New England Baseball Journal’s The Base Path

In this episode of the Base Path Podcast, hosted by Dan Guttenplan, University of Rhode Island Baseball Coach Raphael Cerrato joins to discuss the challenges and adjustments during the fall season, particularly with the installation of a new turf field. Cerrato elaborates on the team's off-campus workouts and how they adapted to limited field usage. The conversation also delves into recruiting dynamics, touching on the impacts of the transfer portal, NIL changes, and the complexities of scouting high school players. The episode concludes with a 'Three Up, Three Down' segment focusing on baseball dilemmas and decision-making in coaching.

Topics

00:27 Challenges of the Fall Season

00:46 New Turf Field and Its Impact

04:05 Recruiting During Field Construction

05:52 Changes in Recruiting Landscape

06:32 Transfer Portal and Roster Management

14:50 Importance of In-Person Scouting

18:18 Evaluating Players Beyond Data

20:44 Summer Baseball Competitiveness

21:02 Evaluating Talent Beyond Stats

22:25 Impact of Travel Ball on Recruitment

23:04 Velocity vs. Pitching Skills

24:23 Developing Effective Pitchers

27:50 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Dilemmas

28:20 Slump Strategies for Hitters

32:39 Ethics in Baseball: Faking It

35:13 Aggressiveness in the Outfield

38:00 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

The guest is Steve Healy, coach of the D1 Massachusetts State Champion team, BC High. He discusses the celebratory trip to Fenway Park, reflections on their championship season, and the commitment of the players. Topics include high school baseball coaching tactics, the differences between high school and AAU baseball, and the current structure of the MIAA state tournament. Healy shares his views on player development and college recruitment, the benefits of the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association, and his coaching philosophy. 

Topics

00:29 Celebrating the Championship Win

01:59 Reflecting on the Championship Season

05:16 Tournament Structure and Intensity

08:05 Player Development and Recruitment

10:36 Coaching Philosophy and Experience

12:50 Challenges in College Recruitment

15:16 Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association

16:16 Professional Networking and Membership Benefits

16:48 Scholarship Programs for High School Students

17:06 Joining the National Federation and Rule Changes

17:42 Annual Coaching Clinic Overview

18:38 Keynote Speakers and Presentations

19:17 Intimate Setting and Networking Opportunities

21:13 Mental Approach to the 2025 Season

23:50 Three Up, Three Down Segment

24:10 The Uniqueness of Baseball Fields

26:31 The Excitement of Baseball Beyond the Game

29:12 The Significance of No-Hitters

31:43 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

In this episode of the Base Path Podcast, hosted by Dan Guttenplan from the New England Baseball Journal, Coach Kevin Graber of Phillips Andover discusses his return to Andover after a two-year stint with the Chicago Cubs. Graber delves into his experiences in professional baseball, his decision to return to the high school level, and his player development philosophy. He reflects on re-establishing team culture at Andover, recounts his managerial journey with the Cubs, and shares insights into baseball's evolving landscape, including player development, the impact of NIL money, and the use of wooden bats. The episode also includes a 'Three Up, Three Down' segment where Graber discusses base-stealing strategies and offers his thoughts on the length of the baseball season.

Topics

• 01:01 Returning to Andover: A Heartfelt Decision

• 02:02 Rebuilding Andover's Baseball Program

• 03:10 Journey with the Chicago Cubs

• 08:59 Base Running Philosophy and Innovations

• 11:24 Coaching New England Talent

• 17:35 Changes in Baseball: NIL Money and Transfer Portal

• 18:22 Navigating the Transfer Portal

• 18:35 Challenges for High School Baseball Players

• 18:56 The Domino Effect in College Baseball

• 19:26 Balancing Baseball and Other Commitments

• 19:34 Coaching Experience and Achievements

• 21:25 Three Up, Three Down: Stealing Bases

• 28:37 Wooden vs. Aluminum Bats

• 30:12 Length of the MLB Season

• 33:45 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation

• 36:19 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Dan Guttenplan of the BasePath Podcast sits down with Steve Lomasney The Show New England and a former Red Sox prospect, to discuss the changing dynamics of college baseball recruitment. They explore the impact of the NCAA transfer portal on high school recruiting, the evolution of travel baseball, and advise players on successful paths to college and professional baseball. The episode also delves into the experience and rewards of participating in high-profile tournaments like the WWBA World Championships. Concluding with a light-hearted segment, they cover personal baseball experiences and nostalgic reflections on the sport.

