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: Introduction 02:10: Thinking about high school before high school 04:45: A second natural break at 14u 06:05: Learn how to speak...

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 bas...

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 - Introduction 01:10 - When you gotta go, you gotta go 02:05 -...

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...

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....

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 o...

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 episode 02:00: E...

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 - Introduction 01:40 - Bats 03:45 - Drop restrictions by age 05:00 - USA vs USSSA bat...

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 - Introduction 02:15 - Pool play pitching rotation 06:10 - Playoff...

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: Introduction 01:35: Using league play for player development 06:00: Letting go of your ego for successful fa...

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 - Introduction 02:30 - Avoid sticker shock 04:40 - Un...

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: Introduction 00:45: Common characteristics of successful players 02:35: Player self-reflection & coachability 05:15: Having a short memory 07:00: Being a good teammate 08:35: Why the increase in y...

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: Introduction 00:55: Humble beginn...

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...

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: Introduction 01:35: First contact 04:40: Making your pre-season meeting accessible...

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: Introduction 03:30: W...