Minor League Podcast: Bowie’s Armstrong details conditioning challenges and philosophies involving pro ballplayers

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One of the cool things about this job – managing the content of the site – is I get to learn things about baseball I previously didn’t know, or delve into areas within the sport I had never explored.

This year has been a crash course on area college baseball for me as we added College Corner to our regular content.

I learn plenty from all of our contributors – and this week is a perfect example of that.

Adam Pohl, the voice of the Double-A Bowie Baysox, consistently provides us with quality content in his weekly Minor League Podcast. This week he gave us a bonus segment and, frankly, if you like to travel beyond the boxscore, this is an interview you’ll want to check out.

Pohl sits down with Pat Armstrong, Bowie’s Physical Preparation Coach.

What does that title mean?

Well, I’m familiar with Armstrong as Bowie’s strength and conditioning coach; he’s held that title for eight seasons in the organization, the last six with the Baysox.

But there’s so much more to the position now than simply instructing players in proper weightlifting techniques. In what I thought was an illuminating interview, Armstrong details what he does and what the organization’s philosophies are in terms of the conditioning of its athletes.

I didn’t realize the individuality of the programs designed for players, the specific challenges involving conditioning in baseball or the growing emphasis on proper nutrition. I thought it was particularly interesting that Armstrong discussed the need to educate players about their nutrition decisions – and, specifically, Latin American players who, literally and culturally, are coming from a different place in terms of accessing proper nutrients.

If you’re someone who is involved with, or interested in, exercise science, this is a must listen. And, for the rest of you that can’t get enough baseball/Orioles, it’s worth your time, too.