Building the correct muscle memory from a young age is very important for catchers. It can be close to impossible to reverse engineer years of bad habits. That is why it is crucial, in the opinion of former Milwaukee Brewers catcher Charles Galiano, that players are taught the proper technique as early as possible.
Galiano, along with his trusted staff, will be offering their years of knowledge this winter during a 12-week clinic called “Seven Tool Catching“. The clinic will be hosted at BEAST Facility (6133 Jericho Turnpike, Commack) for grades 3-8 and All Pro Sports Academy (990 Station Road, Bellport) for grades 9-12.
The mission of this clinic to provide players with professional-caliber instruction in small groups with an emphasis on proper technique.
“I want music blasting,
trainers yelling, high energy
and the guys really getting after it”
“They’ll be learning from the pros,” said Galiano, a catcher from Commack HS that was drafted in 2012 and again out of Fordham University in 2015. “They’ve been there and know what it takes to play at the pro level,” he added.
His staff will include Brandon Coluccio (former Baltimore Orioles farm hand), Jake Lieberman (Southern Connecticut University) and Ryan Dillon (Molloy College). They will host the clinic and work with the catchers using their experience to teach the drills that they learned at the college and professional level using pitching machines.
“I’m really excited to get things started and underway this upcoming winter and show all age groups the proper mechanics and fundamentals of catching,” said Coluccio, a native of Freehold, NJ. “I believe all of the knowledge these coaches will bring from their professional experiences will really help bring every one of these players’ games to the next level. No better place to be this winter than with Seven Tool,” he added.
Additionally, Galiano has announced weekly special guests. These will range from current and former professional catchers to pitchers as well as scouts and even umpires.
One of the guests, former Major League LHP and Commack 2006 grad Mike Belfiore, will be there to speak to the catchers about the importance of a pitcher/catcher relationship and pitching calling. Galiano also noted having a professional umpire in attendance will help the catchers to realize the importance of how even small gestures like shaking hands can help form a relationship with the umpire.
“It is essential that players start young learning the proper techniques,” said Galiano. “If you’re fundamentally sound from a young age, as you get older you can work on those millimeter improvements and not making wholesale changes,” he added.
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When asked what he envisions to look like in his head, his face lit up.
“Hard, fast and most importantly, with intent,” he said. “I want music blasting, trainers yelling, high energy and the guys really getting after it.
I want a fresh and innovative look, not a classroom feel.”
You can visit the webpage of Seven Tool Catching by clicking here and register for the clinic by clicking here.
