Talkin Shop with Coach Ballgame, Chop, and Flikke

This week on Talkin' Shop , we sit down with Cubs legend and three-time World Series champion Shawon "Pops" Dunston. From his 18-year Major League career to the lessons he's carried into coaching, Pops shares stories about growing up, playing alongside legends, raising a baseball family, and leading with integrity. It's a conversation full of wisdom, humility, and a reminder...

This week on Talkin' Shop , we're joined by the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, Jeff Levering. From unforgettable moments in the broadcast booth to the people and stories that make baseball special, Jeff shares what he's learned from calling the game at the highest level. It's a conversation about baseball, relationships, and why the best parts of the game often happen far beyond t...

After a run of incredible guests, the boys are back together. In this episode, Coach Ballgame, Coach Chop, and Coach Flikke sit down for a classic Talkin' Shop Q&A — answering questions from parents and coaches, sharing stories from the field, and talking through the everyday challenges that come with youth sports. No interviews. No agenda. Just the crew back in the shop doing what they do...

This week on Talkin' Shop, Coach Ballgame is joined by Coach Andre for a fun, wide-ranging Q&A covering youth sports, coaching, parenting, leadership, and more. No script. No fluff. Just coaches talking shop and answering some great questions along the way. If you're a parent, coach, or someone who cares about creating a better experience for kids in sports, this one's for you. ⚾🎙...

This week on Talkin' Shop , we're handing the mic to one of our own CB Library Members! Coach Syd joins the show to share his coaching journey, lessons learned, and the impact that intentional coaching can have on kids and families. It's a conversation about growth, community, and the reminder that youth sports are changed by everyday coaches who choose to show up, learn, and lead with...

What if the most important thing a coach teaches has nothing to do with mechanics? This week, Coach Ballgame sits down with Jen Schroeder, one of the most influential voices in youth softball. Jen has built a career helping athletes become better catchers, but her real mission goes far beyond the position. From confidence and communication to leadership and resilience, she shares why sports are on...

In this episode, we tackle three of the biggest youth baseball parenting and coaching debates happening today. How hard should you push a talented kid before motivation turns into burnout? When is the right age for pitchers to start throwing curveballs without risking long-term arm health? And where’s the line between harmless dugout chirping and behavior that crosses into toxic territory? Join th...

More and more kids are playing on multiple teams. And rec coaches are left trying to hold a team together. So what happens when players keep missing practices? This week on Talkin’ Shop , the boys tackle one of the most common tensions in youth sports today: balancing opportunity with accountability.

The boys get real today...digging into the topic of mental health. If this conversation is triggering for you, please skip over this one. We totally get it. RAKE!

Ballgame is back from a 7 city Sandlot Tour Swing. Everything was money. All except for one TRAGIC review from a customer. We unpack it! Chop and Flick Money answer your questions.

Disagreements between adults can quickly change the tone of a season. In this episode of Talkin’ Shop , we tackle verbal conflicts between parents and coaches, the miscommunication that often sits underneath them, and the anxiety kids feel when All-Star season rolls around. Because how adults handle tension doesn’t just affect the relationship… it shapes the environment kids learn and play in.

Big transitions bring big perspective. In this week’s episode of Talkin’ Shop, Coach Chop shares what life has been like stepping into his new role with the Texas Rangers and what he’s learning from being back inside a professional clubhouse. We also tackle a situation many families wrestle with: the kid who is working extra hard but still isn’t getting opportunities from the coach. How do you han...

A 14 year MLB Career. 319 Dingers. 3x All Star, 2x Silver Slugger, and a Roberto Clemente Award Nominee. JAY BRUCE is a stud. What did he learn from teammates like Joey Votto, Ken Griffey Jr. and Scott Rolen? What about Pete Rose? Dusty Baker? His experiences in the game a incredible. How's he taking care of his hometown Little League in Texas? What's next for him? Enjoy every NUGGET in th...

