Reflections from the 2026 Baseball Ontario Best Ever Coaches Clinic
- David Quattro
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
This past weekend at the 41st Annual Baseball Ontario Best Ever Coaches Clinic, I had the privilege of presenting at one of the most respected coaching events in the sport — a clinic that continues to grow and is recognized as one of the longest-running (5th longest) coaching clinics in North America. Approximately 500 coaches were in attendance, all eager to learn and improve their craft on and off the field.
Being in a room full of coaches who genuinely care about developing ball players the right way, with purpose, structure and intent, is something I never take for granted.
Error Detection and Correction in Hitting
Presented in the BEC Theatre
We kicked off the weekend in the BEC Theatre with Error Detection and Correction in Hitting. The focus was simple: help coaches quickly identify where a swing breaks down and why it broke down, and then apply simple, effective corrections.
With limited demo space, we used tee work and soft toss to isolate issues and show real corrections. I was incredibly fortunate to have my assistant, 11-year-old Delfina Budziak, help with the demonstrations. Delfina did an outstanding job showing movement patterns, listening to instruction, and executing adjustments in front of a room full of adult coaches, demonstrating that development is about understanding, not age or size.
A big shout-out to the Budziak family for their continual support, enthusiasm and encouragement. They’re the kind of people who make coaching and teaching so worthwhile.
Building an Offseason Hitting Roadmap
Presented on the Main Stage
For my second session "Building an Offseason Hitting Roadmap" I had the honor of presenting on the main stage. This session challenged coaches to rethink how hitters prepare in the offseason so that their work carries over into game performance.
We covered topics such as:
Evaluating hitters beyond just stats
Recognizing movement patterns and physical needs
Teaching mechanical absolutes without over-coaching
Structuring routines that transfer directly to competition
A thoughtful offseason isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing the right things in the right order.
Featured Speakers Who Made This Year Special
The 2026 Best Ever Coaches Clinic featured a stellar lineup of speakers, bringing insight from across the baseball world from professional, collegiate and performance backgrounds.
Some of the contributors included:
Robbie Britt — Field Coordinator, Boston Red Sox
Ryan Sienko — Catching Coach, Detroit Tigers
Mason Sherill — Defensive Coach, Beloit Sky Carp (Miami Marlins)
Nunzio Signore — Strength & Conditioning Coach, Rockland Peak Performance
Dr. Cassidy Preston — Mental Performance Coach
Jeremy Sheetinger — Head Coach, Georgia Gwinnett College - Washington Nationals
Seth Thibodeaux — Associate Head Coach, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Anthony DeLeo — Assistant Coach (Pitching & Catching), NJIT - Washington Nationals
In addition, the Ontario Youth Team Series featured voices from within our own community, including:
JG Larocque
Scott Robinson
Sean Travers
David Quattro (yours truly)
Their varied backgrounds and experiences helped round out the clinic in a way that was both practical and inspirational for coaches at all levels.
Building a Complete Hitter – The Newspaper Demonstration
One of the most talked-about moments came from a simple visual demonstration with a ripped newspaper.
I held up the torn paper and explained that building a hitter is a lot like putting together a newspaper. A complete hitter isn’t just one thing; it’s a combination of sections working together:
The front page — Character, hard working
The sports section — Student of the game, mechanics and sequencing
The business section — Bat speed, exit velocity
The weather section — Able to hit in any condition
When all of these pieces are present and in the right order, you don’t just have a swing, you have a complete hitter.
That analogy connected with coaches because it clearly shows that most swing issues aren’t random they come from the absence or misalignment of one key “section.”
What Stood Out Most
What stood out most was the level of engagement and curiosity from coaches. There were thoughtful questions, real conversation about everyday coaching challenges and a genuine openness to revisit long-held assumptions about hitting.
This clinic reaffirmed something I’ve learned over nearly a decade of presenting at this event: Coaches who are willing to learn and adapt help the game grow at every level.
Gratitude and Looking Forward
Thank you to Baseball Ontario, the clinic organizers, the speakers and especially the coaches who attended, asked questions and stayed engaged throughout the weekend. I’m grateful for the chance to share ideas, learn from others, and help grow the game we all love.
As we head into the next season, my hope is that coaches leave with a clearer plan, sharper eyes for error detection and a renewed belief that: Great hitters are built through preparation, structure, and adjustability — not shortcuts.
— Coach Q
