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Get ready for an eye-opening discussion with Tim Held, the acclaimed head coach of Cincinnati Moeller High School's 2023 Ohio Division 1 state championship team. You won't want to miss out on the insights and strategies behind this high-performing team's success, and the sheer talent that made up their roster. Prepare to be blown away by the dedication, the rigorous training, and the journey of overcoming challenges that led these young athletes to clinch the championship.
We dive deeper into the intricacies of high school baseball, discussing the tactics that can be game-changers. Timing the runners from the pitcher's leg lift, or the strategic decision-making about when to run based on reading the catcher and pitcher. Here, every strategy matters, and Coach Held talks about the importance of practice, the fierce competition for starting spots, and the world of competitive high school baseball. He also reveals the transformative impact of getting their own turf field in 2008 on the trajectory of their baseball program.
Wrapping up, Coach Held gets personal. He shares insights on his communication with players and parents, his approach to handling exit interviews, and some of his most cherished coaching stories. He also reflects on the family's history of state titles, his long relationship with recently retired head coach of Defiance High School, Tom Held. This episode, filled with wisdom, experience, and practical advice, offers an enriching look into the world of high school baseball. Engage in this exclusive peek behind the scenes of a state championship team's journey.
Today on the athlete one podcast. Tim held Cincinnati Molar baseball.
Speaker 2:The athletes on the field. So when we have a team like this year's team, i mean one through nine could run. So just all teams knowing that they had to give a step on the infield, they have to. As soon as that hits their glove, they better be ready to unload that baseball to what pitches are being called by the catcher. You know, if it's a running count, are they going to going to go with an off speed pitch or are they going to go with the fastball? So I think there's a lot of things that feed into that, that help our offense, and other parts that maybe not everybody realizes until I just tell everybody that we're going to here go, we're hoping you throw more fastballs to our hitters, but but I think that's all part of it. You know, i think every high school team looks at that and does that, and so because they want to help the catcher out and give him a chance to throw somebody out. So I think there's a lot of different pieces.
Speaker 1:This episode of the athlete one podcast is powered by the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. The netting professionals specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for baseball and softball, including back stops, batting cages, bp turtles, screens, ball carts and more. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding, windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches and cubbies. They're not limited to just baseball and softball. They also work with football, soccer, lacrosse and golf courses. Contact them today at 844-620-2707. That's 844-620-2707. Or visit them online at wwwnettingprosecom. Check out nettingprose on Twitter, instagram, facebook, linkedin for all their latest products and projects. Hello and welcome to episode 75 of the athlete one podcast. I'm your host, ken Carpenter, and joining me today is the 2023 Ohio Division one state champion, tim Held, head coach at Cincinnati Molar High School. Coach. Welcome to the show.
Speaker 2:Thanks for having me, Ken.
Speaker 1:Well, I imagine your summer breaks probably a little more enjoyable after winning a state title.
Speaker 2:Yeah, a little bit more condensed and enjoyable.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's. I guess it's one of those goals to try to get to. What is it like 32, 33 games? is the is the man? Yes, yeah, you're always.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's the 33 34 depend on how much rain you get there and during the regular season if that knocks any out. So yeah, we maxed it out.
Speaker 1:There you go, that's, it's becoming a regular thing for you. This is, i believe, your fourth state title.
Speaker 2:right, actually it's my fifth, Yeah, so, but first time we've been back to the final four since 2015. So took a little time off there and people would always tell me you know, really good successful run there at the beginning. We're seven of my first eight years. We made it to the final four and won four titles. So not going back for eight years. you know people were telling me like well, we'll see in Columbus, we'll see when you get here, and I was like, well, let's not take this for granted. So the last eight seemed like a little bit of a drought and we've been close a couple of times, but it was really good to get back there this year and bring home another title in Moeller High School.
