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ABCA Convention: Coaching Panels

The ABCA Convention Panels provide additional learning opportunities outside of the traditional clinic halls, creating spaces for conversation, connection, and deeper discussion. These sessions are designed to help coaches grow professionally, learn from shared experiences, and engage with topics shaping the present and future of baseball.

Rookie Coaches Mentorship Panel
The Rookie Coaches Mentorship Panel will take place on Thursday, January 7, 2027, at 9:00 p.m. This session is open to all attendees and is especially valuable for new ABCA members, first-time Convention attendees, and early-career coaches.

A diverse panel of experienced coaches will share their career journeys, discuss continuing education and career development, and offer insight into balancing the demands of coaching and family life. This panel also serves as a great networking opportunity and an ideal way to kick off the Convention.

Hot Stove Panel Discussions:
The popular Hot Stove Panels return with highly interactive, discussion-driven sessions led by ABCA member coaches. These panels are designed to encourage participation, with ample opportunity for attendees to ask questions and engage directly with panelists.

Hot Stove sessions will take place on Friday, January 8, and Saturday, January 9, 2027, and will cover a wide range of topics, including: Baseball Operations, Pitching, Hitting, Infield Play, Outfield Play, Catching, Baserunning, Strength & Conditioning, and Leadership.

Also returning is the Major League Baseball Arm Care Panel, which debuted at the 2026 ABCA Convention and will be expanded in 2027. This panel precedes the Youth, Travel & Academy Hot Stove, which features multiple short-format discussions focused on youth and developmental baseball. Specific topics and moderators for the 2027 Youth, Travel & Academy Hot Stove will be announced closer to the Convention.

Diversity in Baseball Workshops:
The Diversity in Baseball Workshops at the 2027 ABCA Convention will take place on Saturday, January 9, 2027 and focus on professional development and youth baseball education and advancement. Organized by the ABCA Diversity in Baseball Committee, these sessions are designed to promote diversity within the sport and help expand opportunities for minority players and coaches. Additional details, including programming details and scheduling, will be announced closer to the Convention.


 

2027 ABCA CONVENTION: Panels

Thursday-Saturday, January 7-9, 2027

McCormick Place Convention Center • Chicago, Illinois
This schedule is subject to change.

2026 Panelists

The 2027 panelists will be announced in October 2026!
Thursday, Jan. 8, 9:00pm

Rookie Coaches Mentorship Panel

Panelists:
Paul Blanchard
Southwest Minnesota State University

Tyrone Brooks
Major League Baseball

Aaron DeBord
Cloverleaf High School (OH)

Bryan Faulds
University of Akron

Tyler Simmons
Charlotte

Friday, Jan. 9, 7:00pm

Baseball Operations Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Brian Mundorf
University of Louisville

Mickey Bassett
Duke University

Mickey Beach
Coastal Carolina University

Peter Barron
Rutgers University

Friday, Jan. 9, 9:00pm

Outfield Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Rudy Garbalosa
Lynn University

Andrew Baslow
Orange Lutheran High School (CA)

Mike Davenport
Madison Area Technical College

Tripp Keister
Kansas City Royals

Friday, Jan. 9, 9:00pm

Pitching Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Pat Pinkman
Elite Sports Advising

Todd Carroll
MIT

Kevin Cobb
Northeastern University

Ryne Romick
Denison University

Saturday, Jan. 10, 5:00pm

Culture & Leadership Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Craig Gianinno
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox

Jamey Carroll
University of Evansville

Dr. Barry Davis
Author

Diamyn Hall
Baltimore Orioles

Clint Hurdle
Colorado Rockies

Tracy Tanguay
MobilityChick

Danielle Martin
True Mindsets

Saturday, Jan. 10, 5:00pm

Baserunning Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Matt Talarico
Chicago Cubs

Julio Borbón
Milwaukee Brewers

Jim Koerner
USA Baseball

Nick McIntyre
Miami Marlins

Mike Roberts
MR5

Ryan Terrill
Georgia Gwinnett College

Saturday, Jan. 10, 7:00pm

Hitting Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Anthony Ferro
Butte College

Tony Brunicardi
Skyline Community College

Kevin Coe
Cincinnati Reds

Matt Denny
Casteel High School (AZ)

Jake Valentine
University of Michigan

Toby DeMello
University of Arizona

Chris Hanks
Colorado Mesa University

Saturday, Jan. 10, 7:00pm

Strength & Conditioning Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Dr. James Oñate
Ohio State University

Kevin Enchelmeyer
Ohio State University

Dr. Ismael Gallo
Baseball Flows

Dr. Steve Kelly
Foothill High School

Catherine Saenz
Ohio State University

Saturday, Jan. 10, 9:00pm

Infield Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Tyler Gillum
Savannah Bananas

Clay Cox
Paris Junior College

Casey Demko
St. Louis Cardinals

Cody Dennis
Chicago Cubs

Bryan Madsen
Episcopal School of Jacksonville (FL)

Troy Marrow
Above the Shoulders

Nate Trosky
Trosky Baseball

Mark Crocco
Loco Beach Coconuts

Saturday, Jan. 10, 9:00pm

Catching Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Jerry Weinstein
Chicago Cubs

Xan Barksdale
Catching 101

Jack Ferrick
Catchers U

Tom Griffin
Carson-Newman University

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2:30pm

MLB Arm Care Panel

Panelists:
Dr. Michael T. Freehill
Athletics Baseball

Brady Kirkpatrick
University of Virginia

Deven Morgan
Driveline Baseball

Jason Maxwell
Ensworth High School

Saturday, Jan. 10, 3:30pm

Youth, Travel, Academy Baseball Hot Stove Panel

Panelists:
Jeremy Goldberg
LeagueApps

Jordan Baltimore
New York Empire Baseball

Jim Koerner
USA Baseball

Check My ABCA app for full list of panelists!


Ready to Be Part of the 2027 ABCA Convention?
Convention Registration, presented by Traveling Teams, opens to everyone on September 1, 2026, with 2025-26 ABCA members receiving access to Priority Convention Registration beginning in August 2026. VIEW FULL REGISTRATION TIMELINE!

Can’t Join Us in Chicago?
You can still take part in the ABCA Convention experience from anywhere through the ABCA Clinics Live Video Stream. This live, online option delivers nearly 60 high-impact coaching clinics, including Main Stage presentations, interactive Q&A sessions, and Youth Coaches Session content. Live Stream registration opens September 1, 2026.

Added Value for Registrants
Convention and Clinics Live Stream registrants receive early access to the complete set of 2027 ABCA Convention on-demand clinic videos, including Main Stage clinics and Q&As, Youth Coaches Session presentations, and Expo Theater sessions. These videos will be available in early February 2027. All ABCA members will receive access to the full 2027 Convention video library in May 2027, but this early-access window allows registrants to start applying new ideas and strategies months ahead.

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