GADC COACHES CLINIC 
DEC 12–13, 2025

The Georgia Dugout Club is proud to host the 2025 GADC Coaches Clinic, a two-day professional development event designed for high school softball and baseball coaches across the state of Georgia. This year’s clinic brings together NCAA Division I coaches, international players, professional skill instructors, mental-performance specialists, and GHSA leadership for an unmatched educational experience.
Whether you coach a powerhouse program or are building a young team, the GADC Clinic is structured to help you improve player development, enhance team culture, and prepare for the 2026 season with clarity and confidence.

⭐ ABOUT THE GADC CLINICThe GADC Coaches Clinic is one of the largest and most respected coaching clinics in the Southeast, serving as an annual gathering point for hundreds of Georgia coaches. The clinic’s mission is to:

• Provide high-level skill instruction for both softball and baseball coaches
  
• Deliver practical drills, systems, and training progressions coaches can immediately implement
  
• Strengthen leadership and program-building strategies
  
• Offer direct access to GHSA officials for rules, clarifications, and season-specific updates
  
• Create networking opportunities within Georgia’s thriving softball and baseball communities
  

Every session is intentionally designed with high-school athletes and programs in mind, ensuring all content is relatable, realistic, and immediately useful.

📅 CLINIC SCHEDULE & IN-DEPTH SPEAKER PROFILESBelow is the complete Friday lineup with extended details to help coaches understand the value of each session.

9:00 AM — Katie TaylorTopic: Elite Outfield PlayAbout the Speaker:Katie Taylor is a former University of Tennessee softball standout who starred in the SEC as an outfielder known for elite defensive awareness, exceptional reads, and nearly flawless fundamentals. At Tennessee, Taylor played a key role in postseason runs, earning recognition as one of the conference’s most dependable defenders.
After her collegiate career, she transitioned into instruction, becoming a respected clinician specializing in defensive development. Her teaching emphasizes efficiency, footwork precision, and decision-making under pressure.
Session Deep Dive:Katie’s session will cover:

• First-step movement patterns and reaction time
  
• Efficient angle creation on line drives, gappers, and balls over the head
  
• Throwing mechanics that reduce wasted motion and improve accuracy
  
• Communication systems for multi-player coverage
  
• Daily skill progressions and structured practice plans
  
• Outfield reads, routes, and situational positioning
  

Katie provides high-level defensive instruction that all coaches — regardless of roster talent — can implement immediately.

10:00 AM — Keith MadisonTopic: Coaching With a PurposeAbout the Speaker:Keith Madison is one of the most respected figures in American baseball coaching. As the former University of Kentucky head baseball coach, he amassed more than 700 career wins over 25 seasons, becoming the winningest coach in UK history. He is a member of multiple halls of fame and continues to influence the game through his leadership roles.
In addition to coaching, Madison serves as the longtime publisher of Inside Pitch Magazine, a national baseball publication dedicated to coaches and program development.
Session Deep Dive:“Coaching With a Purpose” focuses on:

• Developing a transformational coaching philosophy
  
• Building relationships that improve performance and character
  
• Mentorship strategies for teenage athletes
  
• Establishing a culture of discipline, accountability, and pride
  
• Leadership habits that elevate entire programs
  
• The role of coaches in influencing athletes beyond wins and losses
  

This is a program-building session ideal for entire coaching staffs.

11:00 AM — Jennifer MichudaTopic: Elite Infield Play & Daily DrillsAbout the Speaker:Jennifer Michuda played collegiate softball at Carthage College before launching an international professional career in:

• Germany
  
• The Czech Republic
  
• The Netherlands
  
• And the U.S. with the Chattanooga Steam
  

Michuda has built a reputation as an advanced infield technician, known for her efficiency, rhythm, and ability to simplify complex movements.
Session Deep Dive:Jennifer’s high-energy session includes:

• Advanced footwork and timing sequences
  
• Infield rhythm and glove presentation
  
• Throwing mechanics specific to short hops, backhands, and slow rollers
  
• Position-specific responsibilities and progressions
  
• Daily drill packages for consistent improvement
  
• Full infield practice organization
  

This session is especially valuable for coaches looking to elevate their team’s defensive consistency.

12:00–2:00 PM — Lunch Break
2:00 PM — Nate TompkinsTopic: Hitting & Training to Hit at the Next LevelAbout the Speaker:Nate Tompkins serves as an assistant softball coach at Troy University, a program recognized for powerful offenses and high-level player development. Tompkins is known for his ability to blend traditional hitting concepts with modern analytic-based instruction.
Session Deep Dive:This comprehensive hitting session includes:

• Lower-body sequencing and kinetic chain efficiency
  
• Bat-speed development and barrel acceleration
  
• Adjustability within the swing
  
• Approach training and pitch recognition
  
• Building competitive hitters through constraint-based drills
  
• Data-driven training models (Blast, Rapsodo, etc.)
  

Coaches will leave with drills and systems used at the Division I level.

3:00 PM — Joel KlockTopic: The Mental Edge of the High School AthleteAbout the Speaker:Joel Klock is a mental-performance specialist who works with high-school, collegiate, and elite athletes. His expertise focuses on confidence, communication, competitive composure, and focus — areas often overlooked in traditional coaching.
Session Deep Dive:Coaches will learn:

• On-field mental reset strategies
  
• Pre-performance routines for hitters, pitchers, and defenders
  
• Effective coach-to-player communication patterns
  
• Managing emotional peaks and dips
  
• Building team confidence and trust
  
• Handling adversity and pressure
  

This session helps coaches build athletes who are mentally stronger, more consistent, and better equipped for competition.

4:00 PM — GHSA Panel with Merri Sherman & GHSA StaffTopic: 2026 Season Q&A — Rules, Clarifications & Softball UpdatesAbout the Speakers:Led by GHSA Associate Director Merri Sherman, this panel includes GHSA staff and administrators who oversee Georgia high-school softball.
Session Deep Dive:Topics will include:

• 2026 rules interpretations and clarifications
  
• Officiating updates and points of emphasis
  
• Eligibility reminders
  
• Season structure and postseason notes
  
• Safety guidelines
  
• Open Q&A for coaches
  

This session gives coaches direct access to GHSA leadership, ensuring clarity entering the season.

⭐ WHY GEORGIA COACHES SHOULD ATTENDThe GADC Coaches Clinic is built to strengthen softball and baseball across Georgia by focusing on:

• High-level instruction that translates directly to high school players
  
• Stronger team culture & leadership models
  
• Updated GHSA guidance
  
• Direct access to elite instructors
  
• Networking opportunities with coaches across the state
  
• Tools and frameworks to accelerate program growth
  

Whether your program is rebuilding or competing for state titles, the GADC Clinic provides actionable value for every coach.

🔗 REGISTRATION & INFORMATION

REGISTER FOR THE CLINIC HERE