DK Willardson was a researcher before he was a baseball dad but when his son developed a passion for the sport, he put his background to work and took a quantitative look at swing path metrics.

After releasing his book on the subject, Quantitative Hitting, the industry’s response highlighted just how effective integrating proven swing angle combinations could be. Today, his company Hitting Tech helps players further understand and model the same swing paths used by the best hitters in the game.

Hear DK ’s journey from researcher and baseball parent to writer and inventor. He highlights which metrics matter most when using Quant Tee, his subsequent invention, that measures swing angles down to the slightest degree. All this and more, today on the #robcrewspodcast.

“The data is very clear on certain things that work and it doesn't necessarily mean that as a coach that everybody has to do what works for the entire group overall... but as a general rule there are certain things that work much better than others.” -DK Willardson [10:36]

“There's a certain level of humility that you have to have as a coach to go to your kids and say yeah we did that, I know, I understand but here's a better way to do it and here's why.” -Rob Crews [20:20]

Key Takeaways: DK Willardson’s breakdown on the tech behind the Quant Tee. The difference between implicit and explicit loft. Industry terminology and metrics to utilize the Quant Tee effectively. How Hitting Tech is helping baseball and softball players to improve.

Episode Timeline:

[00:30] CG Plus [01:23] Intro [01:40] Meet DK Willardson of Hitting Tech [02:40] His background in swing research [05:48] The inspiration behind his book, Quantitative Hitting [09:01] Why hitting should be looked at quantitatively [12:31] Swing path and key angle combinations [17:23] Hitting language [19:25] Training with the Quant Tee [20:59] Vertical and horizontal bat angle [23:08] Quan-tee and intentional tee work [26:51] Getting on the right plane [31:00] The difference between Implicit v.s explicit loft [36:38] The difference between vertical bat angle and attack angle [40:29] Why the book and the tee work hand in hand [43:34] Square hitters v.s backspin hitters [52:00] Direction bias [54:09] The difference in data between baseball and softball [59:08] Adjustments a softball player would have to make [1:05:55] Finding Quant-Tee [1:09:02] Body metrics coming soon [1:09:23] Outro

Resources Mentioned: CG Plus, Swinggraphs.com, HittingTech.com

Connect:

Find | Rob Crews At Complete.game On Instagram: @completegame On Twitter: @completegame On Facebook: @completegame

Find | Quant Tee At hittingtech.com On Twitter: @quanttee

Subscribe: On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Stitcher On iHeart Radio

Credit: IggyBeats, DT Productions, and Ali the Greatest for background music.

If you know softball, you know A.J Andrews—she’s the former LSU All-American turned pro who was the first softball player to ever win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Today, she joins Rob Crews to talk about growing up an athlete, taking pride in defense and serving as a role model. Hear how she developed her skills as an elite athlete and why she's motivated to not just stay in the game but to change it for the better.

Hear from the outfielder herself on what aspects of the game matter the most for developing into a well rounded player and person. She shares her passion for inspiring young women of color, and making strides for equality for female athletes across the board.

“Make sure that you don't align yourself with the possible and start really thinking about the impossible because impossible is nothing more than a dare, it's not a declaration.” -AJ Andrews [41:03]

“Representation is of the utmost importance. At the end of the day, in softball you're going to find maybe one, maybe two African American women on a team and I want that to change. I don't think it is at all indicative of the African American talent that's out there.” -AJ Andrews [27:26]

Key Takeaways: How AJ Andrews went from youth athlete to professional softball player. What she's learned about collegiate and professional sports. How she's inspiring other young women to achieve their dreams.

Episode Timeline:

[00:29] CG Plus [01:23] Intro [01:41] Meet AJ Andrews [02:14] Her background in sports and finding softball [05:02] When she realized she was fast [06:51] Developing athleticism with other sports [10:47] Getting recruited by LSU [12:42] Transitioning to college life [17:13] Self motivation and life as a professional athlete [19:33] Becoming the first woman to receive the Rawlings Gold Glove Award [22:49] Taking pride in defense [26:08] Representation for African American women [30:23] Gender inequality in sport [35:52] Branding and creating other streams of revenue [39:42] Finding AJ Andrews [40:19] Outro

“If I didn't make that one catch in that one moment, my entire life would be completely different... you just never know who's watching and you always have to give 100% effort and you always have to be yourself.” -AJ Andrews [11:09]

Resources Mentioned: CG Plus

Connect:

Find | Rob Crews At Complete.game On Instagram: @completegame On Twitter: @completegame On Facebook: @completegame

Find | AJ Andrews At alwaysaj.com On Instagram: @aj_andrews_ On Twitter: @aj_andrews_ On TikTok: @theajandrews

Subscribe: On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Stitcher On iHeart Radio

Credit: IggyBeats, DT Productions, and Ali the Greatest for background music.

