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Technology, data, metrics, rankings, numbers — we have more information available to evaluate baseball players than ever before.But have we gotten away from the eye test?On this episode of The Hitting Zone, Mitch Thomas welcomes Dave Wiggins, host of YBM’s Baseball 101, for a conversation about how we evaluate players in today’s game.Numbers can tell us a lot. Velocity, exit velocity, pop time, spin rate, measurable tools and countless other data points have become part of the baseball landscape. But can those numbers tell us everything we need to know about a player?Mitch and Dave take a swing at the balance between measurable data and simply watching someone play baseball.What happens when the numbers say one thing, but your eyes tell you something different?Are we putting too much weight on measurable tools?Can you measure baseball IQ, competitiveness, instincts, toughness, decision-making or how a player responds when the game gets difficult?And with players increasingly evaluated through numbers, rankings and short looks, is there still enough room for coaches and evaluators to trust what they see?It’s another conversation about development, evaluation, and making sure the tools available to the game are helping us understand players — rather than becoming the only way we define them.Step inside The Hitting Zone.Follow Dave Wiggins / Baseball 101Instagram: @coachdave1338X: @CoachDW1338Follow Mitch Thomas / The Hitting ZoneInstagram: @_mtsperformanceX: @TheHittingZoneSTLTikTok: @thehittingzonestlFollow Youth Baseball Midwest⚾ Join the YBM Clubhouse on YouTube for early access to new episodes, exclusive content, exclusive discounts and more!👕 Rep YBM — Shop the Official Merch Store:https://gorgeousware.com/collections/youth-baseball-midwestThe Hitting Zone is sponsored by Kilo Gear.Visit https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com and click the Kilo Gear tab.Use promo code YBM10 for 10% off your order!YBM Partner: Game 7 Baseball⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Welcome to the premiere episode of Youth Baseball Talk on Youth Baseball Midwest! Host Dan Seddon is joined by Brian French to introduce the newest show in the YBM podcast lineup and take a look at how the youth baseball landscape has changed over the years. Dan and Brian discuss the evolution of the game since Dan’s days playing youth baseball, including the growth of travel baseball, changes throughout the club landscape, and the different opportunities and decisions facing today’s young players and their families. This premiere sets the stage for what Youth Baseball Talk is all about. Throughout the season, Dan will dive into the 8U–14U side of the game and tackle conversations surrounding player development, coaching, parents, travel and club organizations, culture, and the challenges that come with navigating youth baseball today. This is where the baseball journey begins—and there’s plenty to talk about. Subscribe to Youth Baseball Midwest and follow Youth Baseball Talk throughout the season! ⚾ JOIN THE YBM CLUBHOUSE Become a member directly through the Youth Baseball Midwest YouTube channel by clicking the “Join” button on our channel page. 🛒 SHOP YBM https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com 💪 YBM PARTNER: KILOGEAR Visit: https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com Click the Kilogear tab and use promo code YBM10 for 10% off your order. #YouthBaseballTalk #YouthBaseballMidwest #YouthBaseball #TravelBaseball #BaseballDevelopment⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

So-ILL Baseball Talk is back as host Carl Lange sits down with Jason Varner, manager of the Pony League Marion Colts. Carl and Jason discuss the role programs like the Marion Colts play in Southern Illinois baseball, the responsibility that comes with coaching young athletes, and what it takes to build a positive environment where players can develop both on and off the field. The conversation explores youth baseball from a coach’s perspective, including player development, team culture, community involvement, and the importance of creating opportunities for young athletes throughout Southern Illinois. Follow Jason Varner on X:@MrVarnerMath Subscribe to Youth Baseball Midwest and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode ofSo-ILL Baseball Talk. ⚾ JOIN THE YBM CLUBHOUSE The YBM Clubhouse is available directly through the Youth Baseball Midwest YouTube channel. Visit our channel and select “Join” to become a member and support YBM. 💪 SHOP KILOGEAR Kilogear is a proud partner of Youth Baseball Midwest. Visit:https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com Select the Kilogear tab and use promo code YBM10 to receive 10% off your purchase. 🧢 SHOP YBM MERCH https://gorgeousware.com/collections/youth-baseball-midwest 🌐 VISIT YOUTH BASEBALL MIDWEST https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com Follow Youth Baseball Midwest on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube for more podcasts, interviews, rankings, live broadcasts, and baseball coverage from across the Midwest.#SoILLBaseballTalk #YouthBaseballMidwest #SouthernIllinoisBaseball #MarionColts #PonyLeague ⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Show Me Baseball Talk is back for a new season on Youth Baseball Midwest! Brian kicks off the season with a look at fall baseball across Missouri and dives into YBM’s Missouri Class 1 & 2 Top 10 Rankings. Programs like Gainesville, Purdy, Fordland and Conway are part of the early conversation — but where do they land? And which other programs made their way into the Top 10? Brian breaks down the rankings, looks at what these teams are bringing into the fall season, and sets the stage for what we’ll be watching as the year unfolds. Who’s ranked too high? Who’s too low? And which team should everyone be keeping an eye on this fall? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know what YOUR Class 1 & 2 Top 10 would look like! 💪 SHOW ME BASEBALL TALK PARTNER — KILO GEAR Show Me Baseball Talk is proudly partnered with Kilo Gear! Visit: https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ Click the Kilo Gear tab to shop and use promo code YBM10 for 10% OFF your order! ⚾ JOIN THE YBM CLUBHOUSE Want even more from Youth Baseball Midwest? Join the YBM Clubhouse right here on YouTube! Click the JOIN button on the Youth Baseball Midwest YouTube channel to become a member and support YBM while getting access to Clubhouse member benefits. 🛒 SHOP YBM https://gorgeousware.com/collections/youth-baseball-midwest #YouthBaseballMidwest #ShowMeBaseballTalk #MissouriBaseball #FallBaseball #HighSchoolBaseball⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Season 3 of Baseball 101 is here!Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins kicks off a brand-new season with Ryan Malzahn, Assistant Scouting Director and Head of Tournament Scouting for Prep Baseball, for a conversation every player and parent navigating the baseball development and recruiting landscape should hear.Showcases and camps — are they really necessary?With so many events available to young athletes, knowing when to attend, where to spend your time and money, and what to do with the information you receive can be difficult. Ryan brings the perspective of someone who evaluates players for a living to help families better understand where showcases and camps fit into the development and recruiting process.Dave and Ryan discuss:• What players should actually be looking for in a showcase or camp• When athletes should begin attending these events• How to determine which opportunities are worth pursuing• What evaluators are looking for when athletes perform• How players should use their results and data afterward• The difference between simply attending events and using them as part of a larger development planA showcase can give you numbers. A camp can put you in front of coaches. But understanding why you're there and what you do next can make all the difference.Season 3 starts with an important conversation for players, parents, and coaches trying to make informed decisions about the path ahead.⚾ Baseball 101 with Diamond Dave Wiggins — where experience meets education.