KPB Podcast

"It's your job to take all the information that the coaches give you, synthesize that information and apply it to yourself in a way that works best for you." -John Soteropulos on Coachablity

When you are talking to a student of the game, you just know it. That's always the case when John Soteropulos jumps on the mic with us. On this episode, we catch back up with Soteropulos, who was our guest on the popular Episode 4. A cage rat and avid student of the game, this conversation covers a lot of topics that are relevant to high school players looking to play at the next level. Among the topics discussed are off-season training, refining your swing, using data and technology in training, learning to observe with purpose and become a student of the game, the role college plays in preparing players for life when college is over, and some less serious discussions like world series predictions. A theme throughout our discussion is relating high level concepts to high school players, making this episode a great listen for aspiring college players and their parents. 

Topics: 

Coaching, Coachability, Confidence, College Baseball, Studying the Game, Technology in Training, Intent, Off-Season, Recruiting

In a departure from our regular scheduling, in this episode we turn the tables and ask for your help and support! We are very conscious about making access to our informational content as frictionless as possible for our web users. We don't want anything interfering with you getting free access to the information and resources you need to keep playing baseball at the college level. Our resources are free and will always remain free, but there are a few times each year when we do ask for your support and this is one of those times! 

We are asking that all our supporters help us out by creating a peer-to-peer campaign to support Keep Playing Baseball for Big Day of Giving. The generous people from the Sacramento Region Community Foundation who run Big Day of Giving have made it easy for you to support and will walk you, step-by-step through the campaign creation process. Here's how it works:

1. Visit the KPB Big Day of Giving Profile at  https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/KPB. 

2. Click on the "Fundraise" button at the top of the page.

3. Log in or create a free account.

4.  Follow the steps and create your campaign. Be sure to explain why KPB is important to you and why you want people donate! Feel free to use the KPB Fundraising Video as your video using this URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQmSR6qw2eM&t=11s. 

5.  Once your campaign is created, it will be sent to us for approval. Once approved, your campaign will be linked to KPB's page and you can leverage your social network to help Keep Playing Baseball! Just remember you can't start collecting or make a donation until Monday, April 15th! Starting on Monday, April 15th, make sure you share, share, share your campaign!

You can watch a 1 minute video to help you make your campaign right here.  

For more information on Big Day of Giving and why KPB needs your support, visit our website here:  https://keepplayingbaseball.org/bdog2019/ or our Big Day of Giving profile here:  https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/KPB 

Every dollar raised will be used by Keep Playing Baseball to continue to support ballplayers as they chase their college baseball drams with the best free resources around. Thank you in advance for your support!   

Have questions? Email us! [email protected]

On This Episode

If you want to understand why you should consider playing JUCO baseball, this episode is for you! We dive into JUCO recruiting, a day in the life of a JUCO player, and insight into the way a JUCO practice is structured at Kansas City Kansas CC with assistant coach Andrew Kreiling. Kreiling was a standout player and Academic All-American at KCKCC before transferring to Pittsburg State University, where he played the outfield and was named an All-Conference player as a senior. After interning with Pitt State’s strength and conditioning program, Kreiling joined the staff at Avila University in Kansas City, where he served as a volunteer and graduate assistant over 3 seasons. On the field for Avila, he worked with the outfielders and served a year as the hitting coach. Off the field, he earned a Master’s of Business Administration. When a position opened up at Kansas City Kansas CC after he graduated, Kreiling jumped on the opportunity to coach and work at his alma mater. A family man, Kreiling credits his wife, Kramer for supporting him as he pursues his passion for coaching and adds that any success and joy he has on the diamond starts at home. 

Coach Kreiling and KCKCC on Twitter

 @Andy_Krei 

 @KCKbaseball 

Topics

JUCO, Recruiting, Offense, Outfielders, Defense, Scholarships, Day in the Life, Culture, Expectations, Academics

Additional Resources

4 Reasons to Consider JUCO Baseball

Considering Community College? Plan Ahead!

In This Episode

Your son's college search will culminate with one of the biggest decisions of his life. Where he decides to go to school (and play baseball) will impact his life for the rest of his life. There are huge athletic, financial, social, and career ramifications that come with his decision, so of course you want to be involved in helping him make the right choice. We don't blame you and we want to help you find the appropriate role in the recruiting process!

