Send us a text

Unlock the secrets of baseball's unsung heroes with the catching maestro himself, Xan Barksdale. Our latest episode is a treasure trove of insights, where Xan chronicles his transformative journey from the diamond as a player to his influential coaching and entrepreneurial adventures. You'll be privy to the wisdom gleaned from his days fostering talent at the University of Louisville and East Tennessee State, and how he shaped his legacy with Catching101.com and the inception of CatcherCon, an invaluable gathering place for the catching community.

Journey with us through the mind of a coach who's redefining the role of catchers, one pitch at a time. Xan lays out his compelling philosophy of tailoring catcher training to individual strengths, the vital role of understanding the 'why' in their regimen, and the fine balance between speed and decision-making. He shares a wealth of knowledge on game-changing training tools and the significance of constructive partner feedback, highlighting how these innovations are propelling catchers to new heights of excellence.

As we close this master class of an episode, Xan reflects on the ever-evolving landscape of catching instruction, enhanced by technology and the power of slow-motion analysis. He celebrates the newfound 'cool' surrounding the position and the rise of strategic thinking among today's athletes, like the agile Gabriel Moreno. Xan's passion culminates with the ethos of CatcherCon, where ideas are pitched, skills are honed, and the future of baseball's catchers is crafted, making this episode an essential listen for anyone with a love for the game.