Here’s A Rundown of some of the topics we discussed:
State of the Team:
- Really moving in the right direction
- Graduated only one impact senior from 2019
- He’s very pleased with the leadership of the seniors so far.
- They’ve been working out for the past three months in the gym
- He cannot wait for the season to start
Impact Players
- LHP Matt Polestino will anchor the rotation. He’s been on varsity since ninth grade. He is committed to SUNY New Paltz. His first varsity game was at Shoreham-Wading River in 2017 and he shut them down for five innings in relief.
- Dan Brown, a scholarship player that will be going to Pace.
Beating Shoreham-WR in 2017
- They had lost 4-1 the day before so he knew they could hang with them.
- Joe Muchnicki was coming off a no-hitter the week before.
- Laid down a couple bunts early on to get a lead.
- After six, Muchnicki reached his pitch limit and he brought in the next day’s starting pitcher to close it.
- Brian Morrell ripped a line drive but it was right at the second baseman to end the game.
- Shoreham won 20 consecutive games after that.
On Jack Ryan
- He’s a gamer, an old-school gamer.
- Knows how to work with the umpire, knows how to frame. Glad that Polestino had a year to work with him.
- Met him as a sophomore, his presence back then was amazing.
- A complete athlete.
Senior Class
- Aidan Desmond and Matt Polestino have been great leaders
- Averaged 21 players in the weight room per workout.
- Guys are cheering each other on and leading.
Calling Up Freshmen
- Had two 9th graders on varsity last year.
- If they are getting playing time it is more productive for the player than sitting on the bench.
- If they can handle the pressure, they are more likely to be up.
- Desmond had game-winning hit as a 9th grader.
- It’s about building towards the future.
On Facing a Powerhouse like Shoreham-WR
- He sensed his team was intimidated when Morrell pitched against them with 20 scouts behind the plate. The team was in awe and it showed as they lost 16-1.
- There’s no time limit so you have every opportunity to come back.
On His Time at Briarcliffe from 2007-2010
- Went on three interviews for assistant job.
- Tough to recruit since they didn’t play on campus. They played at PAL Stadium.
- They played some great competition. They were recruiting for their switch to Division-II.
On His Time With Team Beast
- Started three years ago, coached team that played in Boys of Summer.
- His team was eighth and ninth graders.
- The following year, coached a showcase team that traveled a lot.
- Most of his team this summer is committed to play at college; Richie Cimpric, Jake Fullerton.
- The exposure has been crazy.
The Advantages of The Internet in Recruiting
- When he graduated HS in 1997, none of these resources were available. It was very difficult to get a coach to look at your tape.
- Through showcases and social media, it is much easier to get noticed then it was.
The Pitfalls of the Internet in Recruiting
- They’ve had an incident in the past and his guys know to be careful what they post on social media.
On Multi-Sport Athletes
- He encourages his guys to be multi-sport athletes and to take time off from throwing.
