The Most Important Trait Great Catchers Share

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Send a text Looking for the blueprint to develop a catcher who actually wins you games—and a program that players never want to leave? We sit down with Gaetano Gianni, former Reds draft pick and 2025 NHSBCA Region 7 Coach of the Year, to unpack the skill stack that matters behind the plate and the culture moves that turn a team into a true home. From leadership standards to real-world drills, this is a masterclass in catching and program building. We start with the non-negotiables: why recei...

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Looking for the blueprint to develop a catcher who actually wins you games—and a program that players never want to leave? We sit down with Gaetano Gianni, former Reds draft pick and 2025 NHSBCA Region 7 Coach of the Year, to unpack the skill stack that matters behind the plate and the culture moves that turn a team into a true home. From leadership standards to real-world drills, this is a masterclass in catching and program building.

We start with the non-negotiables: why receiving quality drives everything, how blocking and throws slot in behind it, and how to evaluate catchers when the game speeds up. Gianni breaks down modern receiving, pancake gloves, and why live bullpen volume—especially with alumni pros—is the fastest path to better reads, cleaner transfers, and more strikes stolen. On the one-knee debate, he stays outcome-based: meet the standards or earn them the traditional way. For throws, he makes the case that short, connected footwork beats raw arm strength for most high school catchers.

Culture threads through every segment. Gianni explains how welcoming alumni and pros back onto the field raises standards for current players and gives parents confidence in the program. He shares mound-visit tactics that match a pitcher’s wiring, plus a powerful story about refusing a ball and unlocking a three-strikeout turnaround. Offensively, he details themed hitting sessions—oppo work, breaking balls, changeups, heavy balls—to prepare for 90-plus and build adaptable swings that play in pressure counts.

We also tackle recruiting in the transfer-portal era and what traits still project: athletic movements, frame, and relentless work. You’ll hear how a wild 6’5 arm turned into a 97-mph pro once the strike zone clicked. And for coaches battling early-season skids, Gianni reveals a simple dugout point system that shifted focus from outcomes to execution—and sparked a twelve-game win streak. Subscribe, share with your staff, and tell us: what’s the single most important trait you demand from your catcher?

Support the show

Follow: Twitter | Instagram @Athlete1Podcast
Website - https://www.athlete1.net
Sponsor: The Netting Professionals
https://www.nettingpros.com

Chapters

00:00 - Tease: Catchers And Culture

01:18 - Show Intro And Sponsor

02:22 - Meet Coach Gianni

02:49 - Why Alumni Bridges Matter

04:51 - Making “Family” Real Daily

06:27 - Defining A Catcher’s Leadership

08:17 - Modern Receiving And Drills

10:17 - One-Knee Catching Standards

11:56 - Receiving Vs Blocking Vs Throws

13:31 - Footwork Over Raw Arm Strength

15:17 - Mound Visits And Mindset

18:15 - Practice Ownership And Games

20:03 - Offensive Identity And Winning

22:18 - Training To Hit Premium Velo

24:13 - Recruiting, Projection, And Portal

27:01 - Love Winning Or Hate Losing

28:26 - Turning Losses Into Fuel

30:09 - The Dugout Point System

33:06 - Bench, Koufax, Griffey, Ripken

34:15 - Funniest Team-Bonding Stories

38:21 - Closing And Sponsor Reminder

Transcript

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Today on Baseball Coaches Unplug, what to look for when developing and identifying catchers for your team?

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Is it arm strength, footwork, and great leadership skills?

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Former fourth-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Reds, Gaetano Gianni, takes us behind the dish, and we also examine the importance of team culture and how it led to over 500 wins and being named 2025 Region 7 National High School Baseball Coaches Association, Coach of the Year.

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Next on Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

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This is the Ultimate High School Baseball Coaching Podcast.

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Baseball Coaches Unplugged, your go-to podcast for baseball coaching tips, drills, and player development strategies.

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From travel to high school and college, unlock expert coaching advice grounded in real success stories, data-backed training methods, and mental performance tools to elevate your team.

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Tune in for bite-sized coaching wisdom, situational drills, team culture building, great stories, and proven strategies that turn good players into great athletes.

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The only podcast that showcases the best coaches from across the country.

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With your host, Coach Ken Carpenter.

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Today's episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged is powered by the Netting Professionals, improving programs one facility at a time.

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The Netting Pros specialize in the design, fabrication, and installation of custom netting.

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They also design and install digital graphic wall padding, windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, and cubbies.

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The Netting Pros also work with football, soccer, lacrosse, golf courses, and now pickleball.

