Talkin Shop with Coach Ballgame, Chop, and Flikke

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.