Posts by andy

INSTRUCTIONAL FRIDAY – 3 ANSWERS ON CATCHING DATE – 5/10/19 The ability to play catcher at a high level is difficult to master when one considers all of the skills necessary.  The dexterity to receive, the strength to throw and the athleticism to block provide such a broad range that many times catchers may show…

May 23rd- Paul Rozzelle                 Catawba Valley Head Coach               The Dirtbags continue the college coaching interview series known as Under the Gun with a visit from Catawba Valley Community College head coach Paul Rozzelle.  The 2019 campaign is his fifth season as the leader of the Red Hawks. Take moment…

In baseball, being projectable can be a blessing and a curse all rolled into one.  Obviously, the potential for performance has been recognized when a player has been identified at “projectable.” But it becomes meaningless if the player can’t move forward and provide the evidence of the skills necessary to be his very best. The…

INSTRUCTIONAL FRIDAY – TEE WORK DATE:  5/3/19 The purpose of Instructional Friday since it began on Dirtbags baseball was to provide players and coaches with some focused views on the development of baseball skills and to support that with drills and insight.  While hopefully much fruit was produced by the previous editions in the series,…

Under the Gun:  Jim Chester, Barton College In today’s edition of Under the Gun, we are joined by the head coach at Barton College, Jim Chester.  He is in his second year of leading the Bulldogs in Wilson, N.C. and has seen his squad make a tremendous jump in its results on the diamond this…

Meet Cameron Clonch.  He is a left-handed two-way player in the 2020 class who attends Mooresville High School, and is committed to East Carolina to play baseball.  He is also an entrepreneur. While the last part may not seem to fit at all with the references to his baseball credentials, the reality is that it…

Dirtbag Week in Review April 22-28 Andre propels St. James Nikko Andre (2020 Uncommitted) went 4-4 in game 1 of the state playoffs and hit a 3 Run HR in game 2 to help the Sharks move into the Championship game of the District Playoffs. Jones Named Player of the Year Utah Jones was named…

As an alum of Western Carolina University, Assistant Coach Taylor Sandefur is back as a Catamount for the 2019 season.  While a player at WCU, he performed both on the mound and at the plate. He has been coaching college baseball since 2015.    Tell us what it’s like to be able to come back…

INSTRUCTIONAL FRIDAY – PITCHING:  STUFF 2019 Pitchers have it, or they don’t have it.  A pitch may be full of it or show no signs whatsoever. Anyone who’s ever been around the game of baseball has heard about it.  They may have known exactly what the person who said it meant. Or at least they…

PLAYER:  Matt Kemp Date:  4/23/19 Being able to perform in a variety of areas in the game of baseball lends itself to value.  That would be an accurate way to describe Matt Kemp of Randleman High School. His abilities in a number of skills on the diamond has not only made him a valuable team…