I'm pleased to announce that I will be taking over as the head baseball coach at Carmel HS. I feel honored to take over a program with such a rich history.
#RollSairs
Why did the IHSA “all-star” by-law become something that I strongly oppose? My baseball journey was unconventional. I was a small-town kid from North Dakota with no HS team. I loved baseball; my season was about twenty American Legion games a year. Not once did any college coach
Proud of this little guy today. His 9U season wrapped up with a victory. He took a liner to the face and lost three permanent teeth midway through the season. He begged to come back and finish the season.
I couldn’t sit this high school season out. I’m excited to join Carmel Catholic’s coaching staff as the pitching coach for the 2023 season. Let’s get to work!
I can’t be more proud of these 12 year-olds. A 6-2 record with the only two defeats by the champions. We were the only team to not be slaughtered and hung tight against a super team. I’m even more proud of how they handled themselves. Picking up garbage, making sure their
These boys have continued with their successful run. We decided to be intentional and work on the skills that scale with a throwing program and Driveline overload bats and hitting plyos. Swing hard and throw hard!
@devenmorgan
@DrivelineBB
My pride this HS season is making sure we tried to keep pitch counts down. We only had three games where a pitcher hit 90 pitches. The long game is my guys do play a summer season after HS.
How can we make a bullpen more game like? Get the heart rate up. Have pitchers take a sprint or jumping jacks. Get them back on the mound and teach them to control their breathing.
High school baseball is special in so many ways. Representing and playing for your school is an honor. Let’s hope that even though we disagree with rules that HS baseball stays special.
RIP Jack Rebney. The man was a legend and my wife and I still quote him years after Winnebago Man. “I don't want any more bullshit anytime during the day, from anyone. That includes me!”
So the PBR Super Soph IL team just got pulled off the field after the showcase portion at Grand Park. Is this what you really want to do is punish student athletes? They have worked their butts off for those opportunities.
@IHSA_ED
@SamKnox_16
I teach our 12U AAA team to run the bases like their hair is on fire. I also enjoy the new nickname for our brand of baseball. Heads up base running and learning to take chances on the bases creates better players.
#fakebaseball
My experiences as a player has shaped how I coach. A lot of those experiences were negative. Trauma informed coaching is more important than ever when dealing with young people.
Here we go!!
🎄25 Days of Drills—Day 1 🎄
Backpedal to Leg Lift Throw
This is one my favorites for guys who struggle to control the back hip and transfer energy forward into the throw.
Just backpedal a few steps, stick the back foot in the ground, get to peak leg lift and
I rarely cry and I’m not a hugger, but this picture makes me tear up every time. That last post game meeting hit me like a ton of bricks. These kids have taken every challenge and exceeded my expectations.
Analytics at the HS level. Pitching data and hitting zone charts center our conversations on player goals and development. After a couple of weeks of data, the discussions start! What do we do well? What do we need to work on?
When I took over my kid’s team we created a throwing program. We emphasized moving down the mound and how to use the ground. My only two cues were “tempo” and “push into the ground.” I trusted that our throwing program would pattern the rest. I get told I’m a velocity guy,
I've had the pleasure of coaching my son’s team for the last two years. It's our first year playing AAA tournaments regularly. This team has a lot of grit and great pitching. Two games today with a total of four hits given up and zero runs. 61% strikes as a team. Kids are
There has been some exciting work in anticipation of release. The ability to create groups has been added. I can now create individualized practice plans for each of my HS players and athletes. We are now working on streamlining the ability to run tryouts and record athlete
@TewksHitting
@O3jfrye
@CrossPitching
I’m a former HS admin and it’s appalling. We try to teach kids how to use social media responsibly everyday. The amount of time we spend dealing with online bullying is crazy. He sets a horrible example. But attend his character class!
I don't care about hearing anyone’s political beliefs. Why? Have you ever had a productive discussion about politics? Most likely not. I'm more worried about what I can control in my life. I don't say you shouldn't don't do your civic duty, but I refuse to be part of the
Last night my kids got a couple foul balls at a Northwoods League game. They decided to give one to their grandparents when they got home. They wrote this little note on the ball. Kids nowadays!