📲 Follow Dave WigginsX (Twitter): @CruitsCoachDWInstagram: @coachdave1338📲 Follow Ryan MalzahnX (Twitter): @PB_Malzahn📲 Follow Prep Baseball MissouriX (Twitter): @prepbaseballmoInstagram: @prepbaseballmoOther Socials: @prepbaseballmo⚾ Join the YBM Club Today! Get more from Youth Baseball Midwest and be part of the YBM community. https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club 🛒 Shop YBM Merch Rep Youth Baseball Midwest with official YBM gear. https://gorgeousware.com/collections/youth-baseball-midwest⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Season 3 of The Hitting Zone is officially underway on Youth Baseball Midwest! Mitch Thomas kicks off the new season by welcoming back Bobby Minor of Chasing Baseball Dreams for a conversation about something nearly every baseball family has felt in one way or another: The $10,000 Summer. How did we get to a place where families can spend thousands of dollars on club fees, travel, hotels, tournaments, lessons, equipment, showcases, and everything else that comes with a summer of baseball? More importantly — what are families actually getting for that investment? Mitch and Bobby dig into the expectations surrounding modern youth baseball and the pressure families can feel to spend more, travel farther, and constantly search for the next opportunity. Mitch will also bring perspective from conversations Bobby's had with former MLB MVP Dustin Pedroia, adding another layer to the discussion about development, opportunity, expectations, and what young players actually need. When does investing in your athlete make sense? When does the chase become too much? And are we creating better baseball players — or simply making baseball more expensive? Season 3 starts with a conversation that goes right to the heart of what The Hitting Zone is about: asking difficult questions, challenging the current culture, and helping baseball families make better decisions.Follow Bobby Minor / Chasing Baseball Dreams Instagram: @chasingbaseballdreamsTikTok: @chasingbaseballdreamsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chasingbaseballdreams/ Follow Mitch Thomas / The Hitting Zone Instagram: @_mtsperformanceX: @TheHittingZoneSTLTikTok: @thehittingzonestl ⚾ Join the YBM Club Today:https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club 👕 Rep YBM — Shop the Official Merch Store:https://gorgeousware.com/collections/youth-baseball-midwestThe Hitting Zone is sponsored by Kilo Gear.YBM Partner: Game 7 Baseball⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Well, we are here! Fall high school baseball is back, and so is a new chapter of coverage from Youth Baseball Midwest with the YBM Press Box!Nearly 100 high school baseball programs will compete this fall, and many of these schools do not have football programs. We want to work throughout the season to bring these teams, players, and communities the coverage they deserve.On our first edition of the YBM Press Box, we're talking 2026 Fall Contenders. We'll take an early look at some of the top teams across the state and hear from coaches leading programs we expect to be right in the middle of the conversation this fall, including our early #1 teams in Class 1 and Class 2, along with Licking Head Coach from Class 3.Then it's time to play baseball.Youth Baseball Midwest will be in Ozark, Missouri, for opening weekend at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex, where Purdy, St. Elizabeth and Licking waste no time jumping into the 2026 season.The two-day event will also feature Ellington, Southwest (Washburn), and Silo High School from Silo, Oklahoma.We'll have the cameras rolling throughout the weekend, bringing you interviews, reactions, and coverage from the players and coaches as the 2026 fall baseball season officially swings into action.Welcome to the YBM Press Box. Let's talk fall baseball.💪 YBM PRESS BOX — SPONSORED BY KILOGEARMicro-Weighted Apparel and Training GearTrain Smarter. Perform Stronger.Doctor-designed weighted gear trusted by baseball athletes to improve speed, power, and overall performance.👉 Visit https://kilogear.com/pages/team/youth-baseball-midwest💥 Use code YBM10 for 10% off your entire purchase!🔒 JOIN THE YBM CLUBBecome a YBM Club Member and get early access to more content just like this!Click the Join button above or click the link below:👉 youtube.com/@youthbaseballmidwest/join📺 YOUTH BASEBALL MIDWESTYouTube: @YouthBaseballMidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball Midwest🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth ProductionsIG: @redearthproductionsWebsite: redearthprod.com⚾ Show Partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.comInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball Midwest🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth ProductionsIG: @redearthproductionsWebsite: redearthprod.com⚾ Show Partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

As the 2026 Missouri high school season comes to an end, Kevin Moulder of Prep Baseball joins the show to discuss the players who have made the list. Who are the Seniors who have stood out for their high school career and who are some of the up and coming Juniors and underclassmen making the list. We take a look at the All-State teams that remind us of these tremendous players who will now be moving on to the next phase of their journey. 2026 was dominated by seniors on the lists and we get to relive some of the memories and talk about where these players will be making the next stop in there baseball and academic careers.SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARECheck out our sponsor's pages!KILOGEAR: https://kilogear.com/pages/team/youth-baseball-midwestGame 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comGet all your Gear at Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.comFollow Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthbaseballmidwestFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthBaseballMidwestX/Twitter: Youth Baseball Midwest (@YBM_cast) / X (twitter.com)Website: https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Who's #1! This is what we are discussing today in this episode of YBM Baseball Talk. Missouri American Legion Baseball is underway, and we have some players to talk about. Along with the first two Players of the Week and 19U Teams of the Week. YBM is dropping our first edition of the 2026 Power Rankings for 19U and 17U and we will discuss some of the players making an impact for their clubs. It is still early and some teams have got out of the gate playing a lot of games and some are still working their way into the season. Let's get going and see who is at the top of the list and why we think they may be the early favorites to win a state championship.FOLLOW, LEAVE REVIEW, COMMENT, SHARECheck out our sponsor's pages! Powered by Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comGet all your Gear at Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.comFollow Youth Baseball Midwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthbaseballmidwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthBaseballMidwest X/Twitter: Youth Baseball Midwest (@YBM_cast) / X (twitter.com)Website: https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

The 2026 high school baseball season has come to an end, and it's time for the final rankings.On this episode of Baseball Talk, Brian is joined by Dave Wiggins, Head Coach at Principia Christian and Recruits Baseball Director, as they break down the final Youth Baseball Midwest rankings for Classes 1 through 6.Throughout the season, teams across Missouri battled through conference play, district tournaments, and the road to the Final Four. Now that the dust has settled, Brian and Dave take one final look at the landscape of Missouri high school baseball and discuss where teams landed in the final YBM rankings.The conversation includes:Final YBM Rankings for Classes 1-6Teams that exceeded expectationsPrograms that made memorable postseason runsSeason-long performances that stood outLooking ahead to 2027The show also previews the upcoming Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Games, which Youth Baseball Midwest will be broadcasting live this weekend.We discuss:The All-Star game formatPlayers and teams representedWhat makes the event specialWhat fans can expect from our live coverageAs one season ends, another chapter begins, and we're excited to celebrate some of Missouri's best players at the MHSBCA All-Star Games.