Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford6 Aug 2025

Navigating Youth Travel Baseball in 2025 - Truths You Need To Hear

Parents and players, STOP stressing about the travel baseball grind! In this powerful episode, Matt sits down with four insiders: Craig Holman, Andy Burress, Jeff Petty, and Matthew Maniscalco to reveal what really matters when chasing college scholarships and pro dreams. Subscribe now for real talk on youth baseball development and exposure!

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The #1 mistake most baseball parents make (and how to avoid it).
How exposure camps and showcases can hurt your chances if you're not ready.
Inside stories from pro players, coaches, and travel ball leaders.
Why development must always come before competition and exposure.
Honest advice on choosing teams, events, and navigating recruiting politics.

Travel ball is a maze for parents and young athletes: expensive tournaments, endless showcases, and coaches promising scholarships. But what if the focus is all wrong? Craig Holman, a former pro player and baseball dad, shares why being a dad first and prioritizing development is the key to long-term success.

Andy Burress reveals how travel organizations expanded nationwide and what families need to know about choosing the right fit. Jeff Petty, founder of one of the first true national travel teams, explains why honesty about talent level can make or break a player's future. And Matthew Maniscalco, a former pro and SEC standout, shares how recruiting has changed—and what really matters when selecting a college.

If you're serious about helping your child succeed without burning out or wasting money, this episode is packed with hard truths, insider wisdom, and actionable steps every baseball family needs.

💬 Love this conversation?
Hit subscribe and share this episode with a baseball parent who needs to hear it!

Resources & Links:

Excel Baseball: https://www.instagram.com/excelbaseball/
Canes Baseball: https://www.instagram.com/thecanesbb/
5 Star National: https://www.instagram.com/5starnational/
Craig Holman: https://www.instagram.com/craigholman35/
Matt Hannaford: https://www.instagram.com/mfhannaford/

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(110)

The Hidden Negotiation Behind Your MLB Signing Bonus

If you are a baseball parent waiting on the MLB Draft, the wait is the hard part — and rushing it is the mistake. MLB agent Matt Hannaford breaks down what actually happens in the months and weeks bef...

17 Jun 23min

Danny Espinosa: How a big leaguer would develop your kid

A former MLB player who coaches travel baseball says winning tournaments is quietly stunting your kid. Subscribe for the insider playbook. Most travel baseball parents measure a weekend by the score...

10 Jun 54min

How You Act in the Stands Affects Your Son's Draft Stock (An MLB Agent Explains)

You think MLB scouts are evaluating your son. They are. But they are evaluating you just as carefully — and what they see in you can move your son's draft stock up or down by hundreds of thousands of ...

3 Jun 40min

The Car Ride Home Is Killing Your Son's Game (An MLB Agent Explains)

What you say to your son on the car ride home after a bad game can either build him up or push him out of the sport. MLB agent Matt Hannaford gives you the framework to get it right. In this solo Q&A ...

27 Mai 37min

Why Your Son Doesn't Want to Practice Anymore (An MLB Agent's Honest Answer)

You think you know what's wrong with your son's swing — but an MLB agent says you're solving the wrong problem. MLB agent Matt Hannaford answers three questions baseball parents keep sending in: how...

20 Mai 30min

Stop Paying for Exposure — Your 11-Year-Old Doesn't Need It

You're probably spending too much on travel baseball for the wrong reasons — and the people telling you it's necessary are the ones who benefit when you do. MLB agent Matt Hannaford answers three list...

13 Mai 49min

The Goal Isn't To Be the Best 8-Year-Old — It's To Be the Best 18-Year-Old

Kevin Gergel played at Georgia Tech, became an All-American catcher at Kennesaw State, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners — and saw his pro career end almost before it really began. So when his son K...

6 Mai 1h 2min

Almost Every MLB Player I Work With Has the Same Wound — And It's Their Dad

Almost every pro baseball player Matt Hannaford represents has the same wound — and it traces back to their relationship with their dad. In this live event, MLB agent Matt Hannaford and high performan...

29 Apr 2h 23min