Straight Lines Ep. 38 - Tanner Bykowski: Diamond Derby & Why Baseball Never Has to End

Host Coach Tim Neiman welcomes Tanner Bykowski, founder of Diamond Derby, to this energizing episode of Straight Lines. Tanner's story starts with an unexpected layoff, a motivational app notification that read "if not now, when?" and a vision to build something baseball has never had — a casual, competitive, accessible home run experience for everyone who has ever been aged out of the game. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Diamond Derby is part entertainment concept, part proving ground, and part love letter to every kid who ever remembers the exact moment, the exact field, and the exact feeling of hitting a ball over the fence. Tanner and Coach Neiman dig into why batting cages and travel ball have left casual fans and former players with no on-ramp back to the game, how Diamond Derby is solving that with a concept that requires no running, no fielding, and no nine people watching you fail — just you, a bat, and the most universally celebrated moment in baseball. Tanner also shares his philosophy on legacy — a hundred million home run moments matters more than any dollar amount — and delivers one of the most creative interpretations of Straight Lines the show has ever heard. A must-listen for entrepreneurs, baseball fans, and anyone who believes the best things in life start with a simple idea and the courage to swing. Tim Neiman is a 14-time Coach of the Year and Hall of Fame baseball coach with 36 years at DeSales University, 868 career wins, and 13 players who’ve gone pro. From NCAA tournaments to the College World Series, scouting for MLB teams, and broadcasting AAA baseball, Tim’s career is built on winning cultures and inspiring people to reach their full potential.