Softball isn’t baseball — and coaching young female athletes requires a completely different approach. In this episode of the Sweet Spot Podcast, Coach JC Gutierrez, Head Softball Coach at St. Thomas University (STU), shares his journey from baseball to becoming a two-time Coach of the Year in college softball. We explore the challenges and opportunities in youth softball, why early access to the game matters, and how community involvement can transform the sport for young athletes.

From his roots in competitive baseball to leading one of the top softball programs in the country, JC opens up about the unique dynamics of coaching girls, building strong team culture, and the role of mentorship in player development. He discusses why youth softball participation lags behind baseball, the importance of practicing fundamentals, and how to create more opportunities for young female athletes to succeed.

💬 In This Episode:

• Why softball coaching requires a different mindset than baseball.
• The biggest youth softball challenges and how to fix them.
• How mentorship and leadership shaped JC’s coaching career.
• The power of relationships in building winning programs.
• Why fundamentals and teamwork beat chasing early wins.

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In the final part of our eye-opening conversation with former MLB executive Adrian Lorenzo, we unpack the deeper issues behind today’s game—from skyrocketing pitcher injuries and scouting pressure to player development pitfalls and broken team economics.

This isn’t just a conversation about WAR or fantasy stats—it’s a raw look at how baseball’s infrastructure is failing the very players it depends on. From overworked arms at the youth level to financial models that reward the wrong behaviors, this episode gets brutally honest about what’s working, what’s not, and what must change if baseball wants to evolve.

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This episode is BROUGHT to you by: *Grass: Reyes & Associates*

http://grassreyeslaw.com/

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baseball is changing—and fast. In Part 2 of Episode 13 we continue our conversation with former MLB executive and scout Adrian Lorenzo, diving deep into the analytics-driven evolution of hitting and pitching in today’s game.

In this episode, we ask the tough question: Why is hitting so hard today?

From pitch design labs to data-informed hitting strategies, this conversation unpacks what every player, coach, and parent needs to understand in 2025.

🔎 You’ll Learn:

▪︎ How elite pitchers use analytics to dominate

▪︎ Why swing decisions and approach matter more than ever

▪︎ What stats like WAR and OPS reveal about real player value

▪︎ Why batting average is outdated—and what to track instead

▪︎ The importance of approach, pitch recognition, and hitting zones

Whether you’re a player, parent, coach, or just love baseball strategy—this one’s for you.

👉 Missed Part 1? We cover Adrian’s journey from Ivy League outfielder to MLB front office, and how collaboration and creativity shaped his player development mindset.

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This episode is BROUGHT to you by: Grass: Reyes & Associates

http://grassreyeslaw.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.