Matt Crisp

Believer in HIM | Entrepreneur & Investor | Husband to the Best Wife & Father of 3 Amazing Humans

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

#PirateNationGives celebrates 10 years of impacting our great university @EastCarolina and providing scholarship opportunities for deserving students. Our donors generously give all year but this day is special. #PiratesSupportingPirates 🏴‍☠️

https://t.co/1Xk84MRFfz

[Reads with Ravi @readswithravi]

“I don’t have talent, so I just get up earlier.”

— Henry Rollins

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

@cptdankkk This is what every good HS wrestler from the 70-80s did for 4 years of HS did regardless of whether they were going to wrestle in college or not. This was sacrifice for your team not money. Running in a sauna suit on a bus for 2 hours to an early morning tourney sucks.

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

It’s almost like the HS baseball talent in the state of Georgia is pretty good. 🤷‍♂️

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

Wishing my dude @KyleCrisp_6 a Happy 21st Birthday. Mom & I love ya dude. Keep your eyes on the bright future ahead. #NoDistractions

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

🎯 Amazing post, someone should really share this information with college coaches. Many will nod their head in agreement and then expect the complete opposite.

[𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐳𝐞𝐧 @utahscout1219]

The Scouting Classroom #20

THE HARDEST POSITION TO FIND AND DEVELOP

For me, the hardest position for a scout to find and develop is catcher.

Not because there aren’t players willing to put the gear on. There are plenty. The challenge is finding a true catcher.

There is a big difference between someone who catches and someone who can run a game, handle a staff, control tempo, receive velocity, block with toughness, throw accurately, and still compete in the batter’s box.

That is what makes the position different

A catcher has to do a little bit of everything, and most of it does not show up in the box score. Fans may notice pop time or arm strength. Scouts are watching the quieter details.

• Does he receive the ball cleanly?
 • Does he steal strikes without making it obvious?
 • Does he block with conviction?
 • Does he recover quickly?
 • Does he throw with carry and accuracy?
 • Does the pitcher trust him?
 • Does he control tempo?
 • Does he lead without needing attention?
 • Does he handle failure without carrying it into the next pitch?

That is why catching is so difficult to evaluate. You are not just grading tools. You are grading responsibility.

THE BAT MAKES IT EVEN HARDER

The toughest part is finding a catcher who can defend and still hit.

Many young catchers fall behind offensively because the position demands so much. Their legs get tired, their hands take a beating, and their minds get overloaded. They spend so much time learning to receive, block, throw, call pitches, and manage pitchers that the bat often develops more slowly.

That does not mean the hitter is not in there.
It means scouts have to be patient.

Some catchers need more time, more innings, or better competition. Some need to fail, adjust, mature, and learn to slow the game down. A young catcher may have the arm before the receiving, the bat before the trust, or the toughness before the feel.

That is development

WHY REAL CATCHERS ARE RARE

A real catcher has to earn trust from everyone around him.

Pitchers have to believe in him. Coaches have to trust him. Scouts have to project him. Organizations have to stay patient.

You can move a good athlete to the outfield. You can shift a shortstop to another position. You can dream on a pitcher with arm strength. Catching is different. You cannot fake the innings, the feel, or the leadership when the game speeds up.

The position exposes you

• It exposes your toughness.
• It exposes your instincts.
•It exposes your aptitude.
• It exposes your patience.
• It exposes your ability to think while your body is getting beat up.

That is why scouts pay close attention when they see a young catcher who can truly handle the position.

THE SCOUTING LESSON

When a scout finds a catcher with defensive trust, arm strength, toughness, leadership, feel for the game, and offensive upside, he does not just write it down and move on.

He follows him

Because those players are hard to find

And even harder to develop

The position is not just about tools. It is about carrying responsibility pitch after pitch, inning after inning, game after game.

That is why catcher, for me, is the hardest position to find and develop.

That’s scouting!

#BehindTheRadarGun

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

Go Damn Pirates!! 🏴‍☠️ ⚾️

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

@JaxStateBB @Hurrrikane Atta boy Jax!!

[Wabash Valley BSB @WVCBaseball]

WALK OFF BASH WIN!
The Warriors claim the Midwest District Championship and head back to Grand Junction for the 3rd time in 5 years!

#TheBash X #WarriorWay

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

@bryceadams0 @LATechBSB @CoachJakeWells @LaneBurroughs23 Atta boy B, proud of you my dude!!

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

He’s been a STUD since he was 12 years old. Best defensive OF I ever coached and offensive #’s speak for themselves. Even better young man. Stay hot B!

[Aaron Biddle @CoachBidds5]

Uncommitted RFR CF. Having a monster season!

.472, 11-2B, 8-HR, 17-SB, 25-BB, 15-K in 111-AB’s. And he’s a plus defender in CF!

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

@bryceadams0 @CoachBidds5 @WVCBaseball Atta boy B!

[Franklin Todd Howell @FToddHowell]

No question @ECUBaseball has this group in @CoachPalumbo22 @JakeGautreau @Austin_Knight3 @Bpakisbak17 @thomas24f jakeagnos @CaymanCrisp and all who take the lower road.

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

@bryceadams0 @CoachBidds5 @WVCBaseball Keep seein’ it well B!

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

@bryceadams0 @WVCBaseball @CoachBidds5 Atta boy B, keep grindin’ dude! 💪

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

Was blessed and fortunate to be positively impacted by Coach on the field, in the classroom and as our HS AD. Tough man even more caring person. Prayers for the Hanna family. Rest easy Coach! 🙏

[Irmo Football @Irmo_Football]

The football community lost a great coach yesterday. Coach Bob Hanna passed away, leaving behind a legacy that impacted players and coaches. His leadership, mentorship, and passion for the game helped shape countless young men both on and off the field. Rest in peace, Coach Hanna

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

Watching #FisherCantrell & #JaxonPate for @JaxStateBB vs @AndrewPurdy21 for @AlabamaBSB. So cool, proud of you boys!! #1TAT

[Matt Crisp @mattcrisp]

When your son @CaymanCrisp @ECUBaseball and a former player #DavisBudd @CatamountBSB get to catch up after a game. Former Titans Blue players all over the college baseball landscape. Proud of the young men they have become. #Priceless

[Sports Psychology @SportPsychTips]

Thirteen of the most important life skills that sports can teach you:
1. Work ethic
2. Accountability
3. Patience
4. Resilience
5. Perseverance
6. Concentration
7. Self-belief
8. Courage
9. Poise under pressure
10. Leadership
11. Teamwork
12. Humility
13. Healthy living

[Pirate Radio ☠️ @PR927FM]

WATCH: “Big hell yeah right there, isn't it?” ECU Football Coach Blake Harrell’s opening statement after the Pirates’ huge win over Memphis.