Better Men, Better Ballplayers

By Trey Cobb

Concrete content for anyone looking to get better. This community is for people who want to grow themselves, and grow the game. We know the game of baseball teaches us so many valuable life lessons!... more

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FAQs about Better Men, Better Ballplayers:

How many episodes does Better Men, Better Ballplayers have?

The podcast currently has 133 episodes available.

Better Men, Better Ballplayers episodes:

August 31, 2020 23 - Trent Mongero - "Know your WHY!"
Bio

Head Baseball Coach of Glynn Academy in Brunswick, GA
National Elite Infield Camp partnered with Trosky Baseball
Creator of Mongero Monday’s
Creator the Dirt Brothers - Elite infielders
26 years as a high school head coach
2017 he guided North Hall to the first ever state championship in school history
3 time Region coach of Year
2 Time Georgia coach of the year
2017 National Coach HS Coach of the year
Author of “Winning Baseball” a book and video series of baseball fundamentals
Incredible teacher of the game!

Show Notes
Kids haven’t changed!!
We set the tone and expectations for kids and kids will respond
If you are organized and they know you care you can build the culture
The big change has been the parents and travel/showcase baseball with a lot more selfishness
Teaching the kids what I want them to know!
What are we trying to get out of this from a personal perspective,
Constantly trying to reinforce what I want them to understand
You can’t assume! You need to teach
Personal goals come behind the team goals
Have a resume with me so I can share with college coaches
Brick by brick - how we build our championship season
Feeling good is overrated!!
If your behaviors are not matching up with your goals, then you need to change your goals!!
Commitment, self motivation, and completely driven
Same consistency on and off the field
I am not intimidated by people that are smarter than me, I encourage it!
The big 5 (routines of core drill work)
Short hops, ozzie drill (knees), 3 step, 5 step, choose your hop
Check out his YouTube channel!
Once you build routines then players can execute without coaches being around
Train them up so they can build their routines
Throwing routines are huge!
Each position has a specific routine to help them get better!
Understand the WHY!! Not just that you saw it on Twitter
The mental game is hugely underrated
We define the 6th tool to train the tough mind
Allow your kids freedom and permission to fail to be free some being tight
Have a blend of giving freedom and your expectations
Facebook “Winning Baseball” - Mongero Monday’s; everything involved with coaching
“Trosky Tueday”
@CoachMongero on Twitter
www.CoachMongero.com
Dirt Brother Baseball
YouTube channel
Sirius XM radio show - complete player development
The dull pencil is better than a sharp mind!
...more
1h 12min
August 24, 2020 22 - Hannah Huesman Phillies Mental Performance Coach "Mental Strategies"
Bio
Current Mental Performance Coach for Philadelphia Phillies
Creator of the #MentalSweatMonday on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIN
Former Adjunct Faculty member of John F Kennedy University
Mental Performance Coach for SportStrata in New York, New York
Mental Conditioning Coach Intern for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Was a Rehabilitation Specialist for the North Shore Chiropractic and Rehab
Mental Training Intern for the International Junior Golf Academy

