Vito Friscia is a former AAA catcher with the Philadelphia Phillies and a standout hitter at Hofstra University. He was honored with the ‘Broadway’ Charlie Wagner Unsung Hero Award and now coaches the next generation as a hitting and catching instructor and travel baseball coach.

00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter
02:34 Experiences at Center Island Sports
08:23 Catching and Coaching Challenges
19:00 The Yips: Understanding Mental Blocks in Sports
27:05 Catching Culture: The Unique Stories of Catchers
35:27 Figuring It Out: The Hitter's Mindset
42:40 Baiting the Pitcher: A Strategic Approach to Hitting
49:18 The Mental Grind of Baseball
56:34 The Tiebreakers in Baseball
01:06:35 Overcoming Adversity in Pro Ball
01:16:40 Video Analysis and Timing Adjustments
01:21:50 Two-Strike Approach and Competing
01:27:05 Game Preparation and Mental Strategies
01:33:43 Understanding Timing and Adjustments
01:43:06 Finding Your Own Hitting Style
01:58:10 The Competitive Edge in Baseball
02:00:25 Teaching and Training Approaches
02:10:04 The Importance of Team Dynamics
02:18:55 Navigating Pro Ball Dynamics
02:28:53 The Importance of Being a Good Teammate
02:41:28 Transitioning from Player to Coach
02:50:38 Cherishing the Memories of Team Life
03:03:23 Podcast Outro

Tom Caputo is the head baseball coach at St. Joseph’s University on Long Island, leading the Golden Eagles to back-to-back Skyline Conference championships and NCAA Regional appearances. A former Division I captain, Atlantic-League player, and Division II head coach, he’s built winning programs at every level. He’s also the co-founder of the Long Island Junior Ducks travel baseball organization.

00:00 Intro
07:33 Understanding and Relating to Different Experiences
12:49 Navigating Life Decisions and Societal Pressures
18:58 The Impact of Technology on Relationships
30:51 Navigating the Recruitment Landscape
40:09 The Role of No in Personal Growth
41:17 The Responsibility of Coaches as Mentors
41:38 Lessons from Beach Workouts
48:33 Measuring Success Beyond Wins and Losses
53:35 Nurturing All Players, Not Just the Stars
01:04:55 The Role of Dialogue in Development
01:10:40 Self-Improvement and Personal Accountability
01:15:52 Navigating Player Development and Evaluation
01:22:48 The Balancing Act of Coaching and Personal Life
01:44:59 Finding Balance Between Coaching and Family Life
01:53:11 The Importance of Relationships
01:58:16 Adapting Teaching Methods
02:08:44 Balancing Authority and Understanding
02:13:59 Staying Active and Agile as an Athlete
02:28:07 The Journey of Physical Transformation
02:34:47 Breathing and Its Impact on Health
02:42:35 The Slow Kill of Poor Diet Choices
02:47:37 Navigating Family Health Decisions
02:57:14 The Influence of Curiosity on Health
03:01:17 Podcast Outro.

Dwayne Page is a college baseball coach at St. Joseph’s University on Long Island and co-host of this podcast. He’s played a key role in building championship cultures and has extensive experience in youth leadership development.

00:00 Intro
05:58 The Journey into Coaching and Personal Growth
14:52 Early Baseball Experiences and Influences
24:07 Transitioning to Competitive Travel Baseball
32:54 Intense Youth Baseball Experiences and Lessons Learned
40:15 The Love for the Game
55:11 The Importance of Team Dynamics
01:13:04 The Journey of a Catcher
01:19:26 Navigating College Recruitment
01:25:22 Finding My Path in College Baseball
01:36:29 The College Experience Begins
01:44:31 Growth Through Adversity
01:54:53 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Opportunity
02:01:54 Transitioning to Coaching and Leadership
02:08:57 Building a Strong Team Culture
02:15:40 Navigating Academic Challenges and Personal Growth
02:22:58 The Search for a New Direction
02:30:48 The Final Season and Reflections on the Journey
02:37:02 Emotional Moments: The Impact of Team Dynamics
02:43:20 Building Relationships: Coaching at Ulster Community College
03:00:50 Embracing Learning: The Journey of a College Coach
03:08:42 Podcast Outro