Jim Schwanke, the hitting coach behind LSU's Gorilla Ball era, joins Ross Hawley for the first live session of the BLAST Training Series. Jim built BLAST to give players and coaches a simple, progressive set of drills that help every hitter find and own their best swing. He works through each letter of the system and covers balance at foot strike, what a good take looks like, why a connected swing beats early extension, the "sequential unlocking of body parts," and why timing is the real battle.

He also explains the goal of winning one pitch per at-bat and putting your best swing on it. Ross and Jim close by talking about keeping coaching simple, trusting what works for you, and the joy of dad-and-son moments in the game.

Find the BLAST Hitting System at baseballforward.com. Go like and subscribe to our YouTube channel: @Baseball_Forward and follow us on Instagram: @Baseball_Forward

Connect with Ross Hawley on X: @RossHawley39

On today’s episode, 122 of The Baseball Forward Podcast, Ross Hawley talks with the Recruiting Coordinator & Pitching Coach for The University of St. Thomas, in Houston, TX, Mr. Mike Williams.

The two talk about the current landscape of college baseball, recruiting at the NCAA D3 level, what type of players The University of St. Thomas looks to recruit, and much more. Follow Coach Williams on X @Williams_Mike44 and UST Baseball @USTCeltsBSB.

Learn more about Coach Mike Williams and University of St Thomas: https://recruiting.baseballforward.com/schools/university-of-st-thomas-2

For more episodes and to join the Baseball Forward movement, visit https://baseballforward.com. Go like and subscribe to our YouTube channel: @Baseball_Forward and follow us on Instagram: @Baseball_Forward

Connect with Ross Hawley on X: @RossHawley39

On today’s episode, 123 of The Baseball Forward Podcast, Ross Hawley talks with the Baylor Baseball's all-time winningest coach and the author of the recently released Beyond the Scoreboard, Mr. Steve Smith.

The two talk about Baylor's ascent to the top under Coach Smith, how his assistant coaches played such a pivotal role in their success, his new book and more. Follow Coach Smith on X @HardBallCoach34 and visit https://www.coachstevesmith.com/ for more on Beyond the Scoreboard.

For more episodes and to join the Baseball Forward movement, visit https://baseballforward.com. Go like and subscribe to our YouTube channel: @Baseball_Forward and follow us on Instagram: @Baseball_Forward

Connect with Ross Hawley on X: @RossHawley39

On today’s episode, #120 of The Baseball Forward Podcast, Ross Hawley talks with a MiLB Coach in the Miami Marlins organization and friend of the show, Mr. Cam Vega.

The two discuss Cam's jump into pro ball, biggest surprises vs. college, daily schedule, travel, development plans, working with tech/data and some catching specific concepts. Follow Cam Vega on Instagram @thecamvega.

For more episodes and to join the Baseball Forward movement, visit https://baseballforward.com. Go like and subscribe to our YouTube channel: @Baseball_Forward and follow us on Instagram: @Baseball_Forward

Connect with Ross Hawley on X: @RossHawley39

On today’s episode, #119 of The Baseball Forward Podcast, Ross Hawley talks with a former Wichita State Shocker standout, who is now the founder and owner of Hammer Hands, Mr. Garrett Kocis.

The two discuss Garrett's upbringing in Omaha and the impact it had on his baseball career. They also dig in on the highs and lows of the game, advice for younger players coming up, and Garrett's business hammerhandsgloves.com. Follow Hammer Hands on Instagram @HammerHands_.

For more episodes and to join the Baseball Forward movement, visit https://baseballforward.com. Go like and subscribe to our YouTube channel: @Baseball_Forward and follow us on Instagram: @Baseball_Forward

Connect with Ross Hawley on X: @RossHawley39

On today’s episode, #118 of The Baseball Forward Podcast, Ross Hawley talks with the Head Baseball Coach of Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa, Mr. Jonathan Monk. The two talk about NJCAA DII level, the current recruiting landscape, how NOC-Tonk uses analytics and much more. Follow Coach Monk on X: @jonathanmonk26 and for more, visit: https://www.nocmavs.com/sports/bsb/index.

For more episodes and to join the Baseball Forward movement, visit https://baseballforward.com. Go like and subscribe to our YouTube channel: @Baseball_Forward and follow us on Instagram: @Baseball_Forward

Connect with Ross Hawley on X: @RossHawley39

On today’s episode, 117 of The Baseball Forward Podcast, Ross Hawley talks with the Head Baseball Coach of Colorado Mesa University, Mr. Chris Hanks. Their conversation focuses on Leadership Principles that Build a Winning Culture with Coach Hanks discussing 3 specific areas: 1. Out-Team, 2. Out-Compete, and 3. Sustain Success. Follow Coach Hanks on X: @30Skipper and for more, visit: https://coachchrishanks.com/.

Learn more about Coach Chris Hanks and Colorado Mesa University: https://recruiting.baseballforward.com/schools/colorado-mesa-university

For more episodes and to join the Baseball Forward movement, visit https://baseballforward.com. Go like and subscribe to our YouTube channel: @Baseball_Forward and follow us on Instagram: @Baseball_Forward

Connect with Ross Hawley on X: @RossHawley39

On today’s episode, #116 of The Baseball Forward Podcast, Ross Hawley chops it up with the Head Baseball Coach of Choctaw High School in Oklahoma, Mr. Shane Hawk, a former all-decade performer for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and 4th Round Pick of the New York Mets. The two talk about how and why Oklahoma produces such elite talent across all levels of baseball, pitching philosophies, the importance of building relationships in the game and much more. Follow Shane Hawk on X.

For more episodes and to join the Baseball Forward movement, visit https://baseballforward.com. Go like and subscribe to our YouTube channel: @Baseball_Forward and follow us on Instagram: @Baseball_Forward

Connect with Ross Hawley on X: @RossHawley39