Coach Cut's Corner

On this episode, Elijah Stark is back in the studio for round two. Elijah was apart of the first two mythical seasons to start with Coach Cutter, and as this year's team begins their 6th season, he has returned to LCC as an Assistant Coach. He joins Coach Cut to discuss how new systems and technologies are being used to enhance player readiness, development, and on-field performance. The discussion also highlights structured practice plans, journaling, the whistle standard, and targeted speed training as tools for building consistency and accelerating development.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball<...

On this episode, former LCC baseball player Jabin Bates shares his journey from a young baseball player, to becoming a college athlete, and now flourishing with purpose. Jabin discusses his struggles with mental health, setbacks, and finding a second chance at LCC. He also reflects on how baseball, faith, as well as mentors and relationships helped shape his path, leading him to his current work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where he helps student-athletes grow on and off the field.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

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In this episode of Coach Cut's Corner, former professional baseball player, author, speaker, and performance coach Ricky Scruggs joins the show to discuss what it truly takes to perform at a high level in sports, business, and life.

Ricky's journey has taken him far beyond the baseball field, giving him a unique perspective on leadership, confidence, identity, and purpose. Throughout the conversation, he shares why lasting success starts from within and why so many athletes struggle when they tie their identity to performance.

This conversation goes far beyond baseball.

We dive into the...

In this episode of Coach Cut’s Corner, Coach Cut explores the psychology behind the IKEA Effect and why people naturally place greater value on things they help create.

What began with research involving IKEA furniture, origami, and Legos revealed something much bigger about human nature. Ownership creates commitment, pride, and perseverance. But it can also create blind spots.

Drawing from his own journey and experiences building the culture at Lansing Community College, Coach Cut discusses how coaches and leaders can become overly attached to the systems and philosophies they have spent years creating.

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This episodes welcomes Bryson Fronta into the studio to discuss his journey from, a former multi-sport athlete to working at Lansing Community College as an Athletics Operations Specialist. He talks about the lessons he learned while moving from high school to college sports, including the importance of hard work, perseverance, and advocating for yourself. Bryson also reflects on winning national championships, coaching young athletes, and how mentors helped shape his path both on and off the field.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

This podcast episode features a conversation with Elijah Stark, a former LCC Stars baseball player and current aspiring coach. We delve into Stark's journey through various levels of baseball, beginning with his late decision to pursue the sport at the collegiate level, influenced significantly by his experiences during the pandemic. We explore the challenges he faced, including the impact of losing belief in himself and the subsequent struggle to regain that confidence.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

The end of a sports season brings a mix of emotions for athletes and coaches, from gratitude and pride, to disappointment and heartbreak. This episode explores how teams process those feelings, reflect on their experiences, and look for lessons to learn from. The conversation highlights that growth is an ongoing journey, and every ending offers valuable lessons for the next beginning.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

In this episode of Coach Cut’s Corner, RS sophomore pitcher Oliver Raczysnki joins the show to talk about growth, patience, adversity, and the reality of development over time.

Oliver’s journey through Lansing Community College Baseball has not been built on shortcuts or overnight success. It has been built through consistency, failure, learning, and showing up through difficult moments. Over the last three years, he has developed into one of the program's most trusted arms while growing just as much off the field as on it.

This conversation goes far beyond baseball.

We d...

In this episode of Coach Cut’s Corner, Christian Douglass joins us to break down his journey from Whetstone, Ohio, to becoming a key arm for the Stars.

At 6’4, Douglass has logged 42 innings across 21 appearances, putting together a 7-0 record with 30 strikeouts to just 8 walks. Those numbers stand out, but they are the result of growth that did not happen overnight.

This conversation starts with his early years. We get into his childhood, the people who influenced him, and the role other sports played in shaping him as an athlete. He shares what those early expe...

In this episode of Coach Cut’s Corner, Coach Radek joins us to break down exactly where we are at this point in the season and the reality of sitting at 17–16. It is not where we expect to be, but it is exactly where we have earned to be.

This conversation centers around the gap. The space between the work you put in and the results you expect to see.

We talk about how development is not instant. It is uneven, slow, and often invisible in the moment. Players expect to see results right away, but...

