Mission & Core Values

Instagram. Facebook. X. TikTok. YouTube.  Over the last few years, experts are emerging out of the woodwork as self-proclaimed gurus, filling social media with hours worth of video.  Certainly there are some - the number is small - truly elite, high-level catching instructors out there but people are often misguided by drills that lack intent, technique and purpose.  It brings the oo's, ahh's, and the "Suzy is embracing the grind," comments, all for the look, and all for the clout.

Water weights with jump turns. Balance platforms with glove drop.  Out of control movements with high-impact blocking.

It looks appealing.

And has absolutely nothing to do with any proper technical or fundamental movement of a catcher.   

It begins with purpose.  When coaches conduct drills without softball-specific movements, they're promoting poor technique.

The Why Over The Way

Bobby's foundational philosophy can best be summarized simply, but absolutely:  Elite coaches - of any sport - work within their foundational beliefs but without cloning and force feeding a technique or style.  As coaches, our job is to unlock athletic potential, working with athletes' strengths and weaknesses, and while encouraging individualized instruction under basic, guiding principles. 

As a college coach, we certainly have expectations and philosophies, but our coaching emphasis is not centered on a one way fits all approach.  From one knee down (OKD), to throwing off the knees, we work tirelessly to work toward efficiency.  Athletes are not conditioned to look robotically the same, and we must understand body mechanics, certain strengths, and the way in which we present our framework to student-athletes is of paramount importance. We are the antithesis to cookie cutting. 

While we receive, block, and throw with proper instruction and maintained ideals, our goal isn't that we all look the same; it's to be efficient and the best behind the plate.  

Bobby's standard of "the why over the way," focuses on the intellectual, cerebral understanding for every technique, drill, and philosophy we coach.  In short, catchers should be able to coach other catchers with emphasis on "the why." It is our standard.

No cloning. Athlete first.  

Attention To Details

Be it in the classroom as a teacher, or on the field as a coach, learning curves are best developed from failure-to-success and with having an exceptional learning posture.  While perfection is rarely literal and often cliche, Bobby's focus on attention to detail holds players accountable physically and mentally; without constant reminders and corrections, ideally athletes identify success and failure on their own.  However, with Bobby's guidance through drill-work, the details of the position are intimately taught. 

Be it bullpen sessions or direct, group or individualized drills, there has to be a level of focus to help facilitate fundamental and mechanical growth.  Our attention to detail is presented via drills that target growth versus mundane movements.  Purpose is our goal to achieve efficiency in game play.  We commit to growth, not the drill, method, or style.

Drills With Purpose

Part of today's coaching jargon is "feel versus real," which is valid; players have to understand movements and technique, and often it's with manipulatives and a slowed-down approach, which most typically leads to a progression of drills.  Use of various tools and performance enhancements are necessary - but within focused intent and a specific purpose, explained elaborately with the student-athlete. 

However, having neat-looking devices does not equate to athletic growth or instructor knowledge without its proper use.  Be it individual lessons or group clinics, conducted drills are carefully implemented with purpose that simulates in-game body movements in a rational progression; most often, each skills' progression results in live action drills.  Throughout the course of the fall and spring collegiate season, we may execute some 100+ drills, each of which are tenaciously focused and planned through individual and group needs while building on the necessary repeated physical movements.  As with any proper preparation, our core drills are used for both enhancement and maintenance.  Make no mistake, catching work is taxing and physically demanding with intensity and attitude built within its demands.  

Why over way.

Athlete focused.

Not for show.