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Matt shows he isn't a play by play guy by calling a half inning of his son's game. Joyce was off-mic color commentator and unofficial scorer. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Matt and Joyce use their years of baseball parenting and survival skills from living in the rugged north to share scathingly brilliant ideas. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

How "crunching the numbers" can add to the enjoyment of baseball. What stats matter? What is more important that statistics for youths playing baseball? All of these topics and more are discussed with our special guest, a numbers guy, John Keough. References mentioned: Fangraphs GameChanger for baseball 1 Pitch Warrior Pitcher DIGS on Twitter --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Matt and Joyce emerge from the dark, misty shadows just in time to share their frightful stories from the ballfields. Scary boys and girls, very scary indeed!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Matt and Joyce are joined by a special guest, their son John. There're talking about the Baseball Hall of Fame and why no player was selected to join it this year. Also, should Pete Rose be in the Hall? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Matt and Joyce fill out a list of things they would like to have as baseball parents. There is a short shopping guide, but most of these things are not material objects.  Also,  find out if you can recognize the classic TV theme song Matt attempts to hum.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Some traditions just are meant to be -  so Matt and Joyce are doing another Thanksgiving Special. 2020 has been different enough that we have new things to be thankful for, so let's give thanks! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Matt and Joyce talk about keeping score at a baseball game. Joyce shares her story of how she learned to "keep book" on paper and now in an app. There is a secret revealed. Bonus content: Matt actually remembers he had better get Joyce and anniversary gift. An Atlantic story about the history of score keeping and why it may never "die". John Thorn, the excellent baseball historian, shares his thoughts about why we keep score. Here is the Game Changer application for your mobile device. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Matt and Joyce are joined by special guests John, James, Patrick, and Tommy to discuss the things we would like to see in our perfect ballpark. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Matt ponders the importance of team names. The Cleveland Indians are almost certainly changing their name and Matt has suggestions.  Also, do you think the name of the team your kid plays on is important? Would you not join a team if the name was one you didn't like? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Maybe it is the heat. Maybe it is the lingering pandemic. Matt & Joyce have some youth baseball peeves that are just ready to explode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

We are back at the ball parks after the Covid-19 shutdown. Are people observing the rules? What issues did we see? Is it really worth it, after all? Hear what we observed, and let us know what you are seeing. You can leave a message via Anchor.fm or at BehindTheBackstop.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

It has been a heck of a year so far, right? Pandemics will do that. But baseball is about to start in Ohio and we are here to talk about it. What will it be like? Matt and Joyce talk about the mandatory requirements as well as the recommendations. Will this all work? Can Matt have his seeds? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

It's the most wonderful time of the non-baseball season year! We share ideas for great gifts for baseball players, parents, grandparents. Most importantly, Matt drops major hints to Joyce about his Christmas wish list. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Matt and Joyce reflect upon the things about youth baseball for which they are thankful.  Some things might surprise you! Are you mentioned? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

The days of phone trees and Xeroxed schedules are in the past. Matt and Joyce review some of the apps we have used as part of our baseball parent lifestyle. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

There is an art and a science to selecting your location and posture while attending your kid's baseball game.  Matt and Joyce have ideas for those who want to be social, or anti-social, and the pros and cons of various seating options. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Here in Ohio there is a season after the regular season that isn't exactly post season and we aren't ready for winter. We call this "Fall Ball". Some people say "It's ONLY fall ball." and we explore what this means. Get your pumpkin spice and join us Behind The Backstop. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

We've all heard that athletes are supposed to be "good sports." What does that mean? Matt and Joyce look at recent actions in the Little League World Series, MLB, and youth baseball and discuss how they reflect good sportsmanship...or don't. Spoiler alert: we mention the New York Yankees.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support

Being a baseball parent can mean a lot of time and money invested in keeping your child involved in the sport. So why do we do it? Because baseball is the best sport ever invented. There are lessons that can be drawn from the game that extend beyond the ball field. Matt and Joyce share some reasons they love the game. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/behind-the-backstop/support