Coach Russ Bayer

Husband, Father and former minor leaguer- High School Baseball Coach. Lawn aficionado. Sports teach much more than just a game!

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@under2catching @CarlosACollazo I was fortunate- got a hefty $2k in 2002 as a senior sign.. We all would have signed for a hat and a plane ticket. Was elated to keep playing!

[Troy Silva @TroyPSilva]

It’s not “old school” to hustle everywhere

It’s not “old school” to respect your opponent

It’s not “old school” to bunt for a hit

It’s not “old school” to have a high ⚾️ IQ

It’s not “old school” to have emotional control

It’s not “old school” to act like you’ve done it before

It’s not “old school” to be disciplined and respectful

It’s not “old school” to not have to wear a ton of “accessories”

It’s not “old school”…
It’s winning
It’s all about the team
It’s the respecting the game

#BaseballTruth

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

To the greatest country on earth- Happy 4th of July!

[Butch Chaffin 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚾️⚾️🧢 @ButchBaseball29]

Catchers… you’re number one job is THE PITCHER. I watch all summer, youth catchers never ask the pitcher what he needs the catcher to do to help him be successful. Does movement bother you? Can I help shape pitches?What C set up do you want? What signs are you comfortable with?

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

Facts👇🏼

[Xen Penny @XenPenny]

Holding your finish with your head down will clean up a LOT of things within your swing.

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@BaseballDudes48 Basic fundamentals.
- Defensive footwork (INF+OF)
- Base running
- Basic situations: Where do you belong in situations.
- How+when to bunt
- Ability to play more than 1 position. Amazing how many kids come in as solely a 2B, cant play SS or LF.
So much talent is there but no IQ

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@BaseballDudes48 My catcher does wear an earpiece- but I mainly use it to communicate picks/holds and we have signals back and forth to communicate if he felt an ump missed a pitch or if he has a read on the ump or hitter. I will recommend maybe 4-5 x’s per game but its 4 dialogue

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@BaseballDudes48 Just bc the sequence that I would throw was an educated “read”, didnt always mean it was the only way to get someone out- and guys throwing pitches they had no conviction in almost always ended up being poorly executed.

[CJ @CJNitkowski]

MLB trying to sell us that college is the best place to develop players while I’m watching an 18-year-old who threw 5 innings yesterday come into a game today in a 2-0 count with runners on will take incredible sales skills.

[Kevin Burrell @KevinBurrellMLB]

To every professional baseball scout, HS head coach and college recruiter:

The following is both a challenge and an encouragement.

The pursuit of excellence in our profession often comes with a hidden cost.

We spend countless hours on the road, at ballparks, on airplanes, in hotels, and in conversations evaluating other people’s children.

The work matters. The opportunities we help create matter. But let’s never forget what matters most.

My friend, Washington Nationals scout Tommy Jackson once made a profound statement: @TJScout44

“I only saw 5 games of my son’s senior year in high school, watching other people’s children play (of which I got zero in the draft). Point is — don’t miss out!”

Those words should stop every scout, coach, and college recruiter in our tracks.

LOVE is spelled TIME

The people who matter most don’t measure our love by our intentions; they experience it through our presence.

Don’t miss a decade of your child’s life chasing only position, power, and prosperity. At the end of the day, it’s not worth it.

The next promotion, assignment, title, or contract can always be replaced.

If you die tomorrow. You’ll be replaced in a week or two.

The moments with your children cannot.

Their games, conversations, milestones, struggles, victories, and everyday memories are opportunities that expire forever once they’re gone.

Yes! Work hard. Be excellent at what you do. Honor your commitments.

But maintain a healthy balance between your career and your family, especially your children.

Invest in your children as intentionally as you invest in your profession.

Be present.

Be engaged.

Be available.

Let them know they are not competing with your career for your attention.

Most importantly, let them see that your relationship with God is more important than your relationship with work.

Let them watch you live out your faith through your priorities, your character, and your daily decisions.

As my friend Brian Dodd says so well: @BrianKDodd

“God’s Sovereignty—Is My Sanity.”

Because when it comes to your children never forget…

“A lot more is caught than taught.”

Your children may not remember every lesson you tried to teach them, but they will remember what you valued, where you spent your time, and who you became.

Players will come and go.

Reports will be filed.

Seasons will pass.

Drafts will conclude.

But your family is your first team.

Don’t miss out.

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@JohnnyVanBee @RosterFitCo 💯- especially from youth through HS. The opportunity and platforms are plentiful. Much like making the right decision (and level- ie D1,2,Juco etc) also requires non rosed colored glasses from mom + dad and a realistic perspective of their kid’s ability level by HS

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@JohnnyVanBee @RosterFitCo Of course there are still some excellent programs out there that do, but based on what Ive experienced, development has regressed and kids need to perform day 1 or they’ll find someone (portal) that will.

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@JohnnyVanBee @RosterFitCo we were. Bc of the portal kids need to be ready day 1 to be an impact or they’ll sit- yes we had to be ready as well however even practices at most colleges are squads with few fundamental drills. Monotonous bp sessions+few development/ individualized work. Where you go is key

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@PitchCom_Sports @OU_Baseball and again- the initial post supported the variation and Skip’s ability to not follow the herd predominantly with their catching method. Kudos to him for tailoring to his staff, not trends and most importantly it can work and works for them

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

Great to see @OU_Baseball have their catchers use # signs+the C sets up early w/ a target. Still a glove load but does it much later. Proves that the old w/the new can work. Hanging 0’s +missing barrels w/ out the zero target/no setup/all pitchcom….and will prob win the CWS

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@PitchCom_Sports @OU_Baseball Thank you+well aware of your product. We dont use it @ the Hs level not bc your product isnt good but we r both not allowed to (NFHS/GHSA rules)+can’t relay to position players. The audio aspect we love that you offer+do feel it is the best vs the wristbands for those that use em

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@PitchCom_Sports @OU_Baseball The other aspect of the initial post is regarding the early target and setting up, which is the opposite of the new paranoia of late and no target- Great seeing Skip not follow the herd and do what works for his staff, not just follow a trend

[Coach Russ Bayer @BayerRuss23]

@PitchCom_Sports @OU_Baseball Appreciate the insight- they also used #’s with a runner on 3B today. Just stating the observation and point that pitch calling and catching can still be done in a myriad of ways and teams can succeed. Too many catching gurus state the new method is solely the only way.