Show notes
Who the person is, what works best for them, and how to implement it to help them
Know what to focus and focus on it at the right time
If you have the ability to turn on and off what you want to focus on is a big separator.
It is just as important to turn off as it is turn on
Reset routines (looking at the foul pole, deep breath, visualize) to help focus better
When you change the routine you are messaging your body that something is wrong
Contingency plan (plan when I fail) - being aware of when I am struggling and stop and work your plan
Be whatever you want it to be as long as it has MEANING
INTERNAL MOTIVATION is the biggest factor and separator
Bridging the gap between old school and new school while maintaining confidentiality by creating relationships with players and coaches
Number 1 is build trust with players
Be around, be there to help build trust and show you care about the person first (say hello, how YOU doing), baseball player second
KNOW THYSELF
Growth mindset and fixed mindset, educate people of where they fall, and which one would help their career, and then work to get/keep that mindset
Culture, Coaches, and Players are the priority of mental skills to be part of the lifestyle
Routines, Being in the present moment, Inside your control (process not outcome)
Being in the present moment - self talk, use deep breath,
You can't know what’s in your head without being in your head
Has to be practiced outside of the game
I work myself out of a job!!!
Mental skills need to be danced not wrestled to the ground and forced
Mental skills need to start with the WHY, then HOW, and finish with WHAT
Use the everyday skills (make your bed, brush your teeth) as foundational mental skills to implement in the game
Let’s focus on how we studied versus the grade I got (process versus outcome)
Implementing it on a daily basis
Not having electronics at the table to instill being present!
When you are evaluating yourself evaluate what you can control!!
Refine the mindset to focus on the process not the result - here is why you made an A (I know how hard you worked to get that A)
Praise the process and be consistent
Reward the things that people can control!! Attitude, effort, preparation (control your APE)
Intstagram - HannahHuesman
Twitter @Hannah_Huesman
Be your biggest critic and your biggest fan!
...more
1h 9min
August 17, 2020 21 - Tim DeJohn "DJ" "Developing the Infielder"
Bio
Current Infield Coach for the Baltimore Orioles
Former Assistant coach for University of Memphis2nd in School History .974 Team Fielding Percentage 65th in Nation
53 Team Errors, 2nd in School History for Fewest Errors in a Season
Former Assistant coach with the Milwaukee Milkmen
Former Assistant coach at the University of HartfordSchool Record Fewest Errors in a Season (45)
School Record .975 Team Fielding Percentage, 49th in Nation
2 Infielders taken in MLB Draft

Show notes
Hand shake distance (visual out in front)
Know your player to know how much they need to know Some guys need more, some less
All about relationshipsAsk guys and open communication
Just need to talk
Understanding the learning style - verbal, picture, kinesthetic
Know how much you care before they care how much you know
They need to trust me with their career and show them they can trust me
Have a plan with open communication
Get feedback after a drill about how they feel and if it work for the players
Foundation is the relationship with the players, and its not about ME!
Once base skills are there then go position specific
Corner guys lower and different groundballs
Middle guys more lateral and different groundballs
Base skillsSee it in (hand/eye drill)
Glove isolation
Play catch
Hip hinge and knowing your body
First basemenCuts and relays
Pick work
Approach to bag
shifting/positioning - every step towards 4 hole you take one step in
Tags
Starting double plays with accurate throws
Good first baseman and good catcher will prevent a lot of runs and will not lose games for you!
Playing multiple positions to perform different movements to help with athleticism
Wall drills!Throw over shoulder
Throw bag down and first baseman steps to bag and picks
Shuffle off bag and catch groundball off wall
Instruct it first, model it, and be there, and then float and let them go
Make a checklist of everything you want to cover as a group
Make a checklist of everything you want to cover as individual (position)
Spend time on the things that happen in the game more frequently
Stick to your time and just end it!
Angles towards the base or ball. Be deliberate on the practice that they do more frequently
Collect data that will help you design practice and specifically get better
Pay attention to angle taken
Pay attention to the time needed to make play
Where are they consistently making errors? Chart that so you can practice their errors
Good infielders have:Footwork -
Proper way to play catch
Develop arm strength and proper arm angle
Hands
If there is a problem with their body that is symptomatic of them making errors then you have to put in the time to determine when to work on it
Foundationally kids catch the ball one handed and we have to teach them to put the other hand there, so let them be free and promote one hand more
Catcher, pitcher, and first baseman are all one handed catchers.
High IQ as an infielder
Keep the game slow, can slow the game down, control their breathing
Fail more in practice
Short memory - take glove off, turn around, and then come back to the hitter when you are ready
Practice each moment and those time you are trying to stay under control
Practicing even in your life, not just in baseball
Put a success rate on a drill, high or low difficulty to allow them to push themselves
At intersquad every batter is 3-2 count to create game like atmosphere and chaos!
Twitter - @DeJohn_5
...more
1h 20min
August 10, 2020 20 - Jon Shehan "Hitting, Culture, and Clarity"
Bio

Current Head Coach at Millersville University
even PSAC Eastern Division Championships,
PSAC Championship
2 NCAA Atlantic Regional titles
4, 40-win seasons
8 NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Marauders have reached seven consecutive NCAA regionals
2016 Marauders finished as the NCAA Division II Runner-Up
2016 ABCA main stage presenter
Well respected and Amazing guy!!

