December 22, 2025 • 30 mins
Today we discuss the 2026 baseball program for the Prairie View A&M University Panthers ⚾️🐾. Serving the community through faith and athletics, The OPEN MIC BROADCAST NETWORK is the VOICE of student athletics. ✝️🎙️ Email me at ombnetwork@gmail.com 📩 #SWAC #baseball #PVUPanthers
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
And welcome back to another episode of Diamond Talk. We
are joined by none other than coach Daniel Doolan here,
a baseball coach at the preview and the University Panthers coach.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
How you doing today, sir?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
I'm doing good, doing good? How much yourself?
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Well, we're getting snugged in man, the final stretch of
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I know we last talked.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
It was before the magic carpetright run from football. Now
that the dust is settled the basketball yes, it's taking
his place, but I'm looking at the horizon coach of
baseball season right around the corner, sir.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
You know what time it is?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yes, sir?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
And now look, you've gotten all of your fall exit
meetings together. I'm assuming that you could probably bring us
up to speed on any last moment of game gap
fillers at you may have had for the twenty twenty
six campaign, and any transfers possibly coming to join you
(01:08):
for the spring.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Yeah, so exit meetings everything wrapped up. Send them boys
home for Christmas breaks. You know we, as most programmers do.
You send guys home and you give them a plan,
and man, this is is what we need you to
work on. Whether it's you know, on the field, maybe
it's off the field, their body, you know, the diet, nutrition, whatever.
(01:32):
So you send guys home with all that stuff, and
now you know, you hope and pray for the best.
You hope. You know I sent you home two hundred pounds.
You come back to fifteen and you know, you don't
come back to sixty, or you don't come back you know, one,
one fifty, So you know, things like that. But now
(01:54):
everybody's back and being catched up with some of the guys,
you know, getting video sending what they're doing, just keeping
up with their progress and everything, waiting on grades. Will
still come out, making sure we finished strong there in
the classroom. But yeah, man, it's that time of the
year where you know, everybody's back home, and I give
(02:16):
them about two weeks and then I'm ready to see everybody.
I'm ready to get going again.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Right like this is that nervous energy time right now, right,
I hope they're falling out doing what they're doing. Don't
blow what we've been building all fall to come back now.
Of course they're going to have some extreme Some are
going to come back probably in better shape, this slightly
out of shape. What's the what's the reserve plan in
(02:41):
the event one way or the other?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Well, you know that's that's the preseason. So this year
is actually the first year the insta A to kind
of change their rules a little bit in terms of
the amount of time we have before our first game.
So well, I want to say, traditionally, you know, you
had about three weeks ish something like that, right, three
(03:08):
three and a half at most, And this year we
actually have a whole month and really our first our
home homeover, our opening weekend is that fifth week, so
we got an extra week week and a half to prepare.
So yeah, like when they get back, every baseball coach
(03:30):
we start panicking, you know what I'm saying, because we
see the calendar and we're like, oh, we got to
make sure we're ready to go. We got to get
this and we gotta put this in and we just
got to remind ourselves, remind the players. Hey man, we
got to be better. We got to be good today.
Let's just get better today, take care of today. We'll
worry about tomorrow tomorrow, you know, keep building and that
(03:52):
day at a time, And that's been our message all year, right,
hey man, let's just get better today. Let's do simple
better than everybody else to day, and then's just trying
to do the same thing in them. Aw, let's just
keep roving days.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Now the schedule I don't think has officially been released. Shit,
can you give us the projected opening weekend series?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Yeah, so we're actually in place of the Cactus Jack
which was it's modified this year. It's not the opening
weekend like it's always been for the past years, and
they did it a little bit differently. So we're actually
going to be playing in a Civil Rights Classic in Jackson,
Mississippi opening weekend.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Okay, Okay, so it'll be.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
It's going to be a deal put on by Major
League Baseball, so it should be pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Okay, And do you know who your opponents will scheduled
to be at or it's gonna be like a round
robin or the teams are invited.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, so it'll be a round robin. We've got Jackson State, US,
All Corn Texas, Southern Grand Blain and who am I forgetting.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Family Baby?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
No Jack up the US and grammar that's the sixteenes.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Okay, so it's almost like the the MLB Classic at
the beginning. But just a different location perhaps, right and.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Now only kickback I had with that coach.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I don't want to play my opponents in a preseason
type deal. And I guess it just is what it is,
just a possibility in case you do go to know,
probably playing somebody that you wouldn't normally see the regular season.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
What's the future of that looking like.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah, so preferably And this is something I've already started
kind of kicking the tires on in the future. Look,
you know, in terms of eight we see events. There's
the Cactus Jack, there's the Andre Dawson Classic, you know,
and and I've been a part of both of those.
(06:12):
You know. The one year when I was at Southern,
we played Grambling at Andre Dawson and we played them
at the Cactus Jack. And I want to say we
played him like eight times that year or something. It
was something crazy. And so for me with the Civil
Rights Classic, if this continues, you know, in the future,
(06:33):
I think it would be great if they matched up
three HBCUs with three non HBCUs, you know, especially especially
with the theme of civil rights. You know, I think
I think about a school like, you know, let's bring Miszoo,
you know, you got a black head coach, Let's bring Georgetown,
(06:56):
you know, another black head coach, like, let's let's bring
that up of p w y's with minority coaches playing
against the hpcus in that way. To your point, we're
not playing each other, you know, six times in the
same year. And I think that'd be cool for it's
opening up different markets, right you bring uh huh boys
(07:17):
from DC and those families and everything, and they're seeing
players from from uh, you know, PV on the same
field together, you know what I'm saying, and play it
at a at a you know, at a big league
ballpark or a pro stadium. I think that would be cool.