Speaker 1:It's funny. You say that because I talked to Chris Kazmar when I first started podcasting and he was a guest and he talked about how they had a great run And then there was that little bit of, i guess, so-called a drought, and he says it's, you really appreciate it when you, when you do, get back there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, i mean to look back now. you know when you're, when you're in the middle of it, you don't, you don't have that time to reflect because it's one year right into the next And from 2012 to 2015, we went to the final four four years in a row and we won three of those four titles. So you're just, that's just the expectation, so to not do it in. you know, 16 and 17, and then 18, we were so close and got knocked out in the regional finals. You know, now, almost being 10 years removed from that big stretch run there, it's to look back and think about what those players did and coaches because it was a different group every year to be able to do that with you know some mounting pressures and their friends want to know how far they're going to go and can they get back and do those things. So to look back, it's, it's pretty incredible. So hopefully we're on a start of a new four year run right here.
Speaker 1:Well, you finished the season ranked fifth in the nation And after winning the state title here in Ohio. What give me an idea what your roster looked like, as far as how many guys are going on to play college and you know, if you could just kind of break down your roster a little bit?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was a very, very talented roster. I mean incredibly talented. So we had 13 seniors and 12 are going on to play college baseball. So I think there's a one division, three to three division, two guys, so that's four. So then eight others are division one players. Then there's already a junior, that's a D one commit, and three, three sophomores that are D one commits that were on the roster as well.
Speaker 1:Well, i'm going to hit you with a stat that I came up with, and I don't know if you've even thought about this or not, but you won 21 games by holding teams to two runs or less. 10 of those were shut out. The other, the other stat, is on the offensive side. You had 12 games where, since a molar scored 10 or more runs Absolute secret recipe for success No matter what level baseball you play, take away the talent. Talk about what junior coaches do throughout the season that to keep such a talented group hungry.
Speaker 2:I think, like as I go back through, you know that the coaches that I have on the staff right now and Chris booth, kevin Manley, jeff Keith and Dave Sidress We've all been together since COVID. So for 21, 22, 23 Jeff was with me on the varsity before COVID and Kevin and Dave were on staff on the lower levels before COVID. So we have some great continuity And I think you know, as I go back and I start thinking about things through the summer here when I'm Out mowing the grass or something gets some some time alone there that you start thinking about what. What did we do? And I think that this group of coaches and being able to to get it to the players is you know, i know it's cliche, but it was all about how we're gonna get better each day and what, what our process is and Developing routines, from how many ground balls we're gonna take to taking great BP and and telling the kids what our focus was. Before we took BP and Dave's incredible with all these pitchers getting their bullpens in and their work in and shuttling them from the Field to the bullpen for the two-way guys. And then these kids were awesome. You know, like a lot of people are like how do you, how do you coach? You got that many talented guys on one roster. How do you keep everybody happy? So I can't say that everybody was happy, you know. But when you win 31 games, you know it's tough to to bring any issues up. But you know the guys perform too. So those guys in front Got it done, put up numbers, so it was tough for anybody else to say, hey, i should be out there, i should get more time. And these guys came, brought it every day, and It was good that we had that talented of a roster, because those guys who were starting and getting a lot of it bats, they couldn't rest, they couldn't take it easy, they couldn't tell me they don't feel good, like they had somebody right right on their heels. And so I think the competition that we have every single day They knew that they had a very talented roster and they knew that competition Was was fierce, and I think that's kind of what has been driving the program for the last 15 years. As they know, there's good players, so nobody can take a day off or a rep off, because they know there's good guys. They're waiting, just chomping at the bit, to get their opportunity on the field.
Speaker 1:Well, you mentioned at the beginning of there. You talked about your assistant coaches playing mean meaningful roles for you. Talk about how much input do you do these guys have once the game starts?
