Behind the Seams Baseball Podcast

Today we’ll be taking a look at five reasons to train the anterior core in order to improve efficiency on the mound. Topics Include: Improving extension/Rotation Breathing Patterns Reducing Injury Risk Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. T...

Today, I’ll be talking about Force Production. While being strong will definitely help produce higher ground force, training the tendons and ligaments to also accept the explosive ground forces that happen on the field is also paramount. Topics Include: Training Eccentric Force for better Deceleration Improving Elasticity and Acceleration Isometric Training for Better Tendon / Ligament Quality Rea...

Today, we’re sitting down with sports nutritionist Nick Valenti to discuss the widely misunderstood topic of sports nutrition. Topics include: Calories-in-calories out... Does it work long term? Advice for hard gainers Caloric restriction, when is it necessary Protein... animal or plant-based Nick was previously with the Toronto Blue Jays as a dietetic intern.  He also served as an intern with Cre...

Today I’m sitting down with my partner here at RPP, Bahram Shirazi,  to discuss the current status of travel baseball as well as what to look for in a great travel program. Topics Include: Current status of travel ball Why we started our own program, Revolution Baseball Development vs. winning What parents should consider when choosing a program The recruiting front in travel ball Long-term athlet...

This week marks my 100th episode of the “Behind The Seams Podcast”.  It’s been, not only an incredible journey but also, an incredible learning experience.  This week I’ll celebrate by going through 9 of my “Ah-Ha” moments with 9 coaches from the following star-studded cast. Randy Sullivan – Back leg mechanics Scott Brown - Common characteristics of elite players Mike Boyle - Unilateral versus bil...

Today, Matt Hartshorn Pitching Coordinator with RPP is guest hosting, and we’re sitting down with Rapsodo’s Director of Marketing Matt Fowles and Chief Analytics Engineer John Garrett. Topics Include: Baseball data’s role in player development How data is used in recruiting Seam-Shifted Wake... how the data is evolving Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven ap...

Today I’m flying solo, answering questions regarding playing summer ball (or not). And if so, how to train properly during the hot summer months in order to maintain athleticism. Much of what you will hear is the premise behind our Elite Summer College Programs which begin shortly. Topics will include: Pros and cons To play or not to play…that is the question Finding the right organization and fit...

Today we’re sitting down with Pitching Coordinator Matt Hartshorn and Director of Hitting Andrew Pezzuto, both coaches on the new RPP Revolution 14U travel team. Topics include: Importance of starting LTAD (long-term athletic development) at a young age What to look for in a good travel program Getting baseline numbers and re-assessing Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic a...

This week we're sitting down with 108 Performance owner and operator Eugene Bleecker to discuss some issues when training young athletes as well as getting more athletic going INTO rotation. Topics Include: Coaching out a “fear of the ball” Hand-eye at the plate Water bag training for DNS Eugene Bleecker is  an MLB Consultant and the Founder of 108 Performance Academy, one of the most elite b...

Today we’re talking about the importance of efficient sequencing in the delivery and how to view it without the use of technology. Topics include: Self-Evaluation from video Recognizing issues that negatively affect sequencing Corrective protocols Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball ta...

Today we’re talking with Trish Keen, parent of one of our remote high school athletes, Graham Keen.  Graham (Class 2027) is ranked #1 in PA and #30 Nationwide with Perfect Game.  Needless to say he is an elite athlete who is tearing up the high school baseball world.  Join us as Trish talks about the steps she has taken as a parent to get him there, including: Nutrition Dealing with throwing volum...

Today we’re sitting down with Alan Jaeger and Randy Sullivan to discuss their new “Jaeger-Sullivan Return to Throw Manual and Schedule”.  I had the privilege of providing the Strength & Conditioning portion of this manual and I am excited to sit down and take a closer look at the manual with the two of them. Topics Include: How it differs from the standard back-to-throw protocol The power of e...

