{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"5-Pitch Plucky®","home_page_url":"https://5pitchplucky.com","description":"5-Pitch Plucky®","author":{"name":"5-Pitch Plucky®"},"items":[{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-we-called-it-5-pitch-plucky","html_content":"

Don't let the name fool you. This is baseball.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-we-called-it-5-pitch-plucky","title":"Why We Called It 5-Pitch Plucky","summary":"Don't let the name fool you. This is baseball.","date_modified":"2026-08-21T13:08:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/survivorship-fallacy-and-the-impact-on-youth-baseball","html_content":"

Every time I talk about the youth baseball dropout crisis, someone says some version of the same thing.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/survivorship-fallacy-and-the-impact-on-youth-baseball","title":"Survivorship fallacy and the impact on youth baseball","summary":"Every time I talk about the youth baseball dropout crisis, someone says some version of the same thing.","date_modified":"2026-08-19T23:45:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/the-seduction-of-early-sport-specialization","html_content":"

Early Specialization: Balancing Passion and Pressure

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/the-seduction-of-early-sport-specialization","title":"The Seduction of Early Sport Specialization","summary":"Early Specialization: Balancing Passion and Pressure","date_modified":"2026-08-18T13:08:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-we-call-it-a-camaraderie-1","html_content":"

Most sports programs call their groups \"teams.\" Some call them \"squads.\" A few call them \"clubs.\"

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-we-call-it-a-camaraderie-1","title":"Why We Call It a \"Camaraderie\"","summary":"Most sports programs call their groups \"teams.\" Some call them \"squads.\" A few call them \"clubs.\"","date_modified":"2026-08-15T13:40:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/they-didnt-quit-baseball-they-quit-the-experience","html_content":"

We've been telling the wrong story about why kids quit baseball.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/they-didnt-quit-baseball-they-quit-the-experience","title":"They Didn't Quit Baseball. They Quit the Experience.","summary":"We've been telling the wrong story about why kids quit baseball.","date_modified":"2026-08-13T22:40:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/baseball-builds-character","html_content":"

The Game Helps Young Athletes Build Character. We're Making Sure They Get to Play It.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/baseball-builds-character","title":"Baseball Builds Character ","summary":"The Game Helps Young Athletes Build Character. We're Making Sure They Get to Play It.","date_modified":"2026-08-11T13:20:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/you-got-blown-out-16-1-and-got-a-side-order-of-ridicule","html_content":"

You signed up for a rec softball league.\nYou signed up to get outside. Move your body. Have a few laughs with your friends. Maybe a beer after the game if the night goes long enough.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/you-got-blown-out-16-1-and-got-a-side-order-of-ridicule","title":"You got blown out 16-1 and got a side order of ridicule","summary":"You signed up for a rec softball league.\nYou signed up to get outside. Move your body. Have a few laughs with your friends. Maybe a beer after the game if the night goes long enough.","date_modified":"2026-08-07T13:45:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/how-to-improve-batting-average-in-youth-baseball","html_content":"

Every baseball parent has asked some version of this question.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/how-to-improve-batting-average-in-youth-baseball","title":"How to Improve Batting Average in Youth Baseball","summary":"Every baseball parent has asked some version of this question.","date_modified":"2026-08-04T21:45:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/what-google-wont-tell-you-when-you-search-for-youth-baseball-ne","html_content":"

What Google Won't Tell You When You Search for \"Youth Baseball Near Me\"

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/what-google-wont-tell-you-when-you-search-for-youth-baseball-ne","title":"What Google Won't Tell You When Searching For \"Youth Baseball\"","summary":"What Google Won't Tell You When You Search for \"Youth Baseball Near Me\"","date_modified":"2026-08-02T16:07:59Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/all-not-some-all","html_content":"

A parent sent us a note after his son's first 5-Pitch Plucky game.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/all-not-some-all","title":"All. Not Some. All.","summary":"A parent sent us a note after his son's first 5-Pitch Plucky game.","date_modified":"2026-07-30T17:15:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-adults-stop-playing-baseball-how-to-start-again-in-dallas","html_content":"

You Didn't Quit Baseball. Baseball Quit You.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-adults-stop-playing-baseball-how-to-start-again-in-dallas","title":"Why Adults Stop Playing Baseball (How to Start Again in Dallas)","summary":"You Didn't Quit Baseball. Baseball Quit You.","date_modified":"2026-07-26T13:45:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/the-game-is-the-practice%E2%84%A2","html_content":"

In traditional youth sports, there is a clear separation between two kinds of time.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/the-game-is-the-practice%E2%84%A2","title":"The Game Is the Practice™","summary":"In traditional youth sports, there is a clear separation between two kinds of time.","date_modified":"2026-07-20T21:15:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/looking-for-an-alternative-to-travel-baseball-in-dallas","html_content":"

You found it.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/looking-for-an-alternative-to-travel-baseball-in-dallas","title":"Looking for an Alternative to Travel Baseball in Dallas?","summary":"You found it.","date_modified":"2026-07-16T23:44:02Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/same-team-one-team","html_content":"

I've been coaching for a while now, so I've got a drawer full of baseball caps. I wear them running errands. Grocery store. Gas station. Doesn't matter. To be honest, I don't always remember which one is on top of my hea...

