In this episode of Inside the Dugout with the Pack, Coach Jason Taylor sits down with Coach Mike Ostrom from the Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes (TACA) to unpack the powerhouse world of homeschool baseball in Texas. Mike shares how a small homeschool start for his sons grew into a multi-team program where roughly two-thirds of players move on to play college baseball. He explains how TACA blends high-level competition, professional coaching, and a Christ-centered culture that shapes boys into men on and off the field. Jason and Mike dig into why more families are leaving traditional school systems, what a parent-led homeschool model really looks like, and how athletes from states like Colorado can come to Dallas to play. They also explore TACA’s unique fundraisers, mission-focused projects, and powerful father–son experiences that reframe what “success” in sports truly means. If you’re a parent, coach, or player wondering whether homeschool baseball could be your path, this conversation will challenge and inspire you

Timestamps

[00:00:00] Welcome & Guest Introduction

[00:01:48] What TACA Is and How the Program Is Structured

[00:04:49] Homeschooling Basics, Support, and New Families

[00:08:54] Fundraising, Missions, and Community Service

[00:16:20] Mike’s Coaching Role & Professional Staff

[00:18:15] Helping Parents Choose Between School Paths

[00:21:46] Competition Level, Recruiting & Out-of-State Players

[00:23:26] Homeschool as an Option for Struggling Students

[00:27:07] Socialization, Team Culture & Family Control

[00:29:28] Father–Son Pure Adventure & Faith Focus

[00:30:57] How to Connect with TACA & Final Advice

Quotes

• Homeschool baseball in Texas is special and about two thirds of our players go on to play college baseball on scholarship.
• We would rather have father coaches supplementing a man who played college or professional baseball, and that has always been our model.
• Homeschooling is intimidating at first, but once parents see the options, they realize how simple it can be to put together.
• For a lot of our boys, this model is a perfect fit because they were not made for the traditional public school box.
• In the stands, just be calm, love your children, cheer for everyone, and do not tie your relationship to their performance.

Key Takeaways

• The Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes is a Texas homeschool baseball organization that combines high-level competition with a strong Christian foundation.
• About two-thirds of the players in this program move on to play college baseball, including multiple National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One athletes.
• The program prioritizes professional coaches with college or professional playing experience, supported by involved father coaches.
• The Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes helps families design parent-led homeschool plans, which makes the academic transition much less intimidating.
• Beyond baseball, the program emphasizes mission work, service projects, and father-and-child experiences that deepen faith and family relationships.

Do you really know what it takes to go from high school ball to becoming a successful college baseball player? In this episode, a Division III head coach breaks down exactly what he looks for in recruits on and off the field. You’ll hear how winning cultures are built through high standards, simplicity, and relentless player development. The conversation dives into velocity benchmarks, mentality, multi-sport development, and the importance of grades and study habits. If you’re a player, parent, or coach who wants to understand the real path to college baseball, this episode is your roadmap.

TImestamps:

[0:00:02] Inside the Dugout: Introducing the College Head Coach and His Journey

[0:03:04] From D3 Pitcher to Pro Ball: Lessons From Every Level of Baseball

[0:05:32] Experiencing a Winning Culture and Raising Personal Standards

[0:11:04] What College Coaches Really Look For in Recruits

[0:13:37] Pitcher Profile: Velocity, Size, Mechanics, and Strike-Throwing

[0:18:02] Freshman to College-Ready: Four-Year Development Plan for Pitchers

[0:20:11] Why Multi-Position and Multi-Sport Athletes Stand Out

[0:22:16] Inside Dean College: School, Facilities, and Academic Expectations

[0:25:30] Habits, Hours, and Catching Up to College-Level Competition

[0:27:33] Community, Safety, and Life Away From Home for New Players

[0:29:52] Fall Schedule, Player Development, and Leadership Meetings

[0:32:30] Off-Field Standards, Team GPA, and Community Impact

[0:34:40] Career-Defining Stories: Being Ready When Your Name Is Called

[0:37:41] The Power of Simplicity in Coaching and Player Development

[0:40:58] Advice for Coaches Who Want to Move Up to the College Level

Quotes:

• A lot of players think pro ball is the end goal, but I realized I missed impacting 18 to 22-year-olds during their most transformational years.
• Winning programs raise your standards so that being almost perfect in practice becomes your norm.
• Some of the best coaches are the best thieves because they take ideas from great programs and build their own recipe.
• At this level, it is tough to get a finished product, so you have to love developing players, not just recruiting them.
• The more you simplify what you teach, the faster players develop and the more success they have on the field.

