KPB Podcast

In this episode...

Community college (JUCO, JC, junior college, etc.) baseball gets overlooked as an option by many recruits who either think they are "too good" or have been mislead about the breadth of opportunities that community college baseball provides. In this 12 minute #MoundVisit episode, we offer 4 reasons why we love community college baseball and encourage you to consider it as one of your many options for playing at the next level. Among the reasons we love the JUCO route are affordability, less restricted training opportunities in the fall, a chance to improve academic skill set and grades, and a chance to get drafted each year.

By no means is this quick look at the JUCO route a comprehensive review of all the reasons a high school player should consider community college baseball, but the goal is to get you thinking about community college as an option. Consider looking into our other resources that tackle community college baseball with more depth to continue the conversation! (See Link Below)

Topics:

Community College Baseball, JUCO, JUCO Route, JC Baseball, Academics, MLB Draft, Affordability, Development

Follow Up Reading: https://keepplayingbaseball.org/considering-community-college-plan-ahead/

In this episode...

The NCAA has made big changes to the signing periods for college baseball recruits. One longer signing period extending from November 14 until August 1 will replace the two split signing periods of years past. We discuss the changes and how they will impact recruits and recruiting in Episode 16!

Topics...

Recruiting, NLI, Written Financial Agreement, Signing, Committing, Verbal Commitments, D1, D2

In this episode...

We put a common recruiting concern to rest. There are many reason why a recruit may not get recruited by his top choice or any college baseball program at all, but getting "missed" by college coaches is not one of them. In today's recruiting game, proactive recruits who are educated on the process and exploring all their options will not get missed by every college baseball program. Listen in to find out why in this short but informative episode!

Topics:

Recruiting, Exposure, Contacting Coaches, College Search, Technology, Email, Recruiting Video

Suggested Articles:

1. https://keepplayingbaseball.org/proactive-recruits-dont-get-missed-2018/

2. https://keepplayingbaseball.org/contact-college-coaches-2018/

3. https://keepplayingbaseball.org/timing-everything-understanding-recruiting-timeline-2017/

4. https://keepplayingbaseball.org/patience-pays-off-2018/

In this episode...

We talk shop with University of Montevallo Associate Head Coach and Pitching Coach, Ben Jackson. Jackson is entering his 3rd season with the Falcons, where he has been leading the pitchers and recruiting efforts to new heights. Prior to his time in Alabama, Jackson was on the staff at New Mexico State and the University of Kentucky. At both stops, Jackson worked with some of the college game's best coaches and recruiters. In 2012, Jackson helped lead the UK Wildcats to one of the best seasons in program history. A few years later, Jackson coached 2-way phenom and Golden Spikes winner AJ Reed during one of the best individual seasons in college baseball history. Having coached in the SEC, at a mid-major D1, and now at an up and coming D2 program, there's no shortage of information to share. Jackson opens up a wealth of college baseball knowledge you won't want to miss!

Coach Jackson on Twitter: @Ben_Jackson55

Topics: Pitching, Recruiting, Player Development, D1, D2

On our www.KPBrecruiting101.org site, we break the recruiting process into 10 manageable steps. This resource acts as a guide for recruits as they move through the recruiting process from start to finish. For each step, we provide detailed recruiting information and advice about what to do, when to do it, and how to do it right. In this episode, we continue our release of short #MoundVisit episodes, breaking down the details of each step and providing some general guidance. Episode 13 looks at Step 2: Learning About the Recruiting Process. Building off of a more broad understanding of all college baseball has to offer (Step 1), Step 2 encourages players and families to take a 30,000 foot view of the process from start to finish. In 5 minutes, you'll have a better understanding of why preparing for the future is so important and why you need to know what comes next.

For more information, visit: http://kpbrecruiting101.org/step-2-learn-about-the-college-baseball-recruiting-process/

Our guest on today's podcast is Alex Wirta, the Director of the Therapeutic Associates-Bridle Trails physical therapy clinic in Kirkland, WA. A former college baseball standout at Carleton College, Wirta works with baseball players of all ages and is a certified orthopedic specialist.

