Vanderbilt’s head baseball coach, Tim Corbin, answers your top questions about Vanderbilt’s baseball program. We discuss what Vanderbilt values in a player, creating the right environment for young baseball players to grow, why recruiting the best talent isn’t the most important consideration…and what is. 

Coach Corbin shares his coaching philosophy and emphasizes the importance of focusing on the growth and development of the players rather than just chasing outcomes. He also talks about the role of parents in supporting their children's love of the game, rather than adding undue pressure and expectations. The episode touches on various topics such as player recruitment, commitment dates, strength training, and emotional growth in the Vanderbilt baseball program.

You’ll hear from:

What we discussed 

(00:14) Vanderbilt College Baseball 

(01:13) Preparation that leads up to college baseball season 

(04:30) Recruiting for Vanderbilt  OR What recruits value about Vanderbilt OR Why players come to Vanderbilt

(06:41) Do scores matter? 

(10:36) Coaching vs. chasing outcomes  OR Chasing outcomes vs. process

(16:26) What makes a star Vanderbilt player? OR How to standout as a Vanderbilt player OR Playing to win vs. playing to enjoy

(20:01) What money can’t buy in baseball 

(23:06) Are we pushing athletes away from baseball? OR Why we’re not using money as an bargaining chip in Vanderbilt

(27:24) Being a supportive parent vs. helicopter parent OR The wrong way to parent a baseball athlete 

(38:38) Commitment date for upcoming recruits in baseball  

(41:08) The story of Tyler Campbell OR What athletes don’t understand like Tyler Cambell did

(46:11) Emotional growth in Vanderbilt baseball 

(50:36) What makes a student-athlete exceptional

(52:41)The right time for strength training for student-athletes 

3 things to learn from Vanderbilt’s head baseball coach:

1. The most important factor when picking where to play: Building relationships with pro players is one of the key reasons young baseball players want to come to Vanderbilt. What makes college baseball so fulfilling goes beyond the scores - emotional connections make it fulfilling. 

1. Why a baseball coach shouldn’t chase outcomes: When the outcome isn’t what you’re after as a baseball coach, you’ll be able to find yourself and be more present. Your focus should be the growth of the kids you are coaching, not the outcome. 

1. Parents should not get in the way of making baseball enjoyable: The role of an athlete’s parents should be to support them in enjoying something they love, rather than add the pressure of expectations to their life. Athletes will only grow if they feel a natural love towards what they’re doing. 

Memorable moments: 

• “There are 300 teams, and there's only one team that's gonna win at all. So you have to understand it's going to be about the process. If you don't feel it's about the process, then you might as well get out of the game right now and do something else, ‘cause you're gonna drive yourself crazy.” (1

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