fastball inside. That's just the the best example to explain it. There's going to be times where you have a pitcher that they have a really good curveball. And I showed that Clayton Kershaw example, with bo bichette he threw that curveball to bo bichette goes a righty Kershaw's a lefty, so it's not like the pitch even came close to hitting bo, but his knees buckled and he jumped back out of the way, like whoa, and it wasn't even close to him. So you could tell right away as a catcher and I know Kershaw had the same thought like, he wants nothing to do with my hammer. Why would we not throw it again? Right? And I'm not going to throw it in a hittable spot. I'm going to throw it down and try and make him Chase and that's exactly the set them up perfectly. Funny thing is, and I think I talked about this the first session because I did two sessions of the pitch calling I didn't talk about the first time but this I didn't talk about the second time I did the first time was later in the game bo bichette to Kershaw deep. actually think he had two home runs that game but on the the home run he off Kershaw, it was off a slider his slider instead of that curve on a why they wouldn't stick with the curveball after his reaction to it. So again, those are just two really good examples of how the batter reacts to whats thrown to them will tell you exactly what to throw the next pitch double up on it or switch it up and go go with something else. But those are two good, really good examples.

Evan 1:04:21

So I remember when you when I attended the clinic, you talked about how if maybe the catcher gets a call, and the haters pretty frustrated with it, and then you can pick up on that as a catcher. And you see Okay, now let's make them Chase. I believe you gave an example of was it Ryan Braun?

Todd 1:04:43

Ryan Braun? Yeah.

Evan 1:04:45

And you gave an example like he was frustrated with a certain pitch, and then all of a sudden the pitcher he goes out and he throws that same pitch but for chase pitch, and since he's frustrated, he goes out to get it. What a catcher almost look up at the hitter to check that

Todd 1:04:59

Yeah, absolutely our eyes, our heads always on a swivel. And we need to be attentive to that kind of stuff. And this is something I think that's really important for especially young catchers to understand. It's super important for us to develop a positive relationship with the umpire. Because if we become their buddies throughout the game, if that batter disrespects the umpire, looks back at them, gives them a look like, like Braun did start arguing with them. If that umpire I'm sorry if that batter disrespects the umpire. That next pitch we could probably call a fastball for baseball is off the plate. And that umpire is going to ring up the batter, we call it doing their dance, they're going to ring up that batter because this batter just disrespected me his strikes on just went from a regular strike zone to this big, right. So we need to watch that pay attention that now if if I'm catching and I've been having bad body language, I haven't developed that relationship with the umpire. There's been pitches that I've caught that I thought were striking. He's called the ball. And I do this and I kind of drop my shoulders and I throw it back to the pitcher out of frustration and my pitchers out there acting frustrated and kind of showing up the umpire. If that's the situation, we're not going to get any calls. But if we've developed a good relationship with them, we've talked it out throughout the game we've become buddies with the umpire on a first name basis. You know we've caught up pitch we thought was a strike umpire call the ball I throw back to the pitcher I can actually kind of quietly go Bob was that low and he'll talk it out. Yeah, I had that low man. I thought that was a good pitch. No, I was low talk. Okay, okay. You're just tap talk it out with him develop that relationship. So in those instances during the game where the umpire maybe makes a bad call, or what that batter in, saw was or thought was a bad call and shows up the umpire or if the other team's coach is starting to bark at the umpire Come on blue. That's terrible call. umpires, they're human. They're going to kind of it's um, if it's the right way to sit, but they might hold the grudge a little bit and the other team's strike zone expands and we can start to work pitches off of the plate that the batter can't even reach and the umpire is going to call a strike. So yes, be very attentive to how the hitter reacts be very attentive, the hitter starts to argue with the umpire if the other team's coach is yelling at the umpire, if the team's bench is being really disrespectful and yell at the umpires, that's just going to help us out. So we need to stay positive and develop a good relationship along with a bad relationship for the other side that's going to help us out tremendously.

Evan 1:07:35

Definitely as an infielder myself, I know that footwork is a key component to being able to make a play and getting a good throat first. The footwork is also extremely important for catchers. What are some of the best ways that catchers can improve their mobility and improve on their footwork.

Todd 1:07:56

So I have my I have four of my favorite foot quickness drills and exercises that I tell my kids to do. Number one, jump rope. Jump Rope isn't just you know, it's like double dutch in the park with with, you know, friends like it's for whatever reason, there's this like, stereotypical thing about jump rope. It's like for girls or something. And hopefully I didn't come across wrong, but my point is elite level athletes, almost all do some type of jump rope training, right? I always use fighters like boxers and UFC fighters. If you ever watched those guys do jump rope. It's unbelievable. They're doing like double unders and triple unders and crossovers and swinging backwards and running in place in their feet moves so ridiculously fast. The same concepts will help catchers as well. So doing jump rope that plyometric of hitting the ground getting up hitting the ground, getting up hitting the ground and getting out the plyometric movements is going to develop the foot quickness that we need to be able to, you know, throw runners out, go out and field a bunt retrieve a ball in the dirt that we block and just get our feet moved into the position they need to be in to make the throw quickly and efficiently, right correctly and efficiently. So jump rope, I always encourage my catchers to get their own jump rope and start to jump rope regularly like three or four times a week before practice before even before a game if you have an area where you can go do it, you know, comfortably and you know, obviously not unless you're out on the field but in a bullpen or something. But it's a great warm up exercise on gets the heart pumping tremendously and it's going to get all the muscles activated in our lower body and about that foot quickness. So jump rope is number one, number two, it's called dot drill. You may have seen those black mats with five white dots on it. So if my fingers or my legs, they're on, the dots on my feet are apart, then my feet jump forward and touch the middle dot and then it spread back out so my feet are going apart together apart together apart together. I'm jumping on the dots on the ground. There Dot drill forward and back, there's Dot with a turn, you can do single foot hopping on all the dots, two foot jumps on all the dots, you know, like hopscotch type stuff on the dots. But dot drills, another great foot quickness drill, there's line drill. So we're going to choose a foul line is a, you know, the general idea, you jump from side to side over the line as fast as possible, you jump forward back over the line as fast as possible. You do like scissor switches with your feet, you can do crossover with your feet, but you're jumping over the line with little tiny, short, low to the ground jumps. Again, the idea is that the tempo is just faster, hitting the ground getting up hitting it up, picking it up picking it up. There's another one is line drill. And then finally, and I do this at most of my camps will do agility ladder. So the ladder, we lay it on the ground, and there's all the different there's literally 1000s of different variations of footwork drills you can do through an agility ladder. Some coaches hate it, some coaches love it, we definitely don't call it a speed ladder. It's not necessarily gonna make you faster. But there's definitely it's a big fancy word, but I'll explain what it means. There's a huge neuromuscular coordination component to the agility ladder. neuro means your brain and your nerves that go through your whole body muscular is obviously your muscles. neuromuscular coordination is just your brain telling your feet to do something and they do it in an efficient and coordinated manner. Right. So the more agility ladder exercises you do, you know, the, the in and out out and he shuffles and the cariocas and all that kind of stuff. The more you do those, the more coordinated you're going to be with your feet. So foot quickness is actually on my list of most important things for throwing success. And those are my four favorite exercises to help catchers and athletes develop quick feats can be jump rope, dot drill, line, drill, and agility ladder.

Evan 1:11:52

Yeah, those are all great tools and things for any position, any sport, really. It can help with just agility and being able to develop quick feet Really?

Todd 1:12:03

Yeah, no, absolutely. That's what I say it all the time. It's beneficial for all athletes. it's beneficial for all baseball players in particular catchers, middle infielders footwork around a bag and even first baseman for sure.

Evan 1:12:16

When it comes to throwing like to a base, what would you What do you tell your catchers to focus on when it comes to like stealing or back pick.

Todd 1:12:28

So for, for throwing, I have what I call my big four, I told you with receiving how my big three for throwing. Number one is going to be mindset with throwing. Okay? What I mean by mindset is two prong number one confidence in your abilities. We already had that talk about confidence. Confidence comes from reps, so practice it a lot. So if it happens in a game you've practiced so often, you're just an autopilot. And you know, you can throw that runner out. Sometimes I call it the Johnny Bench mindset. Johnny Bench is arguably one of the best catchers if not the best catcher of all time. And he had a famous quote where he said I can throw out any man alive. Like it didn't matter who how fast they were who they are, he knew in his mind, he was going to throw him out. So having that mindset is super, super important. The second component to mindset is, knowing who the good runners are. So we have a little anticipation or we're expecting them to go there's going to be runners that are what we call plus runners that they go, depending on game situation there, they can still base and then we have plus plus runners, like the Billy Hamilton's, like when they get on we pretty much know they're going to go right everyone knows they're going to go so just when we anticipate we have that mindset, we're going to react quicker and even move quicker. Second thing with throwing is you want to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible. So quick hands, we call it a quick release is essential. Some coaches will actually put arm strength or quick feet ahead of quick hands, but in my experience and all the video analysis and breakdowns that I've done over the years, the catches that get rid of the ball quickly have just as much success as the catches to have strong arms. I actually always use Tony Walters for an example for this Tony is known as having some of the quickest hands and one of the most athletic catchers in baseball. His average velocity is like 79 miles an hour. It's under 80 miles an hour but his average pop his average pop time is still under a 2.0 It's a 196 at least that was his numbers last season. Right so he doesn't have a bazooka for an arm but he still has a ton of success throwing runners out because he's so quick with getting rid of it. And obviously when we get rid of it we have to put it somewhere near the back so quick hands and then our accuracy put it somewhere close or infielder can put the tag on. So number one is mindset number two is quick hands number three is quick feet game we already talked about the importance of quick feet. And then the fourth thing is going to be on strengthen mechanics. So arm strength is definitely a difference maker. We want to strike To be as quick as possible, the average release time. So release just means by the time the ball hits the mitt, and then the ball leaves the catches fingers. So from top to release, that's release time, the average is around point seven. The elites are between point five, five and point six, five. When you can focus on quick release, you'll have tons of success, but continue to work on your arm strength. And again, kind of directing this to your young listeners kind of games around your age, focus on getting rid of it quickly. But continue to do your band work and your long toss and your you know, your push ups and getting stronger. So then you've worked on the quickness, you have that valid and then you add on strength. And now you're gonna have tons of success. And I was used jt realmuto as an example that he's got one of the fastest releases, he averages about a point six. And he throws the ball harder than most in the game. His average velocity was 88 miles an hour. You have your jorge alfaro, and your Martin Maldonado. Those guys throw the ball around 90 miles an hour's real Gary Sanchez, but they're not quite as quick as JT jt has the quick hands, he's got the bazooka for an arm. That's why it's considered the best throwing Catcher in the world. He averages a 1.88 pop time when he throws it down a second because of his quick hands and his in his green arm. So that's what I tell kids to focus on when they ask about how can I have some more throwing successes, get rid of it quickly? Right work on the jump rope, the, you know, agility ladder, whatever it is, for your quick feet, continue to work on your arm strength, and you'll have tons of success.

