YBMcast

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

Stepping inside The Hitting Zone today is Cody Massey of Buzzin’ Baseball for a conversation centered on one of the biggest challenges in player development: how do we build decision makers instead of athletes who rely on constant coaching cues? Mitch and Cody define what real development looks like and why the basics are often missing at the lower levels of the game. They discuss the dangers of over-coaching, the importance of keeping things simple, and how players can learn to self-adjust instead of waiting for instruction. The conversation also hits on the importance of pre-season discussions about approach, helping athletes understand expectations, ownership, and how to compete without being micromanaged. This episode is about creating smarter players — athletes who can problem-solve, adapt, and trust their training when the game speeds up. 📲 Follow Mitch Thomas:Instagram: @_mtsperformanceX (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTLTikTok: @thehittingzonestl📲 Follow Cody Massey & Buzzin’ Baseball:Instagram: @cmass_6X (Twitter): @cmass6Instagram: @buzzinbaseball⚾ 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

⚾ 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. With Recruits Baseball Club working closely with athletes in this age range in South County, we dive into what development and training actually mean for young players, including conversations around expectations 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 first stop in our Youth Baseball Talk series, where we’ll continue engaging in conversations across the state with clubs and baseball communities. We hope you enjoy, and don’t forget to… SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE ⚾RBC & Wiggins Socials:X: @CruitsCoachDWInstagram: @coachdave1338X: @stlrecruitsIG: @recruitsbaseball⚾ 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 the latest episode of Baseball 101, Cole Dupont, Head Coach at Lafayette High School, joins host Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins for a conversation rooted in perspective, pride, and purpose. Growing up in the area and playing baseball at Lafayette alongside his brothers, Coach Dupont always felt a deep connection to the program. Now, he finds himself leading the very team that helped shape him—an opportunity he approaches with gratitude, responsibility, and genuine care for the players continuing through his alma mater. The discussion spans Coach Dupont’s experience coming through the Lafayette program as a player and his current role at the head of it. Together, they reflect on how the game has changed over time, what has stayed the same, and how those lessons shape his expectations for today’s players and the season ahead. This episode offers a thoughtful look at leadership, continuity, and what it means to come full circle and give back to a program that helped build the foundation. ⚾ Baseball 101 — where experience meets perspective. 📲 Follow Dave Wiggins (Host):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

Youth Baseball Midwest has been working in the youth baseball segment since 2017, and I have been around youth baseball in the metro area since 2004. There have been many changes along the way, and we are going to dive into what has happened over the past twenty-five years within the sport to look at the good, the bad, and assess the overall health of youth baseball. Today we have the Guru himself, Kevin Moulder of Prep Baseball, joining the conversation. We will discuss dad coaching, travel baseball, and the overall development process in youth programs as we take a wide-angle look at where the game has been and where it may be headed. 📣 Guest Socials: 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

Today’s show welcomes BB 101 host Dave Wiggins (Head Coach at Principia Christian & Recruits Baseball Director) as we break down the latest MHSBCA Hall of Fame inductees, announced this past weekend at the January clinic.We also take a look at five players featured in the YBM Club Player Spotlights, available now for all YBM Club members. These athletes represent some of the most dynamic talent in Missouri high school baseball, and players we believe can help lead their teams toward district championships and earn the opportunity to compete for a MSHSAA state championship.📣 Guest Socials:Dave Wiggins (Principia Christian HC / 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

