BaseballBiz On Deck

Reflection on Tony Saladino – Tampa Baseball iconTampa Bay Rays Youth movementCarson WilliamsIan SeymourEverson PereiraBrian Van BelleJunior CamineroChandler SimpsonYandy DíazBrandon Lowe2026 - Little League World Series Experience4 games in a single dayBrooke Mrozek, Team Manager of the Florida Bolts Girls Baseball Team7–18Sparks, Nevada1st place (minor division)2nd place (minor division)coach10 collegiate women’s teams (WPBL)Bolts Player Developmentmonthly practicesFunding ChallengesnonprofitTampa Bay Rays50/50 raffleUpcoming Opportunity: The Barclay Cup in Australiafirst international team invitedtravel, lodging, tournament fees, and uniformsSupport the Florida BoltsFacebook & Instagram:Email:FloridaBoltsBaseball@yahoo.comDonations/Sponsorships:50/50 raffleClosing Message from Brooke - create opportunities and support girls in baseballYou can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps

Mike BalujaLittle League World SeriesWest TampaWest Tampa Little Leagueimmigrant cigar familiesLou Piniella, Tony La Russa, Tino Martinez, Luis Gonzalez, David MgadanRicky Alfonso (“The Cat”) won 3 championships at Tampa Catholic High School - community bonds through baseballgrandson Julian’s baseball journeysongwriting careerfaith and communityMike Baluja's music can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDd6iuGXDYGuVntiu-joe6g You can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com

You can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps

You can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps

If you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com

If you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps

Carson Mead - Hot in AAA lets see what you can do – Future 30/30 guy Moving Taylor Walls to Shortstop and would be very attractive to other teams Chandler Simpson, Jake Mangum & Carson Williams speed “Speed doesn't slump” - John Gibbons Rays picking taller players – Glasnow, Snell Taller pitchers “don’t have as much lag between the push and the landing.” 22 picks of 2025 Rays Draft picks, none or under 6’ 2” including a 6’ 5” catcher Tall catchers with rocket arms can throw from their knees Alex Faedo is still in rehab Tampa Bay Rays speedsters – Stolen bases comparisons between Carl Crawford, Caballero & Simpson Chandler Simpson is changing the way pitchers pitch to the Rays Simpson gives 100% all of the time The Rays will continue to look at players who have speed around the bases Will a faster Tre' Morgan be the future Yandy Diaz? Will Rays bet on developing their own young players or look outside Relievers and Closers select your pitcher with the opposing team Yoniel Curet & Shane McClanahan might join us in September Bringing on Baker to the Rays, backup options for Fairbanks Red Sox & Alex Cora’s Ipads checking out the Rays relieving pitchers Baseball is a game of deception Rays Starters are burnt out – increased pitch counts & speed trend Mason Englert & Joe Boyle coming out of the pen Where is Louis Head? Rays pitching needs to develop more secondary pitches especially as they age into the game, including Kevin Gausman & Chris Bassit Glasnow would terrorize batters if he had a larger variety of pitchers Rich Hill, Bartolo Colón & Charlie Morton are still in the game because they love it. These veterans raise up the young players on the team Rob Manfred rides Ozzy’s Crazy Train to the White House & now the president wants to be commissioner by renaming Cleveland Guardians President was unable to purchase Indians years ago & now wants to change the Guardians name back to Indians – Native Americans are clamoring for the change – so says the white house Withholding federal funds for a stadium from Washington Commanders unless they change their name back to Redskins Harvard v Columbia MLB has instructed foreign players to carry their papers with them while traveling with the team Ozzy Osbourne takes us out to the ball game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TPYI_Y3pWw

Ryan Woodward, founder of Women in Baseball Week & Women’s Baseball Heritage Trail Increasing awareness of Women’s Baseball St. Louis Cardinals became the first MLB team to participate publicly in Women in Baseball Week. Honoring Rockford Peach, Sue Parsons-Zipay of the AAGPBL Sue continued to promote girls & women in baseball through the American Girls Baseball (AGB) & the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic Exciting Era for Women’s Baseball Growth across platforms: Athletes Unlimited Softball, WPBL - women’s professional baseball league IWBC exhibit at Rockford Public Library running July–August “Rockford and Beyond”—ties local history to international developments. Artifacts from the Colorado Silver Bullets The 2026 Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage in Rockford 6 national teams will compete; IWBC hopes to also host the 2027 finals “See Her, Be Her”, a Jean Fruth documentary, showcasing women in baseball worldwide doing somethingSee Her, Be Her documentary“We’re not just celebrating the past; we’re making history right now. This is about flipping the culture. Women have always been at the center of baseball—you just have to look for it.” – Ryan Woodward 🔗 Resources & Links: Women in Baseball Weekhttps://womeninbaseballweek.org/wbht.orgiwbc.orgrockfordrivets.comSee Her, Be HerAll-American Women’s Baseball Tournament – Durham, NC: https://americangirlsbaseball.org/all-american-womens-baseball-classic/ Just a reminder you can find Mark on Blue Sky at @baseballbizondeck.b sky.social You may also find BaseballBiz On Deck on iheart, apple, spotify, amazon music & at www.baseballbizondeck.com, remember to like & subscribe. Special Thanks to X-Take-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward

You can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps

Level UmpWendelstedt Umpire Schooldonations Greta@LevelUmp.com website: https://www.levelump.com/ You can reach Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com

https://www.mlb.com/news/all-star-game-roster-rules-faq-c239654292https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2025/07/02/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-historic-2025-tryouts-at-nationals-park-in-washington-d-c/You can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps

AL East Tightens up at the top, Yankees, Blue Jays & Rays Quiz: Which Living Legend has 1,000 wins as a player & 1,800 plus wins Tony Ciccarello, a West Tampa native with deep baseball roots, talks about the role of baseball in the West Tampa community, where it’s woven into the local culture and heritage. Excitement of Baseball in Tampa with the RaysGrowing Up with Baseball"Baseball Was My Life" Book DiscussionBaseball Was My LifeWest Tampa’s Baseball SuccessesCultural Unity Through BaseballLittle League World Series MemoriesSenior League TriumphsWest Tampa’s Legacy and Community Contributions:The Shift from Little League to Travel Ball:Lifelong Friendships Formed Through Baseball:Legacy of West Tampa Baseball and Community Spirit:Series CommentaryCommunity Roots & Family ConnectionsSaturday Night Games & Youth BaseballLong-Lasting FriendshipsWorld Series 2024 & Rays 2020 MemoriesThe Value of Youth Sports FacilitiesReference Notes & LinksWest Tampa Little League Baseball Was My Life Melone, Mary JoQuiz Answer Find Mat @matgermain.bsky.social & Mark @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

Rays continue to win series: Mets, Tigers, & a strong start against the Royals. Cincinnati Reds’ Chase Burns strikes out the Yankees' top batters in the first inning. Chandler Simpson is back in the majors, though his defensive growth remains key 2021 Rays roster that won 100 games - who remains Contrasts between veterans like Clayton Kershaw & players who never make it to free agency. Impact of MLB Cutting Minor League Teams Manfred’s reduction from 160 to 120 minor league teams has affected player development—especially for international players. Lost opportunities for Latin American players Rays’ workaround: sending talent to the Australian Baseball League (e.g., Junior Caminero). Latin American Pipeline Challenges Limited playing time in complex leagues like the FCL (Florida Complex League) due to rehab assignments and draft influx. Some Players that are promoted too quickly, risking their development. Discussion on Rays’ strategic patience and international development system. Reduction in the number of minor league teams reduced the number of Latin America players Mat’s strategy for Merging minor league teams with collegiate teams Comparing the path to the majors of Jac Caglianone to that of Junior Caminero Australian Baseball League Propose 2 collegiate teams associated with each MLB team Ideal scenario of Yankees & Rays fighting it for the ALCS championship with the keys to George Steinbrenner Field given to the winner The Rays have gone “Old School” including bunting, running the bases Unknowable pitch of Chris Bubic’s “Ghost Pitch” – reminiscent of Brent Honeywell Yankees v Reds sneak peek – Elly De La Cruz Mat observes - pitchers that have a, a strong reliance on split fingers or sliders & throw them the hardest, tend to have the most surgeries Need to keep the Bullpen happy Trade Deadline - 8 to 10 days out before we see Trades start to come in Shortstops across Rays Minor Leaguers - Adrian Santanam Gregory Barriosm Carson Williams – also playing 3rd base as Ha-Seong Kim is currently SS Rays path to replace Wander Franco includes trading Luke Raley trading for Jose Caballero has proven well worth his versatility from SS or anywhere on the field Praise to Rays Scouting & Analytical teams for discovering new talent Fun new team names for proposed expansion teams to Vancouver, The Killer Whales, Nashville, The Nashville Whiskies What if the Kansas City Royals renamed themselves the Kansas City Monarchs A Montreal Expansion team could be the Montreal Royals these would reflect back on the history of the game in the Negro Leagues & Jackie Robinson Losing the Expos names removes the stigma of the past A trip to Kansas City to see the Royals & Negro League Baseball Museum Alan Alford at Rickwood with Dusty Baker Jack Stack’s as a must stop in Kansas City for Barbecue Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen’s has increased variations of his pitching Avoiding predictability in pitching – Taj Bradley Tampa Baseball Museum with Larry Rothschild & Dave Magadan Coaches Corner We will soon see X-Rays now with the Athletics, Jeffrey Springs + Jacob Lopez who is leading K/9 Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or Mark at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social‬ BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps

New ownership of the Tampa Bay Rays on the horizon Florida Developer, Patrick Zalupski – Jacksonville Real Estate Developer, Dream Finders Homes Ken Babby - Founder & CEO, Fast Forward Sports Group & Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp – Triple A team for the Miami Marlins & the Akron RubberDucks – Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians an informed and experienced mind to the ownership & front office 2 business guys from New York invested in 2 teams years ago Jeffrey Loria purchased Marlins for $160 million funded in part by selling the Expos for $120 million to MLB Loria built a Marlins stadium and later sells the team for $1.2 billion Stu Sternberg bought the Rays for $200 million did not build a stadium & is now selling the Rays for $1.7 billion. Stu’s deal will be more profitable than what Loria got for the Marlins Tampa Mayor, Jane Castor supportive of Rays in Tampa Could City of Tampa aid new owners with reduced rates for services & lighter taxes Naming rights of the new stadium could cover many of the costs $1.7 billion a smidge more than the Orioles purchase price 2 Expansion teams on the horizon with a $2 billion price tag per team Will Stu become part of the Montreal Ownership Group Mat’s "tip of the hat" to Stu Stu’s Rays won the fifth most games in MLB during his tenure while building 1.5 billion in equity What will the front office look like without Stu at the helm Reflect on Anthopoulos after new ownership with the Toronto Blue Jays Will Erik Neander still govern the team with new ownership Will the new owners work with St. Pete on the Trop lease Is Ybor Rays stadium possible see - Developer Darryl Shaw, Tampa Bay Sun unveil Ybor Harbor soccer stadium plan https://bit.ly/40fUn5F Rangers & Royals new owners have been willing to spend money, how will the new owners spend with the Rays Part of the Rays value is a strong group of young players in the farm system How do you transfer Wander Franco’s contract to the new owners with this sale Junior Caminero - will the new Rays owners develop a strong contract with him. Will Grit & Glow go to be replaced with Ybor Cigars & Cuban Sandwiches March to the World Series with new music “Stomps & Claps” Rays have been strong over the last 25 games All-Star candidates for the Rays, Jonathan Aranda & Brandon Lowe will the new owners offer an extended contraction Jonathan Aranda Rafael Devers traded to the Giants – what does it mean – where is the value Boston still has Alex Bregman Red Sox fans on Blue Sky are upset with the Devers move Boston fans need to reflect on how this trade increases their pitching depth with the 2 new prospects. Shane Baz & Tyler Glasnow trade example Devers & Adames teaming up together with the Giants Rafael Devers trade – Big Papi’s take How did Alex Cora work with Devers prior to this trade Coming back, Shane McClanahan, Richie Palacios, Ha-Seong Kim & Nate Lavender Rob Manfred need Rays deal to go through to start building an MLB expansion All Rays minor league affiliates are above 500 If you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps & to Helen Glennon for her shared news discovery with the show

https://bit.ly/3ZrYStJJust a reminder, if you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

Find Mat @matgermain.bsky.social & Mark @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

