Championship Thinking in Sports – Jim Meier

As you enjoy time with family and friends and carve Mr. Gobble, I hope you also carve out time to reflect on the origin, meaning and value of this wonderful American holiday. Below is the story of the 103 Pilgrims who set sail from England 393 years ago. A story of sacrifice, courage and a vision. What existed beyond their … Read more about this episode...

Today, more and more baseball and softball programs find themselves in lawsuits or expensive out of court settlement for lack of teaching, supervising and enforcing best safety practices. True, in sports injuries happen. However, if an major injury is litigated and it is ruled that a coach and/or the school or program administrator was negligent, abusive or reckless, the … Read more about this episode...

This is the sixth and final show in a series with the head baseball coaches of the teams that won their division: D I, II, II, CC and California CC plus the DI runner up. Our driving question is: How do championships. The core theme is this: a head coach must have strong leadership skills in addition to game know-how … Read more about this episode...

Tune in to hear Damani Leech, NCAA’s Director for Baseball and Football, share insights about his perspective on Collegiate Baseball Today. Key topics are: A. The noteworthy reduction in overall offense statistics throughout the 2014 season and at the College World Series, B. Expansion of the post season beyond 64 teams, and, C. Pros and cons of allowing a player … Read more about this episode...

Tune into this show to hear guest Tim Corbin, the 2014 DI National Coach of the Year, share lessons he learned from the 2014 championship season. Tim discussion: 1. Himself as a leader 2. Leading and leaning on assistant coaches 3. Leading players on and off the field 4. Building a team, 5 The importance of trust among peers 6. … Read more about this episode...

4th in a series:  How do championships happen? This leadership series brings you, the listener, guests that are proven winners. Of course a head coach, must have game know-how and the ability to teach technical skills/X’s & O’s for player development. However, he must  also possess strong leadership skills. Why; because championships do not occur randomly. Rather, they happen because … Read more about this episode...

This is the 3rd show in a series on how do championships happen because of quality leadership. Of course a head coach, must have game know-how and the ability to teach technical skills/X’s & O’s for player development. However, he must also possess strong leadership skills. Why? Because championships do not occur randomly. Rather, they happen because the head coach … Read more about this episode...

How do championships happen? This is the first in a series on how championships happen with guests that are proven winners. The core theme is that a head coach must have strong leadership skills in addition to game know-how and technical skills/X’s & O’s player development. Championships do not occur randomly. They happen because the head coach has and uses … Read more about this episode...

Guest Andy Green, Arizona Diamondbacks’ Mobile BayBears Southern League manager, shares ways he prepares for and works through the long baseball season. Why listen? You’ll learn and re-learn nuggets of gold from a former major leaguer, 2013 league manager of the year and Kentucky Wildcats all-time leader in games, starts, at-bats, runs and hits and first team Academic All-American. Key … Read more about this episode...

Dave Keilitz, 20 year Executive Director*, American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) previews the upcoming 70th Annual convention scheduled Jan 2-5 in Dallas. Dave, who has been to every convention the past 44 years, has seen it grow from his first one in ’69 with 250-300 coaches in attendance to last year w/ nearly 5,500 coaches soaking up the learning and … Read more about this episode...

Every day Kansas State head baseball coach, Brad Hill* thinks about what is needed to inch upward another rung on the collegiate success ladder. In his 26 year college coaching career has had steady, significant success doing just that. The run down: Hutchison CC ’88-90 record 83-50 , U. of Kansas ’91-94 record 144-92, Central Missouri State ’95-’03 record 198-17 … Read more about this episode...

What makes elite or best in the world athletes? Is it a product of nature-genetics (call it hardware)? Is it a product of nurture-training and environment (call it software)? Is it both? And if so, which matters most? Is the 10,000 rule a good measure for success? Why couldn’t Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds, Mike Piazza and other major league stars … Read more about this episode...

Every day Kansas State head baseball coach, Brad Hill* thinks about what is needed to inch upward another rung on the collegiate success ladder. In his 26 year college coaching career has had tremendous success doing just that. The run down: Hutchison CC ’88-90 record 83-50 , U. of Kansas ’91-94 record 144-92, Central Missouri State ’95-’03 record 198-17 including … Read more about this episode...