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/same-team-one-team","title":"Same team. One team.","summary":"I've been coaching for a while now, so I've got a drawer full of baseball caps. I wear them running errands. Grocery store. Gas station. Doesn't matter. To be honest, I don't always remember which one is on top of my hea...","date_modified":"2026-07-13T00:48:43Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/playing-free-vs-playing-tight-what-the-world-cup-taught-us","html_content":"

Inspired by Steve Magness (@stevemagness), performance scientist and author, whose Instagram post on the psychology of playing free versus playing tight after the USMNT's World Cup collapse stopped me cold. Not because o...

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/playing-free-vs-playing-tight-what-the-world-cup-taught-us","title":"Playing Free vs. Playing Tight: What the World Cup Taught Us","summary":"Inspired by Steve Magness (@stevemagness), performance scientist and author, whose Instagram post on the psychology of playing free versus playing tight after the USMNT's World Cup collapse stopped me cold. Not because o...","date_modified":"2026-07-07T19:45:38Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/twenty-years-from-now-youll-remember-this","html_content":"

Ask a 35-year-old what they remember most about growing up.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/twenty-years-from-now-youll-remember-this","title":"Twenty Years From Now, You'll Remember This","summary":"Ask a 35-year-old what they remember most about growing up.","date_modified":"2026-06-26T21:52:06Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/what-playing-sports-as-a-kid-actually-predicts","html_content":"

Most conversations about youth sports focus on the next eight weeks. The season. The schedule. The standings.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/what-playing-sports-as-a-kid-actually-predicts","title":"What Playing Sports as a Kid Actually Predicts","summary":"Most conversations about youth sports focus on the next eight weeks. The season. The schedule. The standings.","date_modified":"2026-06-12T01:36:10Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/twenty-years-from-now-youll-remember-this-summer","html_content":"

\"Wanna come out and play?\"

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/twenty-years-from-now-youll-remember-this-summer","title":"Twenty Years From Now, You'll Remember This Summer","summary":"\"Wanna come out and play?\"","date_modified":"2026-06-05T17:07:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/five-questions-every-baseball-parent-needs-to-answer-honestly","html_content":"

Before you sign your kid up for another season of baseball. Before you write the check, pack the bag, and load the car for another weekend tournament — stop.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/five-questions-every-baseball-parent-needs-to-answer-honestly","title":"Five Questions Every Baseball Parent Needs to Answer Honestly","summary":"Before you sign your kid up for another season of baseball. Before you write the check, pack the bag, and load the car for another weekend tournament — stop.","date_modified":"2026-06-03T13:10:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-baseball","html_content":"

Ken Burns spent 18 hours answering that question.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-baseball","title":"Why baseball?","summary":"Ken Burns spent 18 hours answering that question.","date_modified":"2026-05-30T15:23:46Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-we-call-it-a-camaraderie","html_content":"

There's more to 5-Pitch Plucky® than meets the eye.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-we-call-it-a-camaraderie","title":"Why We Call It a \"Camaraderie\"","summary":"There's more to 5-Pitch Plucky® than meets the eye.","date_modified":"2026-05-23T18:37:48Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-youth-baseball-camps-matter-more-than-ever","html_content":"

There’s something special about watching a young ballplayer fall in love with baseball. It usually doesn’t happen because of a lecture, a clipboard, or standing in line waiting for a turn. It happens through action. Thro...

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/why-youth-baseball-camps-matter-more-than-ever","title":"Why Youth Baseball Camps Matter More Than Ever","summary":"There’s something special about watching a young ballplayer fall in love with baseball. It usually doesn’t happen because of a lecture, a clipboard, or standing in line waiting for a turn. It happens through action. Thro...","date_modified":"2026-05-20T15:39:13Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/%E2%80%9Cfun%E2%80%9D-isnt-a-distraction-from-development-its-the-beginning","html_content":"

One of the biggest mistakes adults make in youth sports is assuming kids fall in love with a sport because they are talented at it. In reality, most kids fall in love with a sport because they had fun first. Before there...

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/%E2%80%9Cfun%E2%80%9D-isnt-a-distraction-from-development-its-the-beginning","title":"“FUN” isn't a distraction from development, it's the beginning","summary":"One of the biggest mistakes adults make in youth sports is assuming kids fall in love with a sport because they are talented at it. In reality, most kids fall in love with a sport because they had fun first. Before there...","date_modified":"2026-05-13T17:08:34Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/parent-behavior-is-key-predictor-of-children-continuing-in-sports","html_content":"

The data is clear, and it’s hard to ignore: parents are one of the biggest factors in whether kids stay in sports or walk away from them. According to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play survey, there is a “distinct line”...

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/parent-behavior-is-key-predictor-of-children-continuing-in-sports","title":"Parent behavior is key predictor of children continuing in sports","summary":"The data is clear, and it’s hard to ignore: parents are one of the biggest factors in whether kids stay in sports or walk away from them. According to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play survey, there is a “distinct line”...","date_modified":"2026-05-04T14:12:55Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/you-dont-even-realize-the-pressure-youre-putting-on-your-kid","html_content":"

\"Part of me feels pressure and guilt to perform to my most perfect abilities, or I would be disappointing my parents and “wasting money.” But the other part of me loves sports too much to let go.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/you-dont-even-realize-the-pressure-youre-putting-on-your-kid","title":"You don't even realize the pressure you're putting on your kid!","summary":"\"Part of me feels pressure and guilt to perform to my most perfect abilities, or I would be disappointing my parents and “wasting money.” But the other part of me loves sports too much to let go.","date_modified":"2026-04-02T17:43:16Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/its-your-fault","html_content":"

Kids are leaving organized sports by the age of 13.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/its-your-fault","title":"It's your fault","summary":"Kids are leaving organized sports by the age of 13.","date_modified":"2026-02-22T20:28:44Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/does-a-coach-matter-more-than-a-notch-in-the-win-column","html_content":"

Is Your Child’s Coach the Right Coach?

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/does-a-coach-matter-more-than-a-notch-in-the-win-column","title":"Does a coach matter more than a notch in the win column?","summary":"Is Your Child’s Coach the Right Coach?","date_modified":"2026-02-12T17:17:50Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/baseball-is-the-classroom-not-the-destination","html_content":"

Baseball isn’t the destination. It’s the classroom. The field is where kids learn lessons that last far longer than any season, trophy, or stat line. When we treat youth baseball and softball as an outcome to be achieved...

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/baseball-is-the-classroom-not-the-destination","title":"Baseball is the classroom, not the destination.","summary":"Baseball isn’t the destination. It’s the classroom. The field is where kids learn lessons that last far longer than any season, trophy, or stat line. When we treat youth baseball and softball as an outcome to be achieved...","date_modified":"2026-01-29T14:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/you-cant-get-any-more-baseball-than-this","html_content":"

More baseball for more people.\t

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/you-cant-get-any-more-baseball-than-this","title":"You can't get any more baseball than this.","summary":"More baseball for more people.\t","date_modified":"2026-01-27T16:55:17Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/baseball-reinvented-for-fun","html_content":"

On a ballfield that feels familiar yet entirely new, 5-Pitch Plucky® is quietly redefining what baseball can be. Designed for people who never played, those who once did, and everyone in between, the game strips away int...

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/baseball-reinvented-for-fun","title":"Baseball reinvented, for fun.","summary":"On a ballfield that feels familiar yet entirely new, 5-Pitch Plucky® is quietly redefining what baseball can be. Designed for people who never played, those who once did, and everyone in between, the game strips away int...","date_modified":"2026-01-17T22:50:44Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/repetition-the-key-to-confidence-repetition-the-key-to","html_content":"

Repetition is the quiet engine behind confidence for young ballplayers. When kids see the same motion, pitch, or defensive scenario over and over, the game stops feeling mysterious and starts feeling familiar. Familiarit...

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/repetition-the-key-to-confidence-repetition-the-key-to","title":"Repetition. The key to confidence. Repetition. The key to...","summary":"Repetition is the quiet engine behind confidence for young ballplayers. When kids see the same motion, pitch, or defensive scenario over and over, the game stops feeling mysterious and starts feeling familiar. Familiarit...","date_modified":"2025-12-12T16:05:08Z"},{"id":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/transforming-traditional-baseball-for-all-ages","html_content":"

Stepping Up the Game: 5-Pitch Plucky is Modernizing Baseball so Everyone Can Get INTO the game.

","url":"https://5pitchplucky.com/blog/f/transforming-traditional-baseball-for-all-ages","title":"Transforming Traditional Baseball for All Ages","summary":"Stepping Up the Game: 5-Pitch Plucky is Modernizing Baseball so Everyone Can Get INTO the game.","date_modified":"2025-12-03T20:48:07Z"}]}