By Merv Moore
Sports Director & Head Baseball Coach
Let’s be clear about something from the start: great hitters are made by great pitchers.
As I prepare to start training young Filipino hitters, my mind is already on the mound. We’re building a program that will produce elite, professional-caliber hitters. But to do that, we first need to develop elite, professional-caliber pitchers. The two are inseparable. Iron sharpens iron. To forge one, you must forge the other.
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This is the single biggest gap I see in European development models, and a major reason fewer prospects emerge from those leagues. You can have all the batting talent in the world, but if the pitching you face daily is subpar, you plateau.
Developing elite pitchers will help the club develop elite hitters, and that is the non-negotiable foundation for everything we are building here. That’s why my most urgent mission isn’t on the field—it’s finding the right person to stand on it. The Bohol Coconuts needs a full-time Pitching Coach.
The Foundation: Fastballs & Fearlessness
My philosophy is simple, old-school, and built for the long-term health and success of an arm. It starts with one word: command.
Before any fancy grips are taught, every young pitcher in our system will master the art of the fastball. We pound the strike zone. We own the inside and outside corners of the plate. We learn to throw a low, heavy fastball for a consistent strike, on demand. Velocity is a gift that comes later; location is a skill that is earned.
A pitcher does not advance to learning a changeup until he can paint the black with his fastball. And as a rule to protect developing arms, no Coconuts pitcher will throw a curveball until he is 14 years-old. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a cornerstone of our player safety and development.
We can look to the Dominican Republic for intensity—their focus on raw arm strength, mechanics, and intense physical conditioning like sprints and long toss is legendary. But we will temper that with the science of efficiency, building durable arms that last.
The Program: From All-Stars to Elite Prospects
Our pathway is designed for clarity and progression:
All-Star Program (Ages 8-14): The foundation. Here, the pitching coach will instill the basics, identify talent, and foster a love for the craft.
Elite Program (Age 15+): The destination. Our top All-Stars will graduate here. This is a comprehensive academy-style environment where development extends beyond the foul lines. Alongside advanced pitching drills and competition, these young men will receive training in English, life skills, and nutrition—all aimed at preparing them for international contracts as teenagers.
This is the pipeline. The pitching coach will be the architect of its most crucial component.
The Person: The Mentor We Need
I’m not looking for just a former player with a good arm. I’m looking for a builder, a teacher, and a patient leader.
I don’t want just any pitching coach. I want someone who can train pitchers that can compete well against the hitters I will develop. I want elite pitchers and elite hitters competing to make each other better.
The ideal candidate embodies a specific set of traits, the kind detailed in leadership guides for great coaches:
Patience and a Teacher’s Mentality: The ability to break down complex mechanics into simple, repeatable lessons.
Passion for the Craft: A genuine love for the art of pitching that energizes every drill.
A Perfectionist’s Attitude: Sound fundamentals, paired with the wisdom to know progress takes time.
A Calm, Communicative Presence: This is not a yell-first environment. We build players up with clear communication and respect.
A Creator of Fun: The field must be a place of joy, hard work, and camaraderie.
I will supervise the overall program, especially hitting and team defense, but I am not a micro-manager. The right pitching coach will have the autonomy to design and implement their own youth development program for our arms. This is a chance to build something from the ground up and leave a legacy.
This is an opportunity for a pitching coach to make a difference in the lives of impoverished Filipino boys, and see if they have what it takes to develop minor league pitching prospects.
The Pitch: A Life in Bohol
So, who is this for? I prefer a retired former pitcher or pitching coach who would like to spend 6-8 months in Bohol each year, soaking in our incredible island lifestyle. In a perfect world, I would find a former pitcher who is single (and looking for a wife!) and would like to relocate to Bohol full-time.
The perks go beyond baseball. The successful candidate will receive free room and board at our Coconuts Center, a hub for our community. In return, you get to experience life on one of the most beautiful islands in the world:
A laidback, welcoming community famous for its genuine kindness and smiles.
Breathtaking natural wonders, from the iconic Chocolate Hills to pristine white-sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs.
Delicious local Filipino cuisine, a beautiful fusion of fresh seafood and traditional flavors.
The chance to see unique wildlife, like the wide-eyed Philippine tarsier, in its natural habitat.
This is more than a job. It’s an adventure, a calling, and a chance to be part of a family. The Bohol Coconuts will be more than just baseball and softball; we will be an integral part of the community that impacts the daily lives of our members.
If you are the builder, the teacher, and the mentor we are looking for, your diamond awaits under the Bohol sun. Let’s talk.
Marvin “Merv” Moore is the head coach of the Bohol Coconuts Baseball and Softball Club. He has coached in both Europe and Asia, and helped start the international baseball websites, Mister-Baseball and BaseballdeWorld.