🔒 Join the YBM Club TodayBecome a Legacy Member and receive 50% off your first year while supporting independent Midwest baseball coverage.Get exclusive player spotlights, rankings, interviews, and members-only content inside the YBM Club.👉 https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club📣 Guest SocialsDave Wiggins (HC Principia Christian / Recruits Baseball Director)X: @CruitsCoachDWInstagram: @coachdave1338⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Brian welcomes in Missouri American Legion Kirkwood Post 156 Head Coach Chris Copeland and Festus Post 253 Head Coach Dylan Black to preview the upcoming 2026 Missouri American Legion Baseball season.Legion Baseball continues to be one of the most respected and tradition-rich brands of baseball in the country, and today we take a look at what is shaping up to be another exciting summer across the state of Missouri.The group discusses:Early expectations for the 2026 seasonThe continued growth of Missouri Legion BaseballWhat makes Legion baseball unique in today’s landscapeThe relationship between high school, club, and summer baseballPrograms and players to watch heading into the summerWe also discuss the upcoming Legion Summer Series, which Youth Baseball Midwest will be broadcasting in partnership with Kirkwood Post 156, bringing more live coverage and exposure to Missouri Legion Baseball throughout the summer.Legion Baseball has long been a major part of baseball development and community tradition in Missouri, and this episode gives a great early look at the upcoming season and where the game continues to grow.🔒 Join the YBM Club TodayBecome a Legacy Member and receive 50% off your first year while supporting independent Midwest baseball coverage.Get exclusive player spotlights, rankings, interviews, and members-only content inside the YBM Club.👉 https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club📣 Guest / Program SocialsChris Copeland (Kirkwood Post 156 Head Coach)X: @Kirkwood156Kirkwood Post 156 BaseballX: @Kirkwood156Dylan Black (Festus Post 253 Head Coach)X: @FestusLegionFestus Post 253 BaseballX: @FestusLegion⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On this episode of Baseball Talk, Brian welcomes in Diego Solares of Scout Connect and Carl Lange of Dinger Bats to break down the Illinois State Baseball Playoffs.The IHSA postseason always delivers some of the best baseball in the Midwest, and today the group dives into the matchups, programs, players, and storylines that are shaping this year’s playoff run across Illinois.The conversation includes:Teams making deep playoff pushesPlayers stepping up in big momentsPrograms that continue to establish themselvesMatchups and classes to watchWhat it takes to survive and advance in Illinois playoff baseballAs the intensity rises throughout the state tournament, Brian, Diego, and Carl provide perspective on the teams and players still fighting for championships across Illinois.If you love postseason baseball, this is a great episode to get caught up on the playoff picture and hear insight from people who follow Illinois baseball closely.🔒 Join the YBM Club TodayBecome a Legacy Member and receive 50% off your first year while supporting independent Midwest baseball coverage.Get exclusive player spotlights, rankings, interviews, and members-only content inside the YBM Club.👉 https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club📣 Guest SocialsDiego Solares (Scout Connect, Founder)X: @DeegsBaseballScout ConnectX: @ScoutConnectBBInstagram: @scoutconnectbbCarl Lange (Dinger Bats)Instagram: @dingerbatsDinger BatsX: @dingerbatsInstagram: @dingerbats⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On this special edition of The Hitting Zone, Mitch Thomas is joined by Bobby Minor for one of the most important conversations the show has tackled yet:Why are we losing players?From unrealistic expectations to the changing culture surrounding youth sports, Mitch and Bobby take a hard look at the current state of youth baseball and the pressures facing players and families today.The conversation explores difficult but necessary questions:• Why does participation seem to decline so heavily after age 14?• Are parents, coaches, and organizations creating unrealistic expectations?• Has social media distorted what success in baseball actually looks like?• Are organizations selling dreams instead of telling families the truth?• Have parents become customers instead of partners in development?• What realities about the game are never shown in the highlight reels?Bobby also shares perspective from his mission of helping baseball parents navigate the process without losing sight of what truly matters.This episode is honest, direct, and centered around protecting the future of the game and the kids playing it.📲 Follow Bobby Minor:Instagram: @chasingbaseballdreamsTikTok: @chasingbaseballdreams📲 Follow Mitch Thomas:Instagram: @_mtsperformanceX (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTLTikTok: @thehittingzonestlPresented by Game 7 Baseball & Prime Sports Midwest⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We started the season with the preseason #1 Eureka Wildcats and we are going to finish with the Liberty (KC) Blue Jays atop the class 6 rankings following a stellar season. Don't worry the Wildcats are right behind the at #2 and it is more like a 1 A and 1 B, and you can take your pick as to who you think A and B is at this time of the year. Who will be challenging these teams not only in their own district championship bracket, but from Southeast and Southwest Missouri. Nixa looks poised to be that team as does the Fighting Indians from Jackson, MO. In the center of the state Rock Bridge looks ready to make a run and dethrone the champs from 2025 in district five. That will be a tall task as the Jaguars are not to interested in letting their Head Coach Ben Baier retire without and good run to the final four. Can a team outside of the KC Suburban Gold conference take home the Class 6 trophy. It has been a heck of run and Blue Springs South, Liberty, Liberty North, and Staley are looking to make it six in a row for the conference in in Kansas City.SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARECheck out our sponsor's pages!Powered by Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comGet all your Gear at Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

In 2026 we have some new players arriving on the scene, Summit Christian Academy Eagles in KC, the MICDS Rams in STL, and Father Tolton Trailblazers in Columbia, MO all moved up due to the private school Championship factor. De Smet Spartans and St Francis Borgia move back down from Class 6 after the championship factor points are no longer applicable. Five teams coming into the 2026 season in new surroundings and in Districts they are unfamiliar with. We have the usual suspects at the top in the Willard Tigers, Rockwood Summit Falcons, Festus Tigers, Platte County Pirates and the Kearney Bulldogs. Who will be the team to knock these guys off the mountain? The Webb City Cardinals sit atop the YBM Rankings in Class 5 and look poised to make significant run. We will look at the contenders and maybe some pretenders as we are joined by Kevin Moulder of Prep Baseball Report and Dave Wiggins host of the Baseball 101 podcast here on YBM. SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE Check out our sponsor's pages! Powered by Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com Get all your Gear at Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Top to bottom Class 4 is one of the toughest classes in the state of Missouri, with arguably the best team in the state regardless of class in Logan-Rogersville. Today we go through all sixteen districts in Class 4 and take a look at who we think will be able to take home the title and advance to the MSHSAA Sectionals and begin the journey to Ozark, MO. The real question is there a contender to the powerhouse Wildcats from Logan-Rogersville. The Southern Boone Eagles look like they can play with anybody, but the Moberly Spartans are right there in district 8 as well. Can the Harrisonville Wildcats be the team, or are we going to see another dark horse enter the race as the Chillicothe Hornets did in 2025. This is why we love the playoffs. LET'S GO!!SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARECheck out our sponsor's pages!Powered by Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comGet all your Gear at Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

