The Diamond Dish Podcast

Different approaches to leadership     Definitions come from: Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice, by Peter G. Northhouse   Trait Approach: it’s the “you’re born with it” theory. 2 things I don’t like about this approach how can you be born to lead without any other sort of input? it means that it can’t be learned.  If you don’t have it you’re SOL How does it pertain to baseball? It’s saying that great coaches and great players are great because they were born great. I think society has advanced far enough to rule this approach out. Behavior Approach: focuses on what leader do and how they act So, the decisions you make can effect how you’re perceived.  This is pretty straight forward for both coaches and players. how you act, particularly in times of adversity I might add, is going to influence your team’s perspective of you Coach Messina quote Situational Approach: relies on the belief that different situations require different kinds of leadership As a coach, let’s say one year you have a veteran team one year and a “rookie team” the next. can you manage them the same? chances are that they will need different things from you Players, maybe you are the veteran on a young team, or maybe you’re the captain of an older team one needs guidance and encouragement the other needs less talk more action Relationship Approach: predicts that high quality relationships between leaders and followers will yield more positive outcomes this comes down to respect if you’re an ass, no one will want to play for you, or with you Coaches don’t have to be best pals with everyone on the team but don’t misuse their trust either Players, don’t isolate yourself through by being untolerable we all have examples of THAT teammate “New Leadership” Approaches: Transformational Leadership: describes leadership as a process that changes people and organizations Authentic Leadership: looks at the authenticity of leaders Spiritual Leadership: how leaders use values, and membership to motivate followers Servant Leadership: the “caring principle,” that focuses on the needs of the followers in order to help them become more autonomous This is my personal goal at A1 Pitching Academy empowering people through education   Conclusion   There are several different styles, approaches, methods, etc. know your strengths build your weaknesses Like everything else in baseball, play to your strengths but work on your weaknesses. your strengths will always make you who you are, and they will (by definition) always be more prominent than your weaknesses strengthening your weaknesses can only better you by making your more equipped to handle more adversity and situations

When should you take a step back from baseball? Biggest indicator is your attitude story of the end of many seasons and counting down the days only you know when the time has come Another big tell will be your body you’re always going to get “bumps and bruises”  but how long does it take you to recover, if at all? are injuries just lingering around? early in the season it’s easy to throw a lot/frequently as the season would progress that became more difficult for me because I wasn’t recovering as quickly Periodization just think about a professional baseball player Mid Feb - End of Sept (7.5 months) start throwing in January (another 1.5 months) 9 months total FOR A PROFESSIONAL I tried playing year ‘round once, didn’t work out well (catch 22) What do you mean by “back off,” or how should I back off? it doesn’t have to mean don’t do ANYTHING in fact, it shouldn’t take it easy, spend some time just doing movement training and addressing mobility issues  you can even still throw, just not extensively that may even be beneficial The concept of “active recovery” do other sports put the baseball down, and step away I used to take 2 weeks to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING What’s a good rule of thumb for an offseason?  When should I plan on cranking it back up? The easiest thing to do when you’re planning out your offseason is to work backward. 1 month out - CRANK IT UP 2 months out - PICK IT UP 3-4 months out - work on mechanical adjustment you’d like to develop 6 months out - start strength and conditioning program as time nears the season focus shifts from strength development to conditioning development but never a complete absence of either The key, or trick, is to discover how to continue working on your game without punishing your system too hard. learn to periodize certain aspects of your game/development so that you can always be doing something easiest example -  while you’re playing your focus is on performance when the season ends, work mobility and strength cuz you know that you won’t be able to when the season starts again. Continual Progressive Development relies on an understanding that every facet of your game is of importance, and there is ALWAYS something you can be working on. 

In this episode of the DDP, Jonah discusses 3 key reasons why you don’t throw as hard as you wish you did.  Aside from physical limitations, could the priorities of your “Elite” Travel team be a major culprit?  Join the discussion.

This week DDP host, Jonah Bayliss, shares his views about the qualities and characteristics that make a good coach.  He talks about how communication skills and teaching approach play a bigger role than how or where you played.

DDP host, Jonah, talks about some of the keys to maintaining a strong, continuous development program, diving into some of the actual psychology behind it.

DDP host, Jonah Bayliss, discusses the role of commitment, desire, and work ethic in your development progress.  It's not about taking the right road, it's about making the right road.

This week is a continuation of the previous episode where Matt talked about his hitter's checklist.  Here he dives a little deeper into that philosophy, as well as bridging the gap between movement and functionality in performance, work ethic, and the parents involvement in youth development.

