Summary:

In this episode of Transcending Sport, I welcome Coach Tina Plew Whitlock. Coach Whitlock is a former MLB Coach, former USA player, and a USC softball standout. Coach Whitlock brings us along with her on her baseball and softball journey and shares with us her experience in being a founding SEC player to becoming a coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Episode Highlights:

[02:57] Coach Whitlock shares a bit of her background and how she got into baseball. She was the daughter of an active Navy member and moved around frequently. During her stay in Utah, the activities options for young girls were limited, so she decided to take up baseball. When Coach Whitlock graduated high school, she was immediately signed with the University of South Carolina and by the time her senior year came her and her team played in the first SEC Championship. They ranked #1 and made an appearance at the Women’s College World Series.

[06:01] Coach Whitlock comments on the advantages of being a multi-sport athlete. She discusses the different roles she would play in every sport, one being a leader, an observer, and a learner as an example.

[18:11] Coach Whitlock shares her experience in being one of the founding players of the SEC. She looks back at that time as being locked in and focused and not truly realizing that she was making history.

[23:01] Coach Whitlock discusses her transition of going from baseball to softball. She reveals the jump as feeling natural and habitual to her. The main difference to her was the focus put on arm care. Baseball invested heavily in arm programs and in making sure your battery was taken care of. Additionally, the cultural differences in commitment to the game also came as a shock.

[28:43] Coach Whitlock started coaching in her local community, at first in softball but would end up doing both. One faithful day she got a call from Tyrone Brooks, who invited her to discuss opportunities involving the MLB. Once Coach Whitlock returned from Japan, she agreed to meet and was later titled the fourth coach for the Cardinals.

[34:02] Coach Whitlock shares the role faith plays in her career. She approaches athletes with love and with the help of her faith she extends courage, perseverance, and strength.

[37:52] Coach Whitlock highlights the importance of getting to know your athletes. She hones in on their movements and techniques. She then takes that information and helps improve their patterns and swings.

[42:15] Coach Whitlock shares her strategies on how she approaches athletes who are focused on their failures. She dissects the outcome of those failures, from frustrations to breakdowns, and turns those actions into positive changes.

[55:55] Connect with Coach Whitlock

Key Topics Discussed:

• Being a multi-sport athlete
• What was it like being one of the founding players of the SEC?
• What was your transition like coming from baseball to softball?
• How did you become an MLB coach?
• The role faith plays in your career
• Mental aspects of the game

Quotes:

• “As you’re going through it you don’t realize that you are making history”
• “The one thing I try my best to do is convey to them that they are loved, because love is the most powerful thing out there.”
• “For me my faith is my edge, it brings about courage, it brings about perseverance, it brings about truth”
• “That’s one of the things I find most common in an athlete that I’m changing is the acknowledgment of their failure and how long they linger there”

Connect with Coach Whitlock:

• Twitter @plewlock
• Instagram @tinaplewwhitlock