#gratitude
Fun weekend! We struggled our first game and played an uncharacteristically bad game. This group turned the page and learned from it. We might not have the biggest kids but we have a lot of fight.
I had to send my little guy to school today. It’s my first year working from home and not being in a school, so the house has gotten quieter. This summer was special because of all the time I spent with him. He had to be my shadow at baseball camps, pitching sessions, and team
Complete overreach by the IHSA. Way to open the door for large travel organizations to work against HS sports. Such a dumb way to shoot yourself in the foot and limit athlete exposure. Good luck enforcing this!
Changes to the IHSA's All-Star Participation by-law, submitted and approved by IHSA member schools last December, went into affect on July 1, 2024.
🔗Learn more here➡️
Playing down and not with your grade is the dumbest travel baseball trend. I would have been embarrassed as a seventh-grader telling my fiends I spent the summer blowing the doors off sixth-graders.
I have to admit this might be the best my arm has been in shape since being in school. A summer of working with groups of guys long tossing and doing plyos on a regular basis has done wonders. Wondering if someone can use a lefty for their men’s league team down the stretch.
My 7 year-old has decided on Hard Knock Life by Jay-Z as his walk up song. Proud and confused at the same time. Good choice but am I doing something wrong as a parent? Is your life that hard?
Summer is winding down and I'm going to miss being Mr. Dad for the summer. It's been fun hanging out playing baseball, working on the field, and just hanging out.
#weedles
I love the feel of the game when you allow your players to make choices. Engaged players learn to be part of the flow of the game. Our job as coaches is to empower and educate.
How do we use data at the HS level? Here are some reports I generate for players. It’s a starting point to conversations on what’s going good and what we need to improve.
#informedconversations
More players need to learn to control what they can control. Parents need to support controllable solutions when players struggle. Blaming outside forces does not help a player. Instead get stronger, develop a better routine, and find productive solutions.
HS players need to understand that an off-season of swings off a machine, one or two days of positional work, and taking a pitching lesson once a week isn’t good enough. Live in the weight room, have a hitting and throwing program, and work on your position daily.
I’m not a big rankings guy for baseball, but it’s nice to see your efforts pay off. I took this group over at 11U and it’s been a heck of a ride. Getting some love is always cool for our boys! Hit me up if you’re looking for a new home that focuses on development. We have some
Coached two fall games, worked with a pitcher, and came to the field to make sure it’s dragged. I’ve spent too much time pulling weeds the past two weeks to let this thing just sit. And this is my get away place!
What I’m most proud of this HS season. That I handed out to almost every pitcher their pitching charts for our first four games. Ten pitchers have seen time in four games. Eleven if you include our 5 inning JV/varsity game. We call it a pitching STAFF!
The power of choice creates engaged players. If you have a base stolen, take it. If you think you can pick someone, call the play. Learn from mistakes and allow them the freedom to make mistakes. Too many kids get buried for one bad game or play.
It's setting in that the HS guys in our program aren't going to be around soon. It's been fun seeing the growth of so many of our pitchers. Next up, attending a lot of local HS games to support IL Lightning baseball.
Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions when looking for a travel program. Do they have a plan to get you better? Strength program? Throwing program? Hitting instruction? What type of tournaments? If they talk about wins and just practice, it's probably not the right fit.
3 potential causes of a late arm:
1. Arm path length
2. Poor pelvis rotation
3. Closing the front side
Learn what a late arm is and what to look for, tomorrow.
5,000+ coaches and players are already in:
@FlatgroundApp
Baseball tryout season is upon us. You need to know who your coach is from the start. I've seen a huge disregard for pitch counts at the youth level. Pick an organization and coach that will protect your player. Look at their Gamechanger and PitchSmart regulations and do your
Last night was awesome! One HS practice, catching up with one of my HS clients, and a 14U pitcher who I can’t wait to see shove this year. Everyday you get to be in the facility is a good day.
#blessed
#dontkillmyvibe
I couldn't have married a more supportive person. My wife and I spent the afternoon cleaning out under the bleachers and storage areas at Carmel. I wish I had taken before and after pics.
@DHS_Anderson
As a HS coach let’s use this platform to be a positive influence. Let’s not make excuses and not tear down other’s accomplishments. Our athletes need better examples on social media than what I’ve seen displayed.