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Kids & Family

Chasing Baseball Dreams

You’re spending thousands a year on travel baseball. A better team. A bigger showcase. More lessons. A higher ranking. And you still have no way to know if any of it is actually working.

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That’s not an accident. That’s the machine.

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Chasing Baseball Dreams is the only baseball parent podcast hosted by someone with no financial stake in where your money goes. I don’t run a travel team. I don’t sell lessons. I don’t coach for an org. I have no reason to steer you in the wrong direction. I’m Bobby Minor… former Division 1 player, 35+ years coaching select baseball and high school, former travel organization director, over 1,000 college recruiting assessments, and a college baseball dad who almost lost 2 sons to this game for 2 very different reasons, with one currently playing college baseball.

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Every episode, I sit down with former Major League players, college coaches, scouts, and baseball dads who’ve lived through the same grind you’re in right now. People who’ve been inside this industry long enough to tell you the truth about how it actually works.

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Here’s what you can expect.

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Real conversations about what actually matters at each age from 8U to signing day. The questions you should be asking before you commit to a team, a coach, or a showcase. The stuff the industry doesn’t want you to hear, from people who’ve been inside it long enough to say it out loud. And the truth about recruiting, development, and where your money is actually going.

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No hype. No recruiting promises. No “get your son seen” nonsense. Just the one voice in this space with full-stack credibility and no financial tie to the machine that’s taking your money.

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New episodes weekly. Follow @chasingbaseballdreams on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for daily content between episodes.

Latest Episodes:

33: Party Animals' Mikey Ballard | Overlooked Recruit to 81,000 Fans | Banana Ball Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

From an undersized high school player with almost no recruiting interest to playing Banana Ball in front of 81,000 fans. Party Animals infielder Mikey Ballard's baseball journey didn't follow the path most parents expect.

On this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Bobby Minor sits down with Mikey to talk about his journey from Lake Mary High School to Division II Eckerd College, his transfer to Division I Louisiana Tech, independent professional baseball, and eventually the Party Animals.

Mikey shares how he nearly gave up on playing college baseball before one final showcase changed his opportunities. He also explains why playing time mattered more than the name on his jersey, how growing up undersized affected his recruiting, and why his parents' simple advice, "Be Mike," still matters to him today.

In this episode, we cover:

Why Mikey nearly gave up on college baseball before receiving a late walk-on opportunity
How playing Division II baseball prepared him for success at Louisiana Tech
Why he believes actual game experience matters more than chasing a Power Five roster spot
How backyard Wiffle ball, multiple sports, and playing with friends helped develop his athleticism
Why teaching young hitters big-league mechanics can sometimes do more harm than good
The two words his parents taught him that he still puts on his glove
How he went from independent baseball to playing in front of 81,000 Banana Ball fans
Why he believes 80 to 100 games a year can be too much for 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds

If you're a baseball parent wondering whether your son is falling behind, whether he's on the right team, or whether a Division I offer should be the ultimate goal, Mikey's story gives you plenty to think about.

The decisions you make for your son should be based on what actually helps him develop, not what looks impressive to everybody else.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor | Chasing Baseball Dreams

⚾ Guest: Mikey Ballard | Party Animals, Banana Ball

📱 Follow Mikey: Instagram @michael_ballard14 | TikTok @mike.b14

🔔 Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for conversations with professional players, coaches, and baseball parents about the decisions that matter throughout the baseball journey.

#BananaBall #PartyAnimals #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball #CollegeBaseball

32: MLB Vet Jay Jackson | Why Are Parents Flying 8-Year-Olds Across the Country for Baseball? Oct 17, 2026

Show notes

Why are baseball parents flying 8-year-olds across the country for travel baseball? Former MLB pitcher Jay Jackson questions the youth baseball rankings, expensive tournaments, and pressure that have become so common at an early age.

Jay spent 17 years playing professional baseball, including time with six Major League teams and in Japan. In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, he joins Bobby Minor to share what he learned about player development, choosing the right opportunities, handling disappointment, and helping young players enjoy the game.

