CSP Elite Baseball Development Podcast: Creating a Culture for Sustainable Success with Tim Corbin

Name: CSP Elite Baseball Development Podcast: Creating a Culture for Sustainable Success with Tim Corbin
Uploaded: 2023-01-08T12:59:17.000Z
Duration: 1 h 58 min 39 s

Introduction

In this section, the host introduces the podcast and the guest.

Introduction of the Guest

The guest is one of the most accomplished college baseball coaches in the game today.

The host has known him for close to 15 years.

The guest had recruited some of their high school athletes and had given good advice along the way.

Importance of Guest's Interactions

Several former guests played for him at his university.

Some have gone on to coaching ranks in professional baseball.

Reflecting with them on how powerful his interactions were for their long-term career development even beyond just as baseball players as coaches and as people.

Podcast Overview

There are some awesome lessons in this podcast that'll exemplify why that's the case.

Athletic Greens Sponsorship

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Guest Introduction

In this section, Eric Cressy introduces the guest and talks about his accomplishments.

Guest's Accomplishments

The guest began as 10 years Vanderbilt's head baseball coach in 2003.

Since that time Commodore teams have a record of 841 401 for a 678 winning percentage which ranks first all-time in both wins and winning percentage.

Vanderbilt has made 16 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances including five College World Series appearances four trips to the finals and two national championships since 10 2003.

Tim Corbin's Coaching Background

In this section, Tim Corbin talks about his coaching background and experience.

Coaching Experience

Tim Corbin has been a coach for 38-39 years.

He has coached at different schools and levels, including Presbyterian College, Wofford, Ohio State, and Vanderbilt.

He was also a head coach and assistant coach for the Team USA Collegiate national team in 2006 and 2000 respectively.

In January 2020, he was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Changes in Coaching Over Time

In this section, Tim Corbin discusses how coaching has changed over time.

Changes in Athletes

Today's athletes carry more "luggage" with them when they come into a program.

They have more coaches and teachers helping them develop their skills.

Parents are more involved in their lives than before.

Kids specialize more today than they did before.

Key Coaching Principles

Kids will always need discipline, structure, and organization.

Discipline creates freedom for kids if they can find themselves organized before getting to the environment.

Skill Development vs Team Environment

In this section, the speaker discusses how showcasing skills in high school ball has become more prevalent than true developmental opportunities. The focus on individual skill development has led to a lack of emphasis on implementing those skills into a team environment.

Lack of Emphasis on Team Environment

The ability to hit and throw harder is greater than ever before, but the ability to implement those skills into a team environment is lacking.

Adults, such as parents, coaches, and teachers, create environments for kids that prioritize individual skill development over team play.

As a result, kids carry around "luggage" and find it difficult to enjoy their environments when there are more parents and attention present.

Importance of Team Play

Kids have not changed; it's the circumstances that govern how they behave that have changed dramatically.

When parents and teachers release control and allow kids to take ownership of their opportunities, it becomes more about the team rather than individuals.

Implementing these changes could modify the current situation.

Modifying Youth Sports Environments

In this section, the speaker discusses potential modifications to youth sports environments that could improve the emphasis on team play.

Athletic Environment Modifications

Creating an athletic environment where only coaches and officials are present could be more instructive and fun for kids.

Adding more adults only gets in the way of what is trying to be created inside that environment. Turning off scoreboards or just playing competition against an opponent can help teach kids how to play a game.

Importance of Fun in Youth Sports

In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of making youth sports fun and engaging for children. They emphasize that coaches should structure practices to allow kids to fall in love with the gameplay before teaching them skills.

Making Youth Sports Fun

Over-drilling kids can take the fun out of sports.

Practices should be structured as whole-part-whole, allowing kids to fall in love with gameplay before teaching skills.

Technical practices can be too much for young children and may cause them to lose interest in sports.

Lessons Learned from Turning Around Programs

The speakers discuss their experiences turning around programs into successful ones. They emphasize the importance of finding a good fit between coach and institution and creating a culture over time.

Finding a Good Fit

Coaches should find institutions that match their values and personality.

Private school environments were a good fit for one speaker's coaching style.

Vanderbilt was a good fit because it matched an academic private school environment that resonated with one speaker's values.

Creating a Culture Over Time

Culture is created over time, not by simply stating intentions.

A program's culture is moving in the right direction when players start implementing its standards and values.

Building a Culture in College Baseball

In this section, the speaker discusses the challenges of building a culture in college baseball and how it is created over time.

Creating an Environment for Growth

The speaker emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where players can grow and learn.

The consistency of culture over time is something that the program is proud of.

The culture may change across different eras and with different lineups and players.

Each year, the program has to go back to square one and reinvent itself.

Taking Advantage of Senior Players

Having senior players in the program is a gift because they purposefully select to be there for another year.

Modifying and reinventing the program for senior players is a gift to them as well.

Mike Yastrzemski's Example

Mike Yastrzemski's decision to return for his senior year had nothing to do with financial resources but everything to do with his emotion for what he was doing.

