The Baseball Development Hub Podcast

Dan Galati speaks with Mike Gambino, the Head Coach of Penn State Baseball, as he details his plan to follow the success of the school's football and lacrosse programs.Join our Mailing list at https://backsidegbmedia.beehiiv.com/Follow on Twitter @BacksideGBFollow on Instagram @backsidegroundballsFollow on TikTok @backsidegroundball

In this week's podcast, Dan and Trevor discuss their recent visit to Penn State University, home of the Nittany Lions. The trip, another installment of our "Unofficial Visit" series, gave Dan and Trevor insights into a Big 10 baseball program that is on the come up.Join our Mailing list at https://backsidegbmedia.beehiiv.com/Follow on Twitter @BacksideGBFollow on Instagram @backsidegroundballsFollow on TikTok @backsidegroundball

Dan visits Head Coach Wes Johnson at the University of Georgia to break down how they use advanced analytics to develop pitchers that dominate the SEC.Join our Mailing list at https://forms.gle/WYnv5tY342Sfkt3N9Follow on Twitter @BacksideGBFollow on Instagram @backsidegroundballsFollow on TikTok @backsidegroundballExplore the podcast

In this week's podcast, Dan and Trevor discuss the importance of bat speed in modern hitting. Bat speed is one of the hallmarks of advanced baseball analytics, but is it as important as some make it seem?Join our Mailing list at https://backsidegbmedia.beehiiv.com/Follow on Twitter @BacksideGBFollow on Instagram @backsidegroundballsFollow on TikTok @backsidegroundball

🎥 Dan sits down with Charlotte's Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Toby Bicknell!Listen as Bicknell explains what his program looks for in recruits coming from high school, JUCO, and other four-year universities. He also gives us an inside look at how Charlotte builds their identity as a baseball team. If you're looking to make the jump to college baseball, this video has all of the information you need to improve your chances of acing those interviews with scouts who already know you have the talent for the next level.🏆 Why Charlotte Baseball Matters:Seven NCAA Tournament appearances2023 Conference USA ChampionsThree players drafted in 2025Up and coming mid-major program🔗 Connect with Us:Subscribe for more conversations with elite coaches and player developersFollow on Twitter @BacksideGBFollow on Instagram @backsidegroundballsmediaFollow on TikTok @backsidegroundballsmedia Contact us with guest suggestions or feedback: [email protected] 0:00 Introduction0:13 Advice for High School Athletes1:00 What is Charlotte looking for in recruits?4:05 How does Charlotte determine which athletes will fit?5:42 How does the transfer portal impact team culture?8:44 How do pro alumni impact team culture?10:33 How has recruiting changed over time?13:12 How does Charlotte navigate new roster rules?

Dan Galati sits down with 2021 Conference-USA Coach of the Year Robert Woodard to discuss his philosophy behind coaching the Charlotte 49ers. Woodard discusses a team mentality and tells how important it is to make sure every player is bought into the team’s identity.Join our Mailing list at https://backsidegbmedia.beehiiv.com/Follow on Twitter @BacksideGBFollow on Instagram @backsidegroundballsFollow on TikTok @backsidegroundball

In this episode we explore the importance of velocity in the modern game at all levels, from high school to the pros. With insights from some of the top pitching coaches in the nation, we're taking a look at how the best of the best come to be.Join our Mailing list at https://backsidegbmedia.beehiiv.com/Follow on Twitter @BacksideGBFollow on Instagram @backsidegroundballsFollow on TikTok @backsidegroundball0:00 Introduction2:13 Overall Velocity Philosophy15:51 Complementary Pitching25:15 What Separates Pro Pitchers33:40 College Command Issues and Pro Draft Philosophy41:30 Training Tips

In this episode, we sit down with Dallas Baptist University pitching coach Cale Johnson to break down the comprehensive system DBU uses to develop high-level pitchers. From training in the bullpen to performing on the game mound, Cale walks us through the process that consistently produces durable, competitive, and well-prepared arms.

🧠 What We Cover:

Cale Johnson’s coaching background and role at DBU

The core pitching philosophy behind the program

How DBU blends technology and old-school feel

Using the weight room as a performance tool, not just for strength

Translating bullpen work into game-ready execution

How they manage throwing workloads and recovery to keep arms healthy

The importance of individualization in pitcher development

What separates the good from the great in college baseball

⚙️ Key Tools & Concepts Mentioned:

Trackman / Rapsodo pitch tracking

Movement patterns & constraint drills

On-ramp protocols & workload monitoring

Transfer of training from pen to mound

Cues for mound presence and intent

🔗 Connect with Us:

Subscribe for more conversations with elite coaches and player developers

Follow on Twitter @BacksideGB

Follow on Instagram @backsidegroundballsmedia

Follow on TikTok @backsidegroundballsmedia

Contact us with guest suggestions or feedback: [email protected]

0:10- Pitching Philosophy

0:35- Individual Development

1:18- Building On Field Success

2:20- Embracing Failure

2:55- NewtForce

3:25- Utilization of Technology

4:10- Building Pitch Repertoire

5:10- Importance of the Weight Room

5:40- Injury Prevention

6:30- Characteristics of a Successful Pitcher at DBU

7:20- Freshman's Transition to College

8:00- Balancing Between the Fall & Spring

9:00- Stuff vs. Command

#pitchingmechanics #pitchingcoach #pitchingdrills #pitchingcoach #baseballszn #baseballtraining #baseballcoaching #baseball #pitchingtips #collegebaseball #mlb #weighttraining #strengthtraining

In this episode, we dive deep into the real process behind elite hitting development — far beyond surface-level drills and quick fixes. Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this conversation delivers practical, experience-based insight into what truly separates great hitters from the rest.

Our guest is a respected voice in player development, known for their work with high-level athletes and deep understanding of long-term hitting progression. Together, we unpack the philosophies, principles, and common misconceptions surrounding the journey to becoming an elite hitter.

Join our Mailing list at https://backsidegbmedia.beehiiv.com/

Follow on Twitter @BacksideGB

Follow on Instagram @backsidegroundballs

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In this episode, we sit down with one of college baseball’s premier hitting minds — Dallas Baptist Head Coach Dan Heefner. We dive deep into DBU’s offensive philosophy, the role of challenging training environments, and why hitting machines are a non-negotiable in their development process. Coach Heefner also breaks down how movement-focused drills shape a hitter’s swing, improve adjustability, and prepare players to perform under game pressure.

Whether you’re a coach, player, or just a baseball junkie, this conversation is packed with actionable insight you can take straight to the cage.

Join our Mailing list at https://backsidegbmedia.beehiiv.com/

Follow on Twitter @BacksideGB

Follow on Instagram @backsidegroundballs

Follow on TikTok @backsidegroundball

0:00 - Intro

0:25 - DBU's Offensive Philosophy

2:25 - Building a Culture for Offense

4:00 - Create Good Hitter, not Good Swingers

6:10 - Balancing Data w/ Performance

8:30 - Importance of Challenging Environments

11:10 - Guardrails to Ensure Hitters Stay Mentally Ready

13:00 - Difference Between Fall & Spring in Development

16:35 - Creating Adjustability for a Hitter

18:40 - Building the Engine

21:25 - Traits of Elite Hitters

23:30 - Importance of Individualized Routines

25:55 - Real vs. Feel

26:45 - Utilizing Video for Development

31:20 - Drill Work

32:40 - Importance of Vision for Hitters

35:25 - Trial & Error for Hitters