He's a 3x All Star, 2x World Series Champion, and Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer. Kevin Youkilis was the On Base Machine, and now he's coaching Youth Baseball. We talk Red Sox, parenting, coaching, and lots more! Enjoy one of our best episodes in a while!In this episode, Kevin Youkilis emphasizes the importance of supporting children in travel baseball, rather than pressuring them for wins, to foster a love for the game and prevent long-term injuries.HighlightsBalancing encouragement and restraint is crucial for young athletes.Yelling at kids during games can harm their development and enjoyment.Winning shouldn’t overshadow a child’s love for the game.Overuse injuries are a significant concern in youth baseball.Establishing positive communication among coaches can improve the atmosphere.

Let’s be honest — sometimes it’s not the kids who need a pep talk, it’s us adults.
This week, we’re unpacking the real reasons parents feel anxious watching their kids play sports — and how that pressure trickles down to the field.

We also tackle the classic conundrum:
🏆 How do we teach commitment without handing out participation trophies?
💪 How do we value fun and accountability?

It’s part therapy session, part coaching clinic, and 100% truth.

👉 Tune in for some hard questions, soft toss answers, and a reminder that the best coaching starts with keeping your cool.

We have LOTS of thoughts about last night's World Series Classic!!! Let's debrief...

We're back with another bonus episode going over the 2025 MLB Playoffs!

No scripts. No playbook. Just real talk about the stuff parents, coaches, and players actually wrestle with — from burnout to bad hops to balancing life outside the diamond.

We took your toughest questions and lobbed back some honest (and occasionally ridiculous) answers. ⚾

👉 Tune in if you like your advice with a side of sarcasm and your leadership with a dash of grace.

Life update + mailbag = pure chaos.

Coach Ballgame, Chopper, and Flikke are back with a good ol’ fashioned Q&A — answering your questions, sharing house updates (yes, there were leaks), and probably getting distracted at least five times.

Grab your coffee and come hang. ☕️⚾️
🎧 “Talkin’ Life, Leaks, and Listener Questions” — out now wherever you get your pods.

Let's talk PLAYOFFS!!!

BONUS!! We're breaking down the MLB Playoffs 2025- let's talk about it!

After a jam-packed Sandlot September, the boys are back in the dugout with a fresh episode of Talkin’ Shop! They’re recapping the wild ride from the National Sandlot Tour and welcoming special guest Linda Flanagan, author of Take Back the Game, to talk about how to handle those toxic bleacher creatures with grace and grit.

This podcast episode discusses coaching challenges, work ethic, and fostering joy in sports, emphasizing the importance of character development alongside athletic skills.Highlights*The boys answer 10 questions from the fans.*Coaches share personal experiences while highlighting the joy of baseball for kids in Cambodia.*Strategies for dealing with youth athletes struggling with fundamentals and lack of effort are discussed.*Parents are encouraged to manage their children’s sports experiences, focusing on character over accolades.*The importance of resilience and the response to failure in sports and life is emphasized.*Creative solutions for practice amid weather-related challenges are shared to inspire fellow coaches.Wanna support the Pod? patreon.com/chopandballgame