Parents are in a tricky position in the recruiting process. College Coaches overwhelmingly want  the recruit to take charge of the recruiting process and be the main point of contact. College coaches want to get to know your son and whether he fits in their program and whether he can take ownership over his decision. At the same time, most 17 or 18 year-olds are ill-equipped to choose a college baseball program and school on their own. Ask yourself this: would you let your son make a $50K investment on his own? What about $250K? Often times, that's exactly what the college decision is! 

As a parent, you need to find balance. That balance comes in the form of being active behind the scenes and making sure you and your son are on the same page, while letting him take control of the process and lead communications with coaches. In this podcast, we discuss 5 important roles for you as a parent (1. Source of Knowledge; 2. Academic Advisor; 3. Financial Advisor; 4. Great Teammate; and 5. Source of Stability and Support) that will allow you to be involved without over-stepping your boundaries, irritating coaches, and hijacking the process from your son. 

Bottom line: if you are trying to figure out how you can help your son find a college baseball fit, this episode is for you!

Topics

Parents' Role, Academics, Financial Planning, College Search, Recruiting Process, Communication, Leadership, Ownership, Research

Additional Resources

KPB Parents Page

Financial Planning: Running a Basic Budget Exercise

College Board College Search Tool

Loan Repayment Calculator 

In This Episode

In a departure from our normal interview-style episodes, two of KPB's own, Ethan Guevin and Eric del Prado, jumped on a call to talk about D3 baseball and their experiences playing at that level. This episode aims to educate players and families about why they should be open to D3 opportunities, but also interjects with some personal anecdotes and stories. If you want to learn about what D3 baseball has to offer, plug in to this casual conversation! 

Topics

D3, Academics, D3 Life, College Baseball, Recruiting, Player-to-Player, Academic Recruiting, College Life

 On This Episode:

We take a deep dive into NAIA baseball and are joined by William Woods University (Fulton, MO) coach Chris Fletcher. Fletcher is entering his 4th season as a coach with his alma mater, where he works with the hitters, infielders, leads recruiting efforts, and coaches 3rd base. No stranger to the NAIA program, Fletcher was also a standout infielder for the Owls during his playing career. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Fletcher’s 7 year college coaching career included a trip to the D2 World Series as a coach for Truman State University and coaching in the Northwoods League, among other stops.

We dive into new and familiar topics during this interview, which again delivers great information on college baseball and what it takes to play at the next level, directly from college baseball's gatekeepers who know the game best. Click play to hear us debate whether the NAIA remains the Wild, Wild West of college baseball, discuss recruiting at a high level, and compare differences between the NAIA and NCAA. Most of all, you'll get free insight into an under-explored level of college baseball and broaden your horizons about the opportunities out there that are available to you. As coach Fletcher says in this episode, "There is a college out there for every type of baseball player." 

Contact Coach Fletcher: 

Twitter: @cfletchmob  

Email: [email protected]

Topics:

NAIA, Recruiting, Offense, Defense, Contacting Coaches, Video, Scholarships, Academics

In This Episode

Keep Playing Baseball talks shop with Seattle Mariners Assistant Hitting and Catching Coordinator, Tony Arnerich. Covering everything from catching specific drills and instruction to player evaluation and what Arnerich looked for as a recruiter in the Pac-12, you'll want a pen and notepad for all the info in this 40 minute interview. Arnerich's baseball career has seen success at every level from Little League to the Pros. That resume includes a trip to the College World Series in 2011 as a coach with Cal, Northwoods Collegiate Summer League titles as a player (2000) and coach (2007), a 5 season professional career in the Royals and Marlins organizations, and minor league managing experience. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from one of baseball's brightest minds, as Arnerich helps you figure out what to do to improve and keep playing baseball! 

Find Tony on Twitter: @TonyArnerich 

Topics

Catching, Leadership, Mental Game, Training, Recruiting, Player Evaluation, Winning Culture

In this episode we sit down with Minnesota Twins AA Catcher, Mitchell Kranson. Kranson, a former standout with Cal Baseball and graduate of UC Berkeley had a great career for the Golden Bears, including this walk-off home run in the 2015 Regional in College Station. We pick Kranson's brain about the recruiting process, what it takes to play at the highest level of college baseball, preparing for a season, game day routine, and much more. Not only is Kranson one of the good guys in baseball, but you won't want to miss his advice and insight into what it takes to be a successful recruit, college player, and professional. Listen in!

Mitchell Kranson on Twitter: @mkranson20

Topics...

Recruiting, Academics, Pac-12, D1, Power 5, Preparation, Routine, Off-Season, Catching