Next up on the ABCA Podcast is ABCA/ATEC High School Division II Coach of the Year, Jim Ozella.

After an illustrious 40-year coaching career, including 25 years at Hart High School (CA), Ozella retired on a high note, leading Hart to the 2024 CIF SS Div. 2 Championship with a 26-5 record. Hart High School's storied program has captured 36 League Championships, and Ozella has played a pivotal role in developing talent, with eight of his former players, including Tyler Glasnow, James Shields, and Trevor Bauer, reaching the big leagues.

Originally from Illinois, Ozella moved to California in 1983, beginning his coaching journey at Bishop Alemany before his impactful tenure at Hart. He’s also an author, having recently published The Greatest Time to Be a Kid, reflecting on his childhood in Illinois.

Get ready to take notes as Coach Ozella shares his vast experience and insights on fostering competitive spirit in young athletes.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is brought to you by Driveline Baseball. Ready to take your pitchers' workload management to the next level? Meet PULSE from Driveline Baseball—a wearable sensor that goes beyond basic pitch counts to precisely measure every throw. PULSE tracks both the number and intensity of throws, providing invaluable data. Trusted by MLB teams like the Cincinnati Reds, top college programs, and athletes at all levels, PULSE is transforming how pitching workloads are managed. With the PULSE Team Dashboard, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize training and prevent injuries. Visit drivelinebaseball.com/pulse to revolutionize your pitching staff's development and health today.

Joining us this week on the ABCA Podcast is ABCA/ATEC Pacific Association Coach of the Year, Sommer McCartney, head coach of Saddleback College.

McCartney led the Bobcats to a stellar 34-17 record and the 3C2A Championship this season, continuing his legacy of excellence since taking over from his mentor, Jack Hodges, in 2011. With back-to-back Orange Empire Conference titles in 2022 and 2023, McCartney has firmly established Saddleback as one of the top programs in the region.

An Associate Professor in Kinesiology, McCartney brings a wealth of experience from his playing days, which include a national championship with UC Riverside and a professional stint with the Florida Marlins.

Tune in to hear McCartney’s journey, insights, and an in-depth discussion that builds on his recent interview from the May/June issue of Inside Pitch Magazine.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is brought to you by Driveline Baseball. Ready to take your pitchers' workload management to the next level? Meet PULSE from Driveline Baseball—a wearable sensor that goes beyond basic pitch counts to precisely measure every throw. PULSE tracks both the number and intensity of throws, providing invaluable data. Trusted by MLB teams like the Cincinnati Reds, top college programs, and athletes at all levels, PULSE is transforming how pitching workloads are managed. With the PULSE Team Dashboard, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize training and prevent injuries. Visit drivelinebaseball.com/pulse to revolutionize your pitching staff's development and health today.

This week on the ABCA Podcast, we're joined by ABCA/ATEC High School Division III Coach of the Year, Brian Fowler.

Fowler, who led Taylor High School (AR) to their third consecutive State Championship and eighth overall, reflects on a remarkable season where the Tigers finished 23-4. Known for his old-school approach to coaching, Coach Fowler emphasizes the core values of honesty, accountability, and respect—principles that have been instrumental in his team's sustained success.

In this episode, Coach Fowler shares his insights on bridging traditional coaching methods with the unique needs of today’s players, offering a blend of wisdom and adaptability that’s sure to resonate with coaches at every level.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is brought to you by Driveline Baseball. Ready to take your pitchers' workload management to the next level? Meet PULSE from Driveline Baseball—a wearable sensor that goes beyond basic pitch counts to precisely measure every throw. PULSE tracks both the number and intensity of throws, providing invaluable data. Trusted by MLB teams like the Cincinnati Reds, top college programs, and athletes at all levels, PULSE is transforming how pitching workloads are managed. With the PULSE Team Dashboard, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize training and prevent injuries. Visit drivelinebaseball.com/pulse to revolutionize your pitching staff's development and health today.

Next up on the ABCA Podcast is ABCA/ATEC NCAA Div. III National Coach of the Year, Pete Egbert.

Heading into his 18th season as head coach at Misericordia University, Egbert led the Cougars to their first National Championship this season, with his 600th career win clinching the title game. This year marked back-to-back appearances for the Cougars in the NCAA Division III College World Series, and they also had an appearance in 2018. Misericordia finished the season with a 41-11 record, including a 19-2 mark in conference play.

Egbert has been a collegiate coach for 21 seasons between Fitchburg and Misericordia. He has been named Conference Coach of the Year six times and was an ABCA Regional Coach of the Year the past two seasons.

