BASEBALL COACHES UNPLUGGED

BASEBALL COACHES UNPLUGGED

What if you could discover the secrets of the most successful coaches and athletes and become the best in the game. What separates the best coaches and players from the rest? Become the player coaches dream of having on their team. Step inside the dugout with the Baseball Coaches Unplugged, where every episode is a journey of triumph, resilience, and inspiration. Hosted by Ken Carpenter, a 27 year veteran high school baseball coach with a passion for unlocking the secrets of athletic greatness. Picture this: you're behind the scenes with top athletes and coaches, taking in their stories of victory and defeat, and uncovering the invaluable life lessons hidden within. From heart-pounding game moments to the quiet struggles of training, each episode offers invaluable of wisdom that resonates with baseball coaches, players, devoted parents and fans alike. Join us weekly as we explore the highs and lows of the sports world, dissecting success strategies and sharing practical takeaways that you can implement on and off the field. Whether you're seeking to refine your coaching techniques, elevate your game, or simply bask in the camaraderie of fellow sports enthusiasts, the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast is your playbook for success. Subscribe now and join our community of champions!

Episodes

May 7, 2025 43 mins

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When the rain washes out a week of games and the state tournament looms on the horizon, how do you keep your pitching staff ready? For Coach Jason Brandt, the answer might surprise you.

Coach Brandt of Wapakoneta High School has crafted one of Ohio's most consistent baseball programs through a philosophy that seems counterintuitive at first glance. "The later we get into the season, the less we prac...

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Winning changes everything—but not in the way most coaches think. Beyond the scoreboard and standings, victory triggers a fascinating biological transformation in the brain that makes future success more likely. Coach Ken Carpenter dives deep into "The Winner Effect," revealing how each hard-fought win releases testosterone and dopamine, rewiring neural pathways to create athletes who thrive under pressure r...

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What happens when American Legion baseball meets small-town Montana culture? Paul Mrazek, Director of the Montana Baseball Coaches Association and Head Coach for Cranbrook Post 24 Legion, takes us into a world where baseball thrives despite vast distances between communities and limited resources.

Montana's baseball landscape is evolving rapidly. After being one of just five states without high school ba...

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April 16, 2025 9 mins

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Ever wonder why your son isn't in the starting lineup? The truth might surprise you. 

Baseball isn't just about who can hit the ball farthest or throw the fastest pitch. High school coaches make tough decisions every single day about who plays and who sits – decisions that go far beyond raw talent. From academic performance and classroom behavior to practice effort and being a supportive teammate, t...

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Johnny DeRing, head baseball coach at Buckeye Valley High School(OH), offers a masterclass in building successful high school baseball programs that goes far beyond traditional coaching wisdom.

The power of community stands at the heart of Buckeye Valley's baseball success. In this tight-knit, blue-collar community, parents and former players eagerly volunteer their expertise to transform facilities and ...

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April 2, 2025 8 mins

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Baseball's beautiful chaos demands more than just careful planning—it requires thorough preparation. In this thought-provoking episode, Coach Ken Carpenter challenges conventional coaching wisdom by explaining why preparation consistently trumps planning when navigating the unpredictable nature of America's pastime.

Drawing from his 27 years of coaching experience, Coach Carpenter illuminates the fu...

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Parker Byrd's journey from star high school shortstop to amputee baseball player at East Carolina University defies all conventional expectations. After committing to ECU as a freshman, his life took a devastating turn during a summer boating trip with teammates before his first college season. Caught beneath a boat's propeller, Parker suffered catastrophic injuries requiring 22 surgeries in 56 days and ulti...

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"Winners rise, losers fall, and which one you become is entirely up to you." These words capture the essence of our deep dive into baseball's most defining moments – not the championship celebrations, but the crushing failures that reveal our true character.

When the pressure mounts and nothing goes your way, what happens next defines you as a player, coach, and person. Every baseball player fa...

