New England Baseball Journal’s The Base Path

Dan Guttenplan interviews Belmont Hill head baseball coach David Cunningham, who is entering his fourth season. Cunningham discusses preseason anxiety, returning players and using early March tryouts and scrimmages to build toward an ISL title after reaching last year’s championship game. He explains Belmont Hill’s intentional choice to stay north instead of taking spring trips, relying on indoor cages, turf fields and local scrimmages, and he describes his mentorship under legendary coach Mike Grant and his own emphasis on the mental side of the game. They cover the hectic ISL schedule, recruiting for Belmont Hill (including reclassifying), collaborating with club coaches and camps for college placement, ISL parity and the tournament format, and the value of multisport athletes. A “Three Up, Three Down” segment debates cold-weather baseball, Hall of Fame standards, and loudest stadium memories.

01:10 Preseason Mindset

02:25 Motivation After Finals

03:43 Staying North For Prep

04:51 Indoor Turf Workarounds

06:05 Coach Mike Grant Legacy

07:56 Mental Game Coaching

09:46 In-Season Weekly Grind

11:18 Recruiting For Prep

13:29 College Recruiting Help

15:48 ISL Parity and Prep

18:24 Thoughts On ISL Tournament

20:10 Standing Out In ISL

20:56 Belmont Hill Values

21:38 Baseball Culture and Support

22:01 Boarding Limits Explained

22:39 Why Multi-Sport Matters

24:39 Recruiting Where to Watch

26:01 Video and Evaluation Tips

27:20 "Three Up, Three Down"

28:04 Is Baseball Too Cold?

30:52 Hall of Fame Standards

34:18 Loudest Stadium Memories

37:55 Final Thanks and Wrap

Dan Guttenplan interviews Central Connecticut State coach Charlie Hickey, the longest-tenured Division 1 coach in New England, about how college baseball has changed with the transfer portal, NIL, and accelerated recruiting. Hickey discusses CCSU’s late February start, training indoors during winter, and the challenges of recruiting in the Northeast. He shares what he looks for in players, balancing freshman development with experienced transfers, and replacing key pitching innings. They cover fall practice benefits, conference title expectations, and the difficulty mid-majors face in NCAA regionals vs. SEC/ACC depth. Hickey also critiques showcase velocity culture and injury risk. “Three Up, Three Down” explores fandom, clutch hitters and baseball’s golden age.

Topics

Dan Guttenplan speaks with Andrew Dickson, the coach at Choate Rosemary Hall, about his successful efforts to build a competitive baseball program in the Founders League. Coach Dickson shares insights into his priorities when he first took over the program, including increasing the number of college-bound players and establishing a strong team culture. They discuss the recruitment process, the impact of the transfer portal on college baseball, and the importance of player development. Additionally, Dickson talks about his experiences and mentors from his previous coaching roles and how these have influenced his coaching style. 

00:40 Building a Competitive Program at Choate Rosemary Hall

03:03 Recruitment Strategies and Challenges

08:14 Establishing a Winning Culture

09:15 Personality Assessments in Coaching

12:06 Mentors and Influences in Coaching

14:03 Sustaining Success and Future Goals

25:04 "Three Up, Three Down": Fun Baseball Questions

30:31 Conclusion and Farewell

Dan welcomes assistant coaches James Simboli and Dylan Sanchez from the Salisbury School coaching staff. They discuss the legacy of their late coach Kevin Huber, who recently passed away. The conversation covers Kevin’s impact on players, his coaching style, and reminiscences from both coaches’ experiences. They also talk about how the team will move forward while honoring Kevin’s memory and the values he instilled in the program. The episode highlights the importance of togetherness and the continued support needed to uphold the program's foundation.

GoFundMe page for Kevin Huber: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-coach-kevin-john-huber

Topics

00:20 Remembering Coach Kevin Huber

00:47 Memorial Service Reflections

01:53 Personal Stories and Impressions

03:23 Coaching Style and Impact

12:51 Interactions with Assistant Coaches

15:42 Continuing the Legacy

18:02 Looking Ahead to the Season

24:02 Final Thoughts and How to Help

Dan Guttenplan interviews Pat Moriarty, head coach of the Deerfield Academy baseball team. Moriarty discusses his journey from coaching at Springfield Cathedral to Deerfield, where he turned a struggling program into a championship contender. The conversation covers recruiting strategies, building a strong team culture, and the importance of player development both on and off the field. Moriarty also reflects on the mental and physical preparation required for youth baseball players and shares his personal experiences with coaching his son's youth baseball teams. The episode concludes with insights into Deerfield's outlook for the upcoming season.

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Dan Guttenplan sits down with Marc Deschenes, the new owner of the Lowell Spinners, a Futures Collegiate Baseball League team. Mark shares his journey from nearly missing out on baseball in Lowell to reviving the Spinners with a focus on community engagement and player development. He discusses the strategic assembly of the new ownership group, which includes notable baseball figures like Johnny Damon and Jonathan Papelbon. Mark also delves into his professional baseball career, touching on his experiences with the Cleveland Indians and his transition into business with Pison Technologies, a company that develops wearable cognitive training tools. The episode wraps up with a fun segment of baseball trivia and memorable moments.

