Chasing Baseball Dreams

Bobby Minor
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Parenting

You're spending thousands a year on travel baseball. A better team. A bigger showcase. More lessons. A higher ranking. And you still have no way to know if any of it is actually working. ⠀ That's not an accident. That's the machine. ⠀ Chasing Baseball Dreams is the only baseball parent podcast hosted by someone with no financial stake in where your money goes. I don't run a travel team. I don't sell lessons. I don't coach for an org. I have no reason to steer you in the wrong direction. I'm Bobby Minor... former Division 1 player, 35+ years coaching select baseball and high school, former travel organization director, over 1,000 college recruiting assessments, and a college baseball dad who almost lost 2 sons to this game for 2 very different reasons, with one currently playing college baseball. ⠀ Every episode, I sit down with former Major League players, college coaches, scouts, and baseball dads who've lived through the same grind you're in right now. People who've been inside this industry long enough to tell you the truth about how it actually works. ⠀ Here's what you can expect. ⠀ Real conversations about what actually matters at each age from 8U to signing day. The questions you should be asking before you commit to a team, a coach, or a showcase. The stuff the industry doesn't want you to hear, from people who've been inside it long enough to say it out loud. And the truth about recruiting, development, and where your money is actually going. ⠀ No hype. No recruiting promises. No "get your son seen" nonsense. Just the one voice in this space with full-stack credibility and no financial tie to the machine that's taking your money. ⠀ New episodes weekly. Follow @chasingbaseballdreams on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for daily content between episodes.

  1. 19h ago

    35: All The Smoke's Matt Barnes | Why Parents Push Kids Too Hard in Youth Sports

    How hard should you push your son in sports? And how do you know when you're pushing too hard? Matt Barnes spent 14 seasons in the NBA, won a championship with the Golden State Warriors, and helped build All The Smoke into one of the biggest names in sports podcasting. But some of his strongest opinions have nothing to do with professional basketball. They're about parents and what's happening in youth sports. In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Bobby Minor sits down with Matt to talk about raising his own sons, why he waited until his twins were ready to take training seriously, and why he believes too many parents are turning their kids' sports into a job before they're ready. Matt also shares a pretty incredible story about Kobe Bryant training his twins, explains why he wouldn't make a 10-year-old specialize in one sport, and talks about the pressure parents put on kids who aren't developing as quickly as their teammates. In this episode, we talk about: ⚾ Why Matt believes parents are one of the biggest problems in youth sports 🏀 Why he waited until his twins were 13–14 before pushing them into serious training 🔥 What Kobe Bryant told Matt's sons about their basketball dreams ⚾ Why he believes 10-year-olds should still be playing multiple sports 💪 Why young athletes need to learn how to compete for playing time instead of immediately changing teams 👨‍👦 How Matt handled coaching his own sons without giving them special treatment 💰 Why he believes youth sports have become too focused on making money 🏆 What Matt learned about Kobe Bryant as a teammate, friend, and father ⚾ Why he launched All The Smoke Baseball and what he hopes to bring to the game ❤️ What he hopes his sons remember about him, regardless of how far they go in sports One thing that really stood out to me was how Matt handled his twins' development. He knew exactly what it took to play professionally. He had the experience, the connections, and the ability to start training them seriously at a young age. But he waited. He wanted them to show him they loved the game enough to put in the work themselves. That's something worth thinking about if you're a baseball parent trying to decide when to push your son, when to back off, and how much of this journey should be driven by him. Whether your son is playing 9U travel baseball or getting ready for high school, there's a lot in this conversation that will make you think. ABOUT THE PODCAST The Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast is hosted by Bobby Minor, a former Division I baseball player, longtime coach, and college baseball dad. Through conversations with professional athletes, coaches, and people who've lived the game, Bobby helps baseball parents think through the decisions they're making for their sons. Subscribe for new episodes and conversations about player development, travel baseball, recruiting, and raising young athletes. 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. #MattBarnes #YouthSports #BaseballParents

  2. 2d ago

    34: Mexican League MVP Nick Torres | Playing Time, Late Recruiting & What Baseball Parents Get Wrong

