Xan Barksdale
@xanbarksdale
Followers
29,636
Following
3,295
Media
3,462
Statuses
22,729
Coach for @USABaseball . Former pro catcher and NCAA DI coach. Author of Catching-101. Founder of CatcherCON. #OWNHOMEORGOHOME .
USA
Joined November 2010
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
#Mülakatsız68BinÖğretmenUlusta
• 578996 Tweets
東京15区
• 112876 Tweets
テーオーロイヤル
• 78124 Tweets
ディープボンド
• 61093 Tweets
#光る君へ
• 57143 Tweets
衆議院補欠選挙
• 47858 Tweets
島根1区
• 44705 Tweets
Tottenham
• 37974 Tweets
衆院3補選
• 34834 Tweets
長崎3区
• 34051 Tweets
PROTECT BTS
• 32356 Tweets
当選確実
• 30214 Tweets
FINALLY FIND BIU
• 23156 Tweets
選挙速報
• 21515 Tweets
江東区民
• 20918 Tweets
ZETA
• 19170 Tweets
須藤元気
• 14940 Tweets
酒井菜摘氏
• 13946 Tweets
自民全敗
• 13065 Tweets
ゼロ打ち
• 11056 Tweets
Player of the Season
• 10657 Tweets
私のドリームユニット
• 10497 Tweets
解散総選挙
• 10409 Tweets
新婚旅行編
• 10016 Tweets
KEN MOONLIGHT PHOTO
• 10016 Tweets
Last Seen Profiles
Pinned Tweet
Head baseball coach of Georgia Gwinnett College,
@CoachSheets3
talks about how his program uses .
“It’s unreal how fast they caught on.”
9
20
283
I’m blown away by the comments on this. If you’re some dude that takes time out of your day to write “not impressed” or troll her you’re a LOSER.
There. I said it.
Don’t even try to change my mind.
136
323
5K
HYPOTHETICAL: If the MLB season was cancelled, but Minor League baseball was broadcast on TV every night how much would you watch?
795
72
4K
PARENTS: If you spend hundreds of dollars on a bat, thousands on lessons, and 10’s of thousands on travel ball but feed your son Pop Tarts for breakfast you’re doing it wrong.
66
350
3K
This is officially the fastest pop time of the season. 1.71
50
143
3K
PARENTS: After hearing this leaked audio of a pre-game locker room speech how would you feel about your son going to play for this coach?
*NSFW
My goodness, no wonder why Georgia won 65-7, Kirby Smart’s pregame speech
338
2K
15K
736
151
3K
Just saw a segment on the news talking about HS seniors missing their graduation and it being “the most important day of their lives.”
What!? 🤔
HS graduation doesn’t even crack my top 100 Most Important Days of my Life list.
What am I missing?
104
194
3K
Today I learned that softball catchers regularly catch an obscene amount of games. 🤯
43
152
2K
“Our 8U team suffered a devastating loss this weekend…”
Did I really just read this on FB!?! 🤔
Newsflash, there is no such thing as a “devastating loss” for an 8 year old.
Take the team out for pizzas or snow cones after the game and I promise they’ll be OK.
59
215
2K
CATCHERS: You have to know you can't do this.
CATCHING COACHES: You have to teach your catchers the rules!
Go-ahead run scored in the 11th inning when the field umpire called a balk on the catcher
341
141
3K
102
148
2K
Just saw an adult drinking a beer at a 16U tournament at 12pm on a Wednesday.
The optics of that aren’t good…
I’m gonna stick to an ICEE.
564
27
2K
How good is this from Austin Hedges!?!
This pitch had a 14% probability of being called a strike, but he won it because of 3 things he did with his mitt:
1. LATE Move - Notice how long his mitt stays down before he starts his move to the ball. This takes A LOT of discipline to…
79
144
2K
This is absolutely terrible…one of the saddest things I’ve seen.
Players, this is a good reminder that your coach isn’t being a d*ck when he keeps repeating:
“Put the bad down.”
“Stop swinging.”
“Back up from the net.”
“Pay attention.”
This is every coach’s worst nightmare.
