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Texas Tailgators shortstop Jorden Hussein never planned on playing Banana Ball. His path went from North Shore High School in Houston to Crowder College, Division I baseball at Little Rock, two seasons of independent ball, the Party Animals, and now the Texas Tailgators. At several points, the next opportunity looked nothing like what he originally pictured. That’s exactly why I wanted him on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast. Jorden talks about why he chose JUCO when he had a Division I opportunity, why parents need to be realistic about where their son actually is as a player, and what his own parents got right throughout his baseball career. He also gives one of the better analogies I’ve heard about what a player needs from his dad after a bad game. We also get into Banana Ball. Is the baseball real? Are the games scripted? And after playing inside it, does Jorden believe Banana Ball is actually here to stay? His answer might surprise some traditional baseball people. In this episode we cover: Why Jorden chose JUCO instead of going Division I right awayWhat parents should look at beyond the school name and divisionThe reality check he thinks more baseball parents need about their sonWhat each jump in competition exposed about his own gameWhat his parents did when he struggledWhat NOT to do on the car ride home after your son goes 0-for-4How a phone call he almost turned down led him to Banana BallWhether Banana Ball is scripted and how competitive the games really areWhy he believes Banana Ball is here to stayWhat Banana Ball taught him about slowing the game down defensivelyWhy parents should stop obsessing over statisticsWhat he wishes he could tell his high school selfJorden’s path is a good reminder for baseball parents: your son’s best opportunity may not have the name, logo, division, or path you pictured. Pay attention to where he can play, where he can get better, and where people genuinely want him. 🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor ⚾ Guest: Jorden Hussein, Texas Tailgators shortstop 🎧 Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast Subscribe for conversations with players, coaches and baseball people who can help parents think more clearly about the decisions they’re making for their sons. #ChasingBaseballDreams #BaseballParents #BananaBall

Baseball parents spend a lot of time worrying about winning, playing time and whether their son is falling behind. Former MLB pitcher Aaron Barrett says one of the biggest things parents worry about is FOMO. Trying to keep up with what everybody else is doing instead of looking at where your own kid is right now.    Aaron has seen player development from just about every angle. He pitched parts of four seasons with the Washington Nationals, made it back to the Major Leagues after more than four years away following Tommy John surgery and a fractured humerus, and was part of Washington’s 2019 World Series team. After his playing career, he moved into player development with the Philadelphia Phillies. In his first season managing the Single-A Clearwater Threshers, his team finished 74-55 and Aaron was named Baseball America’s Single-A Manager of the Year and Florida State League Manager of the Year.    In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Aaron and I get into what actually separates players as they move up, why consistency and handling failure matter so much, what development should look like at younger ages, and why playing catch still matters.   We also talk about youth pitching and arm health, how parents should vet coaches and instructors, multi-sport athletes, baseball IQ, analytics, player ownership, Aaron’s four MLB Draft experiences, his incredible comeback to the big leagues, and some of his favorite Major League memories.   Aaron also explains why parents need to ask more questions before handing their son’s development over to somebody else, especially when it comes to pitching and training.    His closing advice is simple: use the information and experience available to you, then bring the decision back to your child and what’s best for him right now. Development isn’t linear.    TIMESTAMPS   00:00 Aaron Barrett’s MLB career, comeback and move into managing  02:05 What separates players in professional baseball  05:08 Baseball IQ and how players are being developed today  08:17 Development vs. winning  11:31 What development should look like for young players  14:24 Why playing catch still matters  17:17 When parents should stop trying to fix every struggle  19:35 Helping a young player through an injury  22:25 What parents should ask about pitching and arm care  25:19 Aaron on youth arm injuries and Dr. Andrews  26:48 Aaron’s wild MLB Draft story  29:10 Growing up as a multi-sport athlete  31:02 When parents should hand ownership back to the player  35:28 Data, analytics and paralysis by analysis  39:37 In-and-Out with Aaron Barrett  40:20 What baseball parents worry about too much  41:38 What he’d tell the parents of his 12-year-old self  42:34 The toughest hitter Aaron faced in the Major Leagues  43:39 Aaron’s favorite baseball memories  50:41 Favorite baseball movie and his upcoming documentary  53:53 Aaron’s final advice for baseball parents