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Contact them today at 844-620-2707.

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Check out Netting Pros on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for all their latest products and projects.

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If you enjoyed today's show, please be sure to subscribe and look for a new episode every Wednesday as we sit down with some of the best high school, college, and professional coaches from across the country.

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Now, let's get to today's guest, Gaetano Gianni, out of Arizona, and we're going to be talking, catching, and culture building.

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Coach, thanks for taking time to join me on Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

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Hey, it's a pleasure, and I appreciate you reaching out.

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Well, you're known for building a program where the alumni and former professional players felt that they always had a home.

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Why is maintaining that bridge between the past and the present so vital for high school baseball culture?

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Oh boy, I think you there's a lot of reasons for that.

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I always wanted to build a culture where, you know, it was a family feeling.

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And we all know that anyone's baseball career could be over in a heartbeat.

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But the relationships and the friendships you form are lifelong.

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And I wanted my players to always feel comfortable when they're at the field, whether they're coming back as an alum, whether they're a you know a professional player just wanting to get a workout in.

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And um it it always was a goal of mine to create that kind of atmosphere.

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And when you have that and and you bridge the gap, the gap between the young and the old, I think it becomes really easy for our young players to be motivated and they look up to their professional uh players and you know they want to be just like them and to have them on the field where they feel comfortable enough where they can be around high school kids, uh, I think just makes a wonderful atmosphere.

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And it feels like home and it also extends to the parents as well.

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I I always wanted my parents to feel comfortable to the point where, hey, I really like my kid in this program.

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He's developing, he's having fun, he's making friends, and you know, I think ultimately if kids have that kind of experience, they'll want to continue to play beyond high school.

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So it's kind of a you know, a philosophy that I think is really important.

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You know, I played for a guy by the name of Bob Miller back in Chicago, and I love him to death.

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I still talk to him after all these years.

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And he was that kind of coach who also fostered that environment when I was in high school, and and I'll never forget that.

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Uh what a great man, what a great motivator, and just a role model.

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So, you know, I the relationships beyond the field to me are super important.

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And makes sense.

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Well, you know, many coaches use the word uh the word family, and what are some non-negotiable actions that you would take daily to make that a reality for your team?

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I I think respect in the classroom has to be in the forefront.

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If the kids can show respect in the classroom, I think they're gonna have respect on the field and they'll be respectful to their teammates.

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And and it's that is not always an easy thing for kids, young teenage kids to understand, you know, the the importance of respecting their elders, um, representing their family, representing the program, representing themselves, representing the school.

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I I think when you have that name across your chest and you're representing your school, and little kids look up to you, eventually they realize how important that is.

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And so when I would give my clinics with the little kids, and and they just look up to the high school player, like, oh my God, could I have your autograph?

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They realize that their experience in high school reaches out to so many young kids in the community.

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And that's something I also wanted to foster is just try to bring in the young kids in there to uh to look at look at our players, and then our players realize okay, well, maybe I do need to act a certain way, and I and I have to play the game right because people are watching me no matter what, whether it's the scouts, whether it's colleges, or whether it's the local little league kids who come to a ball game.

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My my next question was you were you were drafted by the Reds, and what was the the first thing you look for in a young player when we're talking about catchers here, that uh he needs to have.

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What what what do they need to have to be able to take the responsibility of being a catcher at the high school level?

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Wow, uh that's a great question.

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Um I I I would say that probably the most important thing for a catcher is leadership.

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Um I I I think that position uh demands somebody who has a voice, demands a person that their uh teammates can trust, um, demands a person who's not afraid to, you know, bark out some orders to their infield or control a pitcher when he's struggling.

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Um so the guy behind a plate better be a good leader, number one.

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You know, he's got to be smart and understand the game, but he has to have really good leadership abilities.

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And, you know, the ones that typically move on after high school, they are leaders in the classroom and their teammates respect them.

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And you know, I've yet to have a catcher move on from high school who didn't have good leadership qualities.

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I I think that's probably the the first thing I would say separates the really good ones from those that are never reached their potential, we'll put it to you that way.

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Yes.

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Well, when it comes to framing, what are do you have like did you have some go-to drills that you like to work with with catchers that uh that'll make them a better catcher and get their hands to be more efficient?

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You know, old school catching, you know, I played in the late 80s, early 90s, and I had all kinds of drills to improve someone's receiving skills, but now catching has changed a little bit, it's evolved.

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It's it's a different style of receiving pitches.

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And uh I unfortunately some of the drills I used in the past probably don't work for this new style of catching.

