The Layback Podcast

Episode 72 of The Layback Podcast features Vanderbilt Baseball's Head Athletic Trainer, Chris Matarazzo. The New Jersey native shares his journey in sports medicine, offering an inside look at his day-to-day with the Vandy Boys. He discusses the importance of collaboration across performance and support staff, the evolving role of athletic trainers, and the significance of early detection in injur...

This groundbreaking webinar focused on the relationship between forearm strength and UCL injuries in baseball pitchers. Presenters Tobias Addis and Andrew Hagen, both 3rd year med students at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, kick things off with a detailed overview of the retrospective analysis of injured and uninjured pitchers. The moderator (Dr. Matt Fury) and panelists (Dr. Gunnar Br...

In episode 70 of the Layback Podcast, Trevor Powers, co-founder of Backside Groundballs Media Group, discusses the evolving landscape of college baseball, focusing on player development, coaching strategies, and the impact of technology and analytics. He highlights Arkansas as a benchmark for excellence in player development and explores how mid-major programs are making significant strides. The c...

Dr. Emily Ferree, a physical therapist and biomechanist from southern California, joins us for episode 69 of The Layback Podcast. Ferree discusses her multifaceted approach to athlete care, emphasizing the importance of understanding biomechanics, manual therapy, and rehabilitation strategies. She highlights principles of motor learning, the significance of early isometric exercises post-surgery,...

In episode 68 of The Layback Podcast, Jess Geiger shares her journey from studying mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech to biomedical engineering at Wake Forest, highlighting her research at the Wake Forest Pitching / Biomechanics Lab. She discusses her groundbreaking study titled, "Forearm Flexor Muscle and Elbow Joint Gap Changes After a Forearm Strengthening Protocol," and even shares her in...

The Layback Podcast (Episode 67) welcomes Jackson Bergman, a right-handed pitcher and new signee of the Indiana University. They discuss Jackson's journey from a small town in Ohio to college baseball, including his early influences, challenges with injuries, and the rehabilitation process. Jackson shares insights into his pitching strategies, the unique experience of the now infamous "monsoon gam...

Episode 66 of The Layback Podcast revolves around Jessica Geiger's study on FlexPro Grip's impact on medial elbow joint gapping and implications for athlete health, particularly focusing on elbow injuries in baseball pitchers. The panel includes experts in sports medicine and biomechanics - Matt Fury, MD; Dylan Newcomer, DPT; and Ryan Yoshida, DPT - who share insights on the importance of understa...

Episode 65 of The Layback Podcast features Ethan Landon, the first-year pitching coach at the University of Toledo. Landon shares insights from his inaugural season with the Rockets. He discusses the unforgettable experience of a rain-soaked conference tournament game, the success of young pitchers, and the strategies behind building a successful pitching staff. Ethan emphasizes the importance of...

Episode 64 of The Layback Podcast features Matt Solter, a professional pitcher -- currently with the High Point Rockers in the Atlantic League -- and Director of Performance at 8ctane Baseball. Matt discusses his journey through baseball, including his experiences in independent leagues, his recovery from a shoulder injury, and his evolution as a player and coach. The conversation delves into inno...

Nate Hoffman, a sophomore left-handed pitcher at Bethany Lutheran College, joins Episode 63 of The Layback Podcast. After suffering a UCL tear early in his freshman season, Hoffman committed to the long road of rehab with one goal in mind: returning to the mound. This season, he not only made it back, but earned starts during a run that led to a conference championship and an NCAA Division III Reg...

The Layback Podcast (Episode 62) features Josh Willitts, a right-handed pitcher and graduate student at the University of Richmond, shares his journey through college baseball, including his struggles with injuries, mental challenges, and the importance of enjoying the game. He reflects on his many mental and physical transformations as an athlete -- high school to college and then year to year fr...

The Layback Podcast is back for Episode 61 with Matt Kress, Pitching Coordinator for Driveline Baseball. Kress shares his journey from a Division 2 college baseball player to a pivotal figure in baseball training. He discusses the grit and determination learned from lower levels of baseball due to the need to make ends meet in a creative fashion. Kress stresses the importance of a growth mindset a...