So that's something that I'm hoping to That was something
(07:37):
coach Jackson had talked about a few years ago, and
I'm hoping, you know, this is kind of the kickoff
for that this year. Then maybe they can turn into
something where we you know, expand the reach and in
write from other schools.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Right, right, And you were paying coach Jackson a coach
Carrick Jackson from Missouri Tigers.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Right correct?
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Correct?
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Okay, Okay, yeah, coach, I want to ask this because
you know, asked Jerry Maguire syndrome showed me the money right,
these events like Cactus Jag, Andre Dawson Classic and now
this Civil Rights Classic, is there any compensation for the
teams involved or is it get there at your own expense?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
It kind of it kind of depends on how it's
how it's worked up. You know, a lot of times
they will help cover cost of getting there and that
sort of thing, So it's kind of like a guarantee event,
you know what I mean. H So that's typically how
some of these events work. I'm not too familiar with,
(08:41):
you know, Andre Dawson, at least now that I'm in
this seat. Obviously been there, coached in it. But I
wasn't having to worry about the money when I was
an assistant. I was just worried about making sure the
offense scored runs.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Now, now when you talk about that, like the guarantees,
is that the same setup for the Regally Field date?
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Is that a guaranteed game?
Speaker 3 (09:05):
I don't believe that will be. That's just one of
those deals where, uh, from my understanding, I can't give
too much information, but they're just going to try and
take care of their everything for us, So that's okay.
That's that's what's really cool.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
So so the playout with that would be covering travel,
lodging and things of that nature, not necessarily putting a
check in your hand when you get there. Okay, now,
and the reason I'm talking about this because because this
is quote unquote it's all season, but it's never all season, right,
the next season always starts. Now, Okay, with the business
part of it, when you play like a power for
(09:47):
an A and m a ut a Baylor or someone
that's in that power for group, are you of age?
Even what are those typical paydays? Like if you can
reveal that, and I know there's you know, a swapping
of exchanging meals and lodging and this, that and the other.
But so people can get a grasp of how a
(10:09):
donation toward baseball could really be impathful. Now that it's
not impawerful for football, but how get dollar my stress
just a little bit further by donating specifically toward baseball.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Yeah, So a typical guarantee game and you already kind
of heard it at it. There's a lot of ways
that we can ask for guarantees. Some people just ask
straight cash, you know, give me you know, I've seen
numbers anywhere from fifteen hundred to four or five grands. Okay,
(10:47):
I've seen some schools that just say, hey, I just
want you to you just take care of the bus,
Just pay the bus. Some people, you know, there's a
there's an old school coach from our league that no
longer coaches in our league, but he was notorious for
wanting baseballs. Just just give me a bunch of baseballs.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
You know, so it really just kind of varies and
depends on the coach. But yeah, what people don't understand
is when you take into account the cost of okay,
the bus to get there, then we got to feed
the players, and uh, you know whether then depending what
(11:32):
time we leave, when we have to see them a
couple of times, you know, trips can Trips can get
expensive really quick when you take them to the account
the cost of a meal. Okay, so that's probably you know,
at least a thousand, depends on where you go. And
we don't want to ever just give our guys, you know,
nothing basic. You know, I'm not taking them to the
(11:52):
dollar menu. You know, them boys will talk about me
crazy if I do something our parents car So you goat,
get them a good meal, you know, so you're looking
at probably close to fifteen hundred if you take into
account you know, lunch and dinner and really about two thousand. Okay,
So a bus if you go in a couple hours,
(12:16):
you know, that's about two grand. So you know a
trip can can push here four four grand, probably three
to four grand, and you're only going, you know, two
hours up the road to play you know somebody, so right,
guarantee games, you know, they yeah, they do matter because
(12:39):
you know the cost to travel and hotels and all
that stuff is not cheap.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
Absolutely, and I'm assuming that there's on the opposite end,
when you're a host and like a Houston Tellis and
a job as Christian, you have to negotiate some type
of deal that could be a win win for both
parties involved on that end as well.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Right, I'm said, said, they they're doing the same thing
we're doing. Okay, you want us to come play over
there at your place? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Right now?
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Of course we're talking with coach Daniel Dueling here, baseball
coach of the Preview and M University Panthers and our
Diamond talk discussions. Coach since we last talked you were
finalizing some games.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
Have you been able to bridge those gaps since we
last got together.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Yeah, we've got our schedules, just waiting on to get
approved and then, like I said, you know, the official
schedule release will come out. But yeah, we we got
everything squared away. Conference wise. Our conference opener will be
him Cookman, We'll go there. That's the middle of March.
(13:47):
We've got conference road games at Refune, at Jackson, at
Southern at Graham Bringing at Alkhorn, and our home series
with fam you and Bluff, Texas, Southern and Missippi Valley.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
So okay, okay, So.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Yeah, what I really like about our schedule is the
fact that you know, we finish we finished at home,
so you know, I like that, and I I think,
you know, look, it's our first year here, so it's
gonna be it's gonna be a battle. But uh, you know,
(14:33):
I just feel like our schedules is it's a good
schedule for us to get our feet wet. You know.
