Send us a text Kelly Robinson shares his deep connection to baseball as a family tradition dating back to 1900 when the White Sox began, revealing how the sport has shaped his identity, relationships, and most meaningful life moments. • First baseball memory at age three at Comiskey Park seeing Harry Carey sing • White Sox family tradition spans multiple generations, unifying family members regardless of different beliefs • How Twitter and social media connected him with fellow minor league base...
Jul 21, 2025•40 min
Send us a text The grassroots Sandlot baseball movement has exploded across North Carolina, creating a vibrant community with custom jerseys, creative team names, and cross-country connections. Mike from the Carolina Kudzu shares how these adult recreational teams have created authentic baseball experiences complete with DJs spinning records during games, custom ice cream helmets, and even live organ music. • Carolina now has numerous Sandlot teams in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and beyond • T...
Jul 07, 2025•36 min
Send us a text Sandlot baseball is experiencing explosive growth across North Carolina with a collective of nine teams creating a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels. Mike Ghilardi, a team captain for the Carolina Kudzu, shares how this accessible, pressure-free approach to baseball focuses on community and joy rather than competition and statistics. • The Carolina Kudzu formed in 2022 as part of the "Sandlot Revival" event, with their team name referencing the invasive plant s...
Jun 30, 2025•36 min
Send us a text Baseball has been a lifelong love for Donnie Wise and shaped how he views the world, from the field to everyday life. • Started playing baseball at age 5 and it became "the one constant" through childhood, high school, and adulthood • Baseball teaches valuable life skills like patience, reading people, and strategic thinking • The sport uniquely allows for socializing and conversation while still following the game • Memorable experiences include coaching Little League, seeing Chi...
Jun 18, 2025•31 min
Send us a text We launch a new series asking baseball fans five questions about their relationship with the game, featuring our first guest Virgil Brooks who shares his unique journey from casual observer to dedicated minor league enthusiast. • Virgil's love for baseball began with a post-graduation 10-day MLB road trip visiting seven ballparks • The 2006 Southern League All-Star Game changed his perception of minor league baseball when he saw Joey Votto playing for Chattanooga • Baseball connec...
Jun 18, 2025•29 min
Send us a text We dive deep into our favorite social media platforms and strategies for creating engaging content around sports and stadium experiences. • Instagram tops our lists for sharing visual content, with YouTube and Twitter/Meta platforms following close behind • Managing team bias professionally while creating content at rival team venues • Overcoming camera nervousness through a "fake it till you make it" approach • Short-form content (under 3 minutes) typically performs better than l...
Jun 10, 2025•33 min
Send us a text Ed and Val dive into the essential gear and software that powers their content creation, sharing an unfiltered look at exactly what they use to capture those perfect ballpark moments. • The "non-negotiable" gear they always bring to stadiums: fully charged phones, backup batteries, lights, and mini mics • How to sneak equipment into stadiums (Val confesses to hiding tripods in her pants) • Tips for getting media passes at ballparks to bring in better equipment • iPhone recording h...
May 20, 2025•39 min
Send us a text Benjamin Hill reflects on his unexpected 20-year journey chronicling minor league baseball's unique culture, business, and fan experiences. His career path from temp jobs to becoming baseball's preeminent voice on minor league culture demonstrates the surprising ways passion can turn into profession. • Started in 2005 through a recommendation from ball hawk Zach Hample, whom he met on Craigslist • Created his own beat covering "the business and culture of minor league baseball" wh...
May 12, 2025•55 min
Send us a text Sandlot Goods transforms from a small leather goods company to a thriving hat manufacturer after pivoting to make face masks during the pandemic. Thomas McIntyre shares the entrepreneurial journey behind their handcrafted products, including their popular Yard Ball and partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. • Building a brand identity while also functioning as a manufacturer for other brands • Finding marketing success by showcasing the manufacturing process rather th...
Apr 29, 2025•33 min
Send us a text Thomas, CEO of Sandlot Goods, shares the story behind their American-made hats and leather products, explaining how quality manufacturing and positive workplace culture create products meant to last generations. • Founded with the belief that everyone needs their own "sandlot" – a place where they work hard at something they love • Started as a leather goods company before expanding into high-quality, American-manufactured hats • Produces approximately 1500-1600 hats weekly throug...
