It's been a while but Touching Base, the podcast from BaseballSoftballUK, is back with one more episode of 2018. Ahead of the London Series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox next June, Boston Red Sox centre fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. came to town on 14 December and met up with GB Women’s Fastpitch Team Head Coach Rachael Watkeys in the historic setting of Lords Cricket Ground.

As well as that conversation, BSUK CEO John Boyd and Head of Development Chris Rawlings round up recent important funding announcements for baseball and softball and look ahead to 2019...

Having been talked into starting on short rest, it's episode 12 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK.

In a bonus podcast to celebrate the 80th anniversary of England winning the inaugural Baseball World Cup we're taking a closer look at the past and future of Baseball in the UK.

This week we're joined by 2 guests as Josh Chetwynd makes his second podcast appearance in a week to discuss the storied history of UK Baseball and Ben Carter, from Rival podcast Batflips and Nerds, drops in to discuss the MLB London Series which is now less than 12 months away.

Taking a page from history and using it to shield ourselves from the sun, it's episode 11 of Touching Base, a podcast from baseballsoftballuk.

You might not know this, but it's eighty years since England became the surprise winners of the inaugural World Cup, held in 1938 on home soil, and BaseballSoftballUK is celebrating this event all week with special world cup themed content available on our website and social media.

Here to take us through the events leading up to this little-known part of UK Baseball history is Baseball historian and former GB International Josh Chetwynd who some viewers will know from his work on the Channel 5s Baseball coverage in the early naughties.

Together we talk about the origins of what was known as the International Test series, some of the stars of the series, and how the series became known as the World Cup.

Taking 'Three Lions' off repeat and now showering with water rather than beer, it's episode 10 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK.

Whilst the rest of the country was gripped by the FIFA World Cup it's worth reminding ourselves that we're not just good at football. Here to do just that is GBs Matt Tomlin, part of the European championship winning, Men's Slowpitch team from earlier this summer.

Together we discuss what it's like to win a European championship, staying focused, and combining softball with travelling...

Having been called into the Managers Office and asked to close the door, it's episode 9 of Touching Base, a podcast from baseballsoftballUK.

Today marks the first day of UK Coaching Week (#GreatCoaching) and to celebrate, this week's Touching Base podcast features not one but two current GB head coaches.

Representing GB Fastpitch we have Rachael Watkeys and Liam Carroll joins us from GB Baseball.

Together we discuss stealing ideas, the benefits of being the dumbest person in the room, and knowing when to shut up…

Back from a stint on the DL and settling into starting monthly, it's episode 8 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballsoftballUK.

Like matches fireworks and martinis our sports work best when dry and with most fields in the UK being underwater so far this season people have found more use for buckets than bats.

So we thought it would be a good idea to invite, friend of the podcast, Liam Morrison to talk about leaving on a jet plane to play Softball in sunnier climates. We'll also talk about The European Slowpitch Softball League (ESSL) and how insane a person has to be to attempt to complete a Tough Mudder race…

At Bat: Playing Softball abroad (01:50-26:25)

On Deck: Tough Mudders (26:25-36:58)

This Month's Track: Take A Step (Gaby K)

Buy the Single: https://bsuk.co/2w4w7ry

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GabyKMusic/

It's baseball season once again, and ahead of the British league fixtures getting underway this weekend, GB and Southampton Mustang Catcher Callum Vinall joins us in Podland to discuss his experience of playing semi-professional baseball in Germany for the Tubingen Hawks.

This week's track: E-Muzik (Phillip Cross)

As exciting as when a position player comes in to pitch in a blow out, it's episode 6 of Touching Base.

Not concerned with ever being invited back, Chiya Louie takes over the podcast to interview our host on the progress of baseball and softball in universities, before updating us on her selection for the GB team heading to Japan for the WBSC World Championships in August. We round off this week by swapping podland for the upside down as Chiya tries to convince everyone to watch Netflix's Stranger Things…

At Bat: University Baseball & Softball 01:34-24:58

On Deck: WBSC World Championships 24:58- 39:07

In The Hole: Stranger Things 39:07-47:13

DONATE TO GB FASTPITCH: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chiyagbsoftballworlds

This Week's Track: Lift It Up (Ryan Andersen)

Having to make do with being part of a podcast platoon, it's episode 5 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK.

It's a special week here in podland as our intrepid CEO John Boyd hijacks the podcast to talk about Little League. Before John interviews several of his colleagues from the recent Little League conference in New Orleans, he tells us how he got involved with the programme and what it means for youth baseball and softball on the green green grass of home.

At Bat: What is Little League? 01:10-10:53

On deck: Giuseppe Guilizzoni 12:31-33:32

In The Hole: Kristian Palvia 33:42-40:19

This weeks track: I need Love (Planet Wardo)

Expecting any day now to be sent down to the minor leagues to work out our podcasting, it's episode 4 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK.

This week BSUK CEO John Boyd talks to host Luke Stott about his journey in sport, his experiences at the recent WSBC Conference in Paris, and the player transition from Baseball to Slowpitch Softball.

At Bat: Who is John Boyd? 01:23 - 17:00

On Deck: What happened at the WSBC Conference 17:00 - 35:40

In the Hole: Going from Baseball to Slowpitch Softball 35:40 - 48:28

This week's Title Track: Unreasonable (Breanna ft. Tracks and Field)

https://soundcloud.com/breannafayemusic