In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we sit down with Dr. Justin DiSanti, a sport psychology professor and mental performance consultant, to explore the critical role the mind plays in athletic development.

We start by digging into Dr. DiSanti’s own journey into psychology: what sparked his interest, how he found his path into sport psychology, and the academic stops that shaped his career. He shares insights from his hands-on work with both teams and individual athletes during graduate and doctoral training, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how those experiences shaped his approach.

We also dive into his research on sport specialization and talent development, unpacking what his findings reveal about modern youth sports and the pathways to elite performance.

Dr. DiSanti explains his current work as a mental performance consultant with Keystone Performance Excellence, where he supports athletes across a range of ages and sports. He also discusses his role as a professor in Duquesne University’s Health Sciences program, the courses he teaches, and whether he works with the university’s athletes in a performance psychology capacity.

Finally, he shares his observations about the common mental hurdles athletes face today and offers his perspective on where the field of mental performance is headed — both for high school and college athletes, and for programs like Duquesne.

It’s a wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation for players, coaches, and parents who want to understand the mental side of sports and how to better prepare for success on and off the field.

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In this solo episode of Behind the Lineup, we break down the facts and future implications of the NCAA’s House Settlement and what it means for college baseball. The settlement will distribute $2.8 billion in back pay to former Division I athletes over the next decade, and beginning in 2025, schools will be permitted to directly share up to $20.5 million annually in revenue with their athletes. This cap only applies to school-funded compensation; athletes can still pursue external NIL deals through brand partnerships, camps, endorsements, and other ventures. The NCAA will also establish a new NIL Clearinghouse—also referred to as the College Sports Commission—to manage NIL deal tracking, enforcement, and compliance.

We then dive into how these changes could reshape college baseball. Power 4 programs, such as those in the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12, are expected to prioritize football, men’s basketball, and women’s volleyball, meaning baseball may struggle for internal funding unless it is a flagship sport at a given school. Mid-major Division I programs face uncertainty, with some likely to cut back support for baseball altogether. Meanwhile, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and JUCO programs will remain largely unaffected by the settlement and may become even more appealing to athletes seeking a clear path to development, playing time, and affordability.

To close, I offer my personal perspective on what athletes, coaches, and parents should be thinking about in this new landscape. The "D1 or bust" mentality needs to shift. Athletes should prioritize development, fit, and long-term value over chasing labels. Coaches must communicate honestly with players about what’s best for their future, and parents need to be wary of outside voices who don’t have their child’s best interests in mind. This settlement may signal a shift in priorities at the institutional level—but that doesn’t mean baseball can’t remain your priority.

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In this episode of Behind The Lineup, I sit down with Hadara Katarski — a coach, professor, and student-athlete wellness advocate with experience at both the Division I and Division III levels.

We dive into what it really means to coach the whole athlete: not just developing physical performance, but supporting mental health, mindset, and the daily habits that drive success on and off the field.

From building trust to promoting well-being and creating sustainable performance, Hadara shares practical insights for coaches, players, and parents alike.

Whether you’re a coach looking to better serve your team or an athlete working to balance the mental and physical grind, this conversation is packed with takeaways you can use right away.