    What if your son isn't getting playing time because he needs to get better? And what if his college baseball opportunities don't come until the spring of his senior year? 2025 Mexican Baseball League MVP Nick Torres joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to share his journey from an overlooked high school player to a fourth-round MLB Draft pick, professional baseball in Mexico, and an MVP season that earned him another opportunity with the New York Yankees organization. Nick's junior year of high school, he barely played and was used only as a pitcher. His senior year, he won conference Player of the Year. He didn't receive his offer from Cal Poly until late April of his senior year. After more than a decade in professional baseball, Nick has plenty to say about what young players need to develop and what parents should be paying attention to. In this episode, we cover: Why Nick wishes he'd played multiple sports longerHow he went from barely playing as a junior to conference Player of the Year as a seniorWhy his college recruiting process came down to the final weeks of his senior yearWhat parents should consider before leaving a team over playing timeWhy hitting approach and the mental game can separate players at higher levelsHow parents can help their sons handle slumps without adding more pressureWhy comparing your son to other players can hurt his developmentWhat Nick learned from being released twice, playing in Mexico, and eventually winning league MVPThe characteristics Nick believes make a player somebody coaches want on their teamIf you're raising a young baseball player and wondering whether he's on the right team, developing fast enough, or falling behind other kids his age, this conversation is worth your time. 🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor | Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast ⚾ Guest: Nick Torres | 2025 Liga Mexicana de Béisbol MVP 📱 Follow Nick on Instagram: @n_torres93 #ChasingBaseballDreams #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball #NickTorres #YouthBaseball #CollegeBaseball

  3. Oct 20

    33: Party Animals' Mikey Ballard | Overlooked Recruit to 81,000 Fans | Banana Ball

    From an undersized high school player with almost no recruiting interest to playing Banana Ball in front of 81,000 fans. Party Animals infielder Mikey Ballard's baseball journey didn't follow the path most parents expect. On this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Bobby Minor sits down with Mikey to talk about his journey from Lake Mary High School to Division II Eckerd College, his transfer to Division I Louisiana Tech, independent professional baseball, and eventually the Party Animals. Mikey shares how he nearly gave up on playing college baseball before one final showcase changed his opportunities. He also explains why playing time mattered more than the name on his jersey, how growing up undersized affected his recruiting, and why his parents' simple advice, "Be Mike," still matters to him today. In this episode, we cover: Why Mikey nearly gave up on college baseball before receiving a late walk-on opportunityHow playing Division II baseball prepared him for success at Louisiana TechWhy he believes actual game experience matters more than chasing a Power Five roster spotHow backyard Wiffle ball, multiple sports, and playing with friends helped develop his athleticismWhy teaching young hitters big-league mechanics can sometimes do more harm than goodThe two words his parents taught him that he still puts on his gloveHow he went from independent baseball to playing in front of 81,000 Banana Ball fansWhy he believes 80 to 100 games a year can be too much for 10-, 11-, and 12-year-oldsIf you're a baseball parent wondering whether your son is falling behind, whether he's on the right team, or whether a Division I offer should be the ultimate goal, Mikey's story gives you plenty to think about. The decisions you make for your son should be based on what actually helps him develop, not what looks impressive to everybody else. 🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor | Chasing Baseball Dreams ⚾ Guest: Mikey Ballard | Party Animals, Banana Ball 📱 Follow Mikey: Instagram @michael_ballard14 | TikTok @mike.b14 🔔 Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for conversations with professional players, coaches, and baseball parents about the decisions that matter throughout the baseball journey. #BananaBall #PartyAnimals #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball #CollegeBaseball

  4. Oct 17

    32: MLB Vet Jay Jackson | Why Are Parents Flying 8-Year-Olds Across the Country for Baseball?

    Why are baseball parents flying 8-year-olds across the country for travel baseball? Former MLB pitcher Jay Jackson questions the youth baseball rankings, expensive tournaments, and pressure that have become so common at an early age. Jay spent 17 years playing professional baseball, including time with six Major League teams and in Japan. In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, he joins Bobby Minor to share what he learned about player development, choosing the right opportunities, handling disappointment, and helping young players enjoy the game. In this episode we cover: Why Jay believes parents put too much importance on baseball rankings for 8U–12U playersThe money families spend flying young players across the country for travel baseball tournamentsHow Jay went from being projected as a second-to-fourth-round draft pick to getting selected in the ninth roundWhy he chose Furman University and how academics, family, and his relationship with the coach influenced that decisionWhat playing professionally in Japan taught him about fundamentals and the quality of practiceWhat Jay looks for in young pitchers that parents often overlookWhat a dad should say to his 12U pitcher after giving up six runsThe emotional story of his son spending 166 days in the NICU and what Jay hopes his children remember about himJay also shares the years he spent waiting for his Major League opportunity, what happened when he didn't make Toronto's Opening Day roster despite a strong spring training, and why he created the S.M.I.L.E. Zone to help young players with the mental side of baseball. If you're a baseball parent trying to decide which teams, tournaments, rankings, and opportunities are actually worth your money, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before you spend another dollar. 🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor ⚾ Guest: Jay Jackson, former MLB pitcher and founder of the S.M.I.L.E. Zone 🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast Connect with Jay Jackson: Instagram: @jaxland58 S.M.I.L.E. Zone community: https://smilezone.app/ 🔔 Subscribe to Chasing Baseball Dreams on YouTube so you don't miss future interviews with Major League players, coaches, and baseball parents. You can also listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. #JayJackson #YouthBaseball #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents #ChasingBaseballDreams

