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ABCA PodcastAuthor: American Baseball Coaches Association
The ABCA Podcast runs the gamut of baseball coaching topics, from pitching, to hitting, to the mental game, practice planning, recruiting and more. It's hosted by Ryan Brownlee, longtime coach and current Assistant Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). The ABCA is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches, with more than 15,000 members representing all 50 U.S. states and 41 countries. Since 1945, Association membership has broadened to include: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, Junior College, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel Baseball. Each January, the ABCA hosts the largest baseball convention in the world. Over 8,000 coaches participate in the convention, which is held at various locations around the country. The ABCA's official website is http://www.ABCA.org. Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Kermit Smith - 2026 ABCA Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award Recipient
Episode 464
Monday, 6 October, 2025
This week on the ABCA Podcast, we’re joined by Kermit Smith, head coach at Appalachian State University, whose leadership and steady influence have made him one of the most respected coaches in collegiate baseball. Smith recently completed his ninth season at App State (2025), where he continues to guide the Mountaineers with integrity and purpose. Before arriving in Boone, he led programs at Lander University (S.C.) and Belmont Abbey College (N.C.), taking both to the NCAA Division II College World Series—a rare accomplishment that speaks to his ability to build successful cultures wherever he goes. With over 600 career victories and three ABCA Regional Coach of the Year honors, Smith’s influence stretches beyond wins and losses. He’s served in leadership roles across his programs and conferences, including chairing the coaches’ council at Belmont Abbey, and was recognized with the 2024 App State FCA Influence Award for his mentorship and faith-driven leadership. In this episode, Smith shares insights on culture, consistency, and connection—plus his experience coaching in USA Baseball’s Prospect Development Pipeline League in 2022. It’s a conversation filled with heart, humility, and practical takeaways for coaches at every level. This episode is brought to you by Rapsodo Baseball – the trusted player development technology of coaches at every level.Rapsodo has basically become THE gold standard for player development in baseball. Pitchers, hitters, college programs, big leaguers, even their Official Technology Ambassador Shohei Ohtani —everybody’s using it.And it’s not just a radar gun with a fancy name. Rapsodo tracks spin rate, movement, release points, exit velo, launch angle—all the stuff that turns “he looks good” into “here’s exactly why he’s good.”Coaches use technology like PRO 2.0 to build pitching profiles, hitters use it to fine-tune their swing, and parents use it to justify spending a mortgage payment on travel ball. It’s that good.If you're serious about development—or just want to know why your curveball still gets hit 400 feet—go check them out. If you’re a high school program, they are offering $1,000 off, just head to rapsodo.com. It’s like science, but for baseball people.Train smarter. Develop faster. Learn more at rapsodo.com. The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more. Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://www.abca.org/podcastOnline: https://www.abca.orgABCA Member Benefits: https://www.abca.org/benefits Become a Member: https://www.abca.org/apply X/Twitter: https://x.com/abca1945 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abca1945 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCA1945
