Podcast
BachTalk
Hosted by Ian Bach · EN
Are you interested in the real life stories of people pursuing their dreams? In the podcast BachTalk, Ian Bach talks to people in sports pursuing excellence at the next level. The talk turns to fitness, training strategies, successes and failures, but most of all, the drive to move forward. Always be yourself and join us and Bach Talk.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Lance Brozdowski - Player Development Analyst at Marquee Sports Network
Jun 21, 202400:46:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of BachTalk, we delve into the world of baseball with our guest Lance Brozdowski who serves as a Player Development Analyst at Marquee Network. Our guest has a rich educational background with a Master's degree in Journalism and Sports Media from Northwestern, which has paved the way for their prolific writing career with contributions to Baseball Prospectus, Hardball Times, Associated Press, and SB Nation. We explore their role at Marquee Network, where they produce engaging segments and cover the minor league system, leveraging their expertise in pitch design and player development. Looking ahead to 2024, we discuss the evolving expectations for pitching development and new ideologies being implemented to enhance performance. Our guest shares insights into the collaborative process of creating content for both YouTube and Marquee Network. Join us as we uncover the intricacies of player development and the future of pitching in this insightful episode.
Transcribe →Archbishop Moeller Baseball Analytics 2024
Jun 14, 202400:40:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode of our podcast, host Ian Bach welcomes special guests Ben Deatsman and Braeden Sample to discuss various aspects of Moeller Baseball Analytics. The episode begins with a review of the year's major implementations, including the Awre and Moller App, and their impact on the program's growth. Ben and Braeden analyze the significance of "X" in the department's development and highlight necessary corrections for the coming year. The conversation then shifts to the role of analytics at the high school level, offering a guide on starting an analytics program, the types of data that can be collected, and essential pre-implementation steps. The importance of conducting independent organizational research is emphasized, along with brainstorming potential research ideas. TimeStamps: Interns' Introduction and Aspirations (00:01:19) The host introduces the interns, Ben and Braeden, who discuss their backgrounds and career aspirations. Challenges and Learning Experiences (00:04:08) The interns share their challenging experiences and learning moments during their internship with the analytics team. Implementation of Data Analytics and Social Media (00:06:57) The host discusses the implementation of data analytics, the development of an app, and the use of social media for the analytics program. Importance of X (00:08:53) The interns discuss the importance of X, including play-by-play updates and posting highlights on social media. Future Plans and Skill Development (00:14:32) The interns express their plans for skill development and the use of data visualization tools to enhance the program. Challenges and Opportunities for High School Analytics Programs (00:16:07) The host and interns discuss the challenges and opportunities for starting analytics programs in high schools, including the use of available resources and technology. Starting a Program (00:20:24) Discussion on starting an analytics program, emphasizing the need to begin with simple stats and video analysis. Creating Research (00:22:00) Exploration of the need for independent research and thinking differently in analytics, especially for high school teams. Learning to Code (00:24:12) Importance of learning coding for analytics, including the potential to take coding classes in high school. Scouting and Data (00:27:52) The value of incorporating scouting into analytics programs and the challenges of obtaining data from other teams. Building Analytics Departments (00:32:57) The importance of building analytics departments and the need for more data, tools, and serious commitment to the program. Internship Opportunities (00:35:51) Promotion of internship opportunities in baseball analytics, emphasizing the need for serious commitment and passion for improvement. Seeking Corporate Sponsors (00:39:17) A call for corporate sponsors and potential sponsors to support the analytics program, including the desire for a TrackMan unit.
