This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on working Winter Ball.

Speakers:

-Ben Chadwick (Boston Red Sox organization)

-Derek Mendoza (Seattle Mariners organization)

-Tanner Miracle (New York Mets organization)

Questions/topics covered in the episode:

-General discussion on working Winter Ball (including teams, roles, responsibilities, etc.)

-How do you view your experience while working Winter Ball?

-How did your time during Winter Ball make you a better coach when returning to the States?

-How did you get involved with your Winter Ball team and what advice do you have for other coaches who may want to get involved?

-What is your best Winter Ball story?

Quotes:

-"It's unlike any other type of baseball you've seen" - Derek Mendoza (13:59)

-"Most teams are going to have some sort of coach that has a connection in one of the leagues" - Ben Chadwick (41:34)

-"My advice to any strength coach that has the opportunity to do this is do your research and really take a hard look at it" - Tanner Miracle (43:55)

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

Instagram:

@findyourprime - Derek Mendoza

@tanman_miracle - Tanner Miracle

@bchadwic - Ben Chadwick

Twitter:

@CoachMiracleTM - Tanner Miracle

Andrea Nunez is currently a strength and conditioning coach in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization. She is the first Latina Strength and Conditioning Coach in professional baseball. She spent the 2019 season in the AZL, winning the award of Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in that league. She is originally from Ciudad Juarez, CH, and a graduate of Santa Teresa High School. She was an NCAA Volleyball athlete at New Mexico Highlands University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in HPS. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA and a Level 1 Certified Coach through USA Weightlifting.

Topics covered in this episode:

-Being the first Latina Strength and Conditioning Coach in Professional Baseball

-Being Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in the AZL

-Humility and work ethic

Quotes:

-"I am fully aware that I am not where I want to be yet. I have a lot of work to do and I remain humble through all situations" (11:16)

-"How do you make your own energy?" (13:28)

-"We have to have top notch work ethic" (18:48)

If you would like to learn more from Andrea, you can follow her on social media:

Instagram:

@excuseszero_

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on using force plates and jump testing.

Speakers:

-Trevor Swartz (Colorado Rockies organization)

-Brian Buck (Sparta Science)

Questions/topics covered in the episode:

-General force plate discussion (frequency of testing, metrics used, testing used, etc.)

-How are you taking that data and using it to drive changes?

-Challenges you face/backlash from athletes (dealing with "well what does that mean?")

-Continuing education about force plates - where to find more info

Quotes:

-"It's selfish as a practitioner to think that we're just gonna test and eventually figure it out and then come back with a better plan" - Brian Buck (15:54)

-"The training is meant to offset what is going on in the game" - Trevor Swartz (19:28)

-"A force plate is just hardware. Let's not forget that. It's the interpretation that matters" - Brian Buck (53:42)

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

Instagram:

@trevor_swartz9 - Trevor Swartz

@brianbuck6 - Brian Buck

Twitter:

@tswartz9 - Trevor Swartz

@brianbuck6 - Brian Buck

Larry Adegoke is entering his 3rd season as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the New York Yankees Organization. Larry spent the previous 2 seasons at Appalachian League Rookie Affiliate, Pulaski Yankees. Prior to becoming a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Yankees, Larry worked as an intern for the Yankee’s Performance Science Department. Originally from Gwinnett, Georgia, Larry attended Kennesaw State University where he interned as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for their football program. Following the completion of his undergraduate degree, he moved to Tampa, Florida to pursue his master’s degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science at The University of Tampa. Larry currently resides in Tampa, Florida.

Topics covered in this episode:

-Training at Diesel Fitness

-Star Wars Night in Danville

-Limitations and psychological blocks

Quotes:

-"There is a better view on the scenic route" (12:29)

-"I think, as strength coaches, our job is to help guys maximize their potential" (15:49)

-"I believe that everybody you work with impacts you positively or negatively" (25:27)

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

Instagram:

@larry.strength

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on programming and strength training.

