The Beginner's Dugout
Welcome to Beginner’s Dugout! If you’re new to baseball—or baseball-curious—this is the show for you.
Each episode focuses on one key part of the game, breaking it down in simple, beginner-friendly language so you can stop feeling lost and start enjoying baseball with confidence. Whether you’re picking your first team or trying to understand what everyone’s yelling about, we’ve got you covered.
New to baseball? Start here:
EP1: How to Pick Your Team
S2:EP1: How to Watch Baseball (Updated for 2026)
EP3: Pitching Basic
EP6: Batting Basics
EP8: Stats for Beginners
Follow the path, and the game will start to click fast.
The game is complicated. We make it make sense.
Episodes
19 episodes
S2: EP1: How to Watch Baseball in 2026 (And the New Rules Explained)
New to baseball and not sure how to actually watch your team in 2026? Between streaming blackouts, subscription options, and the latest rule changes, it can feel way more complicated than it should be.In this episode of Beginner’s Du...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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37:55
S1: EP18: MLB Playoffs Explained: How October Baseball Really Works
If you’re new to the sport, the MLB postseason can feel confusing fast. Wild Cards, expanding brackets, sudden momentum swings — what actually makes playoff baseball different from the regular season?In this episode of Beginner’s Dug...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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41:00
S1: EP17: Baseball Umpires Explained: The Hardest Job on the Field
Umpires are everywhere in baseball — but most new fans don’t know how they actually work their way to the majors.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down umpire roles, training, and the real challenges of calling a bi...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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47:52
S1: EP16: The Trade Deadline Explained: Why Teams Make Big Moves
Every summer, teams suddenly start making dramatic trades — and it can feel chaotic if you’re new to baseball.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain how the trade deadline works, why contenders get aggressive, and what...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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34:49
S1: EP15: The All-Star Game Explained: What New Fans Should Watch For
The MLB All-Star Game looks different from regular season baseball — and for new fans, it can be confusing.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down how players are selected, what happens during All-Star Week, and how ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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55:19
S1: EP14: Baseball Superstitions: The Weird Rituals Players Swear By
From lucky socks to bizarre routines, baseball players are famously superstitious — but why?In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explore the strangest traditions in the sport and what they reveal about baseball culture.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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42:27
S1: EP13: Baseball’s Unwritten Rules (Why Players Get So Upset)
Ever see players get angry over something that doesn’t seem to break any official rule? Welcome to baseball’s unwritten rules.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain the hidden codes of baseball culture and why certain ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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38:44
S1: EP12: Women in Baseball: The Story New Fans Should Know
Women have shaped baseball’s history in powerful ways — but many new fans never hear those stories.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we highlight key figures, milestones, and the evolving role of women in the game.It’...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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41:45
S1: EP11: The MLB Draft Explained (Without the Headache)
The MLB Draft can feel wildly complicated compared to other sports — and honestly, it kind of is.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we walk through how the draft works, why development takes longer in baseball, and what begin...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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41:30
S1: EP10: International Baseball Players: How Global the Game Really Is
Baseball may feel very American, but the modern MLB is truly global. So where are today’s players coming from?In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explore international pipelines to the majors, how baseball differs around th...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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46:41
S1: EP9: How Minor League Farm Teams Work (Player Call-Ups Explained)
Ever hear that a player got “sent down” or “called up” and wonder what that really means?In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain the minor league farm system, how player development works, and when you might see prospec...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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43:37
S1: EP8: Baseball Stats for Beginners: The Numbers That Actually Matter
ERAs, RBIs, OBP… baseball stats can feel like alphabet soup when you’re just getting started.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we simplify the most important pitching, hitting, and fielding stats so you know which numbers ac...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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42:40
S1: EP7: Baseball Fielding Positions Explained (Who Does What?)
Not sure what the difference is between a shortstop and a center fielder? Defensive positions can be one of the biggest hurdles for new fans.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down every fielding position, what skill...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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51:01
S1: EP6: Batting Basics: How Offense Really Works in Baseball
Wondering what separates a great hitter from an average one? Batting stats, lineups, and on-base talk can get confusing quickly.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we walk through the fundamentals of hitting, batting order str...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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37:47
S1: EP5: Spring Training Explained: Why It Actually Matters
Spring Training can feel confusing for new fans. The games don’t count, the rosters are weird, and yet everyone keeps talking about it.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain what Spring Training is really for, what tea...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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34:52
S1: EP4: Types of Baseball Pitches Explained (Without the Jargon)
Can’t tell a curveball from a slider? When announcers start naming pitch types, it can feel like they’re speaking another language.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down the most common pitches you’ll see in a game ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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41:58
S1: EP3:Pitching Basics for Beginners: What Every New Fan Should Know
Struggling to understand what pitchers are actually doing out there? If fastballs, rotations, and bullpens all blur together, you’re not alone.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we explain how pitching works, the different ro...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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34:31
S1: EP2: How to Watch Your Favorite Baseball Team (Without Getting Confused)
Found your team — but now you can’t figure out how to actually watch them? Between streaming services, radio options, and blackout rules, following baseball can feel surprisingly complicated.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout,...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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38:45
S1: EP1: How to Pick Your Baseball Team (Leagues & Teams Made Simple)
New to baseball and not sure which team to root for? With so many leagues, divisions, and franchises, picking a favorite can feel overwhelming fast.In this episode of Beginner’s Dugout, we break down how MLB leagues and teams ar...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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30:30
