Jenzen Torres - 2026 ABCA/Soldier Sports NCAA Div. II Assistant Coach of the Year

[00:00:04] Speaker A: Welcome to the abca's podcast. I'm your host ryan brownlee. This episode is brought to you by Rapsodo Baseball. Great coaching starts with knowing what to work on next. Rapsodo gives coaches the objective data, video and instant feedback they need to make every rep more purposeful with 20 plus hitting and pitching data points, live on live capabilities, seam orientation, scripted sessions and more. Rapsodo's Pro 2.0 and Pro 3.0 units help coaches dial in on player development for their athletes with pro level data and ball tracking technology. From establishing baselines to validating adjustments and tracking progress, Rapsoda takes the guesswork out of development. Measure what matters, train with purpose. Learn more by emailing salespsodo.com or visit their website rapsodo.com baseball this episode is sponsored by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time. 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Now onto the podcast 2026 ABCA Soldier Sports NCAA Division 2 Assistant Coach of the Year Jensen Torres enters his 14th season on the Cal Poly Pomona coaching staff and is sixth as Associate Head coach. He wears a lot of hats for the Broncos, serving as pitching coach, catching coach and recruiting coordinator. Results speak for themselves. During his time on staff, the Broncos have compiled nearly 400 wins. Jensen has recruited and coached multiple All Americans and helped develop 18 players who've gone on to play professional baseball, including 15 who were drafted out of Cal Poly Pomona. And on the pitching side. Since 2020, the Broncos have consistently ranked among the top programs in the CCAA in categories including era, strikeouts, fierce walks allowed and whip. But long before he was developing pitchers and building recruiting classes, Torres was one of the most accomplished players in program history. Before your starter at Cal Poly Pom from 2009 through 2012 he was a three time All West Region selection and remains the program's all time home runs leader, watching 34 home runs and 199 career games. He also ranked second all time in RBIs and finished his career as a.300 hitter. After his playing career, he spent time in professional baseball before quickly transitioning into coaching. Has since had the opportunity to coach some of the game's top talent, including a championship summer with the Yarmouth Dennis Red Sox and the Cape Cod League. Let's welcome Jensen Torres to the podcast. All right here with Jensen Torres, ABCA Soldier Sports Division 2 assistant coach of the year, associate head coach at Cal Poly Ponmon, but played there, great player. And then you've been an assistant for a long time now. [00:03:59] Speaker B: So yeah, yeah, I'm going on my 15th year. Played there for four years. Started coaching right after I graduated and you know, just been here for a long time and I love it. And you know, very fortunate to, to be a part of this program still. [00:04:15] Speaker A: At what point when you were playing did anybody come up to you and say, hey, do you want to get into coaching when you're done? [00:04:23] Speaker B: Yeah, I think our pitching coach at the time, Brett Lachman, he came up to me around my, my senior year just like, hey, like, you know what, what are your thoughts on, you know, coaching? You know, at the time, you know, I was like, hey, I'm gonna play Pro Bowl. Hey, I'm gonna get to the big league. You know, like every, every college kid dreams and all that stuff. And you know, it kind of, it wasn't something that I was like, really? Like, this is what I'm gonna do. But once he brought it up, I was kind of like, man, like, yeah, like, you know, if this whole baseball thing doesn't work out and. Absolutely. So. And I remember my, my, my exit meeting my senior year. You know, I'm sitting in the office with Lachman and Randy, our head coach, and it's like, hey, I want to coach. And I was like, what does it entail? And all that stuff. And they're like, hey, like, you know, it'd be smart to get a master's, you know, because it's going to be something that's really important. So start doing that and just kind of started to start coaching as, you know, volunteer, worked my way up and all that stuff. So, yeah, it was definitely Brett Lachman was the one that kind of started it and then, you know, he's been a great mentor to me. And obviously Randy, our head coach has been awesome and, but yeah, that's kind of just how it started. It just brought it up and kind of sparked me. [00:05:39] Speaker A: So what were your biggest adjustments then? Having to coach guys that you played with. [00:05:44] Speaker B: That was. That was a tough adjustment period because, you know, there were guys that came in when I was like, we came in together that red shirted a year and stuff like that. And I think it was just having that. That separation of, like, hey, you know, we're used to, like, hanging out and going out together and, you know, doing all the fun stuff that you do in college and then now, like, you know, I really wanted this to be something that I was really serious about, so I kind of had to distance myself, especially more of the off the field stuff, you know, and all that. But on the field wasn't as tough as I thought. I think maybe, you know, they might have respected me because of the type of player I was and the kind of leadership role that I kind of took on. It was definitely more of just like, the off the field stuff was the biggest transition for me. [00:06:34] Speaker A: And I think you see it guys that handled their teammates well and were good teammates. I think it's easier for those guys to transition if you didn't handle your teammates right or you weren't a good teammate. And probably the coaches probably see that out of you anyway. And they would never ask anybody to be on staff if they knew they weren't a good teammate while they were playing. [00:06:55] Speaker B: For sure. Yeah, I couldn't agree more. [00:06:58] Speaker A: How's your relationship with Randy then? Evolved, because that's. Oh, man, that's a little bit of a transition, too. Like, you go from playing for somebody and then you got to go with them. [00:07:08] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure. You know, it was a pretty easy transition in the sense of our relationship, because, I mean, I remember, like, as soon as he got the job at Pomona in, like, December of 11, and I remember he was. He called me as soon as he officially got the job. And like, we met at the. We met at the field, and the field was crazy, and it was older, and there's a lot of, like, you know, stuff. So, like, I think the biggest thing with. With our relationship was he always trusted me and always was just like, hey, like, you're gonna have the right intention. You're just gonna have to learn. You're gonna have to figure it out as you go on with certain things. And he allowed me to do that and was always there when I had questions and was always like, he. He. He knew I cared, and he knew that I worked hard so like he was never going to be upset with me. But there'd be times where you know, like, hey, like you should probably, you know, try XYZ with this particular guy and stuff like that, especially early on in coaching. And then as you know, we've been together for coaching together for 15 years, played for him for two years. I mean, we basically know each other inside and out. Like we know what we're each other's thinking, you know, a lot of that type of stuff. But I definitely feel like I've been very lucky to work with him for my entire career because he's, he's evolved so much as a coach from his first day to now that he's allowed me to kind of evolve and kind of become my own coach, not just be A Randy Benton Jr, you know what I mean? So like stuff like that. But it's, I mean he's been such a big influence in my coaching, not just coaching career, but you know, I'm a father now, I got a three year old daughter and you know, he, he had to miss a lot throughout his coaching career and he's like, I don't want you to miss, I don't want you to miss things. So, you know, I'm very lucky. I, I get home every night, put my daughter to bed, you know, all that, all those good things. And. But yeah, he's been nothing but, but a great mentor. And I mean, not just like he always says, like, I don't want you to say, like you work for me, like we work together. Which for me just says a lot about him. [00:09:23] Speaker A: What do you feel like he's evolved with? [00:09:25] Speaker B: I think the biggest thing is just understanding like there's going to be failure. And as a coach, like you have to be calm and you have to like, you know, if you freak out, the players see it and then the players are going to freak out. I think that's been a huge part for him and I think just also like him and I in general is just understanding like if things aren't going well