55
317
2K
PARENTS: Don’t underestimate how important you are when coaches/scouts are watching your son play. Your son can get crossed off the list if you act like a clown, cuss the umpires, complain about the coaching, and blame other players.
#TrueStory
18
709
2K
1000% against this.
I think defenders should be able to position themselves wherever they think they have the best probability of getting an out.
MLB & MLBPA agreed to ban shifts, implement a pitch clock & make the bases larger in 2023, per
@JonHeyman
2K
1K
11K
70
108
2K
The slow-mo view of this catch and tag really makes you appreciate the accuracy of this throw.
40
167
2K
We've been seeing more intentional bounces on throw downs lately. Why do you think this is becoming more popular?
160
30
1K
Immediate turn-OFFs to a college coach:
1. Parents handing player Gatorade during the game.
2. Not running hard to 1B.
3. Looking like a delinquent on their social media.
4. “Big Leaguing” a school because they aren’t SEC or ACC.
5. Having Fs on your transcript.
(+ yours below)
90
367
1K
This is EXACTLY what I was referring to in my tweet yesterday about players knowing how to play the game.
Today's athletes are:
• Bigger
• Faster
• Stronger
• More Talented
But, they (generally) don't have the Baseball IQ needed.
Our job as coaches is to TEACH them!
58
104
1K
100% of MLB catchers used a 1KD stance on Opening Day.
27/30 used it the majority of the time.
3/30 used it depending on the situation.
Either...
A) All of Major League Baseball is wrong.
-or-
B) The guy that calls it "lazy" doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.
41
135
1K
I’d like to propose a universal rule for every baseball field in America…
If a catcher drops the ball and you yell “Squeeze it!” you lose the right to say anything else for the rest of the season.
Two infractions is a lifetime ban.
50
63
1K
12U teams don't need GMs, Managers, and Directors of Operations.
They need coaches, moms, dads, pizza parties, and ice cream.
I said what I said.
20
74
1K
ALL of my catchers’ mitts were stolen last night in Nashville. (10+ mitts and training mitts, mostly from
@ALLSTARSPORTS
, but a few others as well)
Most of them are replaceable, but the one that is not is my All Star CM3000SBT that I used in pro ball.
Cont…
129
226
1K
I’m 100% convinced that baseball coaches are better at predicting the weather than the Weatherman.
That’s a hill I’m willing to die on.
13
68
1K
I remember the names of coaches and teachers that told me it was “dumb” or “stupid” to pursue baseball as my career.
Well, this photo is for you!
28
19
939
Things HS players should be doing this summer if they want to play in college:
1. Practicing baseball 4-6X week
2. Lifting weights 3-5X week
3. Updating recruiting videos and info
4. Emphasizing proper nutrition
5. Getting 8+ hours of sleep each night
What would you add?
98
254
921
CATCHERS: You can back up first base 200 times in a row and the first baseman catches it cleanly every time. The FIRST time you don’t back up the ball will be overthrown. You can take that to the bank.
#BarksdalesLaw
18
110
833
Just because you do something often doesn’t mean you’re getting better at it.
I drive every day, but I’m not much better now than I was 10 years ago.
I cook every day, but I’m not getting any closer to being a gourmet chef.
“Showing up” isn’t enough if you want to get better.
8
221
826
If you spend $400 on a new baseball bat for your child, but you feed him $.99 chicken nuggets every day you might want to reevaluate HIS priorities!
10
156
769
I follow a few baseball groups on FB and can’t believe how many posts I see asking “which bat has the most pop?”
The bat that has the most pop is the one that’s being held by the guy with BAT SPEED.
Period.
22
65
661
If you were an MLB GM would you sign Bauer at league minimum?
363
3
629
It’s hard for me to get fired up about a player who looks sloppy in his uniform.
✅ Tuck in your jersey.
✅ Wear your hat straight.
✅ Clean your shoes.
✅ Take pride in the uniform you wear.
I have a feeling that most recruiters/scouts are with me on this one!
11
116
610
LIFE LESSON: When you’re getting chewed out by your coach, parent, or boss look them in the eye, take it like a man, and just reply with “Yes sir/ma’am.”
