On today’s episode of The Hitting Zone, Mitch Thomas is joined by Josh Cathcart of Hitting Done Right for a powerful and honest conversation centered on one big question: Who is truly responsible for developing the player? Is it the travel coach? The hitting instructor? The strength coach? The parent? The high school program? Or the athlete themselves? Mitch and Josh unpack the layers of accountability in modern player development and challenge the idea that growth can be outsourced. They discuss ownership, consistency, communication, and the difference between guidance and responsibility. If we’re serious about development, we have to get clear on who owns it. This episode challenges coaches, parents, and players alike to rethink how development actually happens.

📲 Follow Mitch Thomas:

• Instagram: @_mtsperformance
• X (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTL
• TikTok: @thehittingzonestl

📲 Follow Josh Cathcart & Hitting Done Right:

• Instagram: @hitting_done_right_hdr
• X (Twitter): @JoshCathcart8

⚾ 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

This week’s episode of Keep Klimbing was filmed at the Premier Pitching Wentzville location, as Brett continues building on the foundation laid in recent episodes — workload balance, velocity phases, pitch arsenal construction, and sequencing — by stepping into the next critical stage of development: The Pitch Design Phase.

This episode covers:
• Understanding developmental fit — not every pitch fits every arm
• Workload-informed timing and when to introduce design phases
• Biomechanical determinants of pitch effectiveness
• Evaluating pitch performance using measurable thresholds
• Making sure pitch design enhances performance rather than increasing unnecessary risk

The message remains consistent: development must be intentional. Pitch design should align movement, workload, and mechanical efficiency to the athlete in front of you. 

📖 Read the Full Article Here:
The Pitch Design Phase in Baseball: Developmental Fit, Workload-Informed Timing, Biomechanical Determinants of Effectiveness, and Evidence-Based Evaluation Thresholds
👉 https://premierpitching.com/blogs/premier-pitching-chronicles/the-pitch-design-phase-in-baseball-developmental-fit-workload-informed-timing-biomechanical-determinants-of-effectiveness-and-evidence-based-evaluation-thresholds

📲 Connect with Brett Graves & Premier Pitching
Brett Graves → IG: @brettgraves5 | X: @bgraves05
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

On this episode of Baseball 101, host Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins is joined by Chad Gendron, whose baseball journey began in St. Louis and extended through the collegiate and professional levels.

The conversation starts with Chad’s playing background and the experiences that shaped his understanding of pitching at higher levels of the game. From there, the focus shifts to the present — his work with Elite Pitching Development, where he serves as the Lead Instructor and Director.

Together, they discuss:

How playing experience at advanced levels informs modern pitching instruction

The philosophy behind Elite Pitching Development

What effective pitching development should look like today

How instructors can better prepare pitchers for long-term success


This episode offers insight for pitchers, parents, and coaches looking to better understand how development, experience, and instruction come together to help athletes reach the next level.

⚾ Baseball 101 — where experience becomes education.

📲 Follow Dave Wiggins (Host):
X: @CruitsCoachDW
Instagram: @coachdave1338

⚾ 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 today by Diego Solares to talk Illinois baseball and the upcoming Scout Connect Showcase happening this weekend at The Sports Barn in Wood River, IL.

Youth Baseball Midwest will be on-site with our cameras as some of the best players in the state take the field — all working to continue developing their skills and grow as athletes.

Evaluating players is one of the most difficult jobs in the game. At the end of the day, every coach is looking for one player to fill a specific need on their roster. Each program has different philosophies, conference matchups, and personalities that shape what they are looking for.

Projecting players is not a job for the timid. Everyone has an opinion — so let’s hear what Diego has to say about Illinois talent and what to expect this weekend.

We’ll see you at the ballpark.

📣 Guest Socials
Diego Solares (Founder, Scout Connect)
X: @DeegsBaseball

Scout Connect
X: @ScoutConnectBB
Instagram: @scoutconnectbb

⚾ 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 taking a little trip around the state with Kevin Moulder, Director of Scouting for Prep Baseball.
In this episode, we break down three major Scout Day events:

• Marucci Midwest in Springfield, MO
• Rawlings Tigers in Chesterfield, MO
• Midland Baseball in O’Fallon, MO

Each event gives athletes the opportunity to understand exactly where they are in their development journey. From measurable metrics to on-field evaluations, these showcases provide clarity on what it takes to continue developing the skills necessary to compete at a high level.
We discuss players and programs you may know — and a few you may not — as we highlight talent from around the state. These events are about more than numbers. They are about perspective, growth, and understanding how to move forward.

So sit back and take it all in as we evaluate athletes from across Missouri here on Youth Baseball Midwest.

📣 Guest Socials
Kevin Moulder (Prep Baseball Missouri)

• X: @PrepBaseballMO
• Instagram: @prepbaseballmo

⚾ 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

Stepping back inside The Hitting Zone today is Shane Eames, as he joins Mitch Thomas for a deeper conversation around Individual Development Plans — what they should look like versus what we are currently seeing across youth baseball.