This year’s UCLA Head Coach, John Savage*, led the Bruins to a 21-9 Pac 10 conference record, 49-17 overall record, a 9-0 post-season record and the national championship. Success like this doesn’t happen by random. Of the many factors that must come together, team dynamics is among the most critical skill set. Host Jim Meier’s Seven Dimensions of High Performance … Read more about this episode...

Hitters are not robots. Analyze any player’s swing from youth ball to the big leagues and you’ll see variation because of size, muscle, bone structure, personality tendencies and mental make-up. Yet to be a consistently good, very good or even a great hitter, there are a few physical and mental absolutes of hitting. Guest Gary Long walks us through those … Read more about this episode...

The Mississippi State Bulldogs 2013 recipe for success included much more than a smidgen of fun. Throughout the season, Head coach John Cohen* made sure the team had the freedom to cook up its own version of putting generous doses of play in the play baseball equation. No doubt this spiced up Bulldog teams’ spirit and energy helped take it … Read more about this episode...

The world of sports and overall certainly needs very good role models. Tom Osborne is one of them. In his role and responsibility as an athlete, husband and father, assistant and head football coach, U.S. Congressman, college professor, Athletic Director, with wife, Nancy, co-founder of the mentoring program-Teammates and community servant, Tom has consistently been a principled leader. As a … Read more about this episode...

If you’ve played sports you’ve likely to have had some form of injury; maybe small and short lived, maybe major that kept you out of action for weeks or months and even required a formal rehabilitation process. This show focuses on providing sound advice for becoming mentally smarter and tougher during rehab. Advice, when followed, highly increases the odds for … Read more about this episode...

In my sports psychology teaching and coaching work, I relentlessly seek educational tools that will best assist my clients. Recently I found a great one about the legendary Hall of Fame pitcher, Lefty Gomez. The book, Lefty: An American Odyssey www.leftygomez.com now has a permanent place in my professional tool kit. It is a gift; deeply meaningful, laugh-filled enjoyable and … Read more about this episode...

I’ve had the good fortune to speak about sports psychology, leadership and building a championship teams at 7-8 HS Baseball Coaches Associations. And I’ve usually had a display table. On one occasion a coach came up and the conversation went like this: JM (Jim Meier): Hi coach. Coach: Hi (with a handshake)…So, what do you do? JM: I teach sports … Read more about this episode...

Tune in to learn how Scott Berry*, 32 year Head Baseball Coach at Mayville State University integrates and teaches mental game skills in his program. Scott runs one of the most outstanding NAIA programs in the nation. He believes in life-long self-learning and the wise use of external resources. Scott is among the most heralded and respected college baseball coaches … Read more about this episode...

Ethics is, at a gut level, understanding and valuing the importance of people. Ethics requires acting at a higher standard than the baseline of what is legal and what is not. Ethics is about keeping promises, being honest and respecting others. Ethics means managing relationships successfully when wearing the hat of coach. That is, relationships with players, fellow coaches, the … Read more about this episode...

Hear from guest, Shaun Cole*, University of Arizona pitching coach and 2012 DI pitching coach of the year, about how he builds trust and respect with the U. Arizona pitching staff. In order to create a winning tradition, each player needs to believe they are a winner. They also need to be communicated with directly and honestly about their team … Read more about this episode...

In this show, seven time New York Yankee All-Star 2nd baseman (’57, ’59, ’62, ’63, ’64, 65 and ’66) Bobby Richardson, shares information and stories about being a Yankee and wearing the pinstripes. Bobby draws from his recent book, Impact Player, as well as countless episodes from his life of rich experience and learning. Expect to hear from Bobby on … Read more about this episode...

Dave Keilitz, 19 year Executive Director*, American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) overviews the upcoming the 68th Annual convention scheduled Jan 3-6 in Chicago. This year’s convention may be the largest ever with over 4,500 attendees. 29 40 minute clinics are slated which will address a wide range of technical skills, the mental game and strength and conditioning. Dave also discusses … Read more about this episode...

Former show guest, Greg Lauder, Head Baseball Coach Butler HS, Louisville, KY is this show interviews host Jim Meier about motivation. In simple terms motivation is the process that initiates, directs and maintains goal-oriented behavior. The questions you need to ask yourself are: 1) Do I have a well-grounded philosophy and solid methods for my approach for motivating? 2) Have … Read more about this episode...

