Behind the Seams Baseball Podcast
by Nunzio Signore
The world of training pitchers and baseball players has changed dramatically in the last 5 years. From advances in technology to developments in strength training, developing today's players is a whole new ball game. In this podcast, we hope to bring you the latest, from player development to strength training to recruiting and scouting. We are going to cover a broad range of topics with one purpose in mind, bringing you useful information. Join Nunzio Signore, owner of RPP baseball, as he interviews players, coaches, managers and other industry leaders to help take your game to the next level.
Episodes
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RPP College Assessment... Data-Driven Player Development with UNCW's Tyler Hott
Today I’m sitting down with UNCW Athletic Trainer Tyler Hott to discuss what we learned during our College Assessments a few weeks ago and how that information can be used to help guide player development. Topics include: What aspects of the RPP assessment are used to help program off-season...
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Travel Ball... Questions Parents Should Be Asking
Today’s topic is getting the most out of a travel team and what to look for as a parent. So today, I’m sitting down with my partner Bahram Shirazi who raised two boys playing travel ball . Topics Include: Questions you should be asking What will make a player better? The balance between athletic...
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5 Ways to Get the Most out of Your Summer Performance
To keep up with the demands of the summer season, today, we’re going to review 5 “do’s and don’ts” to help with recovery, while maintaining their strength and mobility throughout the season. Topics Include: Managing the Controlled Fall Strength vs Mobility 5 big players to keep track of this…
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Should or Shouldn't You Play Summer Ball
I’m flying solo today to answer questions about the balance between playing summer ball and becoming more efficient for next season. Topics include: Who should play summer ball Is your toolkit complete RPP Elite College Summer Program Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic…
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Coaching Pitching Mechanics in Youth Baseball with Scott Shuman
Today we’re discussing pitching mechanics in the youth baseball population with RPP Director of Pitching Scott Shuman. Topics Include: 4 big issues in youth Pitching mechanics Problem with adjusting mechanics when pitch selection changes Lessons learned as a son of a high school Hall of Fame…
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Maximizing Summer Gains with RPP's Elite College Summer Program
Today we’re sitting down with our new Director of Pitching, Scott Shuman, to discuss this year’s Elite College Summer Program. Topics include: His climb to 100 mph and what it takes The importance of workload management What to expect this summer We’re excited to welcome Scott Shuman to the RPP...
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Throwing Harder and Training Considerations After TJ Surgery
Most of our athletes who undergo Tommy John surgery end up throwing harder than prior to being Injured. Today, I’ll discuss not only why, but some of the key parameters in a good TJ Rehab Program. Topics Include: Main causes of TJ When to start a full body strength program (and “how”) Working in...
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Addressing and Training Scapular Instability
Today I’m addressing one of the biggest issues we see day in and day out as the season goes on and that is scapular instability. Topics Include: What is Scapular Instability What Causes Scapular Instability Some Training Methods to Help Prevent / Improve it Ready to take your game to the next...
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Maximizing Your Spring Season by Staying Healthy with DPT Melanie Eskin
Today we’re sitting down with DPT Melanie Eskin of Paramus Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Today’s topic is maintaining health and maximizing performance during the season. Most common in-season injuries and how to address them Maintaining and / or improving IR in-season Maintaining shoulder, hip &...
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Using Correct Breathing to Maximize Work and Recovery
Today I'm flying solo to discuss better training and recovery through improved breathing patterns. Topics Include: Why proper breathing is crucial to performance and recovery Understanding what type of breather you are Corrective protocols Ready to take your game to the next level? With our...
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Coaching Ball in the Big Easy with Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Seth Thibodeaux
Today we’re sitting down with Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Associate Head Coach Seth Thibodeaux. While I was speaking at the Baseball Ontario Summit, I had the opportunity to hear Seth speak and knew he would be a great guest. Topics Include: Changes in the 1st year college athlete over the past 5-10...
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Talking Shop with Minnesota Twins Pitching Coach Ryan Ricci
Today I had a great time sitting down with Minnesota Twins AAA Pitching Coach Ryan Ricci. Topics Include: Key gems to consider when moving up the coaching ranks Creating a “winning environment” Getting through “sticking points” on the mound Ready to take your game to the next level? With our...
