Episode #46: Diamond Allegiance: The Curve Score System - Welcome back to another episode of "For The Love of Sport!" Sandy Ogg and Erik Bakich join Simon and Marie from Diamond Allegiance, an organization dedicated to enhancing the travel baseball experience for families, teams, and coaches. Erik shares insights from his experience as Clemson's head baseball coach, while Sandy delves into the origins and future goals of Diamond Allegiance. 

The conversation also explores their personal journeys in youth sports, their approach to engaging clubs with extensive family memberships, and their upcoming business summit designed to enact impactful changes. Sandy And Erik also introduce The Curve Platform, a pioneering approach using technology to deliver personalized and impactful player development.

For the Love of Sport covers and celebrates the entire world of youth sports, from coaches and pro athletes sharing their experiences to the admins and volunteers who keep leagues running. Each episode is a celebration of talents, experiences, and of course, youth athletes. Expect to laugh as much as you’ll learn with our hosts, Marie and Simon.

"When a kid is a good student, he’s a self starter." - Erik Bakich, Clemson Baseball Head Coach

Here are the three key takeaways from the episode:

1. Making Youth Sports Accessible to All

Sandy and Erik emphasize the importance of creating opportunities for young athletes regardless of their financial background. Diamond Allegiance was born out of a need to level the playing field. By providing scholarships and reducing costs through strategic partnerships and bulk purchasing, they are making it possible for more kids to participate in travel baseball. Their commitment to inclusion ensures that talented athletes aren't left behind due to financial constraints. "Playing travel baseball, the average out-of-pocket expense is about $20,000 annually. We needed to make this accessible because these kids are good. And not only [as] players, they were also good people, says Sandy. 

2. The Power of Community and Collaboration

One of the standout points from our discussion was the value of community in youth sports. Sandy shares his journey of forming a team that combined privileged and underprivileged kids, creating an environment where talent and teamwork mattered more than socio-economic status. Diamond Allegiance's approach of partnering with clubs that share their values fosters a sense of community and support, which is crucial for developing young athletes.

3. Innovative Metrics for Athletic Development

Erik introduces us to the Curve Score System, an innovative tool designed to assess and enhance athletic progress. This system not only helps in tracking physical performance but also offers corrective exercises and baseball-specific drills. By leveraging technology, Diamond Allegiance provides high-quality coaching and development resources accessible to all players, ensuring they reach their full potential.

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