Youth Baseball and Beyond

High school baseball is a different experience from travel ball. In Part 1 of our two part episode, high school and travel ball coach Tom McGovern and I discuss several topics on how players can prepare for that transition and be ready to begin this new adventure.00:00: Introduction02:10: Thinking about high school before high school04:45: A second natural break at 14u06:05: Learn how to speak with a coach07:25: Understanding the landscape of travel / club / feeder baseball08:40: Becoming a part of your high school baseball community11:45: How players can prep as youths to play in high school17:35: Understanding high school roster construction21:20: Wrap upIf you have any questions or show ideas, please leave a comment or email us at [email protected]. Be sure to like and follow so you’ll be notified each time we drop new content. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.

Tryout season is just around the corner and it can be a stressful time for players and parents. In today’s episode, Chris Modrzejewski and I discuss what tryouts are like from a parent’s perspective. We share how you and your child can prepare for the tryout process, how you can support your child if he gets cut, and what you can do in the offseason to help him prepare for a new chapter in his baseball career.00:00 - Introduction02:10 - Our own kids getting cut03:30 - Being honest with yourself04:45 - Metrics when evaluating your child06:50 - Talking with your coach in-season10:30 - Helping your child learn self-advocacy12:40 - Execute the feedback13:35 - Keeping your options open14:50 - Trying out for the same organization16:05 - Tryout fees17:10 - Trying out with multiple organizations19:15 - Be respectful of the announcement process21:25 - Set a good example for your child24:30 - Supporting your child after being cut26:05 - Appropriate ways to ask for feedback28:55 - Advice from a player29:50 - Finishing the current season with class30:55 - Offseason approach33:35 - Wrap upIf you liked what you heard today, drop a comment and share what your tryout experiences have been like. Feel free to email us at [email protected] to suggest show ideas or to let us know what you think of this episode. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.

When you coach long enough you experience some moments. Looking back, you undoubtedly encounter some fun times where you can only shake your head and laugh.Today’s episode touches on the “beyond” portion of our podcast. Frequent contributor Chris Modrzejewski and I share some fun anecdotes in our first edition of Sports Stories.00:00 - Introduction01:10 - When you gotta go, you gotta go02:05 - Juuuuuusssst a bit outside05:55 - Off to Europe08:00 - Checking in09:55 - A missing group11:45 - A player’s rant13:20 - The last night in Italy15:55 - Creating memories for your playersIf you like what you heard make sure you like and follow to always be notified when new content drops. If you have an idea for an episode, drop us an email at [email protected]. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.

When your team is in a slump, players and coaches can dread coming to practice. If what you’re coaching isn’t resonating, maybe it’s time to shake things up a little to reconnect with your team. Today’s episode provides a variety of ways you can add variety to your routine by introducing different ways for your players to improve their tactics and techniques, along with using unique motivational methods to help them once again find the joy of the game.00:00 - Introduction01:40 - Identifying when things aren’t clicking02:35 - It’s not personal03:00 - Help me help you04:00 - People first - athletes second06:10 - Coaching isn’t linear08:05 - Improving tactics and techniques14:00 - Breaking up your routine17:10 - Remembering moments, not scores18:25 - Ace of the Game21:40 - Game day award tally23:20 - Helmet stickers & point system26:40 - I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream29:10 - Connections with playersBe sure to like and follow to always be notified when new content drops. If you have a show idea, email us at [email protected] and we’ll be in touch to discuss your thoughts and even possibly have you join us as a guest. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.

Today’s episode discusses a series of recent interactions between a dad and a coach. Dad felt the coach showed clear favoritism towards his son. The coach didn’t think it was appropriate for the dad to express his opinion.Who was right and who was wrong? Find out what happened and learn about effective communication techniques both dad and coach could have used to engage in constructive dialogue.00:00 - Introduction01:35 - Setting the scene02:35 - Parent initiates communication with the coach03:10 - Dad’s mistakes explained04:15 - Using effective communication techniques05:30 - Sample of an effective email to the coach06:15 - Improvements the coach could have made06:50 - What happened in Game 4?07:30 - Post game events08:25 - Parents don’t lose the right to ask questions because they didn’t volunteer10:00 - Move players around in the batting order to help the develop12:15 - My way or the highway 13:20 - A better approach14:25 - Free template to organize your game day roster14:50 - RecapBe sure to like and follow us on whichever platform you’re using to listen to our podcast. We’d love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected] with your thoughts or to suggest a podcast topic. We’ll see you at the diamond!!

