Book Private Baseball Lessons with Coach Sam

After growing up through the game of baseball, playing little league, and occasionally having to be dragged off the field just in time for dinner, I began my playing career at Joel Barlow High School, in Redding, CT. My senior year, I led our team to the conference semifinals, hitting above .300 with a sub 2.00 ERA, and winning the teams leadership award as well as the gold glove award for that season. I then moved on to play four years at Western Connecticut State University. After battling through some injuries and, of course, COVID-19, I pitched to the teams second-lowest ERA my senior season. After playing a variety of positions throughout my career, especially in high school, I was mainly a pitcher in college, although I kept up my skill levels throughout the infield. My knowledge and experience at multiple positions throughout my career allows me to flourish when coaching young athletes who are looking to expand their abilities across the diamond.

There are multiple ways I can help someone improve their game. The most important one, however, is by being a mentor just as much as a coach. As I said above, my high school coach was able to understand what worked for me, what didn't, what gave me confidence, what helped me perform, and so much more. By understanding someone and building both trust and a connection with them, I will be able to help any athlete improve their game. By being able to pass on my passion for baseball, as well as my drive and my motivation to improve, I can help any athlete grow their love for the game. When it comes to skills, my drills and training exercises incorporate creative, productive, and exciting aspects to it that will help the athlete gain confidence and feel unstoppable when they step out onto the field. By being just as much of a listener as a teacher, my plan to take just as much feedback as I give out will create a relationship that will lead to growth in various aspects of the athletes game. My goal to inspire those who have a dream to continue playing baseball and improve their game is something I have always had pride in, and I cannot wait to put that goal to the test.

A typical training session will always include a variety of different drills, exercises, and situational practice. Every training session will have multiple aspects in which to improve one or more parts of the athletes game. Every training session will begin with stretching, throwing, and some light plyometrics (such as resistance bands) to get the body warmed up. When the body is warmed up and ready to go, a typical training session will consist of multiple drills, (depending on which position group we are working on) which will be used to incorporate both physical and mental skills. While some drills will be fast-paced, I will often take the time to slow it down during a "teaching moment" and allow the athlete to slow themselves down as well. During this time I will give feedback to the athlete, based on what I saw, and listen to how they feel as well. Based on the feedback given and received, I will then continue the drill, looking for improvement and a higher understanding of what we are working on. When it comes to pitching, a typical training session will include the stretching and warm up, and then a dive into our plan for the day. I often like to ask my pitchers "What do you feel you need to improve today?" and create a plan based off of their answer. I will frequently create a throwing plan for a training session, whether it is "10 throws from 40 feet" for long toss, or "5 fastballs, 5 curveballs, and 5 changeups" for a 15 pitch bullpen session. Seeing how the athlete responds and is performing, in many cases I will offer feedback and make some small tweaks to an athletes mechanics. It is my job to see what works and what doesn't, since every athlete is different, therefore I will always work to understand how to get any athlete to reach their highest potential. I always enjoy ending my training sessions with a game, something where an athlete can still learn about the game while having fun doing it. Before my athlete leaves our session, I like to ask "What did you feel you did well today?" or "What do you think you can work on?" to get a gauge on how I can plan our next session, as well as give the athlete a sense of where they are in their mind.

Logan Barer was my high school pitching coach, as well as my mentor, and he was the best coach I have ever had. Why? Because coaching is so much more than the simplicity of teaching the fundamentals of baseball. When I was going into high school, I reached out to Logan, telling him I had been having some arm issues and asking if he would be willing to help me. Not only did Logan help my arm issue, but he propelled my baseball career all the way to the college level. Logan didn't just coach me, but he understood not only who I was as a player, but who I was as a person. Logan took the time to acknowledge what made me the best version of myself, on and off the field, and motivated me to become that person. As I look back on my baseball career, Logan's coaching and mentorship is something I aim to see in myself as I begin my coaching career.

Both athletes and parents should know that I am a passionate, energetic, knowledgable, and reliable individual who will work my hardest to bring out the best qualities for any athlete I am given the opportunity to work with. Something I believe parents should know about me is that I am a type one diabetic. Why is this important? Being diagnosed with diabetes has taught me to find the strength to overcome any obstacle I have come across on the field, which has helped me learn how to teach those around me how to do the same. As a young athlete who had just been diagnosed, I had to learn how to rely on others in order to keep myself healthy and happy. Learning how to trust and count on my teachers, coaches, and mentors has helped shape me into who I am today, and has also helped build the skill to pass that on to others. To the athlete that I may be working with, I know how important it is to grow your love for the game as it is to grow your skill. Having fun is such a crucial aspect to playing the game of baseball, and while my coaching sessions will consist of hard work and skill-based drills, they will also incorporate an abundance of smiles, laughter, and fun.