BASEBALL COACHES UNPLUGGED

Cold-Weather Baseball Coaching: Practice Design That Works in the Midwest

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1542601/open_sms] Ever wonder how a Hall of Fame coach keeps his team sharp when the forecast says 30 degrees and snow? We sit down with Jeff Mielcarek, head coach at Toledo Central Catholic, to unpack the hard choices, smart practice design, and durable culture that thrive in northern Ohio. From heated locker rooms to twenty-minute outdoor segments, Jeff shows how to get more live reps outside while staying safe and intentional. His approach turns weather into a competitive filter: build the foundation first, then push pace and urgency until practice feels like the fifth inning of a tight game. We go inside his staple drills—the three-fungo outfield pregame and the chaos drill that fuses pitchers and infielders into a single, fast-moving unit. Jeff explains why defensive reps during BP must be full tilt, even if that invites criticism, because timid training produces timid play. Roster realities shape development too: shrinking enrollment means every strike-thrower gets on the mound and every athlete learns multiple positions. He shares how clear role meetings, frequent communication, and early buy-in help players—and their “agents” at home—embrace change without drama. Strategy meets instinct when the game is on the line. Jeff describes pulling a dominant starter at 100 pitches in the opener, taking a loss to protect May. That blend of gut and plan, informed by daily contact with players’ health and mindset, guides his late-inning calls, including first-and-third decisions with a one-run lead. Beyond tactics, culture is the engine: daily messages 365 days a year, the handshake rule before anyone leaves, and teaching the national anthem with intention. He credits mentors, clinics, and board service for shaping a growth mindset that borrows, adapts, and evolves. If you coach in cold weather, lead a small roster, or crave practice plans that hold up under pressure, you’ll find concrete ideas and honest stories you can use tomorrow. Subscribe, share this with a coaching friend, and leave a review with your best first-and-third defense—we’ll feature our favorite breakdowns next week. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542601/support] * Follow: Twitter | Instagram @Athlete1Podcast https://www.athlete1.net * Website - https://www.athlete1.net [https://www.athlete1.net] * Sponsor: The Netting Professionals * https://www.nettingpros.com [https://www.nettingpros.com]

This Small-Town Program Won 7 State Titles—Here’s Why It Worked

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1542601/open_sms] A small-town program doesn’t stumble into seven state titles and five Hall of Famers by chance. We sit down with coaches shaped by Coldwater, Ohio and the late legend Lou Brunswick to unpack how a people-first culture, simple fundamentals, and joyful competition built a winning standard that still travels across the state. The stories are rich: Lou treating the star and the 16th man the same, scheduling bigger schools without apology, and yes—calling squeeze from a bus with a turn signal after getting tossed. The lessons run deeper than trophies: build trust, respect every role, and keep it loose so players compete free. We trace coaching paths that started as bat boys and Pony League mentors, ran through pro ball and college, and returned to high school dugouts with a clear blueprint. You’ll hear why fundamentals still beat flash—clean relays, timely bunts, strike-throwing, and disciplined base running—and how that approach turns teenagers into resilient teammates. We also tackle the modern game: coach-to-catcher and coach-to-pitcher communication, where tech can sharpen tempo and decision-making without stealing leadership from the field. Then comes the debate every spring stirs up: should Ohio shift to double elimination or best-of-three at the district level? With turf fields and tighter schedules, these coaches argue baseball deserves a format that rewards depth and consistency, not just a single dominant arm. Through it all, the thread is human: fathers and sons balancing love and standards, the sting of losses that teach more than wins, and the quiet satisfaction of doing things the right way every day. If you value clear teaching, culture that lasts, and stories that make you grin on the way to practice, you’ll feel at home here. Subscribe, share with a coaching friend, and leave a quick review telling us your take: double-elim or best-of-three? Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542601/support] * Follow: Twitter | Instagram @Athlete1Podcast https://www.athlete1.net * Website - https://www.athlete1.net [https://www.athlete1.net] * Sponsor: The Netting Professionals * https://www.nettingpros.com [https://www.nettingpros.com]