I just like we play some big dogs, and we
play some some opponents home and home that I think
will be a good challenge for us and hopefully and
opportunities for us to you know, to uh to add
(14:56):
some ws to the column.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
So, yes, sir, yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Now we always talk about the r p I in
football and basketball, but I really think it has a
stronger impact when it comes to baseball, i e. Softball,
especially when it comes to the regional rounds of the tournament.
Are you facing in your non conference schedule that can
(15:19):
make an eyebrow.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
To go like, oh, that's going to be an interesting matchup.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
That's a that's a good question. You know, I think
you know, we got series with sam Houston State. Okay,
you know that's a that's an opponent that had a
little bit of a down yere last year. But hey,
like usually you know, that's a good program.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
That's a good measuring stick. That's a good measuring stick.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Yeah, so we can set with them, and I'm Buddy's
just one of the assistant coaches over there, so you
know it'll be fun to play them. Let's see, I'm
looking at the schedule right now. You know one one
game that's gonna be interesting. So we go to the Cookman, Uh,
(16:11):
we got it. We're actually gonna be there for a while.
We've got a game against Stetson and in the baseball
World Stetson is that's a good program, you know. Yes,
that's another one of those games that you know, well,
we're gonna know where we're at quick, right, right. It's
(16:33):
a good club, got tradition. So yeah, those are two games.
And you know, I don't know when the last time
Preview played Stetson, if ever, you know, so, I.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Don't think that's ever been in the lineup, and you know,
and I'm just speaking from the top of my head,
but I can add a glance.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
I know that's that's gonna be a first.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Yeah for sure. So yeah, now clear, Now I'm looking
forward to the.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Schedule, okay, okay, and well we're looking forward to our
diamond talk discussions of getting things back on the grind,
if you would, and that opening weekend again, coach is
going to be what dates?
Speaker 3 (17:18):
So first game will be that Friday, February thirteenth.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
February thirteenth.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Are you one of them traditionalist men that you have
to be in the presence of your sweetie for Valentine's Ding?
Speaker 3 (17:32):
As long as I've been to baseball, coach, I don't
know if I have been.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I know that's right.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
When you're in this profession, your wife knows a few things.
She knows. Valentine's Day weekend, you're probably not going to
be at home.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
So right right, right, Well, just make sure you get
us something nice, coach.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
And if you don't have a close by at a
game in the stands and something, to make sure you
get us something real nice for Valentine's Day. Now, coach,
you know we've been these last few sessions, we've been
having our our baseball tip for our youth, and we
won't see what you got for us this week around.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Then, yeah, let's talk a little catching today, okay, and
that that should be near dear to your heart, right.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
The near end, dear, Yes, sir, that's what our ears
see what you got for me?
Speaker 3 (18:24):
So, uh, you know, with receivings for me at the
catching position, we gotta be able to catch the baseball.
Like I think sometimes players get caught up and you know,
they want to look pretty and they want to throw
the ball hard, they want to pop time and this
that and the other. So without even getting the real
(18:47):
mechanical today, let's just talk about mentality to all those
guys out there that catch or have an interest in catching.
We like I like guys that can catch that receive
the ball at a high level, throwing and all that
that stuff that can be taught and improved. But we
(19:08):
got you guys that can receive first and out a game,
you're gonna receive, you know, one hundred plus pitches and
you may have an opportunity to throw out two to
three people. So just by the math of it, we
receive a lot more than we do actually trying to
(19:31):
throw somebody else. Major impact on your ability to receive
and make borderline pitches look like strikes. Blocking the baseball
like can save a run. So I would encourage all
the youth out there you know that are working on
(19:52):
or enjoy catching. Remember you're a catcher. You're a catcher first.
You gotta be able to receive and block. Don't worry
about you know, pop time and throwing the ball a
second as fast as you can all that. Man, we
want somebody that can catch the baseball.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Yes, sir, Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
I'm so glad you used that word, and you change
that word to receive because I was going to change.
And I have a pet peeve coach, and I'll literally
stop talking baseball when someone tells me. And and this
just crims me to think about it. Back catcher, you're
not a dog on back catcher. You're a catcher, a
(20:31):
back catcher that that just sound so harsh to me.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
But once you to receive the ball, to.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Block the ball, there are three things to me that
quantifies a catcher. His ability to think a game through,
even though most catchers today are receiving the pitching of
signals from the bullpen, but to be able to call
a game, to receive the pitchers and be a lot
(21:00):
obvious for the picture even if they're borderline. You never
look up or make an umpire look bad. You can
question him without even turning your head and go out
there and adjust your picture to be that buffer between
the picture and the umpire of getting some borderline strikes.
And you got to have soft hands to frame your pictures.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
You know, I don't want to get ahead of it,
but you're talking about catching man that was right up
my alley.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
Then, man, what I'm saying, I get it?
Speaker 1 (21:30):
I get it, Yes, sir, you know, as you say
the pop time, a lot of people don't understand if
you are thirty to forty percent a guy getting somebody
out of second base, you considered stud status, you know,
because you know it's an art to base stealing, but
it's an art to catching, and it's more than just
(21:52):
going on the gear and playing catch with somebody for
one hundred So I throws back and forth because one
thing about a kid, he's gonna throw just as many
pictures as that start and the reliever combined.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
But he has to.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
Have the awareness enough to know where everybody needs to
be positioned. He's actually a players coach in my opinion. Yeah,
you know, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
I got jumped in on your on your on your
but I told.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Yes, sir, so when you when you can get a guy,
uh that can that can handle all of that, and
it pays if he if he got a good stick,
you know, that's a bonus. But if he can handle
that pitching staff man and he's a level here, he's
some second eyes. Because most good managers, they say, they'll
go to the catcher, Hey man, what is he what
(22:46):
is his velocity like?
