The PBSCCS Podcast

Mark Spadavecchia is entering his second season as San Jose's strength & conditioning coach and in the San Francisco Giants organization. Previously, Spadavecchia spent five seasons as a strength & conditioning coach in the Houston Astros organization. His tenure with the Astros included stints with Corpus Christi, Lancaster, Buies Creek, and Tri-City.

Spadavecchia earned a B.S. in Exercise Science from Marquette University and a Masters in Sports Sciences from Florida State University. He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

Topics covered in this episode:

-Being Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year

-Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR)

-Continuing Education

Quotes:

-"I've been very fortunate to have a lot of great bosses and coworkers" (2:44)

-"Help guys learn without over-teaching them at times" (4:35)

-"Practice Spanish" (8:29)

Paul Howey is the Atlanta Braves AAA strength and conditioning coach and is currently in his second season with the Braves organization. He spent the 2018 season with Atlanta’s AA team, the Mississippi Braves, and was voted the 2018 Southern League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year. Prior to joining the Braves, he was the Low A strength and conditioning coach in the Seattle Mariners organization from 2015-2017. Paul is a 2005 graduate of Abilene Christian University where he played baseball and earned a degree in Exercise Science. He holds a Master’s Degree in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention from the University of California Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Cortiva Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona.

He’s a Certified and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a licensed massage therapist. He desires to provide a holistic strength and conditioning approach to the athletes he works with through integrating player specific strength and conditioning programming while including individually specific manual therapy and soft tissue modalities. Working primarily with in-season professional baseball players, he believes that the relationship and communication built with each athlete is key to being successful and that everything done in the weight room should complement what the player’s demands and needs are on the field.

Paul’s wife Liz is currently studying Osteopathic medicine at AT Still University where she is a third-year student. During the offseason he enjoys fishing and duck hunting, spending time with family and traveling.

Topics covered in this episode:

-Best professional baseball story

-Being Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year

-Massage Therapy School

Quotes:

-"We're all in this together" (6:00)

-"These guys are just like anybody else" (11:48)

-"My programming needs to complement what guys do on the field" (15:10)

Nate Shaw is in his 17th season in Professional Baseball and is in his 14th season as the Major League Strength Coordinator with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He studied Athletic Training at the University of Florida. Prior to graduating, Nate was fortunate to land a dual internship as a Trainer/Strength Coach and interned with the Toronto Blue Jays during Spring Training 2001. After graduating from UF in May 2001, he took a job as a Personal Trainer in Gainesville for 2 years before getting in the door with the Rays in 2003 as a NY/Penn League Trainer with the Hudson Valley Renegades affiliate. He was promoted to Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for 2004 and held that position until he filled his current role in 2006 with the Diamondbacks. His specialities include work ethic, loyalty, manual therapy, communication, exercise prescription, program design, and of course being a dad. He currently lives in Chandler, AZ.

Topics covered in this episode:

-His personal story growing up

-His best professional baseball story

-PRI & Breathing

Quotes:

-"Communication is really important" (1:38)

-"My biggest gift is that I care about people" (11:20)

-"Have no ego and just be willing to serve people" (23:54)

If you would like to learn more from Nate, you can check out his articles on the PBSCCS website:

http://baseballstrength.org/helping-hamstring-injuries-heal-weight-room/

http://baseballstrength.org/muscle-balancesymmetry-player-screening-injury-prevention/

http://baseballstrength.org/nate-shaw-arizona-diamondbacks/

http://baseballstrength.org/designing-training-programs-for-baseball-by-nate-shaw-atc-rscc/

Eric McMahon is the Major League Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Texas Rangers. He is currently in his 11th season with the Rangers' Organization, and 14th season in professional baseball. Eric grew up in Burlington, Vermont and obtained his bachelor's degree in biology from St. Lawrence University, where he played varsity football. He also earned a master's degree from the Springfield College Strength and Conditioning program.

Before being promoted to the Major League level, Eric served as the Rangers' Assistant Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator in 2017. He was voted Double-A Texas League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2012, 2014, and 2015 by the PBSCCS. Eric previously served as a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Milwaukee Brewers, and as an instructor for the MLB International Academies Athlete Development Program throughout Italy.

Eric and his wife, Meredith, currently reside in the Dallas Area with their three children, Colin, Amelia, and Claire.