Tune in to hear guest James Koutz*, American Legion National Commander, share information about the Legion’s work and services. With 2.4M members the 94 year old Legion is the largest of all Veteran Service Organizations. In a progressive, yet disciplined approach, the Legion is fresh, relevant and adapting in ways to even better serve its members and member communities. In … Read more about this episode...

After talking with 2nd base Major Leaguer Junior Spivey*, about youth baseball it was clear his opinions, insights and actions as a youth coach needed to be shared for Championship Thinking in Sports listeners. His career included a combined 5 years with the Diamondbacks, Brewers and Nationals, a 2001 World Series ring and 2002 All-Star selection. Junior’s take on youth … Read more about this episode...

The mission of the National Baseball Hall of Fame is, “Preserving History, Honoring Excellence and Connecting Generations.”Join me with the Jeff Idelson*, President, National Baseball Hall of Fame, to learn how the Hall has steadily and expansively acted upon its mission through education. This show details the Hall’s latest national education initiative for youth, “Be a Superior Example”, BASE … Read more about this episode...

Mookie Wilson* is back again. This time to talk about variations to hitting based on position in the line-up. Mookie mostly was a lead off guy but also hit in other slots-mostly 6 and 7. Expect to learn about a) where he felt most comfortable, why, the implication on performance and considerations for a coach, b) the 1,2, 9 hole … Read more about this episode...

I’ve known John Donohue a number of years. He is a top flight coach on and off the field at Lowell High School-San Francisco where he has been the Varsity Baseball coach 31 years! So I wasn’t surprised to learn the American Baseball Coaches Association has selected him 2012 National High School, Division I Baseball Coach of the Year. A … Read more about this episode...

In 2002, at age 26, guest Brent Rasmussen was a Good Samaritan assisting a stranded motorist when another vehicle crashed into the disabled car, crushing both his legs between the two vehicles and necessitating the eventual removal of one leg. Rasmussen had had an outstanding sports career before the accident, lettering in baseball and basketball at Ralston and pitching the … Read more about this episode...

Whether you are a golfer or not, the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah CC, Chicago, Illinois served up an abundance of life, sport and golf lessons. Guest Jim Etter, 38 year golf professional, takes you tee to green with many from the treasure of Ryder Cup gifts. Expect to hear what makes this event so special: the complexity and dynamics … Read more about this episode...

The ongoing success of 5’ 7’’, 170 pound David Eckstein, nickname “Good Enough”, is grounded in having heart, leading off with hustle, an A+ attitude and mental toughness. Tune in to hear David share how he has embedded these into his life. These characteristic, the tap roots of his excellence, is what propelled him to 1st team All-American at Florida … Read more about this episode...

Guest Jordan Larson* was a starter on the 2012 Olympic Silver medal Volleyball team. Growing up in small town USA (Hooper, NE pop. 830, playing at a small HS (Logan View C-1), she is a sparkling example of a person who dreamt big as a girl, continues to dreams big as a young adult and understands the value of pushing … Read more about this episode...

Good, great and the greatest coaches keep learning about their trade and themselves. John Wooden, Pat Riley, Bill Walsh are but three examples. They know their sports changes, cultures evolve, strategies must be examined and the competition improves. As your host, I hold myself accountable for learning something new and professionally relevant every day. This shows guest Matt Senk*, 22 … Read more about this episode...

Collegiate Volleyball has and continues to grow leaps and bounds. It should. Not only is the game exciting to watch, at the elite level the sport requires athletes to perform with exceptional levels of strength, agility, quickness, mental toughness, team communication and dynamics, stamina and technical skills. Show guest, Lindsay Peterson, 7 year U. of Nebraska* Director of Volleyball Operations … Read more about this episode...

Guest Jana Howser*, National College Baseball Hall of Fame, Executive Vice President-Development gives insight only a daughter could about her father, Dick Howser**. As she does, you’ll learn why college baseball’s most prestigious award (baseball’s Heisman) bears his name. As you listen and learn, I challenge you to ask this question; Would you qualify for College Baseball’s Heisman, The Dick … Read more about this episode...