In this interview, Wirta shares some of the common issues he sees among the baseball players he treats and discusses preventative measures that players can take to improve performance and stay healthy. The discussion serves as a great overview of preventative measures, player health, player performance and much more.

Topics:

Pre-hab, Rehab, Player Development, Strength and Conditioning, Injury Prevention, Performance Recovery

Related Resources:

https://keepplayingbaseball.org/exercises-to-help-build-speed-and-control-in-your-throwing-motion/

Important Note/Disclaimer:

Before beginning any conditioning or training program, you should talk to your health care provider, coach, and training staff.

On our KPBrecruiting101.org site we break the recruiting process into 10 manageable steps. This resource acts as a guide for recruits as they move through the recruiting process from start to finish. For each step, we provide detailed recruiting information and advice about what to do, when to do it, and how to do it right. As promised in episode 6, over the coming weeks, we will release short #MoundVisit episodes, breaking down the details of each step and providing some general guidance.

This episode looks at Step 1: Learning About College Baseball. We discuss why this ongoing step in the process is the foundation for the recruiting process and what you should be doing to explore the many options out there for you. In 5 minutes, you'll have a better sense for the aspects of college baseball you need to explore and why they are so important.

For more information, visit www.KPBrecruiting101.org/step-1-learn-about-college-baseball/

Fresh off a trip to Omaha and the College World Series as an Assistant Coach with Mississippi State, we sit down to talk with University of Hawaii's newly hired hitting coach, Mike Brown. In this insightful conversation, we discuss what it takes to be one of the final 8 in Omaha, how the trip to the College World Series will influence Brown's recruiting moving forward, how high school players can prepare to compete at the college level, offensive philosophy, and much more. With stops at some of the nation's elite programs, Brown opens up his knowledge to help recruits and parents understand what college baseball is all about and what it takes to get there. A winner at every level, you'll feed off his energy and positive outlook. Don't miss a chance to learn from one of the college game's most up and coming coaches!

Coach Brown on Twitter: @Mikesbrown5

Topics: College World Series, D1, Recruiting, Player Development, Mental Game, Offensive Philosophy, Weight Lifting, Mental Toughness

We continue our conversation with Demetre Kokoris, Pitching Coach at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. The care level and information shared in this episode mirrors that of part 1 of our interview. In Episode 9, Coach K opens up about the various levels of college ball, recruiting, and how to find a college program fit. With coaching stops at University of South Carolina, Cal State Fullerton, University of Oregon, and Santa Barbara City College, Coach K has learned from some of the college game's most successful coaches and mentors. A true student of the game and teacher, he generously shares his knowledge with us to help you improve your chances of success at the college level. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with one of baseball's great minds!

Contact Coach Kokoris...

Twitter: @CoachKokoris

Email: [email protected]

Topics:

College Baseball, Recruiting, Finding a Fit, Program Research, Levels of Competition, D1, D2, D3, JUCO, SEC, Big West, Pac 12

KPB sits down with Demetre Kokoris, Pitching Coach at Point Loma Nazarene University in sunny San Diego, California. The care level and information shared in the 1st of 2 episodes with Coach K is off the charts as he opens up about how he develops pitchers at Point Loma and how high school players can use that information to prepare themselves for playing at the next level. With prior experience on the staff at highly successful programs in the University of South Carolina, Cal State Fullerton, University of Oregon, and Santa Barbara City College, Coach K has learned from some of the college game's most successful coaches and mentors. A true student of the game and teacher, he generously shares his knowledge with us to help you improve your chances of success at the college level. You won't want to miss an opportunity to learn from this passionate leader.

Coach Kokoris on Twitter: @CoachKokoris

Topics:

Training, Development, Pitching, Arm Care, Throwing Program, College Baseball, D2