PODCAST · sports
The Beginner's Dugout
by The Beginner's Dugout
Welcome to Beginner’s Dugout! If you’re new to baseball—or baseball-curious—this is the show for you. Each episode focuses on one key part of the game, breaking it down in simple, beginner-friendly language so you can stop feeling lost and start enjoying baseball with confidence. Whether you’re picking your first team or trying to understand what everyone’s yelling about, we’ve got you covered. New to baseball? Start here: EP1: How to Pick Your Team S2:EP1: How to Watch Baseball (Updated for 2026) EP3: Pitching Basic EP6: Batting Basics EP8: Stats for Beginners Follow the path, and the game will start to click fast. The game is complicated. We make it make sense.
Episodes
-
S2:EP11: The Playoffs
Send us Fan Mail Confused about how the MLB playoffs work? We’ve got you covered! In this episode, we break down the playoff format, from division winners and Wild Card spots to the Wild Card Series, Division Series, and beyond. We explain how teams qualify, what the different seeds mean, why…
more -
S2:EP10: Weird Baseball Situations that Confuse Everyone
Send us Fan Mail Baseball has a lot of rules that seem simple…until they actually happen in a game. In this episode, we’re breaking down some of the weirdest and most confusing situations on the diamond. What exactly makes a ball a ground-rule double? What really counts as a swing—and why do...
-
S2: EP9: How to Sound Smart When You Talk About Baseball
Send us Fan Mail Want to sound like you know baseball—even if you’re still learning the game? In this episode, we share simple tips to help you feel more confident joining the conversation. We’ll talk about finding a favorite team and player, learning a few basic stats, understanding how the...
-
S2: EP8: The Trade Deadline - When One Player Changes a Season
Send us Fan Mail Every July, baseball teams race against the clock to make trades they hope will transform their season. Sometimes those moves become the missing piece to a championship. Other times, the biggest blockbuster deals fall flat. In this episode, we explore some of the most memorable...
-
S2: EP 7: What do Managers Do?
Send us Fan Mail What does a baseball manager actually do? If they aren't calling every play, why are they so important? In this episode, we break down the manager's role before, during, and after the game. Learn how managers make lineup decisions, handle pitchers and the bullpen, decide when to...
-
S2: EP6: Why Are There So Many Games?
Send us Fan Mail Why do Major League Baseball teams play 162 games while most other sports play far fewer? In this episode, we explore the history behind baseball's marathon season, why the sport is uniquely suited for such a demanding schedule, and how leagues around the world approach their...
-
S2: EP5: Defensive Shifts
Send us Fan Mail Why are there three infielders on one side of second base? What exactly is a defensive shift, and why do baseball fans argue about it so much? In this beginner-friendly episode, we break down how defensive shifts work, why teams started using them so heavily, and the surprising...
-
S2: EP4: What Stats are Important and What to Ignore
Send us Fan Mail New to baseball and not sure what really matters over a long season? In this episode, we break down the difference between the noise and the moments worth your attention. Learn which games, stats, and storylines you can safely ignore—and which ones actually shape a team’s season....
-
S2: EP3: What Makes a Quality At-Bat?
Send us Fan Mail What Actually Makes a Quality At-Bat? A Beginner’s Guide Most new baseball fans know when a player gets a hit—but what about the at-bats that don’t end with one? In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down what actually makes a quality at-bat, from working deep counts and...
-
S2:EP2: Why Pitchers Get Pulled (And When Fans Lose Their Minds)
Send us Fan Mail Ever notice a pitcher cruising through a game... only to get pulled suddenly while fans lose their minds? If you’re new to baseball, pitching changes can feel completely random — but there’s actually a method to the madness. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain why...
-
S2: EP1: How to Watch Baseball in 2026 (And the New Rules Explained)
Send us Fan Mail New to baseball and not sure how to actually watch your team in 2026? Between streaming blackouts, subscription options, and the latest rule changes, it can feel way more complicated than it should be. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down the simplest ways to watch...
-
S1: EP18: MLB Playoffs Explained: How October Baseball Really Works
Send us Fan Mail If you’re new to the sport, the MLB postseason can feel confusing fast. Wild Cards, expanding brackets, sudden momentum swings — what actually makes playoff baseball different from the regular season? In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down how the modern playoff…
more -
S1: EP17: Baseball Umpires Explained: The Hardest Job on the Field
Send us Fan Mail Umpires are everywhere in baseball — but most new fans don’t know how they actually work their way to the majors. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down umpire roles, training, and the real challenges of calling a big-league game. By the end, you’ll have a new...
-
S1: EP16: The Trade Deadline Explained: Why Teams Make Big Moves
Send us Fan Mail Every summer, teams suddenly start making dramatic trades — and it can feel chaotic if you’re new to baseball. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain how the trade deadline works, why contenders get aggressive, and what these moves mean for the playoff race. After...
-
S1: EP15: The All-Star Game Explained: What New Fans Should Watch For
Send us Fan Mail The MLB All-Star Game looks different from regular season baseball — and for new fans, it can be confusing. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down how players are selected, what happens during All-Star Week, and how to enjoy the spectacle. By the end, you’ll know...
-
S1: EP14: Baseball Superstitions: The Weird Rituals Players Swear By
Send us Fan Mail From lucky socks to bizarre routines, baseball players are famously superstitious — but why? In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explore the strangest traditions in the sport and what they reveal about baseball culture. It’s a fun look at the game’s quirkiest side. New to...
-
S1: EP13: Baseball’s Unwritten Rules (Why Players Get So Upset)
Send us Fan Mail Ever see players get angry over something that doesn’t seem to break any official rule? Welcome to baseball’s unwritten rules. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain the hidden codes of baseball culture and why certain moments can spark big reactions on the field. After...
-
S1: EP12: Women in Baseball: The Story New Fans Should Know
Send us Fan Mail Women have shaped baseball’s history in powerful ways — but many new fans never hear those stories. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we highlight key figures, milestones, and the evolving role of women in the game. It’s an important chapter of baseball history every fan…
more -
S1: EP11: The MLB Draft Explained (Without the Headache)
Send us Fan Mail The MLB Draft can feel wildly complicated compared to other sports — and honestly, it kind of is. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we walk through how the draft works, why development takes longer in baseball, and what beginners should actually pay attention to on draft day....
-
S1: EP10: International Baseball Players: How Global the Game Really Is
Send us Fan Mail Baseball may feel very American, but the modern MLB is truly global. So where are today’s players coming from? In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explore international pipelines to the majors, how baseball differs around the world, and which countries are producing rising...
-
S1: EP9: How Minor League Farm Teams Work (Player Call-Ups Explained)
Send us Fan Mail Ever hear that a player got “sent down” or “called up” and wonder what that really means? In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain the minor league farm system, how player development works, and when you might see prospects reach the majors. By the end, roster moves will...
-
S1: EP8: Baseball Stats for Beginners: The Numbers That Actually Matter
Send us Fan Mail ERAs, RBIs, OBP… baseball stats can feel like alphabet soup when you’re just getting started. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we simplify the most important pitching, hitting, and fielding stats so you know which numbers actually tell the story of a game. After listening,...
-
S1: EP7: Baseball Fielding Positions Explained (Who Does What?)
Send us Fan Mail Not sure what the difference is between a shortstop and a center fielder? Defensive positions can be one of the biggest hurdles for new fans. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down every fielding position, what skills each role requires, and what to watch for during...
-
S1: EP6: Batting Basics: How Offense Really Works in Baseball
Send us Fan Mail Wondering what separates a great hitter from an average one? Batting stats, lineups, and on-base talk can get confusing quickly. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we walk through the fundamentals of hitting, batting order strategy, and what to watch for when your team comes…
more -
S1: EP5: Spring Training Explained: Why It Actually Matters
Send us Fan Mail Spring Training can feel confusing for new fans. The games don’t count, the rosters are weird, and yet everyone keeps talking about it. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain what Spring Training is really for, what teams are evaluating, and what beginners should…
more -
S1: EP4: Types of Baseball Pitches Explained (Without the Jargon)
Send us Fan Mail Can’t tell a curveball from a slider? When announcers start naming pitch types, it can feel like they’re speaking another language. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down the most common pitches you’ll see in a game and give you simple tips to recognize them in real...
-
S1: EP3:Pitching Basics for Beginners: What Every New Fan Should Know
Send us Fan Mail Struggling to understand what pitchers are actually doing out there? If fastballs, rotations, and bullpens all blur together, you’re not alone. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain how pitching works, the different roles on a pitching staff, and what to watch for…
more -
S1: EP2: How to Watch Your Favorite Baseball Team (Without Getting Confused)
Send us Fan Mail Found your team — but now you can’t figure out how to actually watch them? Between streaming services, radio options, and blackout rules, following baseball can feel surprisingly complicated. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we walk you through the easiest ways to watch or...
-
S1: EP1: How to Pick Your Baseball Team (Leagues & Teams Made Simple)
Send us Fan Mail New to baseball and not sure which team to root for? With so many leagues, divisions, and franchises, picking a favorite can feel overwhelming fast. In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down how MLB leagues and teams are organized and give you simple ways to choose a…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Beginner’s Dugout! If you’re new to baseball—or baseball-curious—this is the show for you.
Each episode focuses on one key part of the game, breaking it down in simple, beginner-friendly language so you can stop feeling lost and start enjoying baseball with confidence. Whether you’re picking your first team or trying to understand what everyone’s yelling about, we’ve got you covered.
New to baseball? Start here:
EP1: How to Pick Your Team
S2:EP1: How to Watch Baseball (Updated for 2026)
EP3: Pitching Basic
EP6: Batting Basics
EP8: Stats for Beginners
Follow the path, and the game will start to click fast.
The game is complicated. We make it make sense.
HOSTED BY
The Beginner's Dugout
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Beginner's Dugout have?
The Beginner's Dugout currently has 29 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Beginner's Dugout about?
Welcome to Beginner’s Dugout! If you’re new to baseball—or baseball-curious—this is the show for you. Each episode focuses on one key part of the game, breaking it down in simple, beginner-friendly language so you can stop feeling lost and start enjoying baseball with confidence. Whether you’re...
How often does The Beginner's Dugout release new episodes?
The Beginner's Dugout has 29 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Beginner's Dugout?
You can listen to The Beginner's Dugout 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 The Beginner's Dugout?
The Beginner's Dugout is created and hosted by The Beginner's Dugout.
URL copied to clipboard!