Speaker 2:You know, once we get into the game you know Dave Sidress, our pitching coach is always like. You know he'll come to me, and especially early on when you're worried about pitch counts Building up and everything like here's who's gonna start, which we know. You know, we know that a few days ahead of time. But here's who's in long relief, here's who's in short relief, and then, as that game's going, you know, if the starter gets to the fourth inning, we start having those conversations about. You know, are we skipping the long relief guy? Do we need one inning from him before we go to the back end guy? You know, and so sometimes it's just me going. You know, hey, dave, you know whoever you're most comfortable with If we're gonna start a fresh inning, you know, until we develop those roles Of who can come in and bail us out of a first and second one out situation, you know we get to the tournament. Those are really different Discussions because we we feel comfortable with different guys there. So really let Dave handle that. He kind of come to me with the. You know, here's what I think the pitching rotation should be, you know, for the next week. And but you know he's kind of Dave's the nicest guy, so he's a going coach. But whatever you want, but whatever you want even though he's watched him throw thousands and thousands of pitches. So we have those talks And then put that together, but then in game He's really good with that. And then Chris Booth handles all our you know, kind of scouting reports and how we're gonna position guys, especially moving the outfielders. So he's constantly trying to get as much info as he can From people, from the internet, anything on the teams we're gonna play. So he's constantly moving guys. Kevin's dealing with, you know, our catchers and and helping with any pitch calls and tendency charts there, both offensively and defensively. And then Jeff's the first base coach and he's really helping with the running game That we've really kind of stood on for the last 15 years. So What we need to know about the catcher, the pitcher different times and and what guys we can push to get running and get moving.
Speaker 1:Well, you mentioned the running game and I remember watching Cincinnati Molar Play. I believe it was down and it was here in Columbus, but I Believe you guys may have set a record for the number of stolen bases in the championship game. Yes, yes.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, like 2012 or 2013. Yes, Yeah we're still. Yes, check that out this week. We're still in the record book.
Speaker 1:How many stolen bases were there and Talk about how that is Being aggressive, how that helps you guys as a team.
Speaker 2:You know, i think I think we stole maybe 12, which for a while not only was it the state final four record for division one, but it was also our school record. And now we've we've had a couple instances where now we've stolen 13 in a game, which we did that once this year. So You know a little bit to that, because you know we're gonna, you know we're like most teams, you get up 10. You know you're gonna slow it down and you're not gonna run and all that. So you know part of it is the game still has to be close, which you know I'm not necessarily a fan of. I'll take five stolen bases and be up 10 to nothing, you know, rather than seven to five, and we're still running Um. So sometimes that's a little different. But you know, i just think the running game, i think Teams know we're gonna run, they know that we're gonna put really, really good athletes on the field. So when we have a team like this year's team, i mean one through nine could run Um. So just all teams knowing that they had to give a step on the infield, they have to, as soon as that hits their glove, they better be ready to unload that baseball Um, to what pitches are being called by the catcher. You know, if it's a running count, are they going to going to go with an off speed pitch or are they going to go with the fastball. So I think there's a lot of things that feed into that, that help our offense and other parts that maybe Not everybody realizes until you know. I just tell everybody that we're gonna here go, we're hoping you throw more fastballs to our hitters, but, um, but I think that's all part of it. You know, i think every high school team looks at that and does that and so, um, because they want to help the catcher out and give him a chance to throw somebody out. So I think there's a lot of different pieces to it, um, but you know it's different when you got nine guys that can run, like we did this year.
Speaker 1:Do you find yourself being able to run more on the pitcher? Do you find yourself being able to run more on the pitcher or on the catcher?
Speaker 2:Um, i think it's a combo, you know we're. We're always timing our guys in the Uh first few practices, get their lead at, you know, first and um, i'll be the pitcher on the mound and a couple coaches They'll have watches on them and they're timing them from from my leg lift, not from when the guy takes off, because they could be fast but be a horrible base runner that don't know what they're reading. So they're reading, read, excuse me, reading it from when I lift my leg. Uh, through their slide in the second base. So they get that feel of can they get there in 3.4? Are they a 3.8? You got some guys that are 4s, um, and so, just knowing what that combo is of, um, what's the catcher? you know we faced a couple catchers this year and luke von and mason eckleman that were 1, 9s. So we're not gonna run on those catchers, strictly on that. So we have to know what that pitcher is. So we're constantly timing that pitcher. And is he gonna mix a slide? step in and you can start to run and you see the slide step and shutting it down. So all things that we work on, i mean we work on base running every single day. It might be five minutes, 10 minutes, might be 15 minutes, but we're gonna work on some aspect, and so a lot of it is making sure all these pieces are in at first base. So as soon as we get into a scrimmage, or now that we actually have a field that we can practice on that, we get into something live that our runners are working on that, and so we want that combo between the pitcher, catcher, and then we kind of added the vault leads in a little bit of the Matt Talarico aspect a year ago, so that really helps. Some of our guys that are in the middle get with those average numbers. When they hit that perfectly, they can steal the base and look real fast.