Transcribe →Ben Racke, CSCS - Ben Racke Fitness
Nov 27, 202301:24:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode of BachTalk we delve into Ben Racke's inspiring fitness journey and the growth of his successful strength and conditioning business in NKY. We explore his early life, upbringing, and the pivotal moments that ignited his passion for fitness. Ben shares insights into his current S&C programs at Ryle and Be Strong, along with recent program implementations and the state of fitness in NKY. He discusses how he leverages social media to motivate and connect with others, offering valuable tips on building and retaining a client base. Ben also touches on emerging fitness trends and structures he plans to incorporate into his programs. We summarize key takeaways and invite listeners to follow Ben Racke on social media for ongoing fitness inspiration. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more engaging content. Time Stamps: Introduction of Guest (00:01:22) Introducing Ben Racke, owner of Ben Racke Fitness, and highlighting his background and experiences in strength and conditioning. Starting a Job at Anytime Fitness (00:11:37) The speaker talks about getting a job at Anytime Fitness and coaching group training sessions. Starting Own Business and Financial Struggles (00:13:53) Renting Space at Dixie Fitness and Pro Force (00:17:35) The speaker discusses renting space at Dixie Fitness and later at Pro Force, gaining experience and observing different training approaches. Ben discusses the decision to move to Florida for a coaching job and the challenges they faced with the move (00:23:03) Moving to Florida for a coaching job, Ben discusses the decision to move to Florida for a coaching job and the challenges they faced with the move. Working in Florida and experiences (00:24:09) Working in Florida and experiences with a narcissistic boss Speaker 3 talks about their experiences working in Florida, including dealing with a narcissistic boss and the impact it had on clients and gym members. Experiences working with pro athletes in Florida and the decision to move back to northern Kentucky (00:25:13) Insights into working with pro athletes and deciding to move back. Ben shares their experiences working with pro athletes in Florida and the decision to move back to northern Kentucky. The process of training and conditioning in high school (00:34:31) Discussion on the training and conditioning process in high school, including the focus on football workouts and the need for a shift in perspective. Issues with current training approaches (00:35:28) Critique of common training practices, such as lack of attention to movement quality and detail, reliance on generic exercises, and lack of understanding of principles. Importance of consistent stimulus and general strength training (00:40:36) Emphasis on the need for consistent stimulus, sprinting, changing direction fast, and improving general strength for overall athletic development and injury prevention. Strength training for kids (00:46:02) Importance of consistent strength training for young athletes and the misconception of needing specialized training. Building a strong foundation (00:47:11) The significance of developing a solid base of strength and how it translates to improved athletic performance. Quality coaching for high school athletes (00:50:56) The importance of individualized coaching and communication with high school athletes to achieve optimal results. Understanding Exercise Science and Practical Application Discussion (00:57:00) Understanding Exercise Science and Practical Application Discussion on the value of exercise science knowledge and practical application in strength and conditioning coaching. Challenges in Implementing Effective Training Methods (00:58:31) Challenges in Implementing Effective Training Methods. The frustration and difficulty in finding the right balance between traditional training methods and new approaches. Parents' Misconceptions about Training Exploring (01:03:43) Parents' Misconceptions about Training Exploring parents' misconceptions about what constitutes good training and the importance of tracking tangible data for progress. The Importance of Full Body Stimulus (01:08:15) - Discusses the significance of incorporating a bigger stimulus than just bandage exercises for overall physical output in sports. Exercise Selection and Stimulus for Baseball Players (01:09:15) Explains the rationale behind choosing exercises like front squats and trap bar deadlifts for baseball players to achieve the desired global stimulus. Addressing Parents' Misconceptions (01:13:19) - Ben talks about the common misconceptions parents have regarding their children's training goals, such as the need to lose body fat or become more jacked, and emphasizes the importance of strength training and consistent training for athletic development. The importance of positive training experiences (01:19:25) The guest discusses the significance of creating a positive training experience for athletes, emphasizing the long-term impact it can have on their motivation and commitment to fitness. Negative experiences in college weight rooms (01:21:34) The guest shares stories of college athletes who had negative experiences in the weight room, leading them to avoid working out for years after their sports career ended. Appreciation for the guest's insights (01:22:45) The host expresses gratitude for the guest's time and appreciates his realistic and helpful approach to training high school athletes.
