Advertise on podcast: 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 mistakes pitchers are making with arm care, velocity vs. true pitching development, what college coaches are ACTUALLY looking for in recruits, how to build durable, consistent pitchers and the role of faith, leadership, and purpose in coaching Whether you’re a player trying to get recruited, a parent navigating the process, or a coach developing arms—this episode delivers.

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 earn more than $23 million in scholarships — many without relying on athletic money. She’s helped families navigate the process the RIGHT way.  Don’t just chase a roster spot — build a plan that sets you up for life. 

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 conversation — and this book — isn’t just about winning. It’s about the moments on the field. The stories behind the scenes. The challenges, the lessons, the leadership… and what youth baseball really means to families and communities.  If you love youth baseball and believe it’s about more than trophies, this is an episode you’ll appreciate. 

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 doing right by the kids who play the game. If you’re involved in youth baseball in any way, this is a conversation you need to hear.

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 administrators to move beyond awareness and toward action — putting kids first in every decision we make. This episode ties together the key themes of the Summit and leaves us with a clear message: the future of youth baseball depends on collaboration, education, and the courage to do what’s right. If you’ve listened to Parts 1 and 2, this is the conversation that brings it all home. If you haven’t — this is the place to start.

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 and confidently. This episode reinforces an important message: meaningful change in youth baseball happens when experts collaborate and keep the long-term well-being of the athlete at the center of every decision. If you’re committed to doing what’s right for young players, this episode is for you.

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 better long-term outcomes for young athletes. This episode isn’t about opinions for the sake of opinions. It’s about collaboration, solutions, and taking responsibility for the future of the game. If you’re a coach, parent, or organization who wants to be part of the solution in youth baseball, this is a must-listen.

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 should look like. This episode isn’t just about baseball. It’s about protecting kids, supporting coaches, educating parents, and putting development and enjoyment back at the center of the game. If you care about the future of youth sports, this is a conversation you need to hear — and share.

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 development are invaluable for coaches, parents, and players at every level. If you’re serious about keeping athletes healthy and helping them move the right way, this episode is a must-listen.

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 nationwide, the Savannah Bananas and building culture, connection, and trust with players. This is a must-listen episode for coaches, parents, and anyone who loves the game.

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 believes baseball is one of the greatest teachers in life — this conversation is for you.

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 the game. In this episode, we explore his path to the Mets and what shaped him as a player, what parents and coaches need to understand about development, why creating better people leads to better players. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player, this one delivers pure insight.

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 looking to bring more clarity, structure, and purpose to your training or coaching, this conversation is a must-listen.

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 players who believe success starts with doing the little things right — every day.

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 every level who believe in teaching beyond the box score. “It’s about more than baseball — it’s about helping young men grow into who they’re meant to be.” – Coach Parker Lynn, Saint Vincent College