Speaker 1:Definitely. Well, i had Todd Fitzgerald on. I don't know if you know that name. He's the head coach down at Stoneman Douglas in Florida And I believe it was episode 66. And they finished number two in the national poll this year And last year they won the whole thing. And I'd like to ask you the same thing that I asked him, because he's in a similar situation Tons of guys going on to play college baseball And he talked about being competitive in practice And the guy that might not be the starter, he could win that spot in practice alone. And as far as keeping the guys hungry and understanding that, hey, don't get comfortable being the starter.
Speaker 2:Yes, i mean when we are forced inside after the fall, forced inside up into the cages and everything, and when those pitchers start throwing live bullpens, like we tell the kids, like we're watching all this, like we're checking everything out and who can handle a fastball at 82 and who can handle 90. And then when the pitchers start throwing breaking balls and who can give us great two-strike at bats, like when we roll out those first couple of lineups in those scrimmages, like it's a guess based on past history. So this group that we just won it with, we had a lot of history with it. They got lots of at bats. Next year's offense, not a lot of history. So it's gonna be a lot of how we judge things inside. But what we roll out in the scrimmage isn't going to necessarily be our end of the year lineup. So it's what we've seen. And then, as we continue to compete in those scrimmages being able to compete in practice when the weather allows, you know we're doing as much live stuff as we can to try and get some of those kinks worked out and we can make adjustments. So it helps us to have a fast start to the season.
Speaker 1:Yes, how do you, if you I don't know if you've come across this you know you've got a guy that's committed to play D1 and he's clearly a very talented player? How do you get that person to if he doesn't have the best word for it ethic how do you get that person to? how do you motivate that type of player?
Speaker 2:You know just now that 15 years ago, when I was a young head coach, you know that conversation was a little bit more difficult because you know the college coaches didn't talk to the assistant coaches. You know, in high school they talked to the head coach. But now that I've done it for 16 years now, so I have a lot of relationships with these head coaches, so they'll just tell me like hey, this guy you sent me eight years ago worked his tail off, you know, just didn't work out. He got on the field. But this other guy you sent me, man, he, you know he didn't get it done whatever in the weight room in practice. So you know, to be able to tell the guys on the current roster like hey, i know you're going to play for this guy and I met him 10 years ago and he was an assistant at this place or that place Like here's what they're expecting And they're going to expect a lot more than what we do. You know we go to the weight room. You know 50 minutes three times a week, like that's nothing there when you go to school. So just trying to let them know that I do talk to those coaches, that it is a higher level of commitment And when they get on campus with those other 35 or 40 guys that they're competing with, those guys are all the same as my guy. You know, it's a top, top level athlete, big arm, whatever, it is big hitter. So they got to do something to try and distinguish themselves from the rest of the roster.
Speaker 1:And you throw in the fact that now you're possibly competing against a 24 year old, and that makes a huge difference, I'm sure.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for sure. Like you know, we're talking to him. You know Chris Booth that I mentioned as a coach, like he coached a few different stops in college. So he'll talk to the guys about, hey, you're going to have weights at six AM and then you know breakfast and then you're off to class for three hours. You're expected a couple of days a week to get early work and then practice goes two to five and then you got to eat dinner and then you have, you know, study tables. Like you better be incredibly have some great time management, incredibly disciplined, but also, like those coaches are making a lot more money than what our high school stipend is, so they are expected to win and so they're going to drive you to win. So you know we've been lucky. Our guys are understanding that. You know their senior year of high school is just one more step in their college career and they're watching, they're following their teams and, like you said, you know I mean I couldn't imagine taking the mound and Dillon Cruz is in the batter's box or Skeens is on the mound facing me like am I ready for that after playing high school baseball?