Speakers:

-Ben Chadwick (Boston Red Sox organization)

-Travis Roberson (Cleveland Indians organization)

-Ben Loftis (San Diego Padres organization)

Questions/topics covered in the episode:

-What does your current (or most recent) programming for yourself look like?

-Do you differentiate your programming from the programming you do for your athletes? If so, how?

-General discussion on programming modalities for athletes (percentage-based vs. velocity-based vs. perceived exertion-based)

Quotes:

-"We are problem solvers by nature" - Ben Lofts (14:50)

-"We think we're the most important part of their day, but really we're just the support system for what they do on the field" - Travis Roberson (21:18)

-"You're only limited by how creative your mind can be" - Ben Chadwick (45:47)

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

Instagram:

@loftistrong - Ben Loftis

@robersont7 - Travis Roberson

@bchadwic - Ben Chadwick

Twitter:

@loftistrong - Ben Loftis

@robersont77 - Travis Roberson

Scott Weberg just completed his 13th year in professional baseball. While the 2019 season was his first as the Head Major League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Toronto Blue Jays, he has served the Blue Jays in several positions including Assistant Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach (2017-2018), Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator (2016); Assistant Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator (2014-2015); and Advanced-A affiliate Strength and Conditioning coach 2012-2013. Scott entered professional baseball in 2007 as a member of the Chicago Cubs minor league strength and conditioning staff. While with the Cubs, he served as the AAA Strength and Conditioning Coach (2007 and 2008) and Assistant Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator (2009 and 2010). Scott's vast experience in baseball also includes Strength and Conditioning Coach for Team Canada in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Netherlands Region, with MLB International from 2012-2013. Prior to becoming involved in professional baseball, he helped facilitate The Athlete School, a startup youth training academy, in Waukee, IA in 2011. While in college, he was a strength and conditioning intern at Drake University in Des Moines, IA (2006-2007) and an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY (2007-2008). A native of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, Scott graduated from Rutland Senior Secondary in 2003 where he earned letters in baseball, basketball, and volleyball. After high school, he enrolled at Porterville, College in Porterville, CA in 2003 and played baseball. He then transferred to Grand View University in Des Moines, IA where he earned three letters in baseball, was team captain, awarded the 2007 Champion of Character Award, named to the 2007 Academic All-Region VII team and 2006 and 2007 Academic All-Midwest Class Conference team. After receiving a BA in Health Promotion – Fitness Management from Grand View in 2007, he earned a MA Degree in Health, Physical Education and Sport Sciences from Morehead State University in Morehead, KY in 2008. Scott resides in Dunedin, FL during the off-season. His hobbies include traveling, fishing, and kayaking. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). His service to the profession includes presentations at the Blue Jays Baseball Academy National Coaches Clinic in 2018, PBSCCS Winter Meetings in 2016, European Coaches Clinic in 2012 and Nova College CIOS in Haarlem, NL in 2013. Scott is currently the Treasurer of the PBSCCS.

Topics covered in this episode:

-His best professional baseball story

-Microdosing

-The art of cooking

Quotes:

-"We all have different paths" (6:19)

-"We're a family in a family" (8:47)

-"Anybody that's really good in this field wants to talk to other professionals" (11:33)

If you would like to learn more from Scott, you can read about him on the PBSCCS website:

http://baseballstrength.org/scott-weberg-ma-cscs-rscc/

Adam Smith is in his fifth year within the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization and is in his second year as their AAA strength and conditioning coach. Prior to his time with the Angels, he completed an NSCA Assistantship at Eastern Michigan University and completed internships at the NSCA, Syracuse University, and Binghamton University. Adam graduated from SUNY Cortland with a bachelors in kinesiology and holds his CSCS and RSCC through the NSCA, as well as his USAW1 through USA Weightlifting.

