In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview Adam Carey, second-year head coach at Central College—and cover his path through baseball, the Central coaching staff, results of this past season, his all conference players, recruiting strategies, building positive culture and momentum, overcoming coaching instability, and his favorite piece of coaching advice.

00:00:00-Coach Introduction

00:09:02-The Path Through Baseball to Coaching

00:16:58-Pitching Without a UCL

00:26:18-About Central College

00:33:02-The Central Coaching Staff

00:35:35-2024 Season Recap

00:42:51-All Conference Selections

00:50:18-Off-Season Recruiting Strategies

00:58:24-Key Player Characteristics

01:03:01-Building Positive Momentum

01:06:05-Coaching Style and Potential Advantages

01:13:16-Overcoming Coaching Instability

01:21:08-Lightning Round

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview long-time DIII umpires Bill Koppi and Jim Conlee—and cover the history of umpiring, getting started in the profession, climbing the umpire ladder, the differences between field and plate umpiring, the impact of pitch framing, diffusing tense situations, emergence of the electronic strike zone, the toughest on-field calls to make, and advice for aspiring umpires.

00:00:00-The History of Umpiring as a Profession

00:09:23-Bill and Jim's Paths Through Sports

00:12:31-Getting Started in the Profession

00:17:22-Is Umpiring a Full-Time Job?

00:22:04-Climbing the Umpire Ladder

00:27:17-Off-Season Training and Development

00:34:43-Finding the Zone Behind the Plate

00:41:30-Adjusting to Pitch Framing

00:46:57-Arguing Balls and Strikes

00:49:50-On-Field Calls and Rules Interpretations

00:56:24-Diffusing Tense Situations

01:03:24-Thoughts on the Electronic Strike Zone

01:08:58-Chatter from the Dugout and Stands

01:14:42-Annual NCAA Points of Emphasis

01:17:26-The Most Important Traits for an Umpire

01:30:31-Lightning Round

01:39:58-Toughest Calls for Umpires to Make

01:50:10-Best Piece of Advice for Aspiring Umpires

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview Carl Tebon, 30-year head coach at Loras College—and cover his path through baseball, results of this past season, his all conference players, recruiting strategies, the challenge of building a consistently winning culture, putting yourself out there as a coach, and his favorite piece of coaching advice.

00:00:00-Coach Introduction

00:11:31-Coach Tebon's Path to Coaching

00:19:58-About Loras College

00:23:03-The Loras Coaching Staff

00:29:29-Recapping this Past Season

00:37:30-All Conference Players

00:48:51-Recruiting Strategies

00:57:05-Considerations for Switching DIII Programs

01:01:19-Building a Consistent Winning Culture

01:06:13-Putting Yourself Out There as a Coach

01:10:12-Lightning Round

01:23:09-Favorite Piece of Coaching Advice

01:31:25-The Legend Behind the Duhawk

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview Joey Stock—former two-way player for St. John's University (2017-2019) and undrafted free agent pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. During this interview we cover Joey's path through baseball, being under-recruited in college, overcoming a lost senior season, the signing process, his first day in pro ball, his first appearance in pro ball, powering through adversity, adding MLB velocity, and why he finally walked away from the game.

00:00:00-Player Introduction

00:09:19-Joey's Path Through High School Baseball

00:12:33-Under the Radar and Off to College

00:17:43-Overlooked and Under-Valued

00:20:09-Ending Up at SJU

00:23:09-Post-Grad and the 2020 COVID Shutdown

00:29:40-Getting Signed by the Red Sox

00:33:45-The First Day in Pro Ball

00:36:18-Joey's First Professional Game

00:41:21-Adjusting to Professional Hitters

00:45:39-The Pre-Season Routine for MiLB Pitchers

00:49:49-Being Prepared When Your Time Comes

00:57:34-Always Wanting to Be a Big-Leaguer

01:00:06-Rising Up Through Adversity

01:04:14-Consistently Adding MLB-Level Velocity

01:07:34-Translating DIII Skills to Pro Ball

01:11:13-Knowing When the Dream is Finally Over

01:16:49-Recapping Memories of College and the MiLB

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview Bryan Nikkel, 10-year head coach at Luther College—and cover his path through baseball, the Luther coaching staff, results of this past season, his all conference players, recruiting strategies, the differences between DII and DIII baseball, the value of scouting, and his favorite piece of coaching advice.