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Um, you know, I like to use a lot of pancake gloves, uh, where they're not necessarily even catching the ball, more deflecting it and just making sure they're receiving it in the proper spot.

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Um I think that was always very important.

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And, you know, I always tell my catchers, you know, when I hit 100 ground balls to a shortstop, he's getting his work in.

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By you catching bullpen and catching a hundred pitches in a bullpen, that's equivalent to a shortstop taking a hundred ground balls.

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So, you know, the more you can be in a bullpen and just working on your craft and just making sure you catch every pitch perfectly, it's kind of an old school approach, but uh you can't substitute that when it comes to you know comparing yourself in a game.

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You know, ultimately you're gonna have to perform in a game.

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And drills are great, and I think they're all helpful, but ultimately if it doesn't transfer into a game, what's the point of doing a drill?

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Um so again, just catching guys in a bullpen, I think, is super valuable.

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And and this ties into your earlier question, right?

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If some of the college alums come back and some of the pro guys need to throw a pen, and all of a sudden my sophomore high school kid is catching a guy in AAA who's got good life and you know, throwing upper 90s, that's the best drill in the world, in my opinion, for a catcher, you know, catching these guys with really good stuff.

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So again, kind of an old school approach.

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Um, but I but I think the more you can be in the pen, the better off you're gonna be.

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Well, I just saw Buck Show Walter, I believe he was on a podcast and he was talking about catching, and he seems like he's totally against the guys that are doing the one knee down.

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How do you feel about that?

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I think you when you see the guys in the big leagues catch on a knee, they're still extremely athletic.

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And if you ever watch them block a ball or transition into a throw, they move so gracefully and and they move fantastic.

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When it comes to a high school kid, most of them don't have major league ability or it's not quite there yet.

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They're learning, right?

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They're progressing.

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So I don't think a lot of these catchers in high school right now, it's not that they won't ever get to that point where they're really comfortable and moving well behind the plate.

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They just have to work at it a little bit more, you know, just to get that flexibility and and timing with their body and making sure they're in a position to throw a ball properly and block.

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So I'm not against the one-knee thing, but you know, I'm one of those guys that says, look, catch traditionally, catch on a knee, you better be able to block, you better be able to throw guys out, and you better be able to receive.

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That's all I really care about.

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Um, and if that means you're better off on a knee and you can hit the standards, then by all means be on a knee.

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Um, but if you can't hit those standards, we got to go back to the traditional way of catching.

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And again, I think it's up to the individual.

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Not everybody is athletic as the next, and they're not all flexible like the next.

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And you know, there's a lot of things you gotta weigh in as a coach and determine what's best for you.

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Well, with runners on base, what is the one mechanical cue you want your catchers to remember?

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Um well, I rate this in order of importance.

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I I think a good catcher has to receive first.

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Everything has to start with the receiving.

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If you know how to receive a pitch properly, that means you can transition into your throw a little easier.

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If you're not catching a pitch properly, oftentimes your glove work is long, you're gonna be slightly off balance, your your feet and your upper body aren't gonna be connected, and all of a sudden your throws are sailing.

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So I do think the emphasis always has to be on receiving first.

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Um, I would say blocking second, because you know, a course of a game, I I think obviously you receive the most pitches, you probably have to block the second most.

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And if you're a good catcher with a decent arm, not too many guys are running on you, anyways.

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Maybe you have to do two or three throws in a course of the game.

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Um, so an order of importance, I do think number one, a catcher should be able to receive, you know, command the zone, try to get strikes for their pitcher.

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You know, and you it's it's interesting you bring up this question.

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And you know, there's always the pitchers on your staff that are like, Coach, can you have so-and-so catch?

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I want so-and-so to catch.

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And every pitcher has a favorite catcher, not because they block well or not because they throw guys out, but because they can receive well.

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And they know that pitchers are smart, you know.

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Coach, please don't put this guy behind the plate.

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He's he can't catch me, you know.

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So the receiving has to be, I think, the number one priority when it comes to uh that position behind the plate.

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Yes, I I agree with you on that.

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And you know, I I always uh you know wonder, you know, because you mentioned you maybe make two or three throws in the course of a game.

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So would it be more important to have good footwork or have the arm strength?

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And if you had to choose one to develop in a prospect, which one would you take and why?

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I I do think the footwork has to be short and quick.

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Um I I think if the feet work uh in the arm in the upper body is connected to your feet where you're not out in front or you're not off balance.

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Most guys will have a strong enough arm to get a decent throw to second.

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Maybe not the best arm out there, but it's hard to make up slow feet with a good arm.