Under Egbert's leadership, Misericordia plays an impressive style of baseball, putting pressure on the defense (.318 AVG & 161 SB), pitching at an elite level (3.77 ERA), and taking care of the ball defensively (.969 FLD).

Tune in to hear Coach Egbert share his strategies, insights, and experiences from his team's remarkable season.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is brought to you by Driveline Baseball. Ready to take your pitchers' workload management to the next level? Meet PULSE from Driveline Baseball—a wearable sensor that goes beyond basic pitch counts to precisely measure every throw. PULSE tracks both the number and intensity of throws, providing invaluable data. Trusted by MLB teams like the Cincinnati Reds, top college programs, and athletes at all levels, PULSE is transforming how pitching workloads are managed. With the PULSE Team Dashboard, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize training and prevent injuries. Visit drivelinebaseball.com/pulse to revolutionize your pitching staff's development and health today.

This week on the ABCA Podcast, we are honored to feature ABCA Hall of Famer, Marc Johnson.

Johnson, who retired following the 2024 season, had been the head coach at Cherry Creek High School for an astonishing 52 seasons. He capped off his illustrious career with a Colorado State Championship this Spring, bringing his record to a remarkable 871 wins, 15 State Championship appearances, and nine State Championships. His stellar final year earned him ABCA/ATEC High School Division I Coach of the Year honors.

Not only has Johnson excelled during the high school season, but he also ran the Cherry Creek summer baseball program, which has produced seven MLB first round draft picks. His contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the ABCA Hall of Fame in 2011.

In this episode, Coach Johnson shares invaluable insights and advice from his decades of experience. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting, you'll want to have your pad and pen ready for this coaching masterclass. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the true legends of high school baseball.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is brought to you by Driveline Baseball. Ready to take your pitchers' workload management to the next level? Meet PULSE from Driveline Baseball—a wearable sensor that goes beyond basic pitch counts to precisely measure every throw. PULSE tracks both the number and intensity of throws, providing invaluable data. Trusted by MLB teams like the Cincinnati Reds, top college programs, and athletes at all levels, PULSE is transforming how pitching workloads are managed. With the PULSE Team Dashboard, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize training and prevent injuries. Visit drivelinebaseball.com/pulse to revolutionize your pitching staff's development and health today.

In this week's episode of the ABCA Podcast, we welcome ABCA Board Member and head coach at Chapman University, Scott Laverty.

Laverty, entering his 12th season at Chapman, has firmly established the program as one of the best in NCAA Division III, highlighted by a National Championship in 2019. Laverty began his coaching career at his alma mater, UC Riverside, in 1997. He then moved on to his first head coaching position at the University of Redlands, where he accumulated 298 wins over 14 seasons.

Beyond his on-field success, Laverty has been a vital contributor to the ABCA, serving two terms as Chair of the NCAA Division III on the ABCA Executive Committee and a member of the ABCA Hall of Fame Committee. This past June, he was nominated by the ABCA Board of Directors to serve as the incoming Fourth Vice President of the Association.  

Tune in as we dive into Laverty’s journey, his insights on building a successful program, and his contributions to the ABCA and the broader baseball community.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is brought to you by Driveline Baseball. Ready to take your pitchers' workload management to the next level? Meet PULSE from Driveline Baseball—a wearable sensor that goes beyond basic pitch counts to precisely measure every throw. PULSE tracks both the number and intensity of throws, providing invaluable data. Trusted by MLB teams like the Cincinnati Reds, top college programs, and athletes at all levels, PULSE is transforming how pitching workloads are managed. With the PULSE Team Dashboard, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize training and prevent injuries. Visit drivelinebaseball.com/pulse to revolutionize your pitching staff's development and health today.

Join us on the ABCA Podcast as we sit down with Johnny Hernandez, head coach of Bethune-Cookman University.

Growing up in South Florida and coaching at Hialeah High School, Hernandez's journey in baseball has been remarkable. He founded the ASA College program in Miami in 2014 and worked with USA Baseball as a scouting task force member. Since taking over the Bethune-Cookman program in 2018, Hernandez has led the team to impressive victories and a strong season finish in the SWAC East, earning the Black College Nines Coach of the Year Award.