Is your son dominating youth baseball because he’s developing, or because the competition isn’t challenging him anymore?  Former MLB player Lou Collier joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk about reclassing, playing up and the decisions behind his son Cam Collier’s path to the MLB Draft.    Before the Cincinnati Reds selected Cam 18th overall, his family made the decision to have him graduate early and play junior college baseball against older competition. Lou explains what he saw in Cam, how he used feedback from experienced baseball people and why the decision involved much more than his son’s ability on the field. We also get into what would’ve told him they’d moved too soon.    That leads to a conversation about reclassifying in the other direction. Lou shares his concerns about older players dominating younger competition and what happens when the game finally gets tougher. He also makes an important distinction: challenging a player doesn’t mean putting him at a level he isn’t physically ready to handle.    We talk about the challenge of being both a coach and a baseball dad, including what Lou learned about backing off as Cam matured. Later, he explains why a younger player needing encouragement isn’t the same as an older teenager refusing to put in the work his goals require.    For parents thinking about baseball training and player development, Lou gets specific about infield fundamentals, learning multiple positions and what working alongside Ron Washington taught him about instruction. He also discusses baseball access for young African American players, his work with MLB Develops and the training behind the Hillboys program. His explanation of practice reps versus game reps gives parents something to consider before filling another weekend with games.    Cam’s path gives us a real decision to examine. The question for your family is what your son needs, how you’re evaluating that and whether his baseball environment is preparing him for tougher competition.    Timestamps    00:00 Meet Lou Collier, former MLB player and Cam Collier’s dad  02:25 Being a baseball dad without always being the coach  05:02 Why Cam Collier reclassified and played junior college baseball  10:50 What would’ve told Lou they moved too soon  12:19 College baseball beyond the “D1 or bust” mentality  13:41 Infield fundamentals and learning multiple positions  17:05 What Ron Washington taught Lou about infield development  19:47 Recognizing when a player needs tougher competition  20:47 When should your son take ownership of his baseball goals?  23:09 Growing up playing baseball on Chicago’s South Side  25:31 African American players, baseball costs and access  31:30 MLB Develops, Dream Series and Breakthrough Series  36:38 Reclassing down and the temporary age advantage  41:52 What separates players who keep getting better  43:10 The toughest MLB pitchers Lou faced  44:19 Favorite ballparks and playing back home in Chicago  46:41 In-and-Out with Lou Collier  48:29 A Wrigley Field home run and a favorite baseball movie  50:44 Lou’s message to parents: Be honest about your son  52:54 The Hillboys and Lou’s approach to youth baseball training  55:22 Practice reps versus game reps  56:31 Closing thoughts    Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss the next episode.    #BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #ChasingBaseballDreams

Former MLB player Niko Goodrum joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk youth baseball, travel baseball, player development, versatility, mindset, and what parents may be rushing too soon. Niko was a second-round pick out of high school and played seven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels. One of the most surprising parts of his journey: he didn’t grow up playing travel baseball. He played local summer ball, attended a few showcases and still developed into a Major League player. For baseball parents, some of Niko’s strongest advice comes when he talks development. He says he wouldn’t rush power, exit velocity, throwing velocity or strength with young players. Niko was 168 pounds when he was drafted and eventually played at 220. Physical development comes with time, but the skill of actually playing baseball still has to be there. Niko also talks about when a player may be ready for travel ball, why parents should watch how much their son is driving his own development, and why decisions should fit the individual kid instead of what everybody else is doing. We also get into how versatility helped Niko reach and stay in the Major Leagues, playing multiple sports, becoming a switch hitter in high school, professional baseball in Korea, the moment he knew his playing career was over, and what separates talented players who keep moving from those who stall out. Niko