Speaker 1:Exactly. Well, let me switch it up a little bit on you here, for the people outside of Cincinnati, explain the rivalry with Cincinnati Elder.
Speaker 2:Yeah, i mean really all four schools. you know there's four schools in our conference. all are all boys, so Elder, st X and LaSalle, and so I mean it's incredible, like when we play those games and we play Elder, like you know they've won 12 state titles and so we're trying to chase them down as we captured our ninth here. I mean, you know they're 100 years old, so they were the team, they were the program to beat and really it doesn't matter what sport and I'm just kind of talking baseball but when we square off in anything from the 10,000 people that show up at the pit for football to our baseball game, like there are people that are just going to come and watch Molar versus Elder in whatever sport, they know the kids are gonna get after it, they know that they're well-coached, both student sections there's going to be hundreds of boys in both student sections just going absolutely crazy. so it's just so fun, so fun to watch.
Speaker 1:Well, you know the reason I ask that is I go to breakfast maybe once every two weeks with that, i believe. If I'm not sure on the date, but it might have been like 1973, they won a state title for Elder and you know he talks about his hatred for Molar, so I, if he gets a chance to listen to this, that question was for him, i guess.
Speaker 2:Well, if anybody's hating anybody, that means that we're doing the right thing and we're challenging and giving you a hard time. So that's good. That's good. He still feels that 50 years later.
Speaker 1:Yes, exactly What is something unique or different that you do as a coach at Molar that maybe most teams don't do?
Speaker 2:Oh, that's a good question. I mean we just got our own field the day the season opened in 2022. So I'd coached 25 years without a field at Moller. So the last two years I've been very nervous Like are we getting everything put in? So I would say before that I'd say I was probably getting to be a master of an indoor practice. In 2008, we added a turf football field and a turf soccer field up behind our school And that changed the whole trajectory of our program because we could actually go outside. Before 2008, we were inside a 100 by 100 building until it was dry enough. Didn't really practice on a field, if ever. So 2008, getting that turf and getting 75 to 90 minutes out there to work on our skills, never taking on field BP until a couple years ago outside of renting University of Cincinnati or some other place. So probably a master of making sure we were game ready without ever really being on a field.
Speaker 1:Well, you know, i looked at the four teams in the Division I and made the Final Four. I believe three out of the four have turf fields And that's trending a lot with a lot of schools here in Ohio. So that's got to be a huge advantage for a team that is able to get on on their field because it's turf.
Speaker 2:Oh, i believe. So I mean that's. You know we'll find out more next year. Like I said, you know, reference that, reference that a couple times. Like I had a ton of veterans, ton of that bats and innings pitched returning this year. So these guys we could have put in a parking lot, you know, in a gravel pit, these guys would have found a way and nothing would have rattled them. So next year will be really key that we get a lot of reps in field reps. So yeah, i mean you know and coaches come in and see our place and how incredibly lucky we are to have a full turf field And they ask about games. But you know the guys know that it's not about the games, it's about can you get great practice reps in? And so I know when it's it's poured for three days. You know down here in Southern Ohio and know that everybody's wiped out and we're on the field. You know that. I know we're getting we're getting some great stuff done and and that's really going to push you know the level of the program and guys will be even more ready. So it's been, it's been awesome. There are more people starting to put the turf in fields in to get that started. I think in the next, you know, five years or so we'll see. My guess is upwards of 50% will get at least get turf in fields put in.
Speaker 1:Yes, well, how you had mentioned earlier about. You know you can't keep everybody happy And when you have a talented roster and all the guys you have going on to play college baseball, how do you address players? and you know it's, it's the world we live in, parents that aren't happy with their playing time.
