The PBSCCS Podcast

Derek Somerville is in his 8th season as a strength and conditioning coach in professional baseball including 2 seasons with the San Francisco Giants and currently in his 6th season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Derek is originally from Minot, North Dakota and attended the University of Mary studying Exercise Science and competing in collegiate baseball. Following undergrad Derek attended Liberty University completing a Masters of Science in Exercise Science and most recently completed his massage therapy license through the Cortiva Institute.

Topics covered in this episode:
-Sport Coach / Strength Coach Collaboration
-Screening and Communication
-"Sport-specific" Drills

Quotes:
-"I'm just trying to create as much conversation as possible with whatever coach it may be" (6:01)
-"For me, especially at the minor league level, we're strength coaches first" (8:34)
-"The players have to trust you and so do the coaches, otherwise you're not going to make as big of an impact as you hope" (13:31)

If you would like to learn more from Derek, you can check out his presentation from the 2021 PBSCCS Winter Meetings Strength & Conditioning Symposium below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgNvd3IDKV4&list=PLDlWM5pOkg9MRhHkzSned1hI3MtFDs0Ye&index=2

or by following him on social media:

Twitter:
@ddsomerville1

Ricky de Luna serves his 5th year as a strength and conditioning coach for the Boston Red Sox organization. Prior to his experience with the Red Sox, Ricky assisted with strength and conditioning programs with the United States Marine Corps, the US Olympic Training Committee, Altis, and within the NCAA D1 setting. Ricky's experience comes from a track and field background, which has helped him in professional baseball.

Topics covered in this episode:
-Drills for acceleration and max velocity
-Speed training with big groups
-Weightroom training and how to pair it with speed sessions
-How to find success and advice for others
-Continuing education 

Quotes:
-"If they have an image in their mind on what they need to be producing when they are running it's a lot easier for them to produce that" (5:00)
-"When we talk about athleticism it's all about having movement variation in your toolbox" (6:28)
-"Knowledge is information that you can make applicable. And if you just have information that you aren't doing anything with it, it's not knowledge anymore" (23:54)

If you would like to learn more from Ricky, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram:
@rdelunaaa

Ricky de Luna serves his 5th year as a strength and conditioning coach for the Boston Red Sox organization. Prior to his experience with the Red Sox, Ricky assisted with strength and conditioning programs with the United States Marine Corps, the US Olympic Training Committee, Altis, and within the NCAA D1 setting. Ricky's experience comes from a track and field background, which has helped him in professional baseball.

Topics covered in this episode:
-Aerial vs. Terrestrial athletes
-The foot and ankle complex
-Acceleration vs. Max velocity
-Aerobic conditioning

Quotes:
-"In my opinion, I feel full ranges of loaded squats aren't the most necessary if you're just talking about developing athleticism" (10:34)
-"Introduce what we're looking for, let them explore the best strategies, and then let them stabilize" (15:42)
-"If it looks athletic and he's sprinting at really good speeds there may be a point where we just don't touch it; Just let it be" (44:25)

If you would like to learn more from Ricky, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram:
@rdelunaaa

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on the Atlanta Braves winning the 2021 MLB World Series

Speakers:
-Brad Scott (Major League Head Strength & Conditioning Coach)
-Jordan Sidwell (MiLB Strength & Conditioning Coordinator)

Questions/topics covered in this episode:
-What helped lead to achieving the ultimate success this season?
-Do you have a universal strength and conditioning philosophy throughout the system?
-Do you have a system of checks and balances to keep players accountable?
-What do you do to keep your strength and conditioning staff engaged?
-Is there anything you are working on improving or changing for 2022?
-2021 playoff run discussion

Quotes:
-"Good staffs are made up of good people, and good people trust each other" - Brad Scott (7:48)
-"We're more following principles than specific methods" - Jordan Sidwell (11:36)
-"It's a long-term development model for our athletes just as much as it is for our coaches, and we want our coaches to make it to the Big Leagues just as much as we want our athletes to make it to the Big Leagues" - Brad Scott (15:04)
-"Really cool to see them again in the most important times of the year knowing all the work that went in behind the scenes for them to be ready for that spot" - Jordan Sidwell (38:30)

If you would like to learn more from the guests on this episode, you can follow them on social media:

Instagram:
@j_sidwell - Jordan Sidwell

Twitter:
@CoachJSidwell - Jordan Sidwell

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on being named a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year.

Speakers:
-Ben Chadwick (Boston Red Sox organization)
-Kory Wan (New York Mets organization)

Questions/topics covered in this episode:
-What did you learn in previous positions that helped you this year?
-Advice for others on looking to be successful at a Minor League affiliate
-Was there anything that you could have done better or different?
-What will you be working on this off-season and/or next season?

Quotes:
-"I think one of the most important things is learning what it takes to coach at your level" - Ben Chadwick (1:56)
-"There's no more silos anymore in this game" - Kory Wan (12:49)
-"There's always enough time during the day to figure it out" - Kory Wan (22:37)
-"The quicker you can get up to a standard that the position was already at the better off you're going to be" - Ben Chadwick (28:13)

If you would like to learn more from the guests on this episode, you can follow them on social media:

Instagram:
@bchadwic - Ben Chadwick
@kory_wan9 - Kory Wan

Twitter:
@kory_wan9 - Kory Wan

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on being named a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year.

