The D1Baseball Podcast

Mike Rooney and Burkie discuss recent NCAA tournament expansions in college basketball and the College Football Playoff, weighing how added teams might affect entertainment value, regular-season stakes, and bowl relevance.

They then shift to college baseball, proposing an expanded field (e.g., 68 teams) with play-in games: the weakest recent auto-bid leagues playing at the top two national seeds and the “first four out” playing into regionals hosted by the top two-seeds that missed hosting, using five-year RPI and tournament results to determine leagues. They debate potential benefits like compelling Thursday-night TV and more on-campus postseason games versus concerns about empty stadiums, daytime start times, possible season-calendar shifts, and preserving a regional format they believe is thriving.

00:00 Welcome Back

00:06 Thank You AstroTurf!

00:34 Playoff Expansion Debate

01:34 Hoops First Four Thoughts

02:28 Quick Aside: Notre Dame-BYU Chaos

04:03 Does The Playoff Expansion Ruin CFB?

05:05 Burkie on Basketball's Field of 68

06:36 Burkie on Football's "Bowl Games"

09:57 Transition to Baseball Format

10:34 Baseball First Four Proposal

12:48 Fairness and Seeding Logic

15:43 Auto Bid Leagues and TV

17:21 How The 32 Hosts Would Work

20:23 Keep Regionals...or Expand?

22:08 Wrap Up and Takeaways

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like: 

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU  

• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season  

• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone  

• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.  

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burkie and Roons discuss why the baseball world has embraced Brewers manager Pat Murphy. They argue Murphy’s appeal is that he brings a “baseball coach” mindset to MLB, highlighted by his famous bunt story and Derek Jeter’s praise, and discuss broader differences between coaching in college baseball and managing in the pros. The conversation connects MLB postseason baseball to college conference and tournament play, emphasizing urgency, flexible roles, matchup-based decisions, and doing whatever it takes to win. They note Murphy’s long pro experience, Craig Counsell’s influence, and why adaptable, complete offenses matter, then mention additional college ties with other teams like Tampa Bay and Cleveland.

00:00 Welcome Back To The D1 Daily

00:03 Thank You Astroturf!

03:01 Pat Murphy: Media Darling

04:37 Coach Versus Manager

11:32 Why Playoff Baseball Pops

16:22 Bold Moves and Matchups

19:48 Murphy Origins + Player Development

22:41 Brewers Fit For Coach Murphy

25:31 Mentors and "Zigging" to Win

27:54 Wrap Up and College Connections

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like: 

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU  
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season  
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone  
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.  

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Winning two national titles and an NCAA-record 22 straight postseason games, Ray Tanner's legacy is cemented in Columbia and across college baseball. On this episode of Sunday Night Conversations, Mike Rooney and Tanner relive the Gamecocks' era of dominance from 2010-2012.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of The D1Baseball Podcast, Joe Healy, Kendall Rogers and Aaron Fitt discuss the recently completed top 100 program rankings. They dive deep into the top 10 programs before talking about the team most likely to usurp LSU at the top of the rankings in two years, the team outside the top 10 that will jump into the top 10, big risers, falling teams that will bounce back and teams of note outside the top 100.

00:00 Purgatory Podcast Intro

00:48 Pat Murphy Brewers Buzz

05:33 Murphy Stories and Comparisons

07:27 Top 100 Rankings Setup

09:16 Who Can Catch LSU?

10:05 Florida and UNC Cases

16:41 Texas and the Field

20:33 Tennessee and Fan Base Surges

23:23 Top 10 Deep Cuts

29:54 Next Top 10 Break In

30:09 Georgia, West Virginia, Auburn Picks

36:43 Georgia Tech Sleeper Pick

38:33 Southern Miss' Steady Rise

43:18 Cincinnati Breakout Under Bischel

44:58 Troy and Kansas Linked Risers

50:59 Bounce-back Picks: South Carolina

52:51 Grand Canyon Hires Bieser

55:27 Oklahoma State Poised Rebound

59:57 USF and Houston Rebound Candidates

01:02:03 Outside Top 100: High Point and Charlotte

01:05:35 Rice Revival With David Pierce

01:09:02 Wrap-up Rankings Process

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

D1Baseball is the #1 source for college baseball. Subscribe to our show to get the best college baseball podcast straight to your Apple Podcasts or Spotify feed all year round. Reviews and 5-star ratings are greatly appreciated!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What separates a good postgame press conference from a bad one? On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss how coaches can handle tough questions, manage their emotions and communicate with their fan bases when things aren't going well. From self-deprecation and humility to avoiding defensiveness and understanding what reporters are really there to do, they break down the do's and don'ts of facing the media after a tough loss.

The guys also discuss Caitlin Clark's impressive end-of-season press conference, why coaches shouldn't take criticism personally and how listening to outside perspectives can help leaders see what they might be missing inside their own bubbles.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:23 Umpire Storytime

00:55 PCA Check Swing Moment

02:28 Umpires and Criticism

05:13 Press Conference Obsession

07:11 Coach Pressers Win and Be You

08:03 Postgame Mic Donts

08:37 Never Ask If They Played

11:15 Handling Repeated Questions

12:18 Self-Deprecation and Owning It

15:25 Listening Outside the Bubble

18:03 Final Thoughts and Sign-Off

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like: 

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU  
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season  
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone  
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.  

