In this episode of Baseball Ready, host Russ Riba sits down with longtime friend and coaching partner, Coach Derik, for a deep dive into the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of youth baseball. From long-haired ballplayers to coaching rivalries, they discuss what it really means to coach your own kid—and the fine line between “Daddy Ball” and legitimate development. You'll hear stories of building all-star teams, coaching philosophies, frustrations from the other side of the fence, and how youth sports can forge lifelong friendships. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or just love the game, this episode hits close to home with laughs, lessons, and real talk from the dugout.

Whether you're a baseball parent, coach, or fan of youth sports, this one’s for you.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or the podcast platform of your choice… and also seen on YouTube. Subscribe for more real-life youth baseball stories!

Season 1 | Bottom of the 2nd | Run Rabbit Run – Part 2 | Cheating in Youth Baseball

In this eye-opening episode of Baseball Ready, host Russ Riba returns for Part 2 of "Run Rabbit Run"—this time tackling the uncomfortable but all-too-real topic of cheating in youth baseball.

From shaved bats and non-roster ringers to pitch count violations and biased umpires, Russ pulls no punches while breaking down the many ways teams and coaches bend (or break) the rules in pursuit of plastic trophies.

In this episode:

• What it means to shave or roll a bat—and why it’s not just “strategy”
• The dangers of ignoring pitch count rules (and why it’s more than just bad coaching)
• How some coaches sneak in players, fudge rosters, or look the other way
• Why winning at all costs is a terrible lesson for young athletes

As always, Russ wraps up with his “Down to the Baseline” takeaway—a powerful reminder that baseball is more than just a game; it’s a character-building experience.

If you’ve ever felt like your team lost to a cheat, or if you’re wondering where the line between smart coaching and unethical behavior really lies—this episode is for you.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, YouTube, or your favorite platform. Let’s get Baseball Ready.

Welcome back to Baseball Ready, where youth baseball gets real… and sometimes a little sneaky. In this episode, host Russ Riba kicks off a two-part series that dives headfirst into the fine line between cheating and “creative” coaching.

From the baseball riddle to honest insights, Russ breaks down the Run Rabbit Run tactic—a youth baseball loophole where hustle blurs the lines of sportsmanship. You’ll hear stories about:

• Coaches stretching the rules for a win

• Loopholes like baiting balks, stealing signs, and clock manipulation

• The infamous hidden ball trick

• And whether exploiting young players’ inexperience is fair or foul

Russ also shares personal stories as a coach, umpire, and dad—including his wife’s brutally honest podcast feedback and a bizarre dust devil on the field.

Baseball is packed with life lessons—and how you play the game says more than what’s on the scoreboard.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen—and stay tuned for Part 2, where we tackle cheating head-on.

Host: Russ Riba | Baseball Ready

In this fun yet heartfelt follow-up to “Top of the First,” Russ Riba returns with another baseball-themed rant, spotlighting the real MVPs of youth sports: the parents (that’s sarcasm!). From the chaos in the stands to an unforgettable viral moment featuring a vertically challenged umpire who finally had enough, this episode dives into the tension (and comedy) of grown-ups behaving badly on the baseball field.

Russ breaks down a heated viral clip, unpacks the pressure umpires face, and calls out the sideline "coaches" who can’t help shouting advice during every pitch. Whether you're a parent, a coach, or just love the game, Russ challenges you to sit back, zip it, and let the kids play. Plus: The world’s worst baseball riddle makes a return—because apparently, you people like it.

Key takeaway: Be passionate, not problematic. Respect the game, the umpires, and most of all—the kids.

Episode 1: Coaches Losing It Welcome to the very first full episode of Baseball Ready, where youth baseball gets real, raw, and a little ridiculous.

In this episode, Russ Riba breaks down a viral and outrageous moment in youth baseball—a coach absolutely losing his mind over a borderline pitch. Was it a bad call? Was it just a bad day? Russ unpacks the video, shares insights from his own experience as an umpire, and reminds us that respect, self-control, and perspective matter—especially when the kids are watching.

Along the way, you’ll hear:

• A ridiculous baseball riddle (with a corny payoff)
• A deep dive into the viral clip and what actually happened
• A personal story about a coach’s surprising moment of humility
• A “get down to the baseline” takeaway about what this game is really about

Whether you're a parent, coach, umpire, or snack-schedule warrior, this episode reminds us why we all need to chill a little—and laugh a lot.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, or your favorite platform, and let’s get Baseball Ready!

Welcome to Baseball Ready — the podcast where youth baseball gets real. Real funny, real chaotic, and real relatable.

Hosted by Russ Riba, this trailer episode tees up everything you can expect from the show: home runs, helmet tosses, dugout drama, overzealous parents, late-night uniform scrambles, illegal bats, and plenty of "Daddy Ball" madness.

Whether you're a parent, coach, kid, or umpire (or just someone who spends way too much time at the ballfield), Baseball Ready is for you. We talk the good, the bad, and the just plain silly — because we’ve lived it, laughed about it, and maybe cried a little too.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or watch the show on YouTube. Let’s get Baseball Ready!