Rookie Coaches Mentorship & Hot Stove Panel Discussions

The Rookie Coaches Mentorship Meeting & Hot Stove Panel Discussions are additional learning opportunities during the evenings at the ABCA Convention.

The Rookie Coaches Mentorship will take place at 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 5 and is open to all convention attendees but is specifically a great networking opportunity for new ABCA members, first-time Convention attendees & young coaches. A panel of coaches from all levels of the game will discuss their career paths in addition to sharing tips on continuing education, career growth, balancing coaching & family and more!

The eight Hot Stove Discussions feature panels of member coaches discussing position-specific topics! The Hot Stoves will be held on Friday, January 6 and Saturday, January 7. The full schedule and times are listed below. These are all interactive discussions where attendees can participate directly in the discussion and get their questions answered by the panel! You can pre-submit questions for the Hot Stove panelists here!

Rookie Coaches Mentorship Meeting

Presented by The Marines
When: Thursday, Jan. 6, 2023 at 9 p.m.
Panelists: 

• MODERATOR: Paul Blanchard, Head Coach, Southwest Minnesota State University
• Spencer Allen, Milwaukee Brewers
• Clay Cox, Paris Junior College (TX)
• Todd Interdonato, Wofford College (SC)
• Richard Kanter, Kanter Sports (VA)
• Bianca Smith, Boston Red Sox

Pitching Hot Stove

When: Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 at 9 p.m.
Panelists: 

• MODERATOR: Pat Pinkman, Elite Sports Advising (NJ)
• Sean Allen, Ohio State University
• Jason Mills, D.H. Conley High School (NC)
• Dr. Kristen Nicholson, Wake Forest University (NC)

Additional panelists to be added!

Outfield Play Hot Stove

When: Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 at 9 p.m.
Panelists: 

• MODERATOR: Jake Boss, Michigan State University
• André Butler, USA Baseball
• Jaylen Ferguson, Baltimore Orioles
• Jack Meggs, St. Mary's College (CA)
• Tyler Rost, Duke University (NC)

Culture & Leadership Hot Stove

When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Panelists: 

• MODERATOR: Craig Gianinno, University of San Francisco
• Robbie Britt, University of Charleston (WV)
• Tyler Gillum, Savannah Bananas
• Hannah Huesman, Texas Rangers
• Jerry Weinstein, Colorado Rockies

Strength & Conditioning Hot Stove

When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Panelists: 

• MODERATOR: Dr. Jimmy Onate, Ohio State University
• Tracy Hayes, MobilityChick
• Nathan Hemphill, PSP3
• Chris Romano, MiLB Strength & Conditioning Coach

Catching Hot Stove

When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Panelists: 

• MODERATOR: Butch Chaffin, Cookeville High School (TN)
• Skyler Barnett, Milligan University (TN)
• Nick Bredeson, Detroit Tigers
• Jeff Calhoon, Campbell University (NC)
• Jim Maciejewski, Mauldin High School (SC)
• Zac Stout, Rogue Baseball (CO)
• Collin Wilber, Pittsburgh Pirates

Baserunning Hot Stove

When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Panelists: 

• MODERATOR: Matt Talarico, New York Yankees
• Todd Interdonato, Wofford College (SC)
• Bryan Madsen, St. Joseph High School (CA)
• Bianca Smith, Boston Red Sox

Hitting Hot Stove

When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at 9 p.m.
Panelists: 

• MODERATOR: Chris Pedretti, California Community College Baseball Coaches Association

Additional panelists to be added!

Infield Play Hot Stove

When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at 9 p.m.
Panelists: 

• MODERATOR: Tyler Gillum, Savannah Bananas
• MODERATOR: Clay Cox, Paris Junior College (TX)
• Damon Lessler, Ohio State University
• Bryan Madsen, St. Joseph High School (CA)
• Nate Trosky, Trosky Baseball (CA)