<![CDATA[Chatter Up]]>Welcome to Chatter Up, presented by Extra Innings Travel. Each episode we explore the global and unifying power of baseball.

]]>https://extrainningstravel.com/Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sat, 10 Oct 2026 08:00:22 GMTWed, 19 Aug 2026 19:51:44 GMT60Extra Innings Travel<p>Welcome to Chatter Up, presented by Extra Innings Travel. Each episode we explore the global and unifying power of baseball.</p>episodicExtra Innings Travelmarkjent@simplyafan.comno<![CDATA[Miguel Batista: The Poet Who Won a World Series]]>On this episode, Shane is joined by 2001 World Series champion Miguel Batista to talk about his journey from the Dominican Republic to the big leagues, his work advocating for players, and baseball’s ability to bring people together. Batista also shares memories of the World Series following September 11, lessons from his favorite managers, and stories from a life spent exploring the game.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Musical Score: https://clarkbarclay.com

0:00 Introducing Miguel Batista
2:06 Growing Up with Baseball in the Dominican Republic
6:18 His MLB Journey, Studying Law & Working for the Players Association
15:08 Life Beyond Baseball
17:30 The 2001 World Series, 9/11, & Caribbean Championships
29:43 How Baseball Brings People Together
37:53 Show and Tell: World Series Memorabilia
44:38 Japan and the Dominican Republic’s Baseball Connection

]]>ca72f806-0c93-4427-8e59-5c69bc2ac535Wed, 07 Oct 2026 01:31:11 GMT<p>On this episode, Shane is joined by 2001 World Series champion Miguel Batista to talk about his journey from the Dominican Republic to the big leagues, his work advocating for players, and baseball’s ability to bring people together. Batista also shares memories of the World Series following September 11, lessons from his favorite managers, and stories from a life spent exploring the game.<br /><br />⚾ Extra Innings Travel: <a href="https://extrainningstravel.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://extrainningstravel.com/</a><br />⚾ JapanBall: <a href="https://japanball.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://japanball.com/</a><br />⚾ Musical Score: <a href="https://clarkbarclay.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://clarkbarclay.com</a><br /><br />0:00 Introducing Miguel Batista<br />2:06 Growing Up with Baseball in the Dominican Republic<br />6:18 His MLB Journey, Studying Law &amp; Working for the Players Association<br />15:08 Life Beyond Baseball<br />17:30 The 2001 World Series, 9/11, &amp; Caribbean Championships<br />29:43 How Baseball Brings People Together<br />37:53 Show and Tell: World Series Memorabilia<br />44:38 Japan and the Dominican Republic’s Baseball Connection</p>no00:46:5615Miguel Batista: The Poet Who Won a World Seriesfull<![CDATA[Bonus Episode: Upcoming Tours]]>In this short bonus episode, Shane Barclay and Mark Jent break down what's in store for the remainder of 2026 and look ahead to 2027 on the tour schedule.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Musical Score: https://clarkbarclay.com

00:00 - Introduction
01:20 - Dominican Republic Winter Ball Adventure
14:15 - Okinawa NPB Spring Training
18:11 - 2027 Tour Schedule

]]>5c0b79d1-111e-4a19-a552-6c0dc4859067Thu, 01 Oct 2026 11:55:25 GMT<p>In this short bonus episode, Shane Barclay and Mark Jent break down what's in store for the remainder of 2026 and look ahead to 2027 on the tour schedule.</p><p>⚾ Extra Innings Travel: <a href="https://extrainningstravel.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://extrainningstravel.com/</a><br />⚾ JapanBall: <a href="https://japanball.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://japanball.com/</a><br />⚾ Musical Score: <a href="https://clarkbarclay.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://clarkbarclay.com</a><br /><br />00:00 - Introduction<br />01:20 - Dominican Republic Winter Ball Adventure<br />14:15 - Okinawa NPB Spring Training<br />18:11 - 2027 Tour Schedule</p>no00:21:4414Bonus Episode: Upcoming Toursfull<![CDATA[Sandy Alderson: Paving the Path for Moneyball & MLB's Global Strategy]]>In the third installment of the show, Shane talks to Sandy Alderson about building the Oakland A’s, embracing analytics before Moneyball, and his work with the Padres, Mets, and MLB. They also discuss baseball’s international future, the people who shaped Sandy’s career, and how he helped Shane forge his own path into the game.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Musical Score: https://clarkbarclay.com

0:00 - Introduction
6:14 - How Sandy helped Shane get his start in baseball
10:44 - Interview begins
12:30 - From lawyer to A’s general manager
15:03 - Eric Walker and the origins of the A’s approach to analytics
20:08 - Billy Beane and how analytics changed front offices
29:02 - Sandy’s introduction to international baseball
34:27 - Why Olympic baseball matters
47:38 - Reforming baseball’s system in the Dominican Republic
56:01 - The people who kept Sandy in baseball
1:04:09 - Show and Tell