Speaker 2 (22:47):
What is he looking like? See out there? And he ate.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
A lot of guys be upset with the manager for
the picture of being pulled, but they go through the
catcher first. You think he got no, he done coach,
Go get him, go get it, go gee. You know
gas gas is running on fumes, you know.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
So the catching is a key to you guys, and
something else too. You got a wide open area. Man.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
If you can catch and play other positions, you become
an asset to.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Your team and not a liability.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
I think that's something I read an article the other day,
and then something I think is very true that you know,
especially in the lower levels of baseball so to speak,
people are just you know, sticking somebody back there who's
quote unquote the bad athlete, or you know, they don't.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Have another pot the big kid. You know, Hey, like.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
That kid's gotta be athletic. You've got to be able
to do things. But you know, the front game and
things of that nature like And so for us, yeah,
one hundred percent. I like guys that can catch, play,
third play, first play, left play, right.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Yes, sir, And it's got to be at there's got
to be a mental toughness to them as well. And
I'm not trying to choot the catchers up, but because
he's dealing with extra equipment and additional heat, a lot
of constant.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Moving, the names and danes that.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Come with the position file, tips bats, the constant wear
and tell on the knees, and another good catcher.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
He's always anticipating a wild pitch. That's how you.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Get ahead of the game. You know, you expect every
pitch to be a wild pitcher, especially on a breaking pitch,
to stay ahead of the curve. I'm sorry, coach, I
got to fight excited again and let me shut up. Coach,
you got anything else you want to share with us,
my man as we get ready to wrap up this
week's segment and start getting toward this this twenty twenty
(24:57):
six campaign.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
Yeah, no, I just appreciate you, uh reaching out every
week and and allowing me to talk about our program.
You know it is again, this is an opportunity for
for myself, my family. I'm I'm truly excited to be
here and obviously looking forward to the spring, hitting the
ground running and seeing we can do a year one.
(25:21):
It's going to be a process. I pull everybody that,
but I'm really excited to be here, you know, and
and something that I'm I'm hoping you know too. And
obviously it's been tough. Year one is just so much
stuff goes on behind the teams. People don't realize your
first year, but I'm hoping to to gather you know,
(25:44):
just community, more community support, you know, And and that's
when people hear that there, you know, it immediately goes
to financial and look, that's that's a big part of
it that the game has changed, you know, recruiting and
in NIL that's a real thing. And people try and
(26:08):
downplay it and think it's only in football and only
in basketball, but trust me and believe me.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
In I L is real.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
It's here to say, at least for the time being,
and it's a thing in baseball as well also, whether
it's financial, whether it's providing donating a meal, coach, what
equipment do you need? Can we help you get this
out of the other All of that is is welcome
(26:38):
then and appreciated. And if you have questions on what
can you do, please reach out to me my email
DT doing that, p v A and U that ADU.
My email is on the website reach out and I'd
love to share with you, you know, my vision for the program,
how you can help, because there's lots of ways people
can help, lots of ways.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Yes, sir, I have I have a little bit and
I know I said, we was gonna close us up,
but you struck a chord when you just said some things.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
You see it. I believe in this magic number of
one hundred, okay, and it's got a spiritual meaning for me. Okay.
And I give you the cleft note version of it.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
When christ said a good shepherd would leave the ninety
nine s aside to go and get that one, and
the magic number is one hundred, said, well, why would
he use one hundred out of anything? And I firmly
believe in any category. In this case, we're talking baseball.
If you had one hundred people bought into your program
(27:38):
and your concept, it could make such an impact that
there is no tomorrow. And I want you, you know,
to you know, I have common folks that listen to
my program, and I'm not a fancy dude, but I'm
a straight shooter. If you had one hundred dedicated baseball sponsors,
(27:59):
and I know the same off the top. We don't
script this stuff out, folks, I'm just straight from the heart.
What would be a good baseline that if one hundred
people gave this baseline, it can make a huge impact
to your program.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Oh man, you asked me to do some math.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Well you keep it up with pitch counts and ball
strikes and so you gotta you gotta come put it
out there.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Coach.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
If one hundred people gave one hundred dollars, that's what's that?
That's ten ten thousand, Yes, that would be great, just
right there, okay, And I'll get you as simple as this. Okay.
Our guys have to get cleaps. That's helmets, catcher's gear.
(28:54):
That stuff alone, just alone, is over ten thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Yes, sir, okay, So sir.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
People, you know where's this money gonna go? Right there?
And that's and that stuff they.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
Have to have, those those those hidden trinkets that make
a big difference in performance, yes, sir, Yes, sir, okay.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
So that's what I would say.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Okay, well, coach, we're gonna do our part to help
you reach that at least in one hundred y'all heard
the challenge the TV Baseball one hundred.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
One hundred people give a hundred dollars. See, we can
make this make this a goal. Coach.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
As always, man, I appreciate you allowing us to share
your program, your vision and dreams for PV baseball. It's
a joy for us to be able to present it
each and every week, and looking forward to the continued growth.
He is coach Daniel Dolan with our Diamond Talk discussions
(29:55):
here at the Upper Mic Broadcast Network.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
I am the radio guy, doctor Mike Krintz. Don't for that.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
You can follow me on Twitter x at the Mike
Prince Show, subscribe to our YouTube channel at the Open
Mic Broadcast Network, and do check out the website at
obnradio dot com. The time has come where I must
exit stage left for right now. So until the next time,
you guys be blessed and we'll see you on the
(30:24):
other side.