In this episode, freshmen pitcher Gavin Przybyla is in studio to talk about his journey from youth sports to college athletics. Gavin delves into the challenges and triumphs faced during his high school career, notably overcoming injuries, and adapting to being a full-time pitcher in the competitive landscape of college baseball.

Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

Noah Marcoux grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, and built his game step by step. He became one of the most consistent college hitters in the country by staying patient, trusting development, and learning from the right people along the way.

Noah’s career was shaped by strong mentors, honest coaches, and years of learning how to handle failure, pressure, and expectations. He didn’t chase shortcuts. He learned how to prepare, adjust, and compete every day.

We talk about where he’s from.

How baseball shaped his upbringing.

The coaches and mentor...

This episode cuts through the noise around player development and recruiting. Mike Rice lives in the evaluation seat every day. Vice President and General Manager of Detroit Prospects. Scout for the USPBL. Associate scout for the Texas Rangers organization. Mike has seen what works and what fails at every level of the game. We talk about where he’s from. How sports shaped his upbringing. How becoming a father changed how he coaches and evaluates players.

Then we get into the truth:

The episode features freshman utility player Jake Norton. Jake discusses his journey through several high school sports programs, including breaking a collar bone, and the transition he faced going to college baseball. The discussion delves into his impressive physical transformation, highlighting his nutritional and training regimen, which has significantly improved his performance.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website: Coach Cutter

Website: RD Kate

Related Podcast: Stars on Sports

Wade Sommers comes from Jonesville. A small, Michigan town that shaped how he sees work, people, and responsibility. This was Wade’s first-ever podcast, and he opens up about life growing up in a place where everyone knows your name, expectations are real, and effort is noticed.

He talks about family. Strong ties. Consistent support. Being grounded by people who tell you the truth and hold you to a standard. He even shares why Saucey Dogs, a local Jonesville restaurant, still matters to him. It is not about the food. It is about connection and familiarity.

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This episode brings things back to where it all started. Blake McRae was a cornerstone on our first team here in 2022. He bought in before anything was proven. He helped set the standards that define our program today. His journey since then has been all action:

Blake has lived every level. He’s failed. He’s adjusted. He’s found ways to stay consistent in a game that exposes everyone. This episode breaks down exactly how he has...

On this episode, join Coach Cut and Coach Radek as they recount their recent trip to the American Baseball Coaches Association's National Convention, providing insights from their experience being with over 6,000 other coaches and attendees. It is also the start of Spring Season for LCC Baseball, so with the start of a new year, so does the implementation of new training programs, including vision and speed training, aiming to enhance player performance. As they look to the new season, they emphasize the importance of continuous learning, and that success on and off the field extends beyond talent.

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This week, Coach Cut and Coach Radek sit down with redshirt freshman pitcher Kacey Gray from Boyne City, Michigan.

Kacey’s story is one of patience, discipline, and belief in the process.

After redshirting his first year, he stepped into his second year ready to lead, compete, and represent what full buy-in looks like inside the Stars program.

Key Topics

Freshman catcher and utility player Carson Sweet joins Coach Cut and Assistant Coach Ryan Radek in the WLNZ Studios to talk about his journey, his first fall season with the Stars, and what he’s learning about discipline, mindset, and growth inside the program.

Carson came to Lansing with a strong baseball background, having played both high school and travel ball, and quickly showed what it looks like to handle the college transition the right way. Quiet confidence, steady work habits, and a team-first approach have defined his start with the Stars.

In this episode, Ca...

Complacency doesn’t announce itself, it creeps in when things start going well.

In this episode, Coach Cut and Ryan break down where the Lansing Stars are in their fall season, the lessons from the team’s fifth year volunteering at the Hot Cider Hustle 5K, and why staying sharp is a daily battle.

They discuss how success can soften focus, how to recognize when standards start to slip, and how the program is using Pison technology to track readiness, recovery, and discipline across the roster.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or leader...

Kate Davis, the founder of RDKate Sports Nutrition and a certified specialist in sports dietetics, returns to Coach Cut’s Corner for her second appearance.

Her first time on the show was Episode 10: “Gummi Bears & Pop,” where we talked about fueling, recovery, and the mistakes young athletes make with nutrition. Three seasons later, Kate has been embedded in the Lansing Community College Baseball program for four full years, helping shape one of the most intentional player development systems in the country.

