ELKHORN (KMTV) — Former pro Tyler Goodro now helps younger baseball players achieve their dreams on the diamond.
The Creighton Prep alum gives lessons to several players from around the Omaha area. Goodro played part of his college career at Arkansas and even spent five years playing professionally.
"During my offseason time when I went back to play," Goodro said. "I was always giving instruction, 1 on 1 instruction. And then it just formulated over time. I just always had a passion for coaching, wanting to see other people fulfill their dreams. I had my chance, my opportunities. That's the biggest thing for me is just making sure that people are fulfilling their dreams, getting the right information to them. And if I don't have that right information, I'm going to do my best to try to find it for them."
During his playing days, Goodro was a catcher, where he took pitches from future Major League All-Stars Jordan Zimmerman & Clayton Kershaw. He officially retired from playing in 2013 & is now focused on improving the game of younger players.
"Parents will credit me all the time and say hey you did a fantastic job," said Goodro. "And I say I didn't do anything. I maybe told them something or maybe we tweaked something. It's all about the player and I think that's the most important thing. Their dream is my dream and if I can help them along the way and accomplish that, then I will."
Goodro currently works with professionals Kyle Kubat, Aaron Bummer & Jakson Reetz among others.
"I always joke with the guys it keeps me young," Goodro said. "Or I always use the line that says keeping the dream alive is what I call it. To have these guys want to come back and I think that's what it is. It just brings me back to the times I was in the clubhouse with a lot of the guys joking around, building relationships and I think that's one of the most important things is we've built a long-standing relationship. We don't just have to talk about baseball. We can talk about other things."
Although the players Goodro works with can't currently take the field because of COVID-19, that does give Goodro more time to work with them on their craft.
"We're going to get back to baseball eventually," said Goodro. "I think one of the best things it's done for a lot of us is it's self-reflecting. I think we're encouraged to continue that but also hopefully it's building relationships, hopefully it's helping people understand that not to say that there's more to life than baseball but there is. I want people to understand that yeah, baseball will be played again."