Founded in 1979, The National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) is the gold standard for serving 44M boys and girls and 16M coaches/administrators in amateur youth sports in America. www.ncys.org. Through the united voice of its 200+ members, no other sport organization reaches more grassroots participants. NCYS members are the gatekeepers, the key decision-makers, the power of influence and behavior, … Read more about this episode...

The British Open Champion is awarded the Claret Cup. Tradition is to drink ‘spirits’ from it. Spirits can make one feel tipsy. And that’s what I think this year’s champ, Ernie Els meant and felt, a bit tipsy, maybe even melancholy, after his one stroke, improbable win at the 2012 British Open. This show, with guest Ryan Vermeer, former tour … Read more about this episode...

Guest Andy Lopez, three-time National Baseball Coach-of-the-Year, is the head baseball coach of the U. of Arizona 2012 National Champions. He has 34 years of head coaching experience, 5 HS and 29 college coach with a 62+ winning % in top-tier college conferences.* Andy KNOWS baseball X’s and O’s, strategy, tactics and recruiting. However, I believe it is his rock … Read more about this episode...

Kent State’s Baseball Team, the Golden Flashes, are anything but a Flash in the Pan. Their 2012 run to this year’s College World Series (CWS) including defeating the #1 seed, Florida Gators was built upon history of success: 12 NCAA regional qualifiers, 11 and 10 Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament championships. Show guest Scott Stricklin**, 8th year Head … Read more about this episode...

The American Legion, the largest Veteran’s organization, was created in 1919. Six year later, in 1925, its first youth activity-American Legion Baseball ( ALB) came into being. Today, the Legion serves 2.4 members with over 1,400 Posts. There are over 4,600 ALB has baseball teams (1,700 junior and 2,900 senior. Shows guests, Fang Wong, National Commander and Jim Quinlan, National … Read more about this episode...

As I’ve said before, Championships are not won due to random acts of luck. Rather, they result from having a coaching leadership philosophy with a thorough system, deep desire, steady discipline and mental smarts and toughness. This show reinforces that reality again with guest Brian Brewer. Brain is assistant AD Head Baseball Coach of the DIII Marietta College Baseball (aka … Read more about this episode...

Guest Steve Fritton is like many fathers who coach their children, he works full-time+, is a former athlete, is smart and enjoys teaching and developing youth about sports. When it comes to teaching the more intangible, all-important skills of leadership, creating and sustaining high performance teams and making the parent-player-coach triangle function in a win-win-win way, Steve move to the … Read more about this episode...

This Father’s Day show guests are veteran Army SGT Bobby Henline and his daughter, Brittany. On April 7, 2007, during his 4th deployment to Iraq, Bobby’s Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb north of Baghdad. Of the five men in the vehicle, he was the only survivor. Over 38% of his body was burned and his head was burned … Read more about this episode...

In this American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), sponsored show, guest Damani Leech*, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Director for Championships and Alliances discusses a) the 2012 DI baseball post-season selection process, b) emphasis on 2nd year improvements at the new home of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, c) major changes coaches are seeking, d) sportsmanship and … Read more about this episode...

I caught up with Head Baseball Coach, George Horton, two days before his 5th national seed Oregon Duck team host its 1st ever regional tournament. We discussed how to make an effective transition from regular to post-season play. Tune it to hear how a 35 year master coach has done it. A few highlights of Coach Horton’s career include: twice … Read more about this episode...

Guest Brad Lesley, The Animal,* pitched for the Reds-’82-’84, Brewers-’85 and Hankyu Braves- ’86-’87. Brad loves baseball. If fact, he totally believes he owes the game. His payback has been rich in numerous ways; teaching: proper pitching mechanics, the importance of preparation and hustle and lessons from playing in Japan and as a television personality in the land of … Read more about this episode...

How can I best coach an athlete with ADHD? In various ways this question has been asked of me by youth, HS and college coaches nationwide. That is, by A+ coaches with greater awareness and observation skills about their player’s behavior. Guest, Dr. Harry Croft*, M.D., with over 30 years in private practice, is board certified in Adult Psychiatry and … Read more about this episode...

Sports in the United States and this Championship Thinking in Sports radio show wouldn’t exist if it were not for the service and sacrifice of the men and women in our military. This is why I periodically devote a show focused on our warriors and their families. Doing this show about American Gold Star Mothers the week of Mother’s Day … Read more about this episode...