In this episode we cover:

Why Jay believes parents put too much importance on baseball rankings for 8U–12U players
The money families spend flying young players across the country for travel baseball tournaments
How Jay went from being projected as a second-to-fourth-round draft pick to getting selected in the ninth round
Why he chose Furman University and how academics, family, and his relationship with the coach influenced that decision
What playing professionally in Japan taught him about fundamentals and the quality of practice
What Jay looks for in young pitchers that parents often overlook
What a dad should say to his 12U pitcher after giving up six runs
The emotional story of his son spending 166 days in the NICU and what Jay hopes his children remember about him

Jay also shares the years he spent waiting for his Major League opportunity, what happened when he didn't make Toronto's Opening Day roster despite a strong spring training, and why he created the S.M.I.L.E. Zone to help young players with the mental side of baseball.

If you're a baseball parent trying to decide which teams, tournaments, rankings, and opportunities are actually worth your money, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before you spend another dollar.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Jay Jackson, former MLB pitcher and founder of the S.M.I.L.E. Zone

🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Connect with Jay Jackson:

Instagram: @jaxland58

S.M.I.L.E. Zone community: https://smilezone.app/

🔔 Subscribe to Chasing Baseball Dreams on YouTube so you don't miss future interviews with Major League players, coaches, and baseball parents. You can also listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

#JayJackson #YouthBaseball #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents #ChasingBaseballDreams

31: Brian Jacobus | TCU Commit's Dad: Why High School Baseball Came First Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Ben Jacobus started in center field, hit leadoff as a freshman, and helped Corona del Sol win the 2025 Arizona 6A state championship. Now he's committed to TCU.

His dad, Brian Jacobus, played professional baseball after being drafted by the San Diego Padres. He's coached high school baseball, run travel baseball organizations, and experienced the recruiting process firsthand as a parent.

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation? Brian built Ben's baseball development around preparing him for high school, and he believes there are things high school baseball provides that travel ball has a hard time replicating.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Brian shares the decisions they made along the way, including some he'd handle differently.

In this episode we cover:

What Ben experienced winning a state championship as a freshman and why high school baseball was so important to his development
What high school coaches look for when deciding whether a freshman is ready for varsity baseball
Why Brian believes choosing the right coach matters more than playing for a famous travel baseball organization
How Brian handled being both Ben's dad and his coach, including the mental side of the game
Why Ben reclassified from the 2028 to the 2027 graduating class, and Brian's concerns about holding players back to gain an age advantage
How TCU recruited Ben, what happened when other schools entered the picture, and why Ben ultimately chose TCU over Arizona State
The red flags parents should watch for before committing to a travel team
Why Brian believes families waste money on national tournaments and showcases before their sons are ready

Brian also shares something he wishes he'd emphasized earlier in Ben's development, even with all his years of experience playing and coaching baseball.

If you're spending money on travel baseball, preparing your son for high school, or starting to think about college recruiting, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before making your next decision.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Brian Jacobus

🎧 Podcast: 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 #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents

30: Shane Greene | MLB Players Feared Their Dads More Than the Media Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Some Major League players were more afraid of talking to their dads after a bad game than facing the media.

Former MLB All-Star Shane Greene saw it firsthand. And he has a lot to say about what baseball parents need to understand.

Shane spent 10 seasons in the big leagues with teams including the Yankees, Tigers, and Braves. But his journey was anything but typical. He didn't pitch a single varsity inning as a sophomore, received just one college offer, underwent Tommy John surgery, and took the JUCO route before being drafted in the 15th round. He eventually became an MLB All-Star in 2019.

In this episode, we cover:

Why your son's performance at 12U tells you very little about where he'll end up
How Shane handled sitting on the varsity bench for an entire season and what his dad did differently
Why some Major Leaguers were still afraid of disappointing their fathers
How too much mechanical instruction can hurt a player's ability to compete
Why Shane believes the mental side of baseball is being overlooked
What playing Cosmic Baseball and Banana Ball taught him about competition and having fun

Shane also shares what helped him through injuries, setbacks, and the pressure of professional baseball, along with his advice for parents who are worried their sons are falling behind.

