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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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4 Moments That Defined the Greatest CWS Upset Ever - Gary Gilmore

Recent Episodes

July 30, 2025

4 Moments That Defined the Greatest CWS Upset Ever - Gary Gilmore

Send us a text When Gary Gilmore arrived at Coastal Carolina, they had won just 17 games the previous season. Nobody—except perhaps Gilmore himself—believed this program could ever reach college baseball's pinnacle. Yet through a remarkable development-focused philosophy, unwavering faith, and a culture built on love, Gilmore guided the Chanticleers to one of the greatest underdog stories in sports history. The 2016 College World Series champions weren't built on blue-chip recruits or lavish...

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July 23, 2025

3 Leadership Lessons That Ignited A State Championship

Send us a text Championship teams aren't born—they're built through transformative moments. When Olentangy High School was run-ruled by their rivals midway through the 2025 season, head coach Ryan Lucas watched something remarkable happen. His players, on their own accord, gathered in the locker room for an honest conversation about identity and commitment. That player-led meeting sparked a stunning turnaround—16 wins in their next 17 games culminating in an Ohio Division I State Championship...

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July 16, 2025

5 Reasons High School Pitchers Are Getting Injured More Than Ever

Send us a text What's destroying young pitchers' arms across America? The answer might be right there on the radar gun. In this eye-opening episode, Coach Ken Carpenter tackles the alarming rise in serious arm injuries among youth and high school pitchers. Drawing from conversations with experts like Dr. Tom House and his own 27 years of coaching experience, Ken explores how the relentless pursuit of velocity—"chasing 90"—combined with year-round pitching schedules and early sport spec...

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July 16, 2025

Is It Still Called ‘Old School’ If It Works? Clint Hurdle

Send us a text Ever wonder what happens when a Major League manager storms the field to argue a call? For Clint Hurdle, former Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies manager, one such confrontation led to an unexpected humbling when an umpire refused to eject him, saying "I've had to watch this horrible baseball for four days. You're going to have to watch it too." It's just one of many candid insights Hurdle shares in this revealing conversation. After spending decades in professional base...

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July 9, 2025

Why High School Baseball Matters More Than Travel Ball for Overall Player Development

Send us a text Baseball's developmental landscape has undergone a massive shift in recent years. The glittering allure of travel baseball—with its showcases, fancy uniforms, and promises of exposure—has many believing it's the superior path to player development. But is it really? Drawing from 27 years of high school coaching experience and 8 seasons in travel baseball, Coach Ken Carpenter delivers a thought-provoking analysis of what's truly best for young athletes. The fundamental differen...

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July 2, 2025

What Can Chinese Taipei’s Batting Practice Teach American Teams?

Send us a text When Coach Will Gorden stepped off the plane in China to lead a development program for Major League Baseball, he faced an immediate challenge: coaching 42 young baseball players who didn't speak English. This experience became the foundation for his transformative coaching journey that would span three countries and reshape his approach to leadership. "More than anything, I learned a new way to communicate," Gorden explains on Baseball Coaches Unplugged. "After working with t...

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June 25, 2025

How To Build A State Champion Without Flamethrowing Pitchers

Send us a text What does it take to build a championship high school baseball program without flame-throwing pitchers or Division I talent? Wisconsin Hall of Fame coach Jeff Ryan pulls back the curtain on his old-school approach that's produced 438 wins and a state championship at small-school Prescott High. Ryan's journey from milking cows on a hobby farm to becoming one of Wisconsin's most respected baseball minds reveals how traditional values translate to modern success. "Consistency, fa...

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June 18, 2025

Stealing Victory: How 160+ Stolen Bases Led to CWS Championship Game

Send us a text Nestled within the captivating world of collegiate baseball lies an extraordinary tale of transformation. Phil Schallenberger, head coach of Messiah University's baseball program, guides us through his team's remarkable journey from a disheartening 1-7 start to playing for the Division III College World Series championship. The turning point came not through a strategic overhaul but a profound shift in perspective. After striking out 15 times against the #1 ranked team, Schall...

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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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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