Buckle up! In this Car Ride Home, host Jami Lobpries chats with Coach Rene Ciccarello of the Tampa Mustangs about how a small, boutique club in Florida grew into a travel ball powerhouse in the Southeast. We talk about the history of the Tampa Mustangs organization, the culture and coaching philosophy inside the organization which started with Ray Seymour, and player development inside their organization. Rene recently took over the Tampa Mustangs organization and also led his 18u team to a 3rd place finish at the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series in 2025. We share stories from their national championship run and Rene shares insights to his coaching strategy at the AFCS. What you’ll hear inside the interview:The culture of Florida's oldest and most successful travel ball organizationHow to set team standards and simple daily habits that win

Coaching strategy at National Championships What “travel-ball ready” looks like from 12U to 18UPractice planning that builds skills and confidenceTryouts, roster construction, and picking the right familiesStaff roles, communication, and keeping the culture strongCompeting on the national stage from a Florida base About our guestRene Ciccarello Jr. has spent 12 years coaching inside the Tampa Mustangs organization. What started as a 12u team building a national schedule has led to the Tampa Mustangs Rene as one of the top 18u teams in the country. Now Rene is leading the entire Florida-based organization as the President of the Tampa Mustangs, an organization founded by Ray Seymour in 1981.

Buckle up! In this Car Ride Home, host Jami Lobpries talks with Ray McDonald, the leader of Warrior Academy in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ray shares how his club trains hitters, sharpens defense, and builds strong mindsets so players can grow on and off the field, and teams can compete at the highest level.

Ray's 16u Warrior team won the 2025 AFCS National Championship, the second AFCS National Championship for their program. Ray talks about his background growing up in a baseball family, his passion for developing players and hitters, and the legends of Nor Cal softball, including Megan Grant and Olivia DiNardo who were part of the 2021 AFCS National Championship team.

What you’ll hear (simple + useful):

• Hitting: swing path, timing, bat speed, approach at the plate

• Defense: infield footwork, glove work, game reps that feel real

• Mindset: confidence, routine, “next pitch” focus

• Practice design: small-group sessions, quality reps, competition, and availability

• Pathway talk: NorCal travel softball, showcases, and being ready for big events like the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS)

Who is Ray?Coach and program builder behind Warrior Academy, a top Northern California fastpitch organization known for competitive training and national-level success. Warrior Softball Academy

Perfect for:Players, parents, and coaches in Northern California (Bay Area, Silicon Valley, San Mateo) searching for softball training, player development, and travel softball insights.

Follow The Car Ride Home: new conversations with the best minds in fastpitch—clear takeaways you can use today.

Hop in for this special episode of The Car Ride Home, where we sit down with Andrew Biele, founder and CEO of AthletesGoLive-the official live scoring and streaming partner of Alliance Fastpitch. If you’re a parent of a youth softball player, this is the episode you can’t miss!Andrew shares the inspiring story behind why he created AthletesGoLive, tackling the real challenges families face in youth sports-missing out on games, struggling to track stats, and searching for ways to help their athletes get noticed. Discover how AthletesGoLive is transforming the youth sports experience by providing no-cost live streaming and scoring for teams across the nation, making every game accessible for families, fans, and college coaches alike.We dive into the exclusive partnership between AthletesGoLive and Alliance Fastpitch, which brings a unified scoring system, national rankings, and enhanced player recognition to over 15,000 athletes and 1,000 teams. Learn how parents and organizations can use AGL for fundraising, access in-depth stats, and help their athletes build profiles that open doors to collegiate opportunities-all while supporting their team’s journey. Plus, hear firsthand about the new 2.0 AGL app and how that helps users! Tune in to hear Andrew’s vision for the future of youth softball, how AGL is leveling the playing field, and why this partnership is elevating our athlete's experience. Whether you’re cheering from the stands or catching the action from home, this episode will give you the inside scoop on the tools, technology, and teamwork shaping tomorrow’s softball stars.