Evan 1:16:35

I know you've mentioned earlier, like some characteristics that good catchers should have. So when it comes to the mindset of a catcher, would you say how much would you say is above the shoulders?

Todd 1:16:50

Well, you know whether regardless if you're a catcher, or whatever position you're playing, and I'm actually a perfect example this. I actually I tell stories all the time in my camp. So I have what I call coach toss final thought. And they're called lessons from a coach who should have made it as a player but did, I had on a six foot three, or rip 200 pounds, I could hit the ball 400 feet, I could throw the ball close to 100 miles an hour, I could dunk a basketball, I could do the splits, I could play first I can play third. Obviously I was a catcher put me out, but it doesn't matter. athletic ability wise, I was elite, I was very elite. What I never practiced. And what I didn't work on and was very bad at was the mental side of the game. And we touched on this a little bit earlier and one of the topics that came up where it came up, but I can't stress enough how your physical abilities. Again, whether you're a catcher, or whatever you play, your physical abilities will only get you so far in this game. It's your attitude, staying positive, even in what might be considered negative situations. Your effort and always doing your best never getting down on having a bad game and you just don't run hard. You don't you know, put your you don't stay focused, and your ability to control your emotions. Those three things are what is going to not only help you get to the next level, but stay at the next level and succeed at that level. And it's easy to keep your head up high. smile on your face, your chest bowed out, when things are going good. It's how you react when things go bad and matters. So for me personally, that first about the game, or first inning catching, if I threw a guy out, or I hit a ball in the gap or hit a home run or just hit the ball hard, I used to have a pretty good game, if I struck out popped out rolled over made an error if something bad or something went wrong early in the game, I almost always have a bad game. And that's not the way it should be. We have to learn from the failures and move on not dwell on the failures. It's such a it's a skill that has to be practiced. And it's something that I never really did. And that was like the ultimate divine demise of my career. And I became a coach at 24 years old. Because I couldn't handle the mental side of the game. No one ever really taught me No one ever had these kind of discussions with me when I was a young kid. That is, you know, just kind of let us play so and I got myself in trouble a few times. And I guess I could tell a quick personal story just as an example.

You know, there's there was plenty of instances of this early in my career, but the one that kind of ended it all for me. I struck out in a game I was playing in the Phillies organization, South Atlantic league. I struck out on a pitch that I thought I should have smashed. On the way back to the dugout, I broke my bat over my knee. I threw it in the trashcan. And I basically did that one too many times. There was player development. People there in the stands and coaches got to talk in and managers and player development and they decided they'd had enough of my attitude and that kept me from the team. I got released from my contract. draft. Because my attitude stunk. At the time, I wasn't playing very well either I was in a little bit of a slump hitting wise. And so the coaches looked at my numbers, watch my little temper tantrums, and they released me from my contract. So I guess to kind of get back to your initial question there. You know, and I can't stress enough this is whether it's a catcher or anybody, you have to learn to control your emotions. That's such an important part of the game, you say how much is between yours. You know, there's that that saying that the game is 90% mental, that is 100% accurate, you need to be able to deal with the failures of the game, it's really the difference between the big leaguers and everybody else's their work ethic. I would say it this way, when you feel like you've worked enough, work some more. And then their ability to deal with failure, you can even add in their ability to make adjustments because they're facing the best of the best if you're hitting your face in the best pitchers. If you're pitching your facing the best hitters, you need to learn to make adjustments to face the best of the best. And you have to understand that you might throw your best pitch, and they still hammer in the gap. Or you might take your best swing, and still swing and miss how you're after those failures is going to make a huge difference in in your future success.

Evan 1:21:09

Being able to bounce back and just being able to learn from your failures is yes, got to stay level headed.

Todd 1:21:15

Yes, you have to stay level headed. And I used to let myself get so frustrated. And I would just boil over to the point where I would do stupid stuff like break bats and, you know, do just do things that I shouldn't be doing. And again, it was my ultimate demise. So it's again, it's lessons from a coach, you should have made it as a player but didn't, it's great that I get to pass on these messages to kids like yourself, you know, there's something to be said about the guys who made it to the high level and being able to tell you how they did it. And then there's guys like me, that should have made it to a higher level. I mean, I played professional. So that's pretty cool in itself. But I didn't reach my ultimate goal playing in the big leagues is the lessons and things and mistakes that I made that I can pass on to kids like yourself and your listeners that that hopefully don't make the same mistakes I did and figure out how to how to make the adjustments deal with the failures and move on

Evan 1:22:03

so before we wrap it up can you recommend at least two current big league catchers that younger guys can really learn from just by watching?

Music 1:22:13

You know what, yeah, there's a, I think the obvious one is jt realmuto. In my opinion, now he's like he was a Gold Glove winner. He does have a pretty unique receiving style, where he just kind of catches the pitch and rakes it through the zone, he doesn't really present it to the umpire, which is pretty unique to him. But he has a lot of successes in the top 10 and receiving receiving metrics, as we were just talking about, he's actually the best throwing Catcher in baseball right now. Because of his arm strength and quickness. And then he's always top 10 and blocking as well. I think he was like, top five and receiving number one and throwing in like ninth in blocking or might have been the other way around. It might have been ninth and receiving and like fifth or something like that in blocking. And I always have actually posted about this on my social media. You can learn a lot just by sitting there and watching the best of the best watching a game and see how they do they what they do. JT is kind of what they call a read catcher, there's obviously you've probably noticed that a lot of catches in the big leagues now set up on one knee is done. There's a whole bunch of benefits to setting up on one knee, in particular with receiving side of things. But it can also help with blocking although a lot of people argue that it messes up blocking, it definitely makes a little bit more challenging on lateral blocks. But one of the most common mistakes and blocking especially for young catchers is they're late getting down to their knees to block. Well, if I'm on one knee and the pitcher bounces that I'm already down. So it's going to help me be on time. And there's definitely we could talk about that for the next hour and a half. But I won't say much more about that. But to get back to your question. jt realmuto is a really good example for young catchers to watch and learn from because he does everything so well. And again, that's why he was a gold Glover. And then the other one that that actually a lot of people kind of get surprised when I say he's actually a former gold gold Glover as well, but he's not. For whatever reason he's not considered to be at this jt realmuto level or whatever. But it's Tucker Barnhart. And I think that one thing that's unique about Tucker is everyone is so focused on the one nice setups, and they'll even do it with runners on but Tucker and he'll even tell you this, he actually spoke on another podcast out there and stated this that when there's runners on base, he just does not feel comfortable getting on one knee so he stays in a traditional setup with runners on and I believe he's top three in blocking metrics in baseball, at least top five. He's really up there's one of the best blocking catchers in baseball. But in my opinion, he does everything. Well, he's really transitioned to this new receiving technique he'll set up on one knee when needed, manipulating Ball. Again, elite elite level blocker, nothing gets by that guy. And he's got some of the quickest hands as well in baseball and has a lot of throwing success. And I just like his, his approach and his mindset and his ability to work with his pitching staff. So again, and actually before I get lit up on social media about not seeing Yadi or Salvy, some of these, you know, these savvy vets that are out there. It's hard to pick, like a favorite. I love watching all those guys. Yadi has been one of my favorites forever. Salvy has been one of my favorites forever. roberto Perez is obviously always underrated for some reason, but obviously a Gold Glove winner one of the best. There's there's so many out there that you can watch. But right now, in my opinion, I use Tucker Barnhart has as an example on blocking. And then just watching how JT approaches the game? Those are two of the best to really learn from.

Evan 1:25:57

Yeah, I mean, two great examples. I'm not a catcher myself, but I have seen them in the success that they have. And it's it's incredible what they do.

Todd 1:26:07

Yeah, absolutely.

Evan 1:26:09

So do you have any clinics that you're currently working on or projects that you're working on?

