Moms and Baseball

This episode we invited back special guest Shannon Robinson from Episode 19 when we discussed Fundraising. If you haven’t listened, this is a must for all things fundraising for travel baseball. 

Shannon is discussing two Power! Showcase events that she attended with her 13-year old son, Reed Robinson. The first is a Pro-Series Power! Showcase 13u World Championship event with his Wisconsin Elite team which took place at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The second event was the 14th Annual World Power! Showcase at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. This showcase has been a launching pad for great hitters like Bryce Harper, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and others!

Find out what was discussed about cost, competition, bats, age, and if this is an event you should check out for your youth athlete.
 
Mentions:

019: Moms and Baseball Fundraising Ideas
Power Showcase Pro Series- 13u World Champs Wisconsin Elite


Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball
• You can also listen to episodes on Moms and Baseball Facebook page

This episode we are discussing baseball gifts for your player. We go through the gifts that are a need, tools for training, personalized items, fun toys, and experiences. Some items we discussed are below:

• PitchBack baseball and softball pitching net and rebounder
• J-Bands
• Rope Bat Trainer
• Weighted Training Baseballs for hitting
• PLYO weighted training baseballs for pitching
• Training tools like a  hitting net, pitching mound, tee, pocket radar.
• Oculus with Win Reality Membership 
• Diamond Kinetics SwingTracker for Baseball or Softball  
• Diamond Kinetics PitchTracker baseball
• Batting cage time with Hittrax
• Custom arm sleeves, gloves, baseball bags, blankets, water bottles (ETSY)
• Baseball Number Necklace
• Ring/Homerun ball display 
• Subscription boxes: Sports Box Co. (Batters Up Box), Plate Crate, The Baseball Box, Inside the Batters Box
• LED Lights for Bedroom & Extension Cord
• Books: 
  • Just Like Me: When the Pros Played on the Sandlot
  • Sports Illustrated Kids: Big Book of WHO Baseball

*May include affiliate links

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

On Deck:
Power Showcase Tournaments with Shannon Robinson

Mentions:
Episode 29: MiLB Pitcher to Hand Protection Guru
Episode 15:  Kelly Park - When the Pros Played on the Sandlot<

Throwback to Episode 16 when we discussed the GameChanger app and the new app, GameChanger Team Manager.

Special Guests:

• Guest host Patrick Malley, from Dads takeover episode
• Ken Strnad, VP Marketing of GameChanger
• David Kennedy, Head of Consumer Experience at GameChanger
  
  A few things we love about GameChanger:
  
        -Scorebook
  
        -Stats auto-generated
  
        -Fan/viewer experience
  
        -Audio- use in the car
  
  We discuss concerns about the new app- GameChanger Team Manager and our wishlist items, as well as new updates from GameChanger HQ.
  
  There is so much new news coming to GC Team Manager in 2021 and we are grateful for the opportunity to come on the show and share.
  
  LINK: https://home.gc.com/live-video-streaming/
  
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  HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets!
  
  Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL"
  
  Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:
  
  • 100% waterproof/windproof
  • Heat-reflective lining
  • Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
  • Wrap you from head to toe!
  • Made in the USA
  • Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)
  
  AFFILIATE LINK: https://mambeblankets.com?aff=13

Today we are joined by guest Celine Farner. Celine is mother to Lucas Farner, shortstop for the Little League World Series champs from Taylor North Little League in Michigan.

Celine discusses the journey to the LLWS in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and talks about the strict COVID-19 protocols—including how long parents had to go without seeing their kids!

Plus we talk about all the experiences the Little League World Series champs have been offered. We also compare and contrast Little League to travel baseball and discuss how the Taylor North players were able to balance the two teams.

Correction: Teams were given 250 tickets to Williamsport, not 50.

On Deck: Next week, we will re-release a favorite episode for the Friday after Thanksgiving.

In the Hole: We talk about Christmas gift ideas for youth baseball players!

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets!

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL"

You may remember Susana Lluch as the proud, emotional mom cheering on her son Alek Manoah during his major league debut as a starting pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this year. If not, check out that video here!

Susana has such a positive, enchanting personality and we thoroughly enjoyed being able to speak with her about that emotional day and what it was like raising 2 professional baseball players. (Alek's brother, Erik Manoah, is an up-and-coming pitcher in the Twins organization.) 

She talks about how competitive the brothers were as children and how that relationship has evolved for them as adults. Plus, she takes us through what her sons did to train and make sure they didn't lose a year in 2020 by opening their business, Manoah Driven.

Susana talks about her own experience with baseball/softball, and how she was secretly able to play ball as a child. 

