D3P109: Making the MLB from a Dad's Perspective—with Keith Bateman

<p>In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we welcome back Keith Bateman. Keith is a 23-year DIII baseball head coach and administrator, as well as the father of Toronto Blue Jays starting center fielder Brett Bateman—who was called up to the MLB from AAA just six weeks ago.</p><p><br></p><p>During our conversation with Coach Bateman we walk through Brett&#39;s entire baseball journey from Keith&#39;s perspective—including youth baseball, the balance between being a dad and a coach, the mental side of the game, adversity and failure, college recruiting, knowing when to stop coaching your own kid, and the challenges of watching a son work his way through professional baseball.</p><p><br></p><p>We also discuss Brett&#39;s path through the Cubs organization, being blocked at the Major League level by Pete Crow-Armstrong, his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays, his MLB call-up and debut, and what it feels like as a parent to suddenly see your son&#39;s baseball cards, autographs and likeness become part of the public baseball world. We finish by asking Keith what advice he would give parents who believe their child may have a future in professional baseball.</p><p>00:00:00-Introduction</p><p>00:04:49-Update on Coach Bateman</p><p>00:06:34-The Path to Coaching</p><p>00:09:23-Brett&#39;s Baseball Background</p><p>00:18:04-Managing Brett&#39;s Development</p><p>00:21:56-Training the Mental Side</p><p>00:29:01-Love of the Game</p><p>00:30:45-Failures and Roadblocks</p><p>00:36:02-When the MLB Dream Became Real</p><p>00:39:13-The College Recruiting Process</p><p>00:44:21-Separating Dad from Coach</p><p>00:47:32-Know When to Step Back</p><p>00:50:15-Watching Your Son Struggle</p><p>00:54:29-The Trade from the Cubs to the Blue Jays</p><p>00:57:29-The Callup, MLB Debut and First At Bat</p><p>01:04:03-Handling the Public Side of MLB Fame</p><p>01:10:08-Advice for Parents with High Potential Kids</p>