His decision ultimately led to him favorably impacting his teammates, which had a trickle-down effect that ultimately won them a national championship league after he left.

Understanding Time as a Resource

Time is really our greatest resource, and using it wisely can help us better ourselves mentally from a leadership standpoint.

Chris' Toughest Guy

In this section, the speaker talks about his experience with a coach who asked him who his toughest guy was and how it made him think differently about what college coaches look for in players. He then goes on to discuss some of the qualities that he believes are important in high school athletes.

Qualities of High School Athletes

Mental toughness is a huge component of any athlete, especially right now.

A teachable spirit is important in a kid because they take constructive criticism as a compliment and are hungry for information.

Kids who want to compete are hungry to win and lose, which is an important quality.

Low maintenance kids that just show up and say "I'm in" are valuable because they don't come with instructions.

Moving to Nashville and College Recruiting Picture

In this section, the speaker talks about how moving to a new place can be challenging for kids and how Vanderbilt University's academic component helps them in recruiting players. The speaker also discusses the process of selecting players for their team.

Challenges of Moving to a New Place

Moving to a new place is challenging for kids as it involves adjusting to a new geography, social circumstances, and making hundreds of new friends.

When a kid moves to a new place, it becomes difficult for coaches to coach them effectively if they are not interested in playing baseball.

College Recruiting Picture

Vanderbilt University receives many applications from students who want to join their baseball team due to its high academic standards and success.

The selection process involves looking at the personality traits, athletic skills, and academic skills of potential players.

Personality traits such as being positive and enjoying college life are important factors that help in selecting players.

The university provides an environment that is competitive both academically and athletically. They look for students who can handle discipline and boundaries while still having freedom.

To find suitable candidates, coaches get around them as much as possible by attending camps or asking intentional questions about them.

Teaching Structure

The program teaches structure by helping young men understand what life looks like once they leave college. It involves waking up early in the morning and thinking through what will happen after eight o'clock.

Coaches try to teach structure by showing students how choices and decisions affect their lives.

The university looks for students who are disciplined and can handle the structure of the program.

Selecting Players

Coaches try to be good detectives by asking intentional questions about potential players. They seek out the best answers to get a clear picture of the player's personality, athletic skills, and academic skills.

Vanderbilt University is a successful school, so players do not necessarily find them anymore. Coaches have to seek out potential players themselves.

The Importance of Initiative and Courage in College Recruitment

In this section, the speaker discusses how not every kid that comes to camp wants to be at Vanderbilt. He emphasizes the importance of initiative and courage in college recruitment.

Initiative and Courage

The speaker shares a story about a kid who couldn't afford to come to camp but was determined to attend Vanderbilt. His mother took on another job just to send him to camp, and he ended up being one of their better players.

The speaker believes that it takes courage for a kid to put themselves in front of recruiters and show them who they are as a person. If you want something, you have to go for it.

The speaker recalls another situation where a kid came to their camp but wasn't ready for Vanderbilt. However, Scott Brown called the speaker and said that the kid was special and could be helped. This led the kid on a great career at St John's.

Mistakes High School Players Make in College Recruitment

In this section, the speaker talks about some common mistakes high school players make during college recruitment.

Common Mistakes

Parents taking over during games or competitions can make things difficult for kids.

Parenting is not easy in this day and age because parents often look around at what others are doing instead of listening to their child's efforts and interests.

It's important for parents to guide their children without getting in their way. Once they jump into an environment like college recruitment, let them go.

The Complexities of Attending a High Academic Institution

In this section, the speaker discusses the complexities of attending a high academic institution like Vanderbilt.

Challenges

Vanderbilt is an intense school and program. The speaker spends an hour and a half talking about the 24-hour clock during their first meeting in the classroom.

Young players who want to be student-athletes at high academic institutions need to keep in mind that it won't be easy. Even if they worked hard in high school, they will still face challenges like Ty and Adam did when they got smacked in the face their first semester.

Astronomy was one class that challenged them even though they thought it would be easy.

The Art of Showing Up

In this section, the speaker talks about the importance of being intentional and organized in order to gain control over one's life. He emphasizes that gaining control takes time and maturity, but it is necessary for success.

Importance of Being Organized

Being intentional and organized is crucial for success.

Minimizing "fat time" (extra free time) helps reduce stress and allows for better time management.

Managing sleep and nutrition are key factors in gaining control over one's life.

Gaining Control Leads to Success

Successful athletes have gained control over their lives by being organized and structured.

Mastering the art of showing up involves doing everything before showing up in order to gain entry into a space with confidence.

Athletic Greens is a supplement that can help cover nutritional needs.

Strategies for Keeping Players Focused

In this section, the speaker discusses strategies for keeping players focused on their development despite distractions such as social media. He emphasizes the importance of humanistic relationships and challenging players.

Removing Distractions

Removing phones from the facility helps eliminate distractions.

Developing humanistic relationships is crucial for player development.