shares what he learned from Victor Martinez, why the mental side matters more as the level rises, and what it was like facing Jacob deGrom and Chris Sale. If you’re a baseball parent trying to make better decisions about travel baseball, training, strength, player development, versatility or your son’s long-term path, this conversation is for you. TIMESTAMPS 00:50 Meet Niko Goodrum and his MLB journey01:34 Why Niko chose Kennesaw State over bigger-name programs03:11 Getting drafted in the second round vs. going to college04:30 Why development can take years, even for elite players06:17 Niko reveals he never played travel ball07:02 Why playing basketball helped his baseball development08:53 How versatility became Niko’s path to the Major Leagues11:23 Playing when your role and future aren’t guaranteed12:42 What playing professional baseball in Korea was really like17:05 The morning Niko knew it was time to retire19:11 Adjusting to life after professional baseball22:08 What separates talented players who keep advancing24:02 Becoming a switch hitter in high school26:08 What parents of talented 12 and 13-year-olds should focus on27:43 Why parents shouldn’t rush strength, exit velo or throwing velo29:10 When should a kid start playing travel baseball?31:41 Facing Jacob deGrom, Chris Sale and MLB’s toughest pitchers32:30 Niko’s favorite Major League stadiums36:00 In-and-Out: earning trust, development, technique and simplifying the game38:50 Why mindset becomes the separator at higher levels42:05 What Niko learned from Victor Martinez45:14 Niko’s favorite baseball memories47:42 His favorite baseball movie48:24 Where to follow Niko Goodrum

Former MLB outfielder and first-round pick Lewis Brinson joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation every youth baseball and travel baseball parent should hear. Brinson was selected 29th overall by the Texas Rangers in the 2012 MLB Draft out of Coral Springs High School. He went on to play six seasons in the Major Leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants, and his career later took him to Japan and Mexico. In this episode, Lewis talks about the parts of the baseball journey parents rarely get to see. He explains why parents can put way too much stock in batting average, exit velocity and other metrics at 9U and 10U, what actually mattered in his development as a young player, and why youth baseball shouldn’t start feeling like a business before baseball is actually a player’s job. Lewis also gives an inside look at what being a top MLB prospect really means. More attention. More expectations. More opportunities to fail. And, sometimes, more pressure than a young player knows how to handle. He shares what he learned after being traded by the Rangers in the Jonathan Lucroy deal, becoming a centerpiece of the Christian Yelich trade to Miami, and returning home with enormous expectations placed on him. The conversation also gets into hitting development, why every kid shouldn’t be taught to swing like Aaron Judge, how parents can get more value from private lessons, what longtime big leaguers have in common beyond talent, and what a parent should say on the ride home after a bad game. If you’re raising a young baseball player and trying to make better decisions about travel baseball, player development, hitting lessons, youth baseball stats, pressure, expectations and the long-term journey, there’s a lot in this one. Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast with Bobby Minor Timestamps00:00 Lewis Brinson joins Chasing Baseball Dreams 01:13 Getting traded by the Texas Rangers 05:01 When the business side creeps into youth baseball 07:17 Lewis Brinson’s travel baseball experience 08:23 What actually mattered in his development 10:42 Why parents put too much stock in youth baseball stats 13:31 The problem with radar guns and exit velocity at 9U 14:37 How Lewis fell in love with baseball 19:29 Florida or professional baseball? Making the draft decision 24:15 How baseball recruiting has changed 26:59 What being a “top prospect” really means 31:27 The people who shaped Lewis Brinson 34:05 The Christian Yelich trade and the pressure of coming home 41:39 Why Lewis listens to players who’ve been there 44:51 Hitting instruction and copying Major League swings 49:42 The toughest pitcher Lewis ever faced 51:20 Lewis Brinson’s favorite MLB ballparks 54:16 Why baseball stays uncertain even after you “make it” 59:55 In-and-Out: advice every baseball parent can use 1:05:12 Lewis’s favorite baseball memories 1:07:24 Favorite baseball movie 1:08:16 What might have been with the Texas Rangers 1:09:36 Lewis gives Bobby some hitting advice 1:10:37 Where to follow Lewis Brinson

