Our Elite Catcher instructor, Ryan Lavarnway, had quite a career as a Major League baseball catcher.
Here’s a few highlights:
- 💍 World Series ring with the Red Sox in 2013
- 👏 Catcher for 8 different MLB organizations (Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, and Cleveland Indians)
- 🏟️ Caught in the Olympics for Team Israel
- 🌏 Caught in the World Baseball Classic (twice)
He also managed to snag a Philosophy degree at Yale, while setting multiple records with their baseball team!
So, with all those brains and all that experience, it makes sense that Ryan is an incredible teacher as well. That’s why students and parents say things like this:
“Hey Coach, I just want to text to let you know that I have committed to Illinois tech, I want to thank you for […] helping me become the catcher and hitter I am today. The role you have played in me achieving this goal is tremendous and I appreciate every minute of it.” – Wade from Colorado Springs, CO
So if you’re curious to see if Ryan’s catching program can help you achieve your goals in baseball, then you’ll probably want to do it before the 70% discount expires. You can check it out here: https://info.probaseballinsider.com/elite-catcher-mlb-playoffs-2023/
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Now that we’ve hit roughly the one year mark since Ryan retired from playing affiliated baseball, I asked him to share with everyone what he’s been up to.
A message from Ryan Lavarnway:
2022 was the last year of my professional baseball career affiliated with MLB. I played for the Detroit Tigers’ AAA affiliate, Toledo Mud Hens, and the Miami Marlins AAA affiliate, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
But it’s safe to say that in the first year that I wasn’t playing pro baseball, I still stayed really close to the game!
- I played internationally for the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Pro Baseball League
- Caught in the World Baseball Classic for the second time
- And competed in the European Championships of Baseball, which was held in Prague, Czech Republic.
I also did color analysis on the Colorado Rockies TV broadcast on ATTSportsNet, the Rocky Mountain Vibes, and even got in the play-by-play booth with the Albuquerque Isotopes.
Having been a catcher not only helped me stay close to the game and play on 3 continents this year — [THIS!!!] 👉 because everybody always needs catching — but also gave me a unique perspective to add to TV broadcasts. From the booth I was able to read swings and defensive alignments just as I had behind the plate.
As I look towards my second year out of playing, I am having conversations with different front offices about potentially coaching, joining a front office, or maybe continuing on TV and I continue to be grateful for my experience as a catcher.
I spent my entire career becoming an expert in pitch calling, game management, understanding scouting reports, defensive alignments, and obviously the tools and skill set required to be an elite catcher.
Things like…
Leadership.
Thinking strategically.
Finding the balance between encouragement and accountability.
Bringing your team together.
These skills translate WAY beyond the field, and will serve me in whatever my next career is.
And that’s what I want for YOU too. Wether it’s catching for youth team or college or professionally, we learn so many great life skills through this amazing opportunity to be a catcher.
I would love to be a part of your catching journey. Inside The Elite Catcher, we’ll unlock your hidden super powers to become the best catcher you can be. I know you can do it. Let’s do it together. Click here to learn more about my Elite Catcher training program (70% Retirement Anniversary sale ends soon)
Sincerely,
Ryan Lavarnway
PS – Don’t worry, it’s a program you can do from anywhere in the world, on your own schedule.
And you don’t need a lot of space to do it… so it’s the perfect off season tool to start off your next season with a bang 💥. So, go ahead and get signed up, and we’ll get to work!
https://info.probaseballinsider.com/elite-catcher-mlb-playoffs-2023/
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About Author
Doug Bernier, founder of Pro Baseball Insider.com, debuted in the Major Leagues in 2008 with the Colorado Rockies, and has played professional baseball for 5 organizations (CO Rockies, NY Yankees, PIT Pirates, MN Twins, & TX Rangers) over the past 16 years. He has Major League time at every infield position, and has played every position on the field professionally except for catcher. (Click to watch this great defensive play by Bernier) Since retiring in 2017, Doug Bernier has worked for the Colorado Rockies organization in multiple roles, including Major League Professional Scout , Data & Game Planning Coordinator , Defensive Coordinator (2019–2021), and Field & Infield Coordinator (2022–present). He oversees player development throughout the Rockies’ Minor League system, focusing on infield defense, throwing mechanics, and game preparation. Off the field, he founded Pro Baseball Insider and created the Confident Infielder Program and Inner Circle, where he helps players and coaches learn pro-level fundamentals and build lasting confidence in their game.