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Transitioning from Collegiate to Pro Ball with White Sox Pitching Coach Rob Hardy
Today we’re sitting down with Chicago White Sox Pitching Coach Rob Hardy. Rob brings with him a huge background in data analytics and college recruiting. Topics Include: Setting up boundaries in a new environment What’s next in pitching development Being present on the mound Ready to take your…
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Throwing Harder, Throwing Safer, Mechanics, Arsenal and More... w/ RPP Pitching Coach Scott Shuman
Today, we’re sitting down with RPP Pitching Coach Scott Shuman, as he shares his experiences pitching at both Auburn and years in pro ball, as well as his views on coaching young pitchers here at RPP. Topics Include: Getting the most out of a new athlete from day 1 When to work mechanics and when...
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Bulletproofing the Shoulder and Elbow for Power and Endurance
After a great weekend speaking at the Baseball Ontario Summit, it became very clear that information on arm care is still at the top of most coaches priority list. As a result we’ll take a deep dive into the topic. These Include: Improving Scap stability Firing time of the cuff Strengthening the...
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The Modern Challenges Facing Today's Youth Athlete with Performance Coach Mike Huber
Today we’re sitting down with mental performance coach Mike Huber to discuss the modern challenges, both internal and external, facing youth athletes today. Topics Include: Competition with phone / social media time Growing up during Covid 19 When is it internal? When is it external? Ready to…
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Training for Shoulder Health in the Youth Population with DPT Andrew Liu
Today, we’re sitting down with DPT Andrew Liu to discuss some causes as well as some great ways to keep a young athlete’s shoulder healthy year-round. Topics Include: Shoulder Stability Cuff Strength Overuse Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach,...
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Top 5 Hottest Topics of 2025
Happy New Year Everyone! Today, I’m going to review some of the hottest topics of 2025 coming in to RPP this year. Topics Include: Increasing Speed and Power Finding a great baseball college recruiter Passive vs Active Mobility And more... Ready to take your game to the next level? With our...
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Behind the Seams - Best of 2025 (Top 5)
Happy Holidays! It’s that time of year again when we present the Top 5 listened to podcasts of 2025. Top 5 Titles: Using VALD Force Plate Metrics to Improve the Lead Leg The Road to Throwing Harder Fueling Up for Success with Nick Valenti Lower Half Pitching Mechanics… The Drive, Rotation and…
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Using Active Recovery to Boost Your Training Programs
Using active recovery or Fillers in training programs can be the un-sung hero to an athlete’s progress through the off-season. Today, I’ll explain 5 great reasons why and how to implement them. Topics Include how active recovery helps: Improve strength Expedite losses in bodyfat Promote faster...
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Utilizing VALD Force Plate Data to Improve Lead Leg Performance
On today’s podcast, I’m answering several questions that have come in from coaches on how we use force plate testing to improve performance. Today’s topic… The Front Leg. Topics Include: Understanding the 3 phases of a great, explosive lead leg Metrics to look for Some training we can focus on to...
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5 Topics Young Hitters Struggle With w/ Coach Andrew Pezzuto
Today we're with Andrew Pezzutto, RPP Director of Hitting and Director of Player Development at RPP Revolution Travel Baseball. Today's topic is 5 things young athletes struggle with at the plate. Topics Include: Timing Pre-game routines Identifying the Strike Zone Ready to take your game to the...
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The Road to Throwing Harder
Nothing happens in isolation and throwing hgarder is no different. In today’s podcast, I’ll discuss the various methods we use to get our guys to a higher velocity ceiling. Topics Include: The 5 big players in training and producing a higher velocity ceiling Understanding the “Timeline” Ready to...
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How We Integrate Strength Training into RPP Revolution, our Baseball Travel Program
Today I’m answering quite a few questions as to how we incorporate strength training into RPP Revolution, our travel baseball program Topics Include: Why is year-round training not an option? Frequency... How many days is sufficient? What should a thorough S&C program contain Ready to take your...
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The Power of Assessments in the Recruiting Process
Today, we’re with RPP Director of Recruiting Sam Sharf to talk about how powerful metrics from our assessment has helped raise the bar and given him more ammo in the recruiting process. Topics Include: How has the RPP assessment helps him be a better recruiter How he uses it to track an athletes...
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Podcast #156: Lower Half Pitching Mechanics… The Drive, Rotation and Lead Leg Block
Today, we’re going to finish this 2-part series on lower half pitching mechanics by reviewing the Drive, Rotation and the Lead Leg Block phases in the delivery. Topics Include: What is the drive / rotation phase Identifying a good lead leg block Why they’re important How to make them more…
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Lower Half Pitching Mechanics - The Drift and The Load
Today we’re going to talk about the “Drift” and the "Load”, when coming down the mound. This is Part 1 of a two-part podcast on lower half mechanics. Topics Include: What are drifting and loading How do we analyze on video Why they’re important How to make them more efficient Ready to take your...
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Getting More Volume Out of Your Programming
Mobility is something many athletes try to skip when training. So today, I’m going to discuss how to incorporate this work into your programming and making sure your athletes are getting it done! Topics Include: What are “fillers”? The use of fillers in your programming Some great examples of how...
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Zone 2 Training for Baseball Players
Today I’ll be discussing a topic that I feel gets a bit of a bad rap from a population that may not fully understand it. I’m talking about aerobic conditioning using Zone 2 Training. Topics Include: What is Zone 2 Training? The myths of Zone 2 Training Why its crucial to improving Power endurance...
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Improving Baseball Metrics through Rate of Force Development (RFD)
Nothing could be more important to throwing or hitting the ball harder than power production. Today we’re talking how to produce more power, but more importantly producing it faster through improving our Rate of Force Development. Topics Include: Why RFD is the gold standard metric for becoming…
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The Importance of Lean Muscle Mass and Playing College Baseball
Today I’m sitting down with Nutritionist and Dietician Nick Valenti. We refer all of our athletes looking to help increase their performance to Nick. Today he talks about the how and why muscle mass and “healthy” weight gain is imperative if you’re looking to play at the next level. Topics…
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Key Takeaways from Operating and Running a Travel Baseball Program
Today my partner, Bahram Shirazi, and I are discussing some of the key takeaways we’ve gathered since putting together our travel baseball program under the RPP Revolution banner. Topics include: Three pillars of athletic development The Bell Curve Importance of GREAT coaching Developing...
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Coastal's Matt Williams on the road to Omaha and the RPP College Assessment
Today we’re sitting down with Coastal Carolina Pitching Coach Matt Williams, just recently back from Coastal’s run to the CWS in Omaha. In this episode we discuss: His initial thought process for building a championship team upon first getting to Coastal His Utilization of the RPP Remote College...
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Building a Mid Major Powerhouse with Murray State's Pitching Coach Steve Adkins
Today we are sitting down with Murray State’s Assistant Coach and Pitching Coach Steve Adkins, fresh off a run to the CWS in Omaha. Topics Include: Common challenges he sees pitchers facing during a long season Keeping a “level-head” going into Omaha Challenges of the Transfer Portal Ready to…
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Programming for Pitchers to Optimize Performance and Health
In today’s podcast, I’ll be discussing important protocol that should be in every pitcher’s training program in order to throw harder and do it safely. Topics Include: What are perfect mechanics… do they exist? Why working on mechanics alone are not enough Sample programming techniques Ready to...
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Maximizing Power
Today I’m going to talk about how to increase power on the mound, behind the plate and on the bases. Topics include: Strength and Velocity are NOT interchangeable How to determine the needs of the athlete in front of you 3 great methods to help get you or your athletes more explosive Ready to…
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Getting Ready to Do It Again… RPP College Assessments
Every year in August, we’re hired to provide select D1 programs our assessment and evaluation summaries on individualized programming for their athletes. Today, I’m joined by RPP Pitching Coordinator Matt Hartshorn to discuss the preparation and some thoughts on some exciting new changes to the...
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5 Elements to a Great S&C Program
Today I’m flying solo and talking about what you should be looking for when shopping around for, or writing, your own Strength and Conditioning program. Topics Include: The importance of a realistic / sustainable program Give them what they need… maintain what they’re good at Injury prevention...
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Ins and Outs of Coaching and Recruiting with Salve Regina's Coach Andrew McKeon
Today we’re sitting down with Salve Regina’s Coach Andrew McKeon. As the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, Coach McKeon wears a lot of hats at Salve, including the S&C programs. Topics Include: Common traits amongst the best arms year-over-year Handling strength training without a...
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Putting on the Brakes… Training Deceleration
Today, I am going to cover the importance of deceleration, whether it be the lead leg block or change-of-direction speed. Topics Include: How deceleration is “the key” to creating explosive power The 3 main phases of deceleration Training each throughout the year Ready to take your game to the…
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Fueling Up for Success with Sports Nutritionist Nick Valenti
Today we’re sitting down with sports nutritionist / dietician Nick Valenti to discuss optimizing performance by making better nutritional choices in the summer months. Topics include: The importance of caloric timing What is considered adequate hydration Food prepping for a weekend of games Nick...
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How to Navigate the College Transfer Portal w/ Sam Sharf, RPP Director of Recruiting
Today, I am having my partner Bahram Shirazi sit in for me as the Guest Host with Sam Sharf, RPP's Director of Recruiting. The topic is the College Transfer Portal: How does it actually work What to keep in mind How to navigate it to optimize your options Sam has over a dozen years of experience…
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Elite College Summer Programs... How Do We Get Those Big Gains?
Today we’re taking a deeper look into our Elite College Summer Programs. This will be our 8th year and we've have seen incredible results over the years. So, how do we get those big gains? Topics include: Who is it for? Individualized programming based on athlete’s primary focus Complete break…
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Mobility... What it is, What it isn't and Why It's Important
Mobility can sometimes be treated as the un-wanted stepchild to an athlete. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. So, today we’re going to address Mobility... what it is, what it isn’t and why it’s important. Topics Include: Mobility vs Flexibility (they’re NOT the same) How to...
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Importance of Athletic and Mental Maturity with Wofford Head Coach J.J. Edwards
Today, I’m sitting down with Division I Wofford Head Coach J.J. Edwards. This is his 2nd year as The Terrier’s Head Coach. Topics Include: The importance of recruiting “Athleticism” Coaching through mental “slumps” Achieving Success on the base path Prior to the head coaching position, J.J. had...
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Training Explosive Power Through Plyometrics
I’m flying solo today, discussing plyometric training and some of the “Pros” of training it correctly… and” Cons” of training it poorly. Topics Include: Different types of plyos Testing and assessing plyometric ability Bucketing ability into progressive phases Ready to take your game to the next...
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Philosophies for Success on the Mound with Monmouth Pitching Coach Mike Russo
Today we’re sitting down with Monmouth University Pitching Coach Mike Russo. This conversation covers a lot of bases. Topics Include: Body, Ball, Performance Has the path to college ball changed? If so, how? Staying “present” on the mound Coach Russo joined the Monmouth Baseball program in August...
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Training the Missing Link... Ankle Strength and Stability
I’m flying solo today and discussing a topic that doesn’t get addressed nearly enough. I’m talking about the importance of ankle strength and stability and how I’ve seen it to be a game changer in training athletes to get them to be more explosive. Topics Include: Why is it important How to test...
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An In-depth Conversation with Winthrop University's Assistant Coach Mike Napolitano
Today, I am having Sam Sharf, RPP’s Director of Recruiting, sit in for me as the Guest Host with Winthrop Baseball’s Assistant Coach Mike Napolitano. Topics Include: Difference between D1 and D3 programs Balancing baseball and academics Most important characteristics when recruiting hitters Coach...
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Overcoming the Challenges of Coaching High School Athletes with Johnston Hobbs
Today, we're with Coach Johnston Hobbs, Head Coach at Ft. Lauderdale High School, the Flying L’s. He has coached and played at every level of the game and we're going to focus on some of the challenges of coaching today’s high school athletes. Topics Include: The difference between coaching in…
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About this show
The world of training pitchers and baseball players has changed dramatically in the last 5 years. From advances in technology to developments in strength training, developing today's players is a whole new ball game. In this podcast, we hope to bring you the latest, from player development to strength training to recruiting and scouting. We are going to cover a broad range of topics with one purpose in mind, bringing you useful information. Join Nunzio Signore, owner of RPP baseball, as he interviews players, coaches, managers and other industry leaders to help take your game to the next level.
Hosted by
Nunzio Signore