MAD MAX Cast - Live from CloseoutBats.com

Mad Max is joined by Rachel Balkovec Hitting coach for the New York Yankees. Rachel is the first female hitting coach in professional baseball. The two discuss Rachel's Softball career and how she transitioned to a career in baseball. Rachel talks about how she started in strength and conditioning and the struggles of entering a male dominated industry. Rachel talks about when she finally got a job and how that felt. Max and Rachel discuss how she became a hitting coach and what the future holds.

Mad Max is joined by Jairo Labrador. Jairo was the head coach for the Elziabeth New Jersey team that made it to the LLWS in 2019. Jairo and Max discuss their history together. Jairo talks about the summer grind it took for the boys to get to Williamsport. They talk about the experience in Williamsport and what the kids get from Easton. Jairo talks about how he feels for all the kids that won't get a Little League season this year.

Mad Max is joined by Russell Hartford with USA Baseball. Russell is Director of USABat Program. He talks about what USA Baseball does. He talks about the facility in North Carolina. Max and Russell talk about the famous USA bat change and how much work that took. They discuss if they think the USA bats are better in year three than year one. Russell talks about the future plans for USA Baseball.

Mad Max is joined by another softball Legend Natasha Watley. Natasha talks about what softball meant to her at an early age. She talks a lot about how her parents learned the game with her. She talks about how she always wanted to go to UCLA and winning a national championship. She talks about her pro career in the states and overseas. Natasha also talks about her Olympic Career and if there was any thoughts to come back for the 2020 olympics. She also talks about how she is training young softball girls.

Mad Max is joined by softball legend Monica Abbott. The two talk about what softball meant to her growing up. Her decision to play at University of Tennessee. Monica also talks about her professional career. The two also talk about her Wilson Glove and if its an honor to have her own glove. Max also asks her if their is a rivalry between her and Cat Osterman. They also talk about Monica's Pro career in the states and overseas. 

Mad Max is joined on Instagram live by Clint McGill. Clint talks about what baseball meant to him growing up. He also talks about his college and professional career. He talks about when he started Baseball Notes. Baseball notes helps with the mental aspect of hitting and deals with the fear of failure. Max and Clint talk about the next step for baseball notes from a business standpoint. A great feel good episode you don't want to miss.

Max is joined by former softball player Morgan Stuart. Morgan played at the University of Washington and won the 2009 National Championship. She talks about her experience playing on that team and her willingness to move over to third base for the greater of the team. She talks about why she loves defense so much and talks about her time playing for the Philippines women's national softball team. Morgan also talks about being a co founder in The Packaged Deal. 

Mad Max is joined by Wilson's Ryan Smith on instagram Live. Ryan has been with Wilson for a little over 8 years and is Ball Glove Product Manager and Glove Designer. Ryan talks about his days working retail and how it has helped him know what people want in a ball glove. He talks about new models coming out with new technology called spin control. Max ask Ryan where he gets his creative ideas from. Ryan also talks about dealing with MLB guys and what they like.  

Mad Max is joined by softball superstar Keilani Ricketts. Keilani talks about her college days at the University of Oklahoma. They talk about her Pro Career in the USA and Japan. Keilani talks about the honor it is to be part of Team USA. Max and Keilani also talk about how she has been the face of Rawlings softball for a decade. She also says if a Movie is made who would play her.

Mad Max is Joined by Legendary Texas AM softball player Amanda Scarborough. He is also joined by a co host for the first time. The threes discuss Amanda's beginning softball years. What the recruitment process was like. Amanda talks about some Highs in college and some lows like her career ending injury. The three discuss how she has climbed the ranks at ESPN. Amanda is also co founder of The Packaged Deal. They discuss how and when The Packaged Deal got started.

Mad Max is joined by softball superstar Kelsey Stewart. Kelsey talks about her college days where she was able to help Florida win two National Championships. They talk about her Pro Career. Kelsey talks about the honor it is to be part of Team USA. Max and Kelsey also talk about her Wilson Game model and the Louisville bat she prefers. She also says if a Movie is made who would play her.

Mad Max is joined by Pitch in for Baseball/Softball. Did you know that PIFBS has donated more than 10 million dollars of equipment to 900,000 kids in all 50 states and 100 countries internationally. Meredith and Steve from PIFBS join Max and discuss what PIFBS does. They talk about how people can send them gear and who uses it. Meredith talks about her favorite memory that they have accomplished. They talk about what the future might hold for them.

