High school baseball is a different experience from travel ball. In Part 1 of our two part episode, high school and travel ball coach Tom McGovern and I discuss several topics on how players can prepare for that transition and be ready to begin this new adventure.
00:00: Introduction
02:10: Thinking about high school before high school
04:45: A second natural break at 14u
06:05: Learn how to speak with a coach
07:25: Understanding the landscape of travel / club / feeder baseball
08:40: Becoming a part of your high school baseball community
11:45: How players can prep as youths to play in high school
17:35: Understanding high school roster construction
21:20: Wrap up
If you have any questions or show ideas, please leave a comment or email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com. Be sure to like and follow so you’ll be notified each time we drop new content. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.
Tryout season is just around the corner and it can be a stressful time for players and parents. In today’s episode, Chris Modrzejewski and I discuss what tryouts are like from a parent’s perspective.
We share how you and your child can prepare for the tryout process, how you can support your child if he gets cut, and what you can do in the offseason to help him prepare for a new chapter in his baseball career.
00:00 - Introduction
02:10 - Our own kids getting cut
03:30 - Being honest with yourself
04:45 - Metrics when evaluating your child
06:50 - Talking with your coach in-season
10:30 - Helping your child learn self-advocacy
12:40 - Execute the feedback
13:35 - Keeping your options open
14:50 - Trying out for the same organization
16:05 - Tryout fees
17:10 - Trying out with multiple organizations
19:15 - Be respectful of the announcement process
21:25 - Set a good example for your child
24:30 - Supporting your child after being cut
26:05 - Appropriate ways to ask for feedback
28:55 - Advice from a player
29:50 - Finishing the current season with class
30:55 - Offseason approach
33:35 - Wrap up
If you liked what you heard today, drop a comment and share what your tryout experiences have been like. Feel free to email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com to suggest show ideas or to let us know what you think of this episode. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.
When you coach long enough you experience some moments. Looking back, you undoubtedly encounter some fun times where you can only shake your head and laugh.
Today’s episode touches on the “beyond” portion of our podcast. Frequent contributor Chris Modrzejewski and I share some fun anecdotes in our first edition of Sports Stories.
00:00 - Introduction
01:10 - When you gotta go, you gotta go
02:05 - Juuuuuusssst a bit outside
05:55 - Off to Europe
08:00 - Checking in
09:55 - A missing group
11:45 - A player’s rant
13:20 - The last night in Italy
15:55 - Creating memories for your players
If you like what you heard make sure you like and follow to always be notified when new content drops. If you have an idea for an episode, drop us an email at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.
When your team is in a slump, players and coaches can dread coming to practice. If what you’re coaching isn’t resonating, maybe it’s time to shake things up a little to reconnect with your team.
Today’s episode provides a variety of ways you can add variety to your routine by introducing different ways for your players to improve their tactics and techniques, along with using unique motivational methods to help them once again find the joy of the game.
00:00 - Introduction
01:40 - Identifying when things aren’t clicking
02:35 - It’s not personal
03:00 - Help me help you
04:00 - People first - athletes second
06:10 - Coaching isn’t linear
08:05 - Improving tactics and techniques
14:00 - Breaking up your routine
17:10 - Remembering moments, not scores
18:25 - Ace of the Game
21:40 - Game day award tally
23:20 - Helmet stickers & point system
26:40 - I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream
29:10 - Connections with players
Be sure to like and follow to always be notified when new content drops. If you have a show idea, email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com and we’ll be in touch to discuss your thoughts and even possibly have you join us as a guest. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.
Today’s episode discusses a series of recent interactions between a dad and a coach. Dad felt the coach showed clear favoritism towards his son. The coach didn’t think it was appropriate for the dad to express his opinion.
Who was right and who was wrong? Find out what happened and learn about effective communication techniques both dad and coach could have used to engage in constructive dialogue.
00:00 - Introduction
01:35 - Setting the scene
02:35 - Parent initiates communication with the coach
03:10 - Dad’s mistakes explained
04:15 - Using effective communication techniques
05:30 - Sample of an effective email to the coach
06:15 - Improvements the coach could have made
06:50 - What happened in Game 4?
07:30 - Post game events
08:25 - Parents don’t lose the right to ask questions because they didn’t volunteer
10:00 - Move players around in the batting order to help the develop
12:15 - My way or the highway
13:20 - A better approach
14:25 - Free template to organize your game day roster
14:50 - Recap
Be sure to like and follow us on whichever platform you’re using to listen to our podcast. We’d love to hear from you. Please email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com with your thoughts or to suggest a podcast topic. We’ll see you at the diamond!!
While walking by a house league practice the other day I became sad when I saw a coach having his players in a single-file line while hitting ground balls to one player at a time. I saw that and wanted to rush out there and offer a few tips to that coach.
