CATCHING MACHINE
PERFORMANCE PODCAST

PICK YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLAYER

EPISODE LIST

INSTALIVE Q+A - BLOCKING, DRILLS

We discuss how to choose the right drills but, more importantly adopting the correct mindset within the drill. We also cover blocking, blocking drills, and how to fix some common issues.

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OVERCOMING THE YIPS

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An athlete asked me this during the Instagram live Q+A I did back on Sep 29th. I discussed what the yips during the Instagram live Q+A I did on Sep 29th. I described what the yips means, my struggles with it, where I believe it stems from, and ultimately how I was able to cope with it. 

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If you have struggled with the yips, please reach out to me. There was a lot I didn’t cover on the spot; please reach out to me as I’d be happy to help however I can.

INSTALIVE Q+A: THROWING, TRANSFERS, POP-TIME

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Questions fielded: 

• Ways to improve transfer

• How glove size/shape affects the transfer

• Catchers and short-arming the throw

• What a good pop time is for your age

• What to do once you’ve reached the sub- 1.9-sec threshold. 

HOW TO MAKE A RECRUITING VIDEO

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Here are the cliff notes:

• Make sure you're ready to send one out. The biggest mistake players/parents make: showcasing a player that isn't ready to display anything enticing. It may make sense to get stronger, leaner, and more athletic before broadcasting yourself. 

• Highlight your strengths

• You want both in-game and practice footage. We talk about what to include in each.

• Coaches want to see you vs. good competition.

• Honesty is key. Coaches recruit from places they trust; good coaches don’t fall for shiny objects. 

• Music isn't important. Provide contact information, coaching references, ACCURATE metrics, if you have them. Do not lie. Ever

I hope this helps!

Leave a kick-ass review. Send me an email or insta DM with feedback! kyle@catchingmachine.com

Q+A. GEAR + GLOVES. TIPS, PROPER FITTING, BRANDS.

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In this episode, I am fielding some of my most common IG questions - What's the best gear, what glove should I buy?

We discuss:

• Best Gear

• How to properly fit your gear (Mask, throat guards, chest protector, shoulder flaps, shin guards, glove)

• PRO TIP

• Glove discussion

MOUND VISITS - WHEN TO DO THEM. WHAT TO SAY.

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In this solo episode, I discussed when to take mount visits and what to say!

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Here are the details:

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I don’t think catchers are the best pitching coaches. Instead, we can be a great resource. We are here to serve the pitcher.

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Reasons to go out there

-Provide a physical break

-Manage emotions

-Provide feedback

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What to say?

-Provide perspective

-Come up with a plan

-Provide feedback (how to do this discussed in the episode)

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Tips on how to speak with older players as a young member of the team.

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When to give brutally honest feedback vs. positive encouragement.

BECOME AN ELITE TEAMMATE WITH BEN HAEFNER

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In this episode, we had on guest Ben Haefner. Ben was a 1st-team all MAC conference SS for Buffalo and the best teammate I’ve ever known in nearly 20 years. Ben later went on to play for Sam Houston St., a perennial top cultured program in the country under Coach Matt Deggs.

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Topics discussed:

• Pregame routine

• Dealing with lineup and schedule uncertainty as a platoon player

• Handling a lack of confidence

• Controlling your narrative: Not letting other’s opinions dictate your path

• Handling coaches that seem to give other teammates every opportunity to succeed, while waiting for you to fail.

• How to build leadership as a 17-year-old playing with players 4-5, even six years older.

• Placing the team above yourself

• Extreme Teamwork

• -Selfless community service

• -His experience at Sam Houston.

• What to look for in a college coach and program

• Catcher backpicks

• What fielders observe from their catcher

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Any player, regardless of position, should give this episode a listen. Everyone will benefit!

INTRO

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The second episode discusses my motivation to start the podcast, what you can expect from the podcast, and where my online database is heading. 

Please send me an email (kyle@catchingmachine.com) or Instagram DM (@catchingmachine_performance) with some brutally honest feedback. It is going to take me some time to get good at this, (like many months) but I'm pumped to improve!

RECEIVING/BLOCKING STRUGGLES. VISUAL FOCUS.

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Welcome to our first Catching Machine Performance Podcast. 

I didn't want to wait until I had everything correctly set up, so I shot from the hip and recorded this episode with my iPhone. The production quality will improve as I continue to get my feet wet. 

Episode 1 discusses adjusting our focus and expectations to the hitter's mid-shin, as that is the most information-dense area. Focusing in on this location makes the receiving and blocking decisions much more manageable!

Please send me an email or Instagram DM with some brutally honest feedback. It is going to take me some time to get good at this, but I'm pumped to improve!