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. Dan Mooney had the chance to sit down with Joe Spano, the Head Coach at Mercyhurst College. Mercyhurst is a Division II program in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Find out what Coach Spano had to say about his mentors, the importance of video and what he looks for in a recruit.

1.    How long have you been coaching? How long at Mercyhurst College?
I have been at Mercyhurst for 14 years, 12 as a head coach and two as an assistant. I spent two summers as the head coach of the Metro NY Cadets of the ACBL in 2002 and 2003.

2.    Who are some of your mentors or coaches that you look up to?
The greatest mentor to me has been my head coach at Lewis University, Irish O’Reilly. I was a sophomore in 1995 when the program at Division I Boston University was cut. I was not happy about having to transfer, until I received a call from Coach O’Reilly about attending perennial Division II power Lewis U. It was the best two years of my baseball career. I met my wife at Lewis and I learned so much about coaching and life from him. I was very proud to be part of his ABCA Hall of Fame induction in 2008. Coach has called me at least once a month from the day I graduated and he offers advice on every situation you could imagine.

3.    What is the first thing about Mercyhurst and its baseball program that you want recruits to know about?
The first thing I want recruits to know about our program is that the coaches and the athletes will never be outworked. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the field, recruiting or fundraising, we are always seeking out a way to work harder and get better.

4.    What do you look for in a prospective recruit on the field? Off the field?
On the field, I look for the kid that has the dirtiest uniform. The first thing that stands out to me is the hustle play, running on and off the field, leadership and competitiveness.  Sometimes as coaches we put too much stock in 60 times, but some of my best players could never break a 7.0, but they all had a tremendous competitive drive.  

5.    How has video helped you in the recruiting process?
Video helps a lot; it’s much better to see some footage than just a photo or a resume. I still believe there is no substitute for seeing an actual game, but with time constraints, weather and recruiting budgets, video is extremely helpful.

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6.    Mercyhurst obviously had a great season last year, winning 42 games and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. What were you telling your players this fall to build on last season’s success?
 I tell the current team that they should feel tremendous pride about the program, that they are part of history of Mercyhurst baseball. I know that this year’s team wants to make the alumni proud and create their own place in history that they can talk about at alumni games forever.

7.    Can you break down your fall practice schedule? What are you all trying to accomplish?
We have a heavy concentration of intersquad games and live situation since we know that we may not be outside until our first game. As coaches, we use the fall to constantly evaluate. We chart everything and then come up with a plan for individual work outs. During that time, we do the most teaching and hope we can get everyone on the same page when we began full practice in January.

8.    Do you have a strength and conditioning coach?
Yes, there is a strength coach who works at the college and is accessible to the athletes, but for the past few years we have designated one of our coaches who has a background in strength and conditioning to oversee it for the team.

9.    What can you tell us about your facilities?
The best part of our facilities is our turf field. We can practice or play when most of the area cannot. We have 3 weight rooms on campus, an indoor field house with our cages and mounds. Once a week we rent a golf dome and we attempt to scrimmage live indoors.
    
10.    What part of the 2012 schedule are you looking forward to the most?
I can hardly sleep just thinking about the first game. I love watching my team play any game, but going to Boca Raton, Florida every year to play the 2009 National Champions Lynn University is an honor. Coach Garbolosa is one of the best in the business and he always fields such an incredible team.  I also hope that we are lucky enough to play in the PSAC tournament; it’s one of the best tournaments I have ever been in. Every team is so talented and well coached, and I enjoy talking to the coaches and the kids that play in the east division that we don’t get to see during the season.

11.    Is there anything you would like to add about your assistant coaches, recruits, parents, or program that we have not asked you about?
I am so blessed to have the staff that we do and to work with my brother, who I know will never tell me what I want to hear and is never afraid to challenge what we are doing.  He is always working and pushing to make this program better. He has worked every odd job on this campus to become full time because he loves the game and loves working for such a fine college. We were lucky to have a three-time all-conference player from the PSAC join our staff this year in former Slippery Rock stand out Billy Herman. And it doesn’t get any better than working with your own former players. After having  John Mang work with our pitchers and do an incredible job the last two years,  we now have former Cubs draftee Steve Grife coming back to be our pitching coach.

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