If you're a baseball parent trying to figure out what actually matters for your son's development, this is a conversation worth hearing.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor
⚾ Guest: Shane Greene, 2019 MLB All-Star

🎧 Watch or listen to the full Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations with people who've experienced the game at the highest levels.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #BaseballParents #ShaneGreene

29: Savannah Bananas' Coach RAC | Should You Miss Church for Travel Baseball? Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Your son's team plays tournaments on Sundays. Your family wants to be in church. And you're worried that missing games could cost him playing time or put him behind.

How do you handle that?

Savannah Bananas star RobertAnthony Cruz, better known as Coach RAC, joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation about faith, family, and the decisions baseball parents face.

Coach RAC shares his journey from UC Riverside to the Washington Nationals, the heartbreak of being released from professional baseball, and how his faith helped him find purpose beyond the game.

We also talk about Sandlot Revival, the faith-based movement that grew from a Savannah Bananas team Bible study into worship nights in more than 20 cities.

In this episode we cover:

Whether missing Sunday tournament games really puts your son behind
How Christian parents can handle the conflict between church and travel baseball
What conversations parents should have with coaches before committing to a team
Practical ways families can maintain their faith and church community during a busy baseball season
How parents sometimes make their sons feel like their love depends on baseball performance
What Coach RAC learned about identity and faith after being released by the Washington Nationals
How Sandlot Revival started and the impact it's having across the country
Why Coach RAC believes developing your son's character matters more than his baseball career

Coach RAC also shares his personal testimony, what fatherhood has taught him, and why his biggest accomplishments on the baseball field don't compare to what matters most in his life.

Whether you're a Christian family struggling with Sunday tournaments or a parent trying to keep baseball in perspective, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before your next season.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor
⚾ Guest: Coach RAC (@coach.rac)
🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with players, coaches, and baseball people who can help you think through the decisions you're making for your son.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #CoachRAC #SavannahBananas #TravelBaseball #FaithAndBaseball

28: 90% Development, 10% Games? | Team Moms' Will Armijo on Travel Baseball Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Six games in three days. That's the kind of schedule that makes Will Armijo question what we're doing in youth baseball.

Will believes youth baseball should be 90% focused on development and only 10% on playing games. That's a pretty strong opinion coming from someone who runs a baseball academy.

Will is a former Division II pitcher at Grand Canyon University who went through Tommy John surgery and some serious setbacks during his playing career. Today, he's the CEO and co-founder of Legendary Prep Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona, which was featured on the Paramount+ reality series Team Moms: Baseball.

In this episode we cover:

Why Will believes young players are playing too many games and spending too little time developing
The D1 obsession and why a bigger-name college isn't always the better opportunity
What parents misunderstand about 13U and 14U rankings and predicting college baseball potential
Reclassifying young players and whether an extra year actually helps
The injury concerns that come with heavy tournament schedules and inadequate recovery
How parents can measure whether the money they're spending is actually helping their son improve
What Will has learned about parents, playing-time complaints, and the pressure placed on young athletes

Will also shares what it was like growing up playing baseball in New Mexico, including a high school coach who told him he'd never be good enough to play beyond high school.

If you're spending thousands on travel baseball, considering a prep academy, or wondering whether your son needs to play more games to keep up, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before making your next decision.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor
⚾ Guest: Will Armijo, CEO & Co-Founder of Legendary Prep Academy
🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Subscribe to Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for more conversations about the decisions baseball parents face.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents

27: Ty Buttrey | He Got Cut From Travel Ball, Made MLB, Then Walked Away Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Ty Buttrey got cut from a travel baseball team, was sent down to JV in high school, and still became a fourth-round draft pick who made it to the big leagues.

Then, in 2021, he walked away from baseball.

What surprised me most during our conversation was hearing Ty admit that he never really loved pitching, even though he loved playing baseball.

