The Youth Baseball Edge Podcast with Rob Tong: Coaching | Drills | Strategy

Hi Rob, Just wanted to thank you so much for all you do on the show! I’ve been an avid listener for years, and I’m one of those guys (coaches) who has a pen and paper handy, taking notes all the time. I’d like to make a suggestion for an upcoming show if I could. No matter how many times I try to convey to parents to not yell at their kids during games—or coach them from the bleachers, etc.—there’s always those who do. I make a big point to talk about it at our parent meeting at the beginning of the season, and I also send reminder texts throughout the season, but it still doesn’t work. What would be amazing is if you could bring on a guest who specializes in sports mental health—maybe even youth baseball specifically—and they could speak about the negative impacts of these actions. I would love to provide all my parents with a QR code or something they could scan that would take them directly to that episode, and require them to listen to it with their kid before the first game. You’ve built an incredible podcast over the past decade and with it, you bring credibility to what you have to say and who you chose to interview. I think an episode like this could go a long way with your listeners. Thanks! Zach

As parent whose sport was not baseball, I have learned so much by listening to these podcasts. I wish I had found Rob in my early days when I was coaching my kid’s rec team. Thankfully my son now has travel ball coaches, however travel ball is a crazy world. Even the “pro” coaches don’t know everything. My son has become a better player because of the tips I have learned here. Also, Rob and his guests have kept us grounded as to what is and isn’t important. Please keep the podcasts coming!

I just discovered this podcast and after listening to the latest episode I went back to the beginning. There is so much value in each episode and I’m not making it through very fast because each episode needs to be listened to multiple times to glean as much as possible. I really appreciate how Mr. Tong brings in guests with different perspectives and personal experience. If I were listening to the Travis Kerber part 2 episode back in the day of records, I would have already worn out the vinyl! I also appreciated the concept behind, and even some of the insights in the episode with John T. Reed. However, I don’t think he has the right approach, not necessarily in terms of baseball, but in his delivery. It was pretty off-putting to hear him call any coach who hasn’t read his book and isn’t doing things his way ‘morons’, and other terms like that. That said, Mr. Tong is doing a wonderful job and as someone who recently made the transition from youth (tee-ball through 6th grade) coach to middle school a-team coach (7-8th graders), I find this podcast and the guests invaluable. Thank you for your dedication!

Even though Rob’s not updating as much as he used to there are several podcasts that I have listened to multiple times. Hopefully Rob can keep giving us more if not I need someone to take this style and keep running with it.