A coach can help a player get recruited. A parent has to live with everything attached to that decision.    In this solo episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Bobby Minor talks about the side of the college baseball recruiting process he didn’t fully understand until his own son went through it. He had already coached players and helped them through recruiting. Going through it as a dad gave him a completely different view of the same process.    For baseball parents, recruiting goes way beyond whether a player is talented enough or whether a college coach likes him. There’s the financial side. Distance from home. Playing time. Roster competition. Coaching changes. Injuries. Knowing whether a school really wants your son or is simply keeping him on the board.    And then there’s the part nobody can make easy for you: helping your son make the decision without making it for him.    Bobby talks about college baseball recruiting, JUCO baseball, scholarship and financial decisions, roster math, college coach interest, travel baseball, playing time, and the pressure the recruiting process can put on the relationship between a parent and his son.    He also shares why getting an offer isn’t the finish line, how difficult it can be to interpret what college coaches really mean, and the unexpected way Julian’s eventual college opportunity started with a conversation inside a Fort Worth gym.    If you’re looking for college baseball recruiting tips for parents, especially as your son moves through high school baseball and starts hearing from college programs, this episode will help you think beyond simply getting the offer.    TIMESTAMPS    00:01 Why recruiting feels different when you’re the parent  02:16 When the coaching staff leaves two weeks before school  04:36 The waiting, comparison, and financial pressure parents carry  07:02 Roster math and the real path to playing time  09:25 Letting your son own the decision  11:14 What college coach interest really means  13:42 What recruiting costs emotionally  16:07 How Julian actually got recruited    If your son is going through the recruiting process right now, leave your biggest question in the comments.    #CollegeBaseballRecruiting #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball

Aiden McIntyre was benched in high school, cut in college, and still drafted by the Oakland A’s. How much are baseball parents spending because they’re afraid their son is falling behind?    The former professional pitcher and baseball YouTuber joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk about late-blooming players, travel baseball costs, and the pressure parents feel to keep up.    Aiden was a 5-foot-2 high school freshman who struggled throughout high school. He transferred three times in college before being selected in the 2018 MLB Draft. He shares what his parents got right during those difficult years and why being one of the best players at 12 tells you so little about what happens next.    We get into private pitching lessons, $500 baseball bats, youth player rankings, and baseball showcases. Aiden explains why he wouldn’t consider a showcase before 16, why players need something to show when they get there, and how the fear of falling behind pushes families into spending they don’t need.    For pitchers and their parents, Aiden walks through the development that took him from the mid-80s to the mid-90s, his experience with Driveline, and how baseball analytics helped him understand his strengths. He also explains why he’d rather face a hitter swinging for the fences than a scrappy hitter who refuses to strike out.    We talk about minor league baseball, the injuries that helped him decide to walk away, and how a job at vidIQ helped him build a full-time YouTube career.    And stay for his story about giving up eight runs without getting out of the first inning. A Dodgers scout was watching. What that scout told him afterward is something worth remembering the next time your son has a bad game.    TIMESTAMPS    00:00 Meet Aiden McIntyre  01:47 Late bloomers and judging players too early  05:04 Chasing big dreams while being honest about your ability  08:58 Supporting your son without adding performance pressure  14:31 Pitching development: how Aiden reached the mid-90s  17:35 Pitch design, baseball analytics, and the hitters he hated facing  22:31 Minor league baseball, injuries, and knowing when to stop  27:06 From professional pitcher to full-time baseball YouTuber  31:28 Youth baseball costs: $500 bats and private lessons  34:21 When should players attend baseball showcases?  36:38 FOMO, falling behind, and the pressure to “make it”  44:20 Why Aiden opposes ranking young baseball players  46:15 Your son doesn’t have to be the number-one player  49:11 Looking ahead to the Field of Dreams event  51:20 In-and-Out: pitching velocity, statistics, and handling failure  53:28 Going 0-for-5 and still being a great teammate  55:02 What a Dodgers scout saw in Aiden’s worst outing  58:18 Favorite baseball memories and a first-year Triple-A win  59:36 Wrigley, Fenway, and favorite MLB ballparks  1:01:44 Where to follow Aiden McIntyre    What’s one thing you’ve felt pressured to pay for because you were told your son would fall behind? Tell us in the comments.    Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more conversations that help baseball parents make better decisions for their sons.    #BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #AidenMcIntyre