And welcome back to another episode of Diamond Talk. We
are joined by none other than coach Daniel Doolan here,
a baseball coach at the preview and the University Panthers coach.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
How you doing today, sir?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
I'm doing good, doing good? How much yourself?
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Well, we're getting snugged in man, the final stretch of
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I know we last talked.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
It was before the magic carpetright run from football. Now
that the dust is settled the basketball yes, it's taking
his place, but I'm looking at the horizon coach of
baseball season right around the corner, sir.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
You know what time it is?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yes, sir?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
And now look, you've gotten all of your fall exit
meetings together. I'm assuming that you could probably bring us
up to speed on any last moment of game gap
fillers at you may have had for the twenty twenty
six campaign, and any transfers possibly coming to join you
(01:08):
for the spring.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Yeah, so exit meetings everything wrapped up. Send them boys
home for Christmas breaks. You know we, as most programmers do.
You send guys home and you give them a plan,
and man, this is is what we need you to
work on. Whether it's you know, on the field, maybe
it's off the field, their body, you know, the diet, nutrition, whatever.
(01:32):
So you send guys home with all that stuff, and
now you know, you hope and pray for the best.
You hope. You know I sent you home two hundred pounds.
You come back to fifteen and you know, you don't
come back to sixty, or you don't come back you know, one,
one fifty, So you know, things like that. But now
(01:54):
everybody's back and being catched up with some of the guys,
you know, getting video sending what they're doing, just keeping
up with their progress and everything, waiting on grades. Will
still come out, making sure we finished strong there in
the classroom. But yeah, man, it's that time of the
year where you know, everybody's back home, and I give
(02:16):
them about two weeks and then I'm ready to see everybody.
I'm ready to get going again.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Right like this is that nervous energy time right now, right,
I hope they're falling out doing what they're doing. Don't
blow what we've been building all fall to come back now.
Of course they're going to have some extreme Some are
going to come back probably in better shape, this slightly
out of shape. What's the what's the reserve plan in
(02:41):
the event one way or the other?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Well, you know that's that's the preseason. So this year
is actually the first year the insta A to kind
of change their rules a little bit in terms of
the amount of time we have before our first game.
So well, I want to say, traditionally, you know, you
had about three weeks ish something like that, right, three
(03:08):
three and a half at most, And this year we
actually have a whole month and really our first our
home homeover, our opening weekend is that fifth week, so
we got an extra week week and a half to prepare.
So yeah, like when they get back, every baseball coach
(03:30):
we start panicking, you know what I'm saying, because we
see the calendar and we're like, oh, we got to
make sure we're ready to go. We got to get
this and we gotta put this in and we just
got to remind ourselves, remind the players. Hey man, we
got to be better. We got to be good today.
Let's just get better today, take care of today. We'll
worry about tomorrow tomorrow, you know, keep building and that
(03:52):
day at a time, And that's been our message all year, right,
hey man, let's just get better today. Let's do simple
better than everybody else to day, and then's just trying
to do the same thing in them. Aw, let's just
keep roving days.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Now the schedule I don't think has officially been released. Shit,
can you give us the projected opening weekend series?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Yeah, so we're actually in place of the Cactus Jack
which was it's modified this year. It's not the opening
weekend like it's always been for the past years, and
they did it a little bit differently. So we're actually
going to be playing in a Civil Rights Classic in Jackson,
Mississippi opening weekend.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Okay, Okay, so it'll be.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
It's going to be a deal put on by Major
League Baseball, so it should be pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Okay, And do you know who your opponents will scheduled
to be at or it's gonna be like a round
robin or the teams are invited.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, so it'll be a round robin. We've got Jackson State, US,
All Corn Texas, Southern Grand Blain and who am I forgetting.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Family Baby?
Speaker 3 (05:10):
No Jack up the US and grammar that's the sixteenes.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Okay, so it's almost like the the MLB Classic at
the beginning. But just a different location perhaps, right and.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Now only kickback I had with that coach.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
I don't want to play my opponents in a preseason
type deal. And I guess it just is what it is,
just a possibility in case you do go to know,
probably playing somebody that you wouldn't normally see the regular season.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
What's the future of that looking like.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah, so preferably And this is something I've already started
kind of kicking the tires on in the future. Look,
you know, in terms of eight we see events. There's
the Cactus Jack, there's the Andre Dawson Classic, you know,
and and I've been a part of both of those.
(06:12):
You know. The one year when I was at Southern,
we played Grambling at Andre Dawson and we played them
at the Cactus Jack. And I want to say we
played him like eight times that year or something. It
was something crazy. And so for me with the Civil
Rights Classic, if this continues, you know, in the future,
(06:33):
I think it would be great if they matched up
three HBCUs with three non HBCUs, you know, especially especially
with the theme of civil rights. You know, I think
I think about a school like, you know, let's bring Miszoo,
you know, you got a black head coach, Let's bring Georgetown,
(06:56):
you know, another black head coach, like, let's let's bring
that up of p w y's with minority coaches playing
against the hpcus in that way. To your point, we're
not playing each other, you know, six times in the
same year. And I think that'd be cool for it's
opening up different markets, right you bring uh huh boys
(07:17):
from DC and those families and everything, and they're seeing
players from from uh, you know, PV on the same
field together, you know what I'm saying, and play it
at a at a you know, at a big league
ballpark or a pro stadium. I think that would be cool.