Ty spent years battling performance anxiety, struggling with his mechanics, and pushing himself to get better. He eventually reached the Major Leagues with the Los Angeles Angels, but getting there didn't make those struggles disappear.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Ty and I talk about his journey from getting cut to pitching in the big leagues, what he learned about himself along the way, and what baseball parents can take from his experience.

In this episode we cover:

How Ty went from getting cut and being sent down to JV to becoming a fourth-round draft pick
Why the wrong training program caused him to lose velocity early in his professional career, according to Ty, and what he changed
Why Ty believes the mental side of pitching accounts for as much as 70% of success
What parents should look for when choosing a pitching instructor, hitting coach, or personal trainer
Why being one of the best players at 12U or 13U doesn't tell you how good that player will be years later
How the pressure to prove other people wrong contributed to Ty's performance anxiety
Why Ty believes American youth baseball spends too much time playing tournaments and too little time developing skills
What he wishes he'd done differently growing up, and his advice to parents about pushing their sons without belittling them
Why parents of 12- and 13-year-olds should think carefully before chasing social media attention and NIL opportunities

One of the most interesting parts of our conversation came when Ty talked about how much he loved playing baseball but never really enjoyed the part of the game that became his profession.

He also shares what parents should pay attention to when their sons start putting too much pressure on themselves, and why he'd encourage parents to help their sons develop interests outside of baseball.

If you're a baseball parent with a son who's serious about playing at the next level, this is a conversation worth hearing. Especially if you're trying to figure out how hard to push him, what kind of training he needs, and whether he's still enjoying the game.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Ty Buttrey, Former MLB Pitcher | Los Angeles Angels

🎧 Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Subscribe for more conversations with former Major Leaguers, professional coaches, and people who've lived the game, with lessons that can help you make better baseball decisions for your son.

#BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #TravelBaseball

26: Corey Hart | He Coached Vlad Jr. and Yelich. Here's What Parents Get Wrong About Hitting Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Your son looks great hitting in the cage. Then he gets into a game and can't buy a hit. So what's the answer? More hitting lessons? Change his swing? Find a different instructor?

Corey Hart spent 18 years coaching professional hitters in the Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, and Toronto Blue Jays organizations. He's worked with hitters like Christian Yelich and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and he's now an assistant softball coach at Syracuse University.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Corey and I talk about what parents need to understand before spending more money on hitting instruction. We get into the mental side of hitting, what separates good hitters from great ones, and why some of the advice parents give from the stands might be making things harder for their sons.

In this episode we cover:

Why a good-looking swing in the cage doesn't always translate into success during games
How to tell whether your son's hitting instructor is actually helping him, beyond his batting average
What Corey saw in Christian Yelich and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that made them such special hitters
Why getting hitting advice from multiple coaches can leave a young player confused
The mechanical advice Corey wishes parents would stop yelling during at-bats
How one simple hitting drill helped Martín Maldonado make an adjustment in the minor leagues
When hitting lessons make sense for younger players and why Corey believes mindset is just as important as mechanics
Why Corey would rather send his sons to the right college camp than spend money on showcases hoping they'll get discovered

Corey also shares what he believes separates players who eventually reach the big leagues from those with similar talent who never get there.

If you're a baseball parent spending money on hitting lessons, this conversation will give you a better idea of what to look for in an instructor and what actual progress should look like.

And the next time your son steps into the batter's box, you might want to think twice before yelling another swing tip.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Corey Hart, Former Professional Hitting Coach | Syracuse University Softball

🎧 Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Subscribe for more conversations with former Major Leaguers, professional coaches, and people who've lived the game, with lessons that can help you make better baseball decisions for your son.

#BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #HittingLessons

25: Coach Ferber | What Baseball Parents Get Wrong About Travel Ball, Rankings & Development Oct 10, 2026

Show notes

Are baseball parents spending thousands of dollars on travel teams, national rankings, and private lessons without knowing whether any of it is actually helping their son?

Coach Jason Ferber, better known as Coach Ferber on Instagram, joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation every travel baseball parent needs to hear.

A former San Diego Padres scout who has worked with some of the country's top young baseball players, Coach Ferber shares what he's learned about player development, youth baseball rankings, recruiting, and the decisions parents face as their sons grow in the game.

