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ATHLETE 1 PODCAST

ATHLETE 1 PODCAST

What if you could go behind the scenes with athletes and coaches? Join Ken Carpenter, a veteran high school baseball coach weekly as he examines success, failures, and life lessons in sports. Each episode provides valuable insight and an understanding of playing or coaching team sports.

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8 Traits Every Championship High School Baseball Team Shares

Recent Episodes

June 11, 2025

8 Traits Every Championship High School Baseball Team Shares

Send us a text The difference between consistently winning baseball programs and those that occasionally succeed isn't raw talent—it's the foundational elements Coach Ken Carpenter reveals in this powerful episode. Drawing from 27 years of coaching experience, Carpenter breaks down the eight critical characteristics that championship teams at every level share, from high school powerhouses to small programs that consistently punch above their weight. At the heart of sustainable success is of...

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June 4, 2025

How Top High School Baseball Programs Build Winning Cultures (and How You Can Too!)

Send us a text Ever wonder how top high school baseball programs consistently develop winning cultures? Coach Blake Iles of Olathe East High School in Kansas pulls back the curtain on his coaching philosophy that's produced multiple 20+ win seasons and championships. What makes Iles' approach unique is his genuine commitment to empowering those around him. His assistant coaches don't just stand around during games – they have "full control" over their areas of expertise. This delegation crea...

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May 28, 2025

Want to Win a Baseball State Title? Focus on This First...

Send us a text The journey to a state baseball championship begins with preparation long before the tournament starts. Coach Al Zeiher of Saline High School in Michigan joins us to share his championship philosophy as his team readies for the playoff gauntlet. We dive deep into Michigan's fascinating tournament format where matchups are determined by a random draw—athletic directors literally pulling popsicle sticks from a hat—with no seeding system whatsoever. This creates scenarios where t...

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May 21, 2025

Transfer Portal Outweighs Recruiting High School Players

Send us a text The college baseball landscape has fundamentally changed, and today we're pulling back the curtain on the recruiting reality that coaches and players are facing nationwide. At the heart of this transformation is a critical choice: developing high school talent or tapping into the transfer portal for seasoned players. When Oregon State's head coach Mitch Cannon candidly admits, "With a roster of 34, you don't have room to keep a whole bunch of guys around to develop," he's voic...

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May 14, 2025

Steal These Practice Strategies from One of America’s Top High School Baseball Teams

Send us a text What does it take to build a high school baseball powerhouse ranked #1 in Arkansas and among the top 25 programs nationally? Coach Leighton Hardin of Conway High School pulls back the curtain on his championship formula. The secret to Conway's "Wampus Cats" success starts with three non-negotiable values: team, toughness, and competitiveness. Coach Hardin demonstrates how following legendary coaches throughout his career prepared him to establish his own winning culture while ...

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May 7, 2025

The One Coaching Adjustment That Can Win You a Title

Send us a text When the rain washes out a week of games and the state tournament looms on the horizon, how do you keep your pitching staff ready? For Coach Jason Brandt, the answer might surprise you. Coach Brandt of Wapakoneta High School has crafted one of Ohio's most consistent baseball programs through a philosophy that seems counterintuitive at first glance. "The later we get into the season, the less we practice," he reveals, explaining that rest becomes increasingly precious as tourna...

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About the Host

Ken Carpenter Profile Photo

Ken Carpenter

Podcast Host

Originally from Bellaire, Ohio. Served 19 years as a head high school baseball (Buckeye Valley and Dublin Scioto - Ohio). Assistant Coach at Dublin Coffman and Dublin Jerome (OH)
Overall record 314-159.

Football coach at Dublin Coffman and Buckeye Valley (Ohio) - 6 years
Sports Official - Baseball/Football/Basketball

Past President of Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association
Served on the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Board

U.S. Army Paratrooper

Graduated from The Ohio State University

Reviews

Great Podcast hosted by a Great Coach!

"Great episode every week"

Buckeyebymarriage | May 27, 2021

AMAZING PODCAST!!

"Ken does awesome work marked by such intentionality. Keep up the great work!"

Alina | Nov. 23, 2022

Buckeye Way - Bob Todd Interview

"Refreshing reminiscing with Coach Todd about his time as OSU Baseball coach and his philosophies as a coach and parent. Good work Ken."

Jim Dougherty | April 26, 2023

Great Listen

"Athlete1 Podcast offers insightful and inspiring interviews with top athletes, giving listeners an inside look at their journeys and challenges. Great listen for sport enthusiasts!"

Alex | July 24, 2024

Great content for high school baseball coaches and players

"If you are a high school coach or player, do yourself a favor and give Ken's podcast a listen. Ken does a tremendous job in engaging his guests, resulting in a dialog that is not only entertaining, …"

Max Newill | Sept. 12, 2024