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss how the low-payroll Rays repeatedly outplayed the Yankees and compare that clash of styles to Oklahoma’s win over Georgia in Omaha, focusing on how resource-limited teams build a clear identity by “zigging” with speed, defense, contact, and situational play. They explore how big-budget organizations can get trapped chasing offseason wins and long contracts for aging players, and why modern efficiency can revive old-school tenets like bunting and athleticism without abandoning power. Drawing on their Arizona State experience, they relate the allure of recruiting-class hype versus solving underlying issues and note how college baseball is increasingly “purchasing” experience via the portal amid historically small fall rosters. They also share speculation coaches are hearing about potential MLB Draft changes: 12 rounds, slotted picks, high school eligibility, and sophomore draft eligibility, plus looming transfer and revenue-share dynamics.

00:00 Welcome Back To D1 Daily

00:10 Carrots Update: Cowboys Chaos

01:16 Thank You AstroTurf!

01:48 Rays Payroll Reality

02:50 Rays vs Oklahoma Blueprint

04:08 Identity Beats Resources

05:51 Offseason Wins Trap

08:21 Is Old School New Again?

10:36 College Parallels: ASU & Fullerton

15:21 Portal Zigs and Zags

18:35 Draft Changes Rumors

21:58 Wrap Up and Takeaways

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like: 

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU  
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season  
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone  
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.  

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2012 Stony Brook Seawolves "shocked the world," winning a program-record and NCAA-best 52 games for the team's first College World Series appearance. From winning a regional in Coral Gables to taking down the Tigers in the Baton Rouge Super Regional, the Seawolves became just the second fourth-seed at the time to advance to Omaha. On this episode of Sunday Night Convos, Mike Rooney is joined by Joe Pennucci and Mike Marron to relive the magic of the Seawolves' 2012 season.

Sunday Night Conversations are presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals is the Official Netting Partner of D1Baseball. Netting Pros' netting and wall padding products are featured in the top collegiate facilities throughout the country: Florida, North Carolina, Binghamton, Texas, and many more. From design to fabrication to installation, Netting Pros is "Improving Programs One Facility at a Time." Learn more at https://nettingpros.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss how SEC football’s week-to-week volatility mirrors modern college baseball parity, driven by the spread of impact transfer-portal talent and the SEC’s disproportionate NIL resources. They emphasize that NIL and the portal are different forces, noting mid-majors can thrive via portal-driven roster age and experience, and arguing the concentration of money in the SEC can still produce MLB-like parity because top transfers get distributed across many motivated programs. The conversation explores how thin margins can hinge on a few under-the-radar players, citing Oklahoma’s title run and other examples of unexpected player development, while also noting how this era complicates evaluating coaches and raises expectations for rapid turnarounds. They close by highlighting fall ball as a “time of hope” and interest in programs like South Carolina under Kevin Schnall and Vandy’s fall trip culture.

00:00 Welcome Back To The D1 Daily

00:05 Thank You AstroTurf!

00:41 NIL & Portal Realities

03:21 Parity In The SEC Like In The MLB?

05:05 College Football Upsets Example

07:16 Coaches and Turnarounds

10:29 Coaching Staffs Build Winners

15:05 Finding Hidden Stars

22:04 Hopes For The Fall + Portal Talk

24:02 Vandy's Vegas Story

24:54 Wrap Up

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like: 

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU  
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season  
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone  
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.  

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Roons and Burkie dive into the MLB postseason, highlighting how elite relief pitching and heightened playoff focus mirror college postseason pressure. They break down key late-inning at-bats against Mason Miller, emphasizing pre–two-strike vs. two-strike approaches, pitch selection, taking walks, and the importance of baserunning, citing moments from players like Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, and Sal Frelick. The conversation shifts to MLB’s competitive health, noting that several remaining playoff teams rank low in payroll and arguing baseball’s structure produces more parity than football and basketball. Roons shares a Conor Jackson story, and Burkie recalls pinch-hitting against Bobby Jenks in the World Series to illustrate the difficulty of postseason roles.

00:00 Welcome Back D1 Daily

00:41 Thank You AstroTurf!

01:23 MLB Postseason

02:44 Playoff ABs And Pitching

07:08 Lessons For College Players

10:37 Conor Jackson Comp

11:37 A Prime Postseason Bat

12:00 Conor Jackson Cycle Story

14:35 Andrew Vaughn Bounceback

15:07 Pinch Hitting vs Heat

17:30 October Baseball: Margins of Victory

18:35 Payroll Parity Debate

21:30 Cap Floor Stalemate

22:49 Why Baseball Stays Fair

25:21 Baseball: A Sport At Its Peak

25:43 Wrap Up

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like: 

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU  
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season  
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone  
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.  

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans and coaches. Use code D1 to save on your first order at kerristoncoffee.com!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coaching 40 years, earning 17 College World Series appearances and becoming the NCAA's all-time winningest head coach are enough to create a legacy. But, Mike Martin's passion for college baseball cements his name in history beyond the record books. On this episode of Sunday Night Convos, Mike Rooney is joined by Link Jarrett, Chris Hart, James Ramsey and Mike Bell to remember the life and impact of Martin, also known as "11."

Sunday Night Conversations are presented by Netting Pros & Stadionic. Netting Professionals is the Official Netting Partner of D1Baseball. Netting Pros' netting and wall padding products are featured in the top collegiate facilities throughout the country: Florida, North Carolina, Binghamton, Texas, and many more. From design to fabrication to installation, Netting Pros is "Improving Programs One Facility at a Time." Learn more at https://nettingpros.com/

And proudly presented by Netting Professionals is STADIONIC. STADIONIC is proud to partner with D1Baseball. For all your major projects and facility needs, with projects featured by top-tier collegiate programs, high schools, parks & recreation, and tournament complexes, STADIONIC helps elevate your facility with the best products and accessories in the industry. STADIONIC is making sports facilities iconic. Learn more at https://stadionic.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.