Josh Reddick was cut from his middle-school baseball team two years in a row. He went on to play 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, win a Gold Glove, collect more than 1,100 hits, and win a World Series.    So what should baseball parents take from a story like his?    In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Josh Reddick talks about youth baseball development, travel baseball, exposure, hitting, positional development, slumps, routines, and why parents shouldn't decide what a young player can become based on what he looks like at 10, 11, or 12 years old.    Josh explains why reps matter more than where your son plays, when exposure actually begins to matter, and why talented players will eventually get found if they perform.    We also get into one of the biggest problems in youth baseball today: trying to manufacture a mechanically perfect swing instead of teaching kids how to hit. Josh explains why there is no single perfect swing, using players like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Jose Altuve and others as examples.    He also shares what he actually notices when evaluating talented young players, what Ron Washington taught him about keeping baseball simple, how he handled one of the worst stretches of his MLB career, and the one trait he'd choose in a 12-year-old player over everything except talent.    If you're a baseball parent trying to figure out what actually matters for your son's development, this conversation is worth watching all the way through.    TIMESTAMPS    00:00 Josh Reddick joins Chasing Baseball Dreams  00:36 Cut from his middle-school team twice  03:03 What matters most for young baseball players  04:20 When does baseball exposure actually matter?  06:43 Being told he wasn't good enough  08:11 Why kids shouldn't specialize at one position too early  10:58 What Ron Washington did for Marcus Semien  12:29 There is no blueprint for becoming a Major Leaguer  14:42 Ron Washington and keeping baseball simple  17:18 What parents get wrong when their son starts struggling  20:18 The problem with chasing the "perfect" baseball swing  22:42 What Josh notices when evaluating young players  24:02 The sound of the bat and raw athletic ability  25:18 Josh knew Junior Caminero was different  26:17 Why you can't evaluate a player's future at 9U  27:07 Josh's three favorite baseball memories  28:04 Making his Major League debut with the Red Sox  29:56 The one trait Josh wants in a 12-year-old player  31:05 Final thoughts    Josh Reddick played more than 1,300 Major League games during a 13-year MLB career with the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks. He won the 2012 American League Gold Glove in right field and was a member of Houston's 2017 World Series championship team.    Chasing Baseball Dreams helps baseball parents cut through the noise surrounding travel baseball, youth baseball development, recruiting, exposure, showcases and the decisions that actually matter as their sons grow through the game.    #JoshReddick #YouthBaseball #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball

You probably know Anthony Mendez as the Latin Lover Narrator from Jane the Virgin, the role that earned him two Emmy nominations. You may also recognize his voice from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, American Dad, Elena of Avalor, GTA V and, if you listen to this podcast, the opening and closing of Chasing Baseball Dreams. But this conversation isn't really about Hollywood. It's about being a baseball dad. Anthony's son is now a sophomore in high school, but Anthony admits he got caught up in the travel baseball machine when his son was younger. Stats. Winning. Better teams. Expensive bats. Travel. The fear that if they didn't keep doing more, his son would fall behind. Then his son told him he didn't want to play anymore. That changed everything. Anthony joins Bobby Minor to talk about pulling back, becoming Dad instead of Coach Dad, why nobody who matters is evaluating your 10-year-old, why his son hasn't attended a single showcase yet, and the baseball lesson he wishes more parents understood: Let the kid guide you. They also talk about Anthony's voice acting career, Jane the Virgin, Antonio Banderas, growing up at Yankee Stadium, Cooperstown, youth baseball expenses and why some of the memories parents worry about end up looking completely different through their son's eyes. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Anthony Mendez 00:57 Becoming the Latin Lover Narrator and a voice actor 02:45 Why Anthony hasn't done much on-camera acting 04:16 Getting caught up in the travel baseball machine 06:23 When his son wanted to quit baseball 06:37 How Anthony changed from Coach Dad to Dad 09:10 What he worried about way too much when his son was younger 10:07 Expensive bats, gloves and custom cleats 11:39 The Dominican baseball swagger 12:06 Does anyone recognize THAT voice at the ballpark? 