Kids don’t need earlier tryouts—they need more backyard joy. In this conversation, former pro pitcher Dan Blewett shares how he started “late” by today’s standards, fell in love with the game through free play, and built the grit to endure multiple career-threatening injuries. He argues that early structure can crowd out wonder, and that the deepest resilience is born from neighborhood games, missed catches, and a parent who shows up—often with a bucket of balls. You’ll hear why sampling many sports beats specializing, how to nurture lifelong athletic identity without burnout, and what really keeps kids coming back when competition gets brutal.

Dan gets practical for families: give your child “50 at-bats in the backyard,” let the umpire be wrong, focus on development over stats, and don’t wait for Dad—moms can coach, catch, and lead. We explore control vs. surrender, empathy on teams, and why sports should still feel like sunshine and sprinting at age 39. If you’re torn between club fees and simple play, this episode reframes youth sports around love first, training second, and memories that outlast any scoreboard.

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