4D Motion is on a mission to get game changing data in the hands of baseball and softball coaches and players. Their unique 4D motion system and modules are combining metrics with the magic— making training and remote coaching more accurate than ever. 

Sang Kim, 4D Motion CEO, drops in on the Transcending Sports Podcast to talk about the science behind power, tech innovation and how 4D Motion is fine tuning the game. Get his insights on biomechanics, kinematic sequencing and what it all means for players looking to improve.  Learn which metrics matter most when it comes to hitting and throwing. Listen in as Sang breaks down how coaches can use 4D motion to make corrections that count, even from afar. 

“I wanted to create something that was powerful, but fast, simple, portable and affordable so that anybody could use it, anywhere.” -Sang Kim[06:12] 

“We want to try to achieve that perfect blend of the science of hitting with the art of hitting and I think that's important to coaches…” -Rob Crews [11:28] 

Key Takeaways: - How 4D Motion is bringing innovation to baseball and softball.  - Insights on how coaches can work with data to help their players.

Episode Timeline:

- [00:28] CG Plus - [01:23] Intro  - [01:40] Meet Sang Kim - [03:19] His background in sports tech and the creation 4D Motion - [07:04] What 4D Motion sensors are all about - [08:16] Who is it for? - [09:00] Remote training program and virtual coaching - [09:42] The Kinematic sequence providing the right metrics for coaches - [10:59] Finding the right balance for coaches - [13:04] Generating power with Kinematic sequencing effortless power - [17:26] The importance of stabilized hardware - [19:59] Training modules and the launch quickness feature - [24:33] Integration and support - [27:19] Pitching/throwing metrics and Kinematic timing - [31:34] Finding 4D Motion - [32:52] The future of technology in the game - [35:10] Outro

“For any particular athlete, they're given strength and flexibility skill level. We can look at the sequence of their hip, chest arm, bat and help them get faster in minutes... You can instantly see somebody's kinematic sequence and tell them where they're powerleaks are and then sometimes have 10, 15% bat speed increase in seconds. -Sang Kim [10:11] 

Resources Mentioned: - 4D Motion Sports - CG Plus

Connect:

Find | Rob Crews At Complete.game On Instagram: @completegame On Twitter: @completegame On Facebook: @completegame

Find | 4D Motion At 4dmotionsports.com On Twitter: @4dmotion_sports On Facebook: @4DMotionSports

Subscribe: On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Stitcher On iHeart Radio

Credit: IggyBeats, DT Productions, and Ali the Greatest for background music.

Casey Roche got his baseball tech start with Diamond Kinetics after leaving his Indy Ball team. Find out today, why helping players boost their game has become one of the most rewarding parts of his life. Casey jumps into the metric magic behind Diamond Kinetics and what it is that sets their tech apart. Hear Rob Crews break down why he considers them one of the best baseball tech companies around. Listen in to find out what metrics you should be tracking the closest when it comes to your swing and how tech integration is just as important as the tech itself.

“Make a player a little more complete or at least understanding what they're good at so they can make their approach better, It's one of those things that I think that when you get to college you really gotta work on if you want to be a good hitter.” -Casey Roche [00:01]

Key Takeaways: 

How Casey Roche went from being a collegiate baseball player to working in baseball tech with Diamond Kinetics. 

How metrics are helping to improve players. 

What sets their technology apart.

Episode Timeline:

[00:30] CG Plus [01:24] Intro [01:40] Meet Casey Roche of Diamond Kinetics [02:39] How he got his start in baseball [03:26] Getting back in the game with Diamond Kinetics [04:21] Metrics, accuracy and quality behind Diamond Kinetics [07:12] The difference between Diamond Kinetics and Rapsodo [09:16] Diamond Kinetics products and services [10:32] The 3 most important metrics on a swing tracker [12:21] Balancing skill and metrics [15:08] The biggest swing flaws at each level [18:20] Swing fingerprint and the importance of contact depth [22:17] How Diamond Kinetics helps with tech integration [28:47] Pitchtracker softballs and baseballs [33:46] Bullet spin and moving the ball [35:21] What's coming next [36:42] How Rob Crews is working remotely with players [42:07] Diamond Kinetics' approach to tech and customer service [46:54] Contacting Casey Roche and how to find Diamond Kinetics [48:08] Outro

