Beyond the Dugout Podcast

On the eve of the USA Softball Season ISC’s, Beyond The Dugout Episode 17 features veteran broadcasters Blair Setford and Kyle Smith & a preview of the 2021 ISC World Tournament.

Blair & Kyle have been a big part of the ISC as broadcasts over the years. But they do so so much more for the game. Both are involved at a local level in various roles as administrators, umpiring, coaching, managing, to international recondition with Ballpark Broadcasting and important roles within the ISC as  Blair’s VP Operations & Communications & Kyles Canada East Commissioner.

Tonight you will learn from their beginnings and passion for the game. Their start in broadcasting and all of the inside info on this year’s 2021 ISC World Tournament @ Sheridan Meadows Sports Complex, Eldridge, Iowa USA from 14-21 August.

Kyle Smith, 32 years old and a graduate of the Radio Broadcasting program at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario Canada, is in his 10th season with Ballpark Radio. A student of the game of fastball, Kyle can easily be found in any ballpark in Southwestern Ontario, whether it be while he is umpiring or just watching Kyle spends more time in the park then he does at home.

Kyle’s interests include Fastball, Hockey and anything outside. While watching sporting events on television he listens to the various play-by-play personalities to hone his craft after them. Kyle and his wife Candice currently reside in the metropolis with one flashing light, Hickson Ontario.

Blair Setford began playing fastball at the age of 7 in Jordan, Ontario and, ever since then, the game has been a big part of his life. Since joining what is now the Golden Horseshoe Fastball League in 1994, he’s been a team rep, player/manager and league executive member.

Blair first partnered on air with Jim Flanagan in 2004 and has helped to grow the audience for the men’s game along with the rest of the Ballpark Broadcasting crew. In addition to his administration duties in the game, Blair is on the coaching staff of one of the top-ranked club teams in men’s open level fastball.

Audience members enjoy Blair’s extensive knowledge of the players and the game, along with polished performances behind the mic. Blair and his wife Monique and their two children, Benjamin and Natasha, live in Mississauga, Ontario.

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen. 

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Imagine hitting the game winning grand slam to win a WBSC World Championship for Softball NZ Golden Homes Black Sox…..

Joel Evans is the special guest for Episode 16 of Beyond the Dugout tonight and also the legend from 2017 who hit that winning fairy tail home run!!

You will learn about what drives Joel to be one of the worlds best, his humble beginnings rich with Softball folk law thru his dad Trevor.

His up bringing in Wainuiomata, Representative Honors with Hutt Valley & his current journey with the Black Sox.

And Joel will give you an insight into how he hit the rise ball off Adam Folkard send the whole of NZ into celebration and Chopper into letting the puppies out of the yard…..

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen.   

Beyond The Dugout podcast available everywhere possible like Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio iTunes Podbean

With two days of competition into the Tokyo Olympics. Beyond The Dugout Episode 15 features Italy’s Olympians Erika Piancastelli (C) Andrea Howard (OF).

We got to talk with these two elite athletes from the Italian Azzure national team the day before their opening match against USA, which they stocked USA by holding them to only 2 runs!!

Piancastelli & Howard give us an insight to where Softball started for them, their Italian heritage and what it means to represent Italy. You will hear about the jubilation of qualifying in 2019, and the heart-breaking moment they lost their long-time head coach Enrico Obletter earlier this year.

Piancastelli is an international superstar, named in the top 50 Women in sports by Sports Illustrated in 2020. In her time at McNeese University she broke 19 Records in Softball, in fact she achieved so much they have retired her number!!! If you want to learn how her signature leg kick gives her the title of one of the most feared power hitters in the world game, don’t miss this episode.

Howard who is completing her 5 year at New Mexico University, Is a lively character, who was a beast at the 2020 European Champs held just 4 weeks ago, sees her in the leadoff spot and one to watch for sure!!

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen. 

Beyond The Dugout podcast available everywhere possible like Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio iTunes Podbean

Next week we will see softball get underway at the Tokyo Olympic Games & we are stoked that we got episodes 14's guest, Mark Porteous before he fly's out for the games.

You’ll get to learn all about Mark and his of Softball which started from a very young age, passed down from parents that also gave so much to softball.

Many find it funny that one of the games biggest hot heads would become one of our best umpires and Mark admits that while talking about his playing days before switching to officiating. 

He rose through the ranks fast and was calling the balls & strikes at international completions within 6 years of umpiring and now has 5 world cups under his belt on his way to his first Olympic games, one he is so excited and prepared for the challenge ahead.

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen. 

Beyond The Dugout podcast available everywhere possible like Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio iTunes Podbean

History was made when the 3 Enoka Brothers took the field for NZ. Episode 13 features the lives of Ben, Thomas & Campbell as the played for their beloved United and the making history for the Golden Homes Black Sox. 

Find out about their national titles both for United and Auckland. But also how they have won on the world stage both at the WBSC & ISC Championships. 

Whanau/family has always been important to enjoy those memorable times….. and there have been a lot of memorable moments. 

Well maybe not Caesars' boat backing skill….. haha  

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen. 

