Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford

Episode: Travel Ball With a Purpose: How Excel Baseball Academy Does It Different

Date: July 16, 2025 | Host: Matt Hannaford | Guest: Manny (Founding Director, Excel Baseball Academy)

Episode Overview

In this in-depth episode, MLB agent Matt Hannaford sits down with longtime friend and former pro player Manny, co-founder of Excel Baseball Academy, to explore how changes in youth and amateur baseball are shaping players' experiences—and how Manny and his organization are doing things differently. The conversation moves from the evolution of travel baseball and college recruiting to issues of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), faith, and life lessons. Listeners—players, parents, coaches, and fans—will leave with actionable insight on developing not just great athletes, but well-rounded people.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Baseball Then and Now: The Evolution of Youth and Travel Ball

(00:29 – 04:36)

• Manny recalls a time before organized travel ball was the norm, describing his roots playing American Legion ball in football-centric Oxford, Alabama.
• “For me personally, growing up in Oxford, Alabama, football, number one...With baseball, we would just have an American Legion team that was basically our high school team ...it’s a totally different setup.” – Manny (01:10)
• Travel ball was rare; local teams and family coaches dominated the scene, compared to today’s hyper-organized, showcase-driven environments.

2. Recruitment and College Decision-Making

(04:36 – 11:09)

• Manny describes a less-pressured, “old school” recruitment process compared to today’s landscape—no early commitments or constant hype.

• Importance of taking official visits:
  “My dad...looked at me and said, you will take all five of your official visits. You will not tell any of these schools that you're committing to them until you take all five of your visits.” – Manny (07:50)

• The emotional and logical sides of picking a college; why sometimes “it just feels right” is the answer, not just opportunities for instant playing time.

  “If you get recruited by a number of schools, you’re trying to ...remove the emotion...then make a logical decision.” – Matt (09:03)

• New NCAA rules (e.g., August 1 contact date) have helped both players and coaches avoid premature recruiting decisions and better protect families and programs.

3. The “Business” of College Baseball in the Era of the Transfer Portal and NIL

(11:09 – 19:52)

• The culture of college baseball has shifted:
  • Players and coaches now make shorter-term commitments; the transfer portal has effectively created college “free agency.”
  • Introduction of NIL deals has changed the entire experience.
• “When you start involving money, it’s not so much an amateur sport anymore ...You can't blame the kids for ...getting paid and getting to a bigger ... level.” – Manny (13:56)
• Both schools and players face challenges—changing coaches, cut scholarships, and development that may not align with early hype.
• Manny shares how, if NIL had existed in his day, the allure of helping his financially stretched family would have been tough to resist:

  “If somebody would have offered me an extra $25,000 ... I don't know how I would have turned it down ... I really don't.” – Manny (19:52)

4. Pro Ball: Expectations vs. Reality — and the Mental Grind

(20:00 – 25:24)

• Manny reflects on the “individualization” of professional baseball—success, stats, and advancement overtook the simple fun and team-first mentality of high school and college.
• On the pressure of climbing the ladder:

  “I got to go 1 for 3 with a walk and get my average up...and then get the heck out of this level and go to the next level. And it took the emphasis off the scoreboard.” – Manny (20:27)

• Both Matt and Manny discuss the importance of mental health, self-worth beyond baseball, and the value of learning life’s lessons early (with an anecdote from Matt’s client Jamie on playing freely by letting go of identity tied to performance—see [23:09]).

5. Family, Faith, and the “Why” Behind Excel Baseball Academy

(25:24 – 33:27)

• Manny credits his faith and family for keeping him grounded through career transitions and for helping him leave pro baseball at the right time.
• The central role of faith:

  “My parents growing up, priority number One, your relationship to God, Nothing else mattered. Nothing...” – Manny (31:52)

• How his wife’s support and sacrifices allowed him to pursue baseball, but ultimately, “life after baseball” became the next adventure.

6. Life After Playing: Excel Baseball’s Mission and Methods

(38:02 – 49:47)

• Origins of Excel Baseball Academy:
  • Started in 2003 with one team; growth was intentional and never about chasing money or numbers.
  • Quality over quantity—no “check clears, you play” mentality; tough choices about cutting players.

  “If we don't have the right person coaching, if we don't have a good man, good leader who knows the game, we're not going to create a team." – Manny (39:39)

• Building a culture of integrity and action over talk:

  “Anybody can say anything, right? ... We try to educate, I think, educating parents, educating kids from the beginning...” – Manny (42:56)

• On player development:
  • Personalized to each athlete but built on foundational values; small roster sizes foster opportunity and accountability.
  • “If your priorities are not right...it's a challenge.”

7. Fixing What’s Broken: Perspective on Youth Sports and Rankings

(50:53 – 56:58)

• Rising costs, early specialization, and the ranking culture can push kids and families astray.
• Multi-sport athletes get preference at Excel—"If you gave us two kids that were equal...we’re going to choose the football player because they're going to be a more well-rounded athlete.” – Manny (56:03)
• Importance of prioritizing faith, family, and fun:

  “If your kid’s passionate about baseball, push him, push him...But then there’s a time my dad would look at us ... put the ball and glove away.” – Manny (55:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the decision to pick a college
  “I wanted to go earn it. That’s how I made that decision.” – Manny (08:32)

• On the challenge of today’s recruiting rules
  “They’re all put in really tough positions...if you’re a coach and you don’t go after these 14-year-olds who are studs, somebody else is and you’re going to miss out on them.” – Manny (10:13)

• On the lure of NIL money
  “If it was something like that, where I could have helped my parents financially...I don’t know how I would have turned that down.” – Manny (19:52)

• On professional baseball’s mental impact
  “When a team comes together...that is the most fun you will have on a baseball field at any level.” – Manny (21:00)

• On faith as a guiding principle
  “That faith is the reason that my whole entire family...is all because of my faith.” – Manny (32:20)

• On Excel’s approach to travel ball
  “If your check clears, you don’t have a spot on our team...If we don’t have the right person...we’re not going to create a team.” – Manny (39:39)

• On the risk of over-specialization
  “If your kid is meant to play...he will get there. No matter if you play on this select travel team at 9 years old or not.” – Manny (56:58)

Important Timestamps

• 00:29–04:36 — Youth baseball in the pre-travel-ball era; roots in community and family.
• 04:36–11:09 — College decision-making; visits, offers, the emotional vs. logical process.
• 11:09–19:52 — Risks and rewards of early commitments, coaching changes, and the impact of NIL.
• 20:00–25:24 — Entering pro ball; the pressures, loss of team-first mentality, need for mental resilience.
• 25:24–33:27 — Life beyond the field, importance of family and faith.
• 39:39–49:47 — Excel Baseball's standards, approach to development, and priorities.
• 50:53–56:58 — Advice to families: multi-sport benefits, slowing down, and real developmental windows.
• 62:19 — Advice: “Do your due diligence beforehand. Figure out what's important to you. Talk as a family.” – Manny

Takeaways & Advice for Listeners

• Players: Focus on your development and team contributions—not just personal accolades. Mental strength and identity outside of baseball matter.
• Parents: Slow down, research programs, and constantly revisit your family’s values and priorities. Don’t rush youth specialization or fall prey to financial pressures.
• Coaches/Organizations: Lead by action, not words. Build teams and cultures around integrity, opportunity, and the joy of the game—not just financial gain or rankings.

An enlightening conversation reminding us that the game is a tool for growth—and that the right mentors can help families and players find both baseball success and life fulfillment.