Apr 22, 2025•35 min
Send us a text Card collecting is evolving beyond the stereotype of older, middle-aged men, with collectors of all ages and backgrounds entering the hobby for different reasons and with different approaches to building their collections. • Card value varies based on rarity factors like special prints, patches, and autographs • The pandemic caused an overnight explosion in collecting when people at home rekindled their interest • Setting a separate account for card purchases helps maintain financ...
Apr 07, 2025•34 min
Send us a text Ashley, known as Junk Wax Queen on social media, shares how she transformed from card collecting novice to passionate enthusiast after her husband introduced her to the hobby during COVID lockdowns. What began as a way to pass time together became a serious pursuit with organized binders, display walls, and dedicated collecting strategies. • Started collecting during COVID when her husband suggested opening packs together • Prefers older cards while her husband collects modern rel...
Mar 24, 2025•33 min
Send us a text Val and I continue our conversations on baseball traditions and ballpark essentials while diving into surprising team predictions and the controversial topic of MLB salary regulations. • Essential ballpark gear for content creators including lighting equipment, tripods, and portable chargers • Strategies for collecting meaningful stadium mementos like pins and magnets instead of accumulating hats • The implementation and effectiveness of RoboUmps in Triple-A and potential MLB adop...
Mar 17, 2025•35 min
Send us a text Baseball traditions and pre-season excitement build as pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, marking the official countdown to Opening Day and the start of the 2025 MLB season. • Personal baseball traditions including buying a new hat each season and organizing jerseys by division • Updates on the upcoming Curveprint Media Meetup in Chicago on June 22-23 • Potential plans for an Arizona Fall League meetup later this year • Bucket list baseball trips for 2025 including N...
Mar 10, 2025•33 min
Send us a text A former pro cyclist shares her journey through the highs and lows of competitive cycling, discussing the importance of nutrition, training, and mental resilience. Katie's insights reveal the complexity of preparation and life after competing. • Exploration of the unique challenges and experiences of pro cyclists • Importance of nutrition in maintaining energy and performance • Balancing various training demands for optimal performance • Coping strategies for the mental aspects of...
Mar 03, 2025•43 min
Send us a text This podcast episode explores the journey of Katie. A semi-professional cyclist, weaving personal stories and insights into the world of competitive cycling. She shares her transition from triathlons to racing, her challenges and triumphs, and the team dynamics that define the sport. • Katie discusses her injury days before her wedding • Journey from grad school to becoming a competitive cyclist • Importance of community support and proactive engagement in sports • Breakdown of di...
Feb 24, 2025•41 min
Send us a text This episode explores the intersection of family life and sports fandom, featuring special guest Alex, an avid baseball fan and family travel enthusiast. Listeners discover practical tips for navigating baseball stadiums with children, personal anecdotes from Alex's wedding at Angel Stadium, and insights into making the most of family-friendly sports trips. • Insights on the benefits of documenting sports travel • Tips for planning family-friendly outings to baseball games • Recom...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Send us a text The episode invites listeners into the world of tennis, unraveling its unique scoring and rules while highlighting personal experiences and rivalries. As Mike explains the intricacies of the sport, the hosts aim to make tennis accessible and enjoyable for everyone. • Introduction to tennis and personal connections • Mike's journey through tennis fandom • Explanation of tennis scoring and rules • Differences between singles and doubles matches • Overview of the four Grand Slam tour...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Send us a text Austin Alegre shares his journey from hockey to baseball, highlighting his experience as a PA announcer for the Lake Elsinore Storm. He discusses the vibrant atmosphere of minor league baseball, the thrill of being the voice of the game, and the unforgettable memories it creates for fans. Austin Alegre: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yalocallumberjack/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shabangsports/ The Dad Hat: Twitter: https://x.com/thedadhat216 BlueSky: https://bsky.a...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Send us a text Is the new 12-team college football playoff format the game-changer we've all been waiting for, or does it still need some tweaks? Join us as we explore the potential and pitfalls of this revamped system. With Ed and Donnie at the helm, we dig into the concept of reseeding and whether conference winners truly deserve automatic byes. We draw intriguing parallels with college basketball and consider how an eye test, combined with data-driven ranking, could revolutionize fairness in ...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Send us a text This episode highlights the creative culinary landscape around the El Paso Chihuahuas and the exciting food offerings at their games. We discuss themed food items, the synergy with the Locomotive club, and the innovative approaches chefs take while designing memorable fan experiences. • Exploring innovative food fusions at the ballpark • Insights on themed food items inspired by cartoons • Connections between the Chihuahuas and Locomotive culinary offerings • Discussions of past f...
