Beyond the 27

Welcome back to Beyond the 27! In Episode 9, host Coach John sits down with Coach Will, founder of Epic Catching, for an absolute masterclass on mastering the most demanding position on the baseball diamond. Following two seasons of independent professional baseball, Coach Will now dedicates his expertise to developing youth, high school, and collegiate catchers across the country.

Together, they pull back the curtain on modern catching development, breaking down why traditional coaching is failing young athletes and how proper foundations must always come before flashiness. They dive deep into the evolution of catching mechanics—exploring foundational stances, the ongoing debate over knee savers, the subtle arts of framing, pitch calling, and how to effectively manage a pitching staff's ego. Whether you're a player looking to level up your game, a parent navigating youth baseball, or a coach teaching the right way, this episode is packed with elite insights!

In Episode 8, we sit down with Coach Mark from CoachMarkKnows for an unfiltered, hard-hitting conversation on youth player development, the realities of the recruiting process, and how parents and coaches can stop chasing empty accolades and start focusing on true growth.If you are tired of the travel ball rat race, bleacher parent politics, and chasing plastic rings, this is the masterclass you need. Coach Mark breaks down the absolute truths of player evaluation, what college coaches are actually looking for, and how to properly guide young athletes through the developmental pipeline without burning them out.

In Episode 7 of Beyond the 27, Coach John sits down with former player Alexis—whose journey spans Little League travel ball, wrestling state titles, and collegiate softball at the University of the Cumberlands—for an unfiltered conversation on resilience and development. They discuss competing alongside the guys, transitioning from wrestling and high-school baseball to collegiate softball, adjusting to underhand rising velocity and curveballs while keeping a true baseball swing, and why old-school mental toughness translates across every diamond.

In Episode 6 of Beyond the 27, we sit down with hitting coach Dom, also known as Dr. Base Ball, to break down core swing mechanics and hitting philosophies. Instead of modern data overload, Dom emphasizes simplicity and a repeatable three-step foundation: weight back, hand load, and swing. We discuss adjusting contact points instead of overhauling swings during slumps, and why prioritizing barrel awareness and hard line drives beats chasing launch angles. Tune in for actionable insights to build resilient hitters!

Check out Project Refit at projectrefit.us

Welcome to Beyond the 27! In this episode, host Coach John sits down with guest "Big Nate" for an incredible conversation about trading the gridiron for the diamond.Nate’s journey into college baseball at Delaware County Community College is entirely unique: he never played organized youth or high school baseball, spending his early athletic years strictly on the football field before trying out on a whim.Coach John and Nate break down the culture shock of transitioning sports, mastering hand-eye coordination from scratch, and the mental grit required to face live pitching with zero prior experience. From his first career line drive to earning the respect of his teammates through relentless work ethic, Nate proves what true dedication looks like.

This special 25th-anniversary episode of Beyond the 27 looks back at a fateful snapshot in time when the world stopped, grief collided with the diamond, and America's pastime helped a wounded nation find its way back.

In this episode of Beyond the 27, host Coach John sits down with player guest Zach to dive deep into an active, unfiltered player's perspective on college baseball. They unpack the realities of navigating the recruiting process, managing rigorous college schedules, and what it truly takes to transition from a high school standout to earning a spot on a collegiate roster.

Zach shares firsthand experiences about the grueling grind of being a college catcher, emphasizing that catching demands far more workload, mental toughness, and defensive management than most high school players realize. The conversation highlights the vital importance of work ethic, maintaining a positive attitude, and proactive communication—stressing that players should actively reach out to college coaches and attend camps rather than passively waiting for offers.

They also discuss the shock of college scheduling, contrasting the relative ease of high school athletics with the intense demands of early morning lifts, labs, individual workouts, and evening practices. Zach and Coach John explore how freshmen must adjust to not being the star player right away, stressing that staying humble, outworking upperclassmen, and building strong relationships off the field are essential for earning playing time and long-term success.

Zach Mornell - 2026 - Baseball - Eastern University Athletics

Welcome back to Beyond the 27! In Episode 3, host Coach John sits down with Coach JJ for a deeply honest, no-nonsense conversation about a lifelong baseball journey and the current state of youth sports.

(Note: Coast-to-coast podcasting comes with its quirks! We had a few minor cross-country connection hiccups between New Jersey and Michigan during this recording, but the insights shared are 100% worth sticking around for.)

From his early playing and coaching days across the Tri-State area back in the 2000s to his recent move to Michigan, Coach JJ shares how the game has evolved over the decades. They dive into how a shortage of qualified volunteers pulled him right back onto the field to coach his oldest son, giving him a front-row seat to the realities of modern youth baseball.

Tune in as they tackle the heavy-hitting topics every parent and coach needs to hear:

• Navigating Little League politics and the fine line between a qualified dad-coach and toxic "daddy ball."

• Practical advice for moms and dads on what questions to ask when choosing a program.

• The eternal debate over when a kid should actually make the jump from Little League to travel ball.

• Why we need to take a step back and let kids simply be kids.

Hit play, subscribe, and join the conversation!

In Episode 2 of Beyond the 27, Coach John sits down with varsity baseball coach and PE teacher Ben Meyer, creator of Project: Field Revival.

Ben shares his unique athletic journey—from pitching at the College of the Ozarks and bouncing back from a tough elbow injury, to pivoting to the javelin for his senior track season. They also cover his coaching path from junior high and high school all the way to taking over his first varsity program, plus the heavy-lifting reality of rebuilding an overgrown high school baseball field from the ground up.

Follow Ben's renovation journey on Instagram: @Project_Field_Revival

Step up to the plate for the premiere episode of Beyond the 27! In this kickoff conversation, host and listeners dive deep into the modern diamond with veteran baseball mind Coach Ryan Hunter. We tackle the shifting landscape of today’s game—from evolving player mentalities and analytics to the cultural shifts happening from the Little League fields all the way up to the pros. Whether you're a die-hard purist or trying to understand where America's pastime is headed next, this episode breaks down all angles of baseball in today's world.

Hit play, subscribe, and join the conversation as we look past the final out.