Zeal Talk - A Baseball Podcast David Wessells

Coaches! Let's be better! This week, David talks about coaches who are ruining the game of baseball for athletes and even causing them to stop playing. The purpose of baseball is to have fun and enjoy how awesome of a game it is, not run a dictatorship and get angry at athletes for no reason. David discusses how he approaches coaching and why we need coaches that can make athletes love the game not hate it.

This week David welcomes his college coach, Brian Reitnour. Brian is the Head Coach at Houghton University. The culture Coach Reitnour has built is special and isn't something you see at most college baseball programs. His focus on developing men, providing grace through failure, and keeping God at the center is what makes the program so special. David and Brian discuss the importance of the culture, how shaping men for life after baseball is so crucial, and what it was like coaching David.

This week, David sits down with Clarion University Head Coach Caleb Lang. Caleb has tons of experience coaching at many different collegiate levels and is a great baseball mind. Caleb describes his process of becoming Offensive Coordinator at NAIA Concordia University and helping build one of the best offenses in the country. They discuss development, game planning, and Caleb's new journey taking over the baseball program at Clarion.

Statcast just started releasing new Hit Tracking Data for MLB hitters and the baseball world is talking about it. Whether it is bat speed or swing length, people seem to have the belief that certain numbers are "king" and selling out to those will make you a successful hitter. David discusses his thoughts and approach to Bat Speed training as well as the different data points that were released.

This week we welcome back Ned Monthie to the Podcast! David brings Ned on to discuss his perspective on the toxic environment hitting twitter has become from a pitcher/pitching coach "lens." It is always great to hear the perspective of someone from outside the hitting sphere, and Ned gives great insight as well as open a conversation about "Right or Wrong" arguments in coaching in general.

Could playing summer ball be a setback in your career?? Sounds crazy but this is a topic that David is very passionate about. Instead of playing more games just to play more games, prioritize DEVELOPMENT. David breaks down situations where playing summer ball would be good or bad and reflects on his playing career. Share this episode with an athlete that needs to hear it!