Growing Pains In College Baseball: What Went Wrong Early On

The Growing Pains of a College Baseball Program: Lessons from TCC’s Early Years

When a college baseball program lacks structure and direction, it’s the players who pay the price. Brannon Snead shares his firsthand experience from the early years at Tallahassee Community College (TCC), where coaching transitions, inconsistent systems, and a lack of pitching development created major challenges for athletes.

Have you seen talented players get stuck—or even injured—because their program lacked structure? What kind of systems do you think every coach needs to protect their athletes and help them reach their potential?

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How Lack of Structure Hurts Development

Brannon Snead entered TCC as a high-performing pitcher—but quickly realized there was no real pitching development system in place.

“I think my biggest disappointment was showing up at TCC and realizing—there was no structured pitching program.”

Without a plan for workload, mechanics, arm care, or recovery, Snead’s development stalled. He ended up injured during his freshman year—a direct result of the disorganized environment.

The Impact of a Coaching Transition

TCC was in the early stages of building its baseball program, and a new head coach had just taken over. While talented and experienced, the coach was new to leading a program and mistakes were made early on.

“There were many mistakes made. It was a brand-new situation, and there just wasn’t a system in place.”

Although that coach would later become an excellent leader, the early years lacked the structure needed to protect and develop pitchers.

Raw Talent Isn’t Enough Without a System

Brannon’s name still appears in the TCC record books for wins and strikeouts—but those stats came despite the lack of support, not because of it. His story proves that even top athletes can’t thrive without structure, accountability, and proper coaching systems.

Why Coaches Must Build the Infrastructure First

New coaches and developing programs must prioritize systems: arm care protocols, individualized development plans, recovery tools, and a clear pitching identity. Without those pieces, even the most talented athletes are put at risk.

Learn More About Sore to Soaring

At Sore to Soaring, we help coaches build structured, individualized development programs that protect players, accelerate growth, and eliminate the trial-and-error model that causes injury and burnout.

Learn more or support our mission at:
www.soartosoaring.org

Disclaimer:

The views shared are those of the guest and do not represent an endorsement by Lupos Initiative Inc., DBA Sore to Soaring. This content is for informational purposes only and not medical or training advice. Always consult a qualified professional before starting any exercise or throwing program. No affiliation or compensation exists between Sore to Soaring and any for-profit entity mentioned

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