In this episode, Ryan Van Dever hosts Rod Ellison, head coach of the El Dorado Walnuts, and Isom Ford, coach of the Wellington Heat. They discuss their backgrounds, coaching philosophies, and the importance of community engagement in youth baseball. The conversation highlights the role of host families, the impact of mascots, and the excitement surrounding the upcoming season. They also touch on the unique phenomenon of the Savannah Bananas and how they are revitalizing interest in baseball.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:29 Isom Ford's Background and Journey in Baseball

03:26 Experiences in the Dominican Republic

05:15 Mission of the Wellington Heat

06:01 Coaching Philosophy and Team Development

08:24 Team Performance and Goals for the Season

11:09 Roster Management and Player Development

12:28 Professional Mindset in Coaching

13:40 Importance of Host Families

16:44 Lessons from Last Season

17:42 All-Star Weekend and Home Run Derby

19:13 The Wacky World of the Savannah Bananas

22:58 Revamping Baseball for New Audiences

24:07 Shoutouts and Acknowledgments

25:33 Closing Remarks and Future Conversations

27:11 daytona-beats-rock-trap-176004.mp3

27:21 Introduction to the El Dorado Walnuts

32:33 Community Engagement and Mascot

40:51 Youth Mini Camps and Community Involvement

46:35 Host Families and Player Relationships

55:40 The Savannah Bananas and Baseball Entertainment

01:00:24 HZS Podcast Outro.mp4

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