Understanding Youth Baseball Development with Steve Bernhardt, VP of Baseball Operations for Baseball Factory

Get ready to learn the mindset, strategies, and steps every young player and parent needs to navigate the competitive world of baseball. In this episode, I sit down with Steve Bernhardt, Vice President of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, to dive into the realities of player development, recruiting, and how to overcome adversity in baseball. He shares advice for players and parents on how to navigate the challenges of pursuing a baseball career, including strategies to stand out when you're not the top recruit and faced with rejection. We also discuss the role of parents, how to build a development plan to stay on track, and tips to balance baseball with life off the field. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Meet the Chief Baseball Officer of Baseball Factory, Steve Bernhardt. 04:45 Advice for players on taking initiative. 09:00 How to frame setbacks as "rocket fuel" to propel a player's future success. 10:00 How did you become a professional baseball player? 12:45 Baseball Factory's approach to developing players. 18:30 What parents and players need to know about college opportunities. 21:00 How COVID-19 and the transfer portal have made the recruiting process even more competitive. 23:45 Why parents and players should focus on development first vs exposure. 27:00 What quality practice looks like. 29:45 What are you looking for when making your initial evaluation of a player? 33:00 The approach for making players better athletes and people. 36:00 How to set long-term goals with your athlete. 42:45 What is Baseball Factory's game plan? 49:45 How intentional practice helps players execute in game situations. 54:00 Steve's top advice to differentiate yourself as a player. RESOURCES + LINKS Get Expert Baseball Training HERE For direct inquiries, you can reach out to Bernhardt at bernhardt@baseballfactory.com Learn more at aligndsports.com Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE FOLLOW Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford