Designated Chatter

Toby Oothoudt, Chief Off-Ice Official for the Toledo Walleye joins the show to discuss his tenure with the organization. Oothoudt provides a perspective from the press box as he details his assignments through the years. The crew exposes the makeup of his successful career and devotion to the game of hockey. 

Matt Melzak, the voice of The Toledo Walleye joins the crew as they sit down and discuss the successful career and memories created alongside hall-of-fame greats. Melzak touches on his goals and path that created the ability to announce for Toledo sports. 

Bobb Vergiels, former Public Address announcer of the Detroit Tigers for 15 years and current PA announcer for the Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye joins the show. Vergiels and the crew explore what created and developed his career since the beginning in the early 1990s. The famed announcer touches on fantastic stories behind the mic while creating a worthwhile perspective for all listeners. 

Jim Weber, the voice of The Toledo Mud Hens for a near 50 years joins the show. The International League's only broadcasting Hall Of Fame inductee highlights the high points and development of his successful campaign inside the press box. 

Simon Denis, the fan favorite Defenseman for the Toledo Walleye joins the show to describe his anticipated return to the ice. Denis talks about his time overseas and the honor of lacing up his skates for the Japanese National Hockey Team.

Dan Watson, Head Coach of The Toledo Walleye Hockey Club joins the show to speak on his processes both in season and off season. Watson provides a vast set of knowledge as well as his thoughts on the future and where he sees himself and the club in the next five years. 

Big News Ahead, find out what's next for Designated Chatter! 

Jamie Westbrook, current Infielder/outfielder for the Toledo Mud Hens joins the show to speak on the current state of baseball from a players perspective and the highlights of his career. 

Angel Berroa, former Rookie of the Year in 2003 with the Kansas City Royals and World Series Champion with the 2009 Yankees joins the show. The current infield coordinator for the Detroit Tigers speaks on his motivation as a player and coach as well as the landscape of the baseball industry. 

Tony Cappuccilli has been a rising coach in the professional player development industry. He got his start anchoring a multitude of jobs under several titles around the country, including an assistant head coaching title at the University of New Mexico. Cappuccilli has made strides in the professional industry, building ranks within the Dodgers system and reaching the pinnacle of the sport. He has undertaken a new role with the Tigers triple-A affiliate, Toledo Mud Hens as the bench coach.

Opening Week was amazing to say the least! We recap the action as well as dive into what we see developing as the season unfolds.

Alanna Rizzo, one of the most influential reporters in the MLB industry joins the show to talk about her career within the industry and how she sustained success through dedication. Rizzo explains the necessities needed in order to build a career such as her own and the current diversity/gender roadblocks facing the industry. 

John McLaren, a coaching legend in the baseball industry with over 35 years of experience joins the show. Leading with positivity and motivational stories, McLaren provides a foundation for those looking for a way into the baseball industry.

Season 4 comes with a ton of new additions. Follow along as we discuss the MLB offseason and the craziness that is the MLB lockout. 

Jim Leyland, one of the greatest managers in a Tigers uniform and one of the most successful managers in MLB history joins the show. The future Hall of Famer speaks on career accolades and provides worthwhile advice on the industry. 

Having the 2017 World Baseball Classic champion on is a great segue into this years olympics as we discuss player participation for their home countries and the treatment of baseball fans after the Dodgers/Astros series. 

Jerry Crasnick, Senior Advisor for Player, Agent and Media Relations at Major League Players Association (MLBPA) joins the show to discuss his great career as a sports writer/editor turned senior advisor. Making appearances all over the baseball industry, Jerry discusses his path as well as a look into what shaped his career throughout the years. 

Alec Zumwalt, the Director of Hitting and Player Development and Former Art Stewart Scout of the year for the Kansas City Royals joins the show to talk about his career path and what led him through each decision. Zumwalt discusses with us the usage of statistics in baseball and the importance of mental health for professional athletes.

On this podcast, we discuss the upturn and development of the highest amount of no-hitters before midseason in the modern-era. We also discuss the MLB's consideration of moving the mound back and what that would do to the game, or if it's even necessary. 

The regular season has officially begun, with many surprises and COVID interruptions as well, we discuss all this and the moving of the 2021 All-Star game. 

Robby Hisert, Associate Scout for the St. Louis Cardinals joins the show to talk about his career path and what has lead to his current position. He speaks on his foundations as a player, scout, and coach. 

A shortened first half as we discuss the influence of analytics and data on the game of baseball and how it has changed the way we view and play the game.

Kyle Boddy, the founder of Driveline Baseball, and one of the most influential minds in the analytics, data, and quantitative analysis fields in the game of baseball joins the show as we talk about his influence on the the game and how his idea of diving into the numbers started. Quite honestly one of our most interesting and informational interviews to date. 

The MLB has decided to introduce a couple new rules incorporated into the 2021 Spring Training season. Some rules will also be tested throughout the Triple-A, Double-A, and Low-A ball. Join us as we discuss those rules as well as some shining stars as we approach the end of spring training.

Mike Medici, Area Scout for the Texas Rangers joins the show as we pick his brain and get into his scouting business, Scout School 360. Mr. Medici provides us with some knowledge on the advances in the scouting business, as well as how he goes about scouting each and every player. 

With the MLB season and spring training approaching fast, listen in as we give out our projected predictions for each divisional winner and give our opinions on the projected records for each MLB team.

Austin Cousino, Area Scout representative for the Detroit Tigers joins the show as we talk about how his experience as a player shaped him for his scouting career. 

FYI: Tommy Lastella plays for the San Francisco Giants.

Over the 2020-21 MLB offseason, the MLB front office has scattered to put together the 2021 rules and regulations for the pre, regular, and post seasons. Join us as we discuss the changes and upgrades that the MLB has put in place for the upcoming season.

Lloyd McClendon, the legendary MLB player and manager joins the show. Listen in, as we talk with the 2014 AL Manager of the Year and little league legend on his experience during his lengthy professional career. We talk about the memories, the past, and the influence that he brought to the hopeful minorities looking to make an impact to the professional sports landscape. 

The roller coaster of what was the Trevor Bauer signing has come to an end, not before he angered the entire New York Mets fanbase. Join us as we discuss Bauer's signing as well as the transpiring of other major signings across the MLB.

It's always essential to use your past to build on your future. Luke Harrigan, Area Scout for the Tampa Bay Rays, joins the show as he talks about using his coaching history to his advantage and we discuss what it takes to become a cross-country and international scout for an organization such as the Tampa Bay Rays. 

There have been some major moves that have transpired throughout the 2020-21 MLB offseason. Join me and my (new) co host, Ethan Achten as we talk about the two major trades that involved the movement of Nolan Arenado to the St Louis Cardinals and the movement of Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets. 

Derrick May, Former MLB player and coach, joins as we talk about his career in the MLB and overseas and how he developed his mindset throughout his career to help pursue coaching post player life.