Speakers:
-Joe Hudson (Boston Red Sox organization)
-Logan Jones (Arizona Diamondbacks organization)

Questions/topics covered in this episode:
-What did you learn in previous positions that helped you this year?
-Advice for others on looking to be successful at a Minor League affiliate
-Was there anything that you could have done better or different?
-What will you be working on this off-season and/or next season?

Quotes:
-"Internships really set the stage for me" - Logan Jones (2:22)
-"At the end of the day we're all just trying to provide for the players" - Joe Hudson (13:58)
-"I think from a personal standpoint it's critical that you set aside personal time" - Logan Jones (17:39)
-"I just think the relationships side of things are crucial, especially when it comes to career development" - Joe Hudson (24:45)

If you would like to learn more from the guests on this episode, you can follow them on social media:

Instagram:
@hudson_jr12 - Joe Hudson
@logan_jones95 - Logan Jones

Twitter:
@Coach_JoeHudson - Joe Hudson
@Logan_Jones95 - Logan Jones

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on being a first year strength and conditioning coach in the Major Leagues. This is Part Two of a two-part interview.

Speakers:
-Al Sandoval (Texas Rangers organization)
-Adam Vish (Pittsburgh Pirates organization)

Questions/topics covered in this episode:
-Things that may have been unexpected and/or different in the Big Leagues
-Is there anything that you wish you would have known ahead of time?
-Closing thoughts

Quotes:
-"I didn't realize how magnified everything was" - Al Sandoval (2:23)
-"We're just like players; once we are at this level there's one way out. If you can't do your job you're out" - Al Sandoval (11:35)
-"Don't think you're gonna springboard there overnight" - Adam Vish (12:37)
-"As a young coach take it in and get those learning opportunities and really enjoy where you're at" - Adam Vish (18:18)

If you would like to learn more from the guests on this episode, you can follow them on social media:

Instagram:
@alsando22 - Al Sandoval
@ajvish13 - Adam Vish

Twitter:
@AlSandoval22 - Al Sandoval
@AdamJVish - Adam Vish

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on being a first year strength and conditioning coach in the Major Leagues. This is Part One of a two-part interview.

Speakers:
-Al Sandoval (Texas Rangers organization)
-Adam Vish (Pittsburgh Pirates organization)

Questions/topics covered in this episode:
-Journey to your current role and how your previous positions prepared you for it
-Advice for others
-Discussion on everyone's first year in the Big Leagues

Quotes:
-"I think in anything that we do, whether it be strength and conditioning or life, everything is built upon experiences" - Al Sandoval (3:25)
-"It's a service industry; we're very people-oriented" - Adam Vish (8:33)
-"Everything at the Major League level is magnified" - Al Sandoval (10:54)
-"You look at it and it's not real life" - Adam Vish (42:42)

If you would like to learn more from the guests on this episode, you can follow them on social media:

Instagram:
@alsando22 - Al Sandoval
@ajvish13 - Adam Vish

Twitter:
@AlSandoval22 - Al Sandoval
@AdamJVish - Adam Vish

Kevin Varitek, RSCC – Down East Wood Ducks Strength & Conditioning Coach

Varitek will be entering his 4th year in professional baseball as the Low-A affiliate strength and conditioning coach for the Texas Rangers. Kevin first joined the Texas organization as a strength and conditioning coach for the DSL Rangers in Fall of 2019. Prior to this, he served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Boston Red Sox’s Rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate. The Chicagoland native earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Florida Gulf Coast University. He also holds a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC) license from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Topics covered in this episode:
-Life in the DR
-Movement quality and health
-Making connections with players and coaches

Quotes:
-"Movement quality over weight is definitely number one" (24:02)
-"I didn't become a strength and conditioning coach to become famous; I wanted to be able to help players" (36:10)
-"If you're working in a sport I think you need to build connections with the sport coaches as well" (39:37)

If you would like to learn more from Kevin, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram:
@varitek_kevin8

Twitter:
@VaritekKevin8

Brandon Golden had that opportunity to intern with High Point University, Mississippi State, and Wake Forest prior to a GA position at St. John’s.  Brandon says, "My time in New York was a foundational one as I was able to do many things that set the table for my career.  At St. John’s I was able to train several teams and travel with Baseball.  During the Summer of 2015, I worked with the Collegiate National team with USA Baseball.  After my time in Queens, I worked at Charleston Southern University as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.  East Carolina was the next stop for us.  We were able to be a part of East Carolina Baseball for four years along with many other teams.  Currently, I am working with the Dodgers as a MiLB Performance coach. 

During my coaching career I have been fortunate to be a part of the following championship teams:

-2015 Regular Season and Big East Tournament Champs.  Regional Finalists (St. John’s University)
-2016 Conference Champs (Charleston Southern Football)
-2018 American Conference Tournament Champs and Greenville Regional Hosts (East Carolina)
-2019 American Conference Regular Season Champs and Greenville Regional Champs (East Carolina)"

Topics covered in this episode:
-Finding ways to be successful
-Work/life balance
-Continuing Education Resources

Quotes:
-"Understand what makes you you, and what makes you special" (1:36)
-"We're not reinventing the wheel at this point in time" (16:10)
-"You can learn from anybody's experience and just apply it to your situation" (24:02)

If you would like to learn more from Brandon, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram:
@coachbgolden

Twitter:
@coachBGolden