- Start the Horizon High School program (AZ) in 1980
6 Arizona 5A State Championships3 Arizona 5A State Runners-up20 Regional Championships7 National Invitational Championships881 total wins 809 wins in Arizona which the most wins for a coach in Arizona history.3 first round draft picks. 28 overall players drafted in MLBOver 200 players gone onto to college and playedUSA Baseball staff member Coordinator of USA 14U and 17U olympic development program.
2018 started the 16U program
2010 USA Baseball COY2012 USA Baseball Development COYArizona Baseball Coaches Association HOF, Arizona Coaches HOF, High School association HOF,National HS BCA COY in 20185X Arizona COY
- To be a good teammate, don’t care who gets the credit and we will be in good shape
Taught you how to practice, and then gave you ownershipPound the fundamentals and make sure you are efficientTook a lot of things personal as a young coachThe joy playing like a kid is what keeps me moving forward**I hope I never forget what its like to play like a kid! ~Kris BryantPlay multiple sports and give “active rest” - play other sport, work on hitting, skills, etcYou have to train the athlete and be athletic to be great Play for now, and if you play they will find you, and play for now and the end will take care of itselfDo you want to be good or do you want to be great? If great, then the expectations went up Make other players betterWant to and not a have to- You should not “have to” come to practice, you need to “want to”
If i teach them how to practice and then give them ownershipMental game is coached up more than it used to be due to the negative leadership that wanted positive outcome (“my way”)When you think you need some help you come ask me and then we are all in!Everyone is an individual and a little different, so you need to say and do things that works for themStandards instead of rules - standard has more worthOwnership is a big deal - you have no control over and it develops trustThere are program absolutes! Hustle, trash talk, classModel the behavior and calming during post season/pressure situationsBeing honest with players is the best thing you can do for players- I care enough to tell you the truth
You need to be careful with your words because conversations stick with the playersWhen we make mistakes we must own it, and the players see that and then they will own it when they make mistakes. Captains meeting once a week to keep everyone mind right and see who needs a kick in the butt or a pat on the backStart with a quote and talk about how it impacts each personBaseball is not my life, and baseball humbles you, so start with a quote and see how it impacts our lifeInterview in the fall - 1 on 1 to evaluate strengths and weaknesses Figure out who the person isSee if they have good self awarenessUSA baseball Manual - write down my experiencesProcess versus results - everyone except us is result focusGet comfortable with being uncomfortable to get past it (feeling rough)If you are playing a team sport, you should always put in extra time for your teammates**I will really emphasize the little things, and role the player did during the gameEvery player needs to have a role no matter the talentPractice in 10Dynamicsteals/baserunningBands Throwing program (and be OUT there)- Go stealth when kids cannot say a word
If you lose the clubhouse your done, and it starts with communicationI don’t go too long because I want every rep quality repTeam defense or position drills depending on the staffGood footwork is paramount to being a good fielderRelays with live baserunners. Run till you get out (then work on rundowns).“What happens in the game the most often?”- No catcher pop ups everyday, because it does not happen everyday
Baserunning - “the coach is just your stop sign”- Live baserunning with outfielders - put in situations
I can’t expect them to perform in situations we have not coveredSituational baseballSpeeding the game upP-I-T-C-H (horse for bullpen)Pace - 12 seconds or less between pitchesIntensity Practices are for coaches, games are for the players. If I do my job I should be able to sit in the standsHow can I play you if you can’t do your job? Do you want to be good or great?Playing time is huge! Sit the player if he is not acting right, and youGive pitchers permission to get hitNo words on the field, the tunnel (cage) is our classroomIs this practice going to help us win a game or lose a game?Baserunning and bunting - special teams of baseball- 1st/3rd game - score as many ways as we can
Runner on 3rd and score the game winning runEvaluate our strengths and weaknesses as a coach- How can I score with the team that I have?
Hit with 2 strikes - embrace and get more mentally toughPitch recognition - look at the bullpen, hitters take and say where it wasI know how to pitch a kid how they take a pitchTaking pitches is as important as hitting pitches602-291-1952