Mad Max does a Zoom interview with Legendary Pitcher Tim Dillard. Tim was entering his 18th year in professional baseball. Tim talks about his baseball career. He talks about his Wilson A2000 and how much he misses baseball. Dillard tells Mad Max the main difference between the MLB and the Minor Leagues. Tim also talks about his new podcast venture. Sit back and get ready for some laughs!

Mad Max is joined by Rawlings Sports Brand Ambassador Hector Penate. He talks about growing up in Miami and struggling to get along with his dad. Hector talks about moving to Las Vegas and how his life changed at 31. He then discusses moving back to Miami and becoming a baseball instructor and helping kids and parents. CoachHP talks about future plans and how to have a great attitude in life. A real feel-good interview.

Mad Max is joined by Red Sox Minor League player Ryan Fitzgerald. Ryan talks about growing up playing Baseball and hockey. He talks about his college experience at Creighton University. Ryan talks about not getting drafted and playing independent ball. He talks about how his independent ball coach helps him get signed by the Red Sox. They talk about how minor league players are paid under minion wage. Ryan talks about his Goat Clothing brand. 

Mad Max is joined by Writer and Filmmaker John W. Miller. John wrote an article called Keeping baseball alive in the time of coronavirus. John talks about growing up in Brussels Germany and playing baseball. John now back in the US lives in Pittsburgh and coach's baseball. They talk about how John has been coaching his kids and what to expect for this summer. Miller also has a new film coming out where baseball plays a big part of. 

Mad Max welcomes former UCLA Bruin catcher Jen Schroeder. Jen talks about growing up in California. She talks about the highs and lows of playing softball. Jen tells Max why she came up with the Packaged Deal and about her Catching retreats. They also discuss the game changing Catching Gear that Easton and Jen came out with. Jen tells Max about some future projects that are coming. One of the best interviews yet!

Jennette Rauch from Wilson joins Mad Max. Her exact job title is Global Marketing Director at Wilson Sporting Goods. Her sweet spot is definitely gloves. They talk about her 8-plus years of working at Wilson and the arrival of the custom glove builder and how it has changed. She also talks about the famous "Glove Day," where Wilson will deliver gloves to pro baseball players. Jennette shares some of her favorite MLB players and discusses a National treasure ASO.

Mad Max is joined by former MLB baseball player Chase d'Arnaud. Chase talks about his childhood growing up in Long Beach, California, and his best and worst moments as a pro. He also discusses why he decided to step away from the game he loves. Mad Max asks Chase about the Journeyman Series he's created and streams on YouTube. Chase also talks about his future projects.

Mad Max is joined by legendary softball player Danielle Lawrie. Danielle talks about what she is doing to stay in shape as she trains for the postponed Olympics. They discuss her collegiate career where she won the 2009 national championship with Washington. Danielle also answers questions from fans. Does she think pro baseball/softball players should be connected more and how does one get into the broadcast career. Download for a jam-packed interview!

Mad Max is joined by A.J Andrews, the first woman to ever win a Rawlings Gold Glove. Andrews Played softball at LSU for 4 years making it to the College World Series twice. She talks about the experience of playing at a big-time school like LSU. She also talks about how the baseball and softball community should be more connected. Mad Max also finds out what she would be doing if she wasn't playing softball professionally.

Mad Max is joined bright and early by James Lowe aka "Coachballgame". They talk about his baseball upbringing. The crazy record he holds at his college. They talk about how he has combined the things he loves into his work. Coachballgame talks about the characters he has created like "Old Man Wrigley" He also talks about his love of Milk. Check out Coachballgame on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for his daily Shows!

Mad Max talks about the social giveaway that they are doing. He talks about all the different training items they have on sale as well as baseballs/Softballs. Max calls up Tanner Carson who runs the instagram page @raised_in_basebal. Tanner is 13 years old and talks about what he is doing during this time to stay in baseball mode. He talks about the bat, glove and batting gloves he uses. He talks about some of the coolest moments that have happened to him because of baseball. 

Mad Max interviews Will from The Baseball Bat Bros of Youtube fame. They talk about what inspired them to start the Youtube Channel. Will ranks his favorite BBCOR bats from this year. They also determine which brother hits better!

Max talks about the social giveaway they are doing. Trevor Stocking from Axe Bat joins the podcast. He talks about the benefits of using an Axe Bat. The importance of proven MLB players using the Axe design. They also talk about Axe Training bats.

