BASEBALL COACHES UNPLUGGED
The Ultimate Baseball Coaching Podcast. Step inside the dugout with Baseball Coaches Unplugged, the must-listen podcast for players, coaches, and parents who want to unlock the secrets of baseball greatness. Hosted by Ken Carpenter, a 27-year coaching veteran, this show delivers exclusive insights from top athletes and coaches, revealing what separates champions from the rest.
Imagine gaining insider access to the mental strategies, elite skills, and game-changing drills that fuel success. Whether you're a coach shaping the next powerhouse team, a player ready to elevate your game, or a parent guiding an athlete’s journey, every episode is packed with real-world lessons on resilience, preparation, and mastery.
From behind-the-scenes stories of triumph and setbacks to the unwritten rules of baseball success, Baseball Coaches Unplugged is your ultimate playbook for thriving on and off the field.
👉 Subscribe and tune in weekly to hear from baseball’s best coaches from across the country.
Episodes
157 episodes
How To Build A State Champion Without Flamethrowing Pitchers
What does it take to build a championship high school baseball program without flame-throwing pitchers or Division I talent? Wisconsin Hall of Fame coach Jeff Ryan pulls back the curtain on his old-school approach that's produced 438 wins and a...
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Season 3
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Episode 43
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53:27
Stealing Victory: How 160+ Stolen Bases Led to CWS Championship Game
Nestled within the captivating world of collegiate baseball lies an extraordinary tale of transformation. Phil Schallenberger, head coach of Messiah University's baseball program, guides us through his team's remarkable journey from a dishearte...
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Season 3
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Episode 42
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47:55
8 Traits Every Championship High School Baseball Team Shares
The difference between consistently winning baseball programs and those that occasionally succeed isn't raw talent—it's the foundational elements Coach Ken Carpenter reveals in this powerful episode. Drawing from 27 years of coaching experience...
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Season 3
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Episode 41
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10:47
How Top High School Baseball Programs Build Winning Cultures (and How You Can Too!)
Ever wonder how top high school baseball programs consistently develop winning cultures? Coach Blake Iles of Olathe East High School in Kansas pulls back the curtain on his coaching philosophy that's produced multiple 20+ win seasons and champi...
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Season 3
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Episode 40
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44:34
Want to Win a Baseball State Title? Focus on This First...
The journey to a state baseball championship begins with preparation long before the tournament starts. Coach Al Zeiher of Saline High School in Michigan joins us to share his championship philosophy as his team readies for the playoff gauntlet...
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Season 3
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Episode 39
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32:11
Transfer Portal Outweighs Recruiting High School Players
The college baseball landscape has fundamentally changed, and today we're pulling back the curtain on the recruiting reality that coaches and players are facing nationwide. At the heart of this transformation is a critical choice: developing hi...
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Season 3
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Episode 38
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8:46
Steal These Practice Strategies from One of America’s Top High School Baseball Teams
What does it take to build a high school baseball powerhouse ranked #1 in Arkansas and among the top 25 programs nationally? Coach Leighton Hardin of Conway High School pulls back the curtain on his championship formula.The secret to Co...
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Season 3
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Episode 37
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25:43
The One Coaching Adjustment That Can Win You a Title
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 36
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43:51
The Winner Effect: The Science Behind Clutch Performance
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 i...
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Season 3
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Episode 35
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7:07
How 43% Legion Players From One Program Advance To Play College Baseball
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 vas...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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36:59
The Starting Lineup Dilemma
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 abou...
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Season 3
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Episode 33
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9:01
Revolutionary Approach To Managing Pitchers and Arm Care
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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48:21
Why Baseball Planning Is Overrated
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 trump...
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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8:35
Parker Byrd's Return to College Baseball After Losing His Leg
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 t...
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Season 3
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Episode 30
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34:57
Adversity: The Best Coach You'll Ever Have
"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 t...
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Season 3
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Episode 29
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8:30
Culture Eats Strategy For Breakfast - Pat Bailey
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, Ba...
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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38:22
Are You Winning the Right Battles in Baseball?
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 essenti...
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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7:58
How to Cultivate a Competitive Edge in Baseball
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 adjustment...
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Season 3
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Episode 26
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37:06
Should High School Baseball Coaches Cut Players?
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 25
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11:29
Against All Odds: A 40-Year-Old's Comeback to JUCO Baseball After Liver Transplants and Cancer
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. Hea...
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Season 3
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Episode 24
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37:20
What Separates Elite Players From The Rest - Butch Chaffin USA Baseball
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 eli...
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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34:16
How To Overcome Slumps In Baseball
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 co...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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11:34
Fresh Perspective From Two Current College Baseball Players
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 the...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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38:57
Building Stronger Relationships Between Youth and High School Baseball Coaches
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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45:53
How To Add Depth To Your Pitching Staff
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 enhanc...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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8:47