While walking by a house league practice the other day I became sad when I saw a coach having his players in a single-file line while hitting ground balls to one player at a time. I saw that and wanted to rush out there and offer a few tips to that coach.That’s where this episode comes in. In today’s mid-inning broadcast I share why the infamous ground ball line is bad and offer several options on how that coach could have improved his practice INSTANTLY by making it more effective and fun without needing any more equipment.00:00: Introduction01:35: Setting the scene02:45: Explaining the inefficiencies03:55: Effects of players standing around04:55: Dead air06:15: Instant improvement #107:30: Instant improvement #208:30: Instant improvement #309:15: Using proximity to build connections with players10:55: Instant improvement #412:10: Instant improvement #513:50: Increase your efficiency by 400% in < 3 minutes15:55: Other options with a hitting net16:20: Keep in contact with our podcastWe’d love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected] to leave comments or offer up a show idea or two. Be sure to like and follow wherever you’re hearing out podcast to be notified every time new content drops. We’ll see you at the diamond.

Today’s Mid-Inning episode extends our discussion from our earlier “Transitioning From House Ball to Travel Ball” broadcast.While Coach Chris Modrzejewski and I covered a variety of topics in that episode, we didn’t touch on playing time. Today I share how playing time regulations and expectations differ once you enter the travel ball world.00:00: Introduction to our mid-inning episode02:00: Explaining house ball playing time rules03:30: Travel ball playing time rules04:45: Ensuring competitive balance06:25: Do tourneys regulate playing time?06:55: Discuss organizational playing time philosophies07:40: Pros and cons to the different sets of regulations10:00: Wrapping up the episodePlease hit that follow button to get notified each time new content drops. We’d love to hear from you, so if you have any comments or want to suggest a topic for a future episode, please email us at [email protected]. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond.

Look in any dugout and you’ll see thousands of dollars worth of equipment. Is it all really necessary? In today’s episode, Chris Modrzejewski and I break down the different pieces of equipment, important restrictions to know, and how you can save money and still get quality gear that’s right for you player.00:00 - Introduction01:40 - Bats03:45 - Drop restrictions by age05:00 - USA vs USSSA bats06:05 - Importance of bat size07:10 - Alloy vs composite bats09:50 - One-piece vs two-piece bats11:50 - How to save money when buying bats16:15 - Fielding gloves18:30 - Saving money when buying gloves19:15 - Characteristics of a proper glove22:00 - Taking care of a glove23:15 - Catcher’s gear26:40 - NOCSAE certification for high school27:45 - Footwear30:45 - Miscellaneous gear36:20 - Episode reviewYou can click on this link to go to Sideline Swap, an online marketplace for used equipment. https://sidelineswap.com/Drop a comment on what you thought on today’s episode. Click that like and follow buttons to always be notified when new content drops. You can also email the show at [email protected]. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond.

Setting your tournament pitching rotation, defensive lineup, and batting order requires some foresight and thought to place your team in the best position to succeed. How you choose your pool play roster will greatly impact your bracket game play. Join us as we share our thoughts on how to prepare your team for a tournament.00:00 - Introduction02:15 - Pool play pitching rotation06:10 - Playoff pitching rotation06:55 - When to use your #1 starter & #1 reliever10:20 - Using your league play pitching rotation to strengthen your tournament potential12:30 - Defensive setup13:45 - In-game communication with players 17:45 - Tournament batting order philosophies20:40 - Parent & player communication regarding lineup philosophy23:10 - Keeping a fluid lineup27:55 - Wrap upIn this episode we discussed using a Baller Board to facilitate in-game lineup and position changes with our players. You can use this link (http://www.ballerboards.com) to check out their products from their standard models to custom designs for your program.Email us at [email protected] to share your thoughts about this episode or to suggest a topic for a future broadcast. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.

Preparing your game lineup isn’t as simple as just writing down names on a piece of paper. Having a different approach between league games and tournament games allows you to develop your players to be ready in high leverage situations while preparing your team for long-term success.00:00: Introduction01:35: Using league play for player development06:00: Letting go of your ego for successful failures07:20: Getting lost in the moment09:15: Organizational emphasis10:40: Making purposeful mistakes12:25: Do purposeful mistakes harm the development of others?15:40: Why use league play to structure a tournament pitching rotation18:00: Planning your weekly pitching rotation22:30: Structuring your season schedule27:15: How to stay in touch with the podcastLeave a comment below to let us know your thoughts on today’s episode. Click on the follow button to be notified when new content drops and feel free to email us at [email protected] with any comments or to suggest a show topic that’s important to you. Thanks for listening.