“The average kid isn't going to want to do remote... COVID-19 is not going to make you all of a sudden become a worker. The people who were workers before the virus are workers even more so now.” -Rob Crews [40:23]

Resources Mentioned: Diamond Kinetics, CG Plus

Connect:

Find | Rob Crews At Complete.game On Instagram: @completegame On Twitter: @completegame On Facebook: @completegame

Find | Casey Roche & Diamond Kinetics At:

Diamondkinetics.com On Instagram: @diamondkinetics On Twitter: @diamondkinetics On Facebook: @diamondkinetics

Subscribe: On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Stitcher On iHeart Radio

Credit: IggyBeats, DT Productions, and Ali the Greatest for background music.

Coach Darren Gurney is an international baseball coach and founder of Rising Star Baseball Camp, a training camp/clinic located in Rob Crews’ home town of New Rochelle, NY. Since 1998, Rising Star Baseball has been helping to increase quality and diversity in the sport. Coach to over twenty MLB draft picks and other professional players, Darren Gurney has no shortage of insights on the game. Hear the story behind his journey as a coach. He shares how he worked with players abroad in countries like Japan, Italy and the Dominican Republic, widening his lense in game and life along the way. Also, as a collegiate coach who’s worked with players of all ages, he shares his take on implementing tech. Find out why he says it can be risky and get Rob’s tips on doing it seamlessly.

“I think people fall for the glitz and the glamor of the technology. What does an exit velocity matter if I don't know my launch angle? And what does my launch angle matter if i don't pair it with my exit velocity?” -Darren Gurney [43:28]

Key Takeaways: How Darren Gurney built his career as a baseball coach. How diversity is helping him develop winning teams. What he learned from other cultures during his time coaching overseas. His thoughts on implementing technology appropriately in the game.

Episode Timeline:

[00:01] Intro [00:30] CGPlus [01:23] Meet Coach Darren Gurney [02:38] Growing up in New Rochelle [04:40] Becoming a baseball coach [06:34] Diversity in New Rochelle [08:09] New Rochelle High school sports [10:43] Founding Rising Stars Training Camp [16:43] The socio-economic weight of playing baseball [18:49] Creating a diverse culture between players and families [19:24] Becoming a high school coach [22:38] Coaching internationally [25:45] Cultural differences and takeaways from teams abroad [35:44] Lehman College baseball [38:36] Thoughts on the evolution of tech in baseball [46:47] Implementing technology [50:38] Technology tips for coaches [52:36] How tech is changing the game [55:34] What's for baseball and Coach Darren Gurney post COVID-19 [1:00:40] Thoughts on how the game and recruiting will be affected [1:06:41] Contacting Darren Gurney and outro

“My vetting approach for technology is under high scrutiny. I never adopt something that I'm not 100% positive is going to help my players... is this technology going to fit into what I'm doing? and if I can figure out how to make it fit, am I humble enough to go and ask for help from somebody who may be able to help me to get this right.” -Rob Crews [49:14]

“Socio-economically, baseball is way too expensive. Sometimes we take that for granted. You gotta buy a kid a new pair of cleats every 6 months, gloves, bats... Football and basketball are all scholarship sports. So economically, at the end of it, especially at the collegiate level, it's more economically reasonable than it is to play baseball.” - Rob Crews[16:43]

Resources Mentioned: Rising Star Camp, You Gotta Have Wa, Lehman College Baseball

Connect:

Find | Rob Crews At Complete.game On Instagram: @completegame On Twitter: @completegame On Facebook: @completegame

Find | Darren Gurney risingstarcamp.com 

On Instagram: @coachgurney 

On Twitter: @coachgurney

Subscribe: On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Stitcher On iHeart Radio

Credit: IggyBeats, DT Productions, and Ali the Greatest for background music.

In this episode, Rob Crews talks about the role of technology in vision, perception and cognition training  and development, This is an excerpt from a market research interview from one of the leading sports technology companies in the world of decision-making training. 

When Coach Kevin Shelton started Texas Glory in May of 2000, his players were hitting off a tee— today, they’ve grown into an over 100 team national organization with some of the most promising players in the game. Listen in to hear how Coach Kevin got his start in fastpitch and what went into building Texas glory into the national brand it is today. He breaks down the moments, players and shifts in mindset that made the difference on their path to success. He talks about everything from unique Texas slappers to the benefits of 20-player rosters. Find out how the short game has evolved and what's next for the Glory.