You’ll get much more respect than if you were to shrug your head/shoulders, argue, and have a victim mentality.
#TrustMe
6
198
599
I do t get jealous very often, but I’m jealous of this!
⚾️⚾️ 👀
Our 🇩🇴 catching coach Juan Ballara working 2 catchers at the same time!!
16
177
725
10
90
586
There’s an invisible line between the “right” amount of celebration and taking it too far.
I’m ok with watching the walkoff 💣, but I think the wave to the opposing dugout takes it too far.
What do you think?
143
9
584
I’d like to announce my commitment to
@OleMissBSB
to pursue my baseball and academic careers.
(Twitter wasn’t around in 2002 so now feels like as good of a time as any to retroactively make this post.)
1
10
566
PARENTS: If a ball gets by the catcher he doesn’t need you screaming at him while he’s running to the backstop. He knows he missed it and yelling at him won’t prevent it from happening again.
Let the coaches coach during the game. Speak with him about it AFTER the drive home.
30
43
563
Girls don’t show up and sit in the stands when it’s cold outside to watch dudes play Fortnite.
4
144
545
HYPOTHETICAL: If you were starting a youth baseball team and you could “interview” parents before their child makes the team, what is the
#1
question you would ask them?
342
26
543
@jdklein33
No doubt...age is very important here.
Appropriate for college aged players before a national championship? IMO, yes.
Appropriate for 14U before a Sunday consolation game in August? No shot.
#contextmatters
7
6
546
Using big words is not impressive.
What IS impressive is coaches who are able to take complex ideas and simplify them so that young, or unknowledgable, players can understand and implement them.
Don’t be the guy who speaks over everyone’s head to make yourself feel smart.
12
107
526
Holding kids back, aka "reclassifying," is a terrible idea IMO.
If your child legitimately needs it for academics, that's one thing. BUT, doing it for sports is stupid.
If he's good enough to have a future he'll be fine playing with guys who are 1 YEAR older.
51
53
521
If I'm ever having a conversation with you and you use the term "Arm Barn" instead of "Bullpen" I will immediately turn around and walk away mid-conversation.
9
43
517
CATCHERS: Your body language is more important than any other players’...everyone is looking at you every pitch.
I’m a believer in “fake it til you make it.”
Not feeling confident? ACT confident.
Feel like pouting? DON’T.
Frustrated? Remain CALM.
4
95
485
Making catchers catch batting practice is PUNISHMENT.
It is *literally* stealing time from them when they typically don’t get enough time or attention anyway.
Please let them do something productive instead of catching BP.
#ThanksForComingToMyTedTalk
12
41
457
Throwing a 1.9 is hard. Throwing a 1.8 is world class. Players (aka parents) need realistic expectations.
16
342
423
Interesting perspective from SEC Umpire Scott Kennedy.
"If you're not incorporating things to get along with the home plate umpire, you are missing a key element."
Physical skills are obviously important, but so is building and maintaining good relationships with umpires.
19
63
441
What age is it appropriate for players, not parents, to start having "tough conversations" with coaches about playing time?
159
9
425
Not going to lie, I’m REALLY proud of this...over 1.5 years in the making!
The Throwing Journal helps players set goals, track progress, & log all the info that really matters for their throwing program: throwing, sleep, nutrition, workouts, recovery, etc...it’s all here!
33
30
414
I get really tired of hearing the excuse "Eating healthy is sooo much more expensive..."
No. It's not.
My breakfast costs $2.83.
Yes, it takes a *little* more effort than going through the drive through, but it is not more expensive.
15
31
407
A lot of people think that it’s cool to be a d*ck on Twitter. Constantly blasting parents, coaches, players, customers, followers, etc.
Newsflash - it’s not cool.
You’ll go a lot further in life by being respectful, honorable, and humble than by trying to “win Twitter.”
12
34
384
I don’t usually see the coaches/instructors that I respect make posts like “Congrats to So-and-So who gained 9 MPH in 3 weeks.” Everyone knows that you’re not praising the kid, you’re promoting yourself. It’s ok to be quietly proud...