Today, we’re sitting down with the Brewers Pitching and Development Coach Blake Nation. Blake was recently at the Brewers Dominican Academy working with the young Latin players. Topics include: Mechanical trends and differences Managing “high milage arms” Coaching through the language barrier Blake joined the Brewers in March 2023 as the Development Coach in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  Pri...

With the baseball season kicking in, I thought it was a great time for my yearly sit down-talking about the importance of staying in shape in-season. Topics Include: Managing a controlled fall Maintaining velocity and power Minimizing the risk of injury Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseb...

Today we’re sitting down with the San Diego Padres throwing coach Eric Junge, founder of Pitch IQ. Topics include: The difference between coaching mechanics between position players and pitchers Workload management Pacing your ramp up to the season With 25 years of professional coaching, scouting, front office & playing experience Eric brings a diverse breadth of expertise as Pitch IQ’s Founde...

In most situations, athletes are generally trying to gain weight to become more explosive. But when dealing with higher level athletes that already possess adequate size and strength, the key generally lies in improving lean body mass and many times LOSING weight. In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk to RPP Pitching Coordinator Matt Goehrig and discuss the different parameters involved in his transf...

Today we’re sitting down with Dr. Ismael Gallo, founder of Baseball Flows. Dr. Gallo and I spoke last year (episode #33) and the response was so great that we’re sitting down again. This time we’ll discuss creating better movers on the field and training stability throughout larger ranges of motion through Dr. Gallo’s Baseball Flows. Dr. Gallo's background is unorthodox to say the least, whic...

Today, with high intensity throwing starting to ramp up here in the northeast, I’m going to try and answer the annual question coming into our facility by many young athletes and their parents. Why isn’t my velo up yet? It’s a multi-layered answer and I’ll address what I believe to be the big players. Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experience...

This week we’re sitting down with mental performance coach Mike Huber. Mike came to RPP the other day to watch an athlete who has been struggling a bit with command and control while on the mound. Today, he’ll discuss some of the visual signs he looks for when helping an athlete with the mental side of the game. Mike is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant accredited by the Association of App...

Today I’m going to break down a presentation that I gave recently on profiling pitchers at this year’s Bridge Seminar at Wake Forest University. Topics include assessing: Strength & Power Mobility Elasticity Deceleration Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out o...

Today we’re sitting down with Notre Dame Assistant Head Coach Seth Voltz. Coach Voltz brings with him a plethora of knowledge and information, from not only a coach's viewpoint but a player's as well.  Topics Include: The portal and its impact on high school athletes Workload management with pitchers The importance of incorporating S&C into an athlete's program Notre Dame Head C...

Today, we're sitting down with RPP Director of Strength and Conditioning Zach Kollar to take a look at our athlete results thus far as well as the methods used. We’ll also discuss switching gears for the second half of the off-season and what to expect training-wise to help increase power output. Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experience...

Today we’re sitting down with PT, DPT, Emily Ferree. This sit-down was long overdue.  So today, we’re going to discuss Emily’s take on various courses of action in adjusting mechanics for a more efficient delivery. Topics include: Back Leg Mechanics Overstriding Lead Leg Block Block Training vs. Variable Training Emily is currently clinic director of rehab and sports performance at Movement First...

Happy New Year! This week we’ve got a special episode featuring the "Top 5" Behind the Seams Podcasts of 2023. Here you’ll find gems from... Alan Jaeger - Jaeger Sports Corey Muscara - Wake Forest University Matt Swope - Maryland University Drew Dickinson - University of Virginia David Kopp - University of Florida Once again, have a safe and Happy New Year! Ready to take your game to the...

Today we’re sitting down with Vandy Associate Head Coach and Pitching Coach Scott Brown. This is a must listen… Topics Include: Maintaining elite status and staying there Being "present" on the mound 3 "non-negotiables" for players coming into the program The upcoming 2024 season will be Coach Brown’s 12th as the pitching coach and eight as associate head coach at Vanderbilt. ...