So that's something that I'm hoping to That was something
(07:37):
coach Jackson had talked about a few years ago, and
I'm hoping, you know, this is kind of the kickoff
for that this year. Then maybe they can turn into
something where we you know, expand the reach and in
write from other schools.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Right, right, And you were paying coach Jackson a coach
Carrick Jackson from Missouri Tigers.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Right correct?
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Correct?
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Okay, Okay, yeah, coach, I want to ask this because
you know, asked Jerry Maguire syndrome showed me the money right,
these events like Cactus Jag, Andre Dawson Classic and now
this Civil Rights Classic, is there any compensation for the
teams involved or is it get there at your own expense?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
It kind of it kind of depends on how it's
how it's worked up. You know, a lot of times
they will help cover cost of getting there and that
sort of thing, So it's kind of like a guarantee event,
you know what I mean. H So that's typically how
some of these events work. I'm not too familiar with,
(08:41):
you know, Andre Dawson, at least now that I'm in
this seat. Obviously been there, coached in it. But I
wasn't having to worry about the money when I was
an assistant. I was just worried about making sure the
offense scored runs.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Now, now when you talk about that, like the guarantees,
is that the same setup for the Regally Field date?
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Is that a guaranteed game?
Speaker 3 (09:05):
I don't believe that will be. That's just one of
those deals where, uh, from my understanding, I can't give
too much information, but they're just going to try and
take care of their everything for us, So that's okay.
That's that's what's really cool.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
So so the playout with that would be covering travel,
lodging and things of that nature, not necessarily putting a
check in your hand when you get there. Okay, now,
and the reason I'm talking about this because because this
is quote unquote it's all season, but it's never all season, right,
the next season always starts. Now, Okay, with the business
part of it, when you play like a power for
(09:47):
an A and m a ut a Baylor or someone
that's in that power for group, are you of age?
Even what are those typical paydays? Like if you can
reveal that, and I know there's you know, a swapping
of exchanging meals and lodging and this, that and the other.
But so people can get a grasp of how a
(10:09):
donation toward baseball could really be impathful. Now that it's
not impawerful for football, but how get dollar my stress
just a little bit further by donating specifically toward baseball.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Yeah, So a typical guarantee game and you already kind
of heard it at it. There's a lot of ways
that we can ask for guarantees. Some people just ask
straight cash, you know, give me you know, I've seen
numbers anywhere from fifteen hundred to four or five grands. Okay,
(10:47):
I've seen some schools that just say, hey, I just
want you to you just take care of the bus,
Just pay the bus. Some people, you know, there's a
there's an old school coach from our league that no
longer coaches in our league, but he was notorious for
wanting baseballs. Just just give me a bunch of baseballs.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
You know, so it really just kind of varies and
depends on the coach. But yeah, what people don't understand
is when you take into account the cost of okay,
the bus to get there, then we got to feed
the players, and uh, you know whether then depending what
(11:32):
time we leave, when we have to see them a
couple of times, you know, trips can Trips can get
expensive really quick when you take them to the account
the cost of a meal. Okay, so that's probably you know,
at least a thousand, depends on where you go. And
we don't want to ever just give our guys, you know,
nothing basic. You know, I'm not taking them to the
(11:52):
dollar menu. You know, them boys will talk about me
crazy if I do something our parents car So you goat,
get them a good meal, you know, so you're looking
at probably close to fifteen hundred if you take into
account you know, lunch and dinner and really about two thousand. Okay,
So a bus if you go in a couple hours,
(12:16):
you know, that's about two grand. So you know a
trip can can push here four four grand, probably three
to four grand, and you're only going, you know, two
hours up the road to play you know somebody, so right,
guarantee games, you know, they yeah, they do matter because
(12:39):
you know the cost to travel and hotels and all
that stuff is not cheap.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
Absolutely, and I'm assuming that there's on the opposite end,
when you're a host and like a Houston Tellis and
a job as Christian, you have to negotiate some type
of deal that could be a win win for both
parties involved on that end as well.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
Right, I'm said, said, they they're doing the same thing
we're doing. Okay, you want us to come play over
there at your place? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Right now?
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Of course we're talking with coach Daniel Dueling here, baseball
coach of the Preview and M University Panthers and our
Diamond talk discussions. Coach since we last talked you were
finalizing some games.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
Have you been able to bridge those gaps since we
last got together.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Yeah, we've got our schedules, just waiting on to get
approved and then, like I said, you know, the official
schedule release will come out. But yeah, we we got
everything squared away. Conference wise. Our conference opener will be
him Cookman, We'll go there. That's the middle of March.
(13:47):
We've got conference road games at Refune, at Jackson, at
Southern at Graham Bringing at Alkhorn, and our home series
with fam you and Bluff, Texas, Southern and Missippi Valley.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
So okay, okay, So.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Yeah, what I really like about our schedule is the
fact that you know, we finish we finished at home,
so you know, I like that, and I I think,
you know, look, it's our first year here, so it's
gonna be it's gonna be a battle. But uh, you know,
(14:33):
I just feel like our schedules is it's a good
schedule for us to get our feet wet. You know.
I just like we play some big dogs, and we
play some some opponents home and home that I think
will be a good challenge for us and hopefully and
opportunities for us to you know, to uh to add
(14:56):
some ws to the column.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
So, yes, sir, yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Now we always talk about the r p I in
football and basketball, but I really think it has a
stronger impact when it comes to baseball, i e. Softball,
especially when it comes to the regional rounds of the tournament.
