Travel Baseball Kids Need to Play, Fail, and Get Better

What if the real game isn’t played on the field, but at home, in the way we raise, support, and speak to our kids? In this heartfelt episode, Craig Holman, former pro player and father of two elite athletes, joins Matt Hannaford to share the untold truth about youth and travel baseball.

From watching his son Luke battle childhood cancer to seeing him become one of the nation’s top prospects, Craig reveals how failure, faith, and love shaped both his family and his coaching philosophy. This isn’t just about baseball -it’s about building resilient, grounded humans in a culture obsessed with wins and exposure.

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or young athlete, this episode will change how you see youth sports and what truly defines success.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
• Why “more exposure” isn’t the same as development
• The single most powerful thing parents can say to their kids
• How to build confidence without pressure or comparison
• Why failure and struggle are essential for long-term success
• The life-changing difference between listening to your kids vs. for your kids
• How perspective-not performance-shapes greatness

Craig shares unforgettable stories of parenting through adversity- including his son Luke’s fight with cancer, his daughter’s final at-bat, and how the “tennis ball moment” changed his understanding of effort forever. His insights remind us that the greatest wins happen off the field and that the true job of a parent-coach is to nurture purpose, not pressure.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
2:00 The truth about travel baseball and the illusion of exposure
6:00 Why playing time matters more than tournament prestige
9:00 The damage of comparison: what parents get wrong
12:00 Puberty, growth, and the myth of “falling behind”
15:00 Discovering your child’s true passion and purpose
18:00 Listening to your kids — and what they’re really saying
20:00 Speaking life over your children: the power of belief
24:00 The “tennis ball” story that shaped Craig’s work ethic
37:00 How failure creates perspective and strength
43:00 His daughter’s final at-bat: finding purpose in pain
50:00 The question every parent should ask: “Would it still be worth it?”
55:00 Bear Bryant’s prayer and the power of daily gratitude
57:00 Luke’s childhood cancer story and what really matters
1:01:00 The real trophy: who your kids become

Matt Hannaford is a 25-year veteran MLB agent and founder of Aligned Sports. He’s represented Hall of Famers, negotiated blockbuster contracts, and now shares his wisdom weekly on The Most Valuable Agent.

Connect with Matt Hannaford:
  / mfhannaford  
https://www.aligndsports.com/

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