Joey Marquez, a Little League coach and father from Ventura County, speaks with Our Ventura TV host, Gary Butterworth, about the broader effects of Little League baseball.
Key points from the conversation:
Life lessons from the sport — Joey emphasizes resiliency as a core takeaway. Kids learn to bounce back from strikeouts, errors, and other failures despite hard work and preparation. He coaches them through disappointment by reframing efforts (e.g., “you went out swinging”) and turning mistakes into growth opportunities.
Handling winning and losing — Joey focuses on bringing joy to the kids during practices and games rather than obsessing over outcomes. He makes drills fun and game-like to keep effort high, even when activities are physically demanding. The main purpose of playing is building character and creating lasting memories, not just winning. He tells his team upfront that they won’t always win, but they’ll make lifelong memories together.
Family and community impact — As a parent of three boys deeply involved in baseball (and other sports), Joey notes how Little League fosters organic connections among families. Parents, grandparents, and community members bond in the stands while supporting the kids—even cheering for children who aren’t their own. This creates community ties and local pride, especially since players typically live in the same neighborhood as their league.
Overall philosophy — The emphasis is on fun, personal development, community building, and shared experiences over competitive results. Joey reflects on reliving positive childhood memories through coaching his own kids and seeing families come together around the diamond.
TV broadcast week beginning 03/01/26
Producer: George Alger
Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org
Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com