Are you facing in your non conference schedule that can
(15:19):
make an eyebrow.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
To go like, oh, that's going to be an interesting matchup.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
That's a that's a good question. You know, I think
you know, we got series with sam Houston State. Okay,
you know that's a that's an opponent that had a
little bit of a down yere last year. But hey,
like usually you know, that's a good program.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
That's a good measuring stick. That's a good measuring stick.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Yeah, so we can set with them, and I'm Buddy's
just one of the assistant coaches over there, so you
know it'll be fun to play them. Let's see, I'm
looking at the schedule right now. You know one one
game that's gonna be interesting. So we go to the Cookman, Uh,
(16:11):
we got it. We're actually gonna be there for a while.
We've got a game against Stetson and in the baseball
World Stetson is that's a good program, you know. Yes,
that's another one of those games that you know, well,
we're gonna know where we're at quick, right, right. It's
(16:33):
a good club, got tradition. So yeah, those are two games.
And you know, I don't know when the last time
Preview played Stetson, if ever, you know, so, I.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Don't think that's ever been in the lineup, and you know,
and I'm just speaking from the top of my head,
but I can add a glance.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
I know that's that's gonna be a first.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Yeah for sure. So yeah, now clear, Now I'm looking
forward to the.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Schedule, okay, okay, and well we're looking forward to our
diamond talk discussions of getting things back on the grind,
if you would, and that opening weekend again, coach is
going to be what dates?
Speaker 3 (17:18):
So first game will be that Friday, February thirteenth.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
February thirteenth.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Are you one of them traditionalist men that you have
to be in the presence of your sweetie for Valentine's Ding?
Speaker 3 (17:32):
As long as I've been to baseball, coach, I don't
know if I have been.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I know that's right.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
When you're in this profession, your wife knows a few things.
She knows. Valentine's Day weekend, you're probably not going to
be at home.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
So right right, right, Well, just make sure you get
us something nice, coach.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
And if you don't have a close by at a
game in the stands and something, to make sure you
get us something real nice for Valentine's Day. Now, coach,
you know we've been these last few sessions, we've been
having our our baseball tip for our youth, and we
won't see what you got for us this week around.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Then, yeah, let's talk a little catching today, okay, and
that that should be near dear to your heart, right.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
The near end, dear, Yes, sir, that's what our ears
see what you got for me?
Speaker 3 (18:24):
So, uh, you know, with receivings for me at the
catching position, we gotta be able to catch the baseball.
Like I think sometimes players get caught up and you know,
they want to look pretty and they want to throw
the ball hard, they want to pop time and this
that and the other. So without even getting the real
(18:47):
mechanical today, let's just talk about mentality to all those
guys out there that catch or have an interest in catching.
We like I like guys that can catch that receive
the ball at a high level, throwing and all that
that stuff that can be taught and improved. But we
(19:08):
got you guys that can receive first and out a game,
you're gonna receive, you know, one hundred plus pitches and
you may have an opportunity to throw out two to
three people. So just by the math of it, we
receive a lot more than we do actually trying to
(19:31):
throw somebody else. Major impact on your ability to receive
and make borderline pitches look like strikes. Blocking the baseball
like can save a run. So I would encourage all
the youth out there you know that are working on
(19:52):
or enjoy catching. Remember you're a catcher. You're a catcher first.
You gotta be able to receive and block. Don't worry
about you know, pop time and throwing the ball a
second as fast as you can all that. Man, we
want somebody that can catch the baseball.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Yes, sir, Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
I'm so glad you used that word, and you change
that word to receive because I was going to change.
And I have a pet peeve coach, and I'll literally
stop talking baseball when someone tells me. And and this
just crims me to think about it. Back catcher, you're
not a dog on back catcher. You're a catcher, a
(20:31):
back catcher that that just sound so harsh to me.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
But once you to receive the ball, to.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Block the ball, there are three things to me that
quantifies a catcher. His ability to think a game through,
even though most catchers today are receiving the pitching of
signals from the bullpen, but to be able to call
a game, to receive the pitchers and be a lot
(21:00):
obvious for the picture even if they're borderline. You never
look up or make an umpire look bad. You can
question him without even turning your head and go out
there and adjust your picture to be that buffer between
the picture and the umpire of getting some borderline strikes.
And you got to have soft hands to frame your pictures.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
You know, I don't want to get ahead of it,
but you're talking about catching man that was right up
my alley.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
Then, man, what I'm saying, I get it?
Speaker 1 (21:30):
I get it, Yes, sir, you know, as you say
the pop time, a lot of people don't understand if
you are thirty to forty percent a guy getting somebody
out of second base, you considered stud status, you know,
because you know it's an art to base stealing, but
it's an art to catching, and it's more than just
(21:52):
going on the gear and playing catch with somebody for
one hundred So I throws back and forth because one
thing about a kid, he's gonna throw just as many
pictures as that start and the reliever combined.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
But he has to.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
Have the awareness enough to know where everybody needs to
be positioned. He's actually a players coach in my opinion. Yeah,
you know, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
I got jumped in on your on your on your
but I told.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Yes, sir, so when you when you can get a guy,
uh that can that can handle all of that, and
it pays if he if he got a good stick,
you know, that's a bonus. But if he can handle
that pitching staff man and he's a level here, he's
some second eyes. Because most good managers, they say, they'll
go to the catcher, Hey man, what is he what
(22:46):
is his velocity like?