in the sense of we're not playing well or things aren't going how we like it, we've done a really good job. I think of like looking internally as a coaching staff, like what do we have to do better instead of always pointing the fingers at the players. I think that's something that, that's been a big growing point from, you know, for me, 2012, 13 to now is it's just like, hey, like, okay, what do we have to do better as coaches we're not doing xyz. We're not. Our two strike approach isn't good. Our infield, whatever it is, right? It's just like, okay, then we're not putting them in the best position. We're not preparing them properly. So, you know, over the years we've changed how we do our practice plans. Something. It's not just the same thing every single day, every year, you know, in every program they have like, there's certain things that they're going to do, but it's just kind of like the order we do it and like how we teach it and stuff like that has been something that we've, him and I and our other coaching staff, other coaches have adjusted as the years have gone on. Instead of just like, hey, we've always done this this way and this is how we're going to do it. It's like, well, okay, we want to get over the hump we're trying to get to, you know, back to Kerry and win a national championship and win a super regional and host and all that stuff where we always say, like, if you continue to do the same thing, expect different results. It's the definition of insanity. So I think that's been probably the biggest thing is just understanding, like, we have to change to help these kids be the best version of themselves every day. [00:11:20] Speaker A: And with your returning guys too. It's always good to add new stuff in for your returning guys. [00:11:25] Speaker B: Exactly. You don't want it to get stagnant, boring. And they're just like, all right, well it's Monday. Okay, we're going to do PFPs, we're going to do this, we're going to do that, and then we're gonna hit. Okay, now it's Tuesday. Okay, we're gonna do, you know, you want to keep it fresh, you want to keep them engaged as well, which is something that we've, we've really made a conscious effort to do over these past, you know, since the, you know, the COVID years and all that. We didn't have, you know, seasons and all that stuff. [00:11:53] Speaker A: How'd you get hooked up with Pick? Going to the Cape? [00:11:56] Speaker B: Honestly, one of my, one of my really good friends, Eric Fohl, um, he coached for Pick at Cypress. He was at Dominguez Hills. Coached with him at Cyprus. He had gone to, you know, why did you coach for Pick? And he actually had gotten, he became the, like the first head coach at Hope International University. So he couldn't go out. So, you know, Eric called me and said, hey, like, would you, would you want to go coach in the Cape? And I was like, yes, absolutely. And so he's like, all right, well Pick's going to call you. And 15 minutes later he called me and you know, talk to me about it. And he's like, yeah, let me know what you think, you know, in a couple days. I'm like, no, like I'm in right now. Like it's a great opportunity. Like it was, you know, so that, that's how I got. It was Eric Full, who he's now at UC Irvine and all that stuff. But yeah, and then ever since I've coached with Pick, you know, we've been pretty close, you know, obviously recruiting Cypress players and seeing him all the time and, and all that stuff. So, yeah, that's, that's kind of the. Just how it got all put together was coaching the pig was my friend Eric. [00:12:59] Speaker A: Yeah, he'll reach out every once in a while for recommendations on assistance. He still. [00:13:04] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah. [00:13:05] Speaker A: They got off to a good start too. Yeah, I think they were like 16 and one at one point. [00:13:09] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. He does such a good job, man. Like, he's, he's incredible. [00:13:14] Speaker A: So you said you got a three year old. How soon did you get into recruiting after the regionals were finished? [00:13:19] Speaker B: Oh, I mean, basic. I mean, probably I probably gave it a few days and then, you know, because for us, a lot of the recruiting now is, is a lot later. We did a. We did a pretty decent job earlier in the year fall and going to the beginning of the season. But, you know, I gave it a couple days and all that stuff and then, you know, it's kind of just right back to it, having kids on visits and. Yeah, I'd say we, we finished up on a, on a Saturday and I think it was probably like Wednesday or Thursday the following week. It was like, you know, you gotta give yourself some time to decompress and kind of just like, okay, like. Because you go from a million miles an hour to just like, okay, like, no, there's no one at the field like that. You know, it's. It's that. It's that weird kind of time frame once your season's over. But yeah, it was, it was pretty quick. I'm very fortunate. My wife is an angel. Like, she, she puts up with me a lot in the sense of, you know, I do my best to make sure my. I'm present as best I can, but she's great. She understands. We've. We've been together since freshman year of college. At Pomona as well. So, you know, she's. She's a huge, Huge, you know, help for me and just making sure that I'm. I'm in a good space because I'm not worried about. Okay, I gotta, like, I don't wanna. I don't want to neglect my family and all that stuff. So I. It's a really good partnership with her, and I. [00:14:43] Speaker A: So do you have any tips to decompress after the season? [00:14:48] Speaker B: Golf? Yeah, like, I just try. I try to get away. You know, I'll try to. I'll try to. I'll try to golf as much as I can and, you know, and just spend time with my daughter. I mean, that's. I think once my daughter was born, that really gave me a lot of perspective. You know, you have a bad game or something like that. And she was 1 years old and, like, I come home and we, you know, we blew a lead in the ninth, and I'm, you know, I'm upset or I'm pissed off, and I come home and she's just like, dad, dad, come here. And like. And it's like, oh, my God, like, Like, what are we talking about? Like, she's definitely giving me a ton of perspective. And now that she's getting older, she's coming to games, and it's. It's really cool. It's. It's a really cool experience for. For myself and my wife being both of us are Pomona grads and all that stuff, so it's really cool. [00:15:37] Speaker A: Are you guys mixing much in with the. With the Portal? [00:15:42] Speaker B: We do. We do. You know, I feel like with every rule change, with all the new stuff that's coming about, I feel like with every rule change, there's always like a. There's a transition period on, trying to figure out what your niche is, you know, And I think we've done a decent job of getting, you know, players out of the Portal. I wouldn't say we're, quote, unquote, like slaves to it. Like, we're going to just put all of our recruiting into it. Um, you know, we do like to bring in freshmen. We do like the junior college kid and stuff like that. But, I mean, I'm not going to say we don't recruit the Portal. I think a lot of it, too, is a prior, like, relationship. Like, we try to probably recruit this player out of high school or junior college or. Or something like that. [00:16:26] Speaker A: And. [00:16:27] Speaker B: And all that. So, yeah, I'm excited to see how the new five for five goes. [00:16:31] Speaker A: Yeah, I was Going to ask you, what do you think? [00:16:34] Speaker B: Yeah, honestly, it's, I think it's a great idea. I just really. We have to figure out, like I said, the transition for like, okay, like who gets years, who doesn't. And then to figure out like, okay, what's our roster actually going to look like or what do we actually need? Because, you know, we had five, six, seven, eight guys who, this was supposed to be their last year and now they potentially have another year. So it's like, oh, okay, so do we need a first baseman, you know, or whatever it is catching whatever position or arms. So I think now because it just, I mean it just happened what, August 5th or so for D2. It kind of just went through. So I think for us it's just going to be like, okay, like let's figure out who's returning, who plans to return and all that stuff. Who, I mean, because a lot of guys are graduating. Do they want to start a master's program, you know, like all that stuff. So it's just gonna, it's gonna be interesting to kind of see how it all shakes out with the new 5 for 5. Deal. But it's exciting, you know, it's, it's another wrench in the, in the recruiting and trying to figure it out and all that stuff, but everyone's got to deal with it, you know. [00:17:39] Speaker A: Yeah. For schools that have master's programs, I think it's a benefit. [00:17:44] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure. [00:17:44] Speaker