Conversations with College Coaches: Swarthmore College
Baseball Factory is privileged to work with programs from every level of college baseball. We strive to educate and guide our players when it comes to choosing the right school. The more information a player knows about a school, coach and program, the better. Recently, Dan Mooney went one-on-one with Matt Midkiff the head coach at Swarthmore College.
1. How long have you been coaching? How long at Swarthmore College?
This is my 9th season as a college coach and 1st at Swarthmore.
2. Who are some of your mentors or coaches that you look up to?
My high school coach Greg Parris who is now the Volunteer assistant at South Florida made me want to get into coaching. He was an outstanding motivator. I have also learned a lot from Tim Neiman at DeSales. He has been a huge help since I got started in coaching. I really enjoyed working camps with Eric Bakich who is now at Michigan. He gives his players his best everyday and has so much energy and enthusiasm for the game that it makes everyone around him want to be better.
3. What is the first thing about your school and program that you’d want a recruit to know about?
Our college is one of the best academic schools in the world. Our graduates go on to do incredible things in almost every field imaginable. We want our baseball program to have a similar reputation on the field. At Swarthmore we take great pride in teaching the game with energy and enthusiasm. Our players enjoy practicing and playing at Swarthmore because our staff takes a personal interest in each player. In our program a player is not just a number, he is a member of our baseball family.
4. What qualities do you look for in a prospect on the field? Off the field?
We look for guys who are mentally tough. Guys who will not accept less than their best on any given day. It takes a special person to play baseball at Swarthmore. The players in our program are the best of the best academically and must have a work ethic that is second to none.
5. How has video helped your recruiting?
Video is great for us. The first question we ask any recruit who contacts us is, “Do you have a video?” This helps us provide instant feedback to the player and moves the recruiting process along at a much faster pace.
6. Do you recruit from Junior Colleges?
Typically at Swarthmore we don’t recruit Junior College players. Due to of the academic demands it is difficult to step into Swarthmore as a junior. We do accept transfers from four-year institutions who are just completing their first year in college.
7. Can you break down your fall practice schedule?
What will you try to accomplish? Our fall consists of 16 days (mandated by the NCAA) and typically will be split between intersquad games and team practices. We try to evaluate as much as possible but also like to put in as much of our offensive and defensive philosophies as possible. The guys will also be on a workout program, which will help them to gain much needed strength for the upcoming season.
8. Do you have a strength and conditioning coach?
We have a full-time strength and conditioning coach who helps our players stay safe and focused during workouts. He has been a huge help to our program.
9. Anything planned for your facilities (upgrades, changes, etc.)?
In the past year we have added a new backstop and scoreboard to our field. We are looking to upgrade our bullpens next and hope to have stadium style seating in the near future. Our playing surface is outstanding and our setting is amazing for college baseball.
10. Is there anything you would like to add about your assistant coaches, recruits, parents, or program that we have not asked you about?
Swarthmore is a program on the rise. This is a place where you can have everything you want as a college baseball player. You will get a top-level baseball experience coupled with an education that is second to none. The coaches in our program are dedicated teachers of the game and will be devoted to making you the best player you can be.
If there are any questions that you'd like to see our staff ask in future installments of "Conversations with College Coaches" or any schools that you'd like to see featured, please contact us at [email protected]
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