That’s where this episode comes in. In today’s mid-inning broadcast I share why the infamous ground ball line is bad and offer several options on how that coach could have improved his practice INSTANTLY by making it more effective and fun without needing any more equipment.
00:00: Introduction
01:35: Setting the scene
02:45: Explaining the inefficiencies
03:55: Effects of players standing around
04:55: Dead air
06:15: Instant improvement #1
07:30: Instant improvement #2
08:30: Instant improvement #3
09:15: Using proximity to build connections with players
10:55: Instant improvement #4
12:10: Instant improvement #5
13:50: Increase your efficiency by 400% in < 3 minutes
15:55: Other options with a hitting net
16:20: Keep in contact with our podcast
We’d love to hear from you. Please email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com to leave comments or offer up a show idea or two. Be sure to like and follow wherever you’re hearing out podcast to be notified every time new content drops. We’ll see you at the diamond.
Today’s Mid-Inning episode extends our discussion from our earlier “Transitioning From House Ball to Travel Ball” broadcast.
While Coach Chris Modrzejewski and I covered a variety of topics in that episode, we didn’t touch on playing time.
Today I share how playing time regulations and expectations differ once you enter the travel ball world.
00:00: Introduction to our mid-inning episode
02:00: Explaining house ball playing time rules
03:30: Travel ball playing time rules
04:45: Ensuring competitive balance
06:25: Do tourneys regulate playing time?
06:55: Discuss organizational playing time philosophies
07:40: Pros and cons to the different sets of regulations
10:00: Wrapping up the episode
Please hit that follow button to get notified each time new content drops. We’d love to hear from you, so if you have any comments or want to suggest a topic for a future episode, please email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond.
Look in any dugout and you’ll see thousands of dollars worth of equipment. Is it all really necessary? In today’s episode, Chris Modrzejewski and I break down the different pieces of equipment, important restrictions to know, and how you can save money and still get quality gear that’s right for you player.
00:00 - Introduction
01:40 - Bats
03:45 - Drop restrictions by age
05:00 - USA vs USSSA bats
06:05 - Importance of bat size
07:10 - Alloy vs composite bats
09:50 - One-piece vs two-piece bats
11:50 - How to save money when buying bats
16:15 - Fielding gloves
18:30 - Saving money when buying gloves
19:15 - Characteristics of a proper glove
22:00 - Taking care of a glove
23:15 - Catcher’s gear
26:40 - NOCSAE certification for high school
27:45 - Footwear
30:45 - Miscellaneous gear
36:20 - Episode review
You can click on this link to go to Sideline Swap, an online marketplace for used equipment. https://sidelineswap.com/
Drop a comment on what you thought on today’s episode. Click that like and follow buttons to always be notified when new content drops. You can also email the show at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond.
Setting your tournament pitching rotation, defensive lineup, and batting order requires some foresight and thought to place your team in the best position to succeed. How you choose your pool play roster will greatly impact your bracket game play. Join us as we share our thoughts on how to prepare your team for a tournament.
00:00 - Introduction
02:15 - Pool play pitching rotation
06:10 - Playoff pitching rotation
06:55 - When to use your #1 starter & #1 reliever
10:20 - Using your league play pitching rotation to strengthen your tournament potential
12:30 - Defensive setup
13:45 - In-game communication with players
17:45 - Tournament batting order philosophies
20:40 - Parent & player communication regarding lineup philosophy
23:10 - Keeping a fluid lineup
27:55 - Wrap up
In this episode we discussed using a Baller Board to facilitate in-game lineup and position changes with our players. You can use this link (http://www.ballerboards.com) to check out their products from their standard models to custom designs for your program.
Email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com to share your thoughts about this episode or to suggest a topic for a future broadcast. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the diamond. Good bye.
Preparing your game lineup isn’t as simple as just writing down names on a piece of paper. Having a different approach between league games and tournament games allows you to develop your players to be ready in high leverage situations while preparing your team for long-term success.
00:00: Introduction
01:35: Using league play for player development
06:00: Letting go of your ego for successful failures
07:20: Getting lost in the moment
09:15: Organizational emphasis
10:40: Making purposeful mistakes
12:25: Do purposeful mistakes harm the development of others?
15:40: Why use league play to structure a tournament pitching rotation
18:00: Planning your weekly pitching rotation
22:30: Structuring your season schedule
27:15: How to stay in touch with the podcast
Leave a comment below to let us know your thoughts on today’s episode. Click on the follow button to be notified when new content drops and feel free to email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com with any comments or to suggest a show topic that’s important to you. Thanks for listening.
Welcome to another episode of Youth Baseball and Beyond. So this is your first year in travel ball? Congratulations. This is the episode for you. In today’s show we cover what you can expect this season from cost, to commitment, to league play, tournaments, and more.
