The Farm System

The Farm System
  • 4.7 (79)
  • BASEBALL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Farm System Podcast, your home for baseball & softball player development. Join us as we explore the strategies and techniques that lead to peak performance on & off the field. We tackle various topics like mental health, time management, relationships, and spirituality. Tune in for a well-rounded discussion about preparing for success in, not only sports, but life!

  1. Functional Strength vs. Traditional Strength: Why the Debate Misses the Point

    47M AGO

    Functional Strength vs. Traditional Strength: Why the Debate Misses the Point

    Strength training debates are louder than ever—traditional lifts vs. “functional” training, capacity vs. transfer, force production vs. athletic expression. And yet, most of the arguments miss what actually matters. In this episode, we break down why both sides of the strength debate are partially right—and fundamentally incomplete. We unpack what functional strength actually means, how the term has been watered down, and why simply getting stronger doesn’t guarantee better on-field performance—especially in highly skilled sports like baseball and softball. We discuss: Why definitions matter when talking about functional strength The real value (and limitations) of traditional strength training Diminishing returns and why strength doesn’t scale linearly with performance How sagittal-dominant training creates asymmetries and movement restrictions Why sport and position specificity matter more than most programs acknowledge The difference between building capacity and being able to express it How strength gains can actually reduce performance if they limit movement options From high-level athletes to youth players, this conversation reframes how coaches should think about strength, power, and transfer—without throwing squats, hinges, or heavy lifts out the window. The goal isn’t choosing a side. It’s understanding what strength is for—and how to apply it without breaking the athlete.

    16 min
  2. 🎙️ Episode 215 – ABCA 2026 Recap

    JAN 31

    🎙️ Episode 215 – ABCA 2026 Recap

    In this episode, Joey sits down and covers his take aways from the 2026 ABCA Convention. Where is the game at now? Where is it headed? If we really want the game to move forward, if we really want to make progress... it takes work.

    40 min
  3. 🎙️ Episode 214 – Action Types Part 2

    JAN 31

    🎙️ Episode 214 – Action Types Part 2

    In today’s episode, we’re joined once again by our friend and mentor, co-founder of the Action Types approach and one of the deepest thinkers in motor development, natural movement, and human coordination. This is his second appearance on the podcast — and it didn’t take long for us to bring him back. We dive into a conversation that sits at the core of coaching and athlete development: Why do some athletes stay open, adaptable, and constantly improving — while others get stuck defending old ideas? This episode explores the deeper layers of learning, trust, mindset, and the complexity behind how athletes coordinate movement under pressure. What We Discuss in This Episode Why coaches who “appreciate complexity” learn and evolve faster How humility and curiosity keep athletes and coaches from getting stuck Why knowing information is not the same as knowing how to think How Action Types began The science behind “readiness,” natural movement patterns, and motor signatures Why athletes break down under pressure — and how context, stress, and internal state shape coordination How rules, expectations, and “have-to” thinking disrupt performance Why trust is a decision, not a feeling — and how athletes can choose it How to stay “online” with the environment, your body, and the demands of the game Why every moment in sport is unique — and why ready-made techniques fail How movement emerges naturally when the emotional, cognitive, and sensorimotor layers are aligned This episode goes far deeper than mechanics — it gets into the why behind learning, performance, and the behaviors we see every day in players. If you’ve ever wondered why some athletes thrive during pressure and others collapse… this conversation gives the scientific and practical layers behind it.

    2h 10m
  4. 🎙️ Episode 213 – Below Average

    JAN 31

    🎙️ Episode 213 – Below Average

    Let me tell you a secret — I wasn’t some standout player. I was a below average JUCO player. A below average Division I player. A below average NAIA player. No one was looking at me back then and thinking, “That guy’s going to work with MLB All-Stars one day.” But at 27, I was interviewing for MLB hitting coordinator jobs. Not because I was a great player. Not because of connections or status. It was because I got access — access to mentors, information, and resources that changed my life. In this episode, I break down what really separates great coaches from everyone else. It’s not pedigree. It’s not where you played. It’s how hungry you are to learn, reflect, and grow. We’ll talk about: The myth of needing a big résumé to make an impact Why mentorship accelerates growth faster than anything else How to find mentors — even from afar — and learn from them daily Breaking limiting beliefs that hold coaches back Why curiosity and consistency matter more than talent How faith, humility, and perseverance shape long-term success You don’t need status to change your trajectory — you need commitment to growth. Whether you’re 23 or 63, your story isn’t finished. So lean in. You’re closer than you think. 🙏 “Your past doesn’t decide your ceiling. Your commitment to growth does."

    27 min
  5. 🎙️ Episode 212 – Allie Clements (Stanford Softball Alum)

    JAN 31

    🎙️ Episode 212 – Allie Clements (Stanford Softball Alum)

    🎙 Episode 212 – Allie Clements (Stanford Softball Alum) In this episode, we explore the real side of the college softball journey — the parts that rarely get talked about but so many athletes experience. Our guest shares her story of growing up in Houston, Texas, and how her path through college athletics didn’t go exactly as she imagined. From dreams of being a four-year All-American to navigating unexpected challenges and shifts in identity, this conversation dives deep into the realities behind the highlight reels. It’s an honest and powerful discussion that will resonate with any athlete who’s ever had to redefine success and find strength in the process.

    1h 52m

  6. 09/26/2025

    🎙️ Episode 211 – Micah Franklin (7 to 22)

    🎙 Episode 211 – Micah Franklin (7 to 22)  Hitting a baseball is often called the hardest skill in sports—and in this episode, we dive into why. Micah, with over 31 years in professional baseball and experience working with players like Cody Bellinger and James Wood, shares hard-earned wisdom from both the field and the […]

    1h 24m

  7. 08/22/2025

    🎙️ Episode 210 – Cal Stephens

    🎙 Episode 210 – Cal Stephens — an athlete whose path with us started through remote training and has grown into a unique in-person experience of shadowing, learning, and developing inside The Farm. Cal shares what it’s like to not only train as a player, but also step into the shoes of an intern, observing coaching […]

    1h 22m

  8. 08/11/2025

    🎙️ Episode 209 – Emily Ferree

    🎙 Episode 209 – From the Lab to the Field: Biomechanics, Rehab, and Performance with Dr. Emily Ferree In this episode, Joey Cunha reconnects with an early mentor and former collaborator, Dr. Emily Ferree — a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, biomechanics consultant, and strength & conditioning coach. They dive into Emily’s […]

    52 min
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4.7
out of 5
79 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Farm System Podcast, your home for baseball & softball player development. Join us as we explore the strategies and techniques that lead to peak performance on & off the field. We tackle various topics like mental health, time management, relationships, and spirituality. Tune in for a well-rounded discussion about preparing for success in, not only sports, but life!

Information

  • Creator
    The Farm System
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    216
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Farm System

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