Rookie Coaches Mentorship Meeting & Hot Stove Sessions

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The Rookie Coaches Mentorship Meeting & Hot Stove Sessions are additional learning opportunities during the evenings while at the convention. The Rookie Coaches Mentorship Meeting, held on the Thursday night of the convention, is open to all convention attendees but is 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, coaching & family balance and more!

The Hot Stove Sessions run on the Friday and Saturday nights of the convention. The 2021 Hot Stove Sessions will run in the evenings on Jan. 8 & Jan. 9. These sessions feature a panel of coaches discussing various topics pertaining to different areas of the game including infield & outfield play, pitching, hitting, catching and base running. The panel of coaches will discuss drills, teaching points and field questions from coaches in the audience in the interactive learning session.

The 2021 Hot Stove Session & Rookie Coaches Mentorship panels will be announced in the fall.

The 2021 ABCA Convention, which will be the 77th annual ABCA Convention, will be held in Washington, D.C. at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center from January 7-10, 2021. Be sure to keep an eye out for more information regarding the 2021 Convention beginning this summer on the ABCA website and our social media platforms as well as in the My ABCA app, Inside Pitch Magazine and Press Box e-newsletter.

2020 Rookie Coaches Mentorship Meeting

What: New ABCA members, first-time Convention attendees & young coaches are invited to participate in this panel discussion about networking tips, career growth, coaching & family balance and more! This forum is moderated by Paul Blanchard, Head Coach at Southwest Minnesota State University.
When: Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 at 9 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Opryland – Ryman Ballroom
Panelists:

Paul Blanchard, Head Coach, Southwest Minnesota State University
Dan Fitzgerald, Associate Head Coach, Dallas Baptist University (TX)
Dean Berry, Head Coach, Northern State University (SD)
Scott Laverty, Head Coach, Chapman University (CA)
Jack Dahm, Head Coach, Mount Mercy College (IA)

2020 Infield Hot Stove Session

What: This session features a panel of coaches with an expertise in coaching infielders exploring the nuances of infield play through interactive dialogue. Get your questions answered and discuss your thoughts along with the panel & crowd on various infield topics! This forum is moderated by Kai Correa of the San Francisco Giants.
When: Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 at 9 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Opryland – Ryman Ballroom
Panelists:

Kai Correa, Bench Coach, San Francisco Giants
Billy Boyer, Infield Coordinator, Minnesota Twins
Tucker Frawley, Associate Head Coach, Yale University (CT)
Ryan Hunt, Defensive Coordinator, New York Yankees
Marty Lees, Assistant Coach, Oklahoma State University
Trent Mongero, Head Coach, Glynn Academy (GA)
Andy Schatzley, Associate Head Coach, Harding University (AR)
Tyler Smarslock, Infield Coach, Minnesota Twins

2020 Outfield Hot Stove Session

What: This session features a panel of coaches with an expertise in coaching outfielders exploring the nuances of outfield play through interactive dialogue. Get your questions answered and discuss your thoughts along with the panel & crowd on various outfield play topics!
When: Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 at 9 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Opryland – Canal A
Panelists:

Patrick Bailey, Associated Head Coach, Oregon State University
Jordan Bischel, Head Coach, Central Michigan University
Brad Coon, Head Coach, Lipscomb Academy (TN)
Darren Fenster, Outfield & Base Running Coach, Boston Red Sox
Scott Laverty, Head Coach, Chapman University (CA)
Cam McHarg, Assistant Coach, Great Britain National Team
Rob "Doc" Swendra, Assistant Coach, St. Cloud State University (MN)

2020 Hitting Hot Stove Session

What: This session features a panel of hitting coaches coaches exploring the nuances of hitting through interactive dialogue. Get your questions answered and discuss your thoughts along with the panel & crowd on various hitting topics! This forum is moderated by Paul Moore of the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association.
When: Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 at 7 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Opryland – Governor's Ballroom A
Panelists:

Paul Moore, President, CCCBCA
Darin Everson, Hitting Coordinator, Colorado Rockies
Zac Mitchell, Head Baseball Coach, Harpeth High School (TN)
Dan Fitzgerald, Associate Head Coach, Dallas Baptist University (TX)
Derek Sullivan, Head Coach, Sacramento City College (CA)
Billy Berry, Head Coach, Tennessee Wesleyan University
Rudy Garbalosa, Head Coach, Lynn University (FL)

2020 Pitching Hot Stove Session

What: This session features a panel of pitching coaches coaches exploring the nuances of pitching through interactive dialogue. Get your questions answered and discuss your thoughts along with the panel & crowd on various pitching topics! This forum is moderated by Pat Pinkman, Pitching Coach at Seton Hall University.
When: Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 at 7 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Opryland – Governor's Ballroom C
Panelists:

Pat Pinkman, Pitching Coach, Seton Hall University (NJ)
Shaun Cole, Associate Head Coach, Eastern Kentucky University
Brett Degagne, MiLB Pitching Coach, New York Yankees
Scott Foxhall, Assistant Coach, Mississippi State University
John Savage, Head Coach, UCLA
Pete Wilkinson, Instructor, Wilkinson Sports Academy (TX)

2020 Base Running Hot Stove Session

What: This session features a panel of coaches with base running expertise exploring the nuances of the running game through interactive dialogue. Get your questions answered and discuss your thoughts along with the panel & crowd on various base running topics! This forum is moderated by Matt Talarico, Base Running Coordinator for the New York Yankees.
When: Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 at 9 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Opryland – Governor's Ballroom A
Panelists:

Matt Talarico, Base Running Coordinator, New York Yankees
Jared Broughton, Assistant Coach, Clemson University (SC)
Tyler Gillum, Head Coach, Savannah Bananas (GA)
Bret Hoyer, Head Coach, Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School (IA)
Seth LaRue, Assistant Coach, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
Ryan Strain, Head Coach, Metropolitan State University of Denver

2020 Catching Hot Stove Session

What: This session features a panel of coaches with catching expertise exploring the nuances of catching through interactive dialogue. Get your questions answered and discuss your thoughts along with the panel & crowd on various catching topics! This forum is moderated by Bill Angelo, Head Coach at Elgin Community College (IL).
When: Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 at 9 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Opryland – Governor's Ballroom C
Panelists: