Texas Tailgators shortstop Jorden Hussein never planned on playing Banana Ball.

His path went from North Shore High School in Houston to Crowder College, Division I baseball at Little Rock, two seasons of independent ball, the Party Animals, and now the Texas Tailgators. At several points, the next opportunity looked nothing like what he originally pictured.

That’s exactly why I wanted him on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast.

Jorden talks about why he chose JUCO when he had a Division I opportunity, why parents need to be realistic about where their son actually is as a player, and what his own parents got right throughout his baseball career. He also gives one of the better analogies I’ve heard about what a player needs from his dad after a bad game.

We also get into Banana Ball. Is the baseball real? Are the games scripted? And after playing inside it, does Jorden believe Banana Ball is actually here to stay? His answer might surprise some traditional baseball people.

In this episode we cover:

• Why Jorden chose JUCO instead of going Division I right away
• What parents should look at beyond the school name and division
• The reality check he thinks more baseball parents need about their son
• What each jump in competition exposed about his own game
• What his parents did when he struggled
• What NOT to do on the car ride home after your son goes 0-for-4
• How a phone call he almost turned down led him to Banana Ball
• Whether Banana Ball is scripted and how competitive the games really are
• Why he believes Banana Ball is here to stay
• What Banana Ball taught him about slowing the game down defensively
• Why parents should stop obsessing over statistics
• What he wishes he could tell his high school self

Jorden’s path is a good reminder for baseball parents: your son’s best opportunity may not have the name, logo, division, or path you pictured.

Pay attention to where he can play, where he can get better, and where people genuinely want him.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor
⚾ Guest: Jorden Hussein, Texas Tailgators shortstop
🎧 Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

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