Gary McCoy joins Episode 60 of The Layback Podcast to share his extensive journey in sports science, particularly in baseball. McCoy discusses the evolution of sports science in Australia, his experiences in Major League Baseball and Taiwan, and the innovative strategies he implemented to achieve the only zero injury season in professional baseball. The conversation delves into the importance of d...

Casey Mulholland makes his return to The Layback Podcast for Episode 59 to discuss the MLB Report on Pitcher Injuries and his comprehensive response to it. He shares insights from his interview process with the MLB, the impact of the travel ball industry on youth pitching injuries, and the importance of fatigue and workload management in preventing injuries. Casey emphasizes the need for a fundame...

Episode 56 of the Layback Podcast, host Adam Moreau speaks with Dan Braun, founder of Braun Performance and Rehab, about his journey in physical therapy, the importance of technology in rehabilitation, and the collaborative approach needed in athlete care. Dan shares insights on exercise selection, the significance of athlete engagement, and the role of isometrics in rehab. Braun continually empha...

In The Layback Podcast Episode 57, host Adam Moreau interviews Dayne Pengelly, a senior right handed pitcher at the University of New Mexico. Dayne shares his journey from an injured high schooler to a mid 90s slinging mechanical engineering student with a passion for rockets. Pengelly discusses his early experiences in baseball, the challenges he faced with a significant elbow injury, and his reh...

Will Carroll, a renowned writer and media member in the baseball world, headlines episode 56 of The Layback Podcast. Will discusses his journey in the sporting world, the complexities of understanding injuries, and the importance of transparency in reporting injuries to fans. Will shares insights on the misconceptions surrounding injuries, the recovery timelines, and the need for teams to tell the...

In episode 55 of The Layback Podcast, Jacob Kmatz, a minor league right-handed pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays and Oregon State alum, shares his journey from Albuquerque to professional baseball. He discusses his early days in baseball, the challenges he faced during college, including injuries, and his experience being drafted by the Rays. Jacob also delves into his offseason training, work with A...

Weston Germain, Director of Pitching at Minnesota’s Mash Baseball, kicks off Year 2 of The Layback Podcast with Episode 54. This episode dives into workload management, education, program structure, and the advantages and drawbacks of facility-based baseball. Germain shares his journey—from a junior college pitcher to a public school teacher, D3 pitching coach, and now overseeing pitching developm...

FlexPro Grip's Adam Moreau and Gavin Keipp-Stroud get together on the momentous 1 year anniversary episode of The Layback Podcast. After releasing one episode per week for an entire calendar year, Gavin and Adam look back on some of the highlights, learning moments, and takeaways from the previous 52 episodes. The two shoutout the top 5 most consumed episodes, in addition to a few of their own...

Brandon Golden of Ghost Lab NC and Carolina Ghost Baseball joins The Layback Podcast for episode 52. With an extensive background in strength and conditioning, human performance, and athlete development, Golden has worked with numerous colleges, 5 Tool Connection, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. His experience shines as he discusses global athlete development, general preparedness, and sport specific...

Director of Pitching at Rockland Peak Performance, Niko Leontarakis, CSCS, headlines episode 51 of T he Layback Podcast. Niko shares his own journey through player development, reflecting on the key moments that shaped him as a coach. With an up-and-down college career and brief professional opportunities, he highlights the lessons and relationships that influenced his approach. His passion for hu...

Ryan Yoshida, PT, DPT, CSCS, founder of Armored Heat and former Major League Physical Therapist for the Los Angeles Dodgers, joins The Layback Podcast for its milestone 50th episode. Yoshida shares his journey from PT school to securing a role with the Dodgers, highlighting key learning experiences along the way. The conversation covers positive and negative adaptations from throwing, the mechanic...

11th-round draft pick turned Development Coach with Connected Performance and owner of Feole Pitching LLC, Mason Feole, joins The Layback Podcast for episode 49. The former Padres pitcher has transformed the challenges of his injury-ridden career into valuable insights for his coaching journey. Spending more time on the Injured List than the Active Roster gave Feole a unique opportunity to dive de...

Episode 48 of The Layback Podcast features MLBPA Certified Player Agent and Vice President of Ball Players Agency, Alex Hinz. As the Director of Baseball for BPA, Hinz leads efforts in the amateur draft, free agency, and arbitration. A Colorado native with experience on both sides of the negotiation table, he has also spent time in professional front offices. Alex and Adam dive into the many roles...