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This week’s episode features Denny and his coaching staff from BATRS. Denny and his crew talk about the recent BATRS tryouts. Denny discusses how each player is evaluated and how BATRS focuses on the development of each individual player . The coaches share stories about Cooperstown and ended with a conversation naming a favorite player from their program.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett

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This week Denny and Adam focus college recruiting and the importance of choosing a school based on academics and life skills rather than solely on athletic opportunities. Plus Denny and Adam break down what high school athletes should do in the off season to develop as individuals.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett

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This week, Denny updates his summer activities including coach with the Dodgers at Westmont college. Plus Denny and Rob talk about Jacob Madrid’s recent signing with the Mets. And Denny gives some advice about the upcoming College recruiting window opening up August 1st.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett

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The podcast focused on baseball coaching and mental preparation, with Adam Sarancik sharing insights about managing a talented 13-year-old grandson named CJ who is growing rapidly and preparing for a showcase. Adam discussed the mental and physical considerations for pitchers, covering three key areas: maintaining positive mindsets, performing well when not at full capacity, and handling pressure situations. The conversation included specific techniques like the "green light, yellow light, red light" system for pitchers to manage performance levels, the importance of practicing all pitches regularly, and the controversial approach of putting pitchers in challenging situations during practice to prepare them for real games. The discussion also covered the value of competition in training and the need for pitchers to develop mental toughness through structured practice scenarios.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett

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This episode features John Lynch, a Boston-born writer and screenwriter now living in LA, discussing baseball, sports movies, and his upcoming script reading. The conversation covered John's favorite sports movies including "Bingo Long and the Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings," "Bad News Bears," and "Moneyball," while discussing the challenges of portraying realistic sports scenes in film. John shared his background as a former Little League All-Star player in Worcester and his current work as a tenured professor of writing at LA City College and screenwriter, including his upcoming script "Blue City" which features Denny in a leading role. The discussion touched on current baseball topics including the Red Sox's performance, the Dodgers' World Series success, and the debate over whether players like Shohei Ohtani are the greatest players ever, while also exploring John's theories about clubhouse dynamics and player personalities affecting team success.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett

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This episode features an interview with Andy Diver, head coach at Mira Costa High School, discussing his team's CIF championship victory in Division III baseball. Andy shared how his team overcame significant injuries to their top pitchers, including losing their number one and number two starters before the season, to ultimately win the championship with a dramatic come-from-behind victory where they overcame a 6-1 deficit to defeat Agoura 6-5. The conversation covered Andy's coaching philosophy centered on competitiveness and "stacking competitive at-bats," his 20-year coaching journey including stints at Redondo, LA Harbor Junior College, and the University of Arizona, and the importance of building authentic relationships with players while preparing them for whatever comes next in their lives. The interview also touched on the challenges of coaching high school baseball, dealing with parents, and the lasting impact coaches can have on young athletes beyond just wins and losses.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett

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This episode featured Dean Florence and his 12-year-old son Luca Florence, discussing Luca's journey in baseball and his upcoming trip to Cooperstown. Dean shared how Luca's passion for baseball began at age 3 when he demanded to play with his older brother, leading to his first coach-pitch home run at just 7 years old. Luca discussed his love for the game, favorite player Mike Trout, and his role as a catcher who enjoys calling his own pitches. The conversation covered Luca's impressive statistics including approximately 25 career home runs with 12-13 this season, his upcoming trip to Cooperstown where he plans to visit multiple MLB stadiums along the way, and his approach to handling both successes and losses with a focus on mental toughness and love for the game rather than wins and losses. Dean emphasized the importance of letting children be themselves and not putting pressure on them, while also discussing the benefits of Luca playing multiple positions and other sports to develop his overall skills. The interview highlighted the special bond between father and son through baseball and the life lessons the sport teaches beyond just playing the game.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett

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This episode featured an interview with Jacob Madrid, a recently graduated catcher from Notre Dame High School who was preparing for the MLB draft. The conversation covered Jacob's baseball career, including his growth to 6'4" and 220 pounds, his impressive draft process involving conversations with 22 of 30 teams, and his commitment to the University of Oregon. Jacob discussed his unique approach to the game, his preference for hunting breaking balls rather than fastballs due to his size, and his experience with professional team workouts including physical testing and skill assessments. The interview also touched on Jacob's family support, particularly his parents who have attended countless games over the years.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett

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This week on the Swing Hard Podcast, Denny and Rob discuss their recent travel experiences. Plus Denny gives an excellent analysis of the recent baseball success of Cal Poly, UCLA and USC. Denny also breaks down the College World Series and the upcoming recruiting season.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett

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Adam Sarancik returns and on this episode he emphasized the importance of consistent fundamental practice, proper mechanics including tag mechanics and bunt defense, understanding field conditions and umpire rhythms, and managing pitcher workload throughout the season.  Adam and Denny covered specific technical aspects like field preparation, handling different pitching styles and arm angles, and strategies for dealing with unique field conditions including natural surfaces versus turf, foul territory variations, and weather factors like sun and wind. The discussion concluded with plans to bring in a pitching coach for a future episode to cover pitching-specific topics like pitch counts, rest periods, and arm management.

"Swing Hard in case you hit it!" Denny Barrett