Stepping inside The Hitting Zone today is Jason Christian, founder of Kilo Gear and former professional baseball player who worked his way through the Midland organization. Jason brings real-world experience and perspective to one of the most important conversations in youth baseball today — the rising cost of playing the game.Mitch and Jason take a hard look at where youth baseball stands:⚾ Is the game becoming pay-to-play?⚾ Are we creating “youth country clubs” instead of opportunity?⚾ How does rising cost impact development and long-term growth?⚾ Where is the balance between parent involvement, investment, and pressure?From travel fees and training costs to equipment and exposure, this episode challenges the direction the game is heading and asks how we protect access, development, and the love of baseball.It’s a candid, experience-driven conversation about development vs dollars — and what the future of youth baseball should look like.📲 Follow Mitch Thomas:Instagram: @_mtsperformanceX (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTL📲 Follow Jason Christian & Kilo Gear:Kilo Gear IG: @kilogearproJason Christian IG: @jaychristian6Website: kilogear.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 today’s Keep Klimbing podcast, Brett Graves talks about building your pitching arsenal based on your strengths and what you do best. Every pitcher is different, and understanding which pitches best fit your abilities is key to long-term development. Brett, as always, Keeps Klimbing by using his own experience to help you understand how to continue working to get yourself better. In this episode, he breaks down the changeup — what the pitch is designed to do, how and when it should be used, and why deception, speed differential, and consistency are critical to its success. Brett also dives into how proper grip, arm speed, and intent allow the changeup to play off your fastball and disrupt hitters’ timing. Because the changeup is one of the most individualized pitches in baseball, grip and feel are key. Brett walks through multiple changeup variations and opportunities to help pitchers find the version that best fits their hand size, arm action, and overall pitch mix. 📲 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

On this episode of Baseball 101, Coach Dave Wiggins welcomes a diverse group of voices to break down what a truly effective strength and conditioning program should look like for baseball players and teams. Joining the discussion are Nathan Yamnitz, Director of Business Development at TrainHeroic and owner of Performance Zone Fitness, along with Nick Moten, right-handed pitcher, Westminster Christian Academy graduate, and current SIUE baseball player. Together, they dive into the importance of building strength and conditioning programs around the actual needs of athletes and teams — not trends or one-size-fits-all training models.This episode covers:💪 Core principles of a solid strength & conditioning foundation⚠️ Common mistakes and training approaches to avoid🏋️ Aligning training with baseball-specific demands📈 How proper programming can help address issues created by overly specialized training🎯 Supporting long-term health, performance, and developmentWhether you’re a coach, player, or parent, this episode delivers practical insight into how smart strength and conditioning can elevate performance while protecting the athlete.⚾ Baseball 101 — building better athletes through education and experience.⚾ Sponsored by BuntmasterWebsite: https://buntmaster.comInstagram: @officialbuntmasterX: @buntmasters⚾ 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 Francis Howell HC Tony Perkins here in studio to talk about the upcoming MHSBCA Clinic this weekend in Lake of the Ozarks. We will be discussing who is going to be inducted into the MHSBCA Hall of Fame, along with what it takes to be a good head coach in high school baseball today. Coach Perkins is always having a great conversation with his many years of experience and will share his views with us today. We will also get a look at the teams he is keeping an eye on and what that means for the upcoming season. Clinic Topics o Troy Figg – Won first state championship o State champion coach’s topics o Hall of Fame Inductees o Ben Baier – Blue Springs South o Bryan Harmon – Crane (MHSBCA Executive Director) o Rob Struckhoff – St. Francis Borgia⚾ 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 Willard Head Coach Scott McGee joining us today as we turn our attention to Southwest Missouri baseball. We break down All-State players to watch, take a look at potential district shakeups, and discuss how talent across the region could impact conference and postseason races.We also preview the upcoming MHSBCA event taking place this weekend and dive into the broader topic of coaching development across the state of Missouri. From veteran leadership to a new wave of young, up-and-coming coaches in the southwest, we look at how programs are being built and sustained at a high level.Topics Covered:New and upcoming coaches in Southwest MissouriDistrict assignments and potential changes2025 All-State players to watch📣 Guest:Scott McGee — Head Coach, Willard High School#BaseballTalk #YBMcast #MissouriBaseball #SouthwestMissouri #AllStateBaseball #HighSchoolBaseball #MHSBCA #YouthBaseballMidwest⚾ 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 The Hitting Zone, Mitch Thomas is joined by Dylan Black, Head Coach of Festus Post 253, and Jeremy Partney, Assistant Head Coach, for a deep dive into American Legion Baseball — what it looks like today, how it has evolved, and why it still plays a critical role in player development. They walk through what a Legion baseball season truly looks like, from tryouts to the final game and postseason, including how travel compares to club baseball and how recruiting exposure fits into the Legion model. The conversation then turns back the clock, comparing Legion baseball 30 years ago to today’s game. From how players prepared and trained, to expectations placed on athletes, and what today’s players would be shocked to learn about equipment, uniforms, tryouts, and day-to-day life around the game back then. For high school players deciding between Legion and Club baseball, Mitch, Dylan, and Jeremy break down key factors families should consider: ⚾ Player development and training structure ⚾ Cost and accessibility ⚾ Competitive environment and accountability ⚾ Long-term growth versus short-term exposure They also tackle the big question — why Legion baseball still matters — and how the Legion model continues to support development both on and off the field. It’s an honest, educational conversation rooted in experience, tradition, and the future of the game. 📲 Follow Mitch Thomas: Instagram: @_mtsperformance X (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTL 📲 Guests: Dylan Black — Head Coach, Festus Post 253 Jeremy Partney — Assistant Head Coach, Festus Post 253 📲 Follow Festus Post 253 Baseball: Instagram: @post253baseball X (Twitter): @253Baseball ⚾ Missouri American Legion Baseball: Website: https://www.missouriamericanlegionbaseball.org/ Instagram: @missourilegionbaseball Facebook: Missouri American Legion Baseball X (Twitter): @MOLegionBall⚾ 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 Keep Klimbing podcast, Brett Graves talks about building your pitching arsenal based on your strengths and what you do best. Every pitcher is different, and understanding which pitches best fit your abilities is key to long-term development. Brett, as always, Keeps Klimbing by using his own experience to help you understand how to continue working to get yourself better. In this episode, he begins by breaking down the curveball — what the pitch is designed to do, how and when it should be used, and how proper spin and shape create the depth and downward action that define an effective breaking ball. Because the curveball can vary greatly from pitcher to pitcher, grip is the key. Brett walks through multiple grip variations and opportunities to help pitchers find the curveball grip that works best for their hand, arm action, and strengths. 📲 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, the one and only Coach Dave Wiggins steps into the host’s chair. Joining him is the new Head Coach of Troy-Buchanan High School, Joel Krato, as the two dive into what it truly takes to build and sustain an effective offense—no matter the level of play.With Coach Krato’s experience moving from Class 1 at Community R-6 to Class 6 at Troy-Buchanan, and Coach Wiggins’ journey from Class 5 at Webster Groves to Class 2 at Principia, this conversation offers a unique perspective on adapting offensive philosophy across vastly different environments.They discuss:⚾ Developing effective offensive approaches at the plate🎯 Training athletes differently based on resources and competition level💡 Overcoming limitations while still producing results📈 Adjusting philosophy without losing identityWhether you’re coaching at the youth level, a small-school program, or a large-class powerhouse, every team faces offensive challenges. This episode provides practical insight into how successful coaches adapt, adjust, and elevate offense at every level of the game.Follow Coach Wiggins:X: @CruitsCoachDWInstagram: @coachdave1338Follow Coach Krato:X:@coachkratoPodcast-The Coaches Roundtable: https://open.spotify.com/show/705hifXJgPnJVBrvHXHJgR?si=2c97c64726ec43b4⚾ Baseball 101 — where experience becomes education.⚾ Sponsored by BuntmasterWebsite: https://buntmaster.comInstagram: @officialbuntmasterX: @buntmasters⚾ 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 we have the head coach of O’Fallon Township High School joining the show to talk about Illinois baseball and the incredible tradition in southwest Illinois. The Panthers program has enjoyed sustained success — since 1991 they have posted 18 seasons with 20+ wins, 10 seasons with 30+ wins, and they haven’t had a losing season in over three decades.Now in his second season, Coach Dave Causey looks to continue and build on that success. It won’t be easy, as the Southwestern Conference has proven itself to be one of the toughest in the state, loaded with programs battling for district crowns, state playoff berths, and regional dominance.We dig into the Panthers’ culture, the state of high school baseball in Illinois, and what it takes to compete year after year against some of the best competition around.📣 Guest Socials:Dave Causey (O’Fallon Township HC):X & IG: @othsbaseball🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com#BaseballTalk #YBMcast #IllinoisBaseball #OFallonBaseball #SouthwesternConference #HighSchoolBaseball #PantherPride #YouthBaseballMidwest⚾ 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 Head Coach Brian Ash of Southern Boone High School and Kevin Moulder of Prep Baseball to highlight some All-State players from 2025 in the central part of the state.Along with that discussion, we take a look at private schools and championship points — and how those points may move programs from one class to another.We lead the show with a timely topic coming out of the ABCA this past week, focusing on being efficient with feedback for pitchers. As programs begin their winter training cycles and work toward the start of the 2026 season, this conversation becomes especially relevant for coaches, players, and parents preparing for tryouts and competitive seasons ahead.📣 Guest Socials:Brian Ash (Southern Boone High School HC):X: @SouthernBooneBKevin Moulder (Prep Baseball Missouri):X: @PrepBaseballMOInstagram: @prepbaseballmo🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com#BaseballTalk #YBMcast #MissouriBaseball #PrivateSchoolBaseball #ChampionshipPoints #PitcherDevelopment #PrepBaseball #SouthernBooneBaseball #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