In 2026 we decided to make our first attempt at creating a ranking for Class 3 and it has been well worth the effort. We have been following teams as closely as possible and working to develop the information into a workable top ten rankings throughout the season. As you watch this District Preview you will find that we did have some teams whom we did not catch through the season, but for the most part our top ten and about 20 other teams that we have been following in Class 3 are there and ready to make an impact in their respective district tournament. The Centralia Panthers and the Scott City Rams have been the most consistent teams throughout the season and would imagine these two will make a run to the final four.SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARECheck out our sponsor's pages!owered by Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comGet all your Gear at Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.comFollow Youth Baseball Midwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthbaseballmidwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthBaseballMidwestX/Twitter: Youth Baseball Midwest (@YBM_cast) / X (twitter.com)Website: https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We are going to break down each district 1-16 and bring you a look at the teams in the brackets and look at the #1 seeds that have the upper hand in each bracket. Only one team from the 2025 final four have a one seed, but Faith Christian Academy finished 2nd in Class 1 and has the one seed in District 15. Let's get to it and bring you our look at the run to Ozark and the Class 2 Final Four.SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE Check out our sponsor's pages!Powered by Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com Get all your Gear at Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com Follow Youth Baseball Midwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthbaseballmidwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthBaseballMidwest X/Twitter: Youth Baseball Midwest (@YBM_cast) / X (twitter.com)Website: https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

The District Playoffs are here and we are ready to bring you the coverage. We have Dave Wiggins joining us to help talk about these teams and bring you a look at what we know about each bracket and who we might see in Ozark, MO at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex.SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE Check out our sponsor's pages!Powered by Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comGet all your Gear at Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.comFollow Youth Baseball Midwest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthbaseballmidwest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthBaseballMidwestX/Twitter: Youth Baseball Midwest (@YBM_cast) / X (twitter.com)Website: https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Brett Graves stops in for a quick episode of Keep Klimbing to officially announce the hard launch of the Premier Pitching & Performance BOOST App.This platform is built to support athletes at every stage of their development — bringing together the same principles we’ve talked about all offseason: workload management, pitch development, strength progression, and structured training — all in one place.The BOOST App is designed to give players, coaches, and families access to a more organized, intentional approach to development, helping athletes stay consistent and continue to Keep Klimbing no matter where they are training.👉 Learn More & Get Started:https://premierpitching.com/pages/boost📲 Connect with Brett Graves & Premier PitchingBrett Graves → IG: @brettgraves5 | X: @bgraves05Premier Pitching → IG: @premierpitching | X: @PremierPitching⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On this episode of Baseball 101, host Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins welcomes former Miller High School Head Coach Justin Snider for a conversation about the unique challenges faced by coaches and players in smaller school classifications.Coaching at smaller schools often means working with fewer resources, smaller rosters, and unique program limitations. Coach Snider brings his experience, knowledge, and perspective from leading at the small-school level to discuss how those obstacles can be overcome.The discussion covers:• Challenges that small-school programs often face• Developing players with limited resources• Creating a competitive culture in smaller classifications• Lessons learned from coaching in those environments• How perseverance and creativity can shape successful programsThis episode offers valuable insight for coaches and players navigating the realities of small-school baseball while still striving for growth and success.⚾ Baseball 101 — where experience meets education.📲 Follow Dave Wiggins (Host)X (Twitter): @CruitsCoachDWInstagram: @coachdave1338⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Dave Wiggins is back in the host chair for this episode of Baseball Talk, filling in for Brian, and is joined by Diego Solares, Founder of Scout Connect. On today’s show, the conversation centers around Scout Connect’s Preseason Rankings for Illinois large schools, taking a look at some of the programs expected to compete at the top levels across the state this season. Dave and Diego break down the rankings and discuss the teams that have positioned themselves for success heading into the upcoming season. With Illinois baseball continuing to produce strong programs and talented athletes, these preseason rankings give fans and coaches an early look at which teams could be making noise when the season gets underway. From conference contenders to teams with legitimate state championship aspirations, this episode provides insight into Illinois large school baseball and the programs to watch this year. 🔒 Join the YBM Club Today Become a Legacy Member and receive 50% off your first year while supporting independent Midwest baseball coverage. Get exclusive player spotlights, rankings, interviews, and members-only content inside the YBM Club. 👉 https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club 📣 Guest Socials Dave Wiggins (HC Principia Christian / Recruits Baseball Director)X: @CruitsCoachDWInstagram: @coachdave1338 Diego Solares (Scout Connect, Founder)X: @DeegsBaseball Scout ConnectX: @ScoutConnectBBInstagram: @scoutconnectbb⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Dave Wiggins steps into the host chair for this episode of Baseball Talk and is joined by Kevin Moulder, Director of Scouting for Prep Baseball Missouri, along with Staley Head Coach Dionandre Josenberger.The conversation begins with a look at the start of the high school season, including discussions about tryouts, early practices, and what coaches are looking for as teams begin preparing for the upcoming season. With players stepping onto the field for the first time this year, Dave, Kevin, and Coach Josenberger share their perspectives on what matters most during this early phase of the season and how players can set themselves apart.After that, the group shifts their focus to the recent Prep Baseball Missouri Preseason All-State event, taking a look at some of the standout players from the event, beginning with the underclassmen, and discussing what these performances could mean as players continue their development heading into the season.Events like the Preseason All-State provide opportunities for athletes to showcase their abilities and measure their progress, and the panel shares their thoughts on players who made strong impressions during the event.If you're following Missouri high school baseball, this episode provides insight into both the early season process and some of the players who are beginning to make their mark.🔒 Join the YBM Club TodayBecome a Legacy Member and receive 50% off your first year while supporting independent Midwest baseball coverage.Get exclusive player spotlights, rankings, interviews, and members-only content inside the YBM Club.