Every youth baseball season is different. And in this week’s episode, I share ten lessons I learned while being the head coach of two (yes, two) youth baseball teams. Plus Justin Stone answers the Question Of The Week about whether 7 & 8 year olds should be taught aggressive baserunning or station-to-station baserunning. Show notes
Welcome to the Youth Baseball Edge podcast
- Over a half-million downloads!
- The #1-ranked amateur baseball podcast on iTunes
- Hit the Top Ten podcasts in the entire Amateur Sports category in iTunes
- Awarded "New & Noteworthy" in iTunes just two weeks after launch
Past guests include:
Jeff PassanYahoo Sports
Tim CorbinVanderbilt
Alan JaegerJ-band creator
Kyle BoddyDriveline Baseball
Sam MillerBaseball Prospectus
Justin StoneEliteBaseball.tv
Kai CorreaSan Francisco Giants
Jerry FordPerfect Game
Ron WolforthTexas Baseball Ranch
Austin WassermanWasserman Strength
If you like the podcast, click the links below to subscribe to the podcast so you'll never miss an episode:
Wait...what's a podcast anyway?
A podcast is a series of free downloadable audio shows that you can listen on your computer or mobile device. People usually listen while commuting, working out, doing chores, etc.
To listen on your mobile device, you’ll need an app. For iOS users, open the Podcasts app; for Android users, download the free Stitcher Radio app. In the app, search for “Youth Baseball Edge”. Tap the "Subscribe" button for the show and you'll be all set. Now every time I release a new episode, it will automagically download right on your device. Additionally, you can listen to the podcasts here on the web site.
If you like the podcast, please leave me an honest rating and review on iTunes by clicking here. It will dramatically help the show and its ranking in iTunes! I greatly appreciate it. Enjoy the shows!
YBE 037: Dissecting The Arm with Jeff Passan
Jeff Passan, author of the New York Times-bestselling book The Arm, talks about pitching gurus and more about arm health. This is part 2 of a two-part interview series with Jeff on the podcast. Plus Justin Stone answers the Question Of The Week about what stuff players should know when. Show notes
YBE 036: De-escalating The Arm Race with Jeff Passan
Jeff Passan, author of the New York Times-bestselling book The Arm, talks about overuse arm injuries among youth baseball players, Perfect Game’s role in that, and more. This is part 1 of a two-part interview series with Jeff on the podcast. Show notes
YBE 035: Embracing Each Child with Fernando Arenado
Fernando Arenado, father of Rockies’ All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado, discusses Nolan’s path to the bigs, how it’s different from Nolan’s siblings Cousy and Jonah, and how he embraced each child’s paths. Plus, Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the Question Of The Week about off-season pitching drills for control. Show notes
YBE 034: How To Do Long Toss with Alan Jaeger
Alan Jaeger of Jaeger Sports (and the most well-known long toss advocate) describes how to do long toss properly, including pulldowns, progressions and differences between 8-12 year olds and high schoolers. He also addresses long toss detractors, plus much more. Show notes
YBE 033: The Value Of Long Toss with Alan Jaeger
Alan Jaeger, the most well-known long toss advocate, explains the value of long toss and proper arm conditioning. Plus Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the Question Of The Week about what to do when a travel team doesn’t meet your player’s needs. Show notes
YBE 032: Commanding the Huddle with Michael Port
Michael Port, author of the best-selling book Steal The Show, discusses how youth baseball coaches can command the huddle. Show notes
YBE 031: Digging Deeper Into Better Pitching (Part 2) with Ron Wolforth
Ron Wolforth, founder of the Texas Baseball Ranch, digs deep to discuss how to teach better pitching to youth pitchers. This episode is part 2 of a two-part series with Ron Wolforth. Show notes
YBE 030: Digging Deeper Into Better Pitching (Part 1) with Ron Wolforth
Ron Wolforth, founder of the Texas Baseball Ranch, digs deep to discuss how to teach better pitching to youth pitchers. This episode is part 1 of a two-part series with Ron Wolforth. Show notes
YBE 029: Improving Hitting Performance Through The Mental Side with Steve Springer
Steve Springer, scout and Performance Coach for the Toronto Blue Jays, explains how to help kids hit better through the mental side of the game. Show notes
YBE 028: The Art Of Smarter Baserunning
I wrap up my two-part series on important baserunning fundamentals for youth baseball players to make them smarter baserunners. Show notes
YBE 027: The Case For Smart Baserunning
In Part 1 of a two-part series on baserunning, I talk about why teaching smart baserunning is important and 10 drills to help teach it to our kids. Show notes
YBE 026: High-Level Throwing with Austin Wasserman
Austin Wasserman of AB Athletics and WassermanStrength.com describes high-level throwing and how to teach it to your youth baseball players. Plus, Justin Stone answers the Question Of The Week about making first at-bats in games as good as later at-bats in games. Show notes
YBE 025: Coaching Travel 101 with Ron Filipkowski
Ron Filipkowski, one of the most successful travel coaches, explains how to start and run a successful youth travel baseball team. Show notes
YBE 024: The Elite Swing with Matt Lisle
