YBMcast

This week on Keep Klimbing, Brett continues building out the pitching arsenal — moving from last week’s cut fastball to one of the most effective weapons in baseball: the sinker.

Brett breaks down what makes the sinker unique, how to understand the movement profile you’re trying to achieve, and why this pitch is built on leverage, intent, and movement quality. From identifying your natural strengths to shaping the right grip, Brett shows how pitchers can create downward action, weak contact, and consistency on the mound.

He also discusses:
• How a sinker plays off your existing arsenal
• Spin direction & the movement profile that creates true arm-side run + drop
• Finding the right grip variations for your hand and release
• The mindset needed to execute the pitch on game day

As always, Brett uses his own experience to help pitchers understand how to keep building, keep refining, and Keep Klimbing.

📲 Connect with Brett Graves & Premier Pitching
Brett Graves → IG: @brettgraves5 | X: @brettagraves
Premier Pitching → IG: @premierpitching | X: @PremierPitching


⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

In this episode of Baseball 101, Coach Darin Cissell sits down with Matt Sissom, the new Head Coach of Fort Zumwalt West, and his son Nolan, as they discuss navigating the challenges and rewards of a unique season ahead.

Coach Sissom steps into one of Missouri’s premier baseball programs — and in his first year as head coach, he’ll also be coaching his son through his final high school season before Nolan heads off to play at Mizzou.

Together, they talk about:
⚾ The emotions and expectations of taking over a successful program
👨‍👦 The balance between being “Dad” and “Coach”
🎯 What it takes to keep perspective, build culture, and make it all work
🔥 The lessons learned from years of experience on and off the field

It’s a heartfelt conversation about leadership, family, and what it means to make the most of every moment.

👉 Follow Fort Zumwalt West Baseball:
Instagram: @fzwbaseball
X: @fzwbaseball

📲 Stay connected with Darin Cissell:
Instagram: @drcissell
X: @dcissell

⚾ Sponsored by Buntmaster
Instagram: @officialbuntmaster
X: @buntmasters

⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We are joined by the Head Baseball Coach at Father McGivney High School in Illinois, members of the Gateway Metro Conference.

We talk with Coach Erwin about the teams to watch and who may have the inside track on the conference title and the potential to make a deep run in the Illinois state playoffs.

With McGivney making the jump to Class 2A, we’ll discuss what that means for the program and the conference as a whole — and highlight several programs that have been getting it done in Class 2 over the past few years. The competition is leveling up for the 2026 season, and the Gateway Metro is ready for the challenge.

⚾ Follow Father McGivney Baseball:
X → @FMCHSBaseball
Instagram → @fmchsbaseball

📅 Mark Your Calendars — Prime Sports Midwest Demo Day!
🗓 Saturday, November 15 | Starts at 9 AM
📍 Prime Sports Midwest – St. Peters
🎯 Demo the latest bats, test new gear, win prizes, and register your team for a chance to win custom jerseys!
👉 https://www.primesportsmw.com

⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Today on Baseball Talk, Staley Head Coach Dionandre Josenberger joins the conversation as we break down the process.
We hear this phrase a lot in sports — “Trust the process.” But what is the process, and do we really break it down in an understandable way for players, coaches, and parents?
This discussion focuses on youth development, as the landscape of recruiting continues to shift with new rules, NIL opportunities, and increased pressure at younger ages. The goal? Shifting the mindset from chasing scholarships to developing the skills, discipline, and confidence it takes to make your high school baseball team — the foundation of every player’s journey.

📅 Mark Your Calendars — Prime Sports Midwest Demo Day!
🗓 Saturday, November 15 | Starts at 9 AM
📍 Prime Sports Midwest – St. Peters

🎯 Demo the latest bats, test new gear, win prizes, and register your team for a chance to win custom jerseys!
👉 https://www.primesportsmw.com

⚾ Follow Coach Josenberger:
Hard Results: hardresultsbaseball.com

⚾ Follow Staley Baseball:
X → @Falconbaseball5



⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Mitch Thomas welcomes back Gonzo Gonzalez from the Mac N Seitz Baseball Club in Kansas City, MO, for another powerful conversation on The Hitting Zone.

This time, Mitch and Gonzo dig into the real meaning behind having a training program — and why it’s only the starting point for true player development.

They break down:
⚾ Why training programs are essential for structure and growth
⚾ How one-on-one instruction branches out from that foundation
⚾ The difference-maker: a player’s personal dedication and discipline

It’s not just about the drills — it’s about the drive. The best players take the tools they’re given and build something greater.

🎙️ A can’t-miss episode for players, parents, and coaches who want to understand what separates the average from the elite.

📲 Follow Mitch Thomas:
Instagram: @_mtsperformance
Twitter/X: @TheHittingZoneSTL

📲 Follow Gonzo Gonzalez & Mac N Seitz Baseball Club:
Instagram: @macnseitzbaseball
Website: macnseitz.com


⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Brett takes the discussion to building your pitching arsenal based on your strengths and what you do best.