How did you guys deal with the shutdown period?

How does the fall look for you guys?

What has been a key part of your success at Millersville?

What has changed since you started at Millersville?

What has stayed constant since your time at Millersville?

How do you develop the mental skills it takes to be a champion?

What have you consistently seen in the top players?

Show notes
App to record approach to generate pitch recognition along with hard hit balls
Functional batting practice as game like as possible
Game like in terms in of location
Kids tell you what their approach is, and go to work on it during BP
Knowing the hitters weakness and acknowledging it so you incorporate into batting practice
Groups based on development skills (connection, bat speed, exit velo, etc) in the fall
In season groups are same skill guys (bunters, mashers, ballplayers)
What is symptomatic and asymptomatic to a swing. He could have bad hip mobility but he rakes
Know your players really well to see if a change is truly necessary. Have the data available
Be slow in order to make a mechanical changes
You can be clearly uncertain, especially in term of mechanic
Develop an assessment of pitcher. Take an iphone video to check red flags and mechanics
Full Reps in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania partnered to work and take on assessment and work on pitchers
Stick to our values “make it better” - start with the staff
Find kids who fit your mold and your values
LOVE the game!!
Player values and coaching staff values
Coaching values - we do what we expect the kids do and then some (more values, higher standard).
Be very clear on what it looks like to be selfless and relentless.
Purposeful groups (veterans and rookies)
What do those values look like in the classroom, practice, and games to be CLEAR
Full week talking about culture
FIRED and HIRED happens due to your VALUES!
The guys will know if a kid fits your team before the coach will!
We read two books every year5 dysfunctions of a team - Patrick Lencioni
Ideal team player
Veterans reading it find truths and see what guys are the dysfunctions
Keep the service part at the forefront when managing the staff
Create clarity within the staff just like we do with the players
Stick to our guns from a values and standards aspect, but give room for our assistants to work
Scrimmage each day to put them into game like situations (20 minutes to and hour 30)
Game like reps!!!
Play up for the first round of BP
Skills based groups help with training for what the game needs to do
Traits of good players that have stuck out - BASERUNNING & COMPUTING A SIMPLE, EXTERNAL PLAN!
6th month objective - what do we need to improve on
Email: [email protected]
Twitter - @coachshehan
...more
1h 22min
August 02, 2020 19 - Kathryn Rowe "Mental Skills"
Bio
Mental Skills Coordinator for the Baltimore Orioles
Licensed mental health professional
Was the mental skills coach for the University of Rochester men's soccer team
Masters Degree in counseling and sports psychology at Boston University
Played soccer and graduated from University of Rochester
Show Notes
Weekly skill focused Monday mindfulness
Friday guest speakers
How to teach the mental skills What the mental skill is
Example
Exercises
Incorporate the skill within a game/activity
Homework related to baseball and in everyday life
A lot of skills can be taught and helpful outside of the game
Switching to scenarios (responses)
Preparing for adversity that is going to happen and plan for our response
Having a deep breath and helps them to reset
Kicking the dirt to reset and breath to get back to compete
Identifying your growth mindset voice and fixed mindset voiceSelf talk
Triggers - coach yelling, good pitcher (to find a trigger do a daily checklist of when you were fixed or open to find reoccurring events)
Trying new skills - “neuroplasticity”
Recurring theme is self awareness - if you are not aware of yourself we can’t make changes
Daily notebook/journal reflecting on the day and how they are successful
“Ideal” mindset to incorporate self awareness
When you are playing your best versus not playing your best, and then attack skills and build behaviors to get you closer to playing at your best
Mental routines part of the players plan to know the player
“Not thinking” may be a bodily feeling (relaxed, pre game routine, etc)
What happens when your routine gets messed up? Have a response!
Why are you doing the routine? Own the routine, not just do it because someone says
Mindfulness and being aware in the moment of what you can and cannot control have helped beyond
Mindfulness meditations to help be in the moment and be aware. Guided and practiced
Around 10 minutes of guided meditation
Started with the coaches and then the players to get buy in
Give real life examples as to why mindfulness is so important.Golf
Driving and thinking where you are going not where you are
Examples in their game/area
Guided deep breathing visuals on Youtube
[email protected]
...more
1h 14min
July 28, 2020 18 - Scott Jennings "Philosophy, Game Management, & Good Players"
Bio
Current Head Coach at Hagerstown Community College
Over 600 wins at HCC averaging 32 wins a season in his 20 years
2008 made a World Series appearance at Grand Junction going 2-2, and finishing top 5 in the country
Winningest baseball coach in HCC history
Over 1000 wins in his career as a coach
in 38+ years of coaching he has never had a losing season
Hall of Fame member of the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches
EPISODE NOTES