Todd 1:26:15

Yeah, you know what, so obviously, I know you're aware of this, we're all in a pretty unique situation right now, with the COVID virus thing going on. And some people right now are lucky enough to be able to play some baseball. But there's still a lot of states and cities out there and leagues that are just been shut down. And when this all started to go down in March, I was lucky enough to have filmed almost all of my drills and exercises over the past few years. And doing a lot of online stuff. So I have I literally have I don't have a catchy one. I'm sorry, I don't have a blocking one put together. But I have a throwing program out there called drop your pot. It's actually the second version. So it's called dropping pot 2.0. I have one called mitt magic for receiving out there. I have I always get asked, How can I throw the ball harder? How can I be more explosive? How can I get more endurance. So I developed a eight week strength program. That's totally doable for youth kids. So I have that on there. So all those are online programs that I have going on are on the catching guide.com. my social media pages are basically clinics almost every day, when I'm super busy, I don't get a chance to post but when I'm not, I'll post, you know, at least one sometimes two or three times a day. And I'll post the breakdowns. And you know, they're always very educational and how to help kids out. So I'm just the catching guy on all the social media platforms. And then what I've started to do is try and direct everybody to what's called the catching lab. And this is a perfect time and opportunity for everyone out there to get some online work and continue to work even when they're shut down unable to get on the field. The catching lab is is all done online. It's self paced. And we're also going to start doing a whole bunch of Facebook Lives. I know not everybody's on Facebook. But we also have zoom clinics coming up like I just did a pitch calling. We're in the process of working on doing a receiving one mitt magic will probably be the next online one that I do. We'll do a blocking one I call it be a wall. I just did a little practice one of a drop your pops. So working on throwing session all online. So all that stuff, if they follow me on my social media the catching guy, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, go to the catching guy.com. And then if for those that are on Facebook, there's I have a page that's kind of a smaller group page is called How to catch featuring the catching guy. And I'm constantly giving tips in there in that group as well. So

Evan 1:28:49

where is the best place that our listeners can reach you?

Todd 1:28:54

Yeah, the website is the catching guide calm that has all my contact info on there my email if anyone ever has a question, or you know, concern or whatever, again, my social media, join the hundreds of 100,000 followers that I have with. And again, it's on Instagram. Just search the catching guy, Twitter, the catching guy or Facebook to catch a guy and that's all my all my pages have pop up on their forum.

Evan 1:29:21

Well, Todd, I really, really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to share some incredible insight with the youth community.

Todd 1:29:31

Awesome, man. Thanks for having me. happy to help. Hopefully they find some some takeaways from our talk. Yeah, I had a blast. Thanks so much.

Evan 1:29:42

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at born to baseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media at born to baseball where we can connect live Now let's play ball.

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Episode #016: Manny Roman- Pitching Coach Monroe Mustangs

November 2020 By Evan

Ep. #016: Join Evan and Manny Roman, Pitching Coach for Monroe Mustangs, as Manny shares his experience as a pitching coach, what it was like at the Juco World Series as well as tips and tools to help pitchers take their games to the next level.

What You’ll Learn:

01:13   Manny’s journey

04:15   Arm care tools and tips

07:55   Training the whole body

09:39   Pitching drills

11:10   Pre-season Process

14:42   Juco World Series experience

20:24   Pitcher Catcher Relationship

21:54   On trusting your players

23:03   College Recruiting

26:51   Accountability

27:14   MLB Pitchers to watch

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.

If you enjoyed this episode we’d be really grateful if you’d rate the show and leave a review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ballplayers find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  

Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Twitter @coachManny45

Instagram @coach_Manny45

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

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Episode 016_MANNY ROMAN_PITCHING COACH MONROE MUSTANGS

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of born to baseball is sponsored by the BTB. Travel team and training tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for travel teams or training facilities in your area Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple T tracker at borntobaseball.com. Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Music 0:23

Calling all ballplayers. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in it's game time.

Evan 0:40

Hey guys, and welcome to the born to baseball podcast. I'm Evan and today we have Manny Roman joining us. Manny first started coaching at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 2012, and served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Lackawanna college. He is currently the pitching coach for the Monroe Mustangs from New York who have won three regional championships in the last four years. Manny, thank you so much for joining me today.

Manny 1:05

Hey, thanks for having me, Evan.

Evan 1:07

Can you start us off by sharing a little background about your baseball journey as a player,

Manny 1:13

My baseball journey started, I'd say probably around three or four years old, in my native Puerto Rico, I was born and raised there, played through a lot of the leagues over there. After high school, I decided, you know, my dream was to play professional baseball. And I also wanted to play baseball in the States. So after high school, I decided to go to Scranton, Pennsylvania Keystone college, a small Division Three school, I got to play there for four years. And after my sophomore year, I kind of realized, Hey, you know, I might not be a professional athlete, you know, but I do really love baseball and, and that's where I kind of made the transition and said, you know what I want to coach after I'm done playing, and that's what I've been doing since

Evan 1:55

Would you say there's like, a difference between baseball in Puerto Rico and then here in the States?

Manny 2:02

Yes, yes. Not not so much different from New York City, I would say but a lot different from other states. And I think in Puerto Rico, it's a lot more passionate, like the kids and a little bit more, I would say exciting. When you're in the dugout, people are always chanting and singing and all that. Here it's kind of more laid back. But yeah, it is a little bit different.

Evan 2:26

And how did you get into coaching? Was it something like you always knew you sort of wanted to do?

Manny 2:33

So? Not really, you know, my plan originally was I was going to play four years of college. And if I could play professional baseball, I would do it. If not, I would go back to Puerto Rico. But like I said before, after my second year in college, I was like, You know what, I really like this, I thought there was a lot of information that wasn't brought back to Puerto Rico. So I said, Hey, I want to coach and I want to help kids, you know, get to places where I couldn't go and offer them a better opportunity. So it kind of started with me wanting to help guys from Puerto Rico. And then it turned out that helping kids from all over.

Evan 3:06

Yeah, that's great. That's a really great, like passion that you have for wanting to help kids where you come from, and I really like that. Would you say there's one or two coaches that really inspired you to coach?

Manny 3:22

So yes, you know, there's a lot of guy had a couple coaches in Puerto Rico that, you know, they did a lot for the sport. And while they had, you know, they had their families, they had their full time jobs, and they kind of put so much time into us that you know, at first you don't really appreciate it. But as you're getting older, you're kind of like, Hey, you know, that person did a lot for me, and they put me in the right track. And then once I got into Keystone, the same thing, I had a couple coaches where I was like, you know what they, they want the best for me, not just only in baseball, but in life in general. So that's when I was like, You know what, this, this is something I can see myself doing for a career.

Evan 4:03

That's really amazing. And many of our listeners, they're youth baseball players and coaches. So for those middle school and high school baseball players, can you share some advice on how much attention these players should be putting on ARM care.

Manny 4:18

That's where the majority of the attention should be. You know, I think arm care is something that sometimes we kind of, it kind of takes a backseat because we just want to play and play and win. But I think arm care is The most important thing that you should do as a youth athlete, because it's going to help you out. Once you make that transition into college. You know, it's very important to make sure that you probably stretching before games, making sure you're getting your bands done. And then when you're done playing the same thing, I think it's more important to take care of your arm after you're done playing for a day or throwing than it is prior to it.

Evan 4:58

That's really valuable. And I know a lot of guys, including myself, we use j bands from Jaeger sports, which are definitely a great tool for arm care and arm strength. So do you have some of your guys use bands? And what are some of the different exercises and movements that you do?

Manny 5:20

So we actually purchase Jaeger bands for all our pitchers. So that's something that you know we, Monroe does a really good job is providing those tools for the guys that, you know to take care of themselves. So we implement that from day one, they show up in the fall. And we follow the program that they have. And then as the year goes on, guys kind of come up with their own exercises and do what works for them. We also do a lot of plyo ball arm care stuff from driveline. So we try to kind of implement that. And, you know, we set like I said, a program for them. But you know, everybody's different. So everybody kind of adjusts ands tweaks it to how they're feeling on a day to day basis.

Evan 6:02

For those exercises that you give them. How many reps would you say on average would you give for each exercise.

Manny 6:12

So when they're warming up, we do anywhere from 15 to 25, just to kind of get the blood flowing to your shoulders and all the way through your arm and stuff. once they're done, post throwing, we'll do anywhere from eight to 10 nothing crazy, just you know, work on the arm a little bit, and make sure we're hitting those small muscles and getting the arm strength that we need.

Rene 6:37

And like once again, for a youth baseball player like Middle School, and then again, for a high school player. Would you recommend doing like, a certain amount of reps for them? Would it be what you do for Monroe? Like in the beginning? or after? How many reps Do you think for them?

Manny 6:57

I think you know, I'm not as much as what we would do at the college level, you know, cuz guys are a little bit more mature. But I think if you can do anywhere from eight to 12 reps, and maybe two or three sets, just depending how you're feeling on that day, that would be great. No, I think that's a good baseline, you know, before throwing and after throwing to follow.

Evan 7:19

Okay, that's really good to know. And with pitching, it's not just about using your arm and training your arm. It's also about using your entire body.

Manny 7:28

Correct.

Evan 7:29

When I talked with former Major Leaguer Nelson Figueroa in a previous episode, he said that he wished he trained more his legs and even at the major league level. So my question to you is, what are some workouts and movements that you do with your players to help them train some of the other body parts that help a pitcher become physically stronger and more explosive and more effective on the mound?

Manny 7:55

Yeah, so you know, I'm, in my years coaching, you know, and what I had before a lot of people say, Hey, don't lift heavy, like pitchers shouldn't be lifting heavy, because you know, it'll restrict you, I've come to the realization that you, you don't lift heavy, but you kind of have to lift the same as a position player would. So we do a lot of squats. We do like clean power cleans. So more like a, say like an Olympic style lifting program. You know, we do a lot of box jumps. You know, skaters, stuff like that, that is not only just weight, but it's also explosiveness. So it's kind of translates into pitching because, you know, pitching is kind of like a, you know, as a short burst, you do explode once the ball leaves the other hand, there you go. So we try to get exercises that relate right to what we're doing on the mound.

Evan 8:46

And other than your arm, like what would you say the most important body part to train for a pitcher is?

Manny 8:55

I say, it's your legs and your core. And the way I see it, it's kind of like, I always tell my guys is kind of like a car, right, your legs are your motor, your core is your transmission. And then your arm is what comes out of those two. So the force comes through the ground, through your abs through your arm. So those two are not strong, it's only a matter of time we arms gonna go. So you got to make sure your legs and your core are where they need to be. So then you can put all that force into your arm.