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And one of the analogies I use with my kids all the time, and you know, it doesn't matter if you're a catcher, an infielder, an outfielder, I ask them this oftentimes.

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You know, the fastest runner in the world, let's just say it's you saying Bolt.

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How fast does he run miles per hour?

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Oh, I don't know, coach, 30 miles an hour.

00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:14.720
Let's just throw that number out there.

00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:17.039
Okay, 30 miles an hour.

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He's running from home to first and 30 miles an hour.

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How hard do you throw the ball?

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Well, I throw 75, coach.

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Okay, well, you're throwing a ball 75.

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The fastest man in the world is running 30 miles an hour.

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So you tell me what's more important, a really strong arm or quick feet.

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:41.840
Because if your feet are quick, again, you're gonna you should have enough arm strength to throw a guy out.

00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:44.559
Just assuming you have a strong arm, right?

00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:47.279
Not maybe not an above-average arm.

00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:54.159
But if your feet are slow and that guy, you know, it just doesn't correlate, right?

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You need a you need somebody with really fast feet who can fire off a consistent throw, and you'll you'll get the majority of guys out, you know, and and let's face it, you know, every team might have one or two speed burners, but the rest of the guys on a team are probably average or below average runners.

00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:16.960
Even with good feet and a strong arm, you may not throw out that really fast runner.

00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:21.600
You could have a great throw, perfect transition, and he can run.

00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:26.159
Pitcher didn't hold him on close enough, he got a great jump, you know, there's all these variables.

00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:31.279
But it's the the average runner that you should throw out.

00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:35.600
And more times than not, with good feet, you're gonna throw that guy out.

00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:39.360
Yes, totally agree with you on that.

00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:45.120
Now, what was what was your what's your philosophy when you go out for mound visits?

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What works best to get a picture back on track when they're either struggling throwing strikes or the game just seems to be getting away from all.

00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:59.279
Yeah, that's where the psychologist comes in, and you have to really know your staff.

00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:08.000
Um there's some guys you got to really jump them and say, hey, you know, you're pitching terrible, pick it up a notch, let's go.

00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:18.480
And then there's other guys you got to distract them with a joke, perhaps, or you know, get their mind off of their pitching and make them smile a little.

00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:22.640
So I don't think there's one good answer to that.

00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:27.839
Um, you know, then you have other guys who everything's about mechanics and you got to make an adjustment.

00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:34.160
Hey, by the way, your stride's a little too short, you know, lengthen your stride a little, just some kind of tip to get them back on track.

00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:37.279
So I don't know if there's a right answer to that question.

00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:43.519
You know, I've kind of used every single technique, and you know, I one example I had this kid who was really struggling.

00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:47.599
One of my better pitchers years ago, he lost the strike zone.

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And uh I walk out to the mound, he's ready to hand me the ball.

00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:53.759
He just walked three guys in a row.

00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:55.599
I said, Don't hand me the ball.

00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.480
I don't want the ball.

00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:58.640
You're staying out there until you figure this out.

00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:02.240
And he gave me this look like, coach, uh like I can't throw a strike.

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I said, No, you're you're gonna strike the next three guys out.

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Let's go, go get them.

00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:09.359
And sure enough, he struck the next three guys out.

00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:16.000
So, you know, everybody's a little different, and you and you just have to understand with your pitching staff how they are mentally.

00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:18.960
Not everybody responds to the yelling, screaming coach.

00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:21.039
Some guys do, some guys don't.

00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:28.720
And uh, you know, other guys, you just they just got to take their mind off of the moment and try to relax a little.

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:35.839
So I guess I would use all of those techniques when I go to the mound.

00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:46.720
Well, it's amazing when you show you know strong belief in somebody that that you know that that just changes the whole mindset.

00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:49.920
And the the kid goes out and he turns things around that quick for you.

00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.920
Sure, yeah, he was ready to hand me the ball.

00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.599
And I said, No, I'm not taking the ball.

00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:55.440
You made this mess, get out of it.

00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.160
Let's go.

00:18:56.400 --> 00:19:01.599
And uh, you know, he buckled up and did the job and threw another four innings and had a great game.

00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:05.200
So um, you know, in that case it worked.

00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:13.359
Now, could he have walked the next two guys and I'd you know, everyone in the stands would be yelling at me, Gianni, oh my god, why didn't you pull them two batters ago?

00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:15.279
You know, thank God it worked.

00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:17.680
Let's face it, sometimes it doesn't.

00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:21.039
And you know, that's the thing with the coach.

00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:26.559
You you could have a thought in your mind that, you know, this could work if the kids execute.

