Mark & Matt welcome back Phil Terrano discuss the start of baseball season, Tampa Bay Rays, youth development, travel ball, injuries & the future of the sport. 

Spring Training Energy in Florida

• Pitchers & catchers reporting & a new baseball year across Florida & Arizona
• Teams arriving & fans prepare for the season
• Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest outdoors this year as finishing touches continue inside the Trop

Rays Talk and Uniform Buzz

• Possible return of the Rays’ road gray uniforms w/ stingray tail
• Team’s history with alternate uniforms, including Grit & Glow” 

Baseball in Florida: Growth and Importance

• Participation from youth to pro
• Spring Training & 2 MLB franchises contribute to sport’s presence 
• Ideal stadium locations & long term regional growth
• Southern-based winter league w/ existing spring training facilities?

Youth Baseball Development and FLETL Story

• Origin of the Florida East Coast Travel League, FLETL
• Built to improve the experience for families, focusing on memories & value rather than profit
• Innovations include press conferences for kids, enhanced awards & eliminating gate fees
• Influencing other organizations to elevate their offerings
• Partnership with Prospect Wire to expand nationally & combine strengths across age groups

Youth Sports Philosophy

• Emphasis on practice & development rather than constant tournament play
• Encouraging families to keep perspective about the realities of professional baseball
• Travel ball should be about experience, growth, and enjoyment
• Competition builds confidence & life skills
• Create lasting memories

Managing Injuries and Player Health

• Increasing injury rates
• Importance of rest, strength training, & structured development

Phil shares his son’s experience at Wellington Sports Academy 

MLB veterans, Devon Travis, of` Detroit Tigers & the Blue Jays and Brad Peacock of the Houston Astros are leading guiding youth at the Academy

Focus on preparing the body for long term success rather than chasing radar gun numbers.

Learning proper conditioning

Devon Travis' passion for the game

Business of Baseball and Media Changes

• Regional sports networks, RSN's, shifting to MLB’s media division
• Streaming continues to reshape how fans watch games
• Television rights remain a major revenue driver for the sport
• Ongoing conversation about competitive balance, payroll gaps, and future labor negotiations

The Cost of Playing Baseball

• Rising equipment and travel expenses can limit participation
• Phil discusses Stinger Sports, a company focused on providing quality gear at lower costs.
• Goal is to make the game more accessible for families while maintaining performance standards.

Future Plans and Giving Back

• Phil considering launching a new charitable initiative, potentially a foundation in memory of his sister.
• Continued focus on community support and creating opportunities for young athletes.
•  Find out more about Stinger Sports The BEST wood and BBCOR baseball bats, batting gloves, custom uniforms – Stinger Sports  www.stingerwoodbats.com

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