Behind The Dish

I sit down with Slade Heathcott in Dallas at the D-BAT headquarters to hear this amazing store. A late blooming dual sport athlete from Texarkana, TX he bypasses LSU to play football and baseball as he is drafted in the first round 29th overall by the Yankees. Listen to this journey and how Slade managed to change his outlook on life, start helping others after he found help battling his own demons.

Slade is now retired from professional baseball and working to impact kids lives.

@coachferg

Former University of Washington assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Donegal Fergus has agreed to terms to become the associate head coach at UC Santa Barbara, head coach Andrew Checketts announced on Monday, June 25, 2018.

Fergus, a former assistant at Seattle University and head coach at Lower Columbia College in Longview, Wash., joins the UCSB staff after spending the past five seasons at the University of Washington.

"I am excited that Donegal and his family will be joining us," Checketts said. "Donegal has a reputation as a relationship builder and is a proven winner with a pedigree of success. He will bring energy and experience with him and I look forward to working together to get the Gauchos back to the postseason and beyond".

Upon Fergus' arrival to Washington following the 2013 season, the Huskies enjoyed one of their most successful stretches in program history. In 2014, Fergus' first season as hitting coach, Washington snapped a 10-year postseason drought after going 41-17 and advancing to the NCAA Regionals. The Huskies also achieved their highest ranking in team history, reaching the No. 5 spot in the Baseball America, Perfect Game and Collegiate Baseball Poll.

Washington proceeded to advance to three NCAA tournaments in five seasons with Fergus on staff, including an appearance in the College World Series in 2018 after the Huskies won their first ever Super Regional.

"My family and I could not be more excited to join the Gaucho family," Fergus said. "Coach Checketts and his family could not be more welcoming to my clan. I'm fired up by the opportunity to be at a place that combines incredible educational opportunities with progressive player development. Coach Checketts has shown that he can recruit and grow players as well as anyone in the country and I am honored to be a part of that and I can't wait to get started!"

Fergus' recruiting talents have shined through during his tenure as Washington committed the fewest errors in program history in 2017, recording the third-best fielding percentage (.982) in the nation. Furthermore, the Huskies have had more All-Pac-12 position players honored over the past five seasons than any other five-year stretch in program history.

In 2016, Fergus assembled the top recruiting class in Washington history after being ranked No. 10 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 9 by Perfect Game. His 2015 recruiting class came in at No. 15 by Baseball America. His eye for talent also translates at the next level as Washington has had 26 players selected in the Major League Baseball draft since Fergus' arrival, including a school record eight selections in 2014.

As a head coach at Lower Columbia College in 2013, Fergus led the Red Devils to a 34-14 record and a trip to the West Region playoffs. He also served as an assistant at Lower Columbia where he helped guide the team to four division titles, a NWAACC championship and a 2005 recruiting class that had seven players selected in the MLB draft.

Fergus also spent time as an assistant at Seattle University and was a head coach at Tacoma CC for five years.

A native of Powers, Ore., Fergus played baseball at Linfield College where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and later earned a master's degree in homeland security from American Military University. Fergus is married to his wife, Kim, and they have three children, Seamus, Finnegan and Maclean.

Coach Whitting shares his message for young players and and the new developments at Houston. 24 years in the coaching profession at only 2 programs. TCU and Houston

https://uhcougars.com/index.aspx?path=baseball

@toddwhitting

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Caught up with John Smoltz on the road in Waco, TX during the Texas HS Coaches association annual meetings. 22 year career coming back from 7 surgeries. 8 time All-Star and 1995 World Series Champion, one of his greatest accomplishments and honors is receiving the Roberto Clemente award in 2005 for his work off the field and in the community.

His will to win and never give up is something that is very special. His #29 retired by the Atlanta Braves His journey is told in the book "Starting and Closing: Perseverance, Faith and One More Year"

Now making his mark in the broadcast booth and on the Senior PGA tour

Thanks to our sponsor D-BAT Sports the largest and fastest growing baseball and softball academy in the country.

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Kyle Johnston grew up in Flower Mound, TX won a state title with the Flower Mound Jaguars then traveled south to Austin to play 3 years with the Texas Longhorns before being drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 6th round.

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Robby Wine grew up in Philadelphia. The son of a Phillies player. He's spent his entire career in the game. A standout player at Oklahoma State with expectations of going to Omaha every season and a 1st round pick with the Houston Astros. After his playing days ended he's coached and now the owner of D-BAT Amarillo Texas teaching young players the great game.

If you are in the Amarillo area stop by and say hi and take some swings.

D-BAT Amarillo dbatamarillo.com

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From coaching High School baseball and football at the 1A level in deep east Texas to leading the Paris Junior College Dragons. Coach Cox talks candidly of the blood sweat and tears to achieve success. Speaker at the 75th annual American Baseball Coaches Association

Coach Cox @coachcox19 on Twitter

Paris Junior College Baseball - http://www.parisjc.edu/index.php/pjc2/main/baseball-team/

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For the Love of the Game
Tom House has spent most of his life in the game of baseball. In his baseball career he has been a professional baseball player, a pitching coach, a researcher, and a motivational force for many young pitchers today. Considered by many to be the "Father of Modern Pitching Mechanics," he has dedicated the last 15 years of his life to performing research about all aspects of pitching. The list of people Tom has worked with reads like a "who's who" on the professional baseball mound. Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Mark Prior, Robb Nen, Kevin Brown... the list goes on. He has most recently co-founded The National Pitching Association. Tom has dedicated his post-professional baseball career to continuing research on pitching, and the sharing of that information to parents, coaches and athletes so that all can learn to pitch longer, more effectively, and in better health.

Steve Springer is the baseball version of Rudy. He didn't start in high school, got cut in college and he played in the Big Leagues. His story about NEVER SAY NEVER and following your passion will resonate with players, coaches, and parents. He speaks to groups across the country about having the mindset of "Every day is opening day" This is a must listen and share with your baseball community. Business people can take notes about having the right outlook and not get caught up in the past.

More information about Steve at qualityatbats.com

Twitter @qualityatbats

Instagram @qualityatbats

Piper sits down with Max Semler with the Toronto Blue Jays and Tom McLamore (New York Mets) New Mexico HS HOF to talk all things scouting, recruiting, and how to get the right kind of attention in the baseball community.

Subscribe and share the podcast to your baseball community and share with your players.

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