Speaker 2:We try, and you know, communicate early. You know, like we I've done exit meetings and stuff. You know this year was tough because we played till June 10th and then a lot of guys are there Summer turn. Summer teams are already in full swing So they're jumping into summer tournaments. Already I had camp, you know, going on So didn't really get to do sit down exit interviews, but we've done that before. But we'll meet with all the returning varsity players, like in October, early November. Just how was your summer? Here's what we thought when the spring ended. Here's what we kind of project for next year. And you know, and I know, what I've learned is I got to be brutally honest with what, what I feel. I can't dress that up. So guys know, like, here's what he thinks, here's what the coaching staff thinks. And okay, either have to hold that spot. He thinks I'm a starter or, oh, he doesn't right now He doesn't think I'm a starter. I got to work and show him I deserve that shot. So do that with the returning guys And then after we've been able to see some guys the younger, the new, the rising, whatever sophomores, juniors that are trying out for the varsity, after we've seen bullpens and live at bats and some of those different pieces. Then we'll sit down with those guys And some of you know in that group, you know you're getting a lot of guys coming out that you know maybe around the 50% mark aren't going to make the team. So you're kind of letting guys know like I think you're in a good spot, i think you're on the bubble, i don't think you're going to make the team if I were choosing today, you know. And so then they have a month or whatever to change our minds and it's happened. We've had guys that we didn't think we're going to make the team And when we were actually able to get out on the field for that tryout, we're like we have to keep this guy, you know. I mean it happened this year. So just being honest with them, making sure we have those meetings And then when we do our selections on that night, you know we'll probably spend more time with the guys that make the team because we're also laying down some of those expectations, because things are going to move really fast once the team's picked and all the things we're trying to cram in and practice. So laying out those expectations and going from there And then, parent-wise, i don't know where I got it I don't think it was from Coach Cameron before me but kind of the policy I've rolled with since I've been the head coach is you know, parents, you know, take 24 hours to think it over before sending any emails or texts or calling me, and then talk to your son, make sure he feels the same way And then really, especially on the varsity level, we want the boys to be the first level of contact. So send their son in. You know, i'm not trying to intimidate anybody And if I stood up here at all five foot eight, i'm not really intimidating too many people, but we just want to. We're trying to develop our metamolar And that's part of it. They need to have those tough conversations and they need to be able to sit down with adults and their bosses and all that. So we want them to come in If they truly feel the same way. We want them to come in and have that conversation And then, if it goes a few days and mom and dad still aren't happy with that result and that conversation, then we'll sit down everybody, but the boys will be included every step of the way. It's I'm never going to take an email or a call that says, hey, we need to keep this quiet. You know Johnny doesn't know I'm calling. I don't know why I have to be the professional one and not. I have to coach their son every day but I can't tell him your mom's calling me and your dad's emailing me. You know I need to loop them in and let them know.
Speaker 1:Yes, Well, switching to mental toughness, how much time do you spend developing players to focus on the present and not letting a you know, maybe a bad at bat get carried on to the field that it leads to an error?
Speaker 2:Not enough. Not, we do not spend enough time. I'm a math teacher by trade, so very, what is next? very regimented, that way of you know, flipping to the next section of the book and the next chapter. So I get very caught up in what's, what's our next drill, what's our next piece. And so if I could do anything better, it would be building in whatever five minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes of of that mental training. We definitely do it. It's usually in a reaction to something we saw happen, or one of the boys not not react you know the way we want them to to an abad or a pitch. So usually it's the next day addressing it that way. And you know I love everything that Brian Kane does and what the late Ken Raviza threw out there. I love all those pieces. So I study all that stuff, i build different pieces in, but nothing, nothing as much as what I should. So that's what I'm hoping. You know, kevin Manley, that I have referenced one of our coaches. His son's moving on to play college baseball, so he's going to kind of step aside from being on the field. So it's one of the pieces he's brought up, that that he wants to continue to to do with our guys. So I think it's going to be a great role for him to make sure that I'm building it into practice, whether I'm running it or he's running it, but that way he can stay involved in the program and make sure we get one of those key pieces in there.
Speaker 1:Are you a big goal guy? as far as do you have your team set goals? Do you set goals?