Played 13 seasons of professional baseball Played for 5 different MLB origanizations at the Major League level. Now the Manager of Youth Baseball Development for the Cleveland Indians   Matt talks about:   his hitter checklist (a 3 part philosophy to simplifying the swing) teaches vs non-teaches

Matt Blake: Owner and Director of Elite Pitching Development Pitching Coordinator for Cressey Performance’s Elite Baseball Development Program Manages the off-season throwing programs for 100+ professional, college and high school players. Matt is also currently the Pitching Coach at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, Pitching Coordinator for the New England Ruffnecks, and maintains a role as an Associate Scout for the New York Yankees in the Northeast region.   Show Notes:   passion to be around the game and willingness to listen can predict developmental progress Not necessarily correlated to age, but diligence and awareness of stride direction and spin on the ball - things that everyone can do Then learn about routines and process - getting feedback on every throw Then get into “pitching” - fastball command & off-speed  Fastball velocity is the biggest factor that separates elite level pitchers Video to look at stride direction, “back arch,” and hand positioning The kid needs honesty and then a baby step program to get him there

In this episode, Jonah takes the reigns by himself as he discusses his opinions on Strike Zone Approach/Strategy and Holding Runners.  In an often unnecssarily overcomplited world, Jonah gives his best tips to "un-complicate the complex."

Today Pete Hoyt joins us to talk about: soreness vs. pain  injury prevetnionand the disconnect between awareness and action do you "NEED" to stretch       the ever-popular pitchcount debate my old absurd icing routine  Pete's surprising most important aspect of arm care and when it's OK to eat a big mac   Soreness vs. Pain: self awareness is going to be your best tool in determining your course of action   Injury Prevention: the disconnect between awareness and action and how athete's may be the ones actually standing in the way   Stretching: what does the science say?  Do we actually need to stretch?  You may be surprised   Pitch Counts: When is enough, enough?  Nolan Ryan was known for tremendous velocity and astounding pitch counts with no surgeries. Is he just a freak?   Does Ice actually do anyting other than make you feel cold?   Does arm care have more to do with your lower half than it does with your rotator cuff?       As always, keep your ears peeled for the coin drops.  That indicates the presence of a 2 cent knowledge bomb about to be dropped.  

Rob is a former minor league strength coach with the Royals, Blue Jays, and Cubs.  He has also worked with MLB International, training players in South Africa and parts of Europe, giving Rob a very unique perspective on the differences in training perceptions.

In this episode, Lantz talks about his philosophy to creating and gaining velocity through the movement and ability to manipulate your center of mass.  He also talks about the importance of your throwing program, and why you should take it seriously.   Lantz has had the opportunity to work with elite pitchers on both the professional and amateur levels.  Over the years, Lantz has established himself as one of the premier pitching resources in Tennessee and throughout the southeast.  Of Lantz's pitchers that he's worked with, here are some number that will jump out at you:   19 former pitchers have been drafted 4 currently pitching in MLB 54 guys have reached 90 MPH plus 14 have reached 95 and above 2 this past year reached the century club, 100 MPH!   Lantz and his thoughts can be found over at:     www.baseballthinktank.com  

We've all heard tales of "the road to the show" from various different athletes of all walks of life.  Chris shares his story about his road to the Major Leagues from the umpires side of it.  As he peels back the curtain to give us an inside look at the mysterious world of umpires, we learn several things.  Perhaps the most important being that they are, in fact, human. 

Eric is one of the brightest minds in baseball training today.  Having worked with players at every level, from middle school to the Major Leagues, Eric has a unique perspective on what defines and charaterizes successful baseball players.  The co-owner of Cressey Performance, Hudson, MA, Eric trains over 80 professional baseball players PER OFFSEASON!     www.ericcreseey.com www.cresseyperformance.com

Bill Stanton co-created "the Facebook of baseball" when he designed www.checkswing.com.  It's a social site where profiles are free and current subscribers range anywhere from ex-MLBers to Tee-Ball Dads.  It is one of the only places on the whole internet where Jon Doe Dad can ask a question and possibly have it answered by a professional coach or player.  It's a truly remarkable resource.   www.checkswing.com

  Frank Velasquez ATC, CSCS*R is a ’93 Graduate from the University of Michigan (BS Kinesiology) where he was a student athletic trainer for Big 10 Championship teams in football and women’s swimming/diving as well as the 1991 Gator Bowl and 1993 Rose Bowl.  He has worked in Professional Baseball since 1996 as a minor league athletic trainer (Texas Rangers Organization ’96-’99), minor league strength & conditioning coordinator (Texas Rangers Organization ’00-’02) and major league strength & conditioning coordinator (Pittsburgh Pirates ’03- ‘11).    www.vesla360.com