In this episode, we dive into her journey as a sports professional, the growth she’s...

Freshman infielder Savannah Turner from Tacoma, Washington, joins Coach Cut in the WLNZ Studios to share her journey as one of the few women playing college baseball in the United States.

After being cut from her high school baseball team, Savannah refused to quit. Instead, she trained and competed for two seasons with Driveline Baseball Academy in Kent, Washington, where she rebuilt her game, mindset, and confidence. Now she’s earning her place at the University of Olivet, proving that resilience and execution still matter in today’s game.

In this episode, Savannah opens up abou...

Freshman utility player Jace Davis joins Coach Cut and Assistant Coach Ryan Radek in the WLNZ Studios to talk about his journey, his early growth inside the program, and what it takes to meet the standard every day.

Jace came to Lansing from Woodhaven High School and quickly made his mark this fall, hitting .429 with a 1.028 OPS, turning four double plays, and recording a .972 fielding percentage across 42 chances. Just as impressive, his 8.45% chase rate ranked among the best in the program.

In this episode, Jace opens up about:

In this episode of Coach Cut’s Corner, freshman catcher Kaiden Kapa joins Coach Cut in the studio to talk about his journey. Coming out of Kettering High School in Waterford, Michigan, Kaiden brings grit, versatility, and leadership to Lansing CC baseball. We dive into his journey from high school to college, how he’s adjusting to the speed of the game, and the mindset he’s building behind the plate.

Kaiden also shares what he’s learned from his brother, Virginia pitcher Tyler Kapa, and how those lessons help him navigate his own path. From catching responsi...

This week on Coach Cut’s Corner, I’m joined by former Stars outfielder turned assistant coach Ryan Radek.

Ryan was on track to play at the Division I level until a devastating knee injury ended his season and put his future as a player in jeopardy. Instead of stepping away, Ryan chose to give back, shifting from the field to the dugout and bringing his knowledge to the next generation of Stars.

What You’ll Catch in This Episode:

In this episode, Coach Cut sits down with Stars left-handed pitcher Matthew Whiteman. A Romeo, Michigan native, Matthew talks about his journey into baseball, the people who influenced him growing up, and the challenges of stepping into the college game. From family roots to the lessons learned on the mound, Matthew shares what keeps him focused, how he stacks his bricks, and where he’s headed next.

What You’ll Catch in This Episode:

Sophomore utility player Bryce Wiggins joins Coach Cut’s Corner to share his journey from Novi, Michigan, to becoming one of the most versatile athletes on the Lansing Stars roster. Known for his grit and energy, Bryce led the country last season in hit-by-pitches, proving he’ll do whatever it takes to get on base. In this episode, Bryce talks about his family’s role in his success, the lessons he’s learned through JUCO baseball, and how his faith keeps him grounded.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why versatility is both a challenge and a strength...

Sophomore outfielder Korbin Smith joins Coach Cut’s Corner to share his journey, his role on the team, and the energy he brings every single day. Known not only for his play in the outfield but also for his legendary attention to detail: laying down the straightest chalk lines the Stars have ever seen. Korbin talks about what drives him, how he embraces the little things, and what it means to be a great teammate.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

From small-town beginnings to college competition, Parker Vaughn’s story is about lessons, growth, and momentum. Coach Cut sits down with the Cedar Springs native and Lansing sophomore infielder to talk high school roots, choosing LCC, learning from his freshman season, and carrying success from summer ball into a promising year ahead.

You'll hear:

This week on Coach Cut’s Corner, I’m joined by a great guy and coaching partner from this past summer, Mike Ream—head coach of the 18U Krash softball team. We break down what it takes to lead in the high-pressure world of travel softball, from building trust with players to navigating the “wild west” culture of the sport today. Mike shares his journey into coaching, the defining moments from this season, and the lessons he’s learned about growth, culture, and competing at a high level.

You’ll hear:

Coach Cut steps out of the outfield and into the dugout, guiding an 18 U roster to a 17-9-1 summer and a championship finish. Hear how targeted offense, sharper defense, and clear game calls turned last year’s 12-13-1 record into a winning season and set the stage for the Stars start of fall.