Brett, as always, Keeps Klimbing using his own experience to help you understand how to continue working to get yourself better. He begins by breaking down the cut fastball — what it’s supposed to do, how and when to use it, and how the pitch should spin to move in the direction you want it to go.

Grip is the key, and Brett takes a look at multiple ways to find the grip that works best for your cut fastball.

📲 Connect with Brett Graves & Premier Pitching
Brett Graves → IG: @brettgraves5 | X: @brettagraves
Premier Pitching → IG: @premierpitching | X: @PremierPitching

⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

Coach Darin Cissell takes you back to the chalkboard this week as he continues evaluating the conversations he’s had with various high school coaches — and the lessons learned along the way.

If we’ve learned anything from these discussions, it’s that we’re never too old to learn. The best coaches keep growing — applying lessons from each season and experience to positively impact the lives of their student-athletes.

Coach Cissell continues to remind us that baseball is more than a game; it’s a classroom of life. Through these reflections, he challenges us to see the value in growth, perspective, and purpose both on and off the field.

⚾ Baseball 101 — where the classroom meets the locker room, and faith keeps us grounded.

📲 Stay connected with Darin Cissell:
Instagram: @drcissell
X: @dcissell

⚾ Sponsored by Buntmaster
Instagram: @officialbuntmaster
X: @buntmasters


⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We welcome Edwardsville Head Coach Tim Funkhouser, who is currently seventh on the all-time list of wins with 861 for the state of Illinois, and eighth all-time for most wins at one school with 806 at Edwardsville High School.

We are going to be discussing the state of Illinois baseball — from the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) and its role in player development, to how they are working with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to create the best environment for the coach/athlete relationship.

Coach Funkhouser also shares insight on programs to watch as the Tigers pursue another state championship.

⚾ Follow Edwardsville Tigers Baseball:
X → @EvilleTigerBB

Instagram → @edwardsville_athletics_618
🏆 Follow IHSBCA:
X → @IHSBCA1

📅 Mark Your Calendars — Prime Sports Midwest Demo Day!
🗓 Saturday, November 15 | Starts at 9 AM
📍 Prime Sports Midwest – St. Peters
🎯 Demo the latest bats, test new gear, win prizes, and register your team for a chance to win custom jerseys!
👉 https://www.primesportsmw.com

#BaseballTalk #YBMcast #IllinoisBaseball #EdwardsvilleBaseball #TimFunkhouser #IHSBCA #IHSA #YouthBaseballMidwest #PrimeSportsMidwest #PSMWDemoDay #HighSchoolBaseball


⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We are joined by the new head coach of Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, MO to discuss the transition from assistant to the top job. Coach Bazat is a Bruin as he also graduated from the school and played for and coached with just retired Justin Towe, MHSBCA 2025 Hall of Fame inductee.

We will have some fun taking a look at one of the better conferences in the state with MSHSAA Class 5 and 6 schools fighting it out for the title. Coach Brian Ash is back to bring his experience and perspective from central Missouri giving us a look at the teams we will need to pay attention to as we head into the season.

Follow Coach Bazat & Rock Bridge: 
Instagram: @rockbridgebruinsbaseball
X: @RBbruinbaseball

Follow Coach Ash & Southern Boone
X: SoBoCoBaseball

Follow Prep Baseball Report Missouri  
Instagram: @pbrmissouri 
X: @pbr_mouler  
Website: https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/missouri

📅 Mark Your Calendars — Prime Sports Midwest Demo Day!
🗓 Saturday, November 15 | Starts at 9 AM
📍 Prime Sports Midwest – St. Peters
🎯 Demo the latest bats, test new gear, win prizes, and register your team for a chance to win custom jerseys!
👉 https://www.primesportsmw.com


⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com

We have Cody Massey of Buzzin' Baseball, joining The Hitting Zone Podcast for another big topic that we are going to work to crush it out of the park. Are 10 second clips ruining "gamer style" players? Is too much screen time causing kids to lose basic skills, that players of yesterday developed from "Just Being a Kid."? Does the fast pace of content today, drown out the real work goes into becoming a successful athlete? Join Mitch and Cody as they take a swing at the curve balls and high velocity flow of information that modern athletes face.

📲 Follow Mitch Thomas:
Instagram: @_mtsperformance
Twitter/X: @TheHittingZoneSTL

📲 Follow Cody Massey:
Instagram:  @BuzzinBaseball  
Twitter/X: @BuzzinBaseball


⚾ Stay locked in with Youth Baseball Midwest—your hub for full-spectrum youth baseball insight in the Midwest. Subscribe and hit that dinger (🔔) to never miss a game-state insight.

🌐 More YBM:
Website: youthbaseballmidwest.com
YouTube: Youth Baseball MidwestInstagram: @youthbaseballmidwest
TikTok: @YouthBaseballMidwest
X: @YBM_cast
Facebook: Youth Baseball Midwest


Presented by our proud partners:
Game 7 Baseball: game7baseball.com
Prime Sports Midwest: primesportsmw.com


🎥 Production Partner:Red Earth Productions: redearthprod.com