Speaker 2:I used to have. We used to sit down, write them all down and everything. But it's more. I have a big meeting, like in the fall, and just kind of, hey, here's what last year looked like and here's what this year looked like or could look like, or, you know, here's the holes we have to fill from who graduated. So I don't so much have them sit down and do that Again. We'll talk about, like you know, close your eyes, what do you want, think about just you as an individual. What do you want? What are your dreams and goals? But I do believe, like if they say I want to bat 350 and all of a sudden they look at the paper one day and they're batting 360, that they're satisfied. So I don't like that part of it. That 360 I can take tomorrow off mentally and if I get a hit, great, but if not, i'll be, i'll still be 350. So I don't like that part. And you know, here at Molar, if I said what's your team goals, every single one of them would write down state champion. You know so. So I think they, they all have that focus. They all, they all know what that team goal is to win the GCL and win the state. So I haven't written them down, they don't have the boys write them down, but those are things that we address and kind of we just set the expectations high that you know, if the day doesn't go well, whether it's a running day in November with the strength coach that I catch 15 minutes of, i'll be like that. That effort there is not going. Not a state champion effort. You know. And I just put it on the seniors you know it's your club. I am going to be here next year and the next year and the next year. You guys are not. So what do you want your legacy to be as the senior class of whatever year it is, and kind of put that on us, on them I got rid of captains, you know, back in like about 2010 or so, all the seniors or captains and the juniors and and I want those natural leaders to step up and take control of that team.
Speaker 1:Love that, that's. That's great. There. I do a thing at the at the end of the podcast I like to do. It's called rapid fire.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:And the first one I'd like to throw at you in high school baseball, with the 15 years you've been doing this as a head coach, do teams beat themselves by making mistakes you know, missing cuts, errors, base running or is it the other teams, just the better team? What do you think it is?
Speaker 2:I would say. I would say a lot of times it's the other team, there's a mistake made. I do think, though, like I love playing on turf now, because I think it does make the game more pure. You don't have to worry about it rain three days and somebody rushed to get their field ready but couldn't mow the grass. You know, some of those takes out some of those things that you have to deal with in high school baseball. So I do think it's gotten cleaner. So it is more who is the better team. But I do think that, yeah, a lot of times you look back and you're like we gave that one away or they gave us the beginning.
Speaker 1:Yep. Does winning state titles run in the family And the reason I asked that there's a guy who just retired up in Defiance who's won quite a few up there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, we like to think so, i like to think so. All the relatives love it. They really like it when we get there in the same year as well, so they can catch a couple divisions at a time. But yeah, tom Tom's had a great career, you know he was. I competed against him when I was in high school and he was the head coach at Elmwood, so played against him there and then my senior year in high school was his first year at Bryan High School as the head coach, so I competed against him. Then I played for him and him and I together there that year in 1991 we went to the final four in Division 2 and then I went to college and almost immediately I started. I was working for the you know, the Parks and Recreation there in Bryan and playing with like a collegiate team in Fort Wayne. But any days I had I would stay and I'd coach for him, coach ACME Baseball for him, and then I was a JV coach for him. So lots of we do a lot of touch points in there and then we've competed against each other from different corners of the state here. So, but yeah, 800 and some wins, like in three state titles up there, he's had a dream, dream career.
Speaker 1:Yes, and he was a phenomenal guest when I had him on the podcast. And what would all the baseball you've been around? what is one thing that you'd like to see change in high school baseball?
Speaker 2:Oh, i mean, i mean I would say I guess we're allowed to play 27 games right now. I mean I guess I'd say, if put a window on it, if we have a seven week window, if we want to play 32-33, let us go ahead and play that many. Kentucky plays about 50,. I feel like They finally got rid of two of the rules that we're constantly driving Coaches and umpires crazy this year of the hybrid pitching stance and jewelry. Neither thing, i don't think, was hurting anybody. So I'm glad those things are out, so ground rules go much faster. But those would have been two of my, my answers to your question if you would ask me a year ago.
Speaker 1:What are your? what's your favorite hitting drill and your favorite defensive drill?
Speaker 2:Oh, i mean I got a thousand hitting drills. I love all that stuff. I've kind of changed here the last couple years into like more movement based with the, with the guys from like the farm system and 108. So the boys find in their best swing. We'll look at some big mechanical things But really just figuring out their body, you know, with drive line, with the weighted bats, everything. I guess I can't pinpoint one drill, price stop swings. If I had to pick one drill where they they'd got to make contact as hard as they can but they need to stop their swing as fast as possible, so that that really limiting that front side from flying out of there, i think that's really helped a number of guys out. And then defensively, you know I just love all the glovework, handwork, flips, feeds. I'm a middle infielder, you know, growing up, so I just love all of those different pieces.
Speaker 1:To walk off a game. Would you rather walk a game off with a great squeeze play or a basis, a basis clearing double?
Speaker 2:Oh, basis clearing double. My coach is all over me. When are we going to squeeze one of this guy's a great squeeze candidate? I was like he can hit a double.
Speaker 1:He'll hit a double. All right. Would you rather have a team that has a great pitching staff or a one through nine hitting order that all of them are hitting over 300?
Speaker 2:That second one. I'm a hitting guy. I'm a hitting guy. Those pitchers do a great job. They keep us, they keep everybody comfortable. Keep it down, like you said before, a couple runs a game, but I love the hitting.
Speaker 1:Okay, and to finish up, what is your best story at all of coaching? And usually when I ask a question like this, it tends to be a funny story And and if, if, do you have one that jumps to mind right now?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's really. It's not about me, but it just it makes me laugh every time I think about it. So it's about Trent dues at Vandalia Butler. So we played Trent. We've played Trent the last game of the year in the regular season, for I don't know since coach Cameron's been ahead, because they're going on like 25 years. So we're playing at Vandalia. A guy that's always umpired the game is behind home plate. This guy's like six foot three. He's a large, just a large human being, and about the I don't know first inning, second inning, uh, trent dues over there. He's, he's not happy about a ball or strike call. And this umpire rips his mask off and he just walks towards Trent and he says Trent, are you calling me a cheater? And you can see I'm, i'm coaching third. So I'm, i'm like right next to him, i'm like five feet away from all this And I'm like, ooh, how's he going to answer this? You know, you know. And so you can see Trent pondering the same thing, like if I say yes, he's going to throw me out. If I say no, i can't say anything. So the umpires you have Trent's kind of looking around his coaches are looking around umpires like Trent. Are you saying I'm a cheater And Trent's just like no, not a cheater. So he says, do I want to hear another word? the rest of the game, it is just. I mean they just put him in his place. I mean we talk about it all the time. I mean just, absolutely hilarious.
Speaker 1:Being somewhat it's coached and I've also umpired That's. that's a great comeback from a great one.
Speaker 2:I keep it in my pocket in case I ever change. And then from this year, you know as a story that not not as, not as fun, but when we took our trip to Las Vegas it we were supposed to take off at 6am, got to the airport at four, we didn't fly out until 10pm and we flew out of Detroit. So it took us 24 hours. So baseball related, but not baseball related, that's probably the biggest pain in pain in my butt. right there is getting the whole team there and they're supposed to play at 10 45 the next morning in Las Vegas. So, needless to say, we didn't. we didn't play uh, play too well.
Speaker 1:So there you go. Well, Tim, thanks a ton. It's Tim Held, head coach at Cincinnati Mueller state championship this year, ranked final pole in the national rankings at number five. Wow, I can't. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to to join me here on for the 75th episode of the athlete one podcast.
Speaker 2:Well, thanks for thinking of me and having me on there, and I know anybody that makes it to that part, and here's the story that I'll know when they get there, cause I'll start texting me going. I can't believe you didn't use this story or that story, so we'll we'll have to catch up after I hear about all the stories I was supposed to tell you.
Speaker 1:Yes, great. Well, hey, thanks again and best of luck next season when you start up the 2024 campaign. The athlete one podcast is powered by the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. Contact them today at 844-620-2707 for all your netting needs. If you enjoyed today's show, don't forget to hit the subscribe button, rate the show and leave us a review. Also, you can follow us on Twitter, instagram, facebook, at athlete one podcast. Thanks again to Tim Held, head baseball coach at Cincinnati Mueller high school in Cincinnati, ohio, and congratulations on winning the 2023 state baseball championship. And, as always, thanks for listening to the athlete one podcast.