00:00:00-Coach Introduction

00:10:03-Coach Nikkel's Path Through Baseball

00:16:23-About Luther College

00:18:03-The Luther Coaching Staff

00:23:07-2024 Season Recap

00:32:21-The ARC Conference Tournament

00:39:19-2024 All Conference Selections

00:48:12-Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season

00:50:34-The Rising Quality of DIII Baseball

00:52:53-Recruiting Strategies and Visiting Luther

00:59:07-The Difference Between DII and DIII Baseball

01:05:54-The Value of Scouting and Analytics

01:14:29-Lightning Round

01:17:03-ARC Conference Rivalries

01:22:54-Best Piece of Coaching Advice

01:26:32-Famous Luther Alumni

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview Hall of Fame baseball and football Athletic Trainer Scott Bierscheid from Saint John's University—and cover common baseball injuries, arm testing and diagnosis, the mental part of athletic training, changing techniques over the years, the trainer-coach relationship, and pursuing a career in athletic training.

00:00:00-Guest Introduction

00:08:13-Scott's Path Through Sports

00:09:36-Finding a Career in Athletic Training

00:15:06-Choosing Sports You Love

00:19:29-Being There When Injuries Happen

00:22:56-Ongoing Training and Development

00:25:57-The Most Common Baseball Injuries

00:30:13-Arm Testing and Diagnosis

00:33:47-Referrals to Specialists

00:37:27-The Mental Part of Athletic Training

00:42:57-Changing Techniques Over the Years

00:48:48-The Trainer-Coach Relationship

00:52:01-Being Part of the Team

00:54:48-The Recent Increase in Arm Issues

01:01:48-Training for a Life After Baseball

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview Steve Eddie, 24-year head coach at Buena Vista in Iowa—and cover his path through baseball, the BVU coaching staff, results of this past season, his all conference players, recruiting strategies, building a winning culture, chasing the MLB dream, and his favorite piece of coaching advice.

00:00:00-Coach Introduction

00:12:58-Coach Eddie's Path Through Baseball

00:18:56-About Buena Vista University

00:22:12-The BVU Coaching Staff

00:25:08-2024 Season Recap

00:35:50-Parity in DIII Baseball

00:38:59-All Conference Selections

00:46:02-Recruiting and Visits

00:52:36-Building a Winning Culture

00:59:02-Coaching Your Own Sons

01:04:10-Making the Jump from Player to Coach

01:08:13-Chasing the MLB Dream

01:10:06-Lightning Round

01:19:57-Coach Eddie's Favorite Piece of Advice

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview Jerry Haugen—the longest active-tenured head coach in all of NCAA baseball, from Saint John's University (SJU) in Minnesota. During this interview we cover Coach Haugen's path through baseball, the SJU baseball culture, roles outside of baseball, his changing style over time, memorable players and teams, his place in coaching history, and walking away from the game.

00:00:00-About Jerry Haugen

00:09:20-Coach Haugen's Path Through Baseball

00:13:28-About Saint John's

00:15:08-Recapping the Past Season

00:20:15-The SJU Baseball Culture

00:26:20-Roles Outside of Baseball

00:29:55-Changing as a Coach Over Time

00:33:59-Walking Away from the Game

00:36:27-Chasing History

00:37:42-Walk Down Memory Lane (Start)

00:38:11-Assistant Coaches Over the Years

00:43:42-Remembering Great SJU Hitters

00:47:22-Remembering Great SJU Pitchers

00:50:53-Remembering Great SJU Teams and Uniforms

00:57:01-Remembering Great Opponents

01:02:24-The MIAC Playoff Structure

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview one of the best DIII pitchers in the Upper Midwest John Solfest—a D3Baseball.com All-Region selection, a Rawlings All-Region selection, and the 2024 MIAC Conference Pitcher of the Year. In this interview we cover John's path through baseball, his time in Juco, arriving at Bethel, battling injuries, off-season training strategies, developing a pitching mentality, and making the jump to professional baseball.

00:00:00-Extended Intro

00:11:21-Pro Baseball Announcement

00:12:59-Path Through Baseball

00:14:57-Starting in Juco and Battling Injuries

00:21:30-Arriving at Bethel

00:26:18-The Bethel Baseball Culture

00:31:17-Developing a Pitcher Mentality

00:33:46-Off Season Training Strategy

00:40:41-Making the Jump from DIII to Pro Ball

00:48:49-Lightning Round and MIAC Farewell

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview Keith Bateman, 21-year head coach at Augsburg in Minneapolis—and cover his path through baseball to head coach, the 2024 season, his recruiting strategy, the DIII coaching commitment, a 2025 season preview, and why the MIAC playoff structure needs to be changed.

00:00:00-Head Coach Intro

00:08:03-Keith's Path Through Baseball

00:12:13-Getting to Augsburg

00:15:38-Augsburg as a School

00:19:30-Recapping the 2024 Season

00:25:01-2025 Season Preview

00:31:35-Recruting Strategy

00:39:34-Recruiting Deal-Breakers

00:47:10-Taking a Visit to Augsburg

00:50:32-The DIII Coaching Commitment

01:03:47-Lightning Round

01:30:39-Changing the MIAC Playoff Structure