Big League Dreaming - The Podcast is a family show about baseball, dreams and family. In this episode of Big League Dreaming, former youth baseball coach John Gonzalez and his son Zane (IUSB associate head coach) discuss the excitement surrounding the 2025 Little League World Series, the upcoming MLB Little League Classic game (Seattle Mariners vs. NY Mets), and the importance of community in youth baseball.

The Little League World is Aug. 13-24, 2025. All games on ESPN. The finals are on ABC.

The MLB Little League Classic is at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 on ESPN.

On the podcast, John and Zane delve into pitching rules, strategies for managing games, and the unique experiences of young players. The conversation highlights the joy of baseball and the connections it fosters among families and communities.

Takeaways

• The Little League World Series is a significant event for young athletes.

• Pitching rules in Little League are designed to protect young arms.

• The Little League Classic game provides a unique experience for MLB players and fans.

• Community involvement is crucial in LL and youth sports.

• The atmosphere of the Little League World Series is filled with excitement and joy.

• Players often miss their first days of school to participate in the series.

• The importance of fun in youth baseball is emphasized.

• Changes in youth baseball have shifted the focus from local teams to travel teams.

• The MLB's efforts to create intimate settings for games are appreciated by players.

• Future BLD episodes will feature insights from past Little League coaches.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Big League Dreaming

02:55 Current State of Major League Baseball Teams

05:40 Little League World Series Overview

08:30 Pitching Dynamics in Little League

11:24 Major League Baseball Little League Classic

14:03 The Impact of Little League on Youth Baseball

16:48 Monet Davis and Women's Professional Baseball

19:28 Looking Ahead to the Championship Game

22:28 Conclusion and Future Episodes