Episode Date

March 25, 2026

Episode Description

Rhett sits down with longtime coach and mentor Marc Wiese, a respected leader in youth baseball and softball with experience across youth, high school, college, and USA Baseball. Wiese is the founder of New Level Baseball and Softball and recently retired as the head coach of Puyallup High School Baseball after a 30-year run that included multiple state championships, 18 straight league titles, and a reputation as one of the premier programs in Washington state.

From coaching his own sons to building one of the most recognized development programs in the Pacific Northwest, Marc shares what has stayed consistent through it all, the people. His perspective is shaped not just by wins, but by decades of relationships with players, families, and coaches who are still part of his life today.

This conversation takes an honest look at the realities of modern youth sports. From the pressure to keep up with travel teams and year-round competition to the challenge of balancing development and winning, Marc reflects on what he learned through his time at Puyallup and what he now sees through New Level. He also opens up about coaching his own kids, navigating expectations as both a father and coach, and learning how to protect the relationship over performance.

For parents, coaches, and athletes trying to navigate youth baseball and today’s competitive sports environment, this episode offers a grounded perspective. Development takes time. Failure is part of the process. And when the game is over, it’s the relationships, not the results, that tend to matter most.

“When they come back and say ‘I get it now’… that’s everything.”

Subscribe Links

Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• YouTube

Key Takeaways

What This Episode Explores

• Relationships outlast results, and often become the most meaningful part of the journey

• Development takes time, but the pressure for instant success keeps growing

• Coaching your own child challenges the relationship more than the game itself

• Experiences matter, but too much too early can take away their value

• Failure is not something to avoid, it is where growth actually happens

Soundbites

“It’s not about winning and losing, it’s about getting better.”

“I don’t want baseball dictating your guys’ relationship.”

“Everybody wants instant gratification… they want the clicks.”

“The game is going to punch you in the nose.”

“When they come back and say ‘I get it now’… that’s everything.”

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

Watch on YouTube or Listen on Apple or Spotify and follow along

[00:36] A Relationship That Goes Back Years

• Rhett and Marc reflect on their long history as player, coach, and peers

• The challenge of seeing former players as adults instead of kids

• Coaching becomes a cycle of giving back to the next generation

[02:48] Why Relationships Matter More Than Results

• The families and friendships formed through youth sports

• How teams turn into lifelong connections

• Being intentional about who your kids grow up around

[05:20] The Reality of “Sports Families”

• Realizing your closest circle is built through your kids’ teams

• The environments parents create matter just as much as the games

• Wanting kids at your house so you know what they’re around

[08:10] Being Present While You’re In It

• The challenge of appreciating the moment as a parent and coach

• The small moments after practice that end up meaning the most

• Realizing this phase doesn’t last forever

[09:30] Coaching Your Own Kids

• Marc’s honest reflection on not always getting it right

• Learning to separate performance from relationship

• Adjusting expectations and allowing kids to find their own path

[13:48] The Pressure of Youth Sports Today

• The push for more games, more travel, more exposure

• The fear of falling behind driving decisions

• Trying to balance development with expectations

[15:01] Instant Gratification vs Long-Term Growth

• Social media and visibility changing how success is measured

• Families stretching financially to “keep up”

• The reminder that development timelines are different for everyone

[18:27] Letting Kids Follow Their Own Path

• Navigating outside pressure from other families

• Supporting your child’s journey without comparison

• Wanting kids to compete with and against better players

[22:01] The Value of Shared Experiences

• Travel trips and moments that build lasting relationships

• How experiences strengthen connections beyond the game

• Looking back on moments that still stick years later

[22:43] Work Ethic, Adversity, and Reality

• Passion and perseverance as the foundation of growth

• Understanding most athletes won’t play professionally

• The role of adversity in shaping character

[24:16] Coaching Beyond the Game

• Marc’s personal story of leaving the game early

• Coaching as a way to give players what he didn’t have

• Helping kids build confidence through failure

[24:42] When It All Comes Full Circle

• Former players returning and sharing life success

• Lessons from sports showing up in careers and adulthood

• The deeper impact of coaching beyond wins

[25:27] Redefining Success in Youth Sports

• Not everything needs to be celebrated publicly

• Allowing space for struggle and growth

• The importance of resilience over recognition

[27:00] The Feeling You Can’t Replicate

• Helping players reach milestones beyond the field

• The emotional impact of seeing players grow into adults

• Being a small part of someone’s bigger journey

Final Reflection or Closing Thought

The scoreboard fades pretty quickly. The conversations, the people, and the moments you didn’t realize were important at the time tend to stay.

Call to Action

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone navigating youth sports right now.

Follow the show, stay connected, and if you have a story to share, we’d love to hear it.