ABCA Podcast

American Baseball Coaches Association
  • 4.7 (429)
  • Baseball
  • Updated Weekly

The ABCA Podcast runs the gamut of baseball coaching topics, from pitching, to hitting, to the mental game, practice planning, recruiting and more. It's hosted by Ryan Brownlee, longtime coach and current Assistant Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). The ABCA is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches, with more than 15,000 members representing all 50 U.S. states and 41 countries. Since 1945, Association membership has broadened to include: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, Junior College, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel Baseball. Each January, the ABCA hosts the largest baseball convention in the world. Over 8,000 coaches participate in the convention, which is held at various locations around the country. The ABCA's official website is http://www.ABCA.org.

  1. 4d ago

    Skip Johnson - 2026 ABCA/ATEC NCAA Div. I Coach of the Year

    Next up on the ABCA Podcast is ABCA/ATEC NCAA Div. I Coach of the Year, Oklahoma University head coach, Skip Johnson. Johnson is coming off a historic 2026 season in which he led the Sooners to their third National Championship in program history and their first since 1994. Oklahoma put together an incredible postseason run, going 11-2 in the NCAA Tournament and becoming the first team in tournament history to defeat nine national seeds on its way to winning it all. The Sooners finished the season with a 43-23 record, capturing the national title with a 13-2 victory over North Carolina in the College World Series championship game. Since taking over the Oklahoma program in 2018, Johnson has established the Sooners as a consistent national contender, leading the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, conference championships, and two trips to the College World Series championship finals, including a national runner-up finish in 2022. Johnson spent 10 seasons at the University of Texas working alongside legendary head coach Augie Garrido, helping the Longhorns reach three College World Series while establishing himself as one of the top pitching coaches in the country. Prior to Texas, he spent 13 seasons as the head coach at Navarro College, where he accumulated 450 wins, nine conference championships, and four regional titles. 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+ 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, Rapsodo takes the guesswork out of development. Measure what matters. Train with purpose. Learn more by emailing sales@rapsodo.com or visit their website: Rapsodo.com/Baseball. The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more. Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://abca.castos.com https://www.abca.org/podcast Online: https://www.abca.org ABCA Member Benefits: https://www.abca.org/benefits Become a Member: https://www.abca.org/apply X/Twitter: https://x.com/abca1945 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abca1945 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCA1945 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/abca1945

  2. Oct 5

    Billy Berry - 2026 ABCA/ATEC NAIA Coach of the Year, Tennessee Wesleyan

    We’re joined on the ABCA Podcast by Tennessee Wesleyan head baseball coach Billy Berry, 2026 ABCA/ATEC NAIA Coach of the Year following a championship season that added another chapter to the Bulldogs’ storied tradition. Berry led Tennessee Wesleyan to a 49-15 record and a 6-1 run at the 69th Avista NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho, where the Bulldogs capped off the season with a dominant 21-3 victory over No. 1 seed Taylor University. That victory delivered Tennessee Wesleyan its third NAIA National Championship and set a World Series championship-game record for largest margin of victory. And the numbers behind this team were just as impressive. The Bulldogs led the NAIA with 735 hits and 170 doubles, ranked fifth nationally with a .349 team batting average, and finished fourth in the country with 538 RBIs. On the mound, Tennessee Wesleyan posted a 4.40 team ERA, led by Justin Jackson, who won 13 games, posted a 2.82 ERA, and led the nation with 108.1 innings pitched. Over nearly two decades leading the Bulldogs, Berry has built Tennessee Wesleyan into one of the premier programs in NAIA baseball. He enters this season with more than 900 career victories at Tennessee Wesleyan, multiple national championships, numerous conference championships, and a résumé that includes previous ABCA/NAIA Coach of the Year honors in 2012 and 2019. Today, we’ll talk about that incredible 2026 championship run, what makes Tennessee Wesleyan baseball so successful year after year, the evolution of recruiting and player development, the lessons that come from nearly two decades in the dugout, and what it takes to build a program that can sustain excellence across generations of players. 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+ 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, Rapsodo takes the guesswork out of development. Measure what matters. Train with purpose. Learn more by emailing sales@rapsodo.com or visit their website: Rapsodo.com/Baseball. The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more. Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://abca.castos.com https://www.abca.org/podcast Online: https://www.abca.org ABCA Member Benefits: https://www.abca.org/benefits Become a Member: https://www.abca.org/apply X/Twitter: https://x.com/abca1945 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abca1945 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCA1945 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/abca1945