Transcribe →Turner Givens - Performance Coordinator at Tread Athletics
Nov 16, 202301:07:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of we have the privilege of conversing with Turner Givens, whose extensive baseball background and unique blend of experiences have positioned him as a true expert in the field of player development. Turner, currently serving as a Performance Coordinator at Tread Athletics, brings with him the prestige of being a former National Champion in 2018, as well as a wealth of knowledge gained from his roles as an Assistant Coach at the University of Dallas and the University of Texas at Tyler. Throughout our conversation, we'll trace Turner's journey from his early days as a player to his current role, explore his knack for solving movement-related challenges with creative solutions, and dive into the dynamic realm of pitch analytics and design. Plus, we'll keep the conversation open for Turner to share his personal thoughts and insights on various aspects of the game, making this episode a must-listen for anyone passionate about the art and science of baseball. Timestamps: **The overall progression to being a performance coordinator (00:02:41)** Turner Givens discusses his journey from being a volunteer assistant coach to becoming a performance coordinator at Tread Athletics. **The start of Turner Givens' interest in data-driven player development (00:04:15)** Givens talks about how he got into data-driven player development and his early experiences with tools like Rapsodo and Modus. **Transitioning to a new job at Tread Athletics (00:07:12)** Givens shares his decision to move to Triad Athletics and his excitement about learning from the people there and being in a high-paced environment. **The grind of being a volunteer or grad assistant (00:09:57)** Discussion on the challenges and dedication required for individuals in these roles, using a specific example. **The daily schedule and responsibilities of a college coach (00:11:44)** Explanation of the various tasks and time commitments involved in coaching at the college level. **Building relationships with athletes and developing coaching skills (00:14:24)** Conversation about the process of building relationships with athletes and becoming an effective coach, including personal experiences and learning from others. **The mindset of a big leaguer (00:24:35)** Discussion on the intense focus and competitiveness of big leaguers during bullpen sessions. **Developing a resilient mindset (00:25:35)** Exploring the importance of mindset and confidence for a Triple-A player dealing with inconsistent playing time. **Adding a cutter to improve performance (00:27:28)** The successful addition of a cutter pitch to a player's arsenal, resulting in improved performance and velocity. **The cutter as a game-changer (00:28:32)** Discussion about a pitcher's career year after adding a cutter pitch and the impact it had on his performance and confidence. **The mental benefits of adding a pitch (00:29:34)** Exploration of how adding a new pitch can not only improve performance but also boost a pitcher's confidence and mindset. **The importance of finding one little outlier (00:30:00)** An example of how adding a cutter pitch transformed a pitcher's arsenal and made him more effective in specific counts. **Connecting the Dots and Building Relationships (00:37:12)** **Setting Boundaries and Saying No (00:38:09)** **Pitch Analytics and Arsenal Building (00:41:48)** **Pitch Design and Confidence (00:46:49)** **Backwards Chaining in Pitch Design (00:47:40)** **Changing Coaching Approach in Different Seasons (00:49:28)** **Teaching Price (00:56:05)** Discussion on the challenges of learning and teaching Price, particularly in remote settings. **Breathing Patterns and Exercise Goals (00:56:54)** Exploration of the importance of understanding breathing patterns and exercise goals in relation to the body's limitations and compensations. **Efficiency of Correctives (00:59:37)** Debate on the necessity and extent of correctives, emphasizing the need for simplicity and focusing on specific adaptations. **The Outlier Guys (01:05:08)** Discussion about finding value in pitchers who may not throw hard but have unique pitching styles. **The Challenges of Posting Content (01:05:49)** Talking about the difficulties of consistently creating quality content and avoiding burnout. **Appreciation for the Interview (01:06:39)**
Transcribe →Jason Agresti - Director of BackStop U at Velo University
Nov 9, 202301:07:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Jason Agresti, the Director of BackStop U at Velo University, to dive into his fascinating journey from being a four-year starter at Binghamton University to becoming a catcher for the Sussex County Miners in the Frontier League. Join us as we explore Jason's experiences in Indy Baseball, from his time with Rockland and New Jersey from 2019 to 2022, to the significant changes he's witnessed in the world of catching since 2018. Jason will share his insights into how technology and data have transformed the game, both for coaches and scouting. Discover the expectations and insights looking ahead to 2023 in Indy Ball and get an in-depth look at Velo University, including its background and Jason's initial interactions with the facility. Learn about the implementation of Backstop University and how it has contributed to the development of catchers. In the BackStop U segment, Jason shares the inception of the program, its overall evaluation process, and delves deep into his own ideologies and thought process when it comes to programming catchers in 2023. As we explore the future of catching in 2023 and beyond, Jason provides his perspective on how the position will evolve at both the college and professional levels. He discusses how organizations value catchers and the balance between high catchability and low offense, which can help organizations save money for other positions. Join us for an insightful conversation that sheds light on the world of catching in baseball, both past and future. Don't miss this episode packed with valuable insights and Jason's unique perspective.
