Florida Travel Baseball Central

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve discuss the crazy side of parents in Travel Baseball.  Jason talks about his experience observing parents reactions at games and practices.  Steve talks about whether alcohol consumption during games affects the parents tempers.  And what impact do the umpires have on the parents bickering at the tournaments.  They are also joined by Mike Devereaux who played 12 season in the big leagues and was recently elected to the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame.  During his career, he won 2 World Series with the Dodgers (1988) and the Braves (1995).  Mike is also a coach for a 9U travel baseball team called the MD Warriors out of Riverview, FL.   Mike talks about his experience growing up in Wyoming and playing in the same Outfield as Barry Bonds at Arizona State.  Mike answers 5 Tough Questions and tells us whether he thinks baseball players get paid too much and can he still hit a ball 300 feet?  

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve talk about Daddy Ball.  They discuss what that means and why some coaches are perceived as showing favoritism towards their child.  Jason gives some examples of his experience of when coaches have played Daddy Ball.  Steve answers a question on whether he has ever been part of a team that played Daddy Ball and whether he would ever coach his own team.  We also discuss the impact of Cooperstown requiring vaccinations and teams promoting fake championships.  A lot of good stuff in this one.    

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve talk about teams Chasing Trophies in Travel Baseball.  They discuss why some teams avoid competition and whether parents recognize if their own team is a trophy chaser.  They also touch on a few other topics.....will rec ball make a comeback, why parents continue to join travel ball teams, are kids being prepared to compete at the high school level and has the business of travel ball killed the joy that youth baseball is supposed to produce.   

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve talk High School baseball with Jarrett Guthrie from 813preps. Jarrett tells us which teams and players we should look forward to watching this season. Jarrett has covered some really talented high school players.....we find out if he was able to predict Pete Alonso's success in the big leagues. He also answers 5 Tough Questions and we ask him if Jose Fernandez was the best high school player he has even seen and will a high school team go undefeated this season. We will also discuss the excitement of this years Saladino tournament. A lot of great information in this episode.

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve discuss kids Playing Up in Travel Baseball. Jason talks about his experience with kids playing up and whether its beneficial for the kids to improve. Steve talks about parents rushing their kids to play on the big field instead of enjoying the small field. They are also joined by Jesse Litsch, former MLB pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays and coach for the Barnyard Bulldogs out of Tarpon Springs, FL. Jesse talks about his experience pitching in the big leagues and merging his travel ball organization with 1st Round Training Diamonds. He discusses arm injuires, kids playing multiple sports and his scouting position with PBR. Jesse also answers 5 Tough Questions and tells us whether he could still play in the big leagues and he tells a great story about being heckled by fans.

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve discuss if its important for youth athletes to participate in Multiple Sports. They discuss the pro's and con's of playing two sports and how it impacts your travel baseball team. They are also joined by Rick Stegbauer from the Florida Burn. Rick talks about his experience putting together competitive travel baseball teams. He also discusses his decision to transition from Kangaroo Court to the Florida Burn. We also get his opinion on athletic arrogance, poaching and preventing injuries. Rick answers 5 Tough Questions and we find out what position he considers to be the most important on the field.

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve discuss Poaching Players in Travel Baseball. They discuss whether its unethical for a coach to try and persuade players to join their team. Steve answers whether coaches should even worry about players getting poached and Jason talks about what you need to do to make sure your players stick with your team. They are also joined by Marcos Casillas from the MVP Hustle out of California. Marcos talks about the MVP Hustle travel ball program and what makes them so successful. He discusses some of the best players that have come out of the program and why 7u games are so intense. He also answers 5 Tough Questions and tells us whether he has ever poached a player or stolen signs from an opposing team.

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve discuss Loyalty in Travel Baseball. Steve answers questions about whether it's necessary to be loyal to one team and whether coaches should be loyal to their own players. Jason breaks down the main reasons people leave their teams and some misconceptions parents have about their own kids skill level. They are also joined by Tony VonDolteren, National Youth Director for Perfect Game. Tony discusses what separates Perfect Game from other tournament programs and what young players need to do to give them the best shot at getting noticed by scouts. He also answers 5 Tough Questions and gives us insight on who he thinks is the most competitive state for travel baseball and how fast a pitcher needs to throw to get noticed.

In this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve talk with Lastings Milledge. Lastings grew up in the Bradenton area and was a youth baseball phenom. He was drafted 12th overall by the New York Mets in the 2003 MLB draft. Lastings talks about his parents impact on his youth baseball experience, what it was like to be an African American playing baseball in the big leagues and what type of goals he has for his travel baseball organization, 1st Round Training Diamonds. He also discusses the high-five incident in his rookie year and we ask him if he could still play in the big leagues today.

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve discuss the costs of playing travel baseball.  They discuss the varying costs of tournaments, umpires, gate fees, practice field fees and also whether is necessary to pay a tryout fee.  Jason breaks down what the average expenses of a spring season may cost your team and Steve gives his opinion on sponsorships and how good you need to look in your high cost uniforms.  

On this episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve discuss the difference between AA, AAA, and Major teams in Travel Baseball. They give their opinions on what it takes to get to the next level and what contributes the most to the success of travel ball teams. They are also joined by Tony Fucca, president of Fishhawk Youth Baseball and the co-founder of Freedom Sports Baseball. Tony talks about the fishhawk rec league, advanced baseball and what it takes to keep kids playing rec ball. He also discusses the biggest struggle in starting up Freedom Sports and where he expects the program to be in the next 5 years.

On the 2nd episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve discuss the pro's and con's of guest playing and how to handle pitchers and pitch counts in travel baseball. They are also joined by Doug Waechter, former MLB pitcher and current broadcaster for the Tampa Bay Rays. Doug talks about his baseball experience growing up in St Pete, getting drafted by the Rays and coaching the Florida Alliance travel baseball team. Doug answers 5 Tough Questions and tells a great story about his encounter with Hall of Famer, Frank Thomas.

On this first episode of the Florida Travel Baseball Central Podcast, Jason and Steve discuss the current state of Recreational and Travel Baseball. Steve Hall plays the role of the Commissioner of Youth Baseball and explains what he would do to have both rec and travel ball coexist successfully. We are also joined by Scott Rutherford from USSSA Baseball to discuss his role as Assistant State Director and to get his opinions on travel baseball, umpires, silver brackets, rec ball and some great upcoming baseball tournaments.