Matt Lisle, head softball coach at Menlo College, explains what the elite swing is and gives some practical tips on how to teach it. Plus Justin Stone answers the Question Of The Week about helping overmatched hitters. Show notes
YBE 023: Lessons From 50 Years Of Coaching with Jerry Weinstein
Jerry Weinstein, field manager of the Wareham Gatemen and on special assignment for the Colorado Rockies in scouting & player development, explains higher-level baseball concepts and insights gleaned from 50+ years of coaching experience. Plus Justin Stone answers the Question Of The Week about hitting approach at the plate. Show notes
YBE 022: The Power Of A Wise Parent with Lorenzo McCutchen
Lorenzo McCutchen, father of Pittsburgh Pirates superstar Andrew McCutchen, talks about how he raised Andrew and Andrew’s path to the Major Leagues. Show notes
YBE 021: Nurturing The Love Of The Game
In this second part of our two-part miniseries on Walking Away, I explore four ways to nurture the love of the game in youth baseball players and help reduce the odds they will quit baseball. Plus Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week about whether it’s possible to help players overcome the fear of being hit by a pitch. Show notes
YBE 020: Why Talented Youth Players Walk Away From Baseball
In part one of a two-part miniseries on Walking Away, I explain four evidence-based reasons why talented youth baseball players walk away from the game. Plus Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week about preparing players for the next level. Show notes
YBE 019: Unlock Your Players’ Potential with Gina Parris
Gina Parris of Built To Win Coaching shares her tips for connecting with your players and unlocking their potential through the mental side of the game. Plus Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week about aloof players. Show notes
YBE 018: Helping Kids With The Mental Game Of Baseball with Justin Su’a
Justin Su’a, the Boston Red Sox Mental Skills Coordinator, shares his strategies for helping kids navigate the mental side of the youth baseball game. Plus Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week about whether travel ball is required for high school ball. Show notes
YBE 017: Baseball Tricks Of The Trade with David Klein
David Klein of the Menlo Park Legends shares his coaching tricks of the trade. Plus Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week about arm bar in an 8-year-old swing. Show notes
YBE 016: Nature Over Nurture: The Ben Zobrist Story with Tom Zobrist
Tom Zobrist, father of Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist, talks about how he raised Ben and how Ben got to the Major Leagues. Show notes
YBE 015: The Dark Side Of Travel Baseball with Larry Owens
Larry Owens of Bellarmine University reveals the dark side of travel baseball. Plus Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week about exit speed. Show notes
YBE 014: How To Teach Catching (Part 2) with Xan Barksdale
Xan Barksdale concludes his master class on how to teach catching (the catcher position) to youth baseball players. This is Part 2 in a two-part interview series with Xan. Plus Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the Ask Justin Question Of The Week about hitting the outside pitch. Show notes
YBE 013: How To Teach Catching (Part 1) with Xan Barksdale
Xan Barksdale breaks down how to teach catching (in the catcher position) to youth baseball players. This is Part 1 in a two-part interview series with Xan. Show notes
YBE 012 – How To Teach Pitching (Part 2) with Travis Kerber
Travis Kerber of Elite Baseball Training concludes his master class for youth baseball coaches and parents on how to teach kids how to pitch in part 2 of a two-part interview. Also, Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv goes deep in our “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week about the value of choking up on the bat. Show notes
YBE 011 – How To Teach Pitching (Part 1) with Travis Kerber
Travis Kerber of Elite Baseball Training gives a master class for youth baseball coaches and parents on how to teach kids how to pitch in Part 1 of a two-part interview. Show notes
YBE 010: Video Analysis In Youth Baseball with Chris O’Leary
Chris O’Leary shares how to do video analysis of your youth players’ pitching and hitting mechanics, with particular emphasis on healthy pitching deliveries. Plus Justin Stone answers a question about specialization in our “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week. Show notes
YBE 009: Turning Around A Dying Program with Joe Perona
Joe Perona describes his blueprint for turning around a dying program (that even his son’s friends didn’t want to join) into a two-time state champion that kids are now clamoring to join. Show notes
YBE 008: Unique Strategies From A Contrarian Mind with John T. Reed
John T. Reed shares his unique, contrarian—and sometimes controversial—youth baseball strategies. Plus Justin Stone answers a question about the ideal practice for our “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week. Show notes
YBE 007: Offseason Strength & Conditioning with Kyle Nelson
Kyle Nelson of Cornerstone Coaching Academy shares his offseason strength & conditioning program for youth baseball, particularly high school players. Plus, Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers his first “Ask Justin” Question Of The Week about how a 9-year-old hitter should be taught to swing. Show notes