Parental influence and delusion is a lot higher now
Never hand out guarantees, a lot can change, and what motivation is that going to give them
Be true to yourself, don’t try to be someone else
Be fair and have standards and hold guys accountable
Each player accountable and coach needs to hold the best player to the standard to the weakest
Believe in the baseball gods where if you take care and do the right thing, the game will reward you!
Day to day do the right thing will reward you
Some guys need longer rope, and some guys you need to be on. Need to understand the kid
How they adjust to failure will dictate their successful
Learn how to channel the frustration of the failure into understanding of how to handle themselves and respect themselves and not draw negative attention
You need to take something valuable away from them to get the point across
The longer you coach you understand how other coaches manage - get on umpires, small bunt, big inning, etc
Treat each game more special than the other, treat each game the same and on an even keel
Press those buttons when it is necessary to get the team going.
You can do everything you can do as a coach, but if the kid doesn’t perform, there is nothing we can do
Trust your gut, and be willing to live with the consequences
You play the odds, but you can’t be consumed by the odds (surprise factor)
Baseball teaches life lessons
Kids maturity not only shows up in athletics but in life or academics, and just handle themselves better
Good players have allowed us me to be consistent
You try to get good player, good kids, and academics, and hopefully we get 2 out of 3.
Success breads success - expect to win, teach players to win. NOT hoping to win
Don’t fear your opponent, Respect your opponent!
Have to have a formula (standards) and hold your guys accountable
I have to be able to trust you (the player) to give you the ball
If we know the result won’t happen, then it is dumb to go with the play
Email [email protected]
www.leaguelineup.com/hcchawks
...more
1h 11min
July 20, 2020 17 - Patrick Jones "Recruiting, Hitting Process, and a Hitters Mindset"
BIO

Current MiLB Hitting coach for the Baltimore Orioles
Owner of Patrick Jones Baseball where he specializes in player development
Host of the Patrick Jones Baseball podcast
Hitting coach for the Lima Locos, of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate league
Served as an Assistant Coach at Madeira High School in Cincinnati, Ohio
Spent time as a player in the Pecos league and Empire League
Played collegiately at Xavier University
Follow on Twitter @pjonesbaseball
Check out his website - www.patrickjonesbaseball.com
Show notes
So much of coaching is timingWhen to get on more, less based on who they are
Send the client a questionnaire to know the player better
Before you have a relationship with a player a player does not feel comfortable, so the questionnaire helps that relationship
Making visuals for players - gifs, powerpoints,
Video is still the best place for players to see what they are doing
Ask questions about what happened in the game to get context because that matters most
Helping kids get recruited because no player of mine should not have to hire a recruiting service
Game footage of hitter from a good angle
Coach needs to help and be honest with the college coach
PBR (prep based reports) is good for a baseline sophomore/junior year
Good fit and best fit rather than getting hung up on division
Grades are super important to make it easy on yourself
Killer mindset #1 tool for a good hitter
With a killer mindset it will get you out of a slump earlier!
Coming up with content for clients to be able to access to get into their headspace
Be less negative instead of more positive when you are struggling so you can “get to neutral”
Anything time you say out loud it is 4 to 5 times more impactful!
~Don’t say stupid stuff to yourself out loud!
Are we giving guys time for the player to get ready, guys need freedom to find what works for them
Better to incorporate killer mindset in team settingLeaderboards
The great players have a plan, approach, and not freaking out, and not giving away at bats
In the cage they are clearly working on something
Fixed mindset versus growth mindset players
“It takes what it takes” by Trevor Moahwad
Quick tuneups don’t work - it takes time to be great! You have to practice way more than seeing a private instructor or team practice
Deliberate practiceLocked in and focused
Have a purpose
Accomplishing a specific task
It's not about how much time, it's about the quality of time spent!