“We didn't know how much bigger the world was out there and we were frankly scared to attack it...Finally, the kids said, 'Listen, why don't you believe in us? Let's go play the best in the country. What are we doing? And that's what changed everything.” -Kevin Shelton [12:41]

Key Takeaways: How Kevin Shelton got his start in coaching fastpitch softball. The values behind the Texas Glory Brand and how they’ve expanded. Insights on the short game and slappers.

Episode Timeline:

[00:30] CG Plus [01:23] Meet Coach Kevin Shelton [03:01] How he got started in softball [09:30] Building Texas glory into a national brand [14:13] Transitioning to compete at a high level [18:40] Building a pipeline and expanding [22:04] The development, values, and recruitment separates Texas Glory [28:11] Left field, slappers and the short game in Texas [32:29] How the short game has evolved [40:07] What a typical practice looks like [47:04] The benefits of a 20 player roster [54:43] Contacting Kevin Shelton and outro

“Winners are not looking in the rearview mirror... That's the message I try and tell everybody, just go as hard as you can go. You don't need to worry if someone is running you down or not because if you're running as fast as you can run and someone runs you down, there's nothing you could have done anyway.” -Kevin Shelton [52:06]

“The primary focus is team. If people cannot buy into the idea that it is about the whole and not the individual, they don't survive very long in our environment.” -Kevin Shelton [23:32]

Resources Mentioned: Texas Glory

Connect:

Find | Rob Crews At Complete.game 

On Instagram: @completegame 

On Twitter: @completegame 

On Facebook: @completegame

Find | Kevin Shelton At [email protected] Texasglory.com 

On Instagram: @texas_glory_fp 

On Twitter: @texasglory 

On Facebook: @TexasGloryFastpitch

Subscribe: On Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Stitcher On iHeart Radio

Credit: IggyBeats, DT Productions, and Ali the Greatest for background music.

In softball and baseball, the things you can't see might be even more important than the things you can. Neurotech is bridging the gap between the two and elevating the game along the way.

Jason Sherwin, CEO of DeCervo drops in for this episode of the Transcending Sports Podcast.  DeCervo is the company behind the decision boosting uHIT software. Find out how Jason developed the tech behind uHIT and get his take on the neurotech industry’s future in sports. He breaks down how uHIT works on a cognitive level to improve pitch recognition. 

Find out what new innovations DeCervo has for hitters, how they’re making their MLB quality tech available for younger players and how you can make the most of the stats you get from it all.

“When we talk about neuro coaching, through neurotechnology, now we're addressing something that we've never really been able to address... It's something about making fast decisions that also translates into the confidence of an athlete.” 

-Rob Crews [27:43] 

Key Takeaways:

Episode Timeline:

Resources Mentioned:

Connect:

Find | Rob Crews

At Complete.Game

On Instagram: @completegame

On Twitter: @completegame

On Facebook: @completegame

Find | Jason Sherwin

At DeCervo.com

On Twitter: @jasonsherwin

Credit: IggyBeats, DT Productions, and Ali the Greatest for background music.

With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic erupting in the middle of the softball season, players around the country— particularly high school juniors are on edge about their recruitment and scholarship options moving forward.

Today, Jaimie Duffek, NCSA’s director of softball sits down to talk about options for student athletes and the future of college recruiting as we know it. She shares insights as a former recruiting coach, on the new recruiting rules put in place by the NCAA. The ripple effect of cancelling winter and spring sports and what she thinks about travel ball culture. Listen in for softball resources in response to the Corona outbreak and ways we might all make the most of our down time together.

“I don't really think that there's a safe haven anymore unfortunately... We've created this culture in the travel ball scene where we've made it really too easy for families and athletes and parents to give up, throw in the towel and say the grass is always greener on the other side when that’s not always the case.”   -  Jaimie Duffek [32:14]

Key Takeaways:

Episode Timeline:

Resources Mentioned:

Connect:

Find | Rob Crews

At Complete.game

On Instagram: @completegame

On Twitter: @completegame

On Facebook: @completegame

Find | Jaimie Duffek

At ncsasports.org

On instagram: @ncsa_sports

On Twitter: @ncsa

@ncsacoachduffek

Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio

Credit: IggyBeats, DT Productions, and Ali the Greatest for background music.