{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Chasing Baseball Dreams","title":"33: Party Animals' Mikey Ballard | Overlooked Recruit to 81,000 Fans | Banana Ball","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2539,"description":"From an undersized high school player with almost no recruiting interest to playing Banana Ball in front of 81,000 fans. Party Animals infielder Mikey Ballard's baseball journey didn't follow the path most parents expect.\nOn this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Bobby Minor sits down with Mikey to talk about his journey from Lake Mary High School to Division II Eckerd College, his transfer to Division I Louisiana Tech, independent professional baseball, and eventually the Party Animals.\nMikey shares how he nearly gave up on playing college baseball before one final showcase changed his opportunities. He also explains why playing time mattered more than the name on his jersey, how growing up undersized affected his recruiting, and why his parents' simple advice, \"Be Mike,\" still matters to him today.\nIn this episode, we cover:\nWhy Mikey nearly gave up on college baseball before receiving a late walk-on opportunity\nHow playing Division II baseball prepared him for success at Louisiana Tech\nWhy he believes actual game experience matters more than chasing a Power Five roster spot\nHow backyard Wiffle ball, multiple sports, and playing with friends helped develop his athleticism\nWhy teaching young hitters big-league mechanics can sometimes do more harm than good\nThe two words his parents taught him that he still puts on his glove\nHow he went from independent baseball to playing in front of 81,000 Banana Ball fans\nWhy he believes 80 to 100 games a year can be too much for 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds\nIf you're a baseball parent wondering whether your son is falling behind, whether he's on the right team, or whether a Division I offer should be the ultimate goal, Mikey's story gives you plenty to think about.\nThe decisions you make for your son should be based on what actually helps him develop, not what looks impressive to everybody else.\n🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor | Chasing Baseball Dreams\n⚾ Guest: Mikey Ballard | Party Animals, Banana Ball\n📱 Follow Mikey:...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q3rQG5ngcoyZtBBqydY-LYe-2NzrWpT_DUSzYHdnSkI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84Zjgy/ODMwMjJlOGEzZDUz/M2RjN2UzOGM3OWQy/NWI5Yy5qcGVn.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}