The offseason shapes college baseball players, pushing them to build strength, sharpen skills and make sacrifices to stay competitive. While the regular season showcases performance, the team’s success is born in the offseason.
At the University of Arizona, the Wildcats follow a structured regimen focused on conditioning, skill development, nutrition and mental preparation.
“The primary focus of the offseason is to get bigger, stronger, faster and work on skills,” Arizona head coach Walter Hale said. “We’re easing into our season. We want to make sure we’re healthy going in.”
To do that, physical training alone is not enough. Proper nutrition is essential to sustain performance and maximize strength. “They are looking at every ingredient they put in their body,” Hale said.
Arizona first baseman Tony Lira, No. 36, works on his swing at the Terry Francona Hitting Center on Jan. 29, 2025, as part of offseason training.
The Hi Corbett clubhouse kitchen has protein powders, electrolyte mixes, snacks, recovery meals and supplements. Large pumps of liquid Vitamin D3 and multivitamin blends ensure athletes meet their daily nutrition goals.
Recovery is also a critical aspect of the Wildcats’ offseason. Cryotherapy, IV therapy, cold plunges and sleep optimization help speed recovery, while wearable technology tracks strain, recovery and physiological data.
Christian Coppola, a right-handed pitcher, uses a Whoop device to monitor his health.
“I track my overall recovery, heart rate variability, and strain to guide my rest. It’s like a game for me, trying to see how efficient I can be while pushing my health to improve,” he said.
To further improve performance, video analysis tools are used to refine pitching and batting mechanics. Multiple cameras at different angles capture each movement in real time and display it on three large digital screens, allowing players and coaches to make precise adjustments.
“All of this technology we use, like TrackMan, is extremely helpful. Just understanding where you are and where you wanna be. It helps to really dive deep into the little things,” Coppola said.
The Edgertronic and TrackMan systems record high-speed video and ball-tracking data during a training session at Hi Corbett Field on Jan. 29, 2025.
While players are refining their individual skills during offseason, the team also works to maintain cohesion. Players have one hour of individual coaching four times a week and 16 hours of team practice, focusing on collective drills and teamwork.
Balancing academics, personal lives, and demanding workouts can be challenging, requiring discipline from every athlete. According to Hale, that discipline helps them stay focused and navigate the demands of the season.
“You have to trust what you did out of season to be ready for in season,” Coppola said.
The Wildcats’ first game is on Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. against Ole Miss at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The team will return to Tucson for its home opener on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m, facing New Mexico at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