Welcome to another episode of Youth Baseball and Beyond. So this is your first year in travel ball? Congratulations. This is the episode for you. In today’s show we cover what you can expect this season from cost, to commitment, to league play, tournaments, and more.If you’re looking for a specific topic, just jump to the chapters below:00:00 - Introduction02:30 - Avoid sticker shock04:40 - Understand the commitment06:00 - Indoor winter practices07:00 - Awareness of team assignments09:15 - Outdoor season begins after spring break12:00 - Organizing your child’s schedule13:50 - What to expect during the week15:05 - Specialization of positions18:50 - Leagues vs. Tournaments22:45 - The structure of tournaments24:30 - Pitch counts and advocating for your child28:35 - Be prepared for entrance or parking fees29:45 - Late night baseball31:10 - Out-of-town tournaments32:25 - Team bonding & creating memories35:05 - There’s a travel program for youClick on the follow button to be notified when new content drops and feel free to email us at [email protected] with any comments or to suggest a show topic that’s important to you.

In the final part of our interview, Matt shares the qualities he sees in successful players, discusses the increase in arm issues at the youth levels and how modern metrics contribute to this.00:00: Introduction00:45: Common characteristics of successful players02:35: Player self-reflection & coachability05:15: Having a short memory07:00: Being a good teammate08:35: Why the increase in youth arm injuries?09:35: Quantity and quality of throws at the youth levels10:25: Nobody cares how hard you throw ball 411:20: Adding a variety of activities to the routine12:30: Bo knows14:15: The effect of modern-day metrics17:45: Removing the human touch in evaluations19:55: What Matt reviews when evaluating pro playersKeep up-to-date with our podcast by clicking that follow button and you’ll be notified each Wednesday when we drop new content. You can always email us at [email protected] with any questions or comments. Thanks for listening!!

In part 2 of our 3-part interview, Matt Shepardson, Deputy Commissioner of the Frontier Baseball League, discusses the humble beginnings of his club and what organizations can do to improve their coaching, how leaders can develop and institute an organizational vision, and what he would do if the baseball gods granted him the title of “youth baseball czar.”00:00: Introduction00:55: Humble beginnings05:00: How organizations can improve 06:30: Individual coaching growth07:25: Helping organizations gain a vision13:20: Becoming the Youth Baseball Czar15:40: Monitoring the “arms race”17:40: Honestly leveling your team18:50: Mandate play & letting kids be kids19:45: Travel investments into rec programs21:20: The “tyranny of the urgent”Next week we conclude our interview with Matt as he shares the qualities he sees in successful players, discusses the drastic increase in arm issues with our youth players, and how the modern metrics high level coaches use can impact player health.Keep up-to-date with our podcast by clicking that follow button and you’ll be notified each Wednesday when we drop new content.

In this episode we interview Matt Shepardson. Matt is the Deputy Commissioner of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league, while also serving on the board of the Illinois Hawks Travel Baseball and Fast Pitch Softball Organizations. Previously, he coached the Joliet Slammers, where he won the 2023 Frontier League Manager Of The Year.In Part 1 of our interview, Matt shares his thoughts on the overall state of youth baseball today and his experiences on setting up a club for success.00:00: Introduction01:20: Matt shares his view on the current state of youth baseball03:45: What’s causing this “low point” in kids understanding baseball?05:55: Balancing accessibility of the game vs. high-level training08:25: Incorporating technology into training11:40: Coaching the coaches17:55: Keeping the bar raised high

Don’t let poor communication undermine your season. Clear communication is a cornerstone of any good team. In this episode, Kevin and Nate share how to effectively communicate with parents before, during, and at the end of a season. Learn different tactics and tips on how you can set yourself up for success.00:00: Introduction01:35: First contact04:40: Making your pre-season meeting accessible06:50: Organizing & holding your pre-season meeting10:25: Playing time discussions with parents15:32: Sharing season logistics at pre-season meetings16:35: Communication during the season19:45: Creating a newsletter 22:40: Team vs. Club communication 23:35: Communication with unhappy parents28:35: End-of-season discussionsEmail ⁠Youth Baseball and Beyond⁠ to get free newsletter and player evaluation templates & follow us to stay up-to-date when new episodes drop .

In the famous words of Allen Iverson, "We're talking about practice." Learn how (2) championship coaches create a practice plan - starting with the why, to the who, to the what, to the how. Looking for ways to have your players improve their baseball IQ on their own? Kevin & Nate offer some tips to help your players continue their learning at home and on their own.00:00: Introduction03:30: Why create a practice plan?06:04: Personalizing practice for your players10:55: Effectively using assistant coaches13:30: Creating your practice plan & timing15:10: Practice atmosphere & setting expectations20:04: Importance of self scouting21:44: Ending practice26:15: Practicing at home and improving baseball IQ31:42: Life lessons away from baseballEmail Youth Baseball and Beyond to get a free practice plan template & follow us to stay up-to-date when new episodes drop.