In this episode of the Base Path Podcast, hosted by Dan Guttenplan, the guest is renowned New England baseball figure Ace Adams. Inducted into the Cape League Hall of Fame, Ace discusses his extensive career as a pitching instructor, including his time with the Boston Red Sox and the New England Roughnecks. The conversation delves into the current state of travel baseball, the emphasis on velocity over control, and the risks of over-pitching young players. Ace shares insights on the financial costs of competitive baseball, recruiting trends influenced by the transfer portal and NIL money, and his own coaching philosophy focused on fundamentals and player protection. The episode also includes anecdotes about baseball legends like Derek Jeter and Tom Brady, and reflections on the changing dynamics of professional and college baseball.

Topics

00:55 The State of Travel Baseball

01:50 Challenges in Youth Baseball

03:47 Financial Barriers in Baseball

04:57 Impact of Transfer Portal and NIL in College Baseball

06:15 Cape League Memories and Changes

09:12 Recruiting Derek Jeter and Tom Brady

12:20 Teaching Cliff Lee the Cutter

15:08 Roger Clemens and Tom Seaver's Influence

17:03 The Mental Makeup of Dustin Pedroia

18:17 Coaching Philosophy for High School Pitchers

20:33 Dealing with Parents and Pitching Strategies

21:56 Reflecting on a Career in Baseball

24:22 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Quotes

29:35 Cape League Hall of Fame and Closing Remarks