  3. Sep 28

    Ryan Whiteley - 2026 ABCA/ATEC High School Div. II Coach of the Year

    Ryan Whiteley, head baseball coach at Carl Albert (OK) High School is the 2026 ABCA/ATEC High School Div. II Coach of the Year. Whiteley has built his career around developing players, building relationships, and creating a culture where winning becomes a byproduct of doing things the right way. In 2026, Whiteley led Carl Albert to the Oklahoma Class 5A State Championship, adding another championship chapter to one of the state’s premier high school baseball programs. This was the Titans 4th State Championship since 2021. A Lawton, Oklahoma, native and Lawton Eisenhower graduate, Whiteley played his college baseball at Hutchinson Community College before finishing his playing career at Cameron University. Whiteley then began his coaching career in his hometown before taking his first head-coaching position at Cache High School. In 2017, Whtieley arrived at Carl Albert as an assistant baseball and football coach. He spent four years learning under longtime Titans head coach Tim LaValley, along with fellow assistant Tony Borum, before taking over the program. Today, we’re going to talk about that journey—the lessons he’s learned along the way, what makes the Carl Albert baseball and football culture so special, developing young athletes and building a championship program. 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+ 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, Rapsodo takes the guesswork out of development. Measure what matters. Train with purpose. Learn more by emailing sales@rapsodo.com or visit their website: Rapsodo.com/Baseball. The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more. Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://abca.castos.com https://www.abca.org/podcast Online: https://www.abca.org ABCA Member Benefits: https://www.abca.org/benefits Become a Member: https://www.abca.org/apply X/Twitter: https://x.com/abca1945 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abca1945 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCA1945 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/abca1945

  4. Sep 21

    Chris Sheehan - 2026 ABCA/Soldier Sports High School Div. III Assistant Coach of the Year

    Chris Sheehan is the 2026 ABCA/Soldier Sports High School Div. III Assistant Coach of the Year and a longtime member of the Bishop Hendricken High School baseball program in Rhode Island. In 2026 the Hawks won their third straight State Championship and 25th overall for the program. A Warwick native and Bishop Hendricken graduate, Sheehan was a standout pitcher for the Hawks before continuing his playing career at the University of Rhode Island. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury brought his playing days to an early end—but that setback ultimately helped shape the path he would take as a coach and educator. A Kinesiology major at URI and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Sheehan has developed a player-development philosophy that goes beyond simply throwing more strikes or adding velocity. Sheehan focuses on helping pitchers understand how to prepare their bodies for optimal performance, durability, and the demands of a baseball season. Sheehan has spent the last decade coaching varsity baseball while also taking on significant leadership roles within Bishop Hendricken as Dean of Strategic Leadership and Grade 8, Athletic Director and now Assistant Principal. Today, we’re going to dive into pitching development, movement prep, strength & conditioning and tips on keeping athletes healthy. 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+ 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, Rapsodo takes the guesswork out of development. Measure what matters. Train with purpose. Learn more by emailing sales@rapsodo.com or visit their website: Rapsodo.com/Baseball. The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more. Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://abca.castos.com https://www.abca.org/podcast Online: https://www.abca.org ABCA Member Benefits: https://www.abca.org/benefits Become a Member: https://www.abca.org/apply X/Twitter: https://x.com/abca1945 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abca1945 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCA1945 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/abca1945