#SundayMorningRant
5
52
380
My dad and I come to the
@SEC
Tournament almost every year. The baseball is fun to watch, but there’s nothing like taking a Father/Son trip doing something we both enjoy.
I’d encourage everyone who enjoys baseball to start a similar tradition if you can.
12
7
386
Every single day you should:
1. Improve your mind. (Read, study, have deep conversation)
2. Improve your body. (Workout, run, eat healthy)
3. Do something for someone else. (Give a compliment, open the door, write a thank you note)
1
104
370
PARENTS: It’s awesome that you have the resources for your son to take private lessons, play on an elite travel team, use the best gear, and attend showcases all over the country.
But, if he’s constantly eating off of the $1 menu none of that matters.
10
64
372
PITCHERS: If you have to ask “Did that pitch do anything?” it didnt.
6
24
373
Launch angle. Weighted balls. Showcase pop times. Ice. Distance running. Trap bar deadlifts. Recruiting 7th graders. One knee stances. Daddy ball. Tournament fees.
There’s something in this tweet to make everyone mad. 😂
Anything I left out??
95
20
364
Adults who say “You shouldn’t swing 3-0 because it’s ‘unsportsmanlike’” are the same kids who said “I’m taking my ball and going home” when things didn’t go their way.
#WhyIsThisEvenADebate
17
43
362
This is an EXCELLENT drill...for making your players hate you.
27
19
362
The only mask needed around a baseball field is a catchers mask.
9
37
358
COACHES: Do not punish the catcher by making him catch BP because you can’t throw strikes. This is 100% the most pointless thing you could ever ask any player to do.
10
18
351
PSA: Don't let your sons/players practice in Crocs.
I don't care if you love them or hate them, but they give ZERO support. No one should be running, throwing, hitting, etc. in these...ever.
There is never an appropriate time to wear these while practicing.
24
55
345
I'm so tired of seeing "Winning vs. Development" arguments...
You realize that you can do both, right!?
29
38
350
Who still keeps a scorebook the good 'ol fashioned way...pencil and paper!?!
47
8
346
PLAYERS: If you ever find yourself getting your a** chewed by a parent/coach/boss/etc. sit there and take it and reply w/ yes/no sir/ma’am.
You’ll gain A LOT more respect by just wearing it rather than arguing and telling them why you’re right and they’re wrong.
10
39
340
If you're going to miss, miss low.
You have to give your infielders a chance to make a play which can't happen if the ball is in CF.
4
27
337
I wouldn’t consider swinging 3-0 to be against any unwritten rules of baseball...I consider it a strategic decision. It’s not showing up the other team or being disrespectful.
Anyone else agree?
58
4
334
MONDAY CHALLENGE: how many of these can you do today?
1. Hold the door open for someone.
2. Give someone a compliment.
3. Have a conversation that is 100% about the other person.
4. Smile and say “hello” to people you don’t know.
5. Pick up trash that you see on the ground.
8
115
330
There’s a 100% chance that I wouldn’t like you if you’re the type of person who doesn’t:
❌ Pick up balls in the cage after you hit
❌ Rack your weights in the gym
❌ Take your shopping cart back when you’re done
❌ Give a courtesy wave if I let you in front of me in traffic
4
48
324
Just because someone was a good player does not mean that they are a good coach.
Just because someone was a bad player does not mean they are a bad coach.
Good coaches can teach/communicate, care about their players, and value knowledge.
5
83
328
Yesterday I had a conversation with a friend of mine about something that we don’t see eye to eye on.
We disagreed. We listened to each other’s thoughts. We were respectful. We both learned new things. At the end we still didn’t agree.
We’re still friends. It’s not complicated.
8
41
324
How would you like to receive a speeding ticket when the police officer never actually caught you speeding but, he "knew" that you must have been going too fast at some point.
That's probably how Barry Bonds feels since he never failed a drug test.
18
39
325
This is without a doubt one of the highlights of my baseball career.
Being recognized by
@USABaseball
at a game between
@OleMissBSB
(my alma mater) and
@LouisvilleBSB
(where I started my coaching career) w/ two coaches who mean so much to me. (
@CoachMikeBianco
& Dan McDonnell)
7
15
327
I would REALLY appreciate any help from people in Nashville checking Play It Again Sports or keeping an eye out for it.