13:23 Growing up a Yankees fan 15:19 Petco Park, Dodger Stadium and favorite ballparks 17:40 What Anthony would tell the dad about to go all-in on travel ball 20:34 Why the baseball machine makes parents feel behind 22:04 “Don't let anybody tell you a freshman is behind” 24:00 The problem with comparing your son's development 26:07 Why Anthony's son hasn't attended a showcase 28:46 Don't showcase until you have something to show 29:46 IN & OUT with Anthony Mendez 29:54 The travel ball expense he'd rethink 30:16 Jersey name or playing opportunity? 30:32 What his son needs from him now 31:21 The biggest plot twist in his son's baseball journey 31:57 The Cooperstown memory that changed Anthony's perspective 32:38 Growing up at Yankee Stadium 34:30 The message every young baseball parent needs to hear 36:01 What's next for Anthony Mendez 37:17 Where to follow Anthony #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #AnthonyMendez

Former Major Leaguer and current Arizona Diamondbacks special assignment scout Todd Greene has seen baseball from just about every angle. He played parts of 11 seasons in the Major Leagues, became one of the greatest power hitters in college baseball history, moved into professional scouting, and built a travel baseball program that has helped more than 350 players reach college baseball. In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Todd joins Bobby Minor for a straight conversation every baseball parent needs to hear. Todd explains why youth rankings “mean absolutely nothing,” why the best team isn't always the best situation for your son, why kids shouldn't be playing baseball year-round, and why parents need to stop treating 10U, 11U and 12U success like a prediction of what a player will become. They also get into early specialization, showcases, playing time, choosing the right travel organization, late bloomers, multi-sport athletes, scout teams, the car ride home after a bad game, and the questions parents should ask before writing another check. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Todd Greene 01:36 What does a special assignment scout actually do? 03:08 What successful players had in common as kids 04:16 The problem with the D1 obsession 06:02 Todd's path from 27th-round pick to the Major Leagues 09:39 Why youth baseball rankings mean nothing 12:14 How early is too early to specialize at one position? 15:46 What Todd learned from Derek Jeter 16:40 Why kids shouldn't play baseball year-round 19:12 When baseball specialization starts to make sense 21:41 What parents should look for in a travel baseball program 25:29 Does an 8-year-old really need travel baseball? 28:36 When young players should start facing better competition 30:05 The truth about youth “scout teams” 31:54 IN & OUT: 80-game seasons, national teams, showcases and the ride home 34:04 Better team or better reps? 36:33 Early bloomers, late bloomers and development 39:37 Were Major Leaguers always the best players growing up? 41:48 Todd's greatest baseball memory 44:00 Todd's advice for the parent of a 12-year-old 45:18 Questions to ask BEFORE choosing a travel team 47:17 How much should young players practice versus play? 48:10 Where to find Todd Greene and TG D-backs If you're raising a baseball player, this one is worth watching all the way through. #TravelBaseball #YouthBaseball #BaseballParents #PlayerDevelopment

Four-time Emmy-nominated actor Michael Kelly, best known as Doug Stamper on House of Cards, joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation that goes way beyond Hollywood. ⠀ Michael grew up in Georgia as a diehard Atlanta Braves fan. His dad passed that love of baseball down to him, and now Michael is watching the same thing happen with his own son, Clint, who has entered high school baseball. ⠀ Michael talks about balancing fatherhood with an acting career that can take him around the world for weeks at a time, following his son’s games on GameChanger from hotel rooms overseas, and how hard it is knowing some moments simply can’t be replaced. ⠀ They also get into something every baseball parent deals with: watching your kid struggle. ⠀ Michael shares how he helped Clint through a difficult season at the plate, why failure in baseball reminds him so much of rejection in acting, and what seven years of grinding before his own acting breakthrough taught him about perseverance. ⠀ He also explains the 30-minute no-phone rule before and after games, why he tries to let the baseball experience belong to his son, and the two qualities he sees in successful actors and athletes over and over again: work ethic and respect. ⠀ Plus, Michael talks Dale Murphy, Chipper Jones, Hank Aaron, Jack Ryan, Lioness, throwing out the first pitch at an Atlanta Braves game, and an unforgettable 2021 World Series memory shared with his father, brother and son. ⠀ If you’re raising a young baseball player, there’s a lot in this conversation worth hearing. ⠀ TIMESTAMPS ⠀ 00:00 Intro 00:50 Meet Michael Kelly 02:04 How his dad made him a Braves fan 03:49 Becoming a baseball dad 05:35 Dale Murphy, Chipper Jones & Braves memories 06:54 Why Michael never played baseball 08:14 Watching your kid do what he loves 09:53 Being “Clint’s dad” at the ballpark 11:46 House of Cards, Jack Ryan & Lioness 13:04 The baseball movie Michael wanted to make 16:54 Missing his son’s games while filming overseas 19:14 The 30-minute no-phone rule 21:19 Acting rejection and baseball failure 23:18 Watching his son struggle at the plate 27:13 Choosing family over an acting role 30:05 Seven years of rejection before his breakthrough 31:03 Why work ethic and respect matter 35:06 Throwing out the first pitch for the Braves 37:41 His favorite baseball memory