👉 https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club📣 Guest SocialsDave Wiggins (HC Principia Christian / Recruits Baseball Director)X: @CruitsCoachDWInstagram: @coachdave1338Kevin Moulder (Prep Baseball Missouri)X: @PrepBaseballMOInstagram: @prepbaseballmoDionandre Josenberger (Staley High School Head Coach)X: @StaleyFalconBSBIG: @staleybaseball_⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On today’s episode of The Hitting Zone, Mitch Thomas is joined by Nick Schwieder, High School Showcase Director for Competitive Edge, for a conversation that looks at development from a different angle. Before we talk about developing athletes, we have to talk about developing the adults who guide them. Nick shares insight into what goes into building and sustaining a strong organization — from managing coaches and creating a unified philosophy to holding consistent standards across a program. They discuss: • What it takes to build a development-focused organization• Managing and aligning coaches within a system• Establishing expectations and accountability across staff• Why culture and leadership matter in player development Strong athletes rarely appear by accident. They are often the product of strong leadership, strong standards, and adults committed to developing the next generation. If organizations want better players, they must first invest in developing the people responsible for guiding them. 📲 Follow Nick Schwieder / Competitive Edge: Competitive Edge ShowcaseX (Twitter): @CEShowcase_ 📲 Follow Mitch Thomas: Instagram: @_mtsperformanceX (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTLTikTok: @thehittingzonestl⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

As the season approaches, one of the biggest challenges athletes face is transitioning from offseason training into in-season performance. On this episode of Keep Klimbing, Brett Graves breaks down how pitchers and athletes can effectively bridge the gap between training and competition. The work done in the offseason — from workload management and strength development to pitch design and mental preparation — must now translate to game situations on the mound. Brett discusses how athletes can adjust their routines, manage their workload, and maintain the gains made during the offseason while preparing for the demands of a competitive season. This episode covers: • Transitioning from development phases to competitive performance • Managing workload as games begin to ramp up • Maintaining strength and arm health during the season • Applying offseason work to real game situations • Mental preparation as competition begins For pitchers preparing to take the mound this season, understanding how to bridge that gap between training and performance is critical to long-term success. 📲 Connect with Brett Graves Instagram: @brettgraves5 X: @bgraves05 📲 Connect with Premier Pitching Instagram: @premierpitching X: @PremierPitching⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

This marks the third and final Youth Baseball Health Check of the season here on Youth Baseball Midwest. We visited Legacy Performance Academy to sit down with Josh Kranawetter, Youth Baseball Coordinator, and Mike Ott, Founder and Owner of Legacy Performance Academy, to continue our conversation about the overall health of youth baseball. We like to talk baseball, so we decided to do a health check on the state of youth baseball — focusing on the 7U to 14U age groups as we head into another spring and summer season. In this episode, we discuss what development and training truly mean for young players, how expectations should change across different age groups, and what proper development might look like for a 9U athlete just beginning their journey. We also dive into one of the most important — and sometimes difficult — topics in youth sports: the relationship between clubs and parents. These conversations can be challenging, but they are necessary if we want to continue creating healthy environments for young athletes to grow. This episode closes out our Youth Baseball Health Check series, where we have traveled around the state speaking with organizations and baseball communities to discuss development, expectations, and the long-term health of the game. 🔒 Join the YBM Club Today Become a Legacy Member and receive 50% off your first year while supporting independent Midwest baseball coverage. Get exclusive player spotlights, rankings, interviews, and members-only content inside the YBM Club. 👉 https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club ⚾ Legacy Performance Academy Instagram: @stllpaX: @stllpaWebsite: www.stllpa.com⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On this episode of Baseball 101, host Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins sits down with Andy Marks of Mach 1 Baseball to talk about pitching development at both the youth and high school levels. From early fundamentals to advanced preparation, Andy shares insight into what proper pitching development should look like as athletes progress through the game. The conversation focuses on building a strong foundation, understanding how development evolves as players mature physically, and avoiding common mistakes when chasing velocity too early. They discuss: • Building a foundation at the youth level • How pitching development changes in high school • Balancing mechanics, strength, and workload • Avoiding overuse and protecting arm health • Creating a long-term development mindset for pitchers Whether you're a coach, parent, or pitcher looking to better understand the development process, this episode provides practical insight into building healthier and more effective pitchers. ⚾ Baseball 101 — where experience meets education. 📲 Follow Dave Wiggins (Host) X (Twitter): @CruitsCoachDW Instagram: @coachdave1338 📲 Follow Andy Marks / Mach 1 Baseball Andy Marks X (Twitter): @AMarks27 Instagram: @andymooks Mach 1 Baseball X (Twitter): @mach1baseball Instagram: @mach1baseball⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Dave Wiggins is hosting this episode of Baseball Talk and is joined by Cody Massey, Head Coach at Maryville Christian School and founder of Buzzin' Baseball, along with Diego Solares of Scout Connect. Together they break down high school teams to watch across Illinois for the upcoming season, taking a look at each classification from Class 1A through Class 4A. Illinois baseball continues to produce outstanding programs across the state, and today we take a deeper look at some of the teams that could make serious noise this season. From smaller school contenders to the powerhouse programs at the top classifications, we break down which teams could be in position to make strong postseason runs. If you're following Illinois baseball this season, this episode will give you a great early look at some of the teams and programs to keep your eye on. 🔒 Join the YBM Club Today Become a Legacy Member and receive 50% off your first year while supporting independent Midwest baseball coverage. Get exclusive player spotlights, rankings, interviews, and members-only content inside the YBM Club. 👉 https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club 📣 Guest Socials Dave Wiggins (HC Principia Christian / Recruits Baseball Director) X: @CruitsCoachDW Instagram: @coachdave1338 Cody Massey (Maryville Christian HC / Buzzin' Baseball) X: @buzzinbaseball Diego Solares (Scout Connect, Founder) X: @DeegsBaseball Scout Connect X: @ScoutConnectBB Instagram: @scoutconnectbb⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We are going to have some fun today with Dave Wiggins Recruits Baseball Director and HC of Principia high school. Do you remember the best rivalries from high school? There is always that one team you remember that we all loved to beat, and they loved to beat you!The St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports just published an article that looked at rivalries and what makes them special and memorable. We are going to break down some of the best baseball rivalries here today and we want you to join in and let us know your stories of the best baseball rivalries and your memories.🔒 Join the YBM Club TodayBecome a Legacy Member and receive 50% off your first year while supporting independent Missouri & Illinois baseball coverage.Get exclusive player spotlights, rankings, interviews, and members-only content inside the YBM Club.