There is a very distinctive “XB12” written on it since 12 was the last number I wore as a player.
18
67
321
This is may be the most effortless looking block I’ve ever seen.
In case you’re not sure, that’s a compliment.
9
16
325
I think you should still have to throw 4 pitches for an intentional walk.
Who is with me?
25
11
320
I’ve been at SEC Tourney in person the last few days and one thing I observed is that *almost* all of the throws the Cs made between innings were productive reps.
They weren’t “going through the motions” but were actively working.
Maybe that’s part of the reason they’re there?
4
37
315
It's officially
#NationalCatchersDay
!
Let's celebrate the hardest working guys (and gals) on the field today by posting a photo and using the hashtag
#NationalCatchersDay
.
28
67
315
The best coaches I know are lifelong learners. They read book, attend conferences, challenge their thoughts, and aren’t afraid to change their beliefs if they find a better way.
Question everything and remain open minded!
3
47
310
Anyone else ready for Spring Training baseball to be on TV?
8
8
308
UPDATE about my truck being broken into and stolen mitts…
There’s too much to write for one post (or a fe posts for that matter, ha!) so I’ve attached a few words below.
Special thanks to
@ALLSTARSPORTS
for their continued generosity.
8
6
305
Instead of having a courtesy runner for the catcher, how about we just make them put on their gear a little quicker...
24
23
299
A lot of amateur players don’t REALLY focus on throwing accurately...just watch any team warm up before a practice/game.
If you want to play at a high level you must be able to consistently throw the ball where you want.
It starts w/ just taking a little more pride in it.
7
73
297
I LOVE the catching community!
I feel like 80% of my twitter feed is:
❌Pitching guys arguing about velocity
❌Hitting guys arguing about launch angle
❌Strength guys arguing about programming
The other 20% is catching guys respectfully sharing info & ideas w/o starting drama.
16
24
289
Ever wonder why some people “make it” and others don’t? This is a damn good explanation!
5
83
285
Baseball is important.
Your faith, family, morals, relationships, health, and giving back to your community is MORE important.
Do everything you can to be the best baseball player you can possibly be, but don’t neglect the other aspects of your life.
3
82
287
I’m getting a lot of messages from college coaches who want to talk catching…if I hosted a Zoom call for college coaches only would your team have someone who would attend?
45
6
289
It's important to remember what's important in youth sports.
I have NO IDEA how many errors I made, my batting average, our team's record, etc. from youth baseball.
I do remember growing to love the game (and practices), my teammates, my coaches, and snow cones after the games.
3
41
285
THIS is the footage from Spring Training I’ve been wanting!!
"How can we get the best of all worlds where our catchers can still be complete?"
Sal Fasano is one of the top catching coaches in baseball.
Class is in session as
@Braves
catchers Sean Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud go through their catch-and-throw drills in spring training.
5
100
790
3
33
278
It really is odd that there is a Title IX logo at the CWS.
The lack of scholarship $ is b/c of Title IX.
I understand the intentions, but it’s not getting much support from college baseball fans.
I don’t remember seeing it during FB and BB championships?
#ReadTheRoom
13
22
280
COACHES: Who would be interested in joining me in a "Challenge Group" in September? I'll organize everything and be there to motivate you to get your fitness/nutrition on track. I'll even hand out some prize money for the best 28 day transformation. If interested click "like."
9
4
274
I have a ton of respect for anyone who stands in front of 5000 people and shares their ideas!
@ABCA1945
4
5
275
This should *almost* be mandatory for every program w/ an indoor facility.
Big things happening in our new
@RicePitchingLab
. Got the VideoDelay feature hooked up for our catchers to receive immediate feedback after each pitch. 🤯🔥
@cruz22
@justin_long44
3
6
153
6
14
273
I disagree with this 100%.
Kentucky Senate passes Bill 36-0 allowing High School Seniors to stay for another year of school and play sports
530
738
3K
24
9
271
If you put your hand in someone else’s catcher’s mitt without asking you deserve to go 0-4 w/ 3 Ks.
18
51
260