Mitch and Shane break down what actually belongs in a meaningful development plan, how it should evolve with the athlete, and why so many plans today miss the mark. They continue to expand on topics they’ve touched on in previous episodes, reinforcing the importance of clarity, purpose, and intentional development.

The discussion centers on separating real development from generic checklists, understanding the athlete’s needs, and building plans that support long-term growth instead of short-term results.

If you’re a coach, parent, or player looking to better understand what development should truly look like, this episode delivers honest insight and practical perspective.

📲 Follow Mitch Thomas:
Instagram: @_mtsperformance
X (Twitter): @TheHittingZoneSTL
TikTok: @thehittingzonestl

📲 Guest:
Shane Eames
Instagram: premier_hittingdevelopment
X (Twitter): @hittingdevelop

⚾ 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

On this episode of Keep Klimbing, Brett Graves is joined by Chris Roycroft, bullpen pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, to talk about his journey to the Major Leagues.

Chris walks through his path from high school baseball to Aurora College, and the development process that helped him continue to climb levels and earn his opportunity at the highest level of the game. Together, Brett and Chris discuss what growth really looks like for pitchers who may not follow the traditional or expected path.

This conversation highlights:
• Staying committed through each stage of development
• The importance of trusting the process
• How continued development and preparation open doors
• Lessons learned along the way that young pitchers can apply to their own journeys

A must-listen for players, parents, and coaches who want a real look at what it takes to Keep Klimbing toward the next level.

Follow Chris Roycroft:
IG: @chris_royc



📲 Connect with Brett Graves & Premier Pitching
Brett Graves → IG: @brettgraves5 | X: @bgraves05
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

We like to talk baseball, so we decided to do a health check on the state of youth baseball, focusing on the 7U to 14U age groups as we head into another spring and summer season.

In this episode, we’re joined by the Rawlings Tigers, sitting down with Aaron Jaworowski, President & Founder, and David Birkby, General Manager, to discuss what development and training actually mean for young players. We dive into realistic expectations across age groups, including conversations around what proper development should look like for a 9U baseball player.

We also take on one of the most important — and challenging — topics in youth sports: the relationship between clubs and parents. It’s a conversation that can be difficult on both sides, but one that needs to be addressed as we work toward healthier environments for young athletes.

This episode marks the second stop in our Youth Baseball Talk series, where we’ll continue engaging with clubs and baseball communities across the state. 

We hope you enjoy, and don’t forget to…
SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE ⚾

📣 Guests & Organization Socials
 
Rawlings Tigers Baseball Club
Website: rawlingstigers.com
X: @RawlingsTigers
Instagram: @rawlings_tigers

Guests
Aaron Jaworowski — President & Founder, Rawlings Tigers
David Birkby — General Manager, Rawlings Tigers

⚾ 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

On this episode of Baseball 101, host Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins sits down with Tim Gurnow, Head Coach of the McKendree University Bearcats Baseball, to unpack what it takes to build and sustain a winning culture at the Division II level of college baseball.
Coach Gurnow brings firsthand experience leading the Bearcats — a program in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference — and discusses how the right culture impacts recruiting, year-round training, practice planning, and overall performance. They dive into:

⚾ What a winning culture looks like at the D2 level
🎯 How recruiting strategies help attract the right players
📅 Practice philosophy and development over a season
🏋️ Why a year-round training mindset matters
📈 How players and teams can get on the D2 radar

Whether you’re a player, coach, or parent looking to understand the D2 experience — from opportunities to expectations — this episode provides real insight straight from the bench.

📲 Follow Dave “Diamond Dave” Wiggins (Host):
X: @CruitsCoachDW
Instagram: @coachdave1338

👉 Follow McKendree Bearcats Baseball:
Instagram: @mckendree_bsbl
X: @McKendree_BSBL


⚾ 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 Andy Urban of Prep Baseball joining the show this week along with Staley Head Coach Dionandre Josenberger as we head to Kansas City for a weekend of baseball. We break down players to watch for the upcoming season and get Andy’s take on some of the top teams in the KC area.

We also expand the conversation to the Kansas side of the state, highlighting top players and programs that continue to make the KC region one of the strongest baseball hotbeds in the Midwest.

On the Missouri side, the results speak for themselves — the past five Class 6 MSHSAA State Champions have come from the KC Suburban, with Platte County winning Class 5 in 2025 and Faith Christian Academy finishing runner-up in Class 1.

This episode gives us a great opportunity to take a deeper look into one of the best baseball regions in the state. Watch the full episode and let us know who you think are the top teams in KC heading into the 2026 season.

📣 Guest / Organization Socials
Andy Urban — Prep Baseball (Kansas Region):
X (Twitter): @PrepBaseballKS
Instagram: @prepbaseballks

⚾ 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