The boys answer your questions. How do we make youth baseball and softball culture more fun? How can you create more movement when practices get slow and boring? My kid is afraid of the ball...what do I do? These are just some of the topics we hit today. Wanna support the POD? www.patreon.com/chopandballgameWarstic Promo Code: Attaboy15Tanner Tees Promo Code: Attaboy

Replaying this GEM, because who doesn't love Mookie Betts? He is one of the biggest names in professional sports. From his Mom being his first Little League Coach, to his daughter teaching him how to catch fly balls, we unpack how this bowling phenom from Tennessee became an MVP and 2 time World Series Champ. Above all, we learned that he's a man of character. He works at it. He's got...

The boys are back in the shop breaking down the energy, emotion, and lessons from the World Baseball Classic — and why even the pros feel those in-game nerves. From packed stadium pressure to youth league dugouts, the feeling is the same… your heart races, your mind speeds up, and the moment gets big. So how do you steady yourself — or help your players do the same? Then we tackle a topic every pa...

Chop shares about his new role as an Assistant Coach with the Rangers and the perspective it’s given him on development and patience in the game. We also talk about something youth sports desperately needs more of — learning how to find joy in other people’s success. And of course… the question every parent asks this time of year:Do you actually have to play travel ball? ⚾️

Every season brings pressure: for kids, coaches, and parents alike. In this episode of Talkin’ Shop, we dive into how to help young athletes overcome nerves and perform with confidence, how coaches can better understand and support neurodiverse players, and how to communicate clearly (and calmly) with the well-meaning but ever-present helicopter parent. Because great coaching isn’t just about skil...

Just Chop & Ballgame today… choppin’ it up about the stuff that actually shapes athletes. We talk managing anxiety, keeping kids engaged when attention drifts, understanding the gap between feel vs. real, learning to fall in love with the grind, and how to respond when the game (or life) doesn’t go your way. Because coaching isn’t just teaching skills... it’s helping kids handle pressure, setb...

The Girls Lead in all things Coach Ballgame Inc. joins the show today to give her perspective on Girls Baseball and Softball! It's Coach Allie Gator! We answer your questions, and Coach Flikke has a MAJOR announcement. Want some discounts? Warstic: "Attaboy15"ThrowMo: "Attaboy"Sqairz: "Attaboy10"BANG!

Spring baseball and softball hit different. The games feel bigger, the emotions run hotter, and suddenly everything feels… intense. We talk about when postgame speeches help (and when they should probably be skipped), how to deal with the loud energy coming from the bleachers, and why spring ball so often feels like it’s already the playoffs. More importantly, we dig into how coaches and parents c...

This Talkin’ Shop episode hits the heart of youth sports culture. We start with real advice for umpires navigating unruly parents... how to hold the line, protect the game, and keep your humanity intact. Then we zoom out to a simple truth we can’t afford to forget: joy should be the most important thing at every age level, not stats, not rankings, not noise from the stands. We close with a reminde...

This episode of Talkin’ Shop is for the people who keep youth sports running, often quietly, and often under pressure. We start with straight-up advice for Little League Presidents trying to balance parents, coaches, culture, and chaos. Then we talk to the parents on the fence about coaching... what matters more than experience, and why saying yes might change everything for your kid. We finish by...

Coach Chop’s got a new MLB gig 👀 and we’re breaking down what that transition looks like behind the scenes. Then we dig into a youth-sports classic: LOUD grandparents in the bleachers—why it happens, how it impacts kids, and what coaches can (and can’t) control. To wrap it up, we get practical with simple, in-game icebreakers coaches can use to loosen things up, relieve pressure, and bring the jo...

Gratitude for the ones who keep the game fair, the pace moving, and the love of baseball alive ⚾️👏 This episode of Coach Ballgame shines a light on umpires and the respect they deserve, featuring Jayden Lorenzo. Tune in for perspective, appreciation, and a powerful reminder of sportsmanship.