What do college baseball coaches actually look for when recruiting a high school player? And how much do Perfect Game rankings, showcases, travel baseball teams, character, and parents really matter? Former Philadelphia Phillies catcher and current University of Texas at Arlington assistant coach Cameron Rupp joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation every baseball parent with a son who wants to play at the next level needs to hear. Cameron played at the University of Texas, competed in the 2009 College World Series, was an All-Big 12 selection, and was drafted in the third round of the 2010 MLB Draft before spending five seasons with the Phillies. In this episode, Cameron explains why he doesn’t care about a player’s Perfect Game ranking, what catches his eye when evaluating recruits, why he wants to see players fail, and why character matters to college coaches. They also dig into college baseball recruiting, JUCO baseball, the transfer portal, showcases vs. college camps, specialization, multi-sport athletes, positional versatility, catching development, swing-and-miss rates, recruiting emails, and how parents can help or hurt the recruiting process. Cameron’s message to baseball parents is simple: stop trying to project where a 12-year-old will be six years from now. Let him develop. Let him play. And let him run his own race. Timestamps00:51 Meet Cameron Rupp: Phillies catcher to college coach 02:01 Biggest developmental mistakes parents make 04:38 How early is too early to specialize? 05:50 Why projecting a 12-year-old as D1 makes no sense 06:52 D-BAT, Clayton Kershaw and DFW baseball 09:17 How travel baseball has changed 09:58 How college baseball recruiting actually starts 10:38 Do Perfect Game rankings matter? 11:37 Why Cameron wants to watch recruits fail 12:48 Does character matter in recruiting? 14:46 High school, JUCO and portal roster construction 15:21 Who should consider the JUCO route? 17:59 Power Four vs. mid-major recruiting 20:18 What college coaches want from catchers 22:21 The truth about showcase pop times 24:35 The four most recruited positions 25:28 The one tool that can change a game 26:52 Why swing-and-miss matters 28:38 Positional versatility and getting in the lineup 31:50 Why young players shouldn’t be locked into one position 34:21 What college coaches truly value 37:14 Power Four recruiting and the transfer portal 39:16 Performance wins playing time 40:49 Failure and mental toughness 43:03 How parents can help players handle failure 45:54 In & Out with Cameron Rupp 46:38 One thing youth baseball parents should stop doing 47:09 Cameron’s favorite Phillies memory 48:18 Advice for every 14-year-old catcher 49:04 The best players Cameron played with 50:05 College camp or showcase? 52:19 Are college camps money grabs? 53:09 Camp invites vs. genuine recruiting interest 54:53 When players get on recruiting boards 56:08 Can a parent hurt his son’s recruitment? 58:25 Final advice: Run your own race 59:30 Where to follow Cameron Rupp

Adam Eaton was 5-foot-9, a 19th-round draft pick and, by his own admission, never a big-time prospect. He still found a way to play 10 years in the Major Leagues and win a World Series. And his message to baseball parents is one I wish more people heard early: “It is not a talent contest.” Adam joins me on Chasing Baseball Dreams to talk about what actually helped him beat the odds, what he learned working with college players at Michigan State, and what he now sees every day as the first base coach for the Los Angeles Angels. We get into why parents put way too much importance on early success, why he believes kids need to play multiple sports, what coaches notice when a player goes 0-for-4, and why learning how to fail may be one of the most important skills a young player can develop. Adam also shares what he’s learned being around players like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Mike Trout, why young players need to actually watch and study baseball, and the advice he gives parents of 10-year-olds: “Your only job as a parent is to make sure he signs up next year.” TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Adam Eaton joins Chasing Baseball Dreams 02:10 What actually matters for the undersized young player 04:47 Why Adam played multiple sports growing up 08:49 Why young players should play different positions 14:14 “Baseball is not a talent contest” 16:58 The best