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Date:  March 8, 2019 By: Eric Leary If knowledge is power, then knowing where the baseball is on the diamond while running the bases could put players into genius status. It is a critical element in making decisions and taking advantage of opportunities. This sometimes requires coaches and players to overcome long standing and often…

Date: March 5, 2019 By: Eric Leary Knowing where you belong is a feeling that Nikko Andre can connect with on the baseball field and in life. The uncommitted 2020 catcher has played behind the plate since he was 6 years old and he knows he belongs behind the plate. In a recent conversation with…

Date: March 4, 2019 By: Brendan Dougherty Baseball is now in full swing from the professional ranks to high school level. Check out this week’s edition of Dirtbag weekly roundup.. Stellar Start For Roupp against #5 Ranked UNC Landen Roupp UNCW pitched 4.2 innings giving up only 3 hits while striking out 8 and not yielding…

Date: March 1, 2019 By: Eric Leary The conversation on the topic of a catcher’s ability to throw out stealing baserunners is riddled with a mix of myths and realities. In order to find some clarity in the discussion consider a few of these: Myth:  It is the single most important defensive skill employed by…

Date: February 26, 2019 By: Eric Leary When MLB scouts rate players on their performance tools they use a grade system that ranges between 20 and 80. Anyone who has ever spent time with Drew Needham, or had a conversation with the 2020 left-handed hitting infielder, would probably agree his personality score should be an…

Date: February 25, 2019 By: Brendan Dougherty With the high school baseball season starting up this week, college baseball well on its way and professional baseball cranking up its spring training.  A weekly digest is here to round up news related to past Dirtbags. Wood is Chanticleers spark plug Cory Wood hit .333 with 7…

Date: February 21, 2019 By: Eric Leary The Dirtbags are fortunate to be joined by High Point University’s head coach Craig Cozart for this week’s Under the Gun. Coach Cozart, you are entering your 11th season at the helm of the Panther’s baseball program. Prior to coming to HPU, you spent time as a player…

Date: February 19, 2019 By: Eric Leary Competitors love to compete. They are fueled by an urge to raise their game to its highest level to show they can be counted as among the best. Winning is a big deal, but competing is even a bigger deal to the true competitor. Koen Moreno is a…

Date: February 15, 2019 By: Eric Leary When prioritizing situations and responses routinely faced by hitters, the conversation must immediately turn to a two strike approach. Each batter needs have a well prepared and effective plan for this common occurrence. The ability to find consistent success with two strikes is a real skill that is…