]]>1adff8a4-f1c7-43df-b03b-0b01e1e79069Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:02:36 GMT<p>In the third installment of the show, Shane talks to Sandy Alderson about building the Oakland A’s, embracing analytics before Moneyball, and his work with the Padres, Mets, and MLB. They also discuss baseball’s international future, the people who shaped Sandy’s career, and how he helped Shane forge his own path into the game.<br /><br />⚾ Extra Innings Travel: <a href="https://extrainningstravel.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://extrainningstravel.com/</a><br />⚾ JapanBall: <a href="https://japanball.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://japanball.com/</a><br />⚾ Musical Score: <a href="https://clarkbarclay.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://clarkbarclay.com</a><br /><br />0:00 - Introduction<br />6:14 - How Sandy helped Shane get his start in baseball<br />10:44 - Interview begins<br />12:30 - From lawyer to A’s general manager<br />15:03 - Eric Walker and the origins of the A’s approach to analytics<br />20:08 - Billy Beane and how analytics changed front offices<br />29:02 - Sandy’s introduction to international baseball<br />34:27 - Why Olympic baseball matters<br />47:38 - Reforming baseball’s system in the Dominican Republic<br />56:01 - The people who kept Sandy in baseball<br />1:04:09 - Show and Tell</p>no01:20:343Sandy Alderson: Paving the Path for Moneyball & MLB's Global Strategyfull<![CDATA[Bob Bavasi: Growing Up a Dodger & Creating JapanBall ]]>In our second episode, Shane is joined by JapanBall founder Bob Bavasi to trace the company’s origins. Bob reflects on growing up in one of baseball’s most prominent families, discovering Japanese baseball, launching the first JapanBall tours, and eventually passing the business on to Shane.


Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
Bob Bavasi: https://www.bavasisports.com/

0:00 - Introducing Bob Bavasi
2:37 - Growing Up in a Baseball Family
6:37 - Discovering Japanese Baseball
14:28 - The Origins of JapanBall Tours
24:00 - Passing JapanBall to Shane
38:11 - Show and Tell

]]>928e1324-9092-4497-8ea6-5227ef328801Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:07:42 GMT<p>In our second episode, Shane is joined by JapanBall founder Bob Bavasi to trace the company’s origins. Bob reflects on growing up in one of baseball’s most prominent families, discovering Japanese baseball, launching the first JapanBall tours, and eventually passing the business on to Shane.</p><p><br /></p><p>Extra Innings Travel: <a href="https://extrainningstravel.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://extrainningstravel.com/</a><br />JapanBall: <a href="https://japanball.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://japanball.com/</a><br />Bob Bavasi: <a href="https://www.bavasisports.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.bavasisports.com/</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruzQKLFJVMk" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">0:00</a> - Introducing Bob Bavasi<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruzQKLFJVMk&amp;t=157s" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">2:37</a> - Growing Up in a Baseball Family<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruzQKLFJVMk&amp;t=397s" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">6:37</a> - Discovering Japanese Baseball<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruzQKLFJVMk&amp;t=868s" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">14:28</a> - The Origins of JapanBall Tours<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruzQKLFJVMk&amp;t=1440s&amp;pp=0gcJCWMAwfN6Pr3D" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">24:00</a> - Passing JapanBall to Shane<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruzQKLFJVMk&amp;t=2291s" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">38:11</a> - Show and Tell</p>no00:42:2812Bob Bavasi: Growing Up a Dodger & Creating JapanBall full<![CDATA[Shane Barclay's Baseball Origin Story]]>Chatter Up, presented by Extra Innings Travel, explores baseball’s international reach, the connections it creates, and the stories that make the game so special. Join Shane Barclay for conversations with amazing members of our global baseball community.

In the first episode of Chatter Up, Shane and Mark Jent discuss the story behind Extra Innings Travel, Shane’s journey through the baseball industry, and the global experiences that shaped his love of the game.

⚾ Extra Innings Travel: https://extrainningstravel.com/
⚾ JapanBall: https://japanball.com/
⚾ Mark Jent's Simply A Fan: https://simplyafan.com/

0:00 - Introducing Chatter Up
3:12 - The Podcast’s Origins and Vision
7:29 - What Is Extra Innings Travel?
13:25 - Shane’s Background and Love of Baseball
23:53 - From MLB to JapanBall
43:45 - Show and Tell

]]>17934140-6089-42f5-9cb4-edfca26be2d9Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:14:02 GMT<p>Chatter Up, presented by Extra Innings Travel, explores baseball’s international reach, the connections it creates, and the stories that make the game so special. Join Shane Barclay for conversations with amazing members of our global baseball community.<br /><br />In the first episode of Chatter Up, Shane and Mark Jent discuss the story behind Extra Innings Travel, Shane’s journey through the baseball industry, and the global experiences that shaped his love of the game.<br /><br />⚾ Extra Innings Travel: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://extrainningstravel.com/" target="_blank">https://extrainningstravel.com/</a><br />⚾ JapanBall: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://japanball.com/" target="_blank">https://japanball.com/</a><br />⚾ Mark Jent's Simply A Fan: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://simplyafan.com/" target="_blank">https://simplyafan.com/</a><br /><br />0:00 - Introducing Chatter Up<br />3:12 - The Podcast’s Origins and Vision<br />7:29 - What Is Extra Innings Travel?<br />13:25 - Shane’s Background and Love of Baseball<br />23:53 - From MLB to JapanBall<br />43:45 - Show and Tell</p>no00:51:2411Shane Barclay's Baseball Origin Storyfull