Nothing says “we truly care about the student-athlete experience” more than being eliminated at 10:30 pm, and the NCAA requiring us to jump on a bus at 1:30 am for a 3 hour drive to Atlanta to catch an 8:30 am flight home.
A mom just came up next to me at a game and pulled a Stalker radar gun out of her purse to check her son’s velo. I have now officially seen everything.
A bunch of coaches have asked about the short bunt game that we play, so I thought I’d put out a quick thread to give a better example of how to do it.
I’d like to think our culture is headed in the right direction when we’re 1-11, faced with removing 2 inches of snow from the outfield for the 2nd time in 3 weeks, just to be able to play, & our guys jump right in without a single complaint. Proud of the men they are becoming.
6 am bus to the airport…2 1/2 hour flight…season opener 3 hours later..and now locked in on school work…and in 9 hours they’ll do it all over again. Being a collegiate student-athlete is no joke, and not for those who can’t find a way to be present in the moment.
Having officially completed my first year as the HC
@lcpiosbaseball
, I wanted to offer some things I learned/had reaffirmed to me over the past 365 days. Hopefully new/young head coaches can learn from my mistakes. Looking forward to many more 💡moments in the future.
Just received a third email from a parent wanting to "introduce" their son in the last two days. HS Guys - if you can't send your own emails to coaches, how will you be able to handle life on your own in college. It is your life! Take control of it.
Watched a lot of games this summer from 14u to 18u, and am blown away by all the extra bases allowed from inaccurate throwing. Fellas, you gotta be able to defend and throwing is a big part of that. Lock in during catch play and practice game-like throws regularly!
Some of you asked about our short bunt game that I mentioned on the
@aotc_podcast
. Here’s a short video of it. Email at mkosderka
@lclark
.edu if you want the rules/set-up.
It’s going to take a while to come to terms with the fact that I won’t get to work with this group ever again. So excited for the future, but even more grateful for what all of these guys have done for our program, especially our 11 seniors. Love you guys!
#RollPiosForever
One final team pic. The Good Guys weren’t able to keep it rolling, but it was a season for the record books and L&C Baseball is relevant once again!
#RollPios
Although completely unrealistic in a game, the Double Barrel Goalie Challenge is a good way to break up the routine, promote athleticism and create competition.
#FridayFielders
The young man shagging 4 me is sophomore David Schmidt. Hurt his shoulder last year & broke his elbow this year. Never once has he complained. Asked 4 ways he can help & taught himself to flip & throw w/ his glove. This is what our program is about.
#MakeTheMostOfEveryday
#CTC
Here’s why I recommend youth coaches/parents sit on a bucket or throw BP from a knee. Plane of pitch from adult tends to make kids create too upright of a swing to match planes. Normal plane from a peer on the mound is much lower & can be duplicated from lower BP release point.
At 16, I decided I was going to be a pro ⚾️ player. When I told people this, they all laughed or encouraged me to have a “back-up” plan, all of them except my dad. Fellas - you have a super power as a father, & it’s believing in your kid’s dreams, no matter how big they are.
One of the very few drawbacks of being a college ⚾️coach is that your entire team heads home for an entire month right before the season begins. While the guys deserve a break, all you can do is hope they have the personal desire to put in the work for themselves & for the team.
Want to give a huge shoutout to
@Janw38
and the whole
@BSCBaseball
crew for their hospitality at this weekend’s Birmingham Regional. Win or lose, the atmosphere was electric from the first pitch and it certainly was an experience that our players and families will never forget.
Dear pitchers - I hate to be a pain, but if you could throw a few strikes to the hitter I drove over an hour to evaluate, it would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely - every college coach in the country.
Now that I’ve had a little time to process what happened yesterday, I wanted to share a few things that I either learned or was reminded of, watching our guys overcome great odds in winning our first NWC Championship.
Catchers need to remember to force contact if a hitter is out of the box on a stolen base attempt, in order to assure interference is called.
#MaskUpMonday
And there is nothing better than watching your guys compete. We played 7 innings in 18 minutes, so it can be a great way to break up practice, and will also likely be the most competitive thing you do all week. If you have questions, my email is mkosderka
@lclark
.edu
Pro career ended 20 years ago, today. Got called in by the Skip, & just like that, it was over. Thought my life was over, as well. Turns out it was life’s ways of showing me I had another path to follow. Things happen for a reason & it’s up to you to define what that reason is.
Another fun competition - Base Hit Challenge. 2 teams. D, including POs, can play wherever they want. If a GB gets through the INF in fair territory, it’s a point. If a flyball lands in fair territory, it’s a point. Hitter gets 1 swing. Take a K & you’re out. 10 outs & switch.
If you coach ⚾️ and are stuck on a smaller space or inside due to weather/lack of lights, but want to simulate game action, consider the Little League Challenge. By using tennis balls and putting bases at 60 ft, you can get a ton of game like action in a short period of time.
My wife took our 15 year old son to the grocery store last night and told me he grabbed a lone shopping cart from the parking lot and returned it to the store completely on his own! My job as a father is complete!
Hey Recruits - while I’d prefer that you email me videos of your games (so we can have a dialogue) it does not bother me if you tag me in a tweet. Like in life, when it come to recruiting, many people will have opinions, but you have to make the best choices for you.
I was actually jealous, because her radar gun was bette than mine. Had spin rate and everything. She had him at 87 with 2100 rpm! By the way, I’m all for moms supporting their kids!
While I’m very honored and humbled, I think there was a typo. It should have said “Coaching Staff of the Year”. Anyone who says you can be a successful coach without a great staff isn’t telling the truth. So honored to coach along these amazing men.
A1: We track off our INF expectations. So..routine plays made, tough plays made, double play chances converted, throwing errors, mental errors and web gems. The better we can be at these, the better chance we have to minimize bases and runs.
#ABCAchat
The Bird Dog doesn’t have an X account, so I’ll be “that dad” and brag about his complete game 2-hit shutout with 8 K’s yesterday. Sure do love watching him play!
Have found that having one of the extra catchers umpire receiving reps has been very beneficial. Helps receiver and umpiring catcher understand what umpire sees and will call a strike or a ball.
#MaskUpMonday
So many emotions ran through my mind watching this happen, but the two that stood out the most, were Pride & Gratitude. So proud of these 30 young men and what they have accomplished, and so grateful that they chose to do it at L&C. Love these guys with all my 🧡
#RollPios
When I was 16, I realized I wanted to be a pro baseball player. When I told people that, they'd always laugh or talk about the odds - except for this guy. He always believed I would make it happen. He was right, and I couldn't have done it without him. Happy Father's Day Pops.
Adley is one hell of a catcher, but his dad was no slouch either. He also changed my life with his positive energy. One of the best human beings on the planet!
Never get tired of listening to
@tannerswanson
. While the uniform may be different, the high level knowledge is still the same.
@Twins
catchers are fortunate to have him as an instructor.
Everyday I wake up and thank God for my family, my health and this group of Knuckleheads. Not many people get to truly say they love their job. Thankful to be one of those people.
#RollPios
Chasing breaking balls down will cost you strikes. With 2 strikes anticipate the pitch being low and work to stay even or underneath where you anticipate it ending up.
#MaskUpMonday
Impossible to describe how amazing of a weekend this was, win or lose. But it sure was a lot more fun seeing our guys overcome great odds and end up in a big dogpile on the field.
#NotDoneYet
Very grateful to be asked to speak at the
@nwbca
this evening. Loved having a chance to honor Coach Gatto, and hopefully was able to offer some simple ways to create value for those in attendance. Shoutout to
@billy_a_25
for coming out to offer his support!
I’m pretty sure it’s been a loonnnggg time since the Pios have received any votes in the national poll. Still a loonnnggg ways to go, but definitely headed in the right direction.
#RollPios
For the record, I have never thrown a pitch, taken a swing or made a play on defense in a Lewis & Clark uniform. This is all a credit to the players who did!
#RollPios
Simple drill to improve throwing accuracy, especially for young kids, is to simply give them a small target to hit on a wall (ex: a square of black tape. Creates more focus, competition and allows you to give feedback on why there throw is off line with each rep.
#FridayFielders
There are around 470,000 words in the Dictionary, but not a single one of them can describe how proud I am of Emily Kosderka for crossing the finish line with today’s defense of her PhD. It’s been a tough journey, but you have never stopped kicking ass. Congrats Doctor! 🎓
Getting to do what I love for a living is something I will never take for granted. I’m so lucky and thankful to be a small part of these guys journey, and only hope that I don’t let them down.
#Year23
When your wife has surgery and you come home to see that your team got together to send her a “get well” bouquet. Didn’t think I could love these guys more than I already did, but I was wrong.
#WE
>ME
#LUFES
I’m a workaholic. To be honest, it’s a problem. Luckily, I have these two in my life to help me slow down every once in a while and realize what is truly important. Thankful everyday to be their dad.
In order to be efficient with picks, WP/PB and drag reads, we use a four station system in 2-3 minute rotations. Lots of reps on multiple plays in just 10 minutes.
Coach Garrido with some infinite wisdom at
#ABCA2018
. "We need more BALLPLAYERS. Guys that will do anything needed to win the game." Listen up young guys. WE>ME.
Coach Deggs sharing his story about how being a man isn't about puffing out your chest, but instead about being willing to open up the heart inside your chest.
#HonestyIsTheBestPolicy
#ABCA2018
Tough to see the Pios come up just short today in an exciting 🏈 game. However, I was greatly impressed with
@PLUFootball
who left the locker room spotless. The programs with the best cultures don’t let the little details fall through the cracks.
Congrats to
@WillametteBSB
& the Bearcats. A formidable group on the field and even better people off of it. Represent the NWC and go win the whole thing.
Scrubbing bases on a Saturday morning. The things they don’t tell you about when you get into coaching ⚾️. Young guys wanting to get into coaching - you better be willing to get your hands dirty.
#ThereAreNoSmallThings
Calling all
#ABCAchat
participants. I would love to do a meet and greet right after the Rookie Coaches meeting on Thursday night at
#ABCA2019
. There is a rumor that there may even be a Sheets Claus sighting. Hope to see you there.
23 years ago today, I found myself sitting in my parents basement for two days straight, waiting for whatever MLB team that was going to draft me, to call and make my dream finally came true. The call never came.
A4: Here are the things we try to stress to our catchers in regards to leadership. Most times C’s don’t have all these things in their toolbox, so it takes constant reminders when they fail to match these expectations.
#ABCAchat
While I greatly appreciate all of my assistant coaches, I want to give an extra shoutout to
@The_edp
for all the extra work he puts in with our guys on and off the field. He is a true servant leader and the Fellas are truly lucky to have him in their corner.
#WE
>ME
#PRIDE
#🐃