In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we break down one of the most fundamental — yet most misunderstood — aspects of baseball strategy: how to build a lineup. We explore how traditional lineup construction has evolved in today’s analytics-driven game, diving deep into the roles and expectations of each spot in the order.

We compare the old-school model to the modern approach — from what it used to mean to bat leadoff or cleanup, to why the two-hole has become a spot for your best hitter. With player comparisons like Derek Jeter vs. Jeremy Peña, Joe Mauer vs. Aaron Judge, and Prince Fielder vs. Seiya Suzuki, we illustrate how philosophies have shifted over time and what coaches and players need to be thinking about when they write a lineup card.

We also explore how the bottom of the order has transformed — from a dumping ground for weaker bats to a place of strategic opportunity.

To close the episode, I share my personal 1–9 lineup philosophy and how I would build a batting order based on modern concepts and intentional decision-making.

Finally, we wrap with this week’s book recommendation — The Why Is Everything by Michael Silver — and connect its core message to today’s topic: if you’re not asking “why,” you’re probably not building it right.

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we sit down with Marquay Mayo, Assistant Coach for infielders and outfielders at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), a D1 program in the America East Conference. A New Jersey native with experience across high school, collegiate, and professional sports, Coach Mayo has built a career around player development and winning cultures.

We start with his playing days at Centenary University and hear about his recruiting process, lessons learned, and the experiences that shaped his coaching philosophy. From there, Coach Mayo walks us through his path from high school coaching to the college ranks, sharing the challenges, adjustments, and opportunities along the way.

We dive into his current role at NJIT, where he works daily with infielders and outfielders to sharpen their defensive skills, and reflect on the Highlanders’ record-tying 27-win 2025 season. Coach Mayo offers insight into what fueled that success, the culture within the program, and what NJIT looks for when recruiting players—plus how the transfer portal fits into their long-term plan.

To close, he shares valuable advice for high school players looking to play at the college level, giving a candid look at what it truly takes to compete and succeed in today’s game.

Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this conversation is packed with takeaways you can use right now.

This week on Behind The Lineup, we’re diving into one of the most impactful leadership books ever written for building strong, cohesive teams – The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.

In this episode, we break down each of the five dysfunctions that hold teams back:

• Absence of Trust

• Fear of Conflict

• Lack of Commitment

• Avoidance of Accountability

• Inattention to Results

We’ll not only explain what each dysfunction means, but also connect it directly to baseball. From clubhouse culture to on-field execution, we discuss how these dysfunctions can tear a team apart – and how great coaches and players overcome them.

Whether you’re a coach building a winning culture or a player striving to be a great teammate, this episode gives you actionable lessons to take back to your team today.

Plus, this week’s Book Recommendation spotlights The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, showing why it’s a must-read for anyone serious about leadership and long-term success in sports.

In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we sit down with Coach Joey Noro, the newly named Head Baseball Coach at California University of Pennsylvania, as he enters his 10th season with the program and first at the helm. A Pittsburgh native and former standout pitcher, Noro shares his journey from Western PA to Alabama, his transition from player to coach, and the lessons he picked up during his early years away from home.

Coach Noro offers a deep dive into:

• His path to playing college baseball in Alabama

• The turning point that led him into coaching

• His experiences developing All-PSAC arms and future MLB draft picks

• The recruiting process for high school players—what metrics matter, how to reach out, and what college coaches are really looking for

• How he built one of the top pitching staffs in the PSAC

• His vision for the Vulcans as he takes over as head coach

We wrap the episode with a book recommendation: Mindset by Carol Dweck. We explore the power of a growth mindset for coaches and players, and why avoiding a fixed mindset is essential to long-term success on and off the field.

📲 Follow us on Instagram @behindthelineup and subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon to never miss an episode.

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we break down the full 2025 MLB Draft—rounds 1 through 20—with a deep dive into the trends, numbers, and key takeaways for players, parents, and coaches.

We’ll cover:

• 📊 Total players drafted and where they came from (college vs. high school)

• 💪 Why pitchers dominate the board—especially RHP

• 📈 The most drafted positions across all levels

• 🧠 Key differences in how college and high school players are valued

• 🕵️ When teams are most likely to draft high school talent

Whether you're chasing the draft or developing the next wave of prospects, this episode is packed with insight you can’t afford to miss.

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.