players Adam ever played with 19:06 What separates Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto 21:18 What coaches notice when your son goes 0-for-4 25:52 Being a great teammate when the bat isn’t working 29:23 Turning failure into better work 31:11 The toughest pitchers Adam ever faced 33:58 Why bunting is making a comeback 38:26 Why young players need to watch more baseball 40:12 What Kirk Gibson taught Adam from the bench 45:18 How parents should handle injuries and setbacks 48:44 Why kids need to become athletes first 52:45 What Mike Trout does differently 55:29 In & Out with Adam Eaton 55:48 Adam’s advice for parents of 10-year-olds 56:40 What parents value too much in youth baseball 57:24 The one thing every player needs to learn 58:17 Could Adam Eaton become an MLB manager? 1:01:11 Adam’s favorite baseball memories 1:05:04 Adam’s favorite baseball movie 1:06:52 Adam’s message directly to baseball parents

Dustin Pedroia spent 14 seasons in the big leagues, won Rookie of the Year, an MVP, four Gold Gloves and three World Series championships. ⠀ But this conversation really isn’t about any of that. It’s about what we’re doing with kids before they ever get close to the big leagues. ⠀ Dustin talks about why his sons don’t play year-round baseball before 14, why 12U rankings and exit velo can fool parents, why he would rather watch a talented player go 0-for-4 than 3-for-3, and why travel baseball has the practice-to-game ratio completely backwards. ⠀ He also shares what he actually says to his own son after a bad game, why kids need to experience failure, what David Ortiz told him about developing his swing, what scouts really notice over time, and why being the 12th player on a national team may be worse than playing every day somewhere else. ⠀ There is a LOT here for baseball parents. ⠀ TIMESTAMPS ⠀ 00:00 Dustin Pedroia joins Chasing Baseball Dreams 02:02 Why he gave back his Arizona State scholarship 03:05 Why young players need multiple sports 06:02 The tryout that changed everything 08:30 The knee injury that ended his career 11:46 Pedroia played only 20 baseball games a year 12:16 Fall in love with the work 13:42 “Your son will not fall behind” 15:22 What hitters ages 8 to 13 should work on 17:38 The business of youth baseball 20:24 Don’t showcase before you’re ready 21:25 What scouts can’t measure in one workout 24:23 Attitude, effort and preparation 28:49 What Dustin says after his son goes 0-for-3 30:44 What has changed in Major League hitting 34:22 Development vs. just playing more games 38:40 The coaching red flag parents should watch for 41:43 What matters for talented 11- and 12-year-olds 46:47 In & Out with Dustin Pedroia 49:36 12U exit velo and player rankings 50:55 Elite roster or everyday playing time? 53:01 When should a player go all-in on baseball? 55:12 Dustin’s favorite baseball movie and memories 59:00 Dustin’s advice for Bobby ⠀ If you’re raising a baseball player, especially between 8 and 14, there’s a good chance something Dustin says in this episode will make you rethink what development is supposed to look like. ⠀ Subscribe to Chasing Baseball Dreams for straight talk from people who have actually lived this game.

Coach Ballgame sits down to name something most parents haven't been able to see: the early specialization trap that's become industry gospel. Twenty-two years ago, kids played three sports a year. Now you hear it constantly from travel ball orgs, from coaches, from Facebook groups. Your son needs to specialize or he falls behind. Parents lie awake over this decision. But here's what Mookie Betts did. Here's what Mike Trout did. Here's what every major league player Coach Ballgame interviewed at All-Star games said: we got better because we played everything. Shohei Ohtani. Paul Skeens. Freddie Freeman. The pattern is not specialization. It's the opposite. The machine survives by convincing you that early specialization works. It doesn't. What works is fundamentals, joy, and a coach who understands that winning a 12U tournament means absolutely nothing down the road. This episode gives you what MLB players are actually telling travel ball coaches, which culture decisions actually matter, and how to recognize whether your kid's team is building him up or just paying its own commission. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro and Coach Ballgame's background 03:09 - The shift: what changed from the '90s to now 06:44 - The trap parents fall into (financial incentives behind fall ball pressure) 08:05 - What Paul Skeens and MLB players actually said at All-Star games 10:27 - The Freddie Freeman principle: detach your joy from your kid's results 15:00+ - Finding the right coach and culture. Red flags to run from 51:36 - Nicknames, trust, and why connection beats winning 55:23 - How Coach Ballgame was born 56:46 - Helping kids overcome fear of getting hit by pitches CONNECT: Website: coachballgame.com Coach Ballgame University: Online coaching curriculum Social: @coachballgame (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube)