Dec 20, 2022 | Baseball, Be The Best News, Coaching, Other, Softball
Wilmington, NC – With Be The Best and Title IX both celebrating 50th-year anniversaries, the annual convention has switched things up a bit and is heading to Wilmington, NC. Though the location has changed, Be The Best remains committed to bringing the best of the best to the speaker stage for a weekend of unforgettable conversations, connections, and learning experiences.
Over the course of the weekend, baseball and softball are equally represented with many speakers sharing insights and skills that are relevant to both sports.
The weekend kicks off Friday morning at 9 am with two veteran coaches discussing different ways of doing what’s always been done. Darren Fenster of the Boston Red Sox talks about how the cookie-cutter approach just may not be the way to go. And Doug Gillis, the Virginia Tech coach known for developing some of the country’s best softball pitchers, tackles the topic of how angles and power lines have been taught incorrectly for decades.
Throughout the morning, speakers cover everything from team offense and outfield ABCs to building champions and what makes a great competitor.
Friday afternoon is filled with the highly acclaimed Rap Sessions which are rapid-fire, shorter sessions, filled with invaluable information. Among many others, Patrick Anderson of the St. Louis Cardinals organization wreaks havoc on the base paths, and softball’s winningest coach, Carol Hutchins, fields Q&As. The importance of self-awareness is brought to light by sports research scientist, Cheryl McCormick, and Josh Bloomer, USC’s new hitting coach talks about what teams look for when it comes to recruiting.
Friday comes to an end with the ever-popular Coaches VIP Party, a time for everyone to kick back with a few drinks, make new friends, and have some fun.
Among scores of others, Saturday’s sessions bring one of softball’s most beloved coaches, John Tschida, to the stage covering throwing fundamentals; Savannah Bananas’ Tyler Gillum introduces infield throwing programs and progressions; UNCW softball’s recently retired coach, Kristy Norton, talks about building the ultimate championship team and former Olympian mindset coach, Joey Lye talks about coaching the female athlete.
Sunday wraps up with one of the sport’s most captivating baseball coaches, Jeremy Sheetinger talking about team culture and Andrew Bartman covering life off the field.
After a weekend spent with Be The Best in Wilmington, you’re pretty much guaranteed to emerge as a better player, parent, or coach. After all, there’s a reason this convention has been around for 50 years.
Click here for the full schedule and visit www.bethebest.com for more information and tickets.
Nov 3, 2022 | Be The Best News, Coaching, Community, Partnerships and Opportunities
Wilmington, NC – Be The Best is excited to announce that due to growing support and unprecedented interest, it will cost only $50 to attend the three-day baseball and softball coaches convention in Wilmington this January.
The price was established to reinforce the significance of the number 50 at the annual event which celebrates 50 years of Title IX, as well as the 50th anniversary of Be The Best Baseball and Softball Coaches Convention.
“We wanted to give back to fellow coaches and sports enthusiasts by making our convention affordable for everyone,” says Lindsay Mayer, co-owner of Be the Best. “We couldn’t think of a better way to honor these past 50 years than to lower our ticket prices to $50.”
Speakers at the January 13-15, 2023 event include softball’s winningest coach, Carol Hutchins; Patrick Anderson of the St. Louis Cardinals; USA Baseball’s Andrew Bartman; USC softball’s Josh Bloomer; Darren Fenster of the Boston Red Sox; VA Tech softball coach, Doug Gillis; CJ Gillman from the Seattle Mariners; Savannah Bananas coach, Tyler Gillum; Team Canada Olympian and mindset expert, Joey Lye; Cheryl McCormick of Gravitational Performance; former UNCW softball coach, Kristy Norton; the 2022 D3 NCAA championship softball coach, Keith Parr; Georgia Gwinnett baseball’s head coach, Jeremy Sheetinger; Tony Short of Starz Gold softball; Mount Olive Baseball’s Rob Watt and John Tschida from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota softball.
“The athletes these coaches interact with on a daily basis will not only represent our county in some of the most hallowed stadiums and competitions on the planet but will also develop into skilled entrepreneurs, business leaders, elected officials, and coaches themselves. We are excited Wilmington gets to play a small role in that development process,” says Josh Hallingse, VP of Small Business Development and Business Retention, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
For 50 years, Be The Best has preserved the founding concept of providing an affordable, accessible convention created for coaches, by coaches. Now run by Alphas Alliance, a woman and minority-owned and operated business, Be The Best will be held for the first time in Wilmington, NC from January 13-15, 2023. The convention traditionally attracts about 1,500 attendees who come together each year to interact with former professional and Olympic athletes, college coaches, and other baseball and softball professionals who share their experience and expertise. Speaker topics include everything from how to build a championship program and making sense of the mental game to pitching mechanics and defense skills.
“Hosting the longest-running baseball and softball coaches convention in the country for its 50th anniversary is an honor,” says Kim Hufham, CEO of New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. “We look forward to welcoming attendees and sharing with them all our destination has to offer, from Wilmington’s pedestrian-friendly Riverwalk and historic district to our three colorful island beaches.”
For more information and tickets, please email info@bethebest.com.
Oct 30, 2022 | Be The Best News, Coaching, Partnerships and Opportunities
Wilmington, NC – Be The Best is pleased to announce Carol Hutchins as a key presenter at the annual baseball and softball coaches convention, held in Wilmington, NC from January 13-15, 2023.
As head coach at the University of Michigan, Hutchins solidified the school as one of the top softball programs in the country during her 38-year tenure at the helm. Hutchins retired this past August with the distinction of being the winningest coach in NCAA softball history as well as holding the record of winningest coach – male or female – in Michigan’s athletic history.
Having never suffered a losing season, Hutchins has a plethora of skills, stories, and inspirations to share not only with players and coaches, but with the world at large. A high school athlete when Title IX was passed in 1972, Hutchins has advocated for women’s equality in sports ever since.
“I am a long-time fan of Be The Best and am excited to see old friends in a new home. It’s always a special weekend with a perfect balance of fun and learning. Wilmington is a great place for this convention,” said Hutchins.
To celebrate fifty years of Title IX – the passing of the landmark law that prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance – coupled with the convention’s 50thanniversary, Be The Best is dropping its general admission price to $50.
Now operated by Alphas Alliance, Be The Best takes on a new vibrancy. As a minority- and woman-owned company, co-founders Diego Ibarra and Lindsay Mayer are fully committed to supporting women in the workplace, as well as on the field; and welcome sponsors and partnerships with other like-minded organizations and businesses.
“We thought it was important to recognize the impact both Title IX and Be The Best have made over the past 50 years,” said Mayer, in reference to the newly lowered ticket price. “Title IX blazed an important path without which some of us wouldn’t be where we are today. We are so looking forward to making new connections with the Wilmington community. ”
Be The Best traditionally attracts about 1,500 attendees who come together each year to interact with former professional and Olympic athletes, college coaches, and other baseball and softball professionals who share their experience and expertise. Speaker topics include everything from how to build a championship program and to make sense of the mental game to pitching mechanics and defense skills.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and general information on the convention and speakers, please contact info@bethebest.com
