Advertise on podcast: Clearing The Bases

Young players are bigger, stronger, and more physically trained than ever—but do they truly understand how to play the game? My latest guest is Chris Hayes, CEO and co-founder of the 6Tool App. Chris’s journey took him from being a walk-on at Northwestern University to independent baseball, the Kansas City Royals organization, and eventually Triple-A. Along the way, he combined his professional playing experience with a background in computer science and a master’s degree in psychology from Harvard. Chris delivers an important message: when players understand what they’re supposed to do before the ball is put in play, they can stop thinking, trust their preparation, and play free.

The body may be ready—but is the mind? On this episode of Clearing The Bases, Dr. Robert Cabry—sports-medicine physician, Navy veteran, mental-performance specialist, and author of The Peak Performance Mind Code—joins me for an important conversation about the part of athletic development we often overlook. We discuss building confidence, using visualization, responding to failure, recovering from mistakes, and how the words and reactions of coaches and parents can directly affect a young athlete’s mindset. Physical ability may get an athlete onto the field, but the ability to manage pressure, trust their preparation, and move on from failure often determines what happens next. Train the body. Develop the skills. Don’t forget the mind.

The title may say Volunteer Assistant Coach, but the commitment and impact are anything but small. Jeremy Carper of Ohio Wesleyan University Baseball joins Clearing The Bases for an honest conversation about his unconventional coaching journey, balancing baseball with work and family, and giving back to a game that has given him so much. Jeremy brings humility, energy, and a genuine desire to continue learning. This is a terrific conversation for coaches, players, and parents at every level of the game.

My latest guest is Coach Drew Briese — Head Baseball Coach at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and longtime USA Baseball coach and evaluator. His career combines NCAA Division III coaching, player development, recruiting, and extensive experience working with some of the top young players in the country.  In this episode, Coach Briese delivers one message that every baseball parent should think about: Your son's strikeout isn't your strikeout. His error isn't your error. Let him experience it. Let him learn from it. And let him move on. This is a conversation about baseball — but even more, it's about developing the people who play it.

Coach Joel Sato has spent more than 50 years around Bingham High School Baseball and gives a perspective that very few people in the game can match.  In this episode of Clearing The Bases, Coach Sato talks about how baseball has changed, how parents have changed, what travel baseball has done to development, why young players need patience, and why coaches sometimes need to simply get out of the way. This is a conversation about baseball, but even more than that, it’s about teaching, mentoring, developing young men, and leaving the game better than you found it.

Today's guest is Chuck Box — Head Baseball Coach and Associate Athletic Director at Jackson Academy — and this conversation is absolutely loaded.  He has spent 34 years in baseball. And Coach Box still believes the game is about much more than wins and championships. Chuck has coached at nearly every level of amateur baseball—from high school and junior college to Texas A&M and the University of Texas—and his perspective on coaching, development, culture and relationships is one worth hearing.

What do you do when you sit down with someone who has spent more than five decades teaching the game of baseball? You listen.  My latest guest is Mark “Lunch” McKenzie — one of the most respected and experienced coaches in the game, with more than five decades dedicated to teaching, developing players and giving back to baseball.  Longtime coach at Concordia University–St. Paul, USA Baseball coach, teacher, mentor, and one of the greatest baseball minds you’ll ever hear. And this conversation went far beyond wins, hitting mechanics, and championships. Listen. Learn. And maybe look at player development a little differently when it’s over.

This week, I’m joined by Brett Ratcliffe, Head Baseball Coach at Trine University, for a conversation that goes far beyond wins, losses and recruiting. With more than 30 years in coaching and experience at the high school, college and USA Baseball levels, Coach Ratcliffe has seen player development from just about every angle. Why fundamentals are still lacking when players reach college Why development is a process — and why you can’t skip steps What college coaches are REALLY looking for in recruits Why players need to earn opportunities Building a culture of “WE instead of ME” What his USA Baseball experience taught him about identifying elite players Stories about future MLB stars — including a young Freddie Freeman And why, after more than 30 years of coaching, so much of what he believes still traces back to learning the game from his dad.  This was one of those conversations where an hour went by incredibly fast.

This week on Clearing The Bases, I'm joined by Kevin Graber, Manager of the Lowell Spinners, former Chicago Cubs Minor League coach, championship-winning high school coach, and one of the most respected player development minds in the game. Kevin's journey has taken him from overcoming cancer as a college player to coaching at the highest levels of amateur and professional baseball. Along the way, he's developed players, built championship cultures, and never lost sight of what matters most—developing people before players. Whether you're a coach, parent, player, or simply someone who loves the game, this conversation is packed with practical insights and timeless leadership lessons.

This week, I sit down with Matt Englander, Head Baseball Coach at Case Western Reserve University, to discuss what really drives sustained success. In this episode, we dive into: • Building a championship culture from the ground up • Recruiting student-athletes who fit your program—not just your roster • Developing leaders on and off the field • The importance of fundamentals, accountability, and relationships • Why player development should always come before shortcuts Whether you're a coach, parent, player, or simply someone who loves the game, Coach Englander shares practical insights that extend far beyond baseball. If you're passionate about developing better players and better people, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

This week, I'm joined by Mike Deegan, Head Baseball Coach at Denison University, for a conversation that goes far beyond wins and losses. We discuss: building a program around standards, not shortcuts, what college coaches are really looking for in recruits, the role culture plays in sustained success, why coachability and character still separate great players and what today's players, coaches, and parents need to hear about long-term development. Whether you're a coach building a program, a parent navigating the youth baseball journey, or a player chasing your next opportunity, this episode is packed with practical insights from one of the game's premier leaders.

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.