We recently recorded our second youth baseball podcast — scheduled to drop soon — but ahead of that, I wanted to use this post to highlight the last section of the new episode: relationships and resources.
We’ve all heard the phrase, you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. It applies directly to your son and his baseball journey. The people in your son’s inner circle will either help him or hold him back. They will open doors or limit his opportunities. They will influence his decisions.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure the people working with your son like him, respect him, and care about his development — as a player and as a person.
The Right People Matter
My son, a 12U travel ball player, recently worked out with USA Baseball for the first time. During the event, I took some video of his swings and sent them to his hitting coach. He replied right away — as he usually does — but this time his response surprised me.
He asked if Alex was working out with his travel ball team or if it was something separate. I told him it was separate, and he replied:
“Let me know when he’s doing workouts or showcases like these, please.”
He wants to know because he helps Alex prepare mentally — reminding him that coaches and evaluators watch everything, especially body language. But he also wants to know because he’s connected in the baseball world. He knows USA Baseball evaluators, high school and college coaches, and more.
Once, he paused a lesson with Alex to take a call from a college coach asking about a player he used to train who was struggling to learn a new position.
The point is: he cares. A lot.
He often tells me, “Alex is a great kid.” And while he’s taught Alex plenty about hitting mechanics, he spends just as much time talking about confidence, joy, handling failure, respecting the game, and putting in the work baseball demands.
Recently, he told me to stop texting him videos of Alex’s swings — not because he doesn’t care, but because he wants Alex to watch his own swings and send the clips himself, along with notes on what he sees.
That’s development. That’s mentorship.
And he’s not the only coach who’s taken Alex under his wing — we’ve been blessed in that department.
Finding the Right Fit
It’s worth taking time to find the right people for your son — including the parents of his teammates, especially if the team is coached by dads.
Don’t be afraid to make a change if something doesn’t feel right. Trust your gut, and listen to your son. This is his journey.
Resources for Little League and Travel Baseball Parents
Below is by no means a comprehensive list, but it’s a good start for any parent looking for lessons, advice, training, and support. If you have additional resources, please send me a note with links — I’d love to expand the list.
Also, check out my wife’s new blog post about leadership and youth baseball coaches — it’s a great companion to this one.
Podcasts, Websites
Greg Olson’s Youth Inc.
SD CAP in El Cajon, CA
Hitting: @sdcaphitting
Hitting and pitching ca_coachtbtbaseball
Hitting and fielding: @jalenfejeran
Fielding
Hitting
Pitching
Strength & Conditioning
Mental Side of the Game
Misc.
About Baseball Dad & PR Guy
I started Baseball Dad & PR Guy to share what I’ve learned from two worlds that have more in common than you’d think — youth baseball and public relations. Both teach preparation, communication, leadership, patience, and how to handle life’s curveballs.
Through my 12-year-old son Alex, his teammates, and his coaches, I’ve come to love baseball — all its beauty and all its challenges. My goal is to help baseball parents avoid common mistakes and support the journey their son or daughter is pursuing. On the PR side, my goal is to help young public relations professionals reach their potential.
⚾️ Join our growing community of parents helping parents: Travel Baseball Moms & Dads and Baseball Parents Podcast on Facebook. Please also check out my new website, tonymanolatos.com, and my linkapalooza. 🔗
I thought I was just going to read about baseball, but it turned out to be so much more — it’s really about character, mindset, and the people who shape your journey.