ABCA Convention Clinic Speakers

The Wolrd-Renown ABCA Clinics run the gamut of baseball topics over the course of three days, including pitching, hitting, fielding, strength & conditioning, practice planning, team building and motivation. The clinics kick off on Friday morning and conclude on Sunday. Speakers are arranged by the ABCA Second Vice President and Third Vice President.

The 2018 clinic speakers featured 2017 NCAA Div. I National Champion head coach Kevin O'Sullivan from the University of Florida leading off! The lineup also included five-time national champion Augie Garrido, the NCAA Div. I all-time wins leader, as well as past NCAA Div. II champion coach Tracy Archuleta of the University of Southern Indiana and past NAIA champion coach Denney Crabaugh of Oklahoma City University. The 2018 speaker lineup was set-up by John Kolasinski, Head Coach at Siena Heights University, and Stu Fritz, Head Coach at Hope College, and were held at the Indiana Convention Center from Friday, January 5 through Sunday, January 7.

The 2019 ABCA Convention will take place January 3-6, 2019 in Dallas, Texas at the Gaylord Texan. The 2019 Clinic Speakers will be released in early September!

2018 ABCA SPEAKER SCHEDULE
Friday, January 5, 2018
8:15 a.m.	Jeff Messer, ABCA President & Slippery Rock University Welcome
8:30 a.m.	Kevin O'Sullivan, University of Florida 2017 Florida Gators: The Journey
9:10 a.m.	Monte Brooks, The Master's University Don't Cut Corners: Avoid Neglecting Corner Infield Play
9:50 a.m.	Dan Heefner, Dallas Baptist University Training Hitters to Compete Against the Modern Pitcher
10:30 a.m.	Xan Barksdale, Catching-101 A 'New School' Approach to Coaching Catchers
11:10 a.m.	Darren Fenster, Boston Red Sox Embracing Each Athlete's Individuality
11:50 a.m.	Lunch Break, Visit the ABCA Trade Show!
12:20 p.m.	Bret Hoyer, John F. Kennedy High School (IA) Competition Drills for Practice
1:00 p.m.	Augie Garrido, Cal State Fullerton/Texas Baseball: A Game of Failure?...Or a Game of Opportunity?
1:40 p.m.	Rick Hitt, South Florida State College Relays and Rundowns Remain the Aggressor
2:20 p.m.	Snack Break, Visit the ABCA Trade Show
2:50 p.m.	Nino Giarratano, University of San Francisco Building Solid BP Process
3:30 p.m.	Matt Riser, Southeastern Louisiana University Fearless & Relentless Baserunning: Stuck on Green
4:10 p.m.	Denney Crabaugh, Oklahoma City University Trust the Backside for Consistent Pitching Mechanics
4:50 p.m.	Nick Mingione, University of Kentucky The Last Line of Defense -- Outfield Play
Saturday, January 6, 2018
8:15 a.m.	A.J. Hinch, Houston Astros Welcome
8:25 a.m.	Matt Deggs, Sam Houston State University The Pack Mentality -- It's Only Impossible Until Someone Does It
9:05 a.m	Ethics in Coaching Award Presentation
9:20 a.m.	Keith Madison, ABCA Hall of Fame & University of Kentucky Repetition, Respect, Responsibility and Rewards
10:00 a.m.	Coffee Break, Visit the ABCA Trade Show!
10:30 a.m.	Tracy Archuleta, University of Southern Indiana The First Step: USI Infield Drills
11:10 a.m.	Ken Ravizza & Tom Hanson, Heads-Up Baseball 2.0 5 Skills for Competing One Pitch at a Time
1:40 p.m.	Trent Mongero, Glynn Academy (GA) Secrets Top Infielders Use to Increase Their Consistency and Range
2:20 p.m.	Erik Bakich, University of Michigan Creating Team Offense
3:00 p.m.	Greg DiCenzo, College of the Holy Cross PFP Mechanics -- The 9th Defender
3:40 p.m.	Tim Cossins, Chicago Cubs Training the Exaggerate and Maximizing the Physical from Behind the Mask
4:20 p.m.	Nate Yeskie, Oregon State University Building a Competitive Pitcher
5:00 p.m.	Michael Boettcher, Milwaukee Brewers MLB Groundskeeper Session presented by Turface Athletics
Sunday, January 7, 2018
8:30 a.m.	Bob Whalen, Dartmouth College Developing High Percentage Infielders in Practice and Preseason
9:10 a.m.	Kip McWilliams, Indiana Tech Baserunning: Point A to Point B
9:50 a.m.	Scott Theisen, Saline High School (MI) Building a Championship Culture
10:30 a.m.	Craig Rainey, Adrian College Building a Complete Hitter