Evan 9:24

Yeah, that's really interesting.

And for the players who are set on like pitching at the college level someday, what are some of the drills that you think would really help those players develop?

Manny 9:39

So I'm big on on on towel drills because it helps you, you know, you're not putting a lot of stress on your arm. You're, you know, you're working on your mechanics. And then it also helps a little bit you know, with the resistance of the tower with with your strengthening your shoulder. So I think tile drills are very important. And throwing, you know, I feel like a lot of kids at a younger age don't throw enough. And so I think throwing towel drills, and just maybe do things at a short distance, I think helps a lot. You know, it's, we do that a lot with our guys, because, you know, I, my philosophy is, if you can make a ball break or locate at a short distance, you can do it at 60 feet.

Evan 10:25

When it comes to like, velocity or location, which one would you say is more important?

Manny 10:33

I would say to me my preference, I would say location. I feel especially at the younger age, you know, if you can locate, it's only a matter of time with you know, with proper training and taking care of yourself where velocity is going to come in to play. So I rather have a guy that can locate a pitch than a guy that can throw in 100 miles an hour and doesn't know where it's gonna go. Right. You know, so I but you know, at some point, they have to go hand in hand. So yeah, and in a perfect world, you want to have a guy that has both. But if I would have to pick one, I'm going to take the guy that throw strikes.

Evan 11:10

Okay, can you walk us through what you do with your college guys, like during the preseason, like, before they even pick up a baseball.

Manny 11:19

So when they get in day one, you know, I always tell my guys, you're probably gonna do more running in a week than you've ever done in your entire baseball career. So we do a lot of conditioning, that's the first thing we do. And it's not just to get them ready to pitch, but it's kind of challenge them mentally, right, and kind of break them down a little bit, to kind of see how tough they are. Um, so I say like, the first week, before we fully get on the mound and do you know, start doing actual pitching stuff, we're mainly conditioning, like doing a lot of running, doing a lot of different stations like speed and agility and stuff like that to kind of get them going. And then once you start throwing, I like to get them in a long toss program first, right, kind of build their arm strength up a little bit. And then once we were right where we need to be, then, you know, we get on the mound. And then after that, it's kind of like, you know, you'll throw a bullpen on a Monday, let's say and then Tuesday, you have a, you either get a day off or you long toss, and then you go for a run and Wednesday you do something else. So we kind of map it out where every day they're throwing, they're doing some type of throwing and some type of running. And then on top of that, they d,o you know, their arm care stuff. So that that's, that's big.

Evan 12:41

Okay, that's, that's really interesting. And, as you said, like running is super important. And I like how you said, like, with your college kids, how you not only do the running to condition, but you also do them to get them ready for the troubles that they might have on the field with the mental side. So like speaking on the mental side, what do you do to help your players like if they do break down during the game and start giving up a ton of hits, and you say like, for instance, a starter, you don't want to take them out in the first inning. So what would you do during like a mound visit?

Manny 13:17

I would go back and you know, talk to him, tell him to step back, um, you know, and just relax and just go back to the fundamentals of just like, hey, just trust your stuff. You know, sometimes, you know, when you start getting hit around, you kind of doubt your ability, and you're like, oh, maybe your stuffs not good enough. But I always tell them, and that's one thing that I always tell, like harp on and say it's like, you know, everybody is a great pitcher when everything's working, right, but the day that something's not working, that's the day you're gonna find out what kind of pitcher you are, you know, you might have given up four runs in the first inning. And I'll go out down, I'll tell you guess what you gave up four. But now give us a chance, get us out of the inning. Right, we'll find a way to claw ourselves back into the game and win the game. Now your job is not to worry about what happened is what's going to happen moving forward. So it's just more kind of like, instilling in them that confidence that hey, it's baseball, anything can happen. You had a bad ending. Now you just move forward and you try to help the team as much as you can.

Evan 14:17

Yeah, that's great coaching right there.

So you've helped them enroll Mustangs to three regional titles in the last four years, as well as back to back JUCO World Series appearances, which is super impressive. Can you talk about that Juco World Series experience and some of the things that contributed to that team success.

Manny 14:42

So that experience of going to the Juco world series it's it's like no other Yeah, I wish every kid that comes through our program gets a chance to experience that. I mean, you get to see some of the best players in the country. In that stage, you know, it comes down only to ten teams and you might see a future Major Leaguer that you don't know at the time, but he might end up being in the big leagues in a couple years. You know, for example, you know, Bryce Harper got to play there. So when we went there and you go to for the banquet, you get to see them display where they have his pictures and stuff like that. So it's kind of cool to see the history of all the players that have gone through through that tournament, that, you know, end up having very successful playing careers. And, you know, getting there wasn't easy, you know, it's kind of like a lot of, you know, bumps through the road as the both years where we were playing, we didn't have the best starts, but you know, it was a matter of time, you know, we knew we had the talent, we knew we had the, the right guys to get where we needed to be. It was just a matter of getting hot at the right time. You know, in that first year, that's what happened, we got hot at the right time. And then with the weather and certain things happened, it kind of played into our favor, where we ended up playing a college that is in our same region we got, we ended up playing them in the eastern district championship. So it's kind of like, you know, we knew, you know, what they had, we know what they were going to throw at us. And it kind of made it a little bit easier that first year. Now, the second year, it was again, we started 1 and 11. So nobody in the country gave us a shot. We, nobody thought we were going to claw ourselves back out of that.

Evan 16:31

Yeah That's crazy.

Manny 16:32

Yeah. And then guys, kinda, you know, we stayed with it, we, we kept telling Hey, you're never out of it. You just got to make sure you get to the regional tournament. And then after that, it's anybody's ballgame. And that's kind of what we did. And we we ran through the eastern district where it was something very impressive, where we I think we average like 10 runs a game.

Evan 16:51

Wow. That's, that's really impressive. Yeah, that that sounds like a great, like, super cool Juco experience. And I know you must have loved going there with the Mustangs and being a part of that.

Manny 17:04

Yes, definitely. Definitely. I mean, it was a great, great group of guys, both years that we went and, and I enjoyed both of them.

Evan 17:12

What would you say like really contributed to that success? Is it like Was it the hitters? Or was it the mindset that was going on there? What type of things really contributed to that?

Manny 17:22

I think it was a little bit of everything. I mean, the first year, I'm not gonna lie, we had three starters that, you know, between the three of them, they won over 30 games. Every time those three took them on, you knew you were going to win a game. Now one of them ended up going to No, got drafted that year in the 12th. Round.

Evan 17:41

Yeah that's Unbelievable.

Manny 17:42

Yeah, the other guy went eight in one and the other guy went like, he was like, 11, or something like that. And it was like, you know, you knew when you had a shot with those three guys, right. And then the next year, we had a deeper pitching staff, but we weren't performing. So our hitters had to pick up the slack for for the pitchers. And then, at the end of the year, like I said it was you know, we got hot, so pitchers started, you know, clicking on all cylinders, plus the hitting had come around, I would say probably like two weeks prior to that. And we put it together. So it's a combination of you know, the entire team.

Evan 18:23

And some pictures, they have tendencies that really good hitters can pick up.

Unknown Speaker 18:27

Yes,

Evan 18:29

like when you identify that one of your pitchers, is either tipping their pitches or giving a baserunner a bit of an edge? How do you help them eliminate those bad habits.

Manny 18:41

So it's, you know, it's kind of tough to try and make an in game adjustment. Just because, you know, it's JUCO you're dealing with 18, 19, 20 year olds. So, you know, they are very talented, but at the same time, they're not professional athletes where they can just on the fly, make it. So you, you know, you try to get it out of him in the game, or you just you just say hey, battle through it. And then w'll get back to the drawing board tomorrow, and then we'll work on getting that out of the way. But you know, there's certain guys that can do it. And there's, there's others guys where you kind of have to take, it's gonna take a span of seven days before their next start, you know, working on it every day, they get it out.

Evan 19:22

Yeah it makes a lot of sense. And that makes you a good coach, being able to really identify them in the first place. And then say, let's work on it and knowing your pitcher knowing your guy, knowing that he might not be able to make it in game. Let's go to the drawing board tomorrow and this week and really make sure we can perfect that.

Manny 19:41

And on top of that, you know we've had some really smart hitters the last couple years so when you know they face each other in the fall and then during winter ball when we're getting ready for the season. You know, they do a great job of communicating with myself and with the pitcher and letting him know hey, when you're throwing this picture doing this or where you're going You know, when you're going to go, you go fastball, then curveball right away, like, you know, so they do a good job talking to each other, and letting each other know what they're doing and what they're not doing. So, you know, it's, it's pretty good to see when they do that.

Rene 20:14

Yeah, that's, that's a big recipe for success really being able to communicate with your team and your teammates communicating by themselves without the coach having to tell them to

Manny 20:23

Yep.

Evan 20:24

And a great pitcher and catcher relationship are, they play a huge role in the pitchers and the team's success. So how do you help create an environment that really helps foster good pitcher and catcher relationships.

Manny 20:40

So, you know, one thing we try to do is like, each catcher has to catch every single guy, you know, in the fall, we make sure that they they're not just always throwing to the same guy. And, you know, when we're doing our flat grounds, sometimes when the the catches are not hitting, we'll bring them over and have them catch a flat ground. So in that way, they get used to, you know, every single guy, how each ball breaks and all that, you know, the other thing we do is, once we're starting getting ready to the season, we start having like classroom meetings, where it's caches and pitchers You know, and we talk about how we're going to attack hitters, how we're going to control the running game, and then I just kind of like, pick each other and they call pick a catcher and a pitcher, and then we'll pick a guy on our lineup and be like, how are you going to attack this guy, and give me every scenario, if you go first pitch strike, if you go, you know, first pitch ball, if it's a 1-1 count, and they kind of, you know, bounce ideas off of each other. And, and that's how they kind of, you know, kind of gel when especially in those classroom meetings, because they kind of see whether they're all on the same page or they're not, and then they work it all out.

Evan 21:47

OK that's a really interesting and really cool way to work it out between them. Like you said,

Manny 21:53

yeah.

Evan 21:54

And what did you take away from your experiences at the Juco World Series that have really helped you become a better pitching coach?

Manny 22:07

I think sometimes, yeah, you got to trust your players more, you know, sometimes you, you get so focused on what you're doing as a coach, like, for example, you know, I call the pitches at Monroe and there's times where I find myself in a pattern, right. And, you know, some of the competition that we face, it's, it's not the greatest. So you can get away with certain things. But once you get to the, to that kind of tournament, the hitters are a lot better. So they definitely pick up on a lot of things. So it's more like, hey, trust your guys trust what they're telling you, and sometimes just let them be them. You know, don't over coach them. Just let them go out there and play. Because at the end of the day, you know, we might call anything we can but we're in the dugout. They're the ones out there that have the front row seat to the situation.

Evan 22:58

For sure. Yeah, thanks for sharing that with us.

Manny 23:02

No problem

Evan 23:03

And are you involved in like the recruiting process for high school ballplayers?

Manny 23:08

Yes. So we all kind of split up the responsibility of recruiting. So we kind of split it up, you know, one guy that's like, the Manhattan area somebody else does, like the Bronx, um, I try to do New Jersey since I live in New Jersey, and then some of the Puerto Rico and stuff like that. But yes, we're all involved in it. And it's, it's a tough process that, you know, be in practice every day, and then try to go out there and watch some games, but it's fun.

Evan 23:42

What are some of the like, the measurements and characteristics that you look for when you're looking at a high school pitcher.

Manny 23:49

So, you know, obviously, we always look at the speed to kind of see where they're at. I think that's probably the first thing you see is like alright, he's, the velocity you can play at our level, then we see, you know, how he does. Throwing strikes, and then we'll see when, how he doesn't want me struggling? I think, you know, like I said before, when everything's on, it's easy to pitch. But I want to see when you're getting hit around, I want to see when somebody on your team boots a ball, I want to see what your reaction is going to be and how you're going to bounce back from that. And then you know, once athletically, he meets all the check marks, then we talked to the coach and I asked him Hey, what type of kid is he? How is he with his teammates? Like, how is he in the classroom ? And I I'm a strong believer that everything goes hand in hand. And you know if you're a good student, and that means you're gonna go to be a good baseball player because you're willing to learn. So

Evan 24:49

Yeah, that's important for high school baseball players listening, just to really say like, Okay, this is what I need to work on. This is what they look for, and different things like Like that. And so skill is incredibly important, obviously. Because, I mean, you need a certain amount of skill to play at a certain level. But a player's character also plays a huge role, like you said, in their success. So how do you guys and like the all the other coaching staff, help your players build a stronger character,

Manny 25:27

well we try to hold them accountable for everything they do, you know, it starts from going to class, right? You got to be able to show up to class every single day, you know, be on time for practice, you know, be willing to sit out and we we try to, like I said, hold them accountable as much as we can, with all the little things that they do. Because then it turns down to the bigger things, right, when you can get a guy paying attention to something as small, as you know, picking up a cup that was left in the dugout, you know, that's just being responsible, and you're like, Alright, he's getting it. So we try to, you know, if you miss class, you're going to pay the consequences for it. And if you're disrespectful to the teacher, you're going to pay the consequences to it. And sometimes, we may get a team thing, you know, just to kind of get everybody on board and be like, hey, you're not going to be able to get this, get away with this. And then what that does when you punish everybody, for something that one guy did, then everybody else starts holding each other accountable. Like, hey, don't do that, again, because we don't want to know we don't want to run, we don't want to do this. So something like that.

Evan 26:36

Yeah, that'sa great way of going about things is like, I know, my coach, like, we do things as a team, we make sure that everything is one as a team. So that's a really great way of doing things.

Manny 26:51

Because like, we say, you know, if you're gonna win, you're gonna win as a team, you're gonna lose, you're gonna lose as a team. So it's very important that, you know, everybody is holding each other accountable, you know, in a respectful way, and, and just looking out for each other. That's, that's what it comes down to, you know, you got to look out for your brother, and you got to know that guy to your right, that guy to your left, just put in the same amount of work that you did.

Evan 27:14

And so which one or two major league pitchers like past or present, would you encourage your players to watch and really learn a lot from?

Manny 27:25

Oh, that's tough. there's been a lot of great ones. But I would say, I think one of the most fundamentally sound pitchers was Mariano Rivera. I think he is he wasn't only just one of the greatest to do it. But he is very mechanically sound and in everything he did. And I think Greg Maddux, I think those two guys are the best examples to look at.

Yeah, there's two unbelievable pitchers who Yes, yeah, that amazing legacies left behind in baseball. Yeah. And what are some things like I know, you talked about like, Mariano Rivera is very, like, mechanically correct. And does everything mechanically really well? What do you think it is with like Greg Maddux? Is it that? Is it the same thing? Or is it something different about him,

I think is the same thing. You know, he's also, you know, very fundamentally sound, but his biggest thing as he learned how to manipulate the ball. And I think that that's something that kids struggle to do, because they just wait, they just want to throw as hard as they can. Which there's nothing wrong with that. But you can be able to throw hard and manipulate the baseball and make it go wherever you want. So I think sometimes it's more of a feel thing where guys need to learn how to play with the ball. And I mean, we saw how long he did it. And he wasn't throwing 95 miles an hour. So

Evan 28:56

yeah, like, once again, those are two unbelievable examples with legacies left behind in baseball. So and before we wrap it up, are there any projects that you're working on that you want to share with our board baseball community? And where can our listeners go to learn a little bit more about you?

Manny 29:17

Before everything got shut down, I was working with a travel organization from Puerto Rico that actually brings kids out here to get them exposed. So I was going to kind of help them out. You know, and help them get exposed and go to some tournaments and stuff like that. But you know, with everything being canceled, that kind of took a backseat. Um, but you know, you can go if you want to know more about myself, you can go to my Twitter. It's @coachManny45. I put some stuff sometimes up there. They're not really I'm afraid of what people are going to comment if I put some videos up and stuff or my Instagrams coach_Manny45. You know, if anybody wants, you know, to run something by me or whatever anybody can just, you know, send me a message and I'll gladly, you know, help you out if you want to send videos or anything like that. I can do that.

Evan 30:13

And I look forward to seeing the Mustangs play one day soon. They're a great team, by the way. There's a lot of success going on there. Well, Manny, thank you again. Thank you so much for hopping on and sharing insight with the born to baseball community.

Manny 30:31

Thank you for having man, this is awesome.

Evan 30:36

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at borntobaseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media at born to baseball where we can connect live now let's play ball

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Episode #015: Trey Hunt- Independent League Baseball Player and Hitting Instructor

November 2020 By Evan

Ep. # 015: Trey Hunt- Independent League Baseball Player and Hitting Instructor

Join Evan and Trey Hunt as Trey shares his baseball journey, his experience playing Independent ball, and hitting tips for youth baseball players of all levels. He also shares some of his influences and tips for developing a strong mindset on and off the field.

What You’ll Learn:

01:07   Trey’s Journey

03:27   Benefits of being a multi-sport athlete

08:20    What contributed to his success transitioning from catcher to outfielder

09:45   Experience playing Indy Ball

12:40   Swinging up vs swinging down

15:13   Loading of the scapula

20:37   Feel versus Real

23:34   Mental cues and having a thought process at the plate

26:43   Hitting tips for youth baseball players

28:17 Tips for developing good footwork

29:39 Developing baseball IQ

32:09   Trey’s “So what” philosophy

33:35   Tips on quieting your mind

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you’re listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  

Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Instagram @trigggatreyy15

Born To Baseball Links:

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Episode 015_TREY HUNT_INDEPENDENT BASEBALL PLAYER_HITTING INSTRUCTOR

The transcription below was provided for your convenience through an automated service. Please excuse any unintended errors made in the process.

Evan 0:00

This episode of Born To Baseball is sponsored by the BTB. Travel team and training tracker. Are you a parent or player searching for travel teams or training facilities in your area? Or are you a coach looking to expand your reach? Then you have to check out the BTB triple t tracker at borntobaseball.com. Make sure your team is represented. Let's go.

Music 0:23

Calling all ballplayers. Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Were you born to baseball? Then bring it in. it's game time.

Evan 0:39

Hey guys, and welcome to the born baseball podcast. I'm Evan and joining us today is Trey hunt. Trey was born and raised in San Diego, California, where he attended Lincoln High School and became San Diego Athlete of the Year. After high school tre went to Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and was named the all Conference Player not once, but twice as a centerfielder. He currently plays with the Black Sox organization out of Pennsylvania. Trey, thank you so much for joining me today.

Trey 1:06

No problem at all. Thank you for having me.

Evan 1:07

So you're from San Diego, can you share how you got started playing baseball?

Trey 1:12

Oh, my dad actually was a Sunday league All Star man, he played all growing up. So I was always in the dugout, I was always kind of just running around the field. So I just picked up a bat whenever I was ready, and it happened ever since then.

Evan 1:26

That's awesome. And can you talk about like your high school and maybe college experience a little?

Trey 1:32

Yeah, absolutely. I went to a very basketball and football High School. And so I was on the football team as well. So I went, basically back and forth between baseball, football, baseball, football over and over. And then eventually, my junior year, I started breaking out a little bit, I hit .535, which was the highest average in the state or close to the highest average in the state. And then my senior year, I kind of just took over all baseball and just did what I had to do.