Mad Max has Shea Simmons on today. Shea is a glove enthusiast and has bought some limited gloves from Max. At one time Shea's collection was over 500! They talk gloves. They talk about the glove community and much more.  

Mad Max calls a competitor/friend in Better Baseball. They are located in Atlanta Georgia area. Max finds out about the history of BB. Brett talks about how long he has been there and what a normal day entails for him. They talk about how coronavirus has effected both of their retail/online presence.

Mad Max gets Brian Duryea on the phone. They talk about how the contravirus has effected the baseball world. They talk about what life will be like with baseball coming back. Brian also hints to what we might see from fall ball in 2020.  

Mad Max talks about what Closeoutbats is doing to prevent COVID-19. Closeoutbats.com will be temporarily closing our retail showroom effective immediately 3/16 until further notice. Online will remain open but with Baseball/Softball shut down it makes things difficult. He talks about how new products have no excitement and launch dates should be pushed back. 

A tired Mad Max brings you a solo episode and discusses new products coming out from Rawlings, Easton, and Louisville/DeMarini/Wilson/Evoshield. He talks about why the 33" Louisville Meta has banned for BBCOR and high school play. Mad Max also dives into what Battle of the Bats is and why it's done in March. He also lets listeners know how they can get involved.

The Mad Max Cast has its first in-studio guest with Territory Manager Bill McDermott, who has been with Wilson Sporting Goods since 2007. They discuss previous bats and talk industry trends and go through every 2020 DeMarini and Louisville bat and give their real opinion.

Mad Max discusses how and why Rawlings is #1 in the glove space, and he shares a funny story about All-Star Weekend. Ryan Farrar, Rawlings Senior Director of Ball Gloves, joins Max and talks about the past, present, and future of Rawlings ball gloves. Farrar gives an in-depth lesson on how to figure out Rawlings' model numbers. This is a can't miss interview for the glove enthusiast.

In a male-dominated industry, Mad Max is joined by Lisa Rizzo, owner of Challenge U. Softball located in Wyckoff, N.J. Lisa is a motivational speaker and inspiration to many young women. She discusses her playing days as well as training young girls and what makes Challenge U. different. Max and Lisa also discuss the Concentric Hitting Coach Certification (C.U.D.I.T.) and Business Development Program that she started in 2016. Click play for one of the best episodes!

Mad Max discusses why Rawlings is more than just a ball glove company. He talks about old and new bats and gets Rawlings Director of Bats Kyle Murphy on the phone. They discuss the 1-2 punch of the Quatro and Velo ACP for 2020, what moment put Rawlings on the bat map, and the company's plans for 2021.

It starts getting busy at CloseoutBats as things have shifted to baseball and softball season. In Episode 6, Mad Max talks with Adam Kopley, Global Commercial Manager of bats for DeMarini and Louisville Slugger, about how Louisville Slugger became this "hot brand." Adam also discusses DeMarini and the challenges they face going forward.

Mad Max presents a bonus podcast this week featuring Ryder Dupuis from Marucci. They discuss the launch of Marucci's new Echo fastpitch bat and how the composite is different, as well as why Marucci believes in the two-year cycle with their bats. Plus, he gets the inside story on Marucci's owners and how they got started. Max also talks about hitting with the latest Miken and Worth slowpitch softball bats.

Mad Max talks about a customer that thinks a bat comes with a three-year warranty as well as where Rawlings is as a company to him. He gets the best in the business, Rawlings' Director of Marketing Lindsey Naber, to join the show. They discuss Rawlings now being the official ball glove for 2020.

Mad Max is nervous if his podcast is worthy of being on Apple's podcasts as he awaits the verdict. He also talks about the last 5-7 years of Easton and how we got to where we are today. CloseoutBats has its first-ever guest as John Loeffler from Easton joins the podcast. He talks about 2020 products and the changes Easton is making to regain its spot as the top bat in the game.

Mad Max talks about all the people coming in this weekend. He also goes over every 2020 BBCOR baseball bat. What's hot? What's Not. He talks about the best bats, most underrated bats, and bats that no one wants. 

Mad Max talks about the Easton Ghost Advanced Double Barrel 2 fastpitch bat. Is the hype real? How will this bat really perform? Max discusses expectations and how important content is to separate yourself from competitors. He also answers some facebook questions.

Closeoutbats.com first ever podcast. The Prism is dropping in price. Max talks is this a good or bad thing.