x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Chat By The Pitch

Chat By The Pitch is a youth soccer podcast focused on player development, coaching culture, and the family experience in the modern game. Hosted by Ian Babcock, the show connects parents, coaches, and club leaders with local, national, and global voices shaping youth soccer today. Each episode dives into the real decisions families face—team selection, development pathways, mental performance, coaching environments, and the gear and tools that support long-term growth. The conversations are honest,

sports soccer

All Episodes

01:03:00

Ballers ID: Invest in the Player, Not the Hype With...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/02/26

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, I sit down with Gregg Megaw, founder of Ballers ID, to talk about investing in the full player — not the hype.We break down individual development, 1v1 training, decision-making, culture, confidence, and why true growth takes time. Gregg explains why small group training often beats early private sessions, why standards matter more than shortcuts, and how parents should think about development as a long-term investment.If you’re a soccer parent navigating the

en

34:13

Seeing the Next Level Changes Everything

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/02/19

Seeing the Next Level Changes EverythingIn Part 2 of this conversation, Ian and Jonathan dig deeper into exposure, access, and perspective in youth sports.Jonathan explains why seeing the next level in person — middle school, college, or professional — can motivate kids without pressure, while also giving parents a clearer understanding of what elite performance actually looks like. They unpack the financial realities of club sports, travel, and training, and why “free” programs still come with

en

37:48

Healthy Sports Parents: Why Most Kids Quit Before...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/02/12

In Part 1 of this conversation, Ian sits down with Jonathan Corone, creator of Healthy Sports Parents, to unpack the emotional, cultural, and behavioral challenges parents face in youth sports.Jonathan shares how his own daughter’s experience — and a moment on the sidelines watching a parent lose control — sparked a platform focused on helping parents do better without shame or blame. Together, they explore why parents react the way they do, how outcome obsession sneaks in early, and why most kids

en

45:01

Human First, Athlete Second: Development Over Scores...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/02/05

In this solo episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian Babcock reflects on years of learning as a soccer parent, coach, and constant student of the game. This episode challenges the obsession with early results and reframes success around development, environment, communication, and joy.Ian explores what youth soccer is getting right, where it’s falling short, and what parents, coaches, and clubs can do—starting today—to create healthier, more sustainable experiences for young athletes. This conversation is

en

44:03

John O’Sullivan on Parenting Without Pressure in Sports

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/29

In Part 2 of this conversation, John O’Sullivan dives deeper into the realities of pressure, anxiety, early specialization, and the myths that continue to shape youth sports in unhealthy ways.We unpack why the so-called 10,000-hour rule doesn’t hold up, why development is never linear, and why mentality, enjoyment, and resilience matter more than chasing outcomes at young ages. John also shares powerful insights for parents on how to support their kids without adding pressure — and why nervousness

en

38:17

Let the Journey Belong to the Kid: John O’Sullivan on...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/22

In Part 1 of this conversation, John O’Sullivan joins Chat By The Pitch to break down what truly drives healthy development in youth sports.John shares his journey from long-time soccer coach to founder of Change the Game Project, explaining why burnout, fear-based coaching, and adult agendas continue to derail young athletes. We dive into culture, joy, intrinsic motivation, and why relationships — not tactics — are the foundation of sustainable success.This episode is essential listening for

en

51:52

Inside Salient Touch FA: Session Design & Player...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/15

In Part 2, Ian Babcock continues the conversation with Dominique Molina and Antonio Perez, founders of Salient Touch Football Academy, diving deep into how real development is executed day to day.This episode breaks down session design, open enrollment, punch cards vs. consistency, defending development, and Salient Touch’s ability-based leveling system. Dominique and Antonio explain why age alone is a poor indicator of readiness, how players are evaluated during trial sessions, and why holding firm

en

55:07

From Park Sessions to Facilities: The Salient Touch...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/08

From Park Sessions to Facilities: The Salient Touch Origin StoryIn Part 1 of this conversation, Ian Babcock sits down with Salient Touch Football Academy founders Dominique Molina and Antonio Perez to unpack how Salient Touch was built—from a bumpy public field to a multi-location technical training program serving hundreds of players each week.This episode dives into identity, first touch, emotional intelligence in coaching, and why individual development is often misunderstood in modern youth

en

45:58

Ted Kroeten: The Future of U.S. Soccer Through Joy of...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/01

In Part 2, Ted Kroeten goes deeper into the mechanics of free play, why traditional training misreads how kids actually learn, and how small-sided chaos builds problem-solvers, communicators, and creators. From one-v-one misconceptions to futsal culture, mixed-age environments, and why American kids rarely get “underload” time, Ted explains what the U.S. must rethink to compete globally.He also breaks down what parents can actually do to bring joy and development back into their child’s soccer life

en

42:31

Born to Play: Ted Kroeten on Free Play, Language, and...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/25

Joy of the People founder and longtime coach Ted Kroeten joins Chat By The Pitch to break down what truly develops creative, intelligent players — and why most of the U.S. youth soccer system gets it upside down. Ted’s “soccer as a language” philosophy reframes how kids learn, why free play must come before instruction, and how mixed-age, low-pressure environments cultivate game intelligence no coach can teach.From the failures of super clubs and the youth sports industrial complex to Joy of the

en

38:54

From Spain to an ACL Tear: The Turning Point in...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/18

In Part 2, Kassandra Ruelas takes us deeper into her journey — from rediscovering her love for the game under Coach Temas, to the fate-driven path that led her to Vial/Villarreal, to leaving home for Spain as a teenager. She shares what life, training, and tempo looked like overseas, how Spanish clubs develop players through structure and intelligence, and what it felt like to finally find her rhythm abroad.This episode also uncovers the hardest chapter of her career: tearing her ACL overseas,

en

49:03

Growing Up in North Texas Soccer: The Journey of...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/11

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian sits down with North Texas player and administrator Kassandra Ruelas to unpack what it really looks like to grow up inside one of the most competitive girls’ soccer markets in the country. From yelling “goal” as her first word to playing with the boys and eventually earning a chance to play in Spain, Kassandra’s story is a masterclass in soccer IQ, resilience, and family support. Kassandra talks about the pressure of DFW girls’ soccer, the unspoken politics

en

01:06:35

Tom Byer on Ball Mastery, Parents, and Player...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/04

World-renowned development leader Tom Byer joins the show to break down where real soccer development truly begins — inside the home. Tom explains how early touches, simple routines, and parent involvement build confidence, coordination, and long-term potential. We explore culture, neuroscience, at-home training, and why the U.S. continues to struggle with building a true development identity.This episode gives parents, coaches, and clubs practical steps to build a stronger foundation for young

en

44:35

The Truth Behind Pathways: How Juan Martinez Opens...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/11/27

In Part 2 of our two-part series with Juan Martinez — founder of JMS Soccer and president of DKSC — we move beyond the academy structure and dig into the deeper layers of development that parents rarely see. Juan opens up about the realities of North Texas soccer culture, the misconceptions around “connections,” and how he uses his network not as a selling point, but as a responsibility to serve disciplined players who put in the work.Juan explains what it really takes for an athlete to earn his

en

44:02

How JMS Trains the Next Generation of North Texas...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/11/20

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Juan Martinez — founder of JMS Soccer and President of DKSC — opens up about the journey behind JMS Academy, his daytime elite training environment built for disciplined, goal-driven young athletes. Juan walks through how JMS started in 2018, why it shut down during COVID, and how it returned in 2023 with a renewed mission: character, mental toughness, individualized development, and a one-stop shop of services for players chasing big goals.Juan breaks down the

en

47:20

Building Culture That Wins — Lessons from Dr. Travis...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/11/13

In Part 2 of The Return on Investment Myth — Rethinking Youth Sports, Dr. Travis Dorsch returns to Chat By The Pitch to go even deeper into the real work of parenting athletes. From accountability and culture to failure and social media, Dr. Dorsch shares how parents can reflect, recalibrate, and reconnect with the reason they signed their kids up in the first place.We talk about how good intentions can cross the line, why “culture is king,” and what clubs can do to build a healthier ecosystem for

en

47:41

The Real ROI of Youth Sports: Lessons from Dr. Travis...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/11/06

In Part 1 of The Return on Investment Myth — Rethinking Youth Sports, Dr. Travis Dorsch joins Chat By The Pitch to explore what families are truly getting from youth sports. As a professor at Utah State University and founding director of the Families in Sport Lab, Dr. Dorsch shares how his research — and his own parenting journey — reveal the tension between performance, pressure, and purpose.We unpack why so many parents chase the wrong outcomes, how goal misalignment drives kids out of the game,

en

53:48

Crossbar: Building a Soccer Community Center in North...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/10/30

In this episode, Tom Boyce, co-owner of Crossbar and London Calling TX, shares how these two soccer spaces are redefining culture in North Texas.From weekday pickup and late-night leagues to homeschool sessions and family-friendly weekends, Crossbar has created a space where adults can play, relax, and connect while their kids grow up around the game.Tom and Ian dive into:• How the adult-first, kid-friendly model changes the soccer experience.• The “winner-stays-on” pickup system that keeps games

en

38:53

Brenden Lee: Rooftop Futsal With Vanta Athletics ,...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/10/23

In Part 2 of our conversation with Brenden Lee, founder of Project 214, we go deeper into how futsal connects people, purpose, and personal growth. Brenden shares the next phase of his vision — from partnering with Vanta Athletics to bring rooftop futsal to downtown Dallas, to shaping a mentorship culture built on empathy and expression. He opens up about the challenges that shaped him, the role of mental health in coaching, and how Project 214 is evolving into a creative hub where players, parents,

en

40:22

Brenden Lee: From the Court to the Culture — The...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/10/16

Join Chat By The Pitch for an inspiring and creative conversation with Brenden Lee, founder of Project 214 and a driving force in Dallas’s futsal community. Brenden shares how Project 214 evolved from a simple idea into a cultural movement — blending futsal, art, music, and mentorship into one collective. He dives deep into the roots of street culture, the influence of skateboarding, and why creating safe, expressive spaces for players to grow matters more than ever. From local training sessions to

en

162 results

Similar Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast

Elan Dubrofsky and Brian Kom

Daily Fantasy Sports by Ship It Nation

Ship It Nation

Fantasy Football Today

CBS Sports, Fantasy Football, FFT, NFL,...

Bring The Pain

Heat00veride

ESPN SportsCenter Update

ESPN