Evan 1:59

That's awesome. Your last two years at Lincoln High School, like you said, you put up a .535 And then in your senior year, you put up a 565 average, which is ridiculous.

Trey 2:11

That season felt good. Everything felt good.

Evan 2:15

Like those numbers are just really incredible. And especially that 30 point jump over that only one year period of time. So what do you think sort of attributed to that jump?

Trey 2:26

honestly, I was just a very raw athlete. So I just tried to get as many swings as I could, I was just always born to to do more and do more and want more and just see what, what repetition could do for me. So I wasn't the most smooth swinging guy. But I wasn't going to strike out and I wasn't going to miss fastballs. And a lot of it was just the mentality of knowing that you can't beat me, I'm just going to do what I can.

Evan 2:50

Yeah, confidence is huge, it plays a huge role.

Trey 2:53

Absolutely, absolutely. And for me, it was any, any little hiccup in the day could have been my average go down. So I was really focused on just trying to keep everything consistent. If I could get up there and force a fastball early and not miss it then I was gonna hit a double and I was just gonna do what I had to do. I knew I couldn't get beat.

Evan 3:08

Yeah, that's a great approach to the game and you're at bats. And youth athletes were like you said, You played football and baseball. And a lot of us youth baseball players, and just athletes we're told to play multiple sports. So What benefits do you see in playing multiple sports?

Trey 3:27

Well, for me, I always just noticed it in situations where a lot of guys would like get out, you know, for instance, a pickle, there's times where you're just so, so used to going side to side on a football field or having to shake somebody or do something that you would never really do on a baseball field, that when the time comes and you could implement it on the baseball field, it showed up. And a lot of guys that didn't have that athleticism to move out of the way of a 300 pound guy or find a way to outrun a safety, you know, you'd never have to really do that on a baseball field, you can kind of play it safe and jog in and get the double. Or you'll notice a lot of guys that play other sports are comfortable taking that risk, where they could get that extra base because they're not really worried about failing, they just want to go for it and see what happens. And for me, I think that plays a lot, a lot into my game for, you know, always trying to take that extra base. when I'm at first and the guy shows his back on a fly ball to the left field, I'm going to take that second base if I can, because I know he's got to catch it turn around and make a perfect throw. And if I'm tagging up, I only got 90 feet to go. So I think I could beat him on that.

Evan 4:31

That's interesting. That's a great way of looking at it. And like Are there any like specific sports like would it be football or basketball that you would recommend youth baseball players to play

Trey 4:40

um, I mean, honestly, anything that's gonna have a lot of moving side to side. You know, for baseball, the quickest, quickest way to get the second is if I can get that first step and get going as fast as I can to steal second base where a lot of guys that's not a part of their game. They're either they're not very fast or they don't have that secondary twitch when you're going in and playing Those other sports, you automatically have to find a way to get that, you know, football even the linemen their first step is quick. You know, you're, you're playing safety, your first step is still quick, you know, you don't really have time to mess up in that situation. And if you do you end up on your back. So it's like automatic. Alright, we're gonna let you know you messed up.

Evan 5:19

Yeah definitely

Trey 5:20

Whether it's, you know, getting a shot blocked in basketball, there's always like that instant. Okay, you weren't fast enough. So the next time you might make that shot, because you gave it that extra fast twitch to get there? You know, it just all depends on, on how you can interpret it your own way.

Evan 5:36

Yeah, it makes a lot of sense. Like you said, lateral movement is, I guess, sports that have that is, I guess, you can implement in baseball,

Trey 5:43

you could, you could do, you could do tennis, you could do anything. Anything that has has to make a quick decision real quick, you know. And in baseball, you can easily look at it this way. When I'm hitting When I say go, I want everything to go. Yes, I don't, I don't want that little lag to where it's like go and now my swings coming. You know, and in football. If I'm lag on that first step. I'm on my back right now. There, there was no couldn't, could have just fouled one off and get extra pitches. You know, so there's ways to interpret it, where it's like, okay, that first step is really important when I'm hitting that, okay, I needed to go now is really important. So,

Evan 6:22

yeah.

Trey 6:23

That's how I see it

Evan 6:24

So you are San Diego Athlete of the Year in your senior year of high school, which is incredible. What kind of confidence did that give you going into college that knowing you'd like face even stronger competition?

Trey 6:37

I wouldn't say that, that gave me more confidence than actually getting like, the opportunity to go play. Because it's a lot of teams did pass up on me, you know, and a lot of colleges did pass up on me. So for me to go in, and, and get the opportunity to do things I go play scout ball that gave me the confidence because I see that I can play with those guys. You know, I go I go up and play scout ball on Sundays for the Mariners and then come back home and the competition would be way different. I'm like, Okay, well, I should be dominating this group. And then I got a fight when I get up to play with those bigger guys. You know, so my confidence going in was playing the scout ball and playing summer ball where I'm starting to see and hit 90 mile an hour fastball and, and see stuff like that. I've never seen it before. I'm not gonna have any confidence. So I think that gave me the most confidence.

Evan 7:23

I totally get that. I know you majored in graphic design in college. What was sort of the reason behind that?

Trey 7:31

Um, I started as a business major. And then I took economics class, and it just didn't go very well. I figured out that numbers were not for me. That's kind of not something I wanted to get into for the rest of my life. And I had always kind of doodled a lot. I was always trying to create things that I've never seen before. So for me graphic design, I was always a computer geek. And constantly on computers growing up, I was a big gamer growing up. So I figured I might as well try it out and see what I can do. And I ended up liking it a lot.

Evan 8:05

Yeah, that's really cool. So you were mainly a centerfielder In high school and college. What are some like unique skills and qualities that a player would need to have in order to play an outfield position?

Trey 8:17

Well, I actually was a catcher going into college.

Evan 8:19

Oh, interesting

Trey 8:20

yeah, I caught for a while. But as far as expanding on your question, for me, it was taking the flyballs during BP as serious as I could. The reason I got the job that I got in college was because I moved from catcher to outfield, and I would take fly balls. And one day, I just kind of took off on one and laid out because I knew I wasn't playing and I was just trying to kind of go do stuff and coach was like, Alright, we're gonna need you to get Outfielder glove for the rest of the year. And I was like, Alright, I'm cool with that. So I just kind of worked on it and was hitting better than some of the other guys. And that's how I found my spot. So I think taking those fly balls, as serious as you can makes the game so much easier. You don't really have to think as much, especially at your home field. If you're getting the same conditions over and over and over again. It should be like riding a bike. You shouldn't even have to think about jumps. You should just be able to kind of run and play around.

Evan 9:17

Yeah, taking practicing as hard as you can play.

Trey 9:20

Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, don't get me wrong as you get older, you kind of slow it down a little bit. You know, you can't go as crazy as you would in BP because you're gonna be sore the next day, but I would say definitely trying to track down as much as you can if you don't think you can get there. Try to get there you might get there. You never know. You know, in the game. You'll take that. That extra jump to go get it if you tried to do it in practice.

Evan 9:45

Yeah, definitely. You currently play independent ball, which I learned is a first chance Second Chance league for baseball players. What has your experience been like playing there?

Trey 9:59

Um, I have I've been on the lower end of a majority of the independent leagues, a couple leagues that folded, played on the lower levels got to play in some of those bigger, bigger stadiums and bigger situations. So that was fun. But what I think I've learned the most and gotten the most out of it was, you really got to want to do it, you can't come out and think that you can train for two months. And then you get into a situation where it's a tryout and someone's been talking to you. And then you get there and you're not ready. Like you have to want to continue to play, you have to want to train year round, you have to want to do the traveling to get to where you're playing, you've got to grind it, you're not going to get paid much. That's just point blank period. So you got to really want to do it, you've got to be using it, try to get better and just loving the game.

Evan 10:50

Loving the game is why almost everyone plays. You gotta love it. You gotta love it,

Trey 10:55

you have to, you have to and if you don't, it's gonna eat you alive.

Evan 10:58

Would you say that independent ball was sort of what you expected going into it? Or has it been just a whole different experience.

Trey 11:05

Um, I've, I've had a lot of guys, a lot of mentors and stuff, tell me exactly what it was. So I kind of knew what it was going and I knew I wasn't gonna get paid much I knew I had a lot of work to do. And I was willing to make the changes, to just be able to play against some of these guys that had a big change in major league ball and then came down and played independent leagues, like I played against guys that have been in the major leagues. So it's like to be on the same field as them and to be able to compete and grind it and have an at bat against a guy who throws 95. And next thing, you know, you piece him up in centerfield. It's, it's that want to do it, you know. And for me, that experience is undeniably The best thing that's happened to me. So it's like, why not continue to go for it? You know?

Evan 11:51

Yeah, that's really awesome. So what would it really mean to you to sign with a major league organization?

Trey 11:57

For me, it would just be like, it's about time, though, that would be my first thought. But uh, you know, it would just kind of complete what. I wouldn't say complete, because obviously, you're going to still have goals after that. But it would complete the confirmation that I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. You know, if I'm taking care of my body, and I'm not missing games, and I'm doing everything I got to do, and I'm excelling at what I'm trying to do, then I can't be mad.

Evan 12:25

A lot of times for new youth baseball players and Baseball Players all over. Our goals are to play Major League Baseball, get drafted and sign

Trey 12:34

Absolutely. Even with where the games take me so far, like I'm having a great time. And that's what it's about. It's just having a great time. You do what you love, and you have a great time. Why not?

Evan 12:44

Definitely

Are you part of the swing down and get on top of the ball approach or the turning the barrel to like work slightly up through the zone, like elevate to celebrate?

Trey 12:57

I am, I would say a hybrid of both. I liked the turn to, for me, I did transform my swing into a more upward, but that was to create backspin and be able to hit balls harder, and get a little bit more lift out of it. But the swing down to me can be misconstrued into many different ways that make it kind of seem like it's hard to teach. You know, I can teach a kid to get on plane a lot easier if I'm teaching him to go up at the ball. Because if I'm gonna go Yeah, go down hill with your hands go down hill go down hill, then he's going to create a path that straight down. Now if he creates a path that's straight down and the balls coming straight down, he's going to completely miss or he's going to be really good in a really small portion of the zone.So for me, I want to try to turn

it gets a little serious when we talk about SCAP loading and doing all that stuff. But for me, I will teach a more upward barrel turn. But there's... when it comes to kids, you have to word it different sometimes.

Evan 14:14

Okay,

Trey 14:15

you know, everybody's not gonna know the exact same thing. So if I tell the kid to stay inside the ball, if I look at every single kid, they're going to give me a different answer. You know, and for me staying inside the ball it's more of just keeping my hands tight and turning and when I turn my hand should be inside the ball. The barrel is going to come after and we're gonna make damage. So I am kind of a hit it up in the air kind of guy. I train, I train high. I try to hit homeruns in BP. I do what I got to do, but at the end of the day, I'm still aiming for double because if I'm a little bit a little bit low, I'll hit base hit and if I'm a little bit high, it'll go out.

Evan 14:50

I love what you said about like the doubles and base hits are a home run if you miss it.

Trey 14:56

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.

Evan 14:59

me recently I've ever actually been learning about like the SCAP load and like hands inside and the turn and like some more advanced movements. So could you maybe elaborate on the SCAP load a little bit.

Trey 15:13

Um, for me you can kind of think of, think of the SCAP load is two different things. I mean, for me, I like to focus a little bit more on my barrel because I don't really, I'm not very risky when I swing. So like, when I say risky I mean a lot of guys will kind of wiggle the bat around a lot. I basically when I load, I do my load over and over and over again. And that's my rhythm. So like when other guys are kind of just twirling the bat around and doing whatever they're doing, I'm literally just doing my load over and over and over again. So I feel it. And then when it comes, then I just do it a little bit more exaggerated, and I kind of just pull my back elbow is far behind me as I can without changing how my body is directed. Okay, yeah, that makes sense. So if that makes sense, I mean, I try to keep my body in parallel with the plate. And then I'm trying to pull my back shoulder or my back elbow is far behind me as I can while tiipping the barrel towards my head.

Evan 16:05

Okay, yeah, that makes sense.

Trey 16:08

So I mean, there's a little bit of the body. But yeah, for me, I like to break it down. Super simple. And I want to know where everything's at, like, I clench my hands right before I swing, because I want to know exactly where everything's at, I got a big leg kick, so my leg kicks got to go up, and then my body's got to be in the same spot throughout the whole, like, if it moves a little bit forward, we're okay. But if it moves, big forward, we're in trouble. So for me, I just like to keep my head centered, and try to get that elbow as far back behind my head as I can.

Evan 16:37

Knowing your body is super important. And yeah, being able to sort of realize, like, if I do this I'm not gonna do well, if I do this, that's what's gonna help me.

Trey 16:47

Yeah, and for me, it's like you find a thought that'll help you out a lot. I mean, as you keep working, as you keep getting stronger, you're gonna start to be able to feel movements that you never really felt before. Like, a majority, if not, every baseball player can probably flex almost every single muscle in their body without moving anything dramatically. You know, you tell them to flex their forearm, they can probably flex their forearm, just by closing their hands, you know, or you say, squeeze your LAT, they can probably squeeze their lat and you'll be able to see their lat a little bit more. So as you get older, and as you kind of figure out your body and start to be able to see, okay, this movement does this, and this does this, you'll start to be able to kind of evolve in your swing a little bit. Because like you learn how to use your legs, you learn how to use your hips, you learn how to use the scapula, you learn how to get that rubber band, by letting your body go first, but not losing your posture. There's things like that that can very easily translate.

Evan 17:44

Okay, yeah, thank you for that. And like, have you had like, I know you talked about this, like that was, there was a certain point in your career, where you sort of tweaked your swing and learn more about the swing and your body and different things like that. So like, like, what really impacted that decision to learn more about your body and learn more about maybe the proper swing sequence, and what are some of the things that you've changed?

Trey 18:11

Um, well, I was a toe tap guy for a really long time, I'd get my foot down early, and then would kind of just heal click and go. And I would hit a lot of topspin ground balls, or top spin line drives in the five six hole. In one year, I counted, I probably hit, I probably had 80 hits, I think 36 of them were in the 5/6 hole where the ball was crushed, and I was on time. But if I just backspin it, instead of top spinning, it would have been a home run or a double or something where it's a lot more damage done. So for me, I just wanted to get out of that realm of just hitting singles when i crush a ball. When I crush a bal Now I want it to go out or I want it to to line drive somewhere. Whereas back then I was okay with the topspin line driving the five, six hole because I was getting on base you know, it wasn't a problem, whatever, no big deal. And then as power numbers started going up and my power numbers weren't going up. When I knew I had the capability to do so it was about time to change something. So I went in the lab and I started figuring out how to get on plane and I started the sequence to the body and trying to figure out how to use my hips and you know what I needed to implement for myself to get the result that I wanted. So I work in the top corners of the cage now backspin in the top corners of the cage both sides and if I can do that, if I got a pitch up and in, middle in, belly button in or down and I should be able to put it in the exact same spot. Yeah, the angle of attack is going to be different. But I should be able to put it exactly where I want to with the backspin that I want. So if I work that way in the game, my body will be used to going down and getting those pitches from a different angle or staying tall and getting to that pitch up. Even though they think 92 and it was running in, you know, so you want to be able to train yourself and those angles by keeping the same principles of your kinetics.

Evan 20:10

Okay, that's really cool what you said and being able to no matter where the pitches, if it's inside, you hit it to the same place, and no matter the height, so that's really cool.

Trey 20:21

I think that's what what kind of changed everything was, was being able to backspin it for a double no matter where, you know, if you were a little early, it might get down the line, but you want to backspin it into that double zone. And then you can't get beat by anything.

Evan 20:37

So feel verse real, what do you understand that to mean when it comes to hitting.

Trey 20:42

So there are things that you'll tell yourself, that don't make sense. But for some reason, your body gives you the result that you want. So if I tell myself to pin my elbow to my ribs, and let the barrel come through late, someone else could do the exact same thing, and it will jack up their completely different swing, like their swing would just be all messed up. But for me, it could probably give me the perfect path. And I crush a ball.

Evan 21:16

interesting

Trey 21:17

when you're trying to feel something, you can't always get stuck on the same thought. You have to be able to like change your thought and see if you can get the feel to be a little bit different.

Evan 21:28

Okay

Trey 21:29

Because if someone's teaching you something, it's probably because you're doing it incorrectly, right. And if you trust, if you trust this teacher, they should be able to get you to feel something that's awkward. And it'll eventually become not awkward. And that's when you've made a change. You know where you'll get the feel, but it'll feel right instead of feel wrong.

Evan 21:54

Interesting. Yeah. And I know you've mentioned to me, you mentioned a mental cue. And I guess for you would that be like the pin your elbow to the ribs, and let the barrel come through a little late? Or would that sort of be different?

Trey 22:09

Yeah, it kind of depends on what I'm going through at the time, honestly, um, one a big one for me is just locking my front hip out. you always need to have some kind of braking system to let the barrel come forward the energy to kind of transfer over. So as soon as my foot gets down, and I'm ready to go, and I locked my knee and my hip drops back, and now my hands have a lane to go. And if my hands have a lane to go, my barrel is gonna probably be in the right spot when the right time comes. So that's a big one for me, but I can only use that one in BP because in the game it's just not, it doesn't really work out. But, in the end that's the crazy thing about everybody's gonna be different. Like, I can't think of something that intricate when I'm hitting LIVE or in a game. I like to think of something more along the lines of just turn into it. Turn into it, things like that. Get the foot down on time. If my foot's down on time. I'll go foot down on time, but I'm thinking about that anyways, a majority of the time. Cuz I think for me, pitch selection shouldn't be something you think about

Evan 23:20

you can't think about too much when you're at the plate. For a lot of people. Yes, simple, easy thoughts that could remind you of what to do. small things that, you just take what you know and what's second nature and you react to

Trey 23:34

an easy way for me to explain it would be you should have a process of thoughts before the ball comes. I have a process Everyone has their they come to the plate, they kick the dirt, they do whatever they do, but they probably are thinking about the same thing every time they do that, you know, for me, I get in. I like to get my hands in my posture locked in. That's my first thing I'm focused on at the plate. the posture should be right hands in the right spot. Flush that thought now I'm already feeling it. You know this is quick because you know you got a guy on the mound. So now hands are already thought about everything. Now my rhythm is on I'm focusing on just getting my foot down on time. I already know I'm looking for a heater. We're not looking for anything but a heater because I'm not trying to miss the heater. We don't want to see all the other stuff. So I should be down on time for the heater I can think about that ON TIME ON TIME ON TIME. And once you're down for that, it should just be GO. Shouldn't have to really tell yourself anything else. It should just be go or No.

Evan 24:37

That makes a ton of sense. And so I met you when you coached me at a tournament down in Florida this past winter. And I immediately picked up some great infield and hitting tips from you. Do you work with some young athletes back home?

Trey 24:55

I do. I work with the gorillas back home in Chula Vista, it's a small, Small program we got from about, I'd say 6U to, I got some high school kids as well. I've always been coaching always loved giving back and doing stuff like that. So it's just, it's just part of it now, I like to teach the stuff that I'd never had the opportunity to get taught when I was younger. And I think that's what makes me want to do it. Because I can implement some stuff on some kids that may not have the opportunity to ever hear something of that level, you know?

