Better Men, Better Ballplayers

97 - Mitch Thompson: McLennan CC (TX)

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Bio

  • Current HC of McLennan CC, and national COY for D1 JUCO
  • 2021 D1 JUCO national champions
  • In 9 seasons he is 322-125 (.720) record, including a 168-64 (.724) conference mark
  •  three conference championships, three regional championships, a second-place finish at the 2015 JUCO World Series, and the 2021 NJCAA Division I Baseball National Championship
  • 16 MLB Draft picks including the top NJCAA MLB Draft Pick in America in three of the last four years
  • 3 consecutive years being ranked number 1 in NJCAA polls in some point of season
  • 108 players went on to play at four- year universities with 87 advancing to play at the NCAA Division 1 level of competition.
  • Baylor University (1995-2012) as hitting coach and recruiting coordinator
    • three Big 12 Conference titles, 12 NCAA Regional appearances, three Super Regional appearances and the 2005 College World Series.
  • Former Auburn AC under Hal Baird and made a WS appearance (1994)
  • Former Mississippi St GA, AC, and director of baseball ops under Ron Polk, making a WS appearance (1990)
  • Constant winner 
  • Loved by many

    • Notes

    • We really want the kids to know we care about them more than just baseball players
  • Its more than just baseball with us
  • Surround yourself with great people
  • Pour into your players 
  • Challenge of juco with only 1 or 2 years
  • Culture built every year -you will lose nearly half your team
  • Creating the idea we are trying to be excellent and what it means to grow up
  • Serving each other is big
  • Look for ways to encourage your teammate and encourage their efforts
  • Hold each other accountable - get to class, serve the team,
  • If we ask the player to serve each other we need to serve our players!!
  • No one is more important than the team
  • The only way for us to keep them here is that they love it here and we make it a great experience***
  • Juco allows for draft eligibility and still get a shot for their dream school
  • We expect that kid to make those base running plays but we don’t find ways to practice it often
    • Helps hold kids accountable
  • This is my year 32, this is my players year number 1 *****
  • I want performance
  • Approach is all about swinging at strikes and taking balls, pitch recognition
  • Help guys learn what they do well
  • Create ways for hitters to feel offensive! Have an approach of how to attack the pitcher
  • I don’t want my 9 hole guy to have the same approach as my 4 hole guy
  • Group hitters in their BP groups to work on what they need, and who they are
  • Get guys to be honest with themselves
  • Trust who you are and do what you do! BE YOU!!!
  • Get them to do what they do well, and maximize it for the team
  • Keep on the players
  • Set up situational BP
  • Its a mentality 
  • Control their emotions or their emotions will control them! I got to keep working on it too!!!
  • Breath!! Stick with the process
  • Great players - incredibly hardworking, passion to improve, know where they are going, knew who they were, and not concerned with others
  • Bring in guys with great competitors with great mentality you are going to win!
  • Do they love it or not? I don’t want to kick you to work hard
  • Seeing guys that have passion and are good teammates
  • Talent is not enough
  • Are you shaving everyday? How big are your feet? Catch them before they have a lot room to grow
  • Do they have more left in the tank?
  • You want to look young in the recruiting world, dream on me that I still have a lot left in the tank!
  • I want these players to tell my daughters they loved me!!
  • [email protected]
  • Twitter - @mthompy25

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