Then she explains when she noticed a special baseball talent in Erik and Alek and what she did to help support their dreams. Susana also discusses her personal superstition when her sons are pitching.

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets!

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL"

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

AFFILIATE LINK: https://mambeblankets.com?aff=13

We are getting ready for (indoor) travel baseball practices to start for our teams in Michigan this weekend. We discuss practice schedules, private lessons/training, and how Stephanie's family plans to cope with practices 3 hours away!

Mentions:
023: Arm Care Advice, Part 1
024: Arm Care Advice, Part 2- with Dr. Ryan Brown
046: Strength & Conditioning w/ Alex Puskarich from Cincinnati Reds
025: Semi-Pro Pitcher Lennon Gwizdala

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets!

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL"

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

AFFILIATE LINK: https://mambeblankets.com?aff=13 

Today we are talking with three individuals who are very passionate about reviving baseball as America’s pastime through their project called Strikeout Baseball. They are working to get kids off the couch and bring backyard baseball back to cities for kids who wouldn’t otherwise have easy or inexpensive access to the game.

We are joined by guests John Smoltz Sr., Jeff Lazaros, and Vic Verchereau.

John Smoltz Sr. is on the Strikeout Baseball advisory board as a project coordinator, and is father to legendary hall-of-fame pitcher John Smoltz.

Jeff Lazaros is the creator and visionary behind Strikeout Baseball.

Vic Verchereau is the director behind the Strikeout Baseball program for Lansing, Michigan.

If you would like more information about how you could bring Strikeout Baseball to your hometown, or if you would like to offer financial support to this project, please contact Strikeout Baseball on their website: http://strikeoutbaseballusa.org/.

On Deck: We are joined by guest Celine Farner, mother to Little League World Series Champ from Taylor North Little League.

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

In today’s episode about select baseball, we chat with ex-pro Sam Smith.

• How much baseball is too much?
• Should kids play multiple sports?
• What should parents do to support their young athletes?
• What trait is most evident in players making it to the big leagues today?
• And much more!

Our expert Sam Smith from Johnson City, Texas has been involved with select baseball in some capacity since 1995. Sam was a 6th round draft pick for the Colorado Rockies in the 1997 MLB draft. He played in the Rockies minor leagues as an infielder from 1997-2003. Sam then worked as a select instructor and coach for 10u-18u teams. Currently, Sam coaches his son’s 11u team and also runs camps and provides training for several other ages.

If you are interested in reaching out to Sam Smith regarding lessons or to ask questions, check out his website at provirtuallessons.com.

Mentions
030: Mark Krzysiak - Coaching, Travel Ball, and Scouting "Turn-Ons" & "Turn-Offs"
059: Mental Performance Training with Jay Thooft

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets!

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL"

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

AFFILIATE LINK: https://mambeblankets.com?aff=13 

Should I stay or should I go? 

Today we’re going to talk about 10 things for parents and players to consider regarding whether you should stay with your current travel team or whether it’s time to move on.

Follow Moms and Baseball:

• Keep up with Moms and Baseball on our website: https://momsandbaseball.com
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Join our Facebook group, Parents and Baseball

Mentions

• Episode 60: (Throwback Episode) Dads and Baseball Takeover - Choosing a Travel Team
• Episode 35: Mark Hammond II & the Nationally-Ranked 11u MC Hit Dogs Majors
• Episode 20: From 19u to the Big Ten: MI Select Coach on 2020 College Commits for Entire Team

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

AFFILIATE LINK: https://mambeblankets.com?aff=13 

Mambe Waterproof Blankets
Use the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" to get 10% off any MAMBE products

Throwback Episode (Episode 14)

Baseball dads took over the podcast this week to talk about how to choose a travel team/organization.

Article Mentioned in Episode:
https://travelballparents.com/2017/07/42-essential-questions-to-ask-before-joining-a-new-travel-team/

----------
HELP SUPPORT MOMS AND BASEBALL by visiting our affiliate Mambe Blankets! 

Listeners will receive 10% off any Mambe product by using the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" 

Mambe Hooded Waterproof Blankets:

• 100% waterproof/windproof
• Heat-reflective lining
• Include a fleece-lined hood and snaps so you can wear it like a poncho
• Wrap you from head to toe!
• Made in the USA
• Are the warmest, coziest blanket you will find, and were well-loved by Diana and Stephanie long before the podcast existed :)

AFFILIATE LINK: https://mambeblankets.com?aff=13 

Mambe Waterproof Blankets
Use the discount code "MOMSANDBASEBALL" to get 10% off any MAMBE products