  5. Sep 14

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

    2026 ABCA/Soldier Sports NCAA Div. II Assistant Coach of the Year, Jenzen Torres, enters his 14th season on the Cal Poly Pomona coaching staff and his sixth as Associate Head Coach. He wears a lot of hats for the Broncos, serving as the pitching coach, catching coach, and recruiting coordinator—and the results speak for themselves. During his time on staff, the Broncos have compiled nearly 400 wins, while Torres has recruited and coached multiple All-Americans and helped develop 18 players who have 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, fewest 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. A four-year starter at Cal Poly Pomona from 2009 through 2012, he was a three-time All-West Region selection and remains the program’s all-time home run leader, launching 34 home runs in 199 career games. Torres also ranks second all-time in RBIs and finished his career as a .300 hitter. After his playing career, Torres spent time in professional baseball before quickly transitioning into coaching—and has since had the opportunity to coach some of the game's top talent, including a championship summer with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League. 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+ 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, Rapsodo takes the guesswork out of development. Measure what matters. Train with purpose. Learn more by emailing sales@rapsodo.com or visit their website: Rapsodo.com/Baseball. The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more. Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://abca.castos.com https://www.abca.org/podcast Online: https://www.abca.org ABCA Member Benefits: https://www.abca.org/benefits Become a Member: https://www.abca.org/apply X/Twitter: https://x.com/abca1945 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abca1945 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCA1945 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/abca1945

  6. Sep 7

    Scott Jackson - 2026 ABCA/Soldier Sports NCAA Div. I Assistant Coach of the Year, UNC

    2026 ABCA/Soldier Sports NCAA Div. I Assistant Coach of the Year, Scott Jackson, is one of the most respected assistant coaches and recruiters in college baseball—and someone who has spent more than two decades helping build winning programs and develop players at the highest level. Jackson has been a key part of some of the most successful stretches in both North Carolina and Liberty baseball history, taking the 2026 Tar Heels team to the CWS Championship Series. During his first stint in Chapel Hill, Jackson helped the Tar Heels go 345-156, make three College World Series appearances, reach six straight NCAA Regionals, and win the 2013 ACC Championship. Jackson was also instrumental in building those Carolina rosters, helping recruit eight first-round MLB Draft picks and more than 40 players who went on to be selected in the draft. His recruiting classes were consistently among the nation's best, including the No. 1-ranked class in 2014 and another top-ranked class in 2016. Then, Jackson took over as head coach at Liberty, where he went 246-181 over eight seasons. He led the Flames to five 30-win seasons, three NCAA Regional appearances, a program-record 43 wins in 2019, and Liberty's first ASUN Championship. Along the way, 15 of his players were selected in the MLB Draft and 16 went on to play professionally. Jackson’s coaching journey stops included Campbell, Barton, Wofford, UNC Wilmington, Liberty, and even the Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League, where he earned Coach of the Year honors. So today, we're going to talk about what it takes to recruit at an elite level, develop players for professional baseball, build championship programs, and ultimately create a culture that consistently produces winning baseball. 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+ 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, Rapsodo takes the guesswork out of development. Measure what matters. Train with purpose. Learn more by emailing sales@rapsodo.com or visit their website: Rapsodo.com/Baseball. The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more. Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://abca.castos.com https://www.abca.org/podcast Online: https://www.abca.org ABCA Member Benefits: https://www.abca.org/benefits Become a Member: https://www.abca.org/apply X/Twitter: https://x.com/abca1945 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abca1945 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCA1945 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/abca1945

  7. Aug 31

    Kobe Wixon - ABCA/Soldier Sports High School Div. I Assistant Coach of the Year

    Today’s guest on the ABCA Podcast is ABCA/Soldier Sports High School Div. I Assistant Coach of the Year, Kobe Wixon. Today’s guest is someone who understands that coaching is about far more than what happens between the lines. Wixon led Arizona College Prep to their first ever Arizona 5A State Championship this Spring. Wixon is an award-winning baseball coach, pitching coordinator, educator, and youth pastor based in Arizona. His coaching journey has included stops at the high school, junior high, and collegiate levels, including Arizona Christian University and Westwood High School. But what really sets Wixon apart is the way he approaches player development. He’s passionate about pitching, mental skills, team culture, leadership, and communication—but at the center of all of it is a simple philosophy: people first, always. Relationships matter more than anything else. Wixon is also deeply invested in developing young people away from the baseball field. After earning his degree in education from Northern Arizona University, he worked as a teacher and has served as a youth pastor in the Tempe area, using both ministry and coaching as avenues to help develop the next generation of leaders. He’s also an author and contributor, writing about pitching, mental skills, culture, and the lessons that baseball can teach us about life. You can read his article “No Such Thing as “Little Things” in the July/August 2025 edition of Inside Pitch Magazine. So today, we’re going to talk about pitching development, building a winning culture, the mental side of the game, leadership, relationships, and what it really means to coach the person—not just the player. The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more. Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://abca.castos.com https://www.abca.org/podcast Online: https://www.abca.org ABCA Member Benefits: https://www.abca.org/benefits Become a Member: https://www.abca.org/apply X/Twitter: https://x.com/abca1945 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abca1945 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCA1945 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/abca1945

  8. Aug 24

    George Carralejo - ABCA/Soldier Sports Pacific Association Assistant Coach of the Year

    Today’s guest on the ABCA Podcast is ABCA/Soldier Sports Pacific Association Assistant Coach of the Year, George Carralejo. Carralejo led Santa Ana College to the 3C2A Championship with a 44-7 record overall. Santa Ana had to beat Palomar in a double header on the last day of the championship. Carralejo has spent more than 20 years in the healthcare industry and 16 years coaching athletes at the collegiate, high school, and youth levels. Carralejo’s built sales teams, developed strategies for healthcare organizations, founded an eight-figure healthcare consulting company, and served as a chief strategist for multiple clinical diagnostics startups. Carralejo’s also earned national recognition throughout his corporate career, from Presidents Club honors to national awards as both a Regional Director and National Sales Director. Since 2009, Carralejo’s coached baseball at virtually every level, including serving as the pitching coach for a CIF Champion and a California State JUCO Champion. Along the way, his teams have won five league championships, 44 of his pitchers have earned Division I or Division II scholarships, 23 have received All-Conference recognition, eight former players have reached Major League Baseball, and an incredible 31 MLB Draft picks have played for him. Carralejo is a former Division I player at Cal State Fullerton, he was part of the 1999 Titans team that reached the College World Series, won two Big West Conference Championships, and was also part of a Cape Cod League championship team. In this episode you will get resources on organizational leadership and how to build successful teams in baseball and business. The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more. Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://abca.castos.com https://www.abca.org/podcast Online: https://www.abca.org ABCA Member Benefits: https://www.abca.org/benefits Become a Member: https://www.abca.org/apply X/Twitter: https://x.com/abca1945 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abca1945 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCA1945 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/abca1945

See All (300)

4.7
out of 5
429 Ratings

About

The ABCA Podcast runs the gamut of baseball coaching topics, from pitching, to hitting, to the mental game, practice planning, recruiting and more. It's hosted by Ryan Brownlee, longtime coach and current Assistant Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). The ABCA is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches, with more than 15,000 members representing all 50 U.S. states and 41 countries. Since 1945, Association membership has broadened to include: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, Junior College, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel Baseball. Each January, the ABCA hosts the largest baseball convention in the world. Over 8,000 coaches participate in the convention, which is held at various locations around the country. The ABCA's official website is http://www.ABCA.org.

Information

  • Creator
    American Baseball Coaches Association
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2024
  • Show Website
    ABCA Podcast

You Might Also Like