00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:32.319
But then if the kids don't execute, you know, it always falls on the coach's shoulders.

00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:34.559
You know, was the was the bunk call the right call?

00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:37.200
If he executes it, yeah, it's a great call.

00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:40.720
If he doesn't execute it, what a terrible call, coach.

00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:49.279
So a lot of times you're kind of under the mercy of of the kids performing and and you hope that things go a certain way, but sometimes they don't.

00:19:49.759 --> 00:20:10.240
So yes, and you know, you know, you mentioned that there, and it just it just jumped in my mind that high school coaches, regardless of the sport, are uh putting their fate and everything in the hands of 15, 16, 17, 18-year-old kids.

00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:10.640
Right.

00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:17.440
And a lot of times the the coach, you know, if it doesn't work out, that's the one that usually gets the heat for it.

00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:27.440
And I don't know of man very many other professions where that happens, where you know, you're like, okay, I was counting on a teenager to to do something.

00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.240
Sure.

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:30.960
Yeah, that's that's that's true.

00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:33.920
You just hope you coach them up and they're ready for the moment, you know.

00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:41.680
And I always tell my coaching staff that practice is our time as a staff, the game is their time.

00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:46.079
You know, if we did our job during practice, uh we should see good results on the field.

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:54.880
I of course you don't win all the time, but at least they're competitive and they battle and and they know what to do in certain situations.

00:20:55.519 --> 00:21:09.839
But if you if they go in a game and and they can't perform those those small tasks during throughout the game, then you know you you gotta reevaluate as a staff and say, hey, we didn't coach this up properly, we didn't coach it at all.

00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:13.599
I didn't expect this to happen in the game, we're not ready for this.

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:21.680
And then, you know, as the season progresses, I think a good coach and a good staff sees those things and just realizes, hey, it's not their fault.

00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:25.920
We didn't train them properly, and we got some work to do.

00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:32.319
So, you know, it's the season is a short season, really.

00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:42.160
And you hope by the end of the season, all those little issues they have on the field, we can work them out and practice, but then they can form, you know, when the game time comes.

00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.440
Yeah.

00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:49.119
Well, you have over 500 wins in your career outside of had it having talent.

00:21:51.039 --> 00:22:02.319
What is um what have you found that whether it's with your teams or with uh the good coaches that you've competed against What makes those teams successful?

00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:20.640
Um well most of my teams are very offensive minded, and I spend probably a little more time on offense than I should, and less time on defense.

00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:28.319
Um there's times depending on my team, you know.

00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:34.960
My wife will tell you, I'll just come home and say, you know, if we're gonna win a lot of games, we've got to score seven runs a game.

00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:39.680
You know, my staff's okay, I got one really good arm, and then the rest are okay.

00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:43.759
But if we're not scoring seven runs a game, we're losing.

00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:47.279
And um not every year is like that, though, right?

00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:55.920
So going into a season knowing that we're gonna have to produce runs, you know, we're gonna give up our runs.

00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:59.680
You know, some of our pitchers might get knocked around a little bit.

00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:06.079
Maybe we don't have the best defense out there, but I still got to figure out how to win a game.

00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:11.839
Um, so in our preparation, I do spend a lot of time on offense, in other words.

00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:26.240
You know, we hit a lot, we do a lot of drills in a cage, we work a lot on hitting all fields, we, you know, we work on strength and power and just hitting the ball hard, executing in certain situations.

00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:30.559
Um, so I would say I'm more of an offensive-minded coach.

00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:36.400
You know, I definitely work on defense, and uh I've been blessed with some really good defenders.

00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:42.160
And but I I'm more of an offensive kind of coach, quite honestly.

00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:44.480
So it's worked.

00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:57.759
You know, we won a lot of games, we've been fortunate, and you know, it's nice to have some guys in the lineup that you know, hey, I need a three-run home run here, and the right guy's up at the right time, and we win a ball game.

00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:02.559
So that's always kind of been my philosophy.

00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:09.680
You know, I I think if we're not hitting well, uh, you know, we're not gonna stand a chance against the really good arm.

00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:16.240
And we've been able to hit really good pitching and and in my career with with the kids I had.

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:21.519
You know, I'm always prepping for, you know, in Arizona, there's guys with with strong arms.

00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:27.680
And you know, the one region we're in, every night we're facing a guy 90 and above.

00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.440
You know, it's not uncommon.

00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:31.920
So you got to train our kids.

00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:35.440
Hey, you got to be able to hit this, or we're not scoring any runs.

00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:40.079
Um so we do I do focus a lot on the offensive game.

00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:58.799
When you say focus a lot, um how do you is there like a drill a drill or two that you do that says, all right, we're focusing on being able to hit guys throwing above 90, and this sure we're going to you know, and every day I I kind of have uh a theme to our offense.

00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:03.599
Um you know, one day might be, hey, we're opposite field hitting today.

00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:10.400
You know, one day is we're hitting breaking balls today, you know, the next day is changeup day.

00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:14.640
And when we're in the cage, I even change our drills up in the cage.

00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:21.680
So again, one day might be heavy ball training or trying to drive a ball and build strength.

00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:34.079
You know, my one hitting coach, my assistant's outstanding, where we work a lot about you know, path, staying up the middle, thinking uh, you know, opposite field, that kind of thing.

00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:40.160
So every time, every day there's a different theme when it comes to what I like to do with hitting.

00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:45.920
And and then, of course, if there's you know, everyone's a little different.

00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:54.880
And if you got a kid who's struggling with, let's say, sliders, for instance, hey, you know, let's do a little extra work today.

00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:59.359
We we need to work on your approach on a pitch down and away, for instance.

00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:07.119
So we're able to even, you know, take these kids individually and and hone in on them a little bit so they have more success.

00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.279
Yes.

00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:15.440
Now you've had a lot of really talented players leave your program and go on to play.

00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:27.599
Uh what does it take in your mind to be draftable or be a Series D1 recruit with the way the transfer portal is affecting college baseball right now?

00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:33.759
Um it's getting harder, it really is.

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:39.839
Um I think athleticism is super important, right?

00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:42.559
Uh you know, is does the kid move athletically?

00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.839
Is this swing athletic?

00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:46.160
Is this pitching delivery athletic?

00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:49.279
I think that's really important.

00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:53.839
Um you know, the strength eventually is gonna come, right?

00:26:53.920 --> 00:27:00.960
You got kids leave high school, they come back in two years, they're 30 pounds heavier, and you know, they have muscles that they didn't have before.

00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:05.759
So you you know that development's gonna happen physically for them in a year or two.

00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:14.240
And you know, I just I just had a kid a couple years ago that the kid couldn't throw a strike, but he was big and strong.

00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:22.319
And I called up his college and said, hey, this kid's gonna be really good in two years.

00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:30.480
Trust me on this one, he can't throw a strike right now, but if he figures it out, he's got a chance.

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:33.279
All right, we're gonna take a chance on him.

00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:39.440
He's 6'5, great body on him, and just gonna throw a strike, throwing 91, and it's all over the place.

00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:45.839
So sure enough, he's a red shirt freshman because he can't throw a darn strike.

00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:51.440
Uh goes off to play summer league, you know, collegiate summer league, and figures it out.

00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.599
Comes back his sophomore year.

00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:55.359
Now all of a sudden he's throwing strikes.

00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:57.839
He's throwing 97 with a nasty slider.

00:27:58.240 --> 00:28:01.119
Long story short, he's playing with the Brewers right now.

00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:07.680
Um so sometimes you just got to look at these kids and realize it's there.

00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:10.880
It's just everyone's a little different, right?

00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:20.079
Some kids develop early, some kids are late bloomers, and you know, when I look at these kids, if they have the athleticism, right?

00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:29.680
If they have the frame, if they have the will to work, you can see them moving on and having a pretty good career.

00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:38.000
The hard thing right now is, you know, 10 years ago, you can tell a coach, hey, try this kid.

00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.759
I think he's gonna be good in a couple years.

00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:42.240
And a lot of colleges would take their time.

00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:44.720
But now at the portal, it's a little different.

00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.599
It's a different game.

00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:51.039
They can go out and get a kid who's got two years of college experience who's polished already.

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:55.839
You know, why would I recruit this high school kid who's a year away from really helping me?

00:28:56.079 --> 00:29:05.039
Yeah, he might be great in a year, but why waste a roster spot when I can get this kid out of the portal who's a proven college player?

00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:07.839
So that's starting to be the challenge.

00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:26.880
And um, you know, I feel it's tough for these kids nowadays because there's some really good players out there that in the past would be a Division I player, and now they're going junior college route because of the portal and how that whole thing is working out.

00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:43.839
But eventually, you know, the cream rises, and if they prove themselves and they continue to develop, at this point, any college roster spot, I think, is a great opportunity for anyone, whether it's junior college, NAIA, division three, division one.

00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:57.200
As long as you're on the field and you're developing and playing, you know, that there's always that ability to, you know, hit the transfer portal or get drafted or whatever the case may be.

