Clearing The Bases

This week, we’re joined by Ryan Vondracek—Assistant Coach at Crown College, Head of Recruiting & Arm Care, and Head of Pitching Operations for Minnesota Renegade. Ryan brings a powerful perspective as a former collegiate lefty who turned down opportunities to play overseas to follow his calling into coaching—and he’s been making an impact ever since. In this episode, we dive into: The biggest...

Every high school baseball player dreams of playing at the next level…And a lot of families believe baseball will pay for college. The truth? There is very little scholarship money out there for collegiate baseball players. So what does that mean for YOU? It means if you’re only relying on baseball… you’re already behind.  College admissions expert Shellee Howard , has helped over 15,000 students...

This week I'm joined by Matt McGuire, author of Fairfield American - A Legacy of Little League Dreams and longtime leader within Fairfield American Little League. Matt spent 15 years as a coach, board member, and president during one of the most remarkable eras in Connecticut Little League history — a time when Fairfield American reached the Little League World Series three times. But this co...

No scripts. No talking points. Just real questions and honest answers about the current state of youth baseball. In this episode, Jeff and Kevin tackle the issues coaches and parents are actually dealing with — development vs. winning, expectations, athlete health, communication, and where youth baseball needs to be better. This isn’t about hot takes. It’s about accountability, education, and doin...

This is the final episode of our three-part series, “Insights from the 2025 ABCA Youth Baseball Summit.” We close the series with a powerful conversation featuring: ⚾ Paul Gallo ⚾ Steve Nikorak ⚾ Jeff Sopha In this final installment, the focus turns to leadership, accountability, and what real change in youth baseball actually looks like. The conversation challenges coaches, parents, and admini...

We’re back with Insights from the 2025 ABCA Youth Baseball Summit – Part 2, featuring another powerful group of leaders working to improve the youth baseball experience:  ⚾ Kevin Coe  ⚾ Mark Wrighte  ⚾ Tracy Tanguay  ⚾ Blake Hibler This conversation continues the deeper work — focusing on athlete health, movement quality, coach education, and creating environments where kids can develop safely...

This special episode features Insights from the 2025 ABCA Youth Baseball Summit, with powerful voices from across the game:  Rob Hahne  Duke Baxter  Mike Cassidy  Deven Morgan Together, we dive into the conversations, challenges, and solutions that came out of the 2025 ABCA Youth Baseball Summit in Austin, Texas.  You’ll hear about coaching education, parent education, player health, and creating...

This week we’re joined by Gary Thrapp, founder of Beyond The Baseline and author of The Wild World of Youth Sports. Gary pulls back the curtain on the current state of youth sports — the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable truths we don’t talk about enough. From parental pressure and over-competition to the long-term impact on kids, this conversation challenges us to rethink what youth sports sho...

This week we welcome Chuck Wolf, founder of Saving The Athletic Elbow and Human Motion Associates — one of the leading voices in movement science, injury prevention, and athletic performance. Chuck breaks down how proper movement patterns, smart training, and early intervention can protect young athletes and keep them performing at their best. His insights on arm care, mechanics, and long-term dev...

Today on the Clearing The Bases Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most influential voices in youth baseball and coach development—Andrew Bartman of USA Baseball and the electrifying Savannah Bananas! Coach Bartman shares powerful insight on: Coach education & long-term athlete development, the biggest issues facing youth baseball today, what USA Baseball has done to raise the standard nation...

We’re excited to welcome Andy High of Coastal Athletics and author of Baseball Lessons for Life. Coach High shares his powerful perspective on developing athletes through both character and competition. From life lessons learned on the field to building confidence, leadership, and resilience through the game, this episode goes far beyond the box score. If you’re a coach, parent, or player who beli...

Today we’re joined by Zach Lutz — former New York Met and Current Baseball Instructor and Director of Player Development at All-Star Sports Academy. Zach’s journey from small-town standout to the Major Leagues is packed with lessons, resilience, and perspective. Now, he’s pouring that experience into developing young players the right way — through communication, confidence, and a true love for th...