We get into why he thinks cutting 6U and 7U players is ridiculous, what parents should investigate before joining an expensive national team, and why locking a 9-year-old into one position can hurt his long-term development.

He also shares the story of an overlooked young player who became one of the country's top prospects, explains what separates a good hitting instructor from someone who's just selling a swing philosophy, and gives parents practical advice on finding the right coach.

And when it comes to college recruiting, Coach Ferber explains why he'd start with local college programs before spending thousands chasing exposure across the country.

In this episode:

Why early baseball rankings tell you very little about a player's future
The problem with national travel teams for 8U, 9U, and 10U players
What to ask a travel baseball coach before committing
Why young players need multiple positions and other sports
How to recognize a coach who's developing players
Red flags to watch for with private hitting instructors
What college coaches actually evaluate during recruiting
When a player needs more exposure and when he needs to improve
What Coach Ferber would prioritize for his own 10-year-old son

Episode Chapters

00:00 Meet Coach Jason Ferber
02:10 Why you can't predict a player's future at 12U
07:09 The danger of playing only one position
12:08 National teams for 8U and 9U players
14:04 What young players lose without pickup games
16:24 Coach Ferber's take on cutting 6U and 7U players
18:38 Why parents need to investigate travel coaches
22:01 Questions to ask before joining a national team
25:17 Do young players really need national exposure?
29:27 Why youth baseball rankings mean so little
33:59 What parents should focus on instead of rankings
35:38 The story of an overlooked top prospect
37:43 Winning tournaments versus developing players
40:17 What good coaches should teach during games
44:26 How to evaluate a private hitting instructor
49:46 The question to ask before paying for lessons
52:43 Why talented players still need tough coaching
53:59 Tough coaching versus tearing players down
57:16 College recruiting: When showcases aren't working
1:00:07 Why recruiting should start close to home
1:02:38 Where he'd spend money on a talented 10-year-old
1:07:07 The biggest mistake well-intentioned parents make
1:11:07 Bobby's experience with his son Julian
1:12:21 Where to follow Coach Ferber

Follow Coach Ferber:
Instagram: @coachferber

Follow Chasing Baseball Dreams:
Instagram: @chasingbaseballdreams

If you're a baseball parent trying to make the best decisions for your son, subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for conversations with experienced coaches, former Major Leaguers, and people who know what it takes to develop baseball players.

#TravelBaseball #YouthBaseball #BaseballParents #PlayerDevelopment #CoachFerber

24: No. 1 in Texas | What Landon Bonner’s Dad Would Do Differently Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Landon Bonner is committed to the University of Oklahoma and ranked No. 1 overall in Texas and No. 11 nationally by Perfect Game for the 2028 class. His dad, Marcus, will still tell you they spent money chasing exposure before Landon needed it. Some of that money would’ve been better spent helping him get better.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Marcus and I talk about what he’d do differently if Landon were 10 again. We also get into the college decision. Oklahoma wasn’t initially in Landon’s top five, and Marcus explains what the coaches showed their family that set OU apart from the other schools they spoke with.

In this episode we cover:

- The money Marcus would rethink spending on showcases and exposure at 10, 11, and 12.

- What made hitting instruction worth paying for, and why going to another lesson wasn’t always the answer.

- When they started focusing on recruiting and how much Marcus thinks Perfect Game rankings factored into the interest Landon received.

- Why the Bonners looked back five years to see how many freshmen each program actually played.

- How NIL factored into the decision without becoming more important than an opportunity to get on the field.- The two years of Landon’s ABs Oklahoma’s coaches broke down and the development plan they laid out for him.

- What Marcus would change about the car ride home after a bad game, and how he learned to let Landon come to him.

Before you follow another family’s recruiting plan, hear what this family would change about its own.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Marcus Bonner, father of Oklahoma commit Landon Bonner

🎧 Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms. Subscribe for more conversations about the decisions you’re making for your son.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #BaseballParents #CollegeBaseballRecruiting #TravelBaseball #LandonBonner

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