A: And you're not dealing with red shirts anymore. And I think we, you know, everybody's so worried about retention. You know, I think it allows you to get your freshmen in there, get some at bats or get some innings that you maybe would have held back in the past where for sure. I do feel like it allows you to maybe retain some kids a little bit more that, you know, because that was always that dicey one with freshmen of just, you know, the ones you were gun a red shirt. They kind of felt like, it's almost like a kid being injured, you know, where they felt like they're out on island, even though you would never treat them any different. But of course, yeah, you would have to have those conversations with kids that, that maybe you were going to red shirt. So they didn't feel like they're out on an island. [00:18:26] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, I mean everyone wants they go to college to play, you know, and not to say, you know, everyone doesn't play, you know, there's only nine positions and so many, you know, all that stuff. But yeah, it definitely allows for that where you can, you can, you know, give some kids opportunities. And a lot of times, like a lot of kids though now they get more opportunity, maybe they have a chance to take off and you know, they get comfortable and all that because there's, there's always, there's always, especially for the freshmen, there's such a big transition period from high school to, to call whether whatever level, juco, naia, d3, d2, division one. I mean there's always going to be a huge transition period and it's always, it's always good for those kids that they can get those at bats they can get, you know, even if it's like, hey, you're a defensive replacement in a game, just getting on the field and getting know, getting your feet wet, I think that's a really good part of this, of this 5 for 5 deal. [00:19:23] Speaker A: But it seemed like you guys use it a lot on your roster though. I mean, yeah, a lot of position players get a bats and you had a lot of pitchers get innings. [00:19:30] Speaker B: Yeah, well, because this past year for Division 2, they, they changed the, the red shirt rule to where you could play in 15 games and retain a red shirt. Where before if you got in one, like if you got announced into a game, one at bat, one pitch, one pinch hit, one pinch run, your season was done. And that, like he was saying earlier, like that you don't want to do that to kids. Like, you know, we had a situation a couple years ago where we had a lot of injuries and we had one catcher for six weeks and we had a kid who was red shirting and we were like, hey man, if this guy gets hurt, like, sorry, but we're gonna have to play. Like, like we literally won't have a catcher, you know, so where now it's like, okay, like you can do those things. So yeah, I think it's, it's really good. Like I said, the new rule that they passed for D2 last year with the red shirt was really good because like you said, I mean, we probably had five or six extra guys play where now with this new rule, you can have that all the time. So that's going to be really cool for the players and to get those opportunities. [00:20:40] Speaker A: How's the switch for you? You coached hitters and then you switched over pitchers and catchers. [00:20:46] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean for me it was, I think 17 was the first year I had become full time. And you know, Randy was like, hey, like, I want you to be the full time guy and like, I want you to do the, I want you to do the pitching. Because with Brett Lachman, you know, I was a catcher. We were always kind of on the same page in the sense of pitch calling and, and making moves. And while Latch was there, I was kind of like next to him, like with the scatter reports and like, talking about. So I got some experience with that. So, Yeah, I think 17 was the first year. I was like, okay, like, you are the pitching coach. And Randy was great. Like, he was like, hey, man, like, I know there's going to be some tough. It's tough. Like, I mean, let's be real that the pitching coach is the toughest job on, on the staff. I mean, it really is. You know, you have so many decisions you got to make in pitches and, and moves and rotation and back end, whatever it is. Right. And it was. He had a lot of grace with me and, you know, I'm a very competitive guy too. So, like, there'd be times where I'd be beating myself up and he's like, hey, man, like, you just gotta learn from it. You gotta learn. And, you know, you're the type of guy, like, you might make a mistake once, maybe twice, but you're not going to make it a third time, you know. So, yeah, I was the pitching coach from 17 to 23. Yeah, 23. And then now I'm kind of. A couple years ago, I made the switch back to the offensive side and kind of like my quote unquote assistant pitching coach, he's now taken over the pitching and stuff like that. So now, like, I'm very fortunate to kind of mentor him and if he's got questions and all that help him out. His name's Anthony Mizrahi. You know, he's doing a really good job, you know, but yeah, it was definitely when Randy asked me about the pitching site, I was excited because I know how important it is. I mean, your pitching staff is the, the heartbeat of your program, you know, and it was a challenge and it was something that, you know, I'd never done. So it was like, okay, like, let's dive into it. Let's, you know, make it your own and make adjustments as needed and all that stuff. So it was, it was really, it was really challenging. It probably took a few years to finally feel like, okay, like, I feel confident in myself to like, be a pitching coach and understand how to work with pitchers and develop them and get them better as best as I can and all that stuff. [00:23:14] Speaker A: If you had to go back and do it again, would you do anything different where you Started knowing what you know now about coaching pitchers, because it happens a lot. Not a lot, but there are guys that have never had to coach pitchers before that, that get thrown into that. What would you tell somebody that's maybe going through that for the first time that maybe hasn't coached pitchers before? [00:23:31] Speaker B: Man, I would talk to your pitchers, man, like, create, like. Like really, like, because they know their bodies better than you do, you know, I think that would be the biggest. Like, communicate with them, like, how are you feeling? Hey. And like, you know, and it's unfortunate, but, you know, everybody wants to be a starter, which I think devalues the bullpen, which, I mean, how often does a guy that throws the first pitch of the game for the last pitch of the game? And a lot of games are won and lost late in the game, too, and stuff like that. I think that's something that I would have done a better job of, is, hey, man, like, bullpen guy. You guys are super important. And. And not. And instead it was always like, hey, the starters, the starters, the starters. And hey, we'll figure out the bullpen. But I think also communicating with them on how they're feeling. Hey, what do you. You know, we're making these adjustments and stuff like that, but also, like, understand, like, dude, like, I know we always tell them, like, we play four game series, like, there's only four starters, which doesn't mean you're not important. But I definitely think communicating more with them and, like, really talking about, like, their roles and, like, understanding, hey, like, how important your role is. You know what I mean? Those would be the two biggest things, for sure. [00:24:48] Speaker A: And some guys are wired to be out of the bullpen better than others. [00:24:53] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, for sure. Like, we had a. [00:24:56] Speaker A: Guys don't manage the in between starts well because it's. For some guys, it's too much time to think in between outings. They're wired. They're like, okay, they may be hot that day, their name's on the board, and then they get up and go and get in. I just think some guys are wired mentally better for that than guys that have too much time in between outings. [00:25:17] Speaker B: Yeah. And also some guys are just adrenaline junkies. Like, they just. They love that. Like, that's definitely something that I've. Like that I learned as my coaching career has gone, especially with pitchers. Is there some guys that they might have been a, you know, a starter in high school or junior college or wherever they were at and. But there's just sometimes I. Do you throw Them in the bullpen and like, they just relish and they love the one run game or, you know, the big spot and stuff like that. I think that's definitely something that I've learned is like, dude, like, there's some dudes who are. Are just. They thrive in like, the tough spots, which is rare. Like, it's hard to find. You know what I mean? So. But yeah, it's definitely. You're 100% right. Like, some guys just thrive in the bullpen. [00:25:59] Speaker A: Andrew Campbell is 11 and 4. I mean, what made him so good this spring? I think it was 13 starts at 11 wins. [00:26:06] Speaker B: Like, yeah, I think for him, the biggest thing was, like, his confidence. I mean, he. He was one of the. One of the toughest kids, Tireless worker. I mean, you never had to worry about was Campbell going to be prepared. And for him, I think this past year it was fun to watch him pitch because, like, he would, let's say he threw a good pitch and he got bald or a guy got a hit or whatever. You'd see him like on the mound, like, like smiling like, okay, like, no big deal. Like, let's go. And he actually, I think something that we really, like attached to test that too, is he was able to get the opportunity to play for, like, the World Baseball Classic team. And I think getting that experience in the fall for him, like, he was like, yeah, like, I was facing, like, former big leaguers and stuff like that. Like, dude, it was. I think that was a big part too. [00:26:59] Speaker A: But, man, which team was he on? [00:27:01] Speaker B: Greg Britain. He wasn't on, like, the, you know, the actual team. He was on, like, the, the earlier team and stuff like that. But yeah, dude, he came to our office, like, kind of at the beginning of the fall, like, hey, like, I have this opportunity and all three of us are sitting here like, yeah, like, what are you talking about, dude? Like, yeah, I might have to miss this or this. Like, dude, this is a once in a while. We could never take that away from you, you know. But yeah, I think the biggest thing was just the work ethic was always there and the stuff was always there. I just think it was just he put it all together with the confidence side of it, and he really learned how to pitch and make adjustments faster, which is what just, I mean, winning 11 games is incredible at any level. So it was. It was really cool. And he's a guy that came in as a true freshman, was, you know, there from day one and all that stuff. So it was really cool to see [00:27:53] Speaker A: that for him and Jack Sanders, I mean, he had 14 home runs, but also 20 stolen bases. [00:27:59] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah, he's a freak. He's an absolute. He is one of the freakest athletes I've had the chance to coach. He's also one of the strongest kids. I mean, he's like a powerlifter. He's just so explosive and twitchy and. But, yeah, it was just like, he got on base and was like, go, like, go ahead. You know what I mean? But, yeah, he was. And he was just. He was one of the best leaders we've had. And not like the loud guy. It's just, like, how he went about his business, and he would. He would keep guys accountable when it was necessary, and he did it the right way and all that stuff. But, yeah, he was just. He was a freak athlete, just super explosive. It was. It was. It was a real treat to get to, like, coach him. And when he got hurt in 25, that was really tough because we just knew the type of kid he was. It was really tough for him, for the team. Like, he had a big impact, not just on, like, the coaches, you all know, like, hey, man, you're all American. Got hurt. Game three of the season. That's. That's tough to overcome. But it was the, like, you could see in the players, too, like, dang, like. And our guy is. He's out for the year, you know, but he showed up. He still showed up every day. He was at practice every day, like, feed us balls. I mean, whatever was. He was there. You know what I mean? It's one of those stories that you're just like, yeah, he's just the best type of kid and player that you want a part of your program, regardless of how good they are, you know, [00:29:26] Speaker A: with the type of power you had as a hitter, did you have to adjust your coaching with guys that maybe didn't have that type of juice? I think about that, too, because I was a runner, and so it was hard for me in the beginning to coach guys that had a little bit of juice because that was not part of my game. So, you know, what type of adjustments did you have to make when you were coaching? Because not everybody's gonna hit it's going to be that gifted. [00:29:47] Speaker B: Sure. I mean, I think the biggest thing for me was I had to understand the type of hitter they were. I. We really try to. I try to do a really good job of not cookie cutting guys, like, hey, I hit this way. You guys hit this way. Now, like, every coach, right? They have their Philosophies, they have their building blocks, right? Like, hey, I want X, Y or Z or whatever. But I think for me it was understanding. Like, hey, you know, we have, we had this second baseman last year, Brian Richmond. He's a really good baseball player. He's a, he's a 5 foot 5 second baseman. He's left handed. Like, I can't teach him to hit like Julian Angulo or Jack Sanders, who's, you know, Angulo, 6 foot 3, 230 pounds. And, and Jack Sanders is just an absolute, like, just freak of nature. Like, I think for me it was understand, like, okay, what type of hitter are you and how do we, how do we work with your skill set and, and those types of things? And, and I think also I think a lot of guys think like, oh, the home runs, home runs, home runs. Like, dude, doubles are pretty sweet too. Like, you know, I mean, like, you can split gaps, you can do certain things. But I think that was the biggest thing is understand, like, okay, what's going to help this guy be the best version of himself to help our team be the most successful? And, and also there are other guys who are the big power hitters. And that for me is fun. You know, it's like, okay, how can I get you to be a little more consistent? How can we, you know, hit, you know, some homers, but let's hit some doubles and let's put balls and play hard and, and those types of things and all that. [00:31:18] Speaker A: So do you have any foundational stuff for hitting? I mean, what. Do you have any foundations like, yeah, they need to do this as a hitter? [00:31:25] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, for me, the biggest part of hitting is, you know, you got to have good rhythm and you got to be on time with the pitcher. And those, for me, it's like, those are the most important, important things. Like, and then because we've all seen guys who had good swings like that didn't put up numbers, we've seen guys who had bad swings who put up numbers. You know, I think for me it's like, dude, if you can take your best swing consistently, whatever that swing is, like, so that's our job in the fall is like, okay, let's, let's understand, not just me understand your swing, but how do I communicate with all the players and how do we get you to take your best swing as consistently as possible? But yeah, like, rhythm and timing and taking and taking your best swing as consistently as possible. Those are the, those are the three biggest things for me. And then, you know, you can always. You're going to have to individualize it for certain guys and certain guys who move certain ways and stuff like that. [00:32:20] Speaker A: So same thing on the mound too, right? [00:32:23] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. [00:32:24] Speaker A: Still timing, too, on the mound. [00:32:26] Speaker B: 100. 100%. I think it's. It's just as. It's more. Yes, if I'm being honest, they all [00:32:33] Speaker A: do it a little different, but the. The hand has to break on time. [00:32:37] Speaker B: Yeah. You gotta have. There's certain things that every guy's gonna have a different stride length and direction and stuff like that. But at the end of the day, like, when that foot hits the ground, ball needs to be somewhere up. You know what I mean? So. But then there's just so many different variables with pitching, and pitching's hard, man. Like, it's. It's. It's not as easy. People think, yes, hitting is physically the toughest thing to do. It's two round objects squaring up and all that. But pitching is not easy, man, because hitters are good. Hitters are good, like, at all levels. They're good. And you got to be able to pitch and you got to be able to make adjustments as quickly as possible and, you know, and all that stuff. So for sure. [00:33:17] Speaker A: Why do you feel like the hitting's caught up to the pitching? I felt like the last four years, I think the hitting's finally caught up to the pitching. [00:33:25] Speaker B: I. I also. I think the bats are getting a lot better. I think that's a big. And also with how recruiting has gone with the Portal, and everyone's a little bit older. I mean, there's guys who are on their fifth, fifth or sixth year that have 600 college at bats or 500 college at bats going into, you know, who knows, fifth year, you know, Covid year, fifth year this or red shirt year that. And. But I think the game has become a little bit older in totality. You're still going to have the really good freshmen. You're