Topics covered in this episode:

-Velocity-Based Training (VBT)

-Autoregulation of training

-His best professional baseball story

Quotes:

-"I honestly feel like VBT is gonna be part of the future of what we do" (6:00)

-"Not everybody is like you" (26:48)

-"In this business you have to be a quick learner" (28:07)

If you would like to learn more from Eric, you can check out his content on the PBSCCS website:

http://baseballstrength.org/comparing-the-standing-and-kneeling-warrior-stretches/

http://baseballstrength.org/sand-training-speed-lower-body-development/

http://baseballstrength.org/eric-mcmahon-m-ed-cscs-rsccd-texas-rangers/

http://baseballstrength.org/3120-2/

http://baseballstrength.org/nordic-curl-2-by-eric-mcmahon/

http://baseballstrength.org/resisted-lat-bounds-by-eric-mcmahon/

by reading through his presentation on Velocity-Based Training:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dstgdppzpdxqviy/McMahon%20VBT%20Baseball.pdf?dl=0

or by following him on social media:

Instagram:

@ericmcmahoncscs

@rangerstrength

Twitter:

@EricMcMahonCSCS

@RangerStrength

Jose Vazquez is entering his 13th season as the Texas Rangers major league strength and conditioning coach. He previously spent four seasons with the New York Mets, serving first as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator (2002-2004) and later as the Director of Rehabilitation (2005).

Prior to joining the Mets, Jose was the Sports Physical Therapist for The Therapy Center in Knoxville, Tenn. and Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge, Tenn. from 1998-2001. He was also a co-founder of TNT Sports Specific Training in Knoxville in 1998.

After earning second team All-American honors at the University of Tennessee in 1992, Jose was selected by St. Louis in the 42nd round of the 1992 June draft. He played professionally for three seasons (1992-94) as an outfielder in the Cardinals organization and for the Northern League’s Duluth club. He was selected all-Dade County in baseball and football at Southwest Miami High School in 1988, and was all-state at Central Florida CC in 1989-90.

Jose graduated from Tennessee with a BS degree in education in 1994 and received his Masters of Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. in 1998.

He co-authored “Total Fitness for Baseball” with Jay Hoffman (Coaches Choice, 2008) and was a co-author of “Effect of Age on Anthropometric and Performance Measures in Professional Baseball Players” (Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2013).

Jose is a Certified and Registered (CSCS-R) Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and was the treasurer for the PBSCCS for eight years (2007-2014). He was recognized by his peers (Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Society) with the Nolan Ryan Award as MLB Strength Coach of the Year in 2014.

He attended the MLB Scouting Bureau scouting development program in October 2014.

Jose and his wife of 24 years, Anne, reside in Mansfield with children Josannah (19), Helena (15) and Kian (7). Jose’s recreational interests include yoga, snowboarding, surfing and lifting weights, and he has also earned a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Topics covered in this episode:

-Player evaluation and testing

-Heavy in-season lifting

-His best professional baseball story

Quotes:

-"Strength and conditioning is strength and conditioning - I don't care if it's Major League or Minor League" (13:47)

-"You gotta know what you believe in" (17:20)

-"This is a people business and you gotta learn how to deal with people" (19:08)

If you would like to learn more from Jose, you can check out his articles on the PBSCCS website:

http://baseballstrength.org/jose-vazquez-texas-rangers/

http://baseballstrength.org/oblique-injuries-in-mlb-by-gene-coleman-and-jose-vazquez/

http://baseballstrength.org/hip-thrust-and-squat-for-acceleration-and-max-running-speed-by-jose-vazquez/

http://baseballstrength.org/altitude-training-masks-do-they-work-by-gene-coleman-ed-d-rscce-and-jose-vazquez-pt-rssc/

http://baseballstrength.org/lateral-hurdle-step-over-drill-for-change-of-direction-by-gene-coleman-jose-vazquez-and-napoleon-pichardo/

or by following him on social media:

Instagram:

@rangerstrength

Twitter:

@RangerStrength

Brandon McDaniel enters his 12th season in Professional Baseball. He currently is a Director of Athletic Development and Performance Science for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He has been in the field of Strength and conditioning for 13 years and has previously worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates at the minor league level and EXOS (formerly Athletes Performance) in their Military strength and conditioning department with the department of defense.

He holds a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Wayne State College (NE) where he was a member of the baseball team. He holds a Masters degree from AT Still University in Human Movement. He holds many certifications including his Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Others include: FMS, SFMA, USAW, DNS, PRI and Strong First Kettlebell.

He has a strong belief in the importance of sound training and optimal recovery for high level performance not only in the world of professional athletics, but also general human performance.