This week we’re joined by Mike Landis, Chief Strategy Officer of the 6 Tool App, to talk about how technology, data, and a modern approach to player development are transforming the way athletes train. Mike shares the story behind the 6 Tool App, how it empowers players and coaches to track their progress, and why building smarter training habits is the key to long-term development. If you’re look...

We’re joined by Joe Capobianco, Head Baseball Coach at Penn Hills High School, to talk about building a program centered on hard work, accountability, and player development. Coach Capobianco shares his approach to leading young athletes, creating a culture of commitment, and teaching lessons that extend far beyond the baseball field. This episode is a great listen for coaches, parents, and player...

We’re joined by Parker Lynn, Assistant Baseball Coach at Saint Vincent College, to talk about developing players who succeed both on and off the field. Coach Lynn shares his perspective on building relationships with players, teaching the game the right way, and helping student-athletes grow through accountability, preparation, and purpose. This conversation is packed with insight for coaches at e...

This week, I’m honored to welcome Coach Keith Madison — former University of Kentucky Head Baseball Coach, ABCA Hall of Famer, ABCA Lefty Gomez Award winner and author of Coaching With Purpose . Coach Madison led the Wildcats for 25 seasons, retiring with the third-most wins in SEC history, behind only Ron Polk and Skip Bertman. But his impact extends far beyond the record books. Through Inside Pi...

The Clearing The Bases Podcast is back with an incredible conversation with Ron "Boo Boo" Schaeffer, Assistant Baseball Coach at Alvernia University! Coach Schaeffer dives deep into his journey in baseball, sharing insights on player development, team culture, and the lessons that go beyond the field. Whether you’re a coach, player, or baseball fan, this episode is packed with wisdom you...

This week we’re honored to welcome legendary coach Joe Barth — “The Hit Doctor” of The Hit Doctor USA. Coach Barth’s impact on the game is immeasurable. With decades of experience and a reputation as one of the most respected hitting instructors in the country, he has trained countless players who went on to succeed at the collegiate and professional levels. In this episode, Coach Barth shares his...

We’re joined by Shawn Chuipek, founder of Muscle Baseball and coach at Notre Dame College Prep, to talk about developing complete players and leaders on and off the field. Shawn dives into his approach to player development, building a winning culture, and why creating strong fundamentals and character matters more than ever in today’s game.

This week we sit down with Matt Cole of Bethlehem Little League and the Youth Baseball Coaching Support, Drills & Philosophy Facebook Group. Matt shares how community-driven baseball programs can shape young athletes — not only by teaching fundamentals, but also by building relationships, life skills, and a love for the game. From supporting coaches through one of the largest online baseball g...

We’re joined by Tracy Tanguay — better known as The Mobility Chick — to talk about how athletes can move better, recover faster, and prevent injuries through proper mobility work. Tracy shares practical tips, common mistakes she sees in training, and how simple daily habits can make a big difference for players at every level. If you’re a coach, parent, or athlete looking to improve performance an...

This week, we sit down with Coach Sal Sepulveda of Hiawatha Park Youth Baseball to discuss what it takes to build a strong community-driven program. Coach Sal shares powerful insight into coaching the next generation, creating a positive culture, and why youth baseball is about so much more than wins and losses.

We’re joined by Victor Burgos, former New York Mets Hitting Coach, to talk hitting, player development, and the mindset it takes to grow at the highest levels of the game. From the cage to the clubhouse, Victor shares incredible insight into what it takes to help hitters unlock their full potential — and what really matters in the development process. Whether you're a coach, parent, or player...

We’re joined by Ryan Strickland, Head Baseball Coach at Colquitt County High School — a program built on discipline, development, and doing things the right way. Coach Strickland dives into building a culture that lasts, teaching mental toughness and why coaching is more than just baseball. This is a must-listen for any coach who believes in investing in people first and winning the right way.

We sat down with Chance Beck, Head Baseball Coach at White House Heritage High School, for an honest and insightful conversation about coaching, culture, and the impact of doing things the right way. Coach Beck brings passion, purpose, and perspective to the dugout—and now to your earbuds. You won’t want to miss this one!