still going to have the younger guys who are still really good players. But I think especially our league, the cca, it's an older conference, a lot of junior college players, a lot of transfer portal players. But yeah, I just think that the bats are definitely a lot better from when they made the switch to Bbcore and all that stuff, but just older hitters, man, more experience, not going to panic as much. Maybe, you know, ideally, as a coach. Right. Like, you want your players to be as calm and cool and collected as they can, no matter what the situation is. But, yeah, I think those are the big things for me that I really think are because, yeah, hitting has for sure caught up. I mean, there was a stretch there where, I mean, even just in our conference, like the team eras were just ridiculously low from top to bottom for the most part. But yeah, now it's the batting averages are starting to creep up. I mean, you have team batting averages in the, you know, low threes, some teams in the mid threes. You're like, whole team in.350 is ridiculous. [00:34:58] Speaker A: Seem like guys are putting together better at bats overall. [00:35:01] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:35:02] Speaker A: Levels. Yeah, it seems like guys are staying in the zone better now. Yeah. You know, whatever coaches are doing now to help guys with all that, I think guys stay in the zone better. They don't chase as much. Much. Yeah, I think strikeouts have gone down. Yeah. [00:35:16] Speaker B: And I think there's so many more like, tools available. Like, there's the training bats, there's the, you know, the foam balls, there's the pitching machines are incredible. You know, there's so many different things available now, I mean, over the last 10 years that are like, man, these would have been nice to have, you know, when we were all playing and stuff like that. But yeah, I think that's definitely a big part of it too. It's just the amount of like, and just the information that's available. I mean, I mean you can just hop on social media and find something new that you like every day, which that's also the tough part too because you also have the kids who have the access to it and they can find a bunch of. You're like, okay, we were working on this, but okay, well let's, let's figure it out. Let's see how we're going to mesh this together. If we are. [00:36:02] Speaker A: How's the fall laid out for you guys? You're getting ready to start here. So how's it laid out? [00:36:05] Speaker B: Yeah, so we'll start. So school starts on Thursday. We will start groups, like, so we have to do like a group session where it's four hours on the field, four hours in the weight room from basically end of August through September. And then beginning of October is when we start our full team practices, which are five days a week and all that. And then we'll do that from October basically till November 15th is kind of like the last day you can have like a full team practice. And then after that we can go back into a little bit of the group setting again. The four hours such or eight hour weeks. And then, you know, we got Thanksgiving and finals week and we're basically, we can't, you know, we can't work with them or touch them or anything like that. So that's kind of how the fall gets laid out. [00:36:54] Speaker A: How early do you guys get going in the spring with games? [00:36:58] Speaker B: So normally we started doing this several years ago, so we'll play. So we're allowed three outside competition games. And what we've done as of the probably last five or six years, we'll play one of our three games in January, like right before. So our season starts February 1st, but then, you know, depending on the calendar, you can start on the 31st of January, whatever that first Friday is and stuff like that. But yeah, so usually, I mean, we're starting January or end of January, first week of February. And then it goes, you know, hopefully through, you know, late May. If you're playing in late May, it's pretty good year. [00:37:37] Speaker A: You like playing the outside competition game? [00:37:40] Speaker B: Oh, I think it's great. [00:37:41] Speaker A: It's great, isn't it? [00:37:42] Speaker B: It's great. I wish there were more. [00:37:43] Speaker A: I wish Division 1 would have been able to do that. [00:37:46] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. I mean, three is fine. It would be good to be able to get a couple more in. But no, the outside competition is great. Great. I mean, it's, it's, it's a good, it's, it's a good, like, measuring tool for us too. Like. Okay. Like, you know, because we have to inter squad a ton. Like that's, I mean, three games. So basically we have two games in the fall outside competition and one in January. So for us, like, it's good to play those. For us, those two games towards that back end of the fall to just see them play somebody else too, you know, because when you're, when you're in your squad and you know, two, three days a week for months or for two months and all you're seeing the same picture. You're seeing the same guys, like by the end of the, by the end of the fall, like, you know, everybody inside now. It's just who, who, who doesn't make the biggest mistake? You know what I mean? So. But yeah, the, the outside competition games are great. It's really good for us for sure. [00:38:39] Speaker A: How's pregame laid out for you guys? You switch it up? [00:38:43] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, pregame for us is, you know, it's the standard, like batting practice and all that stuff. But we've kind of, we've done a. We've kind of gone away from taking like the in and out and we use our batting practice as like, hey, like, no, like, this is where you're getting your reps because it's. You can get better reps or more reps in a shorter amount of time. Then like, okay, so what, we're gonna throw to a couple bases before a game or we're gonna do a couple double plays or throw across, do a slow roller and all that. So we've kind of gone away from that a little bit. But yeah, so for us, like RBP for the infielders is like, hey, like this is where you're working on your feeds. And so we'll do like a left side's going double play so the second baseman's actually turning the play. Same way a right side double plays where the first baseman and the shortstop are actually like they're making the throw and it's not just a pitcher like catching it and putting in a bucket or throwing it in and stuff like that. And we definitely saw like some pretty good return on it where, you know, guys felt, I mean, kind of kept them off their feet a little bit too. So now instead of, you know, playing catch again and then getting ready to take it in and out, like they can just, you know, kind of like calm down, get ready and all that and then like, let's go play. [00:39:58] Speaker A: So when you have an outfielders and catchers throw to bases, then. So you just taking care of that in practice? [00:40:04] Speaker B: Yeah, practice, yeah, we're doing that a lot in practice. You know, all the catchers, they have some type of pregame routine that we're doing before, you know, before the pitcher is going to go get ready and start throwing and stuff like that. And yeah, definitely more for practice, we'll have our outfielders throw a couple times a week to bases, whether it's double cuts or just, you know, standard, just throwing the bases and stuff like that. Especially at home, right? It's like when you're playing a home game, you're there every day. You know how the field plays. Normally when we do go on the road, like, we'll take and we'll leave it up to the players, but will normally take it in and out on the. For like on the first Friday game and then usually the rest of the series, we won't take an in and out. It's just for them to get used to the field, see how the ball bounces, you know, just all those different, you know, aspects to whatever field we're playing at. [00:40:53] Speaker A: Starting catcher, warm up, starting pitcher. [00:40:56] Speaker B: Yes, yes. [00:40:57] Speaker A: Yeah, we like to have our helps with that too. If you're not Taking in and out. [00:41:01] Speaker B: Exactly. So when we're at home, we have a machine set up for, for the starting catcher and they get their receiving work in their exchange work, their block work, you know, not anything crazy, just, you know, that 10 minute, you know, just kind of primer just to get going and stuff like that. And then, and then obviously too, it depends on the, like, hey, if the catcher's hanging a little bit, it's like, okay, like we won't have you play catch with the pitcher and stuff like that. But I'd say 95 of the time the, the starting catcher is, is warming up with the pitcher. [00:41:30] Speaker A: Yes, call pitchers. [00:41:33] Speaker B: Yes, yes. Yeah, we call. They have the freedom to shake and all those types of things. You know, we use the game day signals, the