Coach Kevin said, “While a cyclone on the outside is fast and often inflicting damage on its surroundings, at its core, it is calm and balanced. I see this in line with our approach. While we are playing fast, putting pressure on our opponents, we will be intentional and balanced.”
In a sense, we all make up the storm surge of the cyclone, moving together with much more collective energy to do good. Each of us, players and families, contribute to all of the positive outcomes for our players and team.
On occasion, posts will highlight some of those individual and collaborative great works that contribute to our collective good. These posts will be called The Gathering Storm. Our first feature in The Gathering Storm is called Eye of the Storm: Coach Kevin.
Let’s highlight some amazing work Kevin has done for and with our players and team.
Kevin is always calm, cool, and collected, looking for ways to help players and team grow. His calm demeanor is a great influence. Coupled with his knowledge of how to teach the finer points, he is regularly helping players make small adjustments that lead to growth and success. Dan U said, “Coach Kevin is always approachable and has lots to share on ways I can help my son at home when we are in the backyard.”
Gina said she likes Kevin coaching Alex because of “the unique insight he offers into each kids’ personality that helps them grow as a player.” Coach Kevin sees the good in each player and helps our young leaders grow. One of those young leaders, Augie S added, “Coach Kevin is a really fun coach and he’s funny and he is one reason baseball is fun!”
Kevin is gifted in helping players develop their mechanics. Our players have developed healthier and stronger throwing mechanics in following Coach Kevin’s lead. Andy S said, “Having a parent with first-hand experience of what it takes to keep young throwing arms healthy is a huge asset to our Cyclones players. We are very grateful for Coach Kevin’s knowledge & insight across all aspects of the game, especially the aspects of healthy arms.” Eli M added that Kevin has “been super awesome at helping him with his pitching mechanics.”
Kevin brings both his research and data expertise along with his ability to coach the finer points of play. He instructs players that hard line drives become hits more often and then shows players how to hit better. Nate S said, “The thing that coach Kevin has helped me with the most is my batting. He helped me step earlier and just that improved my hitting so much and he has also helped me with other things, too. Because of coach Kevin I am a much better baseball player.” Brady H said, “Drew says that Kevin had him try something hitting and he could tell the difference right away, so he worked on it yesterday at his Sluggers practice too and said that he was hitting hard line drives!”
Along with his ability to help players take the next steps in their progression, Kevin has helped make our team organization better and more accessible for players and families. He set up this website to use as a central hub for Cyclones workouts and for resources for players and families. Kevin puts a lot of thought into the best ways to teach and coach. He continues to refine a document entitled Pressure Baseball that was an origin point of our team concept. Pressure Baseball includes learning to handle pressure well, playing an aggressive form of baseball that is more fun and increases development, and playing with a deep respect for opponents and officials.
Coach Kevin provided individual winter workouts. This was designed in a way for players to learn and rep good habits. It built slowly and steadily from week to week. When there’s downtime, this is something that players can return to and use to improve their game.
Kevin has provided us with a great foundation, setting us up for long-term success while helping individual players improve their skills.
Like Coach Kevin, we want to be like the eye of the storm, with a calm mind and heart facing the pressures around us with poise and confidence, enjoying the game, playing it right and to the best of our ability, all while supporting one another.
Pressure Baseball 