Key points

In this episode, Coach Cut opens up about the challenges and strengths of being a natural introvert in high-pressure leadership roles. From locker rooms to live speaking events, he has learned to embrace who he is and lead with purpose, not volume.

You will hear how emotional intelligence, growth mindset, and self-awareness shape elite performance, whether you're quiet, loud, or somewhere in between. If you have ever questioned your leadership because you are not the loudest in the room, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

In this solo episode, Coach Cut gets real about what your daily effort actually says about you, when no one’s watching, no one’s clapping, and no one’s holding you accountable.

This one isn’t just for athletes. It is for anyone chasing something bigger: coaches, leaders, parents, professionals, anyone trying to build a name that means something.

Coach shares what he's learning in the quiet offseason days. Mowing the field. Picking up trash. Staying committed to the standard. He unpacks how the little things, the boring things, the unnoticed things are the exact th...

Everyone wants the spotlight, but few are willing to embrace the silence it takes to earn it. In this episode of Coach Cut’s Corner, I unpack the uncomfortable truths behind preparation, consistency, and what separates the uncommon. From personal stories and coaching lessons to mindset shifts and brutal honesty, this episode is a challenge to anyone chasing greatness.

We’ll talk about:

In this solo episode, Coach Cut challenges the common narrative around burnout, and tells the real story of what’s happening when athletes, coaches, and leaders feel drained, distracted, or lost.

He shares the moment he walked away from a high-income career in business to chase a life of purpose through coaching. He explains why most people aren’t actually burned out… they’re just living out of alignment with who they are and what they were built to do.

If you’ve ever said, “I feel burnt out,” this episode is a must-listen.

You’ll Learn...

In this raw and honest episode, Coach Cutter sits down with Assistant Coach Jeff Allen just days after the conclusion of a heartbreaking season. With anger, sadness, and pride all colliding, they unpack the emotional weight of falling short, what this team meant to them, and why the journey still matters, even without a trophy.

This is a conversation about truth. About leadership under pressure. About brotherhood forged in the fire. And about the kind of pain that fuels growth, not defeat.

If you’re a coach, athlete, or leader navigating your own high standards an...

🧱 Episode Summary:

In this episode of Coach Cut’s Corner, we go deep into what it takes to build savage athletes who thrive at the highest level.

Coach Cut is joined by Donovan Santas, a former MLB strength and conditioning coach with the Yankees and Blue Jays, and Coach Jeff Allen of the Lansing Stars. Together, they talk about the standards of the big leagues, what separates the elite, and how technology like Pison is changing the game.

Donovan shares powerful insight from his years in the show—how pros train, lead, and hold th...

In this episode of Coach Cut’s Corner, we sit down with outfielder Chyran Humphries—a Detroit native, Eastern Michigan transfer, and a cornerstone of our program at Lansing. At 6’5” and 230 pounds, Chyran is more than just a physical presence—he’s a standard-setter.

We unpack what authentic leadership looks like, how stoicism shows up on the field, and why work ethic still matters more than talent. From his roots at Detroit Country Day to his journey through college ball, Chyran opens up about how family, pressure, and daily discipline have shaped how he leads.

Whether you...

The central theme of this podcast revolves around the concept of complacency, which is characterized as the silent killer of progress and achievement. Coach Cut and Coach Allen explore the nuances that distinguish complacency from confidence, emphasizing that while confidence stems from earned success, complacency arises from a false sense of security and comfort. They examine the detrimental effects of complacency on both players and coaches, particularly in the context of maintaining high standards and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

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Website: LCC Stars Baseball

Website: Baseball Advancement Fund (Donations)

Website...

Coach Cut dives into the profound and often overlooked concept of invisible growth, particularly in the aftermath of loss. Cut shares his personal reflections on the emotional turmoil accompanying defeat, emphasizing that the lessons learned during these challenging moments are vital for long-term success. He examines how true greatness is cultivated not merely through visible achievements but through the quiet, disciplined actions taken when no one is watching. By adopting intentional practices and strategies, we can transform these invisible efforts into tangible results, reinforcing the importance of perseverance and commitment.

Turn Invisible Growth Into Visible Results: