EPISODE 7 - KEVIN THOMPSON

BETWEEN THE EARS BASEBALL

In this episode, Curtis Pelletier and Kevin Thompson discuss their experiences in baseball, including Thompson's time in the minor leagues. They talk about the challenges and frustrations of pursuing a career in baseball, the business side of the sport, and the importance of opportunity. Thompson shares his dedication to the game and his love for the process, highlighting the importance of hard work and a strong work ethic. They also touch on the mental and emotional aspects of the game and the need for a release. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the realities of pursuing a career in baseball and the mindset required to navigate the challenges. In this conversation, Curtis Pelletier and Kevin Thompson discuss various topics related to baseball. They touch on the increasing velocity in the game, the impact of throwing hard on pitchers' arms, the importance of pitching and not just relying on velocity, and the changing landscape of college baseball. They also talk about Thompson's off-field uniform of a white shirt and jeans, his experience filming a commercial, and the simplicity of hitting and the importance of balance and timing. Thompson emphasizes the need to ignore the noise and focus on the fundamentals of the game.

Keywords

baseball, minor leagues, challenges, opportunity, dedication, hard work, work ethic, mental health, release, baseball, velocity, pitching, college baseball, uniform, commercial, hitting, balance, timing

Takeaways

• Pursuing a career in baseball can be mentally and emotionally challenging, and it's important to have a support network and outlets for release.
• The business side of baseball can often overshadow the love for the game and impact players' opportunities.
• Opportunity plays a significant role in a player's success, and many talented individuals may not get the chance they deserve.
• Dedication, hard work, and a strong work ethic are essential for success in baseball.
• Finding a release, such as going to the batting cage, can help players cope with the pressures and stresses of the game. The velocity in baseball is increasing, but it's important to remember that pitching skills and strategy still matter.
• The emphasis on throwing hard can lead to more arm injuries and shorter outings for pitchers.
• Junior college baseball provides an opportunity for pitchers to focus on their skills and develop as pitchers, rather than just relying on velocity.
• Thompson's off-field uniform of a white shirt and jeans reflects his desire to keep things simple and focus on the game.
• Thompson's experience filming a commercial highlighted the physical toll that can come with trying to perform specific actions repeatedly.
• In hitting, balance and timing are crucial, and players should focus on these fundamentals rather than getting caught up in the noise of launch angles and swing mechanics.

Titles

• The Mental and Emotional Aspects of the Game
• Finding a Release: Coping with the Pressures of Baseball The Changing Landscape of College Baseball
• Thompson's Experience Filming a Commercial

Sound Bites

• "I'm an introvert, right? I know I like to have a good time and all this other stuff on these podcasts and shows that I do. But in reality, I'm an introvert. I'm a geek. I'm a I'm a Trekkie man."
• "KT the Prince of Baseball."
• "Control the process."
• "Yeah, I know, I know, I know."
• "Yeah, yeah, I get it. These guys, the dude from A &M was sitting 100 the other day. It's bananas, man. It's bananas."
• "They're just I'm telling you right now, these young kids, this is this is one thing I tell kids is this Velo is a joke."