👉 https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club📣 Guest SocialsDave Wiggins (HC Principia Christian / Recruits Baseball Director)X: @CruitsCoachDWInstagram: @coachdave1338⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On today’s episode of The Hitting Zone, Mitch Thomas is joined by Hunter Hisky for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about the current state of youth baseball — and whether we are truly developing athletes.Pulling perspective from the opposite end of the state, this episode moves through real questions facing families and programs today:• Do team labels like AA, Major, and AAA really have value?• Does level truly impact development?• Are coaches focused on developing players — or collecting talent to win games?• What questions should parents be asking when selecting a program?• Do we have too many clubs?• Why does recreational baseball feel like it’s disappearing?The conversation isn’t scripted — it’s exploratory and honest. It challenges assumptions and digs into what development should actually look like.At the center of it all is one question:Are we really developing athletes?📲 Follow Hunter Hisky:X (Twitter): @hhiskyInstagram: @hhisky33📲 Building Champions Baseball:X (Twitter): @bcbaseballtodayInstagram: @bcbaseballtoday⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Today’s episode is Part 2 of the crossover conversation between The Hitting Zone and Baseball 101. In this segment, Dave Wiggins has Michael Yeager, Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator at Johnson County Community College, walk the audience through what the JUCO experience truly looks like from the inside. From facilities and expectations to structure and strategy, Coach Yeager defines what development actually means at the junior college level. They break down: • What daily life looks like inside a JUCO program • How facilities and structure impact growth • What expectations are placed on players • How development is individualized and tracked • Why JUCO can be one of the most powerful pathways in baseball If Part 1 challenged how we define development at the youth level, Part 2 shows what it looks like when development is done with intention. This episode continues the conversation about building better athletes — not better optics. 📲 Follow Michael Yeager: X (Twitter): @MYeags7 📲 Johnson County Community College Baseball: X (Twitter): @JCCCBaseball Instagram: @jcccbaseball 📲 Follow Mitch Thomas: Instagram: @_mtsperformance X (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTL TikTok: @thehittingzonestl 📲 Follow Dave Wiggins: X (Twitter): @CruitsCoachDW Instagram: @coachdave1338⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We are joined by Kevin Moulder, Scouting Director for Prep Baseball Missouri, and Dave Wiggins (Head Coach at Principia Christian & Recruits Baseball Director) as we discuss the upcoming YBM Game of the Week slate for the 2026 season. As we march toward our YBM Season Opener, we take an early look at players and matchups from around the state and discuss some of the games we’ll be spotlighting throughout the season. We’ll break down the teams we are keeping an eye on, players who could make an impact early, and how the Game of the Week schedule is shaping up across Missouri. Opening Day is getting closer — and the Game of the Week is shaping up to be something special here on Youth Baseball Midwest. 🔒 Join the YBM Club Today Become a Legacy Member and receive 50% off your first year while supporting independent Missouri & Illinois baseball coverage. Get exclusive player spotlights, rankings, interviews, and members-only content inside the YBM Club. 👉 https://www.youthbaseballmidwest.com/ybm-club 📣 Guest Socials Dave Wiggins (HC Principia Christian / Recruits Baseball Director) X: @CruitsCoachDW Instagram: @coachdave1338 Kevin Moulder (Prep Baseball Missouri) X: @PrepBaseballMO Instagram: @prepbaseballmo⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

oday’s Baseball Talk brings us into Illinois baseball with a special guest from the Illinois High School Association, Associate Executive Director Sam Knox, who oversees baseball for the state. This gives us an opportunity to better understand what goes on behind the scenes and the relationship between the IHSA and your local high school programs. From rules oversight to postseason structure, we take a closer look at how Illinois baseball operates at the highest level. We’re also joined by Diego Solares to talk Illinois baseball and preview the upcoming Border Battle matchup slated for the season — Francis Howell visiting the Edwardsville Tigers. We’ll also break down some Class of 2027 standouts we expect to see in this showdown as the rivalry between Missouri and Illinois heats up. Illinois baseball continues to set the standard — and we’re diving into it here on Youth Baseball Midwest. 📣 Guest Socials Illinois High School Association (IHSA) X: @IHSA_IL Instagram: @ihsa_il Diego Solares (Scout Connect, Founder) X: @DeegsBaseball Scout Connect X: @ScoutConnectBB Instagram: @scoutconnectbb⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Today’s episode is Part 1 of a crossover conversation between The Hitting Zone and Baseball 101. Mitch Thomas is joined by Dave Wiggins (Host of Baseball 101) and Michael Yeager, Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator at Johnson County Community College, for an honest discussion about what development really looks like in youth baseball. They simplify the conversation down to three core issues: • If development is the goal, why do we measure success by rings and roster size instead of measurable growth? • Are families paying for real player development — or for the status of wearing a jersey? • If athletes aren’t receiving individualized plans for strength, movement, skill, and recovery, can we truly call it development? This episode challenges how we define progress and asks whether we are building better athletes — or simply better optics. 📲 Follow Mitch Thomas: Instagram: @_mtsperformance X (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTL TikTok: @thehittingzonestl 📲 Follow Dave Wiggins: X (Twitter): @CruitsCoachDW Instagram: @coachdave1338 📲 Follow Michael Yeager: X (Twitter): @MYeags7 📲 Johnson County Community College Baseball: X (Twitter): @JCCCBaseball Instagram: @jcccbaseball⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

This week on Keep Klimbing, Brett Graves visits Premier Pitching’s Fenton, MO location to sit down with Andrew Schwaab, Facility Coordinator, to talk all things showcase season. Showcases are a major part of today’s recruiting landscape — but they aren’t for everyone, and they aren’t one-size-fits-all. In this episode, Brett and Andrew break down: • Who showcase season is truly a good fit for • What real preparation looks like before stepping on the field • The difference between exposure and development • How to define success at a showcase — beyond radar numbers • Why mindset and readiness matter more than hype As summer approaches and schedules start filling up, this conversation helps athletes and families make informed decisions about timing, preparation, and expectations. 📍 Filmed at Premier Pitching – Fenton, MO 📲 Connect with Andrew Schwaab Instagram: @agschwaab X: @AndrewSchwaab 📲 Connect with Premier Pitching Main IG: @premierpitching Fenton IG: @premierpitching.fenton X: @PremierPitching 📲 Connect with Brett Graves Instagram: @brettgraves5 X: @bgraves05⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We like to talk baseball, so we decided to do a health check on the state of youth baseball — focusing on the 7U to 14U age groups as we head into another spring and summer season. In this episode, we sit down with representatives from the Midland organization, Matt Shadow and Jason Stahl, to discuss what development and training actually mean for young players within a structured club environment. We dive into realistic expectations across age groups, including conversations around what proper development should look like for a 9U baseball player and how growth changes as athletes mature. We also take on one of the most important — and challenging — topics in youth sports: the relationship between clubs and parents. It’s a conversation that can be difficult on both sides, but one that needs to be addressed as we work toward healthier environments for young athletes. This episode marks another stop in our Youth Baseball Talk series, where we continue engaging with clubs and baseball communities across the state to have real conversations about development, expectations, and the long-term health of the game. 