Speaker 2 (22:47):
What is he looking like? See out there? And he ate.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
A lot of guys be upset with the manager for
the picture of being pulled, but they go through the
catcher first. You think he got no, he done coach,
Go get him, go get it, go gee. You know
gas gas is running on fumes, you know.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
So the catching is a key to you guys, and
something else too. You got a wide open area. Man.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
If you can catch and play other positions, you become
an asset to.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Your team and not a liability.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
I think that's something I read an article the other day,
and then something I think is very true that you know,
especially in the lower levels of baseball so to speak,
people are just you know, sticking somebody back there who's
quote unquote the bad athlete, or you know, they don't.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Have another pot the big kid. You know, Hey, like.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
That kid's gotta be athletic. You've got to be able
to do things. But you know, the front game and
things of that nature like And so for us, yeah,
one hundred percent. I like guys that can catch, play,
third play, first play, left play, right.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Yes, sir, And it's got to be at there's got
to be a mental toughness to them as well. And
I'm not trying to choot the catchers up, but because
he's dealing with extra equipment and additional heat, a lot
of constant.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Moving, the names and danes that.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Come with the position file, tips bats, the constant wear
and tell on the knees, and another good catcher.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
He's always anticipating a wild pitch. That's how you.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Get ahead of the game. You know, you expect every
pitch to be a wild pitcher, especially on a breaking pitch,
to stay ahead of the curve. I'm sorry, coach, I
got to fight excited again and let me shut up. Coach,
you got anything else you want to share with us,
my man as we get ready to wrap up this
week's segment and start getting toward this this twenty twenty
(24:57):
six campaign.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
Yeah, no, I just appreciate you, uh reaching out every
week and and allowing me to talk about our program.
You know it is again, this is an opportunity for
for myself, my family. I'm I'm truly excited to be
here and obviously looking forward to the spring, hitting the
ground running and seeing we can do a year one.
(25:21):
It's going to be a process. I pull everybody that,
but I'm really excited to be here, you know, and
and something that I'm I'm hoping you know too. And
obviously it's been tough. Year one is just so much
stuff goes on behind the teams. People don't realize your
first year, but I'm hoping to to gather you know,
(25:44):
just community, more community support, you know, And and that's
when people hear that there, you know, it immediately goes
to financial and look, that's that's a big part of
it that the game has changed, you know, recruiting and
in NIL that's a real thing. And people try and
(26:08):
downplay it and think it's only in football and only
in basketball, but trust me and believe me.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
In I L is real.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
It's here to say, at least for the time being,
and it's a thing in baseball as well also, whether
it's financial, whether it's providing donating a meal, coach, what
equipment do you need? Can we help you get this
out of the other All of that is is welcome
(26:38):
then and appreciated. And if you have questions on what
can you do, please reach out to me my email
DT doing that, p v A and U that ADU.
My email is on the website reach out and I'd
love to share with you, you know, my vision for the program,
how you can help, because there's lots of ways people
can help, lots of ways.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Yes, sir, I have I have a little bit and
I know I said, we was gonna close us up,
but you struck a chord when you just said some things.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
You see it. I believe in this magic number of
one hundred, okay, and it's got a spiritual meaning for me. Okay.
And I give you the cleft note version of it.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
When christ said a good shepherd would leave the ninety
nine s aside to go and get that one, and
the magic number is one hundred, said, well, why would
he use one hundred out of anything? And I firmly
believe in any category. In this case, we're talking baseball.
If you had one hundred people bought into your program
(27:38):
and your concept, it could make such an impact that
there is no tomorrow. And I want you, you know,
to you know, I have common folks that listen to
my program, and I'm not a fancy dude, but I'm
a straight shooter. If you had one hundred dedicated baseball sponsors,
(27:59):
and I know the same off the top. We don't
script this stuff out, folks, I'm just straight from the heart.
What would be a good baseline that if one hundred
people gave this baseline, it can make a huge impact
to your program.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Oh man, you asked me to do some math.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
Well you keep it up with pitch counts and ball
strikes and so you gotta you gotta come put it
out there.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Coach.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
If one hundred people gave one hundred dollars, that's what's that?
That's ten ten thousand, Yes, that would be great, just
right there, okay, And I'll get you as simple as this. Okay.
Our guys have to get cleaps. That's helmets, catcher's gear.
(28:54):
That stuff alone, just alone, is over ten thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Yes, sir, okay, So sir.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
People, you know where's this money gonna go? Right there?
And that's and that stuff they.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
Have to have, those those those hidden trinkets that make
a big difference in performance, yes, sir, Yes, sir, okay.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
So that's what I would say.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Okay, well, coach, we're gonna do our part to help
you reach that at least in one hundred y'all heard
the challenge the TV Baseball one hundred.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
One hundred people give a hundred dollars. See, we can
make this make this a goal. Coach.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
As always, man, I appreciate you allowing us to share
your program, your vision and dreams for PV baseball. It's
a joy for us to be able to present it
each and every week, and looking forward to the continued growth.
He is coach Daniel Dolan with our Diamond Talk discussions
(29:55):
here at the Upper Mic Broadcast Network.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
I am the radio guy, doctor Mike Krintz. Don't for that.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
You can follow me on Twitter x at the Mike
Prince Show, subscribe to our YouTube channel at the Open
Mic Broadcast Network, and do check out the website at
obnradio dot com. The time has come where I must
exit stage left for right now. So until the next time,
you guys be blessed and we'll see you on the
(30:24):
other side.
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