Chatter Up

Chatter Up, presented by Extra Innings Travel, explores baseball’s international reach, the connections it creates, and the stories that make the game so special. Join Shane Barclay for conversations with amazing members of our global baseball community.

In this episode, Shane talks to MLB field consultant Murray Cook about his journey from teenage minor league groundskeeper to building baseball fields for some of the biggest sporting events around the world. They discuss the art and science of groundskeeping, the challenges of transforming unconventional venues into MLB ballparks, and his experiences working on the Olympics, World Baseball Classic, Field of Dreams, and MLB games in London. They also explore the behind-the-scenes work that makes these events possible and how baseball brings people together across cultures.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Murray Cook: https://x.com/cookmurray/
⚾ Musical Score: https://clarkbarclay.com

00:00 - Introduction
03:06 - Murray’s journey into baseball groundskeeping
05:08 - A day in the life of a pro groundskeeper
08:52 - What makes a good groundskeeper?
11:03 - Grounds crews, mowing patterns, and field maintenance
13:35 - The science of baseball fields and international challenges
17:29 - Building fields around the world
21:44 - How MLB's special event ballparks come together
25:47 - The challenges of building MLB's London field
27:51 - From minor league groundskeeper to international field consultant
31:06 - How baseball connects people across cultures
36:50 - Show and Tell
46:44 - Conclusion

Chatter Up, presented by Extra Innings Travel, explores baseball’s international reach, the connections it creates, and the stories that make the game so special. Join Shane Barclay for conversations with amazing members of our global baseball community.

In this episode, Shane talks to baseball coach Bianca Smith about her journey from working with the Boston Red Sox to pursuing her dream of coaching in Japan. They discuss the differences between American and Japanese baseball, her experience coaching through the JET Program, and her involvement with Play Abroad. They also explore her love of Japanese baseball, the importance of cultural exchange, and how the game brings people together across borders.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Bianca Smith: https://www.instagram.com/biancaesmith12/
⚾ Musical Score: https://clarkbarclay.com

00:00 - Introduction
00:40 - Bianca’s journey into baseball
04:39 - Why coaching in Japan was her dream job
07:08 - The JET Program and coaching baseball in Japan
12:17 - Blending American and Japanese coaching philosophies
16:52 - Player independence in Japanese baseball
21:08 - Play Abroad and international baseball exchange
26:16 - Baseball as a universal language
30:05 - Bianca’s future goals in Japan
33:38 - Favorite NPB teams, players, and stadiums
38:01 - Show and Tell
40:15 - Appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated

In this episode, Shane talks to MLB.com writer Michael Clair about his journey from baseball blogger to covering the global game and his book, "We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball", on the Czech Republic’s Cinderella World Baseball Classic team. They also discuss Honkbalweek, their favorite places to experience baseball abroad, and how the game brings people together across cultures.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Michael Clair: https://www.mlb.com/news/topic/michael-clair
⚾ Michael's Book: https://michaelclair.com/
⚾ Musical Score: https://clarkbarclay.com

0:00 - Introduction
1:53 - Honkbalweek: A Celebration of Global Baseball
5:50 - From Baseball Blogger to MLB.com Writer
12:12 - Czech Baseball & We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball
17:41 - The Best Places to Experience Baseball Abroad
26:35 - How Baseball Connects People Across Cultures
33:50 - Show & Tell
39:34 - Where to Follow Michael

On this episode, Shane is joined by 2001 World Series champion Miguel Batista to talk about his journey from the Dominican Republic to the big leagues, his work advocating for players, and baseball’s ability to bring people together. Batista also shares memories of the World Series following September 11, lessons from his favorite managers, and stories from a life spent exploring the game.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Musical Score: https://clarkbarclay.com

0:00 Introducing Miguel Batista
2:06 Growing Up with Baseball in the Dominican Republic
6:18 His MLB Journey, Studying Law & Working for the Players Association
15:08 Life Beyond Baseball
17:30 The 2001 World Series, 9/11, & Caribbean Championships
29:43 How Baseball Brings People Together
37:53 Show and Tell: World Series Memorabilia
44:38 Japan and the Dominican Republic’s Baseball Connection

In this short bonus episode, Shane Barclay and Mark Jent break down what's in store for the remainder of 2026 and look ahead to 2027 on the tour schedule.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Musical Score: https://clarkbarclay.com

00:00 - Introduction
01:20 - Dominican Republic Winter Ball Adventure
14:15 - Okinawa NPB Spring Training
18:11 - 2027 Tour Schedule

In the third installment of the show, Shane talks to Sandy Alderson about building the Oakland A’s, embracing analytics before Moneyball, and his work with the Padres, Mets, and MLB. They also discuss baseball’s international future, the people who shaped Sandy’s career, and how he helped Shane forge his own path into the game.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Musical Score: https://clarkbarclay.com

0:00 - Introduction
6:14 - How Sandy helped Shane get his start in baseball
10:44 - Interview begins
12:30 - From lawyer to A’s general manager
15:03 - Eric Walker and the origins of the A’s approach to analytics
20:08 - Billy Beane and how analytics changed front offices
29:02 - Sandy’s introduction to international baseball
34:27 - Why Olympic baseball matters
47:38 - Reforming baseball’s system in the Dominican Republic
56:01 - The people who kept Sandy in baseball
1:04:09 - Show and Tell

In our second episode, Shane is joined by JapanBall founder Bob Bavasi to trace the company’s origins. Bob reflects on growing up in one of baseball’s most prominent families, discovering Japanese baseball, launching the first JapanBall tours, and eventually passing the business on to Shane.

Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
Bob Bavasi: https://www.bavasisports.com/

0:00 - Introducing Bob Bavasi
2:37 - Growing Up in a Baseball Family
6:37 - Discovering Japanese Baseball
14:28 - The Origins of JapanBall Tours
24:00 - Passing JapanBall to Shane
38:11 - Show and Tell

Chatter Up, presented by Extra Innings Travel, explores baseball’s international reach, the connections it creates, and the stories that make the game so special. Join Shane Barclay for conversations with amazing members of our global baseball community.

In the first episode of Chatter Up, Shane and Mark Jent discuss the story behind Extra Innings Travel, Shane’s journey through the baseball industry, and the global experiences that shaped his love of the game.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Mark Jent's Simply A Fan: https://simplyafan.com/

0:00 - Introducing Chatter Up
3:12 - The Podcast’s Origins and Vision
7:29 - What Is Extra Innings Travel?
13:25 - Shane’s Background and Love of Baseball
23:53 - From MLB to JapanBall
43:45 - Show and Tell