Here are some Dispatches from around the country:

ABCA Convention
The ABCA convention came back to the east coast for the first time since Philadelphia in 2008 with over 10,000 attendees and vendors combined at the Gaylord National just outside of Washington, D.C. This was the third straight at a Gaylord hotel (Opryland in 2022 and Texan last year), and this was easily the least walking of the three. The hall for speakers was stacked on top of the trade show hall, and both were just off the lobby. One of the trickiest parts of conventions is getting a quick bite to eat with so many people, but this time it worked out really well as the Marketplace in the lobby featured all kinds of hot food to quickly purchase. Lots of great conversations were being had all over the two-tier lobby, and the rooms were all pretty easily accessible.

One of the great innovations over the years has been the expansion of the Hot Stove Panels. Not just five years ago, there was one hitting and one pitching Hot Stove. This year, there were 10 panels and 62 speakers covering everything from hitting to leadership to baserunning and strength and conditioning. The casual Q&A interplay in a smaller group setting has turned into one of the best learning opportunities at the convention.

The opening of the convention with 7,000 coaches continues to be an inspiring moment. ABCA President Matt Noone welcomed everyone, and then the national coaches of the year (national champions in their respective divisions) and assistant coaches of the year were honored on stage. Gerry Baldwin from East Coast Baseball and Greg Goodwin from Mentoring Viable Prospects were honored with the Service Award. Tom O’Connell then introduced the Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Awards to Dan Griesbaum, Sr. from Grosse Pointe South (Mich.) HS and Tom Meyer from Riverside University (Minn.) HS who made strong speeches.

The traditional of the coach of the the past year’s NCAA Division I Championship team is always a highlight. Tony Vitello from Tennesse was fantastic. He led with the concept that he “didn’t have any secret sauce,” as well as recognizing that certainly Tennessee and the SEC has its advantages. He was humble in talking about coming to his first convention with his father, a high school baseball coach, at a young age, and how he feels lucky to been hired by great coaches and mentors.

Lots of main stage speakers and not a lot of time (thankful for the videos that will be released), since the trade show is always such an inspiring place. It’s one of those things that baseball people need to experience in this life. Even if you’re not going to buy a lot of things, the inspiration and motivation and ideas for the future are great take-aways.

All-in-all, the flurry of energy and conversations and ideas was exciting, and is a uniquely special thing that baseball coaches get to do every year. Thanks has to go to everyone who made it another great convention.

World Baseball Convention – Mohegan Sun

The Mohegan Sun Baseball Convention, as it’s affectionately called, is really a profound lab for learning baseball. Certainly a highlight is the regional nature of seeing friends in Connecticut from the baseball world from a smaller northeast radius than the ABCA convention, but the focus on elite coaches giving multiple presentations on very detailed aspects of the game is profound.

With 2-4 panels happening at all times, there is always something for everyone’s interest every year. The two speaker halls are perfect for ideas and visuals, while a batting cage and actual field offer real demonstrations with actual players. The adjacent trade show is also a great opportunity for coaches and vendors to connect.

A major highlight was the pitching coaches panel. Moderated expertly by college consultant and former college coach Wayne Mazzoni, it featured MLB pitching coaches giving great insight into how they really approach their craft. Matt Blake from the Yankees and Pete Woodworth from the Mariners were also joined by long-time MLB pitcher Rich Hill. It was a real insider look to learn from.

Ahead

Next up in the baseball world is the season! Divison I starts on Fri., Feb. 14, while other divisions can start any time and thus many of them start in early February.

While many of the games played, particularly in Division I, are simply three or four-game series, the tradtion of teams of smaller schools going to tournaments every year in warm-weather climates continues. Big tournaments that teams return to year-after-year are found in Tucson, Ariz., Clearwater, Fla., Ft. Myers, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Division I has some key early tournament with powerhouse teams in Arlington, Tex., Palm Springs, Calif., and in Compton, Calif.

High schools travel too, led by the 12th annual National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C. Hosted by USA Baseball in April, this 12-team tournament always hosts some of the very best teams in the nation.

Good luck to everyone!