📣 Guest Socials Midland Baseball X: @MidlandBasebalInstagram: @midlandbaseball⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On this episode of Baseball 101, host Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins is joined by Brian French to recap the Scout Connect Winter Showcase that took place this past Saturday. After spending the day evaluating talent, talking with players, and observing the event firsthand, Dave and Brian break down what stood out — from player preparation and performance to the overall environment of the showcase. They discuss: What players did well at the event How athletes can better prepare for showcases The importance of competing with confidence and intent What events like this mean for recruiting and exposure If you’re a player preparing for your next showcase — or a coach helping guide athletes through the recruiting process — this episode offers real perspective from those who were in the building. ⚾ Baseball 101 — where experience meets education. 📲 Follow Dave Wiggins (Host): X: @CruitsCoachDW Instagram: @coachdave1338⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We have Andy Urban of Prep Baseball joining the show as we take a look at the MOKAN Invitational held a couple weeks ago at Mac N Seitz in Kansas City, MO. We have Andy Urban of Prep Baseball joining the show along with Brian Ash, Head Coach at Southern Boone, as we take a look at the MOKAN Invitational held a couple weeks ago at Mac N Seitz in Kansas City, MO. We watched and spoke with a group of Kansas athletes along with some Missouri athletes that we will see on our 2026 live stream schedule. This event gave us an early look at talent on both sides of the state line. Urban gives us perspective on the outlook of the upcoming season — who he likes, which teams on the west side of the state we may have overlooked, and his take on some of the best teams on the Kansas side. Coach Ash adds his Missouri perspective as we break down how the west side continues to shape the state landscape. And yes… we might even grab a prediction or two. The west side is loaded — and we’re diving into it here on Youth Baseball Midwest. 📣 Guest Socials Andy Urban (Prep Baseball Kansas) X: @PrepBaseballKS Instagram: @prepbaseballks Brian Ash (Southern Boone HC) X: @SouthernBooneB⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We are working our way toward Opening Day 2026, and today we bring together a strong lineup to get you ready for the season. Scott McGee, Head Coach at Willard High School, joins us to talk about that season opener and what it takes to prepare a program for the start of a new year. We are also joined by Daryl Bradley, Assistant Executive Director of MSHSAA, who oversees baseball for the state. We discuss what’s new with rules, potential class movers, and when we can expect to see the official 2026 District Assignments. And of course, we have the Guru himself, Kevin Moulder, Director of Scouting, to break down the upcoming Missouri All-State Invitation Only Showcase happening this weekend at The Sports Barn in Wentzville, MO. We’ll get an early look at some players to watch as we inch closer to opening day. Opening Day is coming — let’s get ready the right way here on Youth Baseball Midwest. 📣 Guest Socials Scott McGee (HC Willard HS) X: @CoachMcGee Daryl Bradley (MSHSAA) Organization: MSHSAA Kevin Moulder (Prep Baseball Missouri) X: @PrepBaseballMO Instagram: @prepbaseballmo⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On today’s episode of The Hitting Zone, Mitch Thomas is joined by Josh Cathcart of Hitting Done Right for a powerful and honest conversation centered on one big question: Who is truly responsible for developing the player? Is it the travel coach? The hitting instructor? The strength coach? The parent? The high school program? Or the athlete themselves? Mitch and Josh unpack the layers of accountability in modern player development and challenge the idea that growth can be outsourced. They discuss ownership, consistency, communication, and the difference between guidance and responsibility. If we’re serious about development, we have to get clear on who owns it. This episode challenges coaches, parents, and players alike to rethink how development actually happens.📲 Follow Mitch Thomas:Instagram: @_mtsperformanceX (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTLTikTok: @thehittingzonestl📲 Follow Josh Cathcart & Hitting Done Right:Instagram: @hitting_done_right_hdrX (Twitter): @JoshCathcart8⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

This week’s episode of Keep Klimbing was filmed at the Premier Pitching Wentzville location, as Brett continues building on the foundation laid in recent episodes — workload balance, velocity phases, pitch arsenal construction, and sequencing — by stepping into the next critical stage of development: The Pitch Design Phase. This episode covers:• Understanding developmental fit — not every pitch fits every arm• Workload-informed timing and when to introduce design phases• Biomechanical determinants of pitch effectiveness• Evaluating pitch performance using measurable thresholds• Making sure pitch design enhances performance rather than increasing unnecessary risk The message remains consistent: development must be intentional. Pitch design should align movement, workload, and mechanical efficiency to the athlete in front of you. 📖 Read the Full Article Here:The Pitch Design Phase in Baseball: Developmental Fit, Workload-Informed Timing, Biomechanical Determinants of Effectiveness, and Evidence-Based Evaluation Thresholds👉 https://premierpitching.com/blogs/premier-pitching-chronicles/the-pitch-design-phase-in-baseball-developmental-fit-workload-informed-timing-biomechanical-determinants-of-effectiveness-and-evidence-based-evaluation-thresholds 📲 Connect with Brett Graves & Premier PitchingBrett Graves → IG: @brettgraves5 | X: @bgraves05Premier Pitching → IG: @premierpitching | X: @PremierPitching⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On this episode of Baseball 101, host Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins is joined by Chad Gendron, whose baseball journey began in St. Louis and extended through the collegiate and professional levels. The conversation starts with Chad’s playing background and the experiences that shaped his understanding of pitching at higher levels of the game. From there, the focus shifts to the present — his work with Elite Pitching Development, where he serves as the Lead Instructor and Director. Together, they discuss: How playing experience at advanced levels informs modern pitching instruction The philosophy behind Elite Pitching Development What effective pitching development should look like today How instructors can better prepare pitchers for long-term success This episode offers insight for pitchers, parents, and coaches looking to better understand how development, experience, and instruction come together to help athletes reach the next level. ⚾ Baseball 101 — where experience becomes education. 📲 Follow Dave Wiggins (Host): X: @CruitsCoachDW Instagram: @coachdave1338⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We are joined today by Diego Solares to talk Illinois baseball and the upcoming Scout Connect Showcase happening this weekend at The Sports Barn in Wood River, IL. Youth Baseball Midwest will be on-site with our cameras as some of the best players in the state take the field — all working to continue developing their skills and grow as athletes. Evaluating players is one of the most difficult jobs in the game. At the end of the day, every coach is looking for one player to fill a specific need on their roster. Each program has different philosophies, conference matchups, and personalities that shape what they are looking for. Projecting players is not a job for the timid. Everyone has an opinion — so let’s hear what Diego has to say about Illinois talent and what to expect this weekend. We’ll see you at the ballpark. 