Follow on Twitter @pjonesbaseball

Check out his website - www.patrickjonesbaseball.com
...more
1h 5min
July 13, 2020 16 - Ron Siers (Salisbury University) - "Leadership, Defense, and Purpose"
For all the show notes - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kiFmVfuBTI6R9z2Y5wvVaRiRuZ7Q2EEI1q19XJ59nNA/edit

SHOW NOTES
Consistency of people involved to get some great people around
Intentional about our standards and values
Behaviors are congruent to the values
Continuous improvement
After action reviews
Exit meetings
Courageous conversationsHelping you
Hurting you
Get away from the “feel” questions to can you teach it to someone else (Accountability partners)
Vulnerability and trust allow us to have conflict and get through it to get more commitment rather than compliance
Am I holding my teammates accountable, peer leadership tend to better results
Veteran intentionally invited, had dinner, made good decisions with a rookie as a person to hold accountable
Spreadsheet of kids to check in on partners to see if everyone is trying to include everyone
Exit interviews to see what the kids learned from and gained from relationships
Don’t commit “assumicide!”
DWYSYWD - Do what you say you will do!
Feedback from student athletes more frequently, not waiting for just exit interviews or until they are struggling.
BP sides - go on the side to work defensive skill work, warm up to what will happen during BP
Pre work opposite of BP side
Post work after practice
Charting our defense work from sides, BP, and then put up on team board to show
Has not changed in coaching tenureAttention to detail. Small things always matter.
Fundamentally sound with sound pedagogy
Continuous learners!
Daily lesson plan
Lifelong reader!
Go to a non baseball practice to see how we can coach baseball better
Clock work (giant timer) to help with transition, periods in practice,
Serve and clean breakfast to the homeless and have seen a big transformation of attitude
Theme each year - player of the game will sweep the dugouts
Classroom sessions to talk about it, show it, ask questions, and then do it
Confidence comes with skill acquisition and demonstrated performance (results)
If a kid asked you what is going on then you need to look at yourself as a coach. Frontload and prepare them so they never ask.
45 minutes of early/pre work
Know your why - tell your players
Email - [email protected]
Twitter - @rrsiers
...more
1h 14min
July 06, 2020 15 - Brian Femi, St. Michaels HS (MD) "Practice Planning in a Consistent Program"
Coach Brian Femi Bio

33 seasons as Head Coach of St Michaels HS in St. Michaels MD
5 State Championships
10 regional championships
2 Bayside Championships
Maryland State Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Class of 2011
National Regional Coach of the year twice
National HS coach of the year finalist for BCA and ABCA

