Talkin Shop with Coach Ballgame, Chop, and Flikke

One last time.🎙️ After countless conversations, laughs, stories, and a whole lot of baseball… it’s time to close up shop. Today, the boys bring you the **final episode of Talkin’ Shop** going out the only way they know how: talking about what really matters. Thanks for being part of the ride. Make sure to keep up with us on socials @coachballgame and at coachballgame.com!

What if a few simple rule changes could completely transform Little League? In this episode, the boys tackle the biggest issues in youth baseball and share the rule changes—and mindset shifts—they believe would make the game more fun, more competitive, and better for every kid on the field. Did we actually save Little League? We'll let you decide. ⚾ Which change do YOU think would make the biggest difference? Drop it in the comments!

Travel ball can create incredible opportunities—but it can also bring pressure, burnout, and plenty of unforgettable stories. In this episode of Talkin' Shop , Coach Ballgame, Coach Chop, and Coach Flikke dive into the realities of travel baseball, sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly from years spent coaching, parenting, and living the game. Whether you're already in the travel ball world or wondering if it's the right path for your family, this conversation will challenge assumptions, spark discussion, and remind you what matters most when it comes to developing young athletes.

This week on Talkin' Shop, Coach Ballgame sits down with three-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner Evan "Longo" Longoria. Longoria shares the unlikely path that took him from receiving zero college scholarship offers to becoming one of baseball's premier third basemen. Along the way, he opens up about perseverance, humility, preparation, and the character that sustained him throughout his career. It's an honest conversation about earning every opportunity, embracing setbacks, and becoming the kind of teammate and person others can count on. Because talent might open the door—but character is what keeps you in the game.

This week on Talkin' Shop, the boys sit down with Super Bowl Champion and 17-year NFL quarterback Brad Johnson. From overcoming adversity to leading at the highest level, Brad shares the lessons that shaped his career, the teammates who inspired him, and why coaching kids became his next calling after football. It's a conversation about leadership, resilience, mentorship, and building a legacy that lasts far beyond the scoreboard. Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, you'll walk away with timeless lessons from someone who's seen the game—and life—from every angle.

The boys are back in the shop talking about one of the most important—and most overlooked—qualities in youth sports: awareness. How aware are you of what your players are feeling? What your words communicate? The environment you're creating? In this episode, Coach Ballgame, Coach Chop, and Coach Flikke share practical ways parents and coaches can become more intentional leaders by paying attention to the moments that matter most. Because great coaching isn't just about teaching the game. It's about seeing the kid in front of you.

This week on Talkin' Shop, the boys sit down with World Series Champion, Cy Young Award winner, and bestselling author Barry Zito for one of the most honest conversations we've ever had. Barry opens up about the highest highs of his career, the struggles that nearly broke him, and the journey that helped him rediscover his identity beyond baseball. It's a conversation about pressure, purpose, resilience, faith, and what it really means to succeed when the spotlight fades.Whether you're a parent, coach, athlete, or simply someone navigating life's ups and downs, Barry's story is one you won't forget.

This week on Talkin' Shop , we sit down with Cubs legend and three-time World Series champion Shawon "Pops" Dunston. From his 18-year Major League career to the lessons he's carried into coaching, Pops shares stories about growing up, playing alongside legends, raising a baseball family, and leading with integrity. It's a conversation full of wisdom, humility, and a reminder that the greatest legacy in baseball isn't your stats—it's the people you impact. Whether you're a parent, coach, or lifelong baseball fan, this one's for you. ⚾🎙️

This week on Talkin' Shop , we're joined by the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, Jeff Levering. From unforgettable moments in the broadcast booth to the people and stories that make baseball special, Jeff shares what he's learned from calling the game at the highest level. It's a conversation about baseball, relationships, and why the best parts of the game often happen far beyond the final score. Whether you're a parent, coach, or lifelong fan, this is an episode you won't want to miss. ⚾🎙️

After a run of incredible guests, the boys are back together.In this episode, Coach Ballgame, Coach Chop, and Coach Flikke sit down for a classic Talkin' Shop Q&A — answering questions from parents and coaches, sharing stories from the field, and talking through the everyday challenges that come with youth sports.No interviews. No agenda. Just the crew back in the shop doing what they do best.If you've missed the original trio, this episode is for you. ⚾🎙️

This week on Talkin' Shop, Coach Ballgame is joined by Coach Andre for a fun, wide-ranging Q&A covering youth sports, coaching, parenting, leadership, and more.No script. No fluff. Just coaches talking shop and answering some great questions along the way.If you're a parent, coach, or someone who cares about creating a better experience for kids in sports, this one's for you. ⚾🎙️

This week on Talkin' Shop , we're handing the mic to one of our own CB Library Members! Coach Syd joins the show to share his coaching journey, lessons learned, and the impact that intentional coaching can have on kids and families. It's a conversation about growth, community, and the reminder that youth sports are changed by everyday coaches who choose to show up, learn, and lead with purpose. Our community isn't built for coaches like you—it's built by coaches like you.

What if the most important thing a coach teaches has nothing to do with mechanics?This week, Coach Ballgame sits down with Jen Schroeder, one of the most influential voices in youth softball.Jen has built a career helping athletes become better catchers, but her real mission goes far beyond the position. From confidence and communication to leadership and resilience, she shares why sports are one of the greatest classrooms for life.

In this episode, we tackle three of the biggest youth baseball parenting and coaching debates happening today. How hard should you push a talented kid before motivation turns into burnout? When is the right age for pitchers to start throwing curveballs without risking long-term arm health? And where’s the line between harmless dugout chirping and behavior that crosses into toxic territory? Join the boys on Talkin' Shop!!!

More and more kids are playing on multiple teams. And rec coaches are left trying to hold a team together. So what happens when players keep missing practices? This week on Talkin’ Shop , the boys tackle one of the most common tensions in youth sports today: balancing opportunity with accountability.

The boys get real today...digging into the topic of mental health. If this conversation is triggering for you, please skip over this one. We totally get it. RAKE!

Ballgame is back from a 7 city Sandlot Tour Swing. Everything was money. All except for one TRAGIC review from a customer. We unpack it! Chop and Flick Money answer your questions.

Disagreements between adults can quickly change the tone of a season. In this episode of Talkin’ Shop , we tackle verbal conflicts between parents and coaches, the miscommunication that often sits underneath them, and the anxiety kids feel when All-Star season rolls around. Because how adults handle tension doesn’t just affect the relationship… it shapes the environment kids learn and play in.

Big transitions bring big perspective. In this week’s episode of Talkin’ Shop, Coach Chop shares what life has been like stepping into his new role with the Texas Rangers and what he’s learning from being back inside a professional clubhouse. We also tackle a situation many families wrestle with: the kid who is working extra hard but still isn’t getting opportunities from the coach. How do you handle it when your athlete feels overlooked? When is it time to advocate… and when is it time to keep developing behind the scenes? And then we flip the conversation to the other side: the athlete who has ability but lacks drive. How do coaches and parents build motivation without turning practices into pressure? How do you help kids take ownership of their effort instead of relying on reminders, rewards, or consequences?

A 14 year MLB Career. 319 Dingers. 3x All Star, 2x Silver Slugger, and a Roberto Clemente Award Nominee. JAY BRUCE is a stud. What did he learn from teammates like Joey Votto, Ken Griffey Jr. and Scott Rolen? What about Pete Rose? Dusty Baker? His experiences in the game a incredible. How's he taking care of his hometown Little League in Texas?What's next for him? Enjoy every NUGGET in this interview, because they are plentiful.RAKE!