If you’re looking for a specific topic, just jump to the chapters below:
00:00 - Introduction
02:30 - Avoid sticker shock
04:40 - Understand the commitment
06:00 - Indoor winter practices
07:00 - Awareness of team assignments
09:15 - Outdoor season begins after spring break
12:00 - Organizing your child’s schedule
13:50 - What to expect during the week
15:05 - Specialization of positions
18:50 - Leagues vs. Tournaments
22:45 - The structure of tournaments
24:30 - Pitch counts and advocating for your child
28:35 - Be prepared for entrance or parking fees
29:45 - Late night baseball
31:10 - Out-of-town tournaments
32:25 - Team bonding & creating memories
35:05 - There’s a travel program for you
Click on the follow button to be notified when new content drops and feel free to email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@gmail.com with any comments or to suggest a show topic that’s important to you.
In the final part of our interview, Matt shares the qualities he sees in successful players, discusses the increase in arm issues at the youth levels and how modern metrics contribute to this.
00:00: Introduction
00:45: Common characteristics of successful players
02:35: Player self-reflection & coachability
05:15: Having a short memory
07:00: Being a good teammate
08:35: Why the increase in youth arm injuries?
09:35: Quantity and quality of throws at the youth levels
10:25: Nobody cares how hard you throw ball 4
11:20: Adding a variety of activities to the routine
12:30: Bo knows
14:15: The effect of modern-day metrics
17:45: Removing the human touch in evaluations
19:55: What Matt reviews when evaluating pro players
Keep up-to-date with our podcast by clicking that follow button and you’ll be notified each Wednesday when we drop new content. You can always email us at youthbaseballandbeyond@email.com with any questions or comments. Thanks for listening!!
In part 2 of our 3-part interview, Matt Shepardson, Deputy Commissioner of the Frontier Baseball League, discusses the humble beginnings of his club and what organizations can do to improve their coaching, how leaders can develop and institute an organizational vision, and what he would do if the baseball gods granted him the title of “youth baseball czar.”
00:00: Introduction
00:55: Humble beginnings
05:00: How organizations can improve
06:30: Individual coaching growth
07:25: Helping organizations gain a vision
13:20: Becoming the Youth Baseball Czar
15:40: Monitoring the “arms race”
17:40: Honestly leveling your team
18:50: Mandate play & letting kids be kids
19:45: Travel investments into rec programs
21:20: The “tyranny of the urgent”
Next week we conclude our interview with Matt as he shares the qualities he sees in successful players, discusses the drastic increase in arm issues with our youth players, and how the modern metrics high level coaches use can impact player health.
Keep up-to-date with our podcast by clicking that follow button and you’ll be notified each Wednesday when we drop new content.
In this episode we interview Matt Shepardson. Matt is the Deputy Commissioner of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league, while also serving on the board of the Illinois Hawks Travel Baseball and Fast Pitch Softball Organizations. Previously, he coached the Joliet Slammers, where he won the 2023 Frontier League Manager Of The Year.
In Part 1 of our interview, Matt shares his thoughts on the overall state of youth baseball today and his experiences on setting up a club for success.
00:00: Introduction
01:20: Matt shares his view on the current state of youth baseball
03:45: What’s causing this “low point” in kids understanding baseball?
05:55: Balancing accessibility of the game vs. high-level training
08:25: Incorporating technology into training
11:40: Coaching the coaches
17:55: Keeping the bar raised high
Don’t let poor communication undermine your season. Clear communication is a cornerstone of any good team.
In this episode, Kevin and Nate share how to effectively communicate with parents before, during, and at the end of a season. Learn different tactics and tips on how you can set yourself up for success.
00:00: Introduction
01:35: First contact
04:40: Making your pre-season meeting accessible
06:50: Organizing & holding your pre-season meeting
10:25: Playing time discussions with parents
15:32: Sharing season logistics at pre-season meetings
16:35: Communication during the season
19:45: Creating a newsletter
22:40: Team vs. Club communication
23:35: Communication with unhappy parents
28:35: End-of-season discussions
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In the famous words of Allen Iverson, "We're talking about practice."
Learn how (2) championship coaches create a practice plan - starting with the why, to the who, to the what, to the how.
Looking for ways to have your players improve their baseball IQ on their own? Kevin & Nate offer some tips to help your players continue their learning at home and on their own.
00:00: Introduction
03:30: Why create a practice plan?
06:04: Personalizing practice for your players
10:55: Effectively using assistant coaches
13:30: Creating your practice plan & timing
15:10: Practice atmosphere & setting expectations
20:04: Importance of self scouting
21:44: Ending practice
26:15: Practicing at home and improving baseball IQ
31:42: Life lessons away from baseball
Email Youth Baseball and Beyond to get a free practice plan template & follow us to stay up-to-date when new episodes drop.