Challenging Players

Continually challenging players through recruiting helps keep them focused on their development.

Recovering from Winning Opportunities

In this section, the speaker talks about the importance of recovering from winning opportunities and how it is just as important as learning to be resilient after failing. The speaker emphasizes the need for players to understand how to center themselves and move on to the next stage.

Importance of Recovery

Understanding how to recover when things have gone well is just as important as learning how to be resilient after failing.

Learning how to recover from winning opportunities helps players understand how to center themselves and move on to the next stage.

Players who welcome challenges are more likely to succeed in high-caliber environments like Alabama football.

Challenging Players Every Day

Players must earn their place every day in a challenging environment.

Being challenged every day in an environment where yesterday's success does not guarantee tomorrow's success is part of the culture at Alabama football.

Finding Developmental Opportunities

In this section, the speaker talks about finding developmental opportunities for young athletes. The speaker emphasizes that finding competition and being challenged is more important than finding organizations with good facilities or drills.

Best Developmental Opportunity

Finding the best developmental opportunity means finding an organization that will challenge you to be better tomorrow than you were today.

It's not just about who has the best drills or facilities; it's about finding an organization that will push you beyond your limits.

Roadmap for Young Athletes

Curiosity is key for young athletes looking to improve their skills. They should ask questions of current players and understand what they are doing to improve.

Putting in time and energy is essential for young athletes who want to succeed at a high level.

Surrounding yourself with like-minded people who are also committed to improving their skills is important.

Hunger and passion are crucial for success, and players must maintain that hunger throughout their journey.

The Importance of Showing Up

In this section, Tim Corbin talks about the importance of showing up and how it impacts a kid's perspective on the university. He also mentions that committing to a kid who shows up on campus is crucial.

The Impact of Showing Up

Kids who show up on campus demonstrate their interest in the university.

Committing to kids who show up is important for their development.

Watching kids develop takes time and energy but is worth it in the end.

Continuous Improvement

In this section, Tim Corbin discusses his approach to continuous improvement and how he challenges himself each year. He emphasizes the importance of reinventing oneself and asking tough questions.

Key Habits for Continuous Improvement

Reinventing oneself is crucial for continuous improvement.

Asking tough questions after every year helps with self-improvement.

Marrying a good teammate who can challenge one's thought processes is beneficial.

Being pliable, curious, and disciplined are essential habits for self-improvement.

Learning from Others

In this section, Tim Corbin talks about learning from others as a way to improve oneself. He mentions some coaches he has learned from over the years and emphasizes the importance of being curious and asking questions.

Learning from Other Coaches

Learning from other coaches is an excellent way to improve oneself.

Hanging around people with wisdom who have been through the wars can be beneficial.

Being curious and asking lots of questions helps with learning.

Recommended Book for Players

In this section, Tim Corbin recommends a book called "Make Your Bed" and explains why he thinks it's an essential read for players.

Recommended Book

"Make Your Bed" is a book that Tim Corbin recommends to players.

The book has everything to do with sports, even though it's not necessarily a sports book.

The Importance of Character Development

In this section, Tim Corbin talks about the importance of character development in young athletes and how it can positively impact their performance on the field.

Patience is Key

Corbin advises his younger self to have more patience when it comes to winning and losing.

He emphasizes that while competition is important, putting too much emphasis on it can be damaging to oneself and one's team.

Instead, he suggests focusing on character development as a way to build confidence and self-esteem in young athletes.

Losing as a Teaching Opportunity

Corbin believes that losing provides an opportunity for teaching moments.

While there may be heartache associated with losing, he sees it as a chance to teach resilience and perseverance.

He also notes that some of his best memories come from watching former players grow into adults and start families.

Coaching Memories

In this section, Tim Corbin reflects on some of his favorite coaching memories and what they mean to him.

Joy and Heartache

Corbin acknowledges that coaching comes with both joyous moments and heartache.

While he has fond memories of big wins like Scott's Home Run in 2003, he finds the most satisfaction in watching former players grow into successful adults.

A Wedding Party Story

Corbin shares a recent memory from Dansby Swanson's wedding where he spent three hours talking with former players about old stories.

He notes that not once did anyone bring up winning or championships; instead, they focused on the relationships they had built over the years.

Advice for Kids and Parents

In this section, the guest provides advice to kids and parents who listen to the podcast together on their way to practice or a game.

Learn to Love Your Kid Parents More but Depend on Them Less

The guest advises parents to learn how to love their kids more but depend on them less as they get older.

He emphasizes that it's great for parents when their child reflects them positively when away from home.

The only rule he suggests is not doing anything that would embarrass your parents.

Disconnect from Technology and Engage in Humanistic Thought

The guest advises young people to get off their phones as much as possible and engage in humanistic thought.

He believes playing other sports can be a great training ground for the sport you're playing, allowing you to reset and grow in other areas.

Conclusion

The host thanks the guest for his time and contributions to the industry.

The guest reciprocates the appreciation, acknowledging that he knew the host would be successful from their first meeting.