The Travel Ball Experience

Charlie and David sit down on this episode with Aaron Horn, from Cedar Rapids, IA to talk travel ball. Arron is an assistant coach for his son's team, the Prairie Hawks 11U Black team. We talk the differences in school ball vs. independent travel ball and we also found out just how similar the sport is both Iowa and Arkansas.

Charlie and David discuss what their unpopular opinions are about travel ball. Maybe they really aren't unpopular. Come inside and take a listen and have a little fun with us, just because we don't agree doesn't mean we can't be friends!

With the new year approaching Charlie and David talk travel ball resolutions. Come listen to hear their resolutions as travel ball parents! They'll also discuss from a coaches and travel ball organizations perspective.

We're baaack! It's been awhile but David and Charlie are back chatting up the differences between dad and paid coaches. Just talkin ball and getting our feet wet again before adding more episodes this Spring!

Charlie and David talk about their 12U team for the upcoming Spring season. Discussing what the off-season was like and what would make a successful Spring season to them.

Jason and Max Hamilton are coming to the podcast to talk about their journey through travel ball from a father & son perspective. Max started playing travel ball at 7U and is now a high school junior at Olathe West High School. He has committed to play baseball for Oklahoma State University. We all know it takes dedicated parents to navigate even the lowest of ages and levels of baseball. Come...

A Fayetteville, AR native, Brian played JUCO at Connor’s State CC and Allen County CC before transferring to and graduating from Missouri Southern State University in 2023. He also pitched for the Princeton Whistle Pigs in the Appalachian League. Brian is now back in NWA giving pitching lessons and coaching travel ball. Come listen to his full circle journey from playing travel baseball to now giv...

Chris Lanzilli stopped by the podcast to talk ball and how his new fitness and training program is doing. Lanzilli, a Boston native, is a former All-American and MLB draft pick for the SF Giants. He played at Wake Forest and the University of Arkansas, helping the Razorbacks to the College World Series in 2022. Chris runs Lanzilli Fitness, using the knowledge and experience gained throughout his c...

What fun and informative hour with guest Blaine Knight. Blaine stopped by the podcast to talk some ball. A native of Bryant, Arkansas, Blaine went on the play college baseball at the University of Arkansas. In 2018 he was named to the All-SEC Second Team, and to the College World Series All-Tournament Team. He finished his 2018 season with a 14-0 record and 2.80 ERA over 19 starts. Knight was sele...

Longtime umpire Alan Barton drops by to discuss his 35 years of umpiring baseball. Alan played junior college baseball at Trinidad College in Colorado and finished his career at Henderson in Arkadelphia, AR. Alan has been in education for 40 years coaching, teaching and serving as principal. We discuss the changes in baseball he has seen over the years and how he handles his job in the hottest of...

Charlie and David talk about guest playing. What does guest playing mean to a player, a team, a coach and parents. There are lots of moving parts to this topic and we attempt to unravel the reasoning for guest playing.

Mike McKeown is a long time travel baseball tournament director. His company, Arkansas Premier Tournaments, host the biggest and most well run tournaments in the Mid-South. Listen as he tells his story of starting and growing his company. Mike recalls moments from his own coaching days and how his passion for family and baseball have blended into a full time business. So many great takeaways from...

Dr. Bobby Pritchett stopped by today to talk arm care! Bobby played his travel ball with the Dallas Tigers baseball organization. After lettering four years at South Garland High School, we played collegiately at the University of Central Arkansas. After college he played independent baseball, being named a top 10 Indy prospect by Baseball America. After his playing career, Bobby went on to become...

David and Charlie are joined by experienced travel baseball coach Keith Westmoreland. We discuss starting and running a youth baseball team without the support of a local or national organization. Keith expands on the challenges of filling a roster, his scheduling philosophy, and his thoughts on development vs. winning, running effective practices and the benefits and drawbacks of navigating the w...

Guest Jennifer Neill stops by to discuss all things nutrition and wellness for the travel ball player. Great conversation and insight. A must listen for the parents of young athletes!

Coaches: how do you spot potential? The size, strength and speed that come with being an early-bloomer are obvious to everyone. How do you identify athletes with potential? Parents: Guiding your child in baseball. Early bloomer vs. late bloomer.

In episode 1 of The Travel Ball Experience Podcast, David and Charlie talk about tryout season. Each year, as the spring baseball season winds down, players across the country are on the move. The summer hot stove heats up for all kinds of reasons, and is one of the most stressful times of the year, but it is without a doubt a core part of the travel ball experience for almost everyone. See profil...