SHOW NOTES
Kids want structure, discipline, and teamwork
Consistently stay on kids about grades, behaviors, citizenship
High expectations of our kids
Demand 100% attendance and be good people
The sign of character is how you act when no one is watching
Classroom sessions during rainy daysMotivational videos
Florida and oklahoma when coach pulled number 4 and had a great at bat and the starter was the first one to congratulate the sub
Mindfulness
Rehearsal procedure during BP - at bat, on deck, and in the hole
3 types of playersAverage player who competes
Great ability that goes through the motion with average work ethic/mentality
Great ability with great work ethic and mentality
1B, 2B, 3B baserunning1B - steals, returns, 1st/3rd, delays, how far can you get in the OF
2B - groundballs (island reads), vault leads
3B - reads, contact, squeeze, tags
OF - flyballs and getting reads from the OF (0 outs, 1 out)
Competitive BPHitting group, baserunning group, shag/defense
1st team INF, 1st team OF, 2nd team INF, 2nd team OF - always need INF and OF on defense
Points for offense, defense, and pace of play
Every Saturday (once or twice a week)
Quality at bats - no average, just QAB
“Family first” AB - AB for the team!
Bunting has stood the test of time. Bunt on a little league field
Baserunnig read while they wait to bunt
1st and 3rd safety squeeze
Points the bunting game
Get them to love to bunt
Batter signs to the baserunner to let them know bunt is on
Practice planningStretch
Baserun
Play catch with positions
Throwing work
Position group
Defensive breakdown (from what coaches want to do from the day before)Inf, of, catcher, and pitcher bullpen
Team drills (1st/3rd, double cut, etc)
Play of the day (defense) - getting something done at 90%
BP or competitive BP
Pressure time! (offense) - one thing with something on the line
Kids need to know how to compete, not just showcase.
Kids pick teams of who to pick for the pressure time!
Baserunning times to 1B
Pressure on the defense!!
In game dataQAB
Baserunning at 1B
1st pitch K, leadoff batter out, BB strikes, FB strikes
Changed to 1 of 2 first pitches for strikes - no less than 1-1.
Verbal for a pitch out - need to rep it out!!
Baserunner goes and then stop when he sees a slide step
Stealbases.com baserunning reads
The beat coaches are open minded and build relationships with their kids
3 things I want kids to believe (Are we doing those 3 things??)Believe in us
Trust us
We will always be there for them
Contact - [email protected]
...more
1h 9min
June 29, 2020 14 - Butch Thompson "Culture, Drop down guys, and the MIND"
Bio

Current Coach at Auburn University
Former pitching coach and associate head coach at Mississippi State College
Coach Thompson has turned 31 pitchers who went undrafted out of high school into MLB draft picks, including the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Casey Mize.
2006 Fellowship of Christian Athletes SEC Coach of the Year
2014 Baseball America and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) National Assistant Coach of the Year
serves as the large-school representative for the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association, and is the All-American committee member representing the South region for the ABCA.
Servant leader who is a mentor to many.
Just an incredible person
Show Notes
Pitchers pitch 2 out 3 phases, big rest on the 3rd phase
Start on yourself before helping others (put your mask on first when they fall)
Ethos (their character) to build up
Bring in speakers to help build guys up3 new words after listening to the speakers
Confidence -
Committed -
Unified -
Book studies
Attack, Legacy, VisionAttack - offensive, be our default
Legacy -
Vision -
Legacy by James Kerr
Change while you are on top to avoid decline and extend growth
Evaluate yourself as a coach when your player no longer needs you after they leave you!
Ask why, so the players own it and empower the players.
Experience has taught me that I did not give them enough skills to be their best coach
This has taught us balance, and perspective on what really matters. Good time to pause and reflect
Do as good a job with a balance and perspective as possible
Went to see Chad Bradford to learn about submarine pitching
Peacock feathers of a pitching staff (all different arm angles)
Same ratio between arm and shoulder/elbow, it is just a bend at the waist (hinge)
Do a ton or core and stability because you go to weaker position (bent over)
Stay down and stay in it
Body organizes itself
Back spike in the ground, no weight in the toe
Have a plan to get the opposite hitter out!
Not always mechanical, but sometimes just pitch sequence (change up after a slider)
Autograph a piece of paper 50 times and you can’t sign your name the same twice
Repeatable mechanics are not obtainable
I’ve had success in a certain flaw so I will pair and look for that.
The mind is the most important tool
Overboard on mechanics and takes away from developing the mind (BALANCE)
Mechanics improve by working your guts out
You take a big step when you pitch who you are! (IDENTITY)
Your working to get to auto pilot (no thought)
It is important but if it dominates your thought you can never get to that autopilot moment
Know where you are trying to get to. Where the AHA land is!
My focus is on taking off yourself, and focusing on taking away from the hitter
Video behind them to show what really matters. Let’s go find your game!

Contact
Email - [email protected]
...more
1h 13min

FAQs about Better Men, Better Ballplayers:

How many episodes does Better Men, Better Ballplayers have?

The podcast currently has 133 episodes available.