Jan 13, 2025•36 min
Send us a text Curious about the buzz surrounding the El Paso Chihuahuas' unique logo and spirited game atmosphere? Listen in as we chat with Adriana, the Director of Food and Beverage for this dynamic AAA team and a proud San Diego Padres affiliate. Adriana takes us behind the scenes, sharing her partnership with Chef Maria Barragan Ortado to bring an array of mouth-watering menu items to the stadium. From traditional concession favorites to creative themed night dishes, discover how they maste...
Jan 06, 2025•36 min
Send us a text Could Major League Baseball be orchestrating outcomes to favor big-market teams like the Yankees and Dodgers? We dive into this provocative question with co-host Val and our spirited crew—Patrick, Eric, Donnie, and Paul—as we reflect on an exhilarating 2024 MLB season. Theories fly about the Dodgers' acquisition of Shohei Ohtani and the Yankees' return to the World Series, sparking a lively debate on whether MLB manipulates matchups to boost viewership. We also tackle the controve...
Dec 16, 2024•37 min
Send us a text Join Patrick, Paul, Eric, Donnie, and myself as we promise a deep dive into these burning questions, offering insights on player movements, rumors, and strategic maneuvers that could change everything. Expect candid discussions, bold predictions, and a little speculation over potential game-changers like Corbin Burns and Max Fried. Moving beyond the roster to the dugout, we celebrate surprising triumphs and frustrations across the league. Marvel at Steven Vogt's transformative imp...
Dec 09, 2024•36 min
Send us a text As we recap the baseball season's highs and lows, the camaraderie between us shines through with friendly banter and spirited predictions. Our take on Garrett Cole's playoff feats and contract extensions is bound to bring a smile, just before diving into Juan Soto's uncertain journey with the Yankees and the complex world of qualifying offers. The MLB offseason is heating up, and we're here to speculate on all the intriguing possibilities. The Yankees' surprising moves, including ...
Dec 02, 2024•34 min
Send us a text Experience the Home Run Derby through our eyes as we capture the energy of the vibrant crowd, a congregation of diehard fans savoring every last swing of the season. The atmosphere was electric, but the limited merchandise offerings left much to be desired, especially for those hunting for collectible treasures. Our journey doesn't end here, though, as we dream of diving deeper into the baseball world with a trip to spring training in Phoenix or Florida. The Dad Hat: Twitter: http...
Nov 18, 2024•24 min
Send us a text Picture 1994 spring training—bustling, crowded, and full of hype. Now, swap that with the understated allure of the Arizona Fall League, where affordable tickets and a community vibe make it a hidden gem for baseball aficionados. Reminiscing about those days, we discuss how the Fall League offers a more personal and engaging experience, with memories of snagging rare memorabilia and longing for consistent team alignments to build fan loyalty. It's nostalgia with a twist, as we nav...
Nov 11, 2024•38 min
Send us a text Could the Oakland Athletics' potential move to Las Vegas be a game-changer for fans? We sit down with Will McNeil, the PA voice of the Stockton Ports and a devoted A's supporter, to unpack the tidal wave of emotions surrounding this possible relocation. Will provides his unmatched insights, juggling roles as both a Marriott employee and a passionate stadium announcer. Fans have endured a storm of uncertainty and frustration over the stadium negotiations and management decisions. E...
Nov 04, 2024•47 min
Send us a text Could the next big league baseball team find its home in the heart of Tennessee or the vibrant streets of Puerto Rico? Join me, Val and my brother, Edward, an Oakland A's devotee who’s never set foot in California, as we venture into the thrilling possibilities of MLB expansion cities. Our lively chat meanders through the storied past of teams like the Montreal Expos and the journey of the A's from Nashville to Las Vegas. We imagine the future of baseball in places like Monterey, ...
Oct 28, 2024•35 min
Send us a text What if the Oakland A's pack their bags for Las Vegas? Join us as we unravel the complex reality of the move that has stirred the hearts of fans and the Bay Area alike. In this episode of the Dad Hat Chronicles, I, Ed, am joined by my brother Edgardo and co-host Val, aka Stadium Food Girl, to navigate the winding path of the A's location saga. From reminiscing about our childhood in Puerto Rico and the team's legendary 80s players to exploring the highs and lows of their current s...
Oct 21, 2024•38 min