Kevin Boles, Montgomery Biscuits Manager has a 25 year career in baseball First game as manager with 2 special players; Adrian Gonzalez & Miguel Cabrera John Boles, Kevin’s dad a great mentor Boston Red Sox in Pawtucket the “31st major league team” a great place to see the future of players working up to the major league team How to balance Player Development while Developing Winners today Advice to players “Don’t Be a Front Runner in Your Own Career” Look at failures as an opportunity to learn Players Need to develop a thick skin & give themselves some credit for coming out of failures Double-A as a separator, see some older arms along with younger arms. Time to move players up through minor has been reduced If you can get into a AAA clubhouse you got a chance Looking for intelligent, consistent & reliable player like Homer Bush Jr. Mat notes significant trades that have impacted the Montgomery Biscuits & Rays pipeline - Jackson Baumeister, Ty Cummings, Jacob Waters, Will Simpson, Mathew Etzel, Brody Hopkins Adjustment period for a player when settling in with a new team Duncan Davitt commands the zone & utilizes a good mix of pitches & tempo Cooper Kinney can flat out hit Brayden Taylor is tough, while struggling at the plate right now he is working ,on adjustments Kevin would rather see a player struggle in the minors & adjust before they make it to the majors Paul Rozzelle & the hitting department are doing great things with the players How has draft decisions for increase of hitters impacted the organization Hopkins has a chance to be really something Yoniel Curet has versatility & has a power arm Stickier balls? Automated Zones – would improve accuracy of umpire calls. It is hard for umpires to judge 90+ speed pitches How will the Automated Zone impact the role of the catcher Veteran pitchers may get a better call than a younger pitcher without Automated Zone People don’t realize how tough the umpires have behind the plate Ejections – Kevin is good for 5 a year. Ump asks “don’t you want to get animated” Kevin’s career goal is about the players “Create the next Chandler Simpson” Top players that Kevin seen rise through the system – Miguel Cabrera, Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts and any players who come up through the minors who excel in the game RaysUp Rays return home to George Steinbrenner Field and increase their wins Rays Outfielders, Misner, Aranda, and Simpson formerly with the Montgomery Biscuits Steinbrenner Weather metric Swirling Winds, Day Games & Sun Rays disorienting players fielding fly balls Gusts of wind 40+ MPH impacting outs caught Lack of 2nd Tier at Steinbrenner increases wind Should their be a new Statcast metric on the weather Rays climb up in the standings to #2 in the AL East Foul territory expand more ground outside of the foul lines for safety Roster Crunch Incoming With so much movement between the majors and AAA, Rays prospects in Montgomery have all the motivation they need. It’s a dog-eat-dog path to the top Just a reminder, if you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

Tamara Holmes, Veronica Alvarez, Malaika Underwood & Alex Oglesby, Champions of the USAWNT Women's Baseball team, discuss the increase in bullying & pushing out of young girls in baseball Talking groups with young players at MLBDevelops Trailblazers uncovered more on how young girls are being pushed off teams & encountering bullying Climate of bullying is getting worse Malaika Underwood recounts that when she was a child playing baseball her team did not care if she was a girl or not. Their main concern was if you were a good player. The bullying & rudeness often came from parents Veronica Alvarez points how some Moms in the baseball space talk down young girls in baseball. They treat them as lesser than boys. Parents have an opportunity to teach good behavior toward girls & women to their children Social Media praise of a successful player can increase bullying from the jealousy of others “Why is she playing instead of my Kid” – overheard by young children builds a prejudice against girls in sports Encourage players to build friendships with others at the baseball camps & stay in touch to support one another Kelsie Whitmore & Olivia Pichardo discovered that they had to get stronger facing adversity to advance as girls in baseball at college & professional level Idea of these girls are a threat to boys & men’s career is insane. They have the same dream, they want to play baseball Girls may start with baseball in Little League but soon receive the message that they need to play softball. “We have baseball, you have softball, you don’t belong here” We need to start creating a pipeline for supporting girls who want to play baseball Girls are not trying to invade boys baseball it’s just that is the only place for them to play Baseball & Softball can Co-Exist. Baseball loses girls to softball due to opportunities The bullying problem of pushing out girls & women exists beyond baseball, MLB points to the new softball league as the option for women “They’re just kids being kids” mentality strengthens the bullying Girls internalizing negative remarks about them on social media Girls are expected to be perfect on the field People need to get back to common decency Matheny Manifesto – written as instructions to parents from a coach Travel ball expands number of teams & opinionated parents Good coaches do not tolerate bad behavior from kids or parents Youth’s sports main focus needs to be development, it makes them better students & learn life lessons Co-ed baseball an opportunity for young women & men to play baseball in college Parents need to set the foundation teaching boys to respect the girls & their equality Making it normal that women & girls are in the game Veronica notes how the men on her team respect her as a professional “Boys play baseball?” Sharing stories of their children learning about baseball & softball Need to stick up for girls in sports & show respect Thanks to Tamara Holmes, Veronica Alvarez, Alex Oglesby & Malaika Underwood for discussing the increase of bullying girls & young women in sports & the steps parents, coaches & players can take. Discover more at www.stopbullying.gov Suggested reading: The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life https://bit.ly/3SQWmJC Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Sport A Handbook for Policy Makers and Sports Practitioners https://bit.ly/3SSelzi

+45%Just a reminder, if you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. Also you can find Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B Sky social. That's Mat at M-A-T-G-E-R-M-A-I-N dot B, Sky social or Mark at Baseball Biz on Deck dot B Sky Social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,

https://bit.ly/3YNsZLJhttps://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-ineligibility-status-after-death-decisionFind Mat @matgermain.bsky.social & Mark @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social. You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward,