Welcome to Behind the Lineup. Everyone loves the highlight reel—but what actually wins games?

In this episode, we break down the real game-changers in baseball and why consistency always beats flash in the long run.

We start by talking about why players, parents, and even coaches can get caught up in metrics like exit velocity, showcase home runs, radar gun readings, and social media hype. These are just tools—not outcomes. “Consistency beats flash every time.”

Next, we dig into pitch execution. Velocity is important, but location, movement, and plan execution are what get outs. Great pitchers don’t just throw hard—they hit spots, change speeds, and attack hitters with purpose.

We also explore plate discipline as the ultimate separator. The best hitters swing at the right pitches, extend at-bats, and help the whole lineup by getting into bullpens and raising pitch counts.

Situational IQ is another game-changer. Winning players know the score, the outs, and how to move runners. They anticipate plays, make good decisions, and earn the trust of coaches who don’t have to tell them twice.

Finally, we talk about why coaches value consistency over everything else. Reliable players compete every pitch, don’t take plays off, and make routine plays routine. Consistency builds trust—and trust earns opportunities.

If you want to truly change games, focus on executing, developing discipline at the plate, understanding the game, and working on the mental side.

Thanks for listening to Behind the Lineup. Follow us on Instagram @behindthelineup and TikTok @behindthelineup Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon for more episodes that dig into the real side of baseball.

In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we sit down with Dr. Justin DiSanti, a sport psychology professor and mental performance consultant, to explore the critical role the mind plays in athletic development.

We start by digging into Dr. DiSanti’s own journey into psychology: what sparked his interest, how he found his path into sport psychology, and the academic stops that shaped his career. He shares insights from his hands-on work with both teams and individual athletes during graduate and doctoral training, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how those experiences shaped his approach.

We also dive into his research on sport specialization and talent development, unpacking what his findings reveal about modern youth sports and the pathways to elite performance.

Dr. DiSanti explains his current work as a mental performance consultant with Keystone Performance Excellence, where he supports athletes across a range of ages and sports. He also discusses his role as a professor in Duquesne University’s Health Sciences program, the courses he teaches, and whether he works with the university’s athletes in a performance psychology capacity.

Finally, he shares his observations about the common mental hurdles athletes face today and offers his perspective on where the field of mental performance is headed — both for high school and college athletes, and for programs like Duquesne.

It’s a wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation for players, coaches, and parents who want to understand the mental side of sports and how to better prepare for success on and off the field.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon, and follow @behindthelineup on Instagram for more conversations that go deeper than the box score.

In this solo episode of Behind the Lineup, we break down the facts and future implications of the NCAA’s House Settlement and what it means for college baseball. The settlement will distribute $2.8 billion in back pay to former Division I athletes over the next decade, and beginning in 2025, schools will be permitted to directly share up to $20.5 million annually in revenue with their athletes. This cap only applies to school-funded compensation; athletes can still pursue external NIL deals through brand partnerships, camps, endorsements, and other ventures. The NCAA will also establish a new NIL Clearinghouse—also referred to as the College Sports Commission—to manage NIL deal tracking, enforcement, and compliance.

We then dive into how these changes could reshape college baseball. Power 4 programs, such as those in the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12, are expected to prioritize football, men’s basketball, and women’s volleyball, meaning baseball may struggle for internal funding unless it is a flagship sport at a given school. Mid-major Division I programs face uncertainty, with some likely to cut back support for baseball altogether. Meanwhile, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and JUCO programs will remain largely unaffected by the settlement and may become even more appealing to athletes seeking a clear path to development, playing time, and affordability.

To close, I offer my personal perspective on what athletes, coaches, and parents should be thinking about in this new landscape. The "D1 or bust" mentality needs to shift. Athletes should prioritize development, fit, and long-term value over chasing labels. Coaches must communicate honestly with players about what’s best for their future, and parents need to be wary of outside voices who don’t have their child’s best interests in mind. This settlement may signal a shift in priorities at the institutional level—but that doesn’t mean baseball can’t remain your priority.

Subscribe and follow Behind the Lineup for future episodes focused on recruiting, player development, and the mental side of the game.

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, I sit down with Hadara Katarski — a coach, professor, and student-athlete wellness advocate with experience at both the Division I and Division III levels.

We dive into what it really means to coach the whole athlete: not just developing physical performance, but supporting mental health, mindset, and the daily habits that drive success on and off the field.

From building trust to promoting well-being and creating sustainable performance, Hadara shares practical insights for coaches, players, and parents alike.

Whether you’re a coach looking to better serve your team or an athlete working to balance the mental and physical grind, this conversation is packed with takeaways you can use right away.

Superstition or routine — which one do you rely on? In this episode, we unpack the difference between rituals that depend on luck and routines that build confidence through preparation. Learn how controlling the controllables and establishing a repeatable process leads to more consistent performance, especially when results aren’t going your way.

In Episode 4 of Behind The Lineup, host Quinn McGrath sits down with Logan Scheider—former Washington and Jefferson (W&J) Third Baseman, Assistant Coach at Cal U, Mental Performance Coach at Bo Jackson Elite Sports, and Owner of LS Mental Performance. Logan shares his journey from the field to the dugout, and into the mental side of the game. They discuss player development, mindset training, and how athletes can elevate their performance by training their brain as much as their body.

Looking to book a Mental Performance Coaching Session for a player or a team? Click the Link for more: https://www.lsmentalperformance.com/

Follow Logan on Social Media!

LS Mental Performance:

https://www.instagram.com/lsmentalperformance?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Questions about Mental Performance and how it can benefit you or your athlete? Reach out to Logan:

logan.lsmentalperformance@gmail.com

In this solo episode, host Quinn McGrath breaks down everything high school players and families need to know about the college baseball recruiting process. From building your school list to emailing coaches, filming highlight videos, and making strong first impressions—this is your guide to getting noticed and making smart decisions. Whether you're a rising junior or already in the thick of it, this episode delivers actionable steps to take control of your recruiting journey.

In this solo episode of Behind The Lineup, host Quinn McGrath breaks down what it takes to make the most of the transition from spring baseball into the summer grind—for players, coaches, and parents alike.

For high school players, Quinn outlines how to structure your summer with intention—balancing strength training, skill development, and showcase exposure while building healthy habits that carry into the fall. He talks throwing routines, position-specific work, and how to stand out to college coaches with more than just talent.

For college athletes, the message is clear: summer is a development window. Whether you're playing summer ball, working privately with coaches, or staying on campus, this is the time to create a focused plan and work on the areas that will define your fall.

Coaches will hear reflections on how to use the summer to grow their teams and themselves, while parents get a well-earned thank you for the vital role they play in every player’s journey.

This episode is a playbook for maximizing the summer season—with structure, mindset, and growth at the core.