00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:58.799
Yes.

00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:01.599
Do you hate losing or love winning?

00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:04.079
Excuse me, say that again.

00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:06.880
Do you hate losing or love winning?

00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:09.359
Oh my gosh.

00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:16.400
I would say, you know what?

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:26.160
If a team is clearly better than us and we lose, and it's a tight game, and my kids battled, I'm okay losing in that situation.

00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:29.519
And I just tell the kids, hey, we gotta work harder.

00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.720
They're just better than us.

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:34.079
They had better pitching, they executed better.

00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:46.559
Um, but when you lose to a team that physically on paper, they're not better than you, that that's probably harder for me than anything.

00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:54.480
You know, and I feel like, hey, that team didn't beat you today, you beat yourselves today because this, this, and this.

00:30:56.400 --> 00:31:00.000
I hate losing, but I'm okay when the other team's just better.

00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:07.119
You know, you you face that picture that you do your best, and you know, hey, we tip your gaps.

00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.400
He's good.

00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:10.160
He beat you today.

00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.640
Uh so I could live with that.

00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:15.680
So I I would I would say I love winning more.

00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:20.880
Um I think I love winning more than I hate losing.

00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:34.480
Well, you know, it it's funny because I I I asked that of every guest, and I have had a string of I can't even count how many were they all have said, I hate to lose, hate to lose, hate to lose.

00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:48.799
But the there's a part of me that says, you know, I I wished I would have enjoyed some of my wins more and not worried about the next the next game or the next season or whatever it may be.

00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:52.400
Well, it's in uh out of all my years.

00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:57.200
There's some games that are really good losses.

00:31:57.440 --> 00:32:02.319
And and this, I don't know, this coaches who've been through this understand.

00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:06.000
Sometimes you need to get beat really bad.

00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:11.519
You know, the team's getting a little, you know, cocky, maybe overconfident.

00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:17.119
Oh, we're not losing a game, and then all of a sudden you lose uh to a team you should never lose to.

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:24.880
As much as you hate that as a coach, now that becomes a motivating factor the next day in practice.

00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:33.359
And now everyone's mad, and we don't ever want to have that feeling again, especially to a team that we felt were we were better than.

00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:40.240
Um so psychologically, coaches can really play that off very well.

00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:45.200
And uh I had a really good team this particular season.

00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:50.799
We ended up going really far into playoffs, but I think we started the season like one and eight.

00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:56.480
And everyone was negative and pouting, and everyone was mad.

00:32:56.960 --> 00:33:02.400
And I had they were a really good team, and uh and I'm racking my brain.

00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:06.319
I'm like, I man, our practices are great, we're doing everything we're supposed to do.

00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.920
Why are we losing these games?

00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:09.440
You know, it was one thing after another.

00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:12.400
One day it's pitching, one day it's hitting, one day it's defense.

00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:15.920
And so I came up with a point system.

00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:17.599
I'm like, I gotta try something different.

00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:20.160
You know, I told my coaches, no more negative talk.

00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:25.200
We're not bashing them, we're not punishing them for anything.

00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:27.279
Well, let's come up with a point system.

00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:32.720
So I put it in the dugout wall, and for everything they did well, they earned a point.

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:36.559
For everything they did poorly, they lost a point.

00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:42.480
And at the end of the game, we tally them up, and that'll determine how many sprints we run at the end of the game.

00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:47.039
And it didn't matter what the score was, they they didn't even care what the score was at that point.

00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:50.319
They're like, oh my god, we executed a bunch.

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:52.480
Oh, minus two sprints.

00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:55.359
Oh, two out RBI, minus a sprint.

00:33:55.519 --> 00:34:02.799
So now they're worried about all these little intricate parts of the game that if they do well, we should win a lot of games.

00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:05.440
And it wasn't even about the score anymore.

00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:10.559
And then all of a sudden we win like 12 in a row, not even worrying about the score.

00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:16.960
We were more worried about are we executing these things properly in the game and are we eliminating our mistakes?

00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:20.320
As a coaching staff, we didn't have to yell anymore.

00:34:20.719 --> 00:34:24.239
Um we were helping, we were encouraging.

00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:30.079
They were, they all sudden became a team because the focus changed.

00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:33.199
It wasn't about, oh my god, we lost another game.

00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:36.639
No, it was, hey, we did all these things great today.

00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:40.239
And because we did these great things, we won a ball game.

00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:45.920
Um and again, I I just threw that out there just because I didn't know what to do anymore.

00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:53.679
You know, I I was at a loss, and it really changed our perspective going into the rest of the season.

