# What I See as a College Softball Coach and the Dad of the #1 Prospect in Baseball

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/most-valuable-agent-with-matt-hannaford-6966172/what-i-see-as-a-college-softball-coach-and-the-dad-of-the-1-prospect-in-baseball
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/most-valuable-agent-with-matt-hannaford-6966172/what-i-see-as-a-college-softball-coach-and-the-dad-of-the-1-prospect-in-baseball.md
Podcast: [Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford](https://stenobird.com/podcast/most-valuable-agent-with-matt-hannaford-6966172)
Published: 2025-12-17T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://f19dff7d-cba9-4d19-b009-9fdbdd27ffc9.libsyn.com/what-i-see-as-a-college-softball-coach-and-the-dad-of-the-1-prospect-in-baseball
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/f19dff7d-cba9-4d19-b009-9fdbdd27ffc9/v1_051_Kevin_Griffin_MVA.mp3?dest-id=4634517
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Duration seconds: 4059

## Resource

Most parents want the roadmap — the blueprint that turns a young athlete into a confident, motivated, successful player. But very few people have lived all sides of the journey. In this episode of The Most Valuable Agent, Matt sits down with someone who has: Kevin Griffin — • Head Softball Coach at Belhaven University • Associate Athletic Director • Former college & semipro baseball player • And father of MLB's top minor league prospect, Connor Griffin Kevin brings a rare perspective: parent, coach, recruiter, evaluator, and someone who has navigated the pressure, opportunity, and noise of both youth baseball and youth softball. He breaks down the myths families fall for, the traps parents accidentally set, how to handle multi-sport decisions, and how he intentionally slowed down Connor's journey instead of chasing exposure. You'll learn why early recruiting hurt more than it helped, why parents should stop forcing sports onto kids, why the college sports landscape has changed for the worse, and how to protect your child's love for the game in an era that pushes them to specialize earlier and chase more. Kevin also shares the real story behind Connor's reclass, his injuries, draft process, the home visits, and how failure shaped who he is. This episode is packed with insights for both softball and baseball families navigating development, recruiting, and the emotional side of youth sports. Subscribe for weekly college recruiting strategy, baseball development insight, and leadership lessons for parents. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • Why parents must stop forcing sports — and how to spot true passion • The biggest myth about Division III softball (and why scholarships aren't what you think) • How early specialization hurts athleticism, confidence, and longevity • Why playing too…

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## Transcript

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