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Pat Bailey opens up about his remarkable 42-year baseball coaching journey that culminated in two national championships at Oregon State and D3 George Fox University. With a career spanning high school, Division III, and Division I baseball, Bailey offers a treasure trove of wisdom on what truly builds consistent winners.

Bailey's approach to recruiting and team-building is refreshingly countercultural. ...

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Step up to the plate and discover how to elevate your baseball coaching strategy by focusing on the small yet significant victories that define success on and off the field. In this captivating episode, Coach Ken Carpenter discusses the essential elements that contribute to winning games—emphasizing the crucial roles that every player, particularly pitchers and catchers, play in creating a winning atmosphere. Many coa...

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Dive into the mind of Head Coach John Dowling, who recently guided McLean High School (VA) to its first state baseball championship. In this episode, Coach Dowling reflects on the thrilling journey of winning, delving into the mental adjustments necessary to maintain focus and manage increased expectations as reigning champions. He highlights the pivotal role assistant coaches play in the development of players, shari...

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To cut, or not to cut? This age-old question plagues high school baseball coaches every season. On this episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged, I, Coach Ken Carpenter, peel back the layers of this emotionally charged decision, exploring the pros and cons of roster management. You'll learn about the benefits of inclusivity and how keeping a full team can develop younger players, ensuring they have the time to fine-...

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What drives a 40-year-old father to return to JUCO baseball after two liver transplants and a battle with cancer? Join me, Coach Ken Carpenter, as I sit down with Aaron Rouselle, who defies all odds and inspires with his incredible journey. Hear how Aaron's passion for baseball fuels his fight against adversity and how his background as a former athlete and CrossFit gym owner has equipped him with the mental and ...

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Unlock the secrets of elite baseball success with our special guest, the legendary coach Butch Chaffin, who brings an astonishing 38 years of experience, including working with USA Baseball. Gain insights from Butch as he uncovers what sets elite athletes apart from the rest: mental toughness and an insatiable love for competition. Discover how top players thrive by facing formidable opponents and maintaining unwaveri...

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January 30, 2025 11 mins

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In this episode, we explore how baseball players can overcome performance slumps and the essential role that coaches play in this process. Through discussions on maintaining a positive mindset, refining fundamentals, and providing supportive coaching environments, we equip both players and coaches with tools to navigate these challenges.

• Understanding slumps and their impact on players 
• Importance of ...

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Discover the secrets behind balancing passion and performance in collegiate baseball as we chat with Ohio Wesleyan University's outfielder Sammy Stoner and Otterbein University's pitcher Luke Walter. These former high school teammates share their compelling journey from the carefree days of youth baseball to the intensely competitive world of college athletics. Listen as Sammy and Luke reminisce about their ...

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Discover the secrets to thriving youth baseball development with our special guest, Scott Anderson, the head baseball coach at Carmel Catholic High School in Illinois. Fresh from the ABCA Clinic in Washington, DC, Scott shares vital insights on prioritizing practice over tournaments and nurturing young pitchers. We explore the need for collaboration between high school and youth coaches to create a unified approach th...

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January 8, 2025 8 mins

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In this episode, we explore the revolutionary potential of sidearm pitching as a game-changing strategy for baseball coaches. By unleashing the untapped talent of underutilized players through unconventional techniques, we discuss how to enhance team performance and create a unique pitching arsenal. 

• The critical role of pitching in winning games 
• Challenges faced by underutilized pitchers 
• Bene...

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Discover what it takes to coach baseball in a city known for its relentless rain. Join me, Coach Ken Carpenter, and my guest Tim Lee, the head baseball coach at Ingram High School in Seattle, Washington, as we discuss how Seattle's unique weather impacts the game and the adaptations teams have made, like transitioning to turf fields. Tim shares his insights on managing a challenging season, his feature in Inside ...

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The episode features WVU Baseball Head CoachRandy and Amanda Mazey sharing their personal and professional journeys intertwined with baseball, relationships, and overcoming adversity. With stories of life both inside and out of the dugout, they emphasize the importance of connection, resilience, and the invaluable lessons that extend beyond the game.

• Randy reflects on the importance of building relationship...

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