Tune in to hear Hernandez discuss building a winning program and his vision for the future of Bethune-Cookman and HBCU baseball.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is sponsored by AWRE Sports. Are you looking to improve your use of video for player development, live-streaming, instant replay or opponent scouting? Most coaches answer "Yes." That's how AWRE Sports began: To solve the video challenges in baseball & softball. Whether you are using their multi-angle, fixed camera system or their mobile software, AWRE empowers coaches to maximize every aspect of video, all in one comprehensive solution. Their users range from MLB teams and reigning Collegiate National Champions to strong high school programs and literally everything in between. So the real questions becomes: Will you turn video into a powerful tool to elevate your program or stick with the status quo. You can find out more information at awresports.com.

This week on the ABCA Podcast, we are thrilled to have two exceptional guests from the world of sports performance and biomechanics: VELO Sports' Michael Napoleon and Dr. Tyler Standifird.

Napoleon, renowned for his pioneering work in overspeed training, owned and operated Catalyst Golf Performance in the Chicago area before developing the SuperSpeed Golf Training System. His innovative approach has been widely adopted in the baseball world since 2017, influencing MLB organizations and collegiate teams alike.

Dr. Standifird, an esteemed associate professor of Biomechanics at Utah Valley University, earned his PhD from the University of Tennessee in 2015 and now leads the Biomechanics Laboratory at Utah Valley, where he focuses on sports performance and injury prevention research. Additionally, Dr. Standifird serves as a consultant for VELO Sports and SuperSpeed Golf and has recently been named the Research and Science Director for Smart 2 Move Force Plates.

Tune in as we dive into their expertise and explore the cutting-edge techniques that are revolutionizing training and performance in baseball.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is sponsored by AWRE Sports. Are you looking to improve your use of video for player development, live-streaming, instant replay or opponent scouting? Most coaches answer "Yes." That's how AWRE Sports began: To solve the video challenges in baseball & softball. Whether you are using their multi-angle, fixed camera system or their mobile software, AWRE empowers coaches to maximize every aspect of video, all in one comprehensive solution. Their users range from MLB teams and reigning Collegiate National Champions to strong high school programs and literally everything in between. So the real questions becomes: Will you turn video into a powerful tool to elevate your program or stick with the status quo. You can find out more information at awresports.com.

This week’s ABCA Podcast episode is the final episode that was recorded on-location at a championship site –– the NCAA Div. III World Series in Eastlake, Ohio.

We had a chance to sit down with coaches of the program's that competed in the tournament, including Travis Beazley (Lynchburg), Eric Cirella (Salve Regina), Pete Egbert (Misericordia), Ray Hedrick (Randolph Macon), Frank Pericolosi (Pomona Pitzer), John Vodenlich (UW-Whitewater) and Jan Weisberg (Birmingham Southern).

Congratulations to Pete Egbert, the 2024 ABCA/ATEC NCAA Div. III National Coach of the Year, and his Misericordia program for capturing their first National Championship in a hard-fought series against UW-Whitewater.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is sponsored by AWRE Sports. Are you looking to improve your use of video for player development, live-streaming, instant replay or opponent scouting? Most coaches answer "Yes." That's how AWRE Sports began: To solve the video challenges in baseball & softball. Whether you are using their multi-angle, fixed camera system or their mobile software, AWRE empowers coaches to maximize every aspect of video, all in one comprehensive solution. Their users range from MLB teams and reigning Collegiate National Champions to strong high school programs and literally everything in between. So the real questions becomes: Will you turn video into a powerful tool to elevate your program or stick with the status quo. You can find out more information at awresports.com.

A recurring guest on the ABCA Podcast, Nathan Hemphill, PSP3 Owner & Director of Sports Performance, joins us in this week's episode. Hemphill was previously a guest on the ABCA Podcast in 2022 and has also spoken at multiple events, like the 2021 Kansas City Barnstormers Regional Clinic and the 2024 ABCA Convention. You can listen in to his previous podcast appearance (5/23/22) online at www.ABCA.org/podcast or using your favorite podcast streaming platform and watch his former presentations in the ABCA Video Library at www.ABCA.org/videos.

Hemphill has been training baseball players for almost 20 years and has developed a great track record for keeping players healthy and thriving on the field. This episode highlights some of the new assessments that PSP3 is using with their athletes.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

This episode is sponsored by AWRE Sports. Are you looking to improve your use of video for player development, live-streaming, instant replay or opponent scouting? Most coaches answer "Yes." That's how AWRE Sports began: To solve the video challenges in baseball & softball. Whether you are using their multi-angle, fixed camera system or their mobile software, AWRE empowers coaches to maximize every aspect of video, all in one comprehensive solution. Their users range from MLB teams and reigning Collegiate National Champions to strong high school programs and literally everything in between. So the real questions becomes: Will you turn video into a powerful tool to elevate your program or stick with the status quo. You can find out more information at awresports.com.