Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Southington H.S. - Former Division 1/PRO Pitcher - Former Professional Scout for the NY Mets
Joined January 2012
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May 27
Switala earns win No. 100 as Southington baseball looks to three-peat as CCC champs newbritainherald.com/sports/… via @NewBritHerald
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I know some disagree, and that’s fine. But I’m a Little League guy.
Let kids play Little League, have fun with their friends, and enjoy being kids.
As they get older, baseball gets more competitive, more stressful, and a little less fun.
There’s plenty of time for travel ball.
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16h
A week ago our H.S. players were competing in front of 800-1,000 fans with a season on the line.
Last night they were playing a 16U travel game in front of about 20 people, 0 energy and no pressure.
Tell me again that travel baseball can replace the high school experience.
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Jun 12
In our H.S. program, we usually get 80–100 kids trying out. This year we’re in the mid-70s. Coaches across the state are telling me numbers are down everywhere. Some schools like us, with 2,500 students, have only 20–25 kids trying out for 3 teams. What’s happening to baseball?
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Jun 11
I’ve heard it a thousand times:
“That radar gun is juiced.”
At MLB parks.
At MiLB parks.
At showcases.
At training facilities.
Serious question…
Who’s selling these juiced radar guns, and where can everyone else buy one? 🤣
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Jun 11
Talking to a Division I college baseball coach this week, he said:
“I don’t trust anybody’s radar gun but my own. That includes some of the biggest showcase programs.”
Velocity is important, but so is credibility. Thought’s?
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Jun 11
Seems like every week another MLB team is rolling out a bullpen game.
What used to be an emergency plan has become part of the rotation.
Is five actual starters now optional? Thoughts?
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Jun 11
We will have 17 returning varsity players off this year’s roster.
Great season. 22-4 record, a CCC Championship Game appearance, and a run to the Class LL Quarterfinals.
Thank you to our seniors: Rocco, Max, Connor, Mitch, Dylan, and Carson for everything you gave to our program.
To our returning players, the offseason begins now.
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Jun 10
Lots of D1 freshmen who barely saw the field—or never played an inning—are entering the portal and getting picked up by another D1.
Zero college stats.
Zero production.
Plenty of offers.
Is the transfer portal a projection contest instead of a performance based for some?
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Jun 8
Tournaments, why are we still playing 3 games on the final day?
If you’re good enough, make the Final Four and play for a championship.
If you’re not, go home or play one consolation game.
So what’s the reason for 3 games?
Is two games not enough? Anyone?
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Jun 8
Just my take.
This past H.S. season, I saw more pitchers throwing 85-89 mph than ever. The fastball wasn’t the problem. The toughest at-bats came against 75 mph lefties who threw strikes, pitched backwards, and landed solid breaking balls and changeups. Pitchability wins games.
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Jun 8
I’ll always encourage high school players to play the best competition they can in the summer and fall. That’s how you prepare for the high school season. Especially if you’re an underclassman with varsity goals—play up and challenge yourself.
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Jun 7
Okay, high school varsity baseball coaches around the country…
What’s your ideal roster size? I like 20-22.
Carry too many and playing time becomes an issue.
Carry too few and depth becomes an issue.
What’s your magic number and why?
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Jun 7
I would love to see the University of Tampa play D1 Baseball teams. They are just so good. Congrats on another National Championship.
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Jun 7
Throw Strikes. Pitch backwards. Change speeds. You’ll win a lot more high school baseball games than chasing radar gun numbers! #Facts
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Jun 5
Travel baseball has become the Wild West.
Young ages: development and reps.
Older ages: exposure and recruiting.
Instead, you’ve got coaches going after umpires, parents chirping opponents, and adults losing their minds over 10U pool play games.
The kids aren’t the problem.
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Jun 5
There are hard-nosed players…
and then there is everyone else.
I’ll take the aggressive player every single time—
you can’t coach edge.
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Jun 4
My entire feed is:
“I’m entering the transfer portal.”
Would be nice to see just a few:
“I’m staying at my current school because I like the coaches, the program, and the school.”
The rarest commitment in college baseball today might be staying committed.
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Jun 4
Many H.S. coaches run pitchers 90-110 pitches every week all season.
Then playoff time comes and they’re back out there every 4th day for 90-110 more.
Then they’re shocked when the velo drops and the arm isn’t as sharp.
Pitchers don’t manage the pitching staff. Coaches do.
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Jun 3
Not saying these kids aren’t good players—many are.
But some “metrics guys” look great in workouts…
Then varsity H.S. baseball hits:
300 fans or more, pressure, adversity, no easy games.
Some struggle because varsity pressure is different than travel ball.
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