Mike Bard
Distinct ability to clearly and simply communicate the complexity of the four parts of hitting: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, allowing the athlete to achieve elite performance and enjoyment at the highest levels of modern baseball. Expert in movement after a lifelong pursuit of the understanding of space, time and barrel accuracy needed in elite offensive baseball environments, utilizing the most current modalities available: Trackman, TruMedia/Synergy, Totem, Rapsodo and Hawkeye. Driven by a passion to teach, work and invest in the hitter as a person, and a unique comprehension of the intricacies of successful game planning and offensive run production.
EXPERIENCE
Atlanta Braves — Hitting Coach
October 2019 - October 2022
Worked closely with over 60 MLB and MILB players as personal hitting consultant
Athletes in Action - Head Baseball CoachMay 2004 - July 2005 | Summer 1993
University of Kansas - Recruiting Coordinator
KU baseball teams set school hitting record twice with Mike as their hitting coach
Howard Junior College - Assistant Baseball Coach
Texas Tech University - Assistant Baseball Coach
June 1991-August 1991
EDUCATION
Texas Tech University
Masters in Sports Administration | August 1993 - May 1995
BA in Exercise and Sports Science | August 1991 - May 1993
University of Kansas
August 1989 - May 1991Student Athlete | All Big 8 and Academic All Big 8
Howard Junior College
August 1987 - May 1989Associates Degree
Student Athlete
Distinct ability to clearly and simply communicate the complexity of the four parts of hitting: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, allowing the athlete to achieve elite performance and enjoyment at the highest levels of modern baseball. Expert in movement after a lifelong pursuit of the understanding of space, time and barrel accuracy needed in elite offensive baseball environments, utilizing the most current modalities available: Trackman, TruMedia/Synergy, Totem, Rapsodo and Hawkeye. Driven by a passion to teach, work and invest in the hitter as a person, and a unique comprehension of the intricacies of successful game planning and offensive run production.
EXPERIENCE
Atlanta Braves — Hitting Coach
October 2019 - October 2022
- Rome Braves low A | 2020 season
- Augusta Greenjackets Low A | 2021 season
- Mississippi Braves AA | 2022 season
- Developed Organization-wide Game Planning with the analytic department (2021-2022)
- $1.5M Annual Revenues
- Led team of 40 instructors in daily mentorship
- Combined 75 High School & Youth Travel Teams annually
- Led the local culture change of baseball in Colorado in hitting, arm care and style of play.
- Hitting consultant with Los Angeles Dodgers instructional league, winter training and spring training.
- Assistant to the Hitting Coach Colorado Rockies major league
- Participant in 2007 MLB World Series
Worked closely with over 60 MLB and MILB players as personal hitting consultant
Athletes in Action - Head Baseball CoachMay 2004 - July 2005 | Summer 1993
- Head Coach of International Team USA 1993 (China, Alaska, Philippines)
- Head Coach of AIA Summer Teams Summer 2003
- 2003 and 2004 NCCAA National Coach of the Year
- Took Program from NAIA to D1 in 2 years
- DBU Patriots 2004 record of 44-16 (during their first year at D-1 level). Wins that year include Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU and Fresno State.
University of Kansas - Recruiting Coordinator
KU baseball teams set school hitting record twice with Mike as their hitting coach
Howard Junior College - Assistant Baseball Coach
Texas Tech University - Assistant Baseball Coach
- Recruited Big XII all time career leader in wins, games started, shutouts, RBIs, and total bases while at Texas Tech.
- 1995 Texas Tech led all NCAA Division 1 teams with a .344 team batting average.
June 1991-August 1991
- Signed as an undrafted free agent and played 1 season in the Single A short season Northwest League: Bend (Oregon) Bucks.
- MLB NL Batting Champion
- MLB NL Rookie of the Year
- MLB Silver Slugger
- MLB All-Stars
- MLB NL Championship Series MVP
- MLB World Series MVP
- MLB HR Derby runner up
- World Baseball Classic Pool C MVP
EDUCATION
Texas Tech University
Masters in Sports Administration | August 1993 - May 1995
BA in Exercise and Sports Science | August 1991 - May 1993
University of Kansas
August 1989 - May 1991Student Athlete | All Big 8 and Academic All Big 8
Howard Junior College
August 1987 - May 1989Associates Degree
Student Athlete