Topics covered in this episode:

-His best professional baseball story

-Building a quality environment

-Adaptability

Quotes:

-"I think environment is probably hands-down the single most important aspect of any strength and conditioning program" (5:09)

-"Figure out who is where you want to be and go learn from them" (11:11)

-"One of my little tricks is just get around people who are smarter than me as frequently as possible" (13:07)

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

Instagram:

@adampsmith_

Joe Palazzolo is going into his third season with the San Francisco Giants organization. He spent the last two seasons with Short Season Salem-Keizer. Before coming to the Giants, he was an intern with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in 2017 and a Short Season Strength Coach in Batavia, NY with the Miami Marlins in 2016. Prior to working in professional baseball he worked as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Aurora University in Illinois and started as a High School Strength Coach with Champaign Central in Illinois. He has a Masters degree in Kinesiology from A.T. Still University. A native of Champaign, Illinois, Joe and his wife Amanda currently reside in Gilbert, AZ.

Topics covered in this episode:

-His best professional baseball story

-Being named Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year twice

-Functional Range Conditioning (FRC)

Quotes:

-"If you can't get that buy-in, then you're not going to have the same energy and effort put into that program" (9:36)

-"We're blessed enough to wear a logo on our chest everyday" (13:18)

-"Books are about the cheapest education that you can get" (14:33)

Joe Hudson is in his third year as a Strength & Conditioning Coach within the Boston Red Sox organization. He has spent 5 seasons in professional baseball and another 4 years managing private sector sports performance facilities in Massachusetts. This past offseason, Joe opened his own performance facility, Hudson Strength, in Berlin, CT focusing on youth/high school athletic development and performance enhancement while working to develop a detailed assessment/testing protocol geared towards improving individual athletic performance profiles. He received his B.S. in Exercise Physiology from Plymouth State University (’12) and his M.S. in Exercise Science from Springfield College (’15). Joe and his wife Meghan currently live in Springfield, MA with their twin boys Callan & Griffin.

Topics covered in this episode:

-Fog Machine Incident

-Running a business

-Bench press in baseball

Quotes:

-"The biggest thing for me is the communication" (33:35)

-"I think the smarter the athlete is and the more autonomous we can get them with their training the better off they're gonna be" (35:29)

-"Adaptability is the best ability" (36:13)

If you would like to learn more from Joe, you can follow his website:

https://hudsonstrength.com

or on social media:

Instagram:

@hudson_jr12

@hudsonstrengthllc

Twitter:

@Coach_JoeHudson

Jordan Brown is from Caldwell, NJ. He graduated with a BA in Psychology at the University of Hartford where he also competed in track and field as a sprinter (100-200). He went to Springfield College from 2012-2015 studying Exercise Science and Sports Studies with a concentration in Strength & Conditioning (has not graduated yet). He has completed several internships from 2011-2015: Bluestreak Sports Training (2011), Springfield College, UGA (Olympic), Boston University (All 2013), Vanderbilt Football (Summer 2014), TCU (Spring 2015), and the Cincinnati Bengals/Ignition APG (Preseason 2015). During his time at Springfield he was a GA Track & Field Coach working with men’s sprinters (2012-2014) and was a strength and conditioning GA working with Men’s XC, Men’s and Women’s Diving (Fall of 2014) as well as Football and Women’s Gymnastics (Fall of 2015).

Professionally Jordan has previously spent two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals organization as a MiLB Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Johnson City Cardinals (Advance Rookie 2016) and the State College Spikes (Short Season A 2017). He was an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Campbell University working with Baseball, Football, Sprinters & Jumpers and Women’s Lacrosse (September 2017-May 2018), and is currently a MiLB Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Tampa Bay Rays organization, where he was with the Princeton Rays this past summer (Advanced Rookie, Feb 2019-Present).

Topics covered in this episode:

-Selling cars and his crazy journey to his current role

-Earning the title of "Ball Magnet"

-The Carnivore Diet

Quotes:

-"I knew I wanted to be involved in sports" (2:23)

-"I like following people who have different views from me" (13:48)

-"People all communicate in different ways and have their different nuances in how they communicate" (16:21)

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

Twitter:

@jordan_b28