Topics

00:35 Evolution of Travel Baseball

01:57 Impact of Transfer Portal on Recruitment

05:00 Advice for Aspiring College Players

07:00 Oversaturation of Travel Baseball

09:03 Showcasing Talent and Recruitment Strategies

12:59 Fall Season and Upcoming Tournaments

17:50 Partnership with the Red Sox

22:52 Three Up, Three Down: Fun Baseball Questions

31:25 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Coaching High School Baseball with Matt FeldIn this episode of the Base Path Podcast, host Dan Guttenplan interviews journalist and high school baseball coach Matt Feld. Feld shares his experiences from his first season as the head coach at Tewksbury High School, where he was named Merrimack Valley Conference Coach of the Year. The discussion covers the differences between coaching high school and club baseball, strategies for development, and the challenges of managing athletes who play multiple sports. Feld also talks about the oversaturation of travel baseball, the importance of college recruiting relationships, and the impact of recent NCAA rule changes on recruiting timelines. The episode concludes with a light-hearted debate segment called 'Three Up, Three Down' on various baseball topics.

Topics

00:33 Matt Feld's Coaching Journey

01:30 High School vs. Club Baseball

04:06 Travel Baseball Insights

09:32 NCAA Recruiting Rules and Impact

18:16 Upcoming Events and Fall Plans

23:25 Three Up, Three Down Debate

32:45 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the Base Path podcast, Dan Guttenplan interviews Pat Vigilio, founder and director of Baseball U CT, about the intricacies of travel baseball. Since 2006, Baseball U CT has developed numerous college-level players through rigorous training, open tryouts, and a focus on producing well-rounded student-athletes. Pat discusses the program's comprehensive approach, including their mental performance academy to help players handle the pressures of the sport and modern challenges like social media. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of college baseball recruitment and the impact of the transfer portal.

Topics

00:17 The World of Travel Baseball with Pat Vigilio

01:37 Challenges and Realities of Travel Baseball

02:28 Player Development and Recruitment Strategies

04:23 The Importance of Practice and Mental Toughness

06:39 Balancing Expectations and Realities in Youth Sports

18:40 The Role of Mental Performance in Baseball

26:09 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Quotes Discussion

34:09 Conclusion and Farewell

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

In this episode of the Base Path Podcast, brought to you by New England Baseball Journal, newly appointed Vanderbilt assistant coach Jayson King joins the show. King, previously the head coach of the Dayton Flyers since 2008, shares his experiences and insights about his new role under head coach Tim Corbin at Vanderbilt. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from a head coach to an assistant coach at a top-level program. The conversation also touches on the impact of the transfer portal and NIL money on college baseball, his relationship with Tim Corbin, and the recruitment strategy at Vanderbilt. The episode concludes with a segment called 'Three Up, Three Down,' where King answers fun and thought-provoking questions.

Topics

00:31 Transition to Vanderbilt: Coach King's Journey

01:38 State of College Baseball and Mid-Majors

02:57 Relationship with Tim Corbin

03:55 High Stakes at Vanderbilt

05:32 Recruiting and NIL Money

13:34 Impact of Transfer Portal

17:11 New Leadership at Dayton

18:52 Resources and Facilities at Vanderbilt

25:11 Three Up, Three Down: Fun Q&A

31:15 Conclusion and Farewell

Dan welcomes Mike Gambino to discuss his move from coaching at Boston College to Penn State. They delve into the challenges and differences between the two institutions, highlighting the support from the community and administration at Penn State. Gambino speaks about the success of his first season, the importance of player development, and his approach to the transfer portal. The conversation also touches on recruiting strategies, the future of the Big Ten Conference, and personal anecdotes, including experiences with leaving BC and special memories involving his dad. The episode wraps up with a fun 'Three Up, Three Down' segment discussing knuckleballs, steals of home, and the best World Series memories.

Topics

00:42 Transition from Boston College to Penn State

03:04 Experiences and Challenges at Penn State

06:17 First Season Performance and Expectations

08:44 Establishing Leadership and Trust

12:56 Leaving Boston College and Family Considerations

16:02 Big Ten vs ACC: Comparisons and Future Outlook

19:41 Recruiting Strategies and New England Connections

20:30 Pennsylvania's Baseball Passion

21:10 Recruiting Strategies and Successes

22:20 Coaching Transitions and Reflections

24:41 The Changing Landscape of College Baseball

27:19 Transfer Portal Strategies

29:19 Three Up, Three Down: Fun Baseball Questions

34:16 Memorable World Series Moments

37:53 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the Base Path Podcast, host Dan Guttenplan is joined by MIAA analyst Pat Donnelly to preview the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) state championship weekend. They discuss the matchups and key players for Divisions 1 through 5, including standout teams like BC High, St. John Shrewsbury, and Seekonk. The conversation also covers potential MIA Player of the Year candidates, highlighting performances and injuries that could impact the finals. Additionally, the show features a 'Three Up, Three Down' segment with producer David Yas, where they debate the merits of recent innovations in baseball such as the shift ban, the automatic runner on second base in extra innings, and in-stadium light shows.

Topics

00:22 Overview of the MIAA Championship Weekend

01:04 Division 1 Championship Preview

08:22 Division 2 Championship Preview

11:24 Division 3 Championship Preview

13:21 Division 4 Championship Preview

15:42 Division 5 Championship Preview

19:39 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Innovations

30:17 Closing Remarks and Farewell