Four veteran local coaches have launched “The Dugout,” a new podcast focused on youth baseball and softball in St. Mary’s County and broader Southern Maryland, aiming to foster unity, transparency, and growth across leagues and programs.
The show, which debuted recently in March 2026, is hosted by Ryan Shephard (coach with KF Prospects, Five Star Mafia, and Chesapeake Ghost), RJ Bean (Commissioner of SMBRL and SOMD Youth Baseball and Softball Coalition, 12U Chesapeake Ghost manager), Mikey Farrell (President of Chesapeake Ghost), and Jim Jones (President of SMLL). Produced by Jeff Kennedy of SportsBall Dad, LLC, the podcast serves as the official digital platform for the Southern Maryland Youth Baseball and Softball Coalition.
The mission centers on uniting the fragmented local youth sports landscape through open discussions. Hosts emphasize collective progress over division, drawing on their extensive on-field experience to create a resource for players, parents, coaches, and leagues.
Ryan Shephard stated: “Our goal with ‘The Dugout’ is to bring this community together in a way that makes the local baseball and softball scene just explode. We aren’t here to divide; we are here to build a foundation where every league and every player in the county can thrive.”
RJ Bean added: “We’re aiming to discuss the difficult topics—the subjects people usually only address privately. Whether it’s league politics, player development, or parent expectations, we’re putting it all on the table to ensure we’re doing what’s best for the kids.”
The podcast commits to tackling challenging issues in youth sports while highlighting positive development. Upcoming episodes feature expert guests, including representatives from the Center for Advanced Orthopaedics (CAO) to address player health and success tools, and Galactic Fitness for insights on athletic training, injury prevention, and strength conditioning tailored to young athletes. Additional national experts will cover the broader state of youth baseball and softball.
Mikey Farrell noted: “By bringing in guests like CAO and the team from Galactic Fitness, we’re showing our players and parents that there is an entire ecosystem that supports their success. We want to give our listeners access to the people and programs that are shaping the future of sports in our county.”
Jim Jones reinforced the grassroots foundation: “At the end of the day, we’re just four coaches who care deeply about this county and this sport. We want ‘The Dugout’ to be the spark that brings everyone—from Little League to travel ball—to the same side of the field.”
Episodes include coach roundtables, guest interviews, and in-depth explorations of the local scene, with content already available. Listeners can access weekly shows on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Facebook. The inaugural episode, “The Bridge,” features the hosts discussing challenges and opportunities in youth baseball.
The launch aligns with efforts by the Southern Maryland Youth Baseball and Softball Coalition to improve conditions for young players in St. Mary’s County. The podcast provides a dedicated space for education, community dialogue, and advocacy, filling a gap in regional coverage of these sports.
This initiative reflects growing interest in structured, transparent communication within Southern Maryland’s youth athletics, where travel and recreational programs often operate separately. By prioritizing kid-focused solutions and expert input, the hosts position “The Dugout” as a key resource for families navigating leagues, development paths, and health considerations.
The show encourages participation from the community, inviting listeners to engage as the platform evolves.