Behind The Backstop

We are joined by John Keough of Keough's Computations. He played baseball from t-ball through high school varsity and competitive travel ball. He shares his thoughts about the ups and downs as well as what parents and kids can expect at each level. His minor league rosters are available at PayHip.com/KeoughsComputations .

Matt and Joyce use their years of baseball parenting and survival skills from living in the rugged north to share scathingly brilliant ideas.

How "crunching the numbers" can add to the enjoyment of baseball. What stats matter? What is more important that statistics for youths playing baseball? All of these topics and more are discussed with our special guest, a numbers guy, John Keough. References mentioned: Fangraphs GameChanger for baseball 1 Pitch Warrior Pitcher DIGS on Twitter

Matt and Joyce emerge from the dark, misty shadows just in time to share their frightful stories from the ballfields. Scary boys and girls, very scary indeed! 

Matt and Joyce are joined by a special guest, their son John. There're talking about the Baseball Hall of Fame and why no player was selected to join it this year. Also, should Pete Rose be in the Hall?

Matt and Joyce fill out a list of things they would like to have as baseball parents. There is a short shopping guide, but most of these things are not material objects.  Also,  find out if you can recognize the classic TV theme song Matt attempts to hum. 

Some traditions just are meant to be -  so Matt and Joyce are doing another Thanksgiving Special. 2020 has been different enough that we have new things to be thankful for, so let's give thanks!

Matt and Joyce talk about keeping score at a baseball game. Joyce shares her story of how she learned to "keep book" on paper and now in an app. There is a secret revealed. Bonus content : Matt actually remembers he had better get Joyce and anniversary gift. An Atlantic story about the history of score keeping and why it may never "die". John Thorn, the excellent baseball historian, shares his tho...

Matt and Joyce are joined by special guests John, James, Patrick, and Tommy to discuss the things we would like to see in our perfect ballpark.

Matt ponders the importance of team names. The Cleveland Indians are almost certainly changing their name and Matt has suggestions.  Also, do you think the name of the team your kid plays on is important? Would you not join a team if the name was one you didn't like?

Maybe it is the heat. Maybe it is the lingering pandemic. Matt & Joyce have some youth baseball peeves that are just ready to explode.

We are back at the ball parks after the Covid-19 shutdown. Are people observing the rules? What issues did we see? Is it really worth it, after all? Hear what we observed, and let us know what you are seeing. You can leave a message via Anchor.fm or at BehindTheBackstop.com.

It has been a heck of a year so far, right? Pandemics will do that. But baseball is about to start in Ohio and we are here to talk about it. What will it be like? Matt and Joyce talk about the mandatory requirements as well as the recommendations. Will this all work? Can Matt have his seeds?

It's the most wonderful time of the non-baseball season year! We share ideas for great gifts for baseball players, parents, grandparents. Most importantly, Matt drops major hints to Joyce about his Christmas wish list.

Matt and Joyce reflect upon the things about youth baseball for which they are thankful.  Some things might surprise you! Are you mentioned?

The days of phone trees and Xeroxed schedules are in the past. Matt and Joyce review some of the apps we have used as part of our baseball parent lifestyle.

There is an art and a science to selecting your location and posture while attending your kid's baseball game.  Matt and Joyce have ideas for those who want to be social, or anti-social, and the pros and cons of various seating options.

Here in Ohio there is a season after the regular season that isn't exactly post season and we aren't ready for winter. We call this "Fall Ball". Some people say "It's ONLY fall ball." and we explore what this means. Get your pumpkin spice and join us Behind The Backstop.

We've all heard that athletes are supposed to be "good sports." What does that mean? Matt and Joyce look at recent actions in the Little League World Series, MLB, and youth baseball and discuss how they reflect good sportsmanship...or don't. Spoiler alert: we mention the New York Yankees. 

Being a baseball parent can mean a lot of time and money invested in keeping your child involved in the sport. So why do we do it? Because baseball is the best sport ever invented. There are lessons that can be drawn from the game that extend beyond the ball field. Matt and Joyce share some reasons they love the game.

Matt and Joyce return after an summer long hiatus to once again talk baseball parenting.  This time we have tryouts on our mind.  What to look for in a team? How to handle rejection?  Where should we sit? And on what?

We are joined by Coach Justin Dehmer , who coached his high school baseball team to back-to-back-to-back state championships. He's a nationally-known motivational speaker and the author of the book "1 Pitch Warrior" .  We discuss how baseball and softball parents can support their kid's coaches as well as their athletes. He shares a GREAT tip any coach can use to help everyone involved in you...

Kids can get stressed at tryout time. So can their parents! Matt and Joyce are here to help you.

Hi there! It's been some time since we talked. What have you been up to? Let's catch up.

Matt and Joyce reflect upon the things for which they are thankful related to youth baseball. We also have very special guests take a break from their holiday to join us.