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What does it take to pitch professionally at 45 — while serving as an elected official?

In this wide-ranging conversation, J.D. Scholten shares the remarkable story of how he balanced professional baseball and public service at the same time — becoming the only person in history to play pro baseball while holding elected office.

Scholten walks through his journey from Sioux City, Iowa, to pitching around the world, to the Iowa Statehouse. He reflects on the grind of independent baseball, the lessons learned from pitching without velocity, and how the discipline of the game prepared him for life in politics. From European leagues and late-night bus rides to campaigning across 42 counties as the lone Democrat in northwest Iowa, this is a story about persistence, preparation, and showing up — no matter the arena.

Topics include:

• Pitching professionally into his mid-40s
• Playing baseball while serving in elected office
• What baseball teaches you about leadership and failure
• Campaigning in deep-red districts
• Why Sioux City has always been home
• Knowing when it’s finally time to step away

Whether you’re a baseball fan, a politics junkie, or just someone who appreciates an unconventional life path, this conversation offers a rare look at what it means to compete — and serve — at the highest level.

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Former MLB reliever Dominic Leone opens up like never before.

From growing up in Norwich, Connecticut, to going undrafted out of high school, to carving out an 11-year Major League career across 10 organizations—Leone’s story is about obsession, resilience, and identity beyond the uniform.

In this interview, Dominic reflects on:
• Being overlooked because of his size
• The unexpected bullpen move that fast-tracked him to the big leagues
• The mental toll of injuries, trades, and constant uncertainty
• The moment he *knew* his career was over
• Life after baseball, fatherhood, and building a new identity
• Interests outside of the game of baseball
• Why mindset—not raw stuff—was his true edge

Leone also dives into the side of pro athletes fans rarely see: fashion, wine, watches, mental health, and the struggle of letting go of the game that defined you.

This is a raw conversation about what it really takes to survive in professional baseball—and what happens when the uniform finally comes off.

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Baseball development in America has never been more competitive—or more fragmented. Travel organizations promise exposure, private instructors chase quick fixes, and parents spend evenings shuttling kids from lesson to lesson in search of something that actually works. In the middle of that whirlwind, one former big leaguer has carved out a different path. In Palmetto, Florida, Kory DeHaan is quietly building something unusual: a training culture rooted not just in reps and metrics, but in mentorship, family values, and real human development. Through HitLab, PitchLab, and the growing Omnia Sports Academy, DeHaan has created a system that challenges the traditional model of youth baseball while giving families a more intentional way to pursue their child’s athletic goals.