  5. Oct 15

    31: Brian Jacobus | TCU Commit's Dad: Why High School Baseball Came First

    Ben Jacobus started in center field, hit leadoff as a freshman, and helped Corona del Sol win the 2025 Arizona 6A state championship. Now he's committed to TCU. His dad, Brian Jacobus, played professional baseball after being drafted by the San Diego Padres. He's coached high school baseball, run travel baseball organizations, and experienced the recruiting process firsthand as a parent. One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation? Brian built Ben's baseball development around preparing him for high school, and he believes there are things high school baseball provides that travel ball has a hard time replicating. In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Brian shares the decisions they made along the way, including some he'd handle differently. In this episode we cover: What Ben experienced winning a state championship as a freshman and why high school baseball was so important to his developmentWhat high school coaches look for when deciding whether a freshman is ready for varsity baseballWhy Brian believes choosing the right coach matters more than playing for a famous travel baseball organizationHow Brian handled being both Ben's dad and his coach, including the mental side of the gameWhy Ben reclassified from the 2028 to the 2027 graduating class, and Brian's concerns about holding players back to gain an age advantageHow TCU recruited Ben, what happened when other schools entered the picture, and why Ben ultimately chose TCU over Arizona StateThe red flags parents should watch for before committing to a travel teamWhy Brian believes families waste money on national tournaments and showcases before their sons are readyBrian also shares something he wishes he'd emphasized earlier in Ben's development, even with all his years of experience playing and coaching baseball. If you're spending money on travel baseball, preparing your son for high school, or starting to think about college recruiting, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before making your next decision. 🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor ⚾ Guest: Brian Jacobus 🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast Subscribe for conversations with players, coaches, and baseball people who can help parents think more clearly about the decisions they're making for their sons. #ChasingBaseballDreams #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents

  6. Oct 15

    30: Shane Greene | MLB Players Feared Their Dads More Than the Media

    Some Major League players were more afraid of talking to their dads after a bad game than facing the media. Former MLB All-Star Shane Greene saw it firsthand. And he has a lot to say about what baseball parents need to understand. Shane spent 10 seasons in the big leagues with teams including the Yankees, Tigers, and Braves. But his journey was anything but typical. He didn't pitch a single varsity inning as a sophomore, received just one college offer, underwent Tommy John surgery, and took the JUCO route before being drafted in the 15th round. He eventually became an MLB All-Star in 2019. In this episode, we cover: Why your son's performance at 12U tells you very little about where he'll end upHow Shane handled sitting on the varsity bench for an entire season and what his dad did differentlyWhy some Major Leaguers were still afraid of disappointing their fathersHow too much mechanical instruction can hurt a player's ability to competeWhy Shane believes the mental side of baseball is being overlookedWhat playing Cosmic Baseball and Banana Ball taught him about competition and having funShane also shares what helped him through injuries, setbacks, and the pressure of professional baseball, along with his advice for parents who are worried their sons are falling behind. If you're a baseball parent trying to figure out what actually matters for your son's development, this is a conversation worth hearing. 🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor ⚾ Guest: Shane Greene, 2019 MLB All-Star 🎧 Watch or listen to the full Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations with people who've experienced the game at the highest levels. #ChasingBaseballDreams #BaseballParents #ShaneGreene

  7. Oct 14

    29: Savannah Bananas' Coach RAC | Should You Miss Church for Travel Baseball?