Brandon has been married to his wife Andrea, who also works in the NBA as a registered dietitian. They have two young sons Caleb (4) and Turner (3). They currently reside in Burbank, CA.

Topics covered in this episode:

-His best professional baseball story

-Working with off-season strength coaches

-Adjusting work for different players

Quotes:

-"I don't really have a choice but to look at this holistically" (3:56)

-"I never turn away an opportunity to learn" (11:40)

-"Not one set of skills is going to be able to help all of our players" (13:48)

If you would like to learn more from Brandon, you can read his articles on the PBSCCS website:

http://baseballstrength.org/brandon-mcdaniel-ms-rssc-los-angeles-dodgers/

http://baseballstrength.org/los-angeles-dodgers-nutrition-program/

or by follow him on social media:

Instagram:

@bmacsc23

Justin Bucko is in his third season in the Cincinnati Reds organization, his first at Class A Dayton. Last year, he served as strength and conditioning coach at Rookie Billings. Following an internship in the Olympic sports department at the University of Maryland, he worked for the AZL Reds in 2017. Justin played 4 years of football at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education-health promotion, then became the head strength and conditioning coach of Milwaukee Lutheran High School before taking an internship with the University of Wisconsin. Following that internship with the Badgers, he began a 2-year stint volunteering at Georgetown University while he obtained his Master of Science degree in exercise science-sports performance training from Concordia of Chicago. Justin resides in Madison, WI with his wife, Marie.

Topics covered in this episode:

-His article on the PBSCCS website (Making the Most of Your Off-Season)

-His best professional baseball story

-Psychological Safety

Quotes:

-"Taking stock of your annual plan is how you're going to grow as a professional" (9:35)

-"Have a plan for your off-season" (14:39)

-"You can't let your pride of what you think is best get in the way of what is actually best for the athlete" (27:24)

If you would like to learn more from Justin, you can read his article on the PBSCCS website:

http://baseballstrength.org/making-the-most-of-your-off-season/

Dwayne Peterson is entering his six season as a minor league strength coach with the Houston Astros and his second year in AAA. He is a former division one football player, competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder. Dwayne spends his offseasons with his wife Candie at their home in Erlanger, KY.

Topics covered in this episode:

-His unique journey

-Hard in-season training

-His vision for an off-season program in professional baseball

Quotes:

-"I push players hard in-season" (15:23)

-"I think it's more the intangible things that make the difference" (18:35)

-"You need to enjoy the journey" (23:53)

If you would like to learn more from Dwayne, you can read his articles on the PBSCCS website:

http://baseballstrength.org/1436-2/

http://baseballstrength.org/integration-prt-baseball-strength-conditioning/

http://baseballstrength.org/rdl-progressions-by-dwayne-peterson-rscc/

http://baseballstrength.org/progressions-from-glute-bridge-to-hip-lift-to-hip-thrust-by-dwayne-peterson/

Logan Byman is currently in his fourth season in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He joined the Pirates after serving a 5 month internship at EXOS in 2014, and a 2 year graduate assistantship at the University of Florida from 2014-2016 covering football, soccer, gymnastics, and lacrosse while pursuing his Master’s Degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology: Human Performance.

He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management from North Carolina State University in 2013 while participating as a member of the North Carolina State wrestling team.

He became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 2014. He earned his Strength and Conditioning Coach Certification from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach’s association in 2015.

He was born in Raleigh, NC and currently resides in Bradenton, FL.

Topics covered in this episode:

-Being Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year

-Developing as a coach

-Speed and unilateral training

Quotes:

-"At the end of the day the athletes we work with don't want to be the best lifter - they want to be the best baseball player" (7:15)

-"How does what you're doing help them on the field?" (7:23)

-"Be absolutely amazing at the basics" (18:54)

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

Instagram:

@loganbyman

Trevor Swartz is currently the Minor League Physical Performance Coordinator for the Colorado Rockies (currently in his 6th season with Colorado and 3rd as the Coordinator). Trevor graduated from Central Washington University in 2014 with a BS in exercise science. His certifications include the CSCS, RSCC, USAW and FRCmS.

Topics covered in this episode:

-Trevor's unconventional path to where he is now

-Lifting heavy and running less

-Self-evaluation

Quotes:

-"Put your head down and work" (3:15)

-"Be under constant evaluation" (12:48)

-"We had to remove the ego at the door" (20:31)

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

Instagram:

@trevor_swartz9

Twitter:

@tswartz9