60 - Tom Marker Oletangy Orange (OH)

Bio

Alma Mater: Capital University ’02 

 

The 2021 season is the 3rd as head coach at Olentangy Orange for Tom Marker. During his tenure Marker has turned the Pioneers into a state and district power, leading Orange to a number one State Ranking and top 50 National Ranking this season. 

 

Marker’s record of 39-10 (.796) is first all-time in winning percentage at Orange. In his career as a head coach Marker is 237-141 (.627). Marker’s efforts have paid off in the win column and across the board as Prep Baseball Report has tabbed Orange as the top program in the state in the last three State Poll Rankings. 

 

In March of 2016, Marker was asked to speak at the National High School Baseball Coaches Association clinic in St. Louis. Since then, Marker has spoken at the OHSBCA clinic and the LHSCA clinic. 

 

Over the last six seasons, Marker has led his teams to four district final appearances. Marker was named Central District Baseball Coach of the Year in 2013. He also served as President of the Central District Coaches Association and is currently a member of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association staff. 

 

Currently, Olentangy Orange is the number one ranked team in the state of Ohio and has a record of 17-2. Their team is hitting over 0.400 and they bolster a roster with commitments to Vanderbilt, Wright State, Toledo, King University, West Liberty University and Ohio Northern University. 

 

Marker teaches sixth grade math at Olentangy Orange Middle School and lives in Lewis Center with his wife (Amie) and three children (McKenzie 9, Jackson 4, and Lainey 1). He has been on numerous podcasts including most recently being asked to be on the “Making Math Moments” podcast. 

 

Olentangy Orange – 2019-present (Head Coach) 

Upper Arlington – 2015-2018 (Head Coach) 

Bexley – 2010 - 2014 (Head Coach) 

Grove City – 2009 (Pitching Coach / JV Coach) 

Independence – 2006-2008 (Head Coach)

 

Notes

• “PD” days - personal development days - individual days 

• Classroom sessions

• Everyday we go through the plan as needed

• Slide show from Huddle

• “Town meetings” - movement of personnel, leadership skills, Sundays (record on zoom)

•  

• In game data

• Huddle

• Chop the video up and put into a slide show for what we need to do better

• QAB

• First pitch swing %

• Fast ball take

• UCLA tendencies

• Dirt ball reads

• Red alert plays

• Back to the infield to take a bag with infield back turns

• Lob back to the pitcher

• Points on scrimmage, not just runs

• Red alert 10 points

• 2 out hit = point

• Web gems = 2 points

• “Hustle rules” - process based scrimmage

• The more you swing, the more you walk!

• If you are aggressive, guys will start to nibble

• Roster reduction NOT cut

• Your going to play, not going down to JV or up to Varsity

• 401k - youth program

• “Option” period everyday in training to prepare for that option 

• Instead of exit meetings we do quarterly meetings

• Hitters - appetizers, entree, and dessert

• Get loose

• Challenge

• Good taste in your mouth

• Can’t have A goals with D actions

• “Transparency meeting” - after tryout meetings

• Game days - very little instruction, it is their playground

• Sprinkler flags for marks for baserunning

• No mechanics during BP, that happens indoor facility breaking it down

• ON field BP

• Vandy series

• Rivalry period

• Dead, live, dead, live - BP with live basrunning

• Practice should not look like camp!

• PD stations, PD groups

•  thomas_marker@olsd.us

• @coachmarker DMs are open