Shane Eames steps back inside The Hitting Zone to close out the third part of this important series — this time turning the focus to the Volunteer Coach.Volunteer coaches have long been the backbone of youth baseball, but is that role disappearing? Mitch and Shane dive into the tough questions surrounding today’s coaching landscape:⚾ Is the volunteer coach becoming a thing of the past?⚾ Why has it become so difficult to build and retain an effective coaching staff?⚾ Has a sense of entitlement crept into the game, changing expectations for coaches, parents, and players?From experience on the field and in the dugout, they discuss the realities volunteer coaches face, the pressures placed on them, and why this role still matters more than ever to the future of youth baseball.It’s an honest, thought-provoking conversation that challenges the current culture and asks what it will take to rebuild trust, commitment, and leadership at the grassroots level of the game.📲 Follow Mitch Thomas:Instagram: @_mtsperformanceX (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTL📲 Follow Shane Eames:Instagram: premier_hittingdevelopmentX (Twitter):@HittingDev⚾ 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

Velocity-focused training — often referred to as the “velo phase” — has become a major component of modern pitcher development. While these phases can lead to meaningful velocity gains, they also come with increased physical demands and potential injury risk if not properly managed. In this episode of Keep Klimbing, Brett Graves breaks down what athletes, coaches, and parents need to understand about navigating the velo phase safely and effectively. Drawing from current research and real-world application, Brett discusses how rapid increases in throwing intensity, workload mismanagement, and improper implementation can place added stress on the shoulder and elbow. This conversation explores: • Key risk mechanisms during velocity-focused training phases • Proper athlete preparation to reduce injury risk • Workload-balancing principles throughout the training cycle • Evidence-backed implementation strategies that support long-term development The goal is a practical, data-driven framework that helps pitchers chase velocity gains while protecting arm health and sustainability. 📖 Related Reading: Navigating the Velo Phase for Pitchers: Data-Driven Preparation, Workload Management, and Implementation 👉 https://premierpitching.com/blogs/premier-pitching-chronicles/navigating-the-velo-phase-for-pitchers-data-driven-preparation-workload-management-and-implementation 📲 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