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. In our latest interview, Woody Wingfield spoke with Head Coach Michael Zolecki from Cardinal Stritch University. Checkout what Coach Zolecki wants his recruits to know, how his fall practices shape up and what he looks forward for the 2012 season.

1.    How long have you been coaching?  How long at Cardinal Stritch University?
This is my 14th year coaching. I have been the Head Coach for the last 8 years at Cardinal Stritch after spending 3 years as the Pitching Coach here. Prior to starting at Stritch I was an Assistant Coach at the High School level for 3 years.

2.    Who are some of your mentors or coaches that you look up to?
My biggest mentor was my father who coached for 40 years in high school and is a member of the Wisconsin Hall of Fame. I also learned quite a bit from Charlie Migl who was my college coach at St. Mary’s University in Texas. He has amassed over 900 wins in his career. In addition, I was impacted by various coaches during my time in the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox organizations.

3.    What is the first thing about your school and program that you’d want a recruit to know about?
I would want them to understand first that they have an opportunity to get a tremendous education at Stritch. After that, I want them to know that they have an opportunity to play in a great conference – the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. I also want them to understand that we play the best nine players no matter the year of the player. Every player has the same opportunity to play, so it is just up to each player to take advantage of the opportunity.

4.    What qualities do you look for in a prospect on the field? Off the field?
Character
Good student
Hard Worker
Plays the game the right way
Team Player
Is he a good fit to our university and program?

5.    Do you recruit from Junior Colleges?
Yes, I normally recruit a couple each year, because I like the experience they bring to a program. Overall though, we focus more on 4-year players who can be a part of our program for their entire college career.

6.    Can you break down your fall practice schedule? What do you try to accomplish?
We spend six weeks on field working fundamentals – individual and team, and scrimmage three times weekly.  Throughout the workouts and scrimmages we are trying to figure out where the new additions will fit into the mix. We give everyone an opportunity to get in the line-up.  We tend to work a lot of defense and spacing, since we normally spend the first month of our spring practice indoors.  Fundamentals are the key every day with us.  

7.     Do you have a strength and conditioning coach?
No, due to a small budget at a small school you have to have your hands in a lot of things. I oversee our program and our Graduate Assistant Coach does an excellent job of administering our strength and conditioning program.

8.    What is your favorite away game/series/ballpark?
I enjoy our Spring Trip to San Antonio most. It’s a chance to get back to the area where I played college ball. With some of the same coaches still there, it is a great place to reconnect.  In conference, Illinois Institute of Technology is a big rival.  We play for the Coho Cup every year.  The fans and players really get up for that series.

9.    What part of the 2012 schedule/year are you looking forward to the most?
Conference… It is all about winning your conference championship.
The conference tournament… Post season is what you work hard for every day.

10.    What do you think of the new BBCOR bats?
They encourage more small ball. Players need to have bat control…bunting, hitting behind runner, getting them over, and getting them in.  If a player squares up on the ball it still goes.  Pitchers have to pitch inside now.  Defense and Pitching are key…you can’t sit back and wait for the big HR

11.    Is there anything you would like to add about your assistant coaches, recruits, parents, or program that we have not asked you about?
There is excitement on campus with a new president.  We are hopeful that bigger and better things are on the horizon for Stritch.

Check out more "Conversations with College Coaches"