PODCAST · sports
Behind The Backstop
by Behind The Backstop
Topics for everyone involved in youth baseball and softball. The hosts are parents who have also coached youth sports. Let's keep sports fun for everyone, even when craziness tries to creep in.
Episodes
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Episode 39 - On The Level
We are joined by John Keough of Keough's Computations. He played baseball from t-ball through high school varsity and competitive travel ball. He shares his thoughts about the ups and downs as well as what parents and kids can expect at each level. His minor league rosters are available at...
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Episode 38: Next Level Parenting
Matt and Joyce use their years of baseball parenting and survival skills from living in the rugged north to share scathingly brilliant ideas.
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Episode 37: Baseball is a Numbers Game
How "crunching the numbers" can add to the enjoyment of baseball. What stats matter? What is more important that statistics for youths playing baseball? All of these topics and more are discussed with our special guest, a numbers guy, John Keough. References mentioned: Fangraphs GameChanger for...
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Episode 36: Baseball Boos
Matt and Joyce emerge from the dark, misty shadows just in time to share their frightful stories from the ballfields. Scary boys and girls, very scary indeed!
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Episode 35: Fair or Foul?
Matt and Joyce are joined by a special guest, their son John. There're talking about the Baseball Hall of Fame and why no player was selected to join it this year. Also, should Pete Rose be in the Hall?
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Episode 34: Our Christmas Wishes
Matt and Joyce fill out a list of things they would like to have as baseball parents. There is a short shopping guide, but most of these things are not material objects. Also, find out if you can recognize the classic TV theme song Matt attempts to hum.
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Episode 33: The Third Thanksgiving Special
Some traditions just are meant to be - so Matt and Joyce are doing another Thanksgiving Special. 2020 has been different enough that we have new things to be thankful for, so let's give thanks!
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Episode 32 : You Know The Score?
Matt and Joyce talk about keeping score at a baseball game. Joyce shares her story of how she learned to "keep book" on paper and now in an app. There is a secret revealed. Bonus content: Matt actually remembers he had better get Joyce and anniversary gift. An Atlantic story about the history of...
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Episode 31 : The Perfect Ballpark
Matt and Joyce are joined by special guests John, James, Patrick, and Tommy to discuss the things we would like to see in our perfect ballpark.
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Episode 30 : What's In A Name?
Matt ponders the importance of team names. The Cleveland Indians are almost certainly changing their name and Matt has suggestions. Also, do you think the name of the team your kid plays on is important? Would you not join a team if the name was one you didn't like?
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Episode 29: On Our Soapbox!
Maybe it is the heat. Maybe it is the lingering pandemic. Matt & Joyce have some youth baseball peeves that are just ready to explode.
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Episode 28: This Field Is Open
We are back at the ball parks after the Covid-19 shutdown. Are people observing the rules? What issues did we see? Is it really worth it, after all? Hear what we observed, and let us know what you are seeing. You can leave a message via Anchor.fm or at BehindTheBackstop.com.
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Episode 27: WAY Behind The Backstop
It has been a heck of a year so far, right? Pandemics will do that. But baseball is about to start in Ohio and we are here to talk about it. What will it be like? Matt and Joyce talk about the mandatory requirements as well as the recommendations. Will this all work? Can Matt have his seeds?
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Episode 26: Off Seasons Greetings
It's the most wonderful time of the non-baseball season year! We share ideas for great gifts for baseball players, parents, grandparents. Most importantly, Matt drops major hints to Joyce about his Christmas wish list.
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Episode 25 : The Second Annual Thanksgiving Special
Matt and Joyce reflect upon the things about youth baseball for which they are thankful. Some things might surprise you! Are you mentioned?
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Episode 24: There's an app for that!
The days of phone trees and Xeroxed schedules are in the past. Matt and Joyce review some of the apps we have used as part of our baseball parent lifestyle.
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Episode 23: Behind the Backstop...or Not?
There is an art and a science to selecting your location and posture while attending your kid's baseball game. Matt and Joyce have ideas for those who want to be social, or anti-social, and the pros and cons of various seating options.
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Episode 22: It's Only Fall Ball
Here in Ohio there is a season after the regular season that isn't exactly post season and we aren't ready for winter. We call this "Fall Ball". Some people say "It's ONLY fall ball." and we explore what this means. Get your pumpkin spice and join us Behind The Backstop.
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Episode 21 : Be A Good Sport!
We've all heard that athletes are supposed to be "good sports." What does that mean? Matt and Joyce look at recent actions in the Little League World Series, MLB, and youth baseball and discuss how they reflect good sportsmanship...or don't. Spoiler alert: we mention the New York Yankees.
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Episode 20: For the Love of the Game
Being a baseball parent can mean a lot of time and money invested in keeping your child involved in the sport. So why do we do it? Because baseball is the best sport ever invented. There are lessons that can be drawn from the game that extend beyond the ball field. Matt and Joyce share some…
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Episode 19: Tryout Time Again?
Matt and Joyce return after an summer long hiatus to once again talk baseball parenting. This time we have tryouts on our mind. What to look for in a team? How to handle rejection? Where should we sit? And on what?
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Episode 18 : Interview with Coach Justin Dehmer
We are joined by Coach Justin Dehmer, who coached his high school baseball team to back-to-back-to-back state championships. He's a nationally-known motivational speaker and the author of the book "1 Pitch Warrior". We discuss how baseball and softball parents can support their kid's coaches as...
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Episode 17: Trying Times - Surviving Tryouts
Kids can get stressed at tryout time. So can their parents! Matt and Joyce are here to help you.
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Episode 16 : The Off Season
Hi there! It's been some time since we talked. What have you been up to? Let's catch up.
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Episode 15 : The 2018 Thanksgiving Special
Matt and Joyce reflect upon the things for which they are thankful related to youth baseball. We also have very special guests take a break from their holiday to join us.
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Episode 14 : A Coach's Perspective (Part 2)
We pick up our conversation with Zak Blair from B2 Baseball we started in Episode 13. We discuss the mental and physical game, a very simple but important thing parents can do to help their young players, and preparing for school and work through playing sports the right way.
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Episode 13: A Coach's Perspective
Zak Blair from B2 Baseball gives us the inside scoop on what coaches look for when evaluating players - and their parents! A wide-ranging discussion about how we can make the most of our youth sports experience.
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Episode 12: Who's cheating who?
Cheating and dirty play are in the headlines. How should parents react or help their kids learn the right lessons? Bonus: a couple of musical interludes.
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Episode 11: The right things to do when things go wrong
Baseball has been called a game of failure. Our kids will have batting slumps, commit errors, have mental lapses, and experience losing streaks. Parents can help them get through it or make things worse. The choice is ours.
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Episode 10: The State of Youth Baseball in 2018
Matt welcomes Maheesh from Project High Five to discuss recent research they have done about the state of youth baseball, particularly rec leagues. The study can be found at https://www.projecthighfive.com/thread/0D/state-of-youth-baseball-2018
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Episode 9: Cleats of Clay
What can parents do when the athletes our kids admire let them down? Bad behavior isn't hard to find. Are there lessons to be learned? How do we put things in perspective?
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Episode 8: Every Mom's Crazy About A Sharp Dressed Team
This episode is all about the uniforms, what we like and dislike. What is cool "old school" to one might be an abomination to another. Also, Joyce share her secrets to getting those uniforms nice and clean after our little dirt bags play hard.
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Episode 7: The Little League World Series
Matt and Joyce look at the the LLWS (and the TV coverage) to find the good and not-so-great parts of this annual event.
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Episode 6: The Coach's Kid
We explore the ups and downs of being the coach's kid. Matt tries to get Joyce to say mean things about his in-laws. Let's show the coach's kid some love.
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Episode 5: Hey Now, You're An All-Star!
Matt and Joyce hash out how All-Star players are selected in youth baseball. They also sing.
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Episode 4: The Good In The Game
We cleanse our palates from the pet peeve podcast and promote what is positive! :-)
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Episode 3: Pet Peeves At The Ballpark
This is the episode where we get real. We are not calling anybody out - but if it hits close to home just remember we still love you but we would like you more if you would stop it!
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Episode 2 - "Hey Blue!" -or- Umpires are people, too.
We've seen some crazy things at the ballpark involving umpires. We can forget that there is a human behind the mask and chest protector. Hear our tips for keeping cool and respecting the game when you are disappointed with umpires.
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Episode 1: 5 Ballpark Essentials
Opening Day for the podcast. The topic is 5 Ballpark Essentials.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Behind The Backstop have?
Behind The Backstop currently has 39 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Behind The Backstop about?
Topics for everyone involved in youth baseball and softball. The hosts are parents who have also coached youth sports. Let's keep sports fun for everyone, even when craziness tries to creep in.
How often does Behind The Backstop release new episodes?
Behind The Backstop has 39 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Behind The Backstop?
You can listen to Behind The Backstop on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Behind The Backstop?
Behind The Backstop is created and hosted by Behind The Backstop.
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