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

Kyle Brennan is a former Division I catcher at the University at Buffalo and a professional baseball coach. He is the founder of Brennan Performance, a business focused on athlete development, and currently works as a low-A hitting coach.

00:00 Intro
05:11 Parenting and Coaching: Lessons from a Dog's Swim
11:07 The Role of Trust in Coaching and Parenting
16:53 The Influence of Family and Environment on Sports
23:05 Role Models in Baseball: Finding Inspiration
31:22 The Journey to Becoming a Catcher
38:06 Transitioning to Travel Baseball
45:05 Self-Assessment and Competition
55:05 The Role of Training and Motivation
01:00:04 Influence of Coaches and Parental Support
01:07:11 The Journey of Self-Discovery
01:15:49 Perceptions vs. Reality in Baseball
01:24:51 Navigating College Decisions
01:39:00 Becoming a Division I Athlete
01:45:37 Understanding What Coaches Look For
01:51:34 Transitioning from Player to Leader
01:58:36 Injury and Its Impact on Career Path
01:59:00 The Shift to Exercise Science and Physical Therapy
02:10:40 Recognizing Talent: The Journey Begins
02:18:27 Transitioning to Coaching: Embracing New Roles
02:25:16 Building a Brand: The Catching Machine
02:30:19 Navigating Identity: The Shift from Player to Coach
02:36:15 Professional Growth: Coaching in the Minor Leagues
02:48:30 Finding Purpose: The Journey to Double A Coaching
02:54:26 Navigating Career Decisions in Baseball
03:02:22 The Importance of Skills Acquired Along the Journey
03:07:57 The Ongoing Journey of Growth and Learning
03:13:59 The Role of Character in Career Opportunities
03:16:46 Podcast Outro.

We kick off with a candid conversation about our transitions from players to coaches and how those experiences shaped us. From there, we share the story behind this podcast—our goals, aspirations, and even some fears as we start this journey. Finally, we talk about what excites us most and the impact we hope to make.

00:00 Intro
04:17 Coaching Perspectives: Intentions and Experiences
07:16 The Journey of Coaching: Learning and Growth
10:11 The Importance of Intentions in Training
13:07 Navigating Struggles: Learning from Bad Days
15:59 Reflections on College Baseball: The End of an Era
19:05 The Transition from Player to Coach: Lessons Learned
22:11 Emotional Farewells: The Impact of Team Dynamics
25:04 Looking Back: The Journey and Its Lessons
32:43 Navigating the Transition from Player to Coach
37:50 The Complexity of Hitting Mechanics
44:05 The Evolution of Coaching Approaches
49:48 Fostering a Love for the Game
55:31 Building Trust and Relatability in Coaching
01:00:41 The Podcasting Journey Begins
01:00:46 Starting Before You're Ready
01:04:17 The Origin Story of the Podcast
01:10:09 Empowering Conversations
01:13:03 Gratitude for the Audience
01:14:41 Growth Opportunities in Conversations
01:20:47 The Evolution of Coaching Conversations
01:23:10 The Importance of Adjustments in Coaching
01:26:21 Navigating the Challenges of Coaching and Life
01:29:10 Building Team Dynamics and Communication
01:35:21 Fears and Concerns in Coaching and Podcasting
01:47:04 The Vision for the Podcast and Future Conversations
02:01:07 Podcast Outro.MP4