00:34:54.880 --> 00:35:05.920
It's funny how when you turn a a small competition and put it in the dugout, the whole mindset changes with players, and that's a great idea.

00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:10.639
Well, I like to I like to put you in a situation here.

00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:14.719
You're an MLB manager and we're going up the middle here.

00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:21.679
You can you can have these four players on your team to win a World Series.

00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:25.360
You gotta pick group A or Group B.

00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:25.760
Okay.

00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:28.559
Group A's catcher is Johnny Bench.

00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:31.920
You got Cal Ripkin Jr.

00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:37.519
at shortstop, Sandy Koufax is pitching, and Ken Griffey Jr.

00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.719
is in center field.

00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:39.360
Okay.

00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:41.119
Group B.

00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:52.000
Yogi Barr is the catcher, Willie Mays is in center field, Derek Jeter's at shortstop, and Randy Johnson is your pitcher.

00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:53.760
What group are you taking?

00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.800
Oh my goodness.

00:35:58.320 --> 00:36:04.559
Well, I think if Griffe didn't get hurt, he goes down as maybe the all-time greatest ever.

00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:15.440
When I was with the Reds, Johnny Bench was in the Reds organization, and I was had the privilege to train with him a little bit when I was in a Reds organization.

00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:20.000
Um Sandy Koufax's prime.

00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:26.320
I don't I don't know if Randy Johnson in his prime or Koufax in his prime.

00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:34.320
Uh I I would have to go with group A with Bench Griffey and Koufax and the Iron Man in Ripkin.

00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:36.320
Yes, that's you.

00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:39.039
I don't think you could go wrong with either one, that's for sure.

00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:40.079
No, no.

00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:51.920
Well, to finish up, what is your best story or funniest moment from coaching baseball, or in your case, playing baseball?

00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:53.760
Oh my goodness.

00:36:55.360 --> 00:36:57.440
Best moment, funniest moment.

00:36:57.599 --> 00:37:00.239
Oh, this might take a while to think about.

00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:08.960
Um my gosh.

00:37:10.239 --> 00:37:12.880
My wife is chiming in the background here.

00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:23.679
So I'm I'm coaching at junior college in Chicago, and um probably the most enjoyable group of kids I've ever had.

00:37:23.760 --> 00:37:28.400
Um, we had a particular player, I don't want to say his name because I don't know if it's appropriate.

00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:31.599
Um, this kid was very unique.

00:37:31.760 --> 00:37:35.840
Um, he was a college freshman at the age of 16.

00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:38.079
So he got promoted.

00:37:38.639 --> 00:37:40.159
Very smart kid.

00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:47.599
But because he was 16, physically he wasn't quite as strong as the 18 and 19-year-olds.

00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:58.159
Um but he was the guy in a dugout that kept everybody loose and just made it very enjoyable.

00:37:59.039 --> 00:38:12.719
So you imagine us going to a game, you know, I'm driving one bus, the other coach has the other, and everything's going smoothly, and this young man yells out and the bus, shirts off.

00:38:13.760 --> 00:38:15.119
And like, uh oh.

00:38:15.199 --> 00:38:21.920
So now everyone takes their shirts off, and here we are riding the white bus, and these kids have their shirts off.

00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:23.760
I'm like, you know, I'm driving.

00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:25.519
I'm like, oh my goodness, come on, guys.

00:38:25.679 --> 00:38:28.719
And then all of a sudden he yells out, helmets on.

00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:32.159
Now everyone puts their helmets on, shirts off.

00:38:32.239 --> 00:38:35.199
We're driving down the highway in a white bus.

00:38:36.320 --> 00:38:38.639
And they didn't, they it was harmless, right?

00:38:38.719 --> 00:38:41.519
They're just sitting there with helmets on and their shirts off.

00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:53.039
And you know, this guy was always up to something that again was harmless, but just made you laugh and created such memories and and brought everyone together.

00:38:53.119 --> 00:39:07.440
And there's some other examples I probably shouldn't talk about um on this podcast, but um, you know, we'd go uh every Friday was our thing when we were training, we'd go to the local olive garden.

00:39:07.840 --> 00:39:14.719
This was with my college team, and uh, I'd have to call them in advance because these college kids really didn't have money.

00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:19.039
So all we did, we had the unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks.

00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:21.840
I'm there with my you know junior college team.

00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:25.599
So I'd call them in advance, like at around noon, and say, hey, it's Coach G.

00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:30.719
We're coming in at around 2:30 today, get the breadsticks ready.

00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:37.840

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