Takeaways:

• High-level college baseball is built on high standards in practice, constant competition, and players who embrace raising their own bar.
• Coaches value projectable pitchers who can spin a hard-breaking ball, throw consistent strikes, and are at least around the 80 mph benchmark.
• Multi-position and multi-sport athletes often develop better movement, adaptability, and overall baseball IQ than early specialists.
• Strong grades and study habits not only unlock more scholarship money at private schools but also free up time for extra development on the field.
• The best coaching and development usually come from simple, clear concepts executed at a high level, not from overcomplicated drills or technology.

What truly separates an average travel softball team from one that feels like a family and plays like a powerhouse? In this episode, we dive into the mindset and methods of a coach who lives and breathes the game while still actively competing herself. She reveals how she turns pressure into confidence, drills into fun, and players into leaders on and off the field. From late-starting catchers to driven pitchers chasing college dreams, every story circles back to culture, connection, and commitment. If you coach, parent, or play softball, are you doing everything you can to build a team that actually wants to go to battle together?

Timestamps

0:00:00 – Introduction and Coaching Background

0:01:20 – Growing Up in Small-Town Softball and Becoming a Coach

0:03:22 – Coaching 18U Travel Ball and Parenting as a Coach

0:07:42 – Making Pitching Drills Fun with Zones and Games

0:10:45 – Teaching Catchers Blocking, Calling Pitches, and Game IQ

0:14:00 – Using Live Batters and Feedback to Develop Pitchers

0:20:06 – How Hitting and Pitching Knowledge Work Together

0:23:01 – Still Playing the Game and Earning Player Trust

0:30:58 – Internal Drive, Scholarships, and Preparing Players for College

0:37:36 – Motivation, Practice Habits, and Recovering from Setbacks

0:40:33 – Building a Family Culture and the Importance of Team Bonding

0:41:53 – Practical Advice for New Travel Ball Coaches

Quotes:

• Passion for the game means you eat, breathe, and sleep softball and then pass that on to your players.
• You can have all the talent in the world, but without a team bond, you will always be fighting an uphill battle.
• Players need to trust their coach as much as they trust themselves if they are going to play with real confidence.
• Catching and pitching go hand in hand, and if you are not practicing both consistently, you are falling behind.
• You can take phenomenal players from all over and put them on one team, but without connection, it will still be hard to win.

Takeaways

• Understanding pitching zones and using live batters makes practices both more fun and more game-like for pitchers.
• Developing catchers early in blocking, calling pitches, and reading counts gives teams a huge competitive advantage.
• Coaches who still actively play the game often earn faster respect and can more easily transfer belief to their players.
• Consistent, intentional practice and internal motivation are non-negotiables for players who want to play in college.
• Regular team bonding activities and a family-style culture are more important to long-term success than raw talent alone.

What if the most powerful coaching lessons you could learn didn’t come from the big leagues, but from someone who built baseball programs from scratch across Eastern Europe? In this episode, a veteran coach shares how he went from college ball in California to decades of coaching in Slovakia, Austria, Ukraine, and Poland. He blends child psychology, biomechanics, and on-field experience to challenge the way most coaches think about development. You’ll hear why understanding each player as a person matters more than copying what the pros do on TV. Are you ready to rethink what successful coaching really looks like?