watches, which has been huge. We love them. You can do so much with them, you know. But yeah, we do call the pitches. Our pitching coach, he'll call the pitches, but, you know, they also have the freedom to shake. And even on the watch, like we have like, hey, throw what you want, you know what I mean? So you still got to have the signs and, and all that stuff in case there's a shake in there. But yeah, we do like to call the pitches because, I mean, for us, I think it's. They're not, they're not, you know, professional baseball players, that's like their only job is just like they gotta go to school, they gotta, they gotta, you know, they gotta be college kids too, and all that stuff where for us, like, as a coaching staff, like, we put a lot of time into watching video and putting scouting reports together. And you know, for us it's like, hey, man, like, especially our pitching coaches, hey, dude, he's watched three series of their whole team. Like he's got a pretty good idea, you know, what he thinks is the best way to get him out and stuff like that. So. But yeah, for the most part we call pitches, but guys definitely do have the freedom to shake and, and all that type of stuff too. [00:42:40] Speaker A: How was that for you when you had to first call pitches? [00:42:44] Speaker B: I loved it. I loved it too, because I also, like I said, I was a catcher and myself and Brett Lachman, we had a really good rapport. And there was a lot of times, especially as I was with him long enough, where like, I would call a decent amount of the game and stuff like that. So it, for me it was a lot of fun. But also, I think the, I mean, the biggest thing too is you got to know your pitchers, you got to know who you know, what, what secondary pitch are they comfortable with? What? You know, just all those different. And how do you get them back in those zone when they're kind of losing a little bit and stuff like that. So, yeah, I definitely, I loved pitch calling for sure. And then, you know, there's, obviously there's the tough ones too. I mean, it's not all roses. You know, there's some tough decisions and tough pitches you got to call and you know, but at the end of the day, I think as a pitching coach, the biggest thing is, hey, like whatever happens, like, hey man, like you also have to take ownership too. Like, hey, maybe he didn't call the best pitch and you got to tell the guy, like, hey man, that's on me. Like, that was a bad pitch call. You executed the pitch or whatever it was. And you know, I, I helped them out or whatever it is. Right. So I think that's a big part too. And obviously like earning the respect of your players too is like not always pointing the fingers at them like, hey, you messed up. You did. It's like, no, like I made a bad pitch call. But it's okay. It is okay. [00:44:06] Speaker A: So Brett gave a good talk at Pepper dying a couple years ago. [00:44:10] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:44:10] Speaker A: Great job. He's, he's, he's a lot of change up. Was good. [00:44:14] Speaker B: Yes. Yes. [00:44:16] Speaker A: Still the best pitch in baseball. [00:44:18] Speaker B: Yep. Yeah. Latch is the best man. He's, he. One of his. The biggest things that I really loved about him is he, he would have his pitchers back no matter what. Right, wrong and different. He'd have his pitchers backs and he worked. He was so good at communicating with them and just like getting to know them and understand how they work and understand getting the players, the pitchers to also understand, like, hey, what's going to help you Music? What do you need to do to be successful on a consistent basis? So he, he's, he's incredible. [00:44:50] Speaker A: Those four hours of lifting before you get going into team segment, how's that going down for the week? [00:44:55] Speaker B: Yeah, so we'll go. So we'll do three mandatory days and then there'll be like an open, like an open open hour, like times if guys need it or want it and stuff like that. But what we'll do is we'll split it into position. Players are one group and pitchers are another group. And usually the position players will go at 6:30 to 7:30 and the pitchers will come in 7:30 to 8:30. You know that that's usually how we do. Now there's going to be like some guys have class at 8 o' clock so they got every pitcher. They might have to go at the earlier group, but yeah, we'll go three mandatory days and then normally the fourth day will be like, hey, if you need it, if you want it, like you can come in at this time with our strength coach and his assistants and, and all that type of stuff. [00:45:40] Speaker A: You mentioned two strike approach. Do you have any absolutes with that with guys? [00:45:44] Speaker B: Two strike approach, man, it's I, I battle with this all the time because you know, me and Randy joke like hey, we're going to do this and then it stinks. Okay, we're gonna change this. I think the biggest thing is just, is just like not panicking and toughness, man. Like you gotta understand like that you have to have the mindset of like that pitcher, he's got to make a really good pitcher to, to, to get me out. And also too, I think a lot of times people think it's all about the hit, the hit. For me it's all, it's the barrel. Like if you can, if you barrel up the baseball like you've done your job because there's also nine other guys out there making plays and all that stuff. So I think that's, that's more of an understanding and mentality side of it. I think for me that's the biggest part is the mentality of it is not how can we not panic, how can we have the confidence even with two strikes to understand like, hey, like this guy's got to be, he's got to make a really good pitch, you know, because it's all, there's always so many, there's so many different approaches. Approaches. There's so many different things that you can do. And you know, I think for us too it's understanding, you know, what approach is going to help from year to year because it's just understanding you're gonna have, you're gonna have turnover, you're gonna have a lot of different players and stuff like that. I think that's, it's, it's what's going to work for this team in the sense of not just two strike approach, but just hitting approach philosophy. I think you always, you always have to adjust with your team and your roster and all that. Instead of just doing, hey, we're going to do this no matter what every single year, which is going to work for some programs for sure, like no questions asked. But I think for us it's okay. What's it, what's it take to be Successful for this team compared to, you know, the 22 team, the 23, 4 or 5, and et cetera. [00:47:28] Speaker A: You know what I mean? Yeah. How much time do you have to spend with the new guys on routines? Like in game routines, pre at bat routines? [00:47:36] Speaker B: I'm very big on that. I think that. That for me is. Is a. Because that's how. [00:47:41] Speaker A: That's the cycle of success. [00:47:43] Speaker B: Yes, that. [00:47:44] Speaker A: It's a cycle of success. Of success. [00:47:46] Speaker B: Yeah. Like, that for me, that was something that I was really big on is my, My routine, my. You know, when I'm on deck, when I'm like, watching. And also watching the game, too, is under. Like, I think that's something that goes a little from time to time. Gets pushed away is like, I tell our hitters all the time, I mean, you have the answers to the test right in front of you. The guy's showing you what pitches he's throwing. He's showing you what he likes to throw. A certain count, certain hitters and all that stuff. You just got to pay attention, man. Like, you gotta watch. You gotta, like. And really watch, not just, like, hang out. You know, I think that's been the. One of the bigger things for me is like, yeah, the routine stuff for me is I spend a lot of time, especially individually, with guys on, like, hey, I think let's try, you know, these three drills, these three T drills, you know, some front toss stuff, maybe use this training bat. It's all going to be individualized for. For certain guys, but there's obviously, like, hey, you need to have a routine. So now let's, let's create one. And I think a lot of times, too, guys think a routine's like an hour long. It's, it's. It's 45. It's like, no, man, like, it could be 10, 15 minutes. Like, if you do that three, four, five, six days a week now you're just stacking up, like, days, and you're stacking up time to help you be in the best position. [00:49:06] Speaker A: If I squared up five balls off the tee, I was moving on to the next thing. [00:49:10] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. All right. You feel good. Like, man, and there's going to be days. You feel really good. There's gonna be days. Man, I just feel slow, man. My back or whatever it is right now, that might take a little bit more time. But no, for sure, there's always that variability in the sense of like, man, like, I feel really good today. Like, let's. Like you said, I got my five, six swings off the tri let's go to front. Oh, man. Let's just go. Let's go, machine. Let's go live. And you know, but that's. But it's still a routine. You know what I mean? It doesn't have to be. You don't have to be a slave to your routine. It's like, I have to hit 25 balls here. I have to hit 35 ball. Like, you know what I mean? It's just. Just having one is. Is for me is the most important, important part for sure. [00:49:48] Speaker A: What were you focused on, deck? What was your. What was your routine? [00:49:52] Speaker B: For me, it was getting my. Getting my timing with the pitcher. Like, is. I. I would always take a pitch, like, in rhythm with the pitcher and then take a swing right after and then obviously, like, kind of see if I can see a tip. Like, hey, he's loading his level lower on this pitch or whatever it was. That was my biggest thing was by the time I showed up to the plate, I had. I wanted to feel that I was. I was on time, I was ready. And now it's just my job to just. Just put the barrel on the ball and. And see what happens. [00:50:20] Speaker A: I played the actual bat with the guy in front of me. So if it looks like a strike out of the hand, the pitcher's hand actually swung. If it looked like a ball hand, that was something I tried to help our hitters with. I'm like, hey, you can use this as a pre. At bat. [00:50:33] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:50:34] Speaker A: Like, if you take a swing, the ball's hammered. You're visualizing hammer on the ball somewhere. [00:50:38] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:50:38] Speaker A: But if it looks like a ball coming out of his hand, then take it it. Because you're going to get that same read. You know, it's not the exact same read, but you. That's where you can start to get some tells. Yeah. On the pitcher, too, is kind of playing a game. Plus you have a little more confidence going to the plate because you just. [00:50:54] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:50:55] Speaker A: Hammered the guy. [00:50:55] Speaker B: Yeah. I know. For me, like, when I would, like, I'd always take and then take a swing. Like, I'd try to like, match where I thought the height of the pitch was or the location of the pitch and all those types of things too. So. Same, same, same, but different. Right? Yeah. Yeah. I. I couldn't agree anymore. [00:51:09] Speaker A: Have you guys used the double bass at all? I mean, it's coming. [00:51:12] Speaker B: This is the first. This is the first year that we. [00:51:14] Speaker A: They just. Yeah. Yep. That's been in communications with our D2 and D3 coaches have been. [00:51:20] Speaker B: Yeah. So we. [00:51:20] Speaker A: It just came at the prop. The props just came out. So. Yeah, that is. [00:51:24] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. [00:51:25] Speaker A: Division ones liked it. They have like. [00:51:28] Speaker B: Yeah, we. We had to use it. We had to use it two times because the pack west they. They use the double bass. So we played like Apu at Apu and we use the double bass. And then we actually used the double bass at Point Loma in the regional. I think, I think it's awesome. I. I really do. Just for us, it was like, okay, what are the little nuances to it? Like, you got to make sure the guys. When he hits the bag, running through, he's got to come back. And like all. It was just kind of the little things. It wasn't so much like, hey, part 90, like, no, like you hit that base. But yeah, it was. I liked it. I liked it for sure. And I'm excited to have it. I think it's going to take away the, the running lane stuff with the, you know, the swinging bunch of the drop third strikes and, and all. And it's just player safety too, you know, I think. But yeah, we're definitely. Yeah, they just came out with it. [00:52:16] Speaker A: It just came out. [00:52:17] Speaker B: Yeah, like, just came out. Yeah. Yeah. So we're. We're going to be looking into getting our double. We want to try and get as soon as possible. Possible so we can do it in the fall and understand. So the guys understand the rules and the little nuances and all that stuff. [00:52:30] Speaker A: We were at Tarleton last fall for Barnstormers and they actually had something cool. So with their BP setup, they actually had throw down bases close to the hitters, so when they came out, they could actually see where the base was going to be line. Which is a good idea. I thought that was a good idea. [00:52:48] Speaker B: No, for sure. [00:52:48] Speaker A: To get comfortable with staying in, staying in the line lane. [00:52:51] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. [00:52:53] Speaker A: How are you helping new players transition? You deal with it every year. So whether it's freshmen or juco or even your, your portal guys, how are you helping them transition those first couple weeks? [00:53:03] Speaker B: I think it's. I think the biggest thing that we try to do to help them is understand, like, dude, like, just because this is Division 2 baseball, like, it's not going to be easy. And when they do fail, when they do get beat up, it's like, okay, like now how do we learn from this? How do we learn from, you know, a quote unquote bad outing as a pitcher? Or how do we learn from some bad at bats? Especially, especially with the freshmen? Because a lot of the freshmen they. They've been the dude, they've. They've been really good player their entire. They haven't really failed that much. And I think it's understanding. Like, hey, failure is okay. It's just, how do we. How do you learn from failure and not allow the failure to just like, bring you down to where, you know, you kind of. You take one at bat and the next at bat and next to bat or the, the whole weekend of inner squads or like, all that type of stuff. And that's, that's what the fall is. That's a big part of the fall is understanding. Like, hey, man, it's okay. Like, okay, what happened this at bat? Oh, I. I swing at, you know, three balls. Okay, well, why did we swing at three ball? You know, it's all. It's all relative to the, to the individual player. But I think for them, it's. It's understanding. Like, okay, everyone in the ballpark knows you failed, right? Like that. That's. That's how. That's how. That's how it is. Right. But how do we learn from it? I think those are the biggest things for us as coaches that we're always trying to learn. And also learn from your successes, too. Like, okay, like, you failed. Okay, what do we got to do to help you? Fail less or fail better is like, you know, the kind of the term that a lot of people like to use now. But then, okay, like, you were. You had a really good day or really good week or really good month. Like, what were you doing? Like, what was your routine? Like, what were. Like what were some things you were. You were working on or thinking about and stuff like that. So I just think it's all, like, you're always trying to get them to understand, like, how to learn. Yes. [00:54:59] Speaker A: Write it into your weekly time management planner. [00:55:03] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. [00:55:04] Speaker A: Put it in your calendar for that day. This is a good day. I did this. Just. There's. There's some things that they could do. [00:55:10] Speaker B: Yeah. And I also think a lot of times it's. [00:55:12] Speaker A: It's. [00:55:12] Speaker B: It's kind of like breeding success into them. Like, hey, man, like, you're really good player. Like, it's okay. Like, there's no such thing as perfect. Like, we don't. We never use the word perfect. Like, we just go. We just need you. We just want you to be good. Like, just be good. And not just be good, but you know what I mean? Like, I think a lot of guys, they want the perfection. They want the now. It's hard, right? When, as A hitter, you square up. You square up three balls in the game and you get no hits. Like, that's tough. But that's, that's the mental toughness that this game requires to be successful is, okay, you squared up the baseball and yeah, you lined out to shortstop, center field, left field. That's a good at Batman. Like, that's, that's, that's. I mean, what more can you ask for other than the hit, right? Like, but if you can have that mindset of like, yeah, no, I squared it up, then you maybe don't go down kind of in that. Get in your own head and start to overthink and overanalyze. And then it's like, then you kind of. You see some of the guys start to snowball. I think understanding is like, hey, man, like, you're still a really good player. Just because you went over 4 or over 12 on a weekend or whatever, or you had some bad outings or whatever. It's like, okay, like, let's get to work. Like, you're here for a reason. So let's. It's getting them to also understand that and believe in that too. [00:56:26] Speaker A: You guys have online classes mostly, or in class classes? [00:56:30] Speaker B: It's both. We have both. I'd say it's probably like 60, 40 on in person to online. But yeah, we do have a decent amount of online classes and. But there is also still a good amount of in person classes too. [00:56:48] Speaker A: My son is still yet to take a in class class. [00:56:51] Speaker B: How crazy. How crazy. [00:56:52] Speaker A: It's insane. I wouldn't have been able to do it. [00:56:55] Speaker B: Me, I was the same. I was. [00:56:56] Speaker A: I had to be in class. [00:56:57] Speaker B: I had to be in class. I had to have my note, like, write my notes down. Like, when, when the whole Covid thing happened and everything went online, I was like, God bless you guys. I don't know how. I couldn't do it. Like, no, I don't have the attention span. Like, I had to be like, okay, right there writing down. [00:57:13] Speaker A: It's like high school again. Because you're having to check the discussions all the time. Like, yes, but my son loves it. I don't know. [00:57:21] Speaker B: Yeah, I don't know how. Yeah, there's some, there's some guys who really thrive in that. I just know that wouldn't have been me for sure. [00:57:27] Speaker A: Do you have your fail forward moment, something you thought was going to set you back, but looking back now, it helped you move forward? Could be professionally or personally. [00:57:34] Speaker B: No, I think honestly for us, it was our 20, 25 season. I mean, we won 15 games, which was definitely like a big, which is something we're not used to. I mean we had, we had a ton of injuries and all that stuff, but I think it was, it was good for us because I, I think it kind of brings you back down to earth a little bit. It makes you self reflect a little bit more and under like, okay, what do we. What's going to change here a little bit. I think it's good every now and then to like kind of get knocked down a little bit. But yeah, I think that for me that 2025 season is the, the, was the, in the, the immediate like right now was really like, okay, like you gotta like, don't get, don't get comfortable, don't get complacent and all those types of things. But yeah, I think that because, man, it was tough. Man, it was like there were times where, I mean, we had, we had a player who was playing center field for like six weeks, who had never played center field because we had so many injuries. And like, we had our catcher who was, you know, he had a bunch of like concussions and like, stuff like that. Like, it was, it was scary. Like, we were literally at the point, like, we just, we just want to get through a series without someone getting hurt, you know, and that's the fine [00:58:48] Speaker A: line with college baseball though. You're always, you know, if you can keep a majority of your, your team healthy for most of the year, but it's always those key positions. If you have guys go down, like, you're gonna have to scrape and claw to try, try to get things going. [00:59:05] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah, that was definitely a big like, okay, like. And like I said, if you have the right mindset, like, okay, like how do we learn from this? How do we change? Okay, like then, then it's going to help you or instead of kind of just feeling sorry for yourself and you know, woe's me and like all. [00:59:21] Speaker A: And it gives guys opportunities that wouldn't have gotten opportunities to. [00:59:25] Speaker B: Oh, for sure. Yeah, we had, we had multiple guys that year that they got, they got a lot more opportunity and man, they flourished and then they turned into the success the next year and, and having a really, you know, one of the, A role that you didn't, you didn't quite know if a guy could get to, but because they were able to get those opportunities and that's kind of like the silver lining of having a season like that. You know what I mean? It's like. But you know, it was really hard because you know, every coach, they're gonna. They're gonna put their heart and soul into it, whether it's, you know, working on the field or scouting reports or, like, practice planning or whatever it is, right? They're all gonna freaking, like, put so much time and energy and effort into it. And when you're. When you're just like, man, like, this guy's going down, this guy's going down, and you're. You're putting a team together to compete as best, and the guys are just competing their butts off, too. You know what I mean? But it was just like, man, like, I mean, I don't think that year, I think we had a full, like, active roster like the first weekend of the year, and that was it. Which it was tough. It was. It was really tough, not just for us as coaches, but to see the players, too. Like, they. They were like, man, like, this guy went down. This guy went down. Oh, man, like, what are we going to do? And stuff like that. So it was. It was definitely eye opening, for sure. That was the. Probably the biggest one that I can think of right now, where I was like, okay, if you look at it right, like, you can. You can learn from it, for sure. [01:00:47] Speaker A: Have your daily routines changed? With having a child, I got to [01:00:52] Speaker B: wake up a lot earlier, you know, make breakfast, go to sleep a little later, gonna make sure to get her down to bed and all that stuff. You know, I think the biggest thing is just prioritizing my time a little bit better. You know, when practice is over, not hanging out at the field that much longer, you know, practice over, you know, still there for a little bit, you know, talking with the coaches or working on the field or whatever it might be. But it's. It's definitely the amount of time after is a. Is a little bit less also, like, bringing work home in the sense of, like, during the season, doing my scouting reports, watching video at home instead of being at the office at the field and getting home super late at night. That was. That was the first thing that had to change and all that stuff. But yeah, it's. That's definitely. That was definitely a transition period for sure for me, you know, because like I said with Randy, he was like, hey, man, like. Like, there's a lot of things that I regret. And one of the biggest things was missing a lot of time, you know, so. And that's. That's, you know, having a mentor who. Who went through that and wants you to not have to, because, hey, leave an hour earlier, like, or you Know, whatever it is, man, like, go be with your family, be present. I'm very lucky to, to work with Randy and have that type of support and, and all that stuff. Just make sure to get your work done and, and all that stuff. [01:02:12] Speaker A: So what are some final thoughts? [01:02:15] Speaker B: Final thoughts, man. I mean, I'm very blessed and honored to have, you know, won this award and all that. And I think for me, you know, just for other assistant coaches and all that, man, I think a big thought for me is just wherever you're at, man, just give. Give everything you have. Give everything you have. I mean, there's no such thing as the picture perfect situation or work or workplace you're not going to see 100% with everybody. But how can you, how can you just like, make it work in the sense of, like, there's going to be times where, you know, me and Randy, my butt heads a little bit, but we get over it fast, like, because we know that we care. You know what I mean? But I think, just understanding. I think a lot of coaches or a lot of people, they're always looking for the next best thing. Next best thing, which is like, everyone's right, right to. But hey, man, when you're there, like, be there, like, give everything you have. Because also too, especially in college baseball, like, the kids know if you're in or not. Like that. They really do. Like, they know if you care. They know if you, if you're really committed to, you know, the program, them helping them get better and all those types of things. So, yeah, that would kind of be my, my final word right there. [01:03:28] Speaker A: Thanks for your time, sir. Appreciate you. [01:03:30] Speaker B: No, absolutely. [01:03:31] Speaker A: Thank you so much. [01:03:32] Speaker B: Yeah, you as well. Thank you so much. [01:03:33] Speaker A: I love that Coach Torres has made such an impact at Cal Poly Pomona as a player and now coach. It's a phenomenal story for the baseball industry. Congrats to him on this well deserved honor. Thanks again to John Litchfield, Zach Hale and Matt west and the ABCA office. For other help on the podcast, feel free to reach out to me via [email protected] Twitter, Instagram or TikTok. Coacha direct message me via MyABC app. So, hi, I'm Brantley signing off with American Baseball Coaches Association. Thanks. And leave it better for those behind you. Know that way Yep Wait for another. [01:04:21] Speaker B: And the word will always be turning [01:04:26] Speaker A: as your life was never for yearning and you know that way Wait for another day.