Meet Ron Bernick | Baseball and Softball Development Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ron Bernick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ron, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As an entrepreneur and business owner, risk is inevitable, especially at the beginning when you’re just getting started. When we opened Hot Corner Athletics, the goal was to provide as much value to baseball and softball athletes that we could. The biggest risk that we had was the initial startup of the company and taking the risk to even open the business. From there, hiring more employees and understanding how to create a foundation was the next big step to the risk taking. Not knowing who we were hiring and what the hiring process looks like what definitely a great learning experience and some risk was involved in hiring before really knowing what our numbers looked like.

We take risks every day, month and year. The biggest risk was moving into a new facility in November of 2022 that was 4x the size of the one we started with. As much as we had the big risk, it comes and will continue to come with big rewards. We are able to provide value to 4x the number of athletes we used to be able to handle which has proven our program and brand to be credible and high caliber.

There will be more risks as we grow, but we know that this is a staple to growth and the only way to continue to create a legacy that we want to leave.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Hot Corner Athletics is different in the fact that we aren’t just training athletes. That is a main foundation to who we are, but at the end of the day, we want to create great people, great leaders, people of high character, hard workers and a great culture that warrants people coming back to train with us.

We are here today because of hard work and dedication to the baseball and softball community worldwide and if it wasn’t for all of the support of our community, we would not be here today!

Was it easy? Absolutely not. Every day is a challenge, and we face new challenges, every single day that we are open. Is it something that turns us away? No chance. We run headfirst into the challenges we face because we know that challenges and adversity is the foundation to success. We are such growth minded people that we love the challenge and love the rewards that our athletes have when they have success. We are thankful for these challenges and embrace them when they are here. We overcome these challenges by pushing through every day and knowing that every situation is temporary. The highs and the lows are temporary, so we just have to keep going and work hard because there are over 4500 athletes counting on us.

Every day is a new lesson and learning experience. We have learned that having a TEAM environment not only creates a fun, growth minded working environment, but we are also changing the lives of our employees as well. We are learning that legacy and impact are more important than finances and typically, the financial component comes when the value is high. The biggest lesson is to keep your personal circle small and make sure that we are cautious on who we surround ourselves with. Relationships are very important, and our circle is there to teach us and help us become better people.

My personal story is very deep. I’ve had my highs and my lows in life and would love to spend more time discussing my personal story and how I got to where I am today. If it wasn’t for those adversities and the grit that it took to get through it, I don’t know where I’d be today. I want people to know that it isn’t easy. It’s very challenging, but the challenges are what makes everything so rewarding. There are tons of sacrificial moments that define who we are and that’s the beauty of what we do.

Hot Corner Athletics is a brand that works with athletes on the surface, but more deeply, we are about the people and creating a better world around us. Hot Corner is here to stay, and we are here to help you become the best version of yourself and truly untap your potential to this world. We are about legacy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In Buffalo, NY you MUST try the wings. Whether it’s taking them to Barbill, Duffs or the Anchor Bar, we can spend a few days “Wing Hopping” to different places to try out the wings. Well, it doesn’t stop there. Our Beef on Weck is to die for and we will definitely take you to some different spots where we can get some Beef on Weck.

At the end of the day, you have to experience the Bills’ Mafia and watch a football game because our fans are ELECTRIC. We can check out the Sabers if you want to see a hockey game and then check out the Buffalo Bisons to see some good baseball (though I’m biased because I’m a baseball guy). The Bisons will create a great experience to see “Baseball’s Future Stars.” Buffalo is a family city and a city that’s close knit. We want to give you a great experience and leave here closer than ever before. Most people that start here, stay here because they love the people (and food).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife, Katelyn, has been the rock and foundation to our family and a major reason why I’ve been able to chase this dream. Katie has taken sole responsibility to create the life at home that I want my children to grow up in and for that, I am thankful and blessed. Katie is a big reason why Hot Corner got on its feet and why I was able to chase this dream. We are creating the life that we want for ourselves and for our children and it’s because of her that I am able to do what I do every single day. Without consistent structure at home, I would not be able to do what I do today.

My mom was the one who taught me to chase my dreams in life. If you really want something, go for it. She is the person behind the way my mind works, and I am so thankful for her guidance and trust that I should chase my dreams to create the life that I want. If it wasn’t for her teaching and love that she had for my family, we would not be in the position that we are today.

My brother and sister, Nicholas and Amanda. They have always been my biggest fans and always been supportive of my dreams and goals. Between the two of them, we were able to fight adversities in life and stick together like glue to be able to create the lives that we have today. Their support keeps me going every day and they do a great job of putting things into perspective for me as to where I am versus where I was 6 years ago when we started Hot Corner.

A great friend of my family, John Comerford, made all of this happen. John is the person who helped make my dream come true and I am forever thankful for his love and guidance toward my family. John was the one who helped me get started and his family has been amazing toward me as we continue to grow our business nationwide. He is not only the person who helped me get started, but he is also the one who has mentored me on how to be a better business owner, father, husband and friend. For that, I am forever grateful to him and his family.

To my business partner, Sam Cumbo. Sam has taught me how to be a better person, coworker, friend, leader and dream chaser. We work every single day on making Hot Corner Athletics the best training facility in the country for our athletes and his guidance has been a huge reason why we are so successful.

To the families and athletes of Hot Corner. THANK YOU! You are the reason we are here and the reasons why we work so hard. Our mission is to help change the lives of our athletes for the better, every day, and we will continue on that mission until we help every athlete that walks in our doors. Our legacy is through all of you and we are so thankful.

Website: www.hotcornerathletics.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hotcornerathletics

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/ronniebernick

Twitter: www.twitter.com/hotcorner_

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hotcornerathletics

Image Credits
Joe Mack, Miami Marlins Matt Brash, Seattle Mariners Bailey Briggs, Rutgers University Charlie Mack, Minnesota Twins Hot Corner Athletics Human Performance Center Hot Corner Athletics Skill Development Center