📣 Guest Socials Diego Solares (Founder, Scout Connect) X: @DeegsBaseball Scout Connect X: @ScoutConnectBB Instagram: @scoutconnectbb⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We are taking a little trip around the state with Kevin Moulder, Director of Scouting for Prep Baseball. In this episode, we break down three major Scout Day events:Marucci Midwest in Springfield, MORawlings Tigers in Chesterfield, MOMidland Baseball in O’Fallon, MOEach event gives athletes the opportunity to understand exactly where they are in their development journey. From measurable metrics to on-field evaluations, these showcases provide clarity on what it takes to continue developing the skills necessary to compete at a high level. We discuss players and programs you may know — and a few you may not — as we highlight talent from around the state. These events are about more than numbers. They are about perspective, growth, and understanding how to move forward.So sit back and take it all in as we evaluate athletes from across Missouri here on Youth Baseball Midwest. 📣 Guest Socials Kevin Moulder (Prep Baseball Missouri)X: @PrepBaseballMOInstagram: @prepbaseballmo⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Stepping back inside The Hitting Zone today is Shane Eames, as he joins Mitch Thomas for a deeper conversation around Individual Development Plans — what they should look like versus what we are currently seeing across youth baseball. Mitch and Shane break down what actually belongs in a meaningful development plan, how it should evolve with the athlete, and why so many plans today miss the mark. They continue to expand on topics they’ve touched on in previous episodes, reinforcing the importance of clarity, purpose, and intentional development. The discussion centers on separating real development from generic checklists, understanding the athlete’s needs, and building plans that support long-term growth instead of short-term results. If you’re a coach, parent, or player looking to better understand what development should truly look like, this episode delivers honest insight and practical perspective. 📲 Follow Mitch Thomas: Instagram: @_mtsperformance X (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTL TikTok: @thehittingzonestl 📲 Guest: Shane Eames Instagram: premier_hittingdevelopment X (Twitter): @hittingdevelop⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On this episode of Keep Klimbing, Brett Graves is joined by Chris Roycroft, bullpen pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, to talk about his journey to the Major Leagues. Chris walks through his path from high school baseball to Aurora College, and the development process that helped him continue to climb levels and earn his opportunity at the highest level of the game. Together, Brett and Chris discuss what growth really looks like for pitchers who may not follow the traditional or expected path. This conversation highlights: • Staying committed through each stage of development • The importance of trusting the process • How continued development and preparation open doors • Lessons learned along the way that young pitchers can apply to their own journeys A must-listen for players, parents, and coaches who want a real look at what it takes to Keep Klimbing toward the next level. Follow Chris Roycroft:IG: @chris_royc📲 Connect with Brett Graves & Premier Pitching Brett Graves → IG: @brettgraves5 | X: @bgraves05 Premier Pitching → IG: @premierpitching | X: @PremierPitching⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We like to talk baseball, so we decided to do a health check on the state of youth baseball, focusing on the 7U to 14U age groups as we head into another spring and summer season. In this episode, we’re joined by the Rawlings Tigers, sitting down with Aaron Jaworowski, President & Founder, and David Birkby, General Manager, to discuss what development and training actually mean for young players. We dive into realistic expectations across age groups, including conversations around what proper development should look like for a 9U baseball player. We also take on one of the most important — and challenging — topics in youth sports: the relationship between clubs and parents. It’s a conversation that can be difficult on both sides, but one that needs to be addressed as we work toward healthier environments for young athletes. This episode marks the second stop in our Youth Baseball Talk series, where we’ll continue engaging with clubs and baseball communities across the state. We hope you enjoy, and don’t forget to… SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE ⚾ 📣 Guests & Organization Socials Rawlings Tigers Baseball Club Website: rawlingstigers.com X: @RawlingsTigers Instagram: @rawlings_tigers Guests Aaron Jaworowski — President & Founder, Rawlings Tigers David Birkby — General Manager, Rawlings Tigers⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

On this episode of Baseball 101, host Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins sits down with Tim Gurnow, Head Coach of the McKendree University Bearcats Baseball, to unpack what it takes to build and sustain a winning culture at the Division II level of college baseball.Coach Gurnow brings firsthand experience leading the Bearcats — a program in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference — and discusses how the right culture impacts recruiting, year-round training, practice planning, and overall performance. They dive into:⚾ What a winning culture looks like at the D2 level🎯 How recruiting strategies help attract the right players📅 Practice philosophy and development over a season🏋️ Why a year-round training mindset matters📈 How players and teams can get on the D2 radarWhether you’re a player, coach, or parent looking to understand the D2 experience — from opportunities to expectations — this episode provides real insight straight from the bench.📲 Follow Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins (Host):X: @CruitsCoachDWInstagram: @coachdave1338👉 Follow McKendree Bearcats Baseball:Instagram: @mckendree_bsblX: @McKendree_BSBL⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We have Andy Urban of Prep Baseball joining the show this week along with Staley Head Coach Dionandre Josenberger as we head to Kansas City for a weekend of baseball. We break down players to watch for the upcoming season and get Andy’s take on some of the top teams in the KC area. We also expand the conversation to the Kansas side of the state, highlighting top players and programs that continue to make the KC region one of the strongest baseball hotbeds in the Midwest. On the Missouri side, the results speak for themselves — the past five Class 6 MSHSAA State Champions have come from the KC Suburban, with Platte County winning Class 5 in 2025 and Faith Christian Academy finishing runner-up in Class 1. This episode gives us a great opportunity to take a deeper look into one of the best baseball regions in the state. Watch the full episode and let us know who you think are the top teams in KC heading into the 2026 season. 📣 Guest / Organization Socials Andy Urban — Prep Baseball (Kansas Region): X (Twitter): @PrepBaseballKS Instagram: @prepbaseballks⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We have Nate Orf, former Francis Howell standout who played professionally with the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland Athletics, joining us on the show. After his time in professional baseball, Nate returned to his hometown to work with youth athletes, bringing his baseball journey full circle.Joined by Kevin Moulder of Prep Baseball, we talk with Nate about his path through the game and how those experiences now shape the way he views player development. The development process can be a tricky one, and we break down how development looks different across age groups, from young players just getting started to athletes preparing for the next level.We hope you enjoy the discussion and encourage you to share your thoughts as we continue meaningful conversations around development, perspective, and growth in the game of baseball.📣 Guest SocialsNate Orf (Former MLB Player):X (Twitter): @NateOrf4Instagram:@nathanorf4Kevin Moulder (Prep Baseball Missouri):X (Twitter): @PrepBaseballMOInstagram: @prepbaseballmo⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.🌐 More YBM:Website: youthbaseballmidwest.comYouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwestTikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwestX: @YBM_castFacebook: Youth Baseball MidwestPresented by our proud partners:Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.comPrime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com