    Your son's team plays tournaments on Sundays. Your family wants to be in church. And you're worried that missing games could cost him playing time or put him behind. How do you handle that? Savannah Bananas star RobertAnthony Cruz, better known as Coach RAC, joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation about faith, family, and the decisions baseball parents face. Coach RAC shares his journey from UC Riverside to the Washington Nationals, the heartbreak of being released from professional baseball, and how his faith helped him find purpose beyond the game. We also talk about Sandlot Revival, the faith-based movement that grew from a Savannah Bananas team Bible study into worship nights in more than 20 cities. In this episode we cover: Whether missing Sunday tournament games really puts your son behindHow Christian parents can handle the conflict between church and travel baseballWhat conversations parents should have with coaches before committing to a teamPractical ways families can maintain their faith and church community during a busy baseball seasonHow parents sometimes make their sons feel like their love depends on baseball performanceWhat Coach RAC learned about identity and faith after being released by the Washington NationalsHow Sandlot Revival started and the impact it's having across the countryWhy Coach RAC believes developing your son's character matters more than his baseball careerCoach RAC also shares his personal testimony, what fatherhood has taught him, and why his biggest accomplishments on the baseball field don't compare to what matters most in his life. Whether you're a Christian family struggling with Sunday tournaments or a parent trying to keep baseball in perspective, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before your next season. 🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor ⚾ Guest: Coach RAC (@coach.rac) 🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with players, coaches, and baseball people who can help you think through the decisions you're making for your son. #ChasingBaseballDreams #CoachRAC #SavannahBananas #TravelBaseball #FaithAndBaseball

  8. Oct 14

    28: 90% Development, 10% Games? | Team Moms' Will Armijo on Travel Baseball

    Six games in three days. That's the kind of schedule that makes Will Armijo question what we're doing in youth baseball. Will believes youth baseball should be 90% focused on development and only 10% on playing games. That's a pretty strong opinion coming from someone who runs a baseball academy. Will is a former Division II pitcher at Grand Canyon University who went through Tommy John surgery and some serious setbacks during his playing career. Today, he's the CEO and co-founder of Legendary Prep Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona, which was featured on the Paramount+ reality series Team Moms: Baseball. In this episode we cover: Why Will believes young players are playing too many games and spending too little time developingThe D1 obsession and why a bigger-name college isn't always the better opportunityWhat parents misunderstand about 13U and 14U rankings and predicting college baseball potentialReclassifying young players and whether an extra year actually helpsThe injury concerns that come with heavy tournament schedules and inadequate recoveryHow parents can measure whether the money they're spending is actually helping their son improveWhat Will has learned about parents, playing-time complaints, and the pressure placed on young athletesWill also shares what it was like growing up playing baseball in New Mexico, including a high school coach who told him he'd never be good enough to play beyond high school. If you're spending thousands on travel baseball, considering a prep academy, or wondering whether your son needs to play more games to keep up, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before making your next decision. 🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor ⚾ Guest: Will Armijo, CEO & Co-Founder of Legendary Prep Academy 🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast Subscribe to Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for more conversations about the decisions baseball parents face. #ChasingBaseballDreams #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

You're spending thousands a year on travel baseball. A better team. A bigger showcase. More lessons. A higher ranking. And you still have no way to know if any of it is actually working. ⠀ That's not an accident. That's the machine. ⠀ Chasing Baseball Dreams is the only baseball parent podcast hosted by someone with no financial stake in where your money goes. I don't run a travel team. I don't sell lessons. I don't coach for an org. I have no reason to steer you in the wrong direction. I'm Bobby Minor... former Division 1 player, 35+ years coaching select baseball and high school, former travel organization director, over 1,000 college recruiting assessments, and a college baseball dad who almost lost 2 sons to this game for 2 very different reasons, with one currently playing college baseball. ⠀ Every episode, I sit down with former Major League players, college coaches, scouts, and baseball dads who've lived through the same grind you're in right now. People who've been inside this industry long enough to tell you the truth about how it actually works. ⠀ Here's what you can expect. ⠀ Real conversations about what actually matters at each age from 8U to signing day. The questions you should be asking before you commit to a team, a coach, or a showcase. The stuff the industry doesn't want you to hear, from people who've been inside it long enough to say it out loud. And the truth about recruiting, development, and where your money is actually going. ⠀ No hype. No recruiting promises. No "get your son seen" nonsense. Just the one voice in this space with full-stack credibility and no financial tie to the machine that's taking your money. ⠀ New episodes weekly. Follow @chasingbaseballdreams on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for daily content between episodes.

Information

  • Creator
    Bobby Minor
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bobby Minor

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