Athlete stories with grit, banter, and local flavor.
In Off The Bench is a loose, guest-driven sports show where Daniel Ball and Jim Cross move between athlete interviews, sponsor plugs, and friendly rivalry chatter. Recent episodes lean hard into United Grid Leagues teams, gymnastics, college baseball, and the small details that make competitors feel human.
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In Off The Bench treats sports conversation as something personal before it becomes technical. The show is interview-driven, but it keeps the looseness of friends talking before and after a game. Daniel Ball and Jim Cross move easily from sponsor reads into college baseball banter, United Grid Leagues previews, gymnastics questions, and whatever local detail happens to make the room laugh. The pacing is brisk. The structure is relaxed. Recent episodes show a strong Grid and Grind lane, with conversations around Palm Beach Breakers athletes and leadership, New York Wolves expectations, Houston Bandits competitors, Atlanta Wild, and future Carolina Flight storylines. Those talks are not only about results. They keep circling team culture, recruitment, roster fit, transitions, mock matches, speed, pressure, and the difference between individual fitness and moving as a unit. The gymnastics interviews follow a similar pattern. A Georgia Gymdawg conversation turns from nationals and freshman impact into the mental bubble of competing while LSU, Florida, Stanford, and other strong teams are nearby. College baseball lives in the margins and sometimes takes over the margins entirely. LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Starkville, Duty Noble, and fan grudges all become part of the show’s texture. The hosts also let sponsors and local brands become part of the conversation rather than cleanly separated breaks, especially Old Dominick Distillery, Chinook Seeds, Jesus One Apparel, and Mental Game Performance Coaching. That gives the feed a network-community feel. It can be repetitive. It can be messy. That is part of the appeal for listeners who want the room tone left in. The best episodes make athletes sound less like polished bios and more like people trying to win, fit, grow, and stay ready. In Off The Bench suits fans who want access to competitors in the less overcovered corners of sports, especially functional fitness and grid league scenes, with enough college-sports banter to keep the edges lively.
Made for: For fans who follow grid league, functional fitness, gymnastics, and college-sports personalities beyond the final score. It also suits listeners who like long-form athlete chats with casual jokes, sponsor-room energy, and direct questions about culture and pressure.
What sets it apart: The show stands out by treating smaller sports ecosystems with the familiarity usually saved for major programs. It gives roster fit, team speed, local pride, and athlete personality as much room as wins and losses.
Interview and get the story of high school, collegiate and professional athletes to grow their brand and sports. #GrowTheGame
Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Athlete conversations turn team culture, competitive preparation and changing roles into the central story.
Daniel Ball and Jim Cross make athlete interviews feel like conversations from inside team culture, moving easily among college baseball, gymnastics and functional fitness competition.
A grid league roster has a vibe check; your team chemistry obsession finally has a home.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
Georgia's nationals push comes through in a relaxed, team first interview with real postseason weight.
Georgia's trip to Fort Worth gives the episode its frame, but the appeal is in how loosely the hosts let a Georgia gymnast talk through freshman impact, the value of staying in the bubble, and the run toward nationals with LSU, Florida, and Stanford waiting on the other side.
A roster talk that values fit, culture, and buy-in over raw talent alone.
Grit and Grind turns its attention to a familiar roster problem: how a team stays aligned once the talent is already in place. The host presses Tom Soroka and Josh Newell on the real recruitment worry, which is not only ability but whether good athletes will actually mesh.
A Memphis distillery visit turns into a loose, place-rich swing through college baseball, rivalries, and a weenie dog derby.
Old Dominick's Memphis identity anchors the episode, with Clint VanCourt joining Daniel Ball and Jim Cross for a conversation shaped by the brand's 100-plus years of distilling and its long-running sponsorship of the podcast.
A new Wolves player shows how individual fitness becomes useful only when the team can move together.
Sydney Pollock's conversation with PlayNext works best when it stays on the grind before competition: testing limits, adjusting to team movement, and realizing how quickly grid league demands turn individual fitness into shared timing.
A steady Georgia gymnastics discussion about freshmen, national pressure, and staying inside the team's bubble.
Off The Bench heads toward Fort Worth with a clean competition question: how should Georgia frame nationals when LSU, Florida, and Stanford are sitting in the same early session? The episode's answer is measured and inward.
A relaxed Texas A&M baseball conversation about a young catcher, team culture, and the steady work behind an early chance.
Bear Harrison comes in through the story behind his nickname, then settles into a Texas A&M baseball conversation about fitting in, earning trust, and learning quickly.
Bill Simmons debates NBA tanking, MVP races, and movies with Zach Lowe and friends.
Zach Lowe and ESPN colleagues dissect NBA trades, cap rules, and roster fit.
Big Cat and PFT Commenter cover the NFL, March Madness, and NHL for laughs.
Ryen Russillo runs weekly NFL and MLB recaps with beat reporters like Jeff Passan and Mike Sando.
Two hosts break down the ATP and WTA tour week, daily through every Grand Slam.
This episode features an interview with Chelsea Raineri, a CrossFit athlete from the SWFL Sharks, discussing her experience at the CrossFit semifinals in Spain and upcoming grid events in Miami.
Georgia Gymdog gymnast Ady Wahl joins In Off The Bench to discuss her team's journey to the NCAA national championship in Fort Worth.
Host Jim Cross interviews Bear Harrison, a catcher for Texas A&M baseball.
On In Off The Bench's Grid and Grind Show, Brandon Ferraro discusses the New York Wolves' 3-1 regular season and championship preparation in Lakeland.
This episode features an interview with Cody Loeffler, owner of the United Grid League's Carolina Flight, discussing the team and related topics.
Daniel Ball and Jim Cross sit down with a Georgia gymnast headed to Fort Worth.
The show opens with Wednesday energy and the usual sponsor roll.
This episode features an interview with rookie Nicky Rodgers from the Palm Beach Breakers, discussing his entry into Major League Baseball and related topics.
The hosts discuss college sports, focusing on LSU's baseball struggles and Georgetown's basketball rivalry with Memphis.
Daniel Ball welcomes Clint VanCourt of Old Dominick alongside co-host Jim Cross.
On Off The Bench's Grid and Grind Show, Sydney Pollock of the New York Wolves explains how an assistant principal from Smithfield, Rhode Island, fits Grid League into her CrossFit 401 routine.
This episode features an interview with Josh and Shay Newell of the Palm Beach Breakers to discuss recent grid action and league happenings.
This episode features an interview with Matt Rattay and John Young from the United Grid Leagues Houston Bandits, discussing their story and hyping up an upcoming match against the Brigade at Valor Fitness.
This episode features an interview with Jack Parks of LSU Shreveport, discussing his team's incredible 59-0 winning streak and special accolades in college baseball.
This episode of the Grid and Grind show features an interview with Matt Phelan of the Atlanta Wild, discussing his recent match impact, fitness journey, and upcoming matchup in Tampa.