Transcribe →Emilio Martinez - Performance Coach and Coding Enthusiast
Nov 2, 202301:22:42Tap to summarizeJoin us on a fascinating journey with Emilio Martinez, an engineer and coding enthusiast. With degrees in Mechatronics Engineering and an MBA, Emilio brings a unique blend of skills and experience to our podcast. From college baseball to his proficiency in programming languages like Python, R, and MATLAB, we'll explore how his education and talents shape his career in mechatronics engineering and data analytics. Discover his pivotal role as an R&D Engineering Intern at BaseballCloud and his contributions to data analysis in sports. We'll also delve into his time as a Performance Coach at Tread Athletics, where data-driven insights are transforming sports performance training and pitching development. Emilio's entrepreneurial spirit shines through his venture, Engineered Performance LLC, a remote training company aimed at shaping the industry's future. Join us as we explore his journey in seeking data science roles, showcasing his commitment to innovation. Emilio's story, at the intersection of engineering, data, and sports, promises an engaging and insightful podcast experience. Tune in and be inspired by his dedication to excellence. Time Stamps: Intro (1:20) Pre-Podcast thoughts (2:20) Emilio's educational background (3:18) MBA Experience and using the ideology in Player Development (8:00) Learning Python, MATLAB, and R (14:00) Process of learning (20:00) Analyst realization (25:04) Processes and ideologies towards projects and organizations (27:00) Baseball Cloud Experience (31:18) Tread Athletics Experience (40:00) Experience within collaboration (48:23) Thoughts on association and the 'whys" (55:00) Trainee experiences, what is "training", and why there is a huge misconception (62:00) Future opportunities (76:00)
Transcribe →Michael Koltak & Jonny Gomes - Baseball Cloud
Mar 10, 202300:46:53Tap to summarizeEpisode 5 Season 5 is out with Baseball Cloud's Michael Koltak and Jonny Gomes. Baseball Cloud is a leader in harnessing sports technology and producing professional software solutions for users around the world. Jonny Gomes is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships within Baseball Cloud. Jonny had an impressive MLB career, playing with 8 organizations and winning 2 World Series Michael Koltak is the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Business Development at Baseball Cloud. He also has a very interesting background within the Lexington Legends organization as a a former VP, player, and coach. Michael and Jonny talk about the future of baseball analytics within player development and advanced scouting at levels of baseball. Both of these individuals have great insights to what technology and analytics will look like in the next 10 years TIMESTAMPS- Intro: (1:20) Individual roles (2:00) Jonny Gomes – What is baseball Cloud (2:20) Michael Koltak – What is baseball Cloud (3:20) Solutions within Baseball Cloud & Yakertech (5:30) What the Solutions are used for (6:50) Business Capabilities w/ Jonny Gomes (8:50) Business Hierarchy of Baseball Cloud w/ Michael Koltak (10:40) Last couple of months of traveling within the business w/ Jonny Gomes (12:30) Last couple of months of traveling within the business w/ Michael Koltak (13:29) Handling and utilization of data within college baseball (15:45) Transfer Portal (21:10) Culture of analytics overseas and Dominican (22:50) Baseball Cloud Influence Overseas (25:50) Jonny's favorite countries to play in (27:45) What is the next edge that organizations are looking for (32:12) Data collection within younger ages (34:00) What Jonny Gomes wishes he had during his career within technology & data (35:30) Technology & data interpretation within the next 5-10 years (40:20) Closing (44:50)
Transcribe →Garrett Baker - Mets Integration Pitching Coach
Feb 14, 202301:02:13Tap to summarizeEpisode 4 Season 5 is out with Garrett Baker. He is currently an Integration Pitching Coach within the Mets organization. Garrett obtained his Master of Science in Exercise Science - Sports Psychology while also having a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise from Cedarville University. Garret's background includes coaching within 4 colleges and Powerhouse Performance Training. Garrett talks about using all of his backgrounds from pitching, S&C, and Sports Psychology towards the development of pitching. Garrett talks about using the Ecological approach and overall human movement from Ido Portal to progress pitchers into an overall skillful approach towards development. TimeStamps: Intro (1:30) What is a Mets Integration Pitching Coach (2:30) Integration of Skillful systems (4:30) Ian's perception on skillful implementation (8:45) What is a skillful movement within pitching (10:15) Overall background towards style of coaching (13:30) Time at American Internal (18:30) Ido Portal movement system (20:00) Organization of the thoughts within the brain (26:30) Adding variability to training both S&C and pitching (32:02) Utilizing movement history of athletes (36:30) How to utilize variability training (42:00) What is ecological psychology (44:45) Player Development 2023 - Skillful Data (54:00) Closing (59:00)
Transcribe →Alex Caravan - Director of Data Science at Driveline Baseball
Jan 31, 202301:07:13Tap to summarizeEpisode 3 Season 5 is out with Alex Caravan. Alex is currently the Director of Data Science at Driveline Baseball. He is also Co-Host of Driveline Research and Drinks Podcast. Alex graduated from University of California - Berkeley with a Bachelors degree in Economics and Statistics. Alex talks about what his role as Director of Data Science entails at Driveline and how is able to work with different departments within the company. We go into discussion about overall projections that Driveline has been looking into or currently using within the facility. Driveline recently released its public motion capture data from their biomechanics lab. Alex talks about what that means for potential analysis and what trends will be looked in the future. Alex talks about his overall role as Co-Host of Driveline's R&D podcast. He explains what the backend of the podcast is truly like, working with two other hosts, and obtaining guests. Driveline continues to show that they are a leading edge within player development. Driveline has many of their employees hired into professional organizations and 2023 was a huge year for this. TimeStamps: Intro (1:20) How to keep a podcast going (2:40) Before Driveline (7:00) Getting hired at Driveline (8:20) Overall roles at Driveline currently (13:15) Peer Reviewed Articles (15:40) Driveline current business process (20:00) Purchasing Motus and creating Pulse (22:00) Driveline Metric Projections 2023 within Pitching, Hitting, Overall Biomechanics, and High Performance (30:00) What are organizations looking for within Hitting in 2023 (37:00) Open Source Biomechanics data (41:00) What is like starting a podcast (43:45) Interacting with fans (49:30) Overall hiring of Driveline employees into pro organizations during 2022-2023 off season (51:00) What should Alex's workout be for the day? (59:40) Closing (65:30)
Transcribe →Seamus Kenneally - Holistic Player Development
Jan 17, 202300:49:17Tap to summarizeEpisode 2 Season 5 is out with Seamus Kenneally. He is currently a Strength & Conditioning at Break Through Fitness Cincy while also being an assistant coach for both Kings High School (Cincinnati, OH) and Cincinnati Bulls Summer Organization. Seamus graduated and played college baseball at Marietta. Seamus talks about all the trials and tribulations he encountered while in college. These included injuries, COVID-19, and overall development. Seamus is very passionate about overall athletic development. As a Strength & Conditioning coach his overall goal is not only for athletes to get big and strong but to have total control of their COM (Center of Mass). By implementing systems that all for these adaptations he believes that he can get the most out of every athlete. Seamus is currently an assistant coach for Kings High School (Cincinnati, OH) and Cincinnati Bulls Summer Organization. Shea talks about what it's like to help completely change the culture of a high school into respectable player development and winning organization. He talks about not only the baseball qualities to improve an organization but how their ultimate job is to help develop boys into men. Seamus has a very bright representation of what it's like to holistically develop baseball players while also teaching them about life's challenges. Seamus has become a great mentor to many players and his influence will only grow in the years to come. TimeStamps: - Intro (1:22) - College Background at Marietta College (3:20) - Injuries (4:20) - COVID (7:25) - Psychology aspect of player acquisition (9:50) - Break Through Fitness (12:05) - Utilization of Kinetic Chain within Strength & Conditioning (13:10) - Strength and Power Implementations to programs (16:35) - Training the overall athlete (18:20) - Building a High School Program from the ground up (23:40) - Practice Scenarios (23:30) - Putting the Program on the map (28:25) - Summer Baseball overview (32:05) - College Recruiting 2023 (35:30) - Transfer Portal (38:00) - Summer Baseball Organization growth (42:10) - Best advice for player development 2023 (44:25) - Closing (45:50)
Transcribe →