Timestamps

00:00 – Host introduction and guest setup

01:05 – College playing career and walking away from the game

03:10 – Studying child psychology and returning to baseball

05:26 – Building a successful community college program

07:08 – Coaching across ages and levels in European baseball

09:18 – Closed-minded coaching and the problem with most clinics

11:09 – Learning from players and evolving pitching philosophy

13:57 – Discovering new throwing mechanics and “whipping” the ball

17:16 – Why knowing the “why” builds belief in athletes

21:06 – Physics, biomechanics, and realistic swing expectations

23:04 – The coach as servant and constant learner

26:20 – Respecting players, teaching vs. just training

29:39 – Handling emotions, abuse, and still getting results

30:26 – Parenting parallels and “because I said so” coaching

32:30 – Critique of pay-to-train culture and false promises

35:52 – You are not a pro: setting honest goals for young players

36:44 – One core message for new coaches: understand your players

38:37 – Joy, longevity, and staying young through coaching

Quotes

• You are the servant of the player; their day in the sun is now, not yours.
• Many coaches teach what they were taught but have no idea why it actually works.
• Stop promising kids they will hit like a pro and start helping them become the best version of themselves.
• If you build a player’s self-confidence, self-image, and honesty in the mirror, you have done your job as a coach.
• The energy of young players keeps you alive and young, no matter how old or banged up your body feels.

Key Takeaways

• Effective coaching starts with truly understanding each player’s dreams, limits, and potential.
• Great coaches keep learning—about psychology, physics, and mechanics—rather than relying on old habits.
• Using objective results and clear demonstrations is the best way to change techniques and win buy-in.
• Respectful, player-focused coaching that develops character and confidence matters more than win–loss records.
• The pay-to-train, “be like a pro” model often misleads families, so honest, realistic development should be the priority.

Inside the Dugout with the Pack heads to small-town Northern California to uncover how a junior college softball program is building something much bigger than a win–loss record. In this episode, you’ll hear how Lassen Community College head coach Colby Chavez turned a struggling roster of 10 players into a growing, competitive program rooted in family, culture, and community. Coach Chavez shares his journey from local kid to college coach, and how that experience shapes the way he cares for athletes who are often thousands of miles from home. You’ll learn why softball is just the vehicle—and how academics, character, and life skills are truly at the center of his program. Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this conversation will challenge how you think about recruiting, junior college, and what “the right fit” really means. Get ready for an honest look at the realities of JUCO softball, the power of community support, and the life-changing opportunities that come from choosing development over status.

Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome Inside the Dugout and Guest Introduction

0:36 – Coach Chavez’s Background and Coaching Journey

3:46 – Returning Home and Rebuilding Lassen Softball

4:13 – Community Support and Small-Town Culture

6:19 – Level of Competition in California JUCO Softball

6:58 – Helping Freshmen Adjust to Life Away From Home

8:33 – Building Team Culture and Mandatory Check-Ins

11:31 – Bringing Friends vs. Branching Out on Your Own

12:05 – Deepening Relationships and Team-Building Activities

15:04 – Supporting Parents Through the Transition

16:06 – Family-Style Program and Honest Communication

20:03 – Softball as a Small but Powerful Part of Life

21:23 – Affordability, WUE, and Academic Priorities

25:14 – Rethinking the D1 Dream and Big-Picture Decisions

25:58 – Why Junior College Is a Powerful Development Path

28:20 – Process Over Outcome and Handling Failure

31:43 – How to Get Recruited to Lassen Softball

34:18 – Coach Chavez’s Contact Info and Platforms

34:30 – Community and Culture in Lassen Baseball

36:06 – Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts on Lassen Community

Quotes

• Coming home to coach at Lassen means more to me because this is my town, my pride, and my people.
• We develop the whole person first and let softball be the byproduct of doing things the right way.
• I tell our players you’re a human being first and a softball player second, and my door is always open for you.
• I don’t want hostages in this program; I want volunteers who are here for the right reasons and trust the process.
• Junior college gives you two years to grow, fail, learn, and show up ready to make an impact on day one at the next level.

Key Takeaways

• Junior college softball can be a powerful launchpad for both academic and athletic development, not just a fallback option.
• Lassen Community College puts people first, using softball as a tool to teach life skills, responsibility, and resilience.
• Community support in Susanville plays a huge role in helping out-of-state athletes feel like they have a second family.
• Smaller class sizes and close relationships with instructors make JUCO an ideal environment to learn how to be a real college student.
• Playing time, growth, and fit often matter more long-term than chasing the biggest division or scholarship offer.
• Parents gain peace of mind when a coaching staff is transparent, communicative, and treats their daughters like family.

Inside the Dugout dives deep into the mental side of youth sports in this powerful conversation with coach, mentor, and entrepreneur Coach Todd Cabrera. From growing up in foster care in a tough Montana mining town to building a culture-driven baseball and softball program in Wyoming, Coach Todd shows how mindset can transform both performance and character. We explore how intentional breathing, habits, and preparation help young athletes manage pressure instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. You’ll hear how delayed gratification, healthy standards, and real accountability can keep kids from quitting when adversity hits. We also talk about making sports more accessible through affordable team apparel and fundraising models that open doors for every kid, not just the ones who can write a check. Along the way, we connect these ideas to the concepts in the upcoming book The Psychology of Hitting and how understanding why mental tools work is just as important as knowing that they work.

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome and Introduction to Coach Todd Cabrera

00:35 - Coach Todd’s Background and Growing Up in Butte, Montana

05:30 - Certification and Building a Mindset Journal for Athletes

07:42 - Applying Mental Tools with Youth and High School Players

09:10 - Jason’s Story: Women’s Baseball, Documentary, and The Psychology of Hitting

11:11 - Clinics, Major League University, and Teaching Mental Skills

14:40 - Pressure, Preparation, and the Two Cs: Chances and Choices

18:33 - Social Media, Instant Gratification, and Handling Failure

20:19 - Multi-Sport Mindset, Wrestling, and MMA Background

23:20 - Finley’s Wrestling Journey and Delayed Gratification

28:33 - Teaching Athletes to Be Proud of Themselves

29:14 - The Birth of the Valor Program and Philosophy of Development

32:40 - Position Change Story: From Catcher to All-Conference Outfielder

36:20 - Growing Valor from One Team to a Full Program

37:50 - Late Starter Success Story: From First-Time Player to College Baseball

38:57 - Creating a Safe, Development-Focused Environment

40:12 - Inside the Facility and Culture: Living Life Valor

42:00 - Uniforms, Apparel, and Making Players Feel Part of Something

43:20 - Fundraising Structure and Making Baseball Affordable

45:10 - Helping Other Programs with Fundraising and Structure

45:30 - How to Contact Coach Todd and Six Tool Apparel

47:41 - Closing Remarks and Episode Wrap-Up

Quotes

• Pressure is real, but it becomes manageable when preparation and daily habits are stronger than the moment.
• Kids do not rise to the occasion; they fall back on the habits and standards we’ve helped them build.
• Development beats talent when athletes consistently choose to put in work instead of leaving growth up to chance.
• Teaching athletes to be proud of themselves matters more than chasing constant high fives from parents and coaches.
• When you make quality gear and opportunities affordable, you send a powerful message that every kid belongs in the game.

Key Takeaways

• Pressure doesn’t disappear; it fades when athletes are fully prepared and anchored in strong daily habits.
• Delayed gratification and realistic, layered goal-setting keep kids from burning out when big dreams feel far away.
• A coach’s job is not just to win games, but to build high-character humans who bring the juice to their teams, families, and communities.
• Inclusive fundraising and affordable apparel can eliminate cost as a barrier so more kids can access high-level baseball and softball experiences.
• Multi-sport participation and combat sports like wrestling can sharpen resilience, competitiveness, and mental toughness that transfer back to the diamond.

Baseball is transforming lives in a small Ugandan community. What began as one curious kid wandering past a makeshift practice has grown into a full academy serving hundreds of children. On a cramped 50-by-100-foot field, young players are learning not just how to throw and hit, but how to dream bigger than their surroundings. This episode dives into how one grassroots baseball program is fighting poverty with sport, education, and hope. Discover why a simple game is becoming a lifeline for kids who rarely get a fair chance.

This story proves that even the most limited resources can spark incredible change when fueled by passion and purpose. The academy is more than a baseball program; it is a pathway to education, health, and opportunity for kids who might otherwise be left behind. With the right support, these young players can go from a tiny field in Uganda to international competition and even professional careers. Every bit of help—equipment, facilities, travel funds, and school support—moves them one step closer to that future. As you leave this episode, consider how you might be part of turning their hard work and big dreams into reality.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Origin Story: Discovering Baseball in Uganda

00:01:20 Giving Back: From Player to Community Coach

00:02:20 Inside the Academy: Kids, Field, and Daily Training

00:03:30 Struggles: Equipment, Transport, and Limited Resources

00:04:40 Big Dreams: Pro Baseball and International Opportunities

00:05:50 Education, Food, and Family Support Through the Academy

00:07:10 Hope for the Future and an Invitation to Visit Uganda

Quotes

• Baseball became my way to give back to a society where kids had no chance to play.
• This academy means education, health, a home, and a field all in one for these children.
• With the right support, our kids can reach levels we never had the chance to dream about.
• Every child deserves both an education and a place to play, no matter where they are born.
• On this small field, we are building big dreams that can carry these kids around the world.

Key Takeaways:

• This Ugandan baseball academy started from one person’s curiosity and desire to give back to his community.
• The program now serves approximately 250 children who are learning baseball skills and life values.
• Lack of equipment, facilities, and transportation are major obstacle limiting the kids’ ability to compete in tournaments.
• The academy’s mission goes beyond sports to include education, school fees, supplies, and food support for needy families.
• With sufficient support and resources, the academy aims to send players to international competitions and potentially professional baseball.

Youth sports today are flooded with quick-fix promises, viral drills, and highlight-reel expectations, but real development still happens slowly and intentionally. In this episode, a veteran strength and conditioning coach with over 25 years of experience breaks down what truly moves the needle for young baseball and softball players. From four-sport high school athlete to full-time performance coach, he shares how his journey—and mistakes—shaped the way he trains kids today. You’ll hear about the role of multi-sport backgrounds, smart nutrition, and progressive strength work in building durable, confident athletes. Most importantly, this conversation dives into how coaches and parents can create an environment where kids enjoy the game, trust the process, and grow at their own pace.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Inside the Dugout: Introduction and Coach Background

00:02:20 Multi-Sport Roots and Water Polo’s Carryover to Baseball

00:05:00 Nutrition Struggles for Young Athletes and Calorie Reality

00:09:00 Goal setting, Daily Habits, and Buy-In from Players

00:13:40 Building Trust with Conversation and Quick Wins

00:17:30 Social media, TikTok Drills, and Training Age Explained

00:22:30 Patience, Quick Fix Myths, and Long-Term Development

00:27:30 The Critical Role of Parents and Late Bloomers

00:35:00 Life Lessons Beyond Sports and Health for Future Parents

00:44:00 Final Thoughts, Impact Stories, and How to Get in Touch

Quotes

• Real progress happens when kids understand the why behind their training, not just the what.
• Parents who embrace patience and education become the greatest competitive advantage their kids have.
• Quick fixes might work for a moment, but long-term development wins over a lifetime.
• The goal is not just building better athletes, but healthier adults who know how to take care of their bodies.
• Trust is the foundation of every effective training program for young athletes.

Key Takeaways

• Long-term athletic development focuses on gradually building movement quality, strength, and confidence instead of chasing early results.
• Nutrition for young athletes should start with simply getting enough calories, then slowly moving toward better-quality food choices.
• Open communication and asking kids lots of questions create trust and keep them engaged in the training process.
• TikTok and social media drills should be filtered through a long-term plan, not allowed to dictate daily training.
• Parents play a critical role by supporting the process, embracing late development, and not forcing early specialization or pressure.