Car Ride Home Podcast: How Ryan Taylor Built a National Softball Powerhouse in the MidwestIn this episode, we sit down with Ryan Taylor, founder of Aces Fastpitch, who shares how he transformed a single softball team into a nationally recognized organization. From his wrestling background to coaching philosophy, Ryan reveals the development strategies that elevated midwestern athletes to compete with coastal powerhouses.You'll discover:The critical "car ride home" conversation every sports parent needs to masterWhy practice culture trumps game experience in athlete developmentHow wrestling principles shaped his coaching approachThe secret to building organizational culture that retains top talentBehind-the-scenes insights from the Alliance All-Star selection committeeWhether you're a coach looking to build a program, a parent of a young athlete, or simply fascinated by sports development, Ryan's journey from giving batting lessons to winning at Boulder shows how dedication to fundamentals and "embracing the suck" creates champions.Join us as we explore topics like women in sport leadership, the business of youth sports, and the grit it takes to grow opportunities for athletes everywhere. From redefining self-talk to growing the pie for everyone, Jami’s insights will inspire anyone passionate about sports and leadership. Buckle up for an unforgettable ride!#YouthSportsBusiness #WomenInSports #AllianceFastpitch #LeadershipJourney

Ever wondered what it takes to lead a movement that transforms the world of youth sports? In this special episode of Car Ride Home, we flip the script and interview our usual host, Jami Lobpries, CEO of Alliance Fastpitch. Jami shares her inspiring journey from athlete to leader, diving deep into the challenges and triumphs of building a thriving community in fastpitch softball.

Join us as we explore topics like women in sport leadership, the business of youth sports, and the grit it takes to grow opportunities for athletes everywhere. From redefining self-talk to growing the pie for everyone, Jami’s insights about following your passions in business will inspire anyone passionate about sports and leadership. Buckle up for an unforgettable ride!

In this special Women’s History Month episode of the Car Ride Home Podcast, host Jami Lobpries sits down with Jill Crawford Higdon—former collegiate softball star, co-founder of Connect Sports and Fury Platinum, and a trailblazer in women’s sports leadership. Jill shares her inspiring journey from a local athlete in Louisiana to entrepreneur, detailing how she broke barriers in the male-dominated sports industry and blazed her own trail. Join us as we explore her evolution as a businesswoman, her impact on youth sports, and her vision for empowering the next generation of female leaders. Celebrate Women’s History Month with us by tuning into this empowering conversation about resilience, leadership, and the power of women in sports and business!

Hear some of the most memorable car rides from our guests in Season I. Every episode begins with the question "what is your most memorable car ride home?" Athletes, parents, and coaches share their stories. Can you relate to any of these parents or athletes? Are you THAT Dad as Ryker Chason shares?!Current pro players like Sis Bates, Aliyah Andrews, Sierra Romero and Amanda Lorenz as well as current college players Teagan Kavan and Jocey Erickson, plus legends like Natasha Watley, Cat Osterman, Rachel Folden and Jennie Ritter all share relatable moments on their car rides to practice, games, and tournaments.

This is a fun episode to laugh with, cry with, and probably relate to! We hope you enjoy our guests' most memorable car rides as youth players.

Ever wondered what it takes to go from playing baseball with the boys to becoming a pro softball star? On this episode of 'Car Ride Home,' we talk with Rachel Folden about her unconventional path, the challenges she faced, and the mindset that fueled her success. Rachel shares stories from her childhood in Southern California, her time at Marshall University, and her standout career in the NPF. Get inside the mind of a champion hitter! Rachel shares her unique approach to hitting, developed from years of playing baseball and softball, and how she helps players unlock their full potential. We also explore her mental game, her experiences as a female in baseball, and the car rides that shaped her journey. If you're a player, coach, or parent looking to improve your game, this episode is a must-listen!Get ready for an inspiring conversation about passion, competition, and the drive to excel!

In this history-driven episode of the Car Ride Home Podcast, host Jami Lobpries sits down with Tony Rico, the visionary President of the Firecrackers Softball organization, for an unfiltered deep dive into the heart of youth travel sports from then to now.

Episode Highlights:

Tony Rico brings over two decades of experience transforming young athletes' lives through softball. As the driving force behind the Firecrackers - a program that has won national championships at every level and produced All-American players like Lauren Chamberlain and Sis Bates- Rico offers a unique lens into the challenges and opportunities in youth softball.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about youth sports development and understanding the true meaning of athletic excellence. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that also highlights the coaches of our game who don't get enough credit for the impact they have had on athletes and softball.

In this episode of the Car Ride Home podcast, host Jami Lobpries sits down with Brandon Guyer, a former Major League Baseball player and the founder of Major League Mindset. Join us as we delve into the critical role of mental strength training for youth athletes and their parents. Brandon shares insights from his journey in professional baseball and discusses how mental resilience can significantly impact performance both on and off the field.