Evan 25:26

Yeah, that's awesome. That really is, when you work with young athletes, do you work with them with just everything? Or are there specific areas that you specialize in?

Trey 25:38

Um, for me, I've always enjoyed projects. So a lot, a lot of the time, it's a kid that I'm trying to revamp, and just give them a whole new approach a majority of the time, it's more mental. I'm trying to get into the mental of my kids, I want you to be able to go to the play and be equipped for the test. I don't want the test to come up and it looks like you never read the book. I want you to know, as soon as you get up there, what you're looking for, you know, and if you're missing it, then we got something to work on. But if you're not, then we're just gonna kind of pick and choose the things we want to change.

Evan 26:16

It's really important mindset is huge with a baseball player.

Trey 26:20

Absolutely.

Evan 26:21

For the youth baseball players, I know, we've been talking about more advanced movements in the swing. But for baseball players who are like just like getting ready for those advanced movements, can you share like one or two tips on what types of movements to really start with? Or maybe the proper parts of the swing sequence to work on first?

Trey 26:43

Um, I would probably work on let's see, that's a tough question one or two. I would say the lower half is obviously extremely important. I would focus on trying to get kids which seems to be the one of the hardest things to do is to let them know it's okay that after the swing, and your front leg is locked out, to leave it that way. Leave it there as long as you can.

Evan 27:13

That's interesting.

Trey 27:14

Because a lot of times the first thing that kids do is they collapse that front knee. And that's going to take a lot of power away. Because your body's still going forward. You never had anything to stop around it to make the swing come through and actually snap out front, so that locking of the front knee is very important. I like to work from the ground up the hands, you can always figure it out later. But I would I would focus on the front knee and locking that out. And then after that just learn how to stay connected. And keeping hands tight. And being able to go all sides. you got to be able to go all sides. Because oppo is where the money's at.

Evan 27:54

Yes. You got to be able to hit both ways. Both sides of the plate.

Trey 28:00

the fastball always seems to come on the outer half. So why not?

Evan 28:03

Why not

Trey 28:04

Hit the one out there.

Evan 28:06

Yeah.

And like in order to be an infielder. I believe you're an infielder. Now, am I right,

Trey 28:12

yeah, I transfer back and forth. But I take a lot of ground balls on a daily basis. So that's always good.

Evan 28:17

Okay, yeah. So not only do you have to be have great hands to be an infielder, but you also have to have great footwork. So can you share some like drills and different techniques that you've used to help you develop great footwork,

Trey 28:34

um, first thing I would do is hip bands. Hip bands are extremely important, because if you can't get low, then you can't get underneath the ground ball, it's not going to work out too nice. A lot of problems I've seen with kids is they just don't bend their knees far enough down. And a lot of it is hip mobility, and not being able to get low enough. So I would do that. And then from there is just to try to be smooth, try to stay smooth. Don't let your feet move too fast. Let that first step get you there. And then after that, try to slow everything down, a lot of kids want to go a mile a minute, slow it down the guys on TV, they never look like they're stressed out. So you should never look like you're stressed out.

Evan 29:20

That's great advice. So on the field we not only have to have great skills, but also have to be really heads up. What are some of the things that you tell your players to develop or things that they should develop to develop good baseball iQ?

Trey 29:39

Um, I would say always look where the sun is because at some point that first baseman is not going to be able to see the ball. And that's one of those things that's kind of important to me. A lot of kids you'll see at tournaments and stuff, the sun will be right behind the first baseman and then they're not getting a big leap. Well, why not first baseman can't The first baseman can't see the pitcher. So they're not going to pick you off. And if they do, you're probably going to get to third. So I like to tell them pay attention to the surroundings. Wind, things like that, can the team throw the ball to first base? Watch them during in and outs. Can they throw the ball to first base, can they play catch from the outfield, who can throw the ball all the way to a base, you know, things like that, that you can take full advantage of extra bases, the team that gets the most extra bases is probably going to win the game. You know, so if you can get as many extra bases as possible, then find a way to do it, especially if it's easy. A lot of tag ups, a lot of tags ups. I'm big on tag ups, don't be afraid to tag up from anywhere. Especially if they can't play catch tag up.

Evan 30:52

Would you say there's like a mentor or someone that you've looked up to, to help you develop a strong mindset over the years.

Trey 31:00

Um, for me it was my dad, my dad was always really big on just always being smarter than everybody else. you might not be the best on the field, you might not be the most athletic, but if you're smarter than everybody else, you can find a way. if you know the fastball is coming, you can't miss it. You know, things like that, where it's like, you can take advantage of a game just by knowing what's going on. You know, if I've seen this guy throw me three curveballs in a row, he's probably not gonna throw me four curveballs. You know, paying attention to counts and attention to things like that. Trying to get myself into really good counts. You know, not swinging at that borderline pitch early to see if the umpire calls it a ball and then getting that 2-0 fastball. You know, things like that. I feel like we're very beat into me earlier. My dad was like, you can control the game more than you think. It was definitely my dad for sure.

Evan 31:57

Yeah, that's awesome. Parents play big roles in mentorships. And, just helping us coaching us and everything really?

Trey 32:07

Absolutely. Absolutely.

Evan 32:09

So yeah, when you coached me this past winter, you often used the saying. "So what", when something didn't go our way? When did you start using this saying? And is this sort of part of your mindset when you started playing?

Trey 32:23

Yeah, it kind of kind of came out when I was playing. My first year of pro ball, I was playing out in a small town, super small league in the empire league out in New York. And stuff would just happen. I would just be like so what. So what it doesn't even matter. Doesn't matter. Like I wasn't playing for the first three months of the year I got benched for the first three or four games just straight off spring training, I was really expecting much. didn't play. In the first game, I come up, I get two hits. And then I go for a snide for like three or four days, I just could not figure it out. And then I was just like, you know, I just gotta get in the cage, I gotta swing it out. So what it is what it is, figure it out and everything started to roll in the right direction. Now it's every time something bad happens. So what.... You got to move on pitch to pitch, if I can make my adjustments pitch to pitch, instead of at bat to at bat, or day by day, we're going to be better if I swing over a slider in the dirt. I can't think about that slider in the dirt for the next four pitches, I got to be like, Alright, you know what, he might throw the slider again, because I swung at it in the dirt. So we got to be mindful of that. So what, we'll figure it out.

Evan 33:31

Yeah, I love that. I love that.

Trey 33:34

I appreciate it.

Evan 33:35

Um, and like when you hit it's important to clear and quiet your mind. So you're not thinking too much. What techniques would you recommend for youth baseball players in order to clear and quiet their minds?

Trey 33:50

Learn to breathe. Breathing is super underrated. Breathing is what slows down your heart rate, the better you can slow down your heart rate. I know everyone's had that one at that, where they can't stop their leg from shaking. Or, you know, everyone has it. It happens to everybody when the guys throwing super hard. You don't really, never really seen it before. You can't figure out how to slow your heart rate down. You have to breathe, you have to breathe. For me. It's a big deep breath then I get in the box. Take one more deep breath before he starts his wind up and then we're going. you know, you got to learn what works for you get your nice little deep breath in there. It'll slow your heart rate down. It's like snipers. What do they do? They hold their breath and do what they got to do. You know? That's how, that's how it happens. You know you got to slow all that stuff down.

breating is huge, it slows your heart rate down, slows almost everything around you. It's like stopping or slowing down time.

It's like the matrix man.

Evan 34:50

And I know that you were once asked if you could choose a famous baseball player to have dinner with it would be Willie Mays.

Trey 34:57

Yeah.

Evan 34:59

Why? Willie Mays, and what question would you ask him?

Unknown Speaker 35:04

I would ask him if he was cheating when, when he went to that ball, because I feel like you have to know that that was coming to be able to run stuff down like that. But no, I mean, he was just so influential, you know, growing up, seeing all the old school videos of that stuff, and just hitting bombs and doing all that. And the way he passed the game down to people that he mentored, like barry bonds, like guys like that, like you can tell they played a big role. And for me, those are all my favorite hitters growing up. So if he was the one that started it, then why wouldn't I want to watch him? And why wouldn't I want to talk to him and figure out what he knows? Because he obviously knows something that I don't so

Evan 35:48

yeah, learn from the best of them?

Trey 35:50

Yeah, absolutely. Why not? He started it all. So let's do it.

Evan 35:54

He was super influential in baseball, and the guys that he mentored and just

Trey 36:00

yeah, just playing the way that he played and it's a different different way of playing and you can't, it's hard to even play like that now with all the rule changes and stuff and being as crazy as he was. So it's cool to watch.

Evan 36:13

Yeah, definitely. So Trey, would you like to share anything else that you're working on, or where people can go to reach you.

Trey 36:24

Um, you can follow me on Instagram at trigger tray 15 trigggatreyy15 if you would, like we're about to start playing. So I'll be posting a lot more baseball stuff and, and probably at bat by a bat type things. But other than that, it's time for me to go. So I just been working out and I'm ready to ready to do some damage.

Evan 36:47

Yeah, ready to do some damage.

Trey 36:50

That's it. Other than that, everybody just needs to go out and have fun while they can be safe out there while everything's going on? I know. We're going to be taking measures. So I'm hoping you guys are taking measures as well. Yeah, definitely. So

Evan 37:03

well, Trey, I wanted to thank you again for coming on and sharing Amazing, amazing information.

Trey 37:09

Absolutely. No problem, man. Thank you for having me. I appreciate you guys are doing great things over here.

Evan 37:14

Thank you. I appreciate it.

Trey 37:15

Absolutely.

Evan 37:18

Thank you all for listening in. We really hope you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and be the first to know when new episodes launch. Check us out at borntobaseball.com for free resources and new gear. And of course on social media @borntobaseball where we can connect live now let's play ball.

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