Beyond The Dugout podcast available everywhere possible like Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio iTunes Podbean 

With 19 days until the Tokyo Olympics! Episode 12 of beyond the dugout will feature Olympians Stacey Porter & Taylah Tsitsikronis from Softball Australia.

Hot off the press of the final team announcement. The ladies have taken time out while in Japan to give us an in-depth look into their careers & campaign as they prepare for the 2020 Olympics.

Captain Stacey Porter a GOAT of softball, is arguably one of the best hitters in the world today. She is an inspirational leader not only for Australians but female athletes & around the world. Porter is a proud aboriginal woman who will be attending her 3rd Olympics, actually she was the first indigenous Australian to represent the country at softball in the Olympics.

Taylah has played softball all around the world including on the Pro circuit is the USA, actually she has also played for Auckland Ramblers Softball in NZ. Taylah’s drive to be the best athlete on the field also translates to the person she is off the diamond.

This episode was a complete pleasure especially with the relationship between both Porter & Tsitsikronis…..

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen. 

Beyond The Dugout podcast available everywhere possible like Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio iTunes Podbean

It’s Olympics build up time! episode 11 of beyond the dugout features team USAs center fielder Haylie McCleney. 

McCleney is an explosive lead off hitter who simply just rakes. But this true two way player is a defensive highlight reel specialist, who makes a living off robbing home runs and stealing extra base hits. 

In this episode you’ll hear how Haylie comes from a very small town of 2000 and ends up at one of the biggest Division 1 NCAA University’s America has to offer Alabama as their all time hitting leader. 

Haylie will tell you all about the two WBSC World Cup gold medals at a senior level & her four for World Cups including a junior.

McCleney is an athlete driven to succeed in whatever new she chooses both academically and sporting. She has faced challenges throughout her life and career. Some of those challenges for some would be too high to climb. Her supportive family and religion have allowed her to excel in every facet in life.

You’ll hear about legendary head coach of Alabama Patrick Murphy’s impact on her life. And what it’s like to be a teammate of Cat Ostermann and Monica Abbott

Find out how Hayley with the rest of her USA 🇺🇸 Softball team are committed to win a gold medal in Tokyo. 

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen. 

Beyond The Dugout podcast available everywhere possible like Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio iTunes Podbean

It’s a celebration for Beyond The Dugout Episode 10 with the iconic No. 21 Thomas Makea.

Larry is one of the GOATS of NZ & World Softball. A power hitting Centre Fielder, who started as a Pitcher!!!

Makea has a 20 Year career with the Golden Homes Black Sox with 4 World Cup Titles for NZ and Numerous ISC world titles, selections and domestic titles. Thomas is a quite spoken humble man, who simply allows his actions and class to tell his story until now………. Larry open’s up to a look behind the scenes in his playing career and now coaching further world stars.

You will learn of his early days in Hawkes Bay, to moving Wellington for PK, his Black Sox Career, ISC Hall of Fame career and now his Coaching pathway to numerous club, National tiles and now onto his International coaching career…….. also what could be next…….????? #CollegeWorldSeries just saying……

As a child hood friend of Chopper, was a fantastic walk down memory lane & the ability to marvel in one of NZ’s best athletes ……. Full stop.

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen. 

Beyond The Dugout podcast available everywhere possible like Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio iTunes Podbean

Welcome everyone to Beyond The Dugout Episode 9 with the Bromhead Sisters recorded from the Wairau Sports Bar in Auckland.

Kyla, Tegan & Rebecca Bromhead are simply just awesome. Get to know their beginnings from Harvey Bay Australia to Auckland’s Waitakere Bears to the first and only 3 sisters to represent the Sky Sports NZ White Sox at the same time….. wait is that a world record?? Well we can tell you they have smashed records their whole life through paying stats, titles and mentoring tomorrows stars as they continue to give back to our great sport.

Each lady is their own athlete and personality, which only adds to their huge value.

Talking about added value we are stoked to lunch our Wairau Sports Bar trivia question priZe for this episode........ where you can win a $50 bar tab. Listen to the podcast to find out who is the fastest Bromhead? The winner will be announced next week. Thanks to the WSB in helping us lift the podcast and profile of our game.

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen. 

Beyond The Dugout podcast available everywhere possible like Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio iTunes Podbean

Welcome everyone to Beyond The Dugout Episode 8 with Softball New Zealand’s CEO Tony Giles 4th June 2021. 

You’ll get to learn about Toni’s background and upbringing but also how your sport’s CEO does not come from a Softball background. But his professional sporting background and business acumen has been able to take New Zealand’s national Federation to the highest of highs in recent times

In Tony’s leadership since 2013.; We have seen a national program that will change with the times, sometimes controversially. However his openness to listen, adapt, change with culture, society and sporting interest has opened new doors for Softball in New Zealand.

Learn about Fastball45, WBSC, World Cups & other exciting events coming up this season. 

So sit back and enjoy Beyond The Dugout with hosts Jason Gerbes aka Chopper & Damian Michael Patrick Collins bringing weekly guests from the best that Fastpitch Softball has ever seen. 

Oh and by the way up the mighty Queensland Maroons in next weeks State of Origin!!

Beyond The Dugout podcast available everywhere possible like Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio iTunes Podbean