00:40 Background of the Lowell Spinners

01:33 Formation of the New Ownership Group

03:03 Building the Team and Community Engagement

04:36 Roster Development and Recruitment

08:49 Promotions and Fan Experience

14:31 Professional Baseball Journey

21:19 Career Decisions and Transition from Baseball

22:22 Introduction to Pison Technologies

23:44 How Pison Technologies Enhances Baseball Performance

26:56 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Memories and Trivia

37:04 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

Dan is joined by Scott Patterson, founder of Northeast Baseball, who discusses the intricacies and evolution of travel baseball programs in New England. Scott shares his experiences and insights from the recent WWBA tournaments, the pivotal Fort Myers and Jupiter events, and explains how these tournaments serve as major recruiting platforms. The conversation delves into the challenges of modern-day baseball recruiting, the importance of relationships in the recruiting process, and the impact of new recruiting rules. Scott also narrates the development processes for his players, touching on their off-season training, the significance of finding the right college fit, and the role of relationships with college coaches. The episode concludes with a fun segment 'Three Up, Three Down,' discussing quirky baseball moments, knuckleball pitchers, and memorable MLB events.

Topics

00:29 Overview of WWBA Events

01:37 Recruiting Focus at Fort Myers

02:12 Changes in Jupiter Event

04:37 Importance of Relationships in Recruiting

08:08 Challenges in High School Recruiting

16:49 Assembling Fall Rosters

19:57 Winter Preparations at NEB

22:54 NEB Facility and Culture

24:52 Developing Better Baseball Players and Human Beings

25:09 Prime Location and Diverse Training Opportunities

26:04 Success Stories of Young Athletes

28:42 Vision for a Travel Baseball Program

31:13 Three Up, Three Down Segment

31:54 Memorable and Unlikely Baseball Moments

39:05 The Art of the Knuckleball

43:19 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Dan speaks with Chris Costello, head coach at Walpole High School and coach for the Northeast Gators travel ball team. They discuss Walpole's successful season, the team's journey and challenges, and Costello's coaching influences. The conversation also touches on Costello's perspective on high school baseball development, the role of travel baseball, and recruiting strategies. The episode concludes with a segment featuring controversial baseball rules and their implications, offering deep insights and personal anecdotes from Costello's extensive experience in the sport.

Topics

00:42 Reflecting on the Championship Season

01:36 Overcoming Past Challenges

03:01 Coaching Journey and Influences

04:22 The Talent of 2019 and the Super Eight Tournament

05:28 Cam Schlittler's Development

07:55 Northeast Gators and Travel Baseball

09:10 Recruiting Challenges and Advice

16:35 Team Massachusetts and the Omaha Experience

21:08 Specialization vs. Multi-Sport Athletes

24:14 The Importance of Playing Multiple Sports

25:56 Transitioning from Professional Baseball to Coaching

26:46 Building a Coaching Career in Walpole

28:15 Rivalries and Traditions in Massachusetts Baseball

29:22 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball's Controversial Rules

33:42 The Chase Utley Rule and Player Safety

36:53 The Ghost Runner Debate

41:19 Conclusion and Farewell

Dan dives into the remarkable story of Dom Driscoll, a sophomore baseball prospect from Middleborough High School, and his father, Bill Driscoll. Dom shares how he overcame a congenital heart condition, underwent multiple surgeries from birth, and defied medical expectations to become one of the top baseball prospects in the class of 2028. The episode delves into the emotional journey from diagnosis to recovery, the importance of support from family and mentors, and Dominic's unwavering determination to excel despite his condition. Also featured are discussions on favorite batting stances and memorable baseball cards, adding a touch of nostalgia and fun to the conversation.

Topics

00:23 Dom Driscoll's Early Life and Diagnosis

05:13 Overcoming Adversity: Dominic's Surgeries and Recovery

09:32 Dom's Passion for Baseball

10:52 Joining the Team and Early Challenges

13:57 Building a Home Gym and Batting Cage

18:27 Inspiring Others: The Greg Olsen Connection

19:55 A Dream Come True: Fenway Park Experience

20:49 Unexpected Banquet Surprise

21:10 Make-A-Wish Journey

24:04 NEB and Training Commitment

27:31 Three Up, Three Down Segment

37:27 Conclusion and Farewell

Dan talks to David Cataruzolo, head coach at Roxbury Latin, discussing various aspects of Independent School League (ISL) baseball. Topics include changes to the ISL fall season rules, the introduction of post-season tournaments, and a review of Roxbury Latin’s performance in previous seasons. Razo highlights the team's young roster and returning key pitchers for the upcoming season. The conversation covers coaching strategies across different sports, the balance between academic and athletic excellence at Roxbury Latin, and the recruitment challenges both for the school and for players aiming to play college baseball. Razo also shares personal insights into his coaching philosophy, influenced by his upbringing with legally blind parents, and discusses the importance of fostering team unity and player development.

Topics

00:37 ISL Fall Season Changes

01:38 ISL Post-Season Tournament

02:56 Reflecting on Last Season

04:05 Team Dynamics and Key Players

05:06 Fall Season Activities and Philosophy

06:14 Coaching Hockey vs. Baseball

08:33 Transition to Coaching

11:11 Recruiting for Roxbury Latin

15:28 ISL Competitors and Season Outlook

16:47 Personal Background and Coaching Philosophy

20:52 Three Up, Three Down Segment

28:36 Conclusion and Farewell