Baseball Coaching Tips for Practice Plans, Hitting, Pitching & Culture

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1542601/open_sms] A Hall of Fame career doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built on clear language, daily habits, and choices that put integrity first. Coach Ken welcomes ABCA Hall of Famer Terry Ayers to trace five decades of high school baseball and why, despite all the data and tech, the path to better players is still surprisingly simple: see the ball, repeat the fundamentals, and keep people at the center. We dive into practical hitting frameworks that start with vision—where to set your eyes, how to pick up spin, and how to avoid overloading hitters with swing thoughts. On the mound, Terry reframes the modern velocity chase with a coach’s view of sequencing and repeatability, breaking the delivery into linked movements and using slow-motion video to make fast patterns teachable. He shares his “core four plus one more” approach for daily drills, and the overlooked power of longer, smarter catch play to sharpen command. The conversation opens up to what separates good coaches from great ones: aligned vocabulary, relentless fundamentals, and practices that stay fun without losing intent. Terry gets candid about burnout and balance—leaving wins and losses at the park—and offers a blueprint for working with parents through quick, consistent conversations that build trust before problems flare. Along the way, he tells the story of a split-second choice not to bend the rules, a moment that defined his leadership and the culture players still remember. If you care about coaching culture, player development, pitching mechanics, hitting cues, and real-world leadership, this one is packed with on-field tactics and off-field wisdom. Listen to learn how to simplify hitting, build repeatable pitching, and strengthen relationships that sustain programs year after year. If this episode helps your team or your coaching, subscribe, share it with a coaching friend, and leave a review—we read every one. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542601/support] * Follow: Twitter | Instagram @Athlete1Podcast https://www.athlete1.net * Website - https://www.athlete1.net [https://www.athlete1.net] * Sponsor: The Netting Professionals * https://www.nettingpros.com [https://www.nettingpros.com]

5 High School Baseball Coaching Lessons That Actually Win Games

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1542601/open_sms] Five coaches. One convention floor. A flood of practical wisdom you can use at your next practice. We hit record at ABCA in Columbus and asked straight questions about what actually translates to wins when the lights are bright and the lineup is short on second chances. Coach Ronald Maestri opens with a clear case for command over radar gun romance and a blunt assessment of the transfer portal. For most high school players, JUCO can be the fastest route to real innings, development, and four-year success. From there, Coach Matt Vosberg puts two-strike hitting and situational offense back at the center of high school baseball, challenging hitters to extend at-bats, go the other way, and value the kind of contact that flips games, not just highlight reels. He draws a sharp line between talent and team-led cultures that hate to lose. Coach Carter Turnquist brings fundamentals and character to the front: routine plays, aggressive baserunning, clean pregame habits, and grades that keep doors open. He explains why players who keep the moment small thrive early in college. Coach Matt Spivey spotlights bat speed as the game’s great equalizer while crediting his best season to total-roster buy-in and best-players-set-the-pace leadership. He calls on youth programs to value throwing, catching, and development over weekend rings. Coach Kyle McLaughlin ties it together with a simple mandate: compete. Then lift. Then showcase. Strength multiplies tools, culture sustains effort, and informed parents make the journey smoother. If you want actionable coaching tips, real recruiting context, and a blueprint for building teams that win when it matters, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share with your staff, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so we can keep bringing you the most useful voices in baseball coaching. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542601/support] * Follow: Twitter | Instagram @Athlete1Podcast https://www.athlete1.net * Website - https://www.athlete1.net [https://www.athlete1.net] * Sponsor: The Netting Professionals * https://www.nettingpros.com [https://www.nettingpros.com]

8 Analytics Secrets That Winning High School Programs Don't Want You to Know

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1542601/open_sms] Want to win more high school games without a big budget or a data team? We break down a practical roadmap for using analytics that fits into a busy coach’s life, from what to track in a notebook to the in-game decisions that swing close contests. The message is simple: ask better questions, measure what matters, and teach your players the why behind every choice. We start by replacing old offensive habits with clearer metrics. On-base percentage becomes the north star for lineup construction, and quality at-bats turn plate appearances into teachable moments. You’ll hear how to use hash marks and weekly leaderboards to reward hard contact, walks, and two-strike wins so players focus on approach, not just batting average. Then we tackle pitching the right way: trade ERA for strikeouts, walks, WHIP, and competitive pitches. Protect arms with pitch counts and rest rules, and use simple review sessions to connect pitch selection and results to real adjustments. Tech doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. A smartphone delivers powerful video feedback for swings and deliveries. A basic radar gun keeps development honest and celebrates real velocity gains. Free stat apps provide spray charts and tendencies you can use for smarter positioning and scouting. We translate data into decisions you can trust: when bunting actually pays, who should really lead off, why your best hitter often belongs in the two-hole, and how to beat the third-time-through penalty with a prepared bullpen plan. The heart of the episode is culture. Share the numbers openly, explain decisions with clear math, and praise the right habits even when luck cuts against you. Players learn faster, stay confident longer, and grow into baseball thinkers who can compete at the next level. If you’re ready to blend old-school grit with modern clarity, hit play, grab a notebook, and start tracking OBP and QABs this week. Subscribe for more coaching strategies, share this with a coaching friend, and tell us which metric you’ll implement first. Join the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast where an experienced baseball coach delves into the world of high school and travel baseball, offering insights on high school baseball coaching, leadership skills, hitting skills, pitching strategy, defensive skills, and overall baseball strategy, while also covering high school and college baseball, recruiting tips, youth and travel baseball coaching tips, and fostering a winning mentality and attitude in baseball players through strong baseball leadership and mentality. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542601/support] * Follow: Twitter | Instagram @Athlete1Podcast https://www.athlete1.net * Website - https://www.athlete1.net [https://www.athlete1.net] * Sponsor: The Netting Professionals * https://www.nettingpros.com [https://www.nettingpros.com]