Rookie Coaches Mentorship Meeting & Hot Stove Sessions

The Rookie Coaches Mentorship Meeting & Hot Stove Sessions are additional learning opportunities during the evenings of the convention. The Rookie Coaches Mentorship Meeting 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 Stoves feature coaching panels discussing position-specific topics! These are all interactive discussions where attendees can get their questions answered by the panel!

Rookie Coaches Mentorship will take place from 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. on Thursday, January 6 at the 2022 ABCA Convention. The Hot Stoves will be held on Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8. Infield & Outfield Play Hot Stoves will take place from 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. on Friday. Leadership will be discussed at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday followed by Hitting and Pitching Hot Stoves from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Saturday with Catching and Base Running to follow from 9:15 p.m. - 11:15 p.m.

Panelists for these events will be announced later in Fall 2021.

The 2022 ABCA Convention is scheduled to be held in Chicago from January 6-9, 2022. The event will be the 78th annual ABCA Convention and close to 10,000 coaches are expected to join us for the event! Convention registration will open on September 1, 2021. The Convention will feature four days of coaching clinics across the General Session, Youth Coaches Session and Expo Theater, ABCA Trade Show, Hot Stove and Question & Answer Sessions, award celebrations, committee & league meetings, networking events and so much more! Save the date for January 6-9, 2022 and we'll see you in Chicago!

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. 6, 2022 at 9 p.m.
Panelists: The panelists for the 2022 ABCA Convention will be announced later in Fall 2021. Below are the panelists from the 2021 event.

MODERATOR: Paul Blanchard, Head Coach, Southwest Minnesota State University
Tim Corbin, Head Coach, Vanderbilt University
Chris Hawkins, Head Coach, Normal West High School (IL)
Mike Rooney, College Baseball Analyst, ESPN/D1Baseball.com
Eric Snider, Recruiting Coordinator, University of Louisville
Justin Toole, Hitting Analyst, Cleveland Indians

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. 7, 2022 at 9 p.m.
Panelists: The panelists for the 2022 ABCA Convention will be announced later in Fall 2021. Below are the panelists from the 2021 event.

MODERATOR: Kai Correa, Bench Coach, San Francisco Giants
Billy Boyer, Infield Coordinator, Minnesota Twins
Tucker Frawley, Assistant Field Manager, Minnesota Twins
Tyler Gillum, Head Coach/Assistant Coach, Savannah Bananas (GA)/South Mountain CC (AZ)
Rick Heller, University of Iowa, Head Coach
Perry Hill, Infield Coach, Seattle Mariners
Ryan Klosterman, Head Coach, Bryant University (RI)
Bill Mosiello, Associate Head Coach, TCU
Ed Servais, Head Coach, Creighton University (NE)

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! This forum is moderated by former Oregon State University associate head coach Patrick Bailey.
When: Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 at 9 p.m.
Panelists: The panelists for the 2022 ABCA Convention will be announced later in Fall 2021. Below are the panelists from the 2021 event.

MODERATOR: Patrick Bailey, Multi-Area Director, FCA
Josh Rabe, Head Coach, Quincy University (IL)
Brandon Bellanger, Assistant Coach, University of Louisiana Monroe
JT Maguire, Player Development, Cleveland Indians
Gabe Ortiz, Assistant Coach, Kofa High School (AZ)

Leadership/Culture Hot Stove Session

What: This session features a panel of coaches exploring team culture and leadership techniques through interactive dialogue. Get your questions answered and discuss your thoughts along with the panel & crowd on various leadership topics! This forum is moderated by Craig Gianinno of the University of San Francisco.
When: Saturday, Jan. 9, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
Panelists: The panelists for the 2022 ABCA Convention will be announced later in Fall 2021. Below are the panelists from the 2021 event.

MODERATOR: Craig Gianinno, Director of Player Development, University of San Francisco
Nino Giarratano, Head Coach, University of San Francisco
David Jeans, Head Coach, De La Salle High School (CA)
Pete Savage, Head Coach, Reno High School (NV)

Pitching Hot Stove Session

What: This session features a panel of pitching 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. 8, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Panelists: The panelists for the 2022 ABCA Convention will be announced later in Fall 2021. Below are the panelists from the 2021 event.

MODERATOR: Pat Pinkman, Pitching Coach, Seton Hall University (NJ)
Jono Armold, MiLB Pitching Coordinator, Texas Rangers
Pete Larson, MiLB Pitching Coach, Minnesota Twins
Connor McGuiness, Assistant Pitching Coach, Los Angeles Dodgers

Hitting Hot Stove Session

What: This session features a panel of hitting 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 Chris Pedretti of the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association.
When: Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Panelists: The panelists for the 2022 ABCA Convention will be announced later in Fall 2021. Below are the panelists from the 2021 event.

MODERATOR: Chris Pedretti, President, CCCBCA
Michael Earley, Hitting Coach, Arizona State University
Jordon Twohig, Associate Head Coach, Saint Mary's College (CA)
Kyle Wilson, MiLB Hitting Coach, Tampa Bay Rays

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. 8, 2022 at 9:15 p.m.
Panelists: The panelists for the 2022 ABCA Convention will be announced later in Fall 2021. Below are the panelists from the 2021 event.

MODERATOR: Matt Talarico, Base Running Coordinator, New York Yankees
Mike Stawski, Head Coach, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

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 Jerry Weinstein of the Colorado Rockies.
When: Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 at 9:15 p.m.
Panelists: The panelists for the 2022 ABCA Convention will be announced later in Fall 2021. Below are the panelists from the 2021 event.