New England Baseball Journal’s The Base Path

Dexter Southfield Coach Dan Donato

Dan is joined by legendary prep baseball coach Dan Donato from Dexter Southfield. They explore a range of topics including the evolution of New England prep school baseball, the impact of the pandemic on recruiting, and the increasingly competitive environment with postgraduate leagues. Donato shares insights on his recruitment strategy, the importance of player development, and the unique advantages Dexter Southfield offers its athletes. Additionally, Donato reflects on memorable moments, including successful seasons and key influences in his coaching career. The episode wraps up with a three up, three down segment covering memorable base running plays, trick plays, and favorite baseball seasons.
 
Topics
00:40 State of New England Prep School Baseball
03:03 Recruitment and Player Development at Dexter
04:32 Coaching Philosophy and Career Journey
12:32 Top Prospects and League Competitiveness
15:02 Challenges and Opportunities in Prep Baseball
17:37 Top 100 Camp and College Recruitment
20:08 Current Season and League Outlook
23:23 Sponsorship Message
24:13 Design Your Own Custom Rawlings Glove
24:40 Flexible Education for Student-Athletes
25:21 Three Up, Three Down: Introduction
25:59 Memorable Base Running Plays
26:50 Trick Plays in Baseball
29:08 Shrewd Base Running Moments
32:13 Favorite Baseball Seasons
37:49 Boston Sports Nostalgia
39:29 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Bishop Feehan Coach Joe Breen

Dan welcomes Joe Breen, head coach at Bishop Feehan and director of GBG club baseball. They discuss Joe's experience transitioning from club to high school coaching, the recruitment process for high school players, and the motivation of committed players returning to high school teams. They also cover the challenges and strategies in managing high school versus summer baseball schedules. The episode concludes with a 'Three Up, Three Down' segment where memorable near no-hitters and defensive plays are shared.
 
Topics
00:40 High School Recruitment and Motivation
02:39 Coaching Journey and High School Return
04:06 Star Players and Their Commitment
09:54 Development and Recruitment
14:07 Coaching Strategies and Challenges
18:12 Functional Strength and Meticulous Preparation
18:41 Advice for Aspiring Baseball Players
20:32 Team Strategy and Season Outlook
22:23 Three Up, Three Down Segment
22:50 Memorable Near No-Hitters
25:21 Amazing Defensive Plays
27:05 Unforgettable Baseball Moments
31:29 Conclusion and Farewell

2025 MIAA Preview

Dan and guest Pat Donnelly preview the upcoming Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) high school baseball season. They discuss key teams and players to watch, with a focus on top teams like BC High, Xaverian, St. John’s Shrewsbury, and others. The episode also features a preseason top 10 team ranking and a comprehensive all-MIAA team roster. The podcast concludes with a fun 'Three Up, Three Down' segment featuring humorous and speculative MLB predictions.
 
Topics
00:51 Recap of Last Season's Highlights
02:31 Top Teams to Watch This Season
04:56 In-Depth Team Analysis
15:57 Preseason All-MIAA Team
20:23 Top High School Outfielders to Watch
22:02 Standout Catchers Making Waves
22:44 Rising Two-Way Prospects
24:18 Predicting the MIAA Player of the Year
25:21 Three Up, Three Down: MLB Predictions
25:44 Fun MLB Predictions and Scenarios
31:31 Broadcast Innovations and Ideas
38:01 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

2025 NEPSAC Preview

Dan is joined by Pat Donnelly to discuss the upcoming NEPSAC baseball season. The conversation covers the recent transition from hockey season to baseball, the increasing competitiveness of prep school baseball in New England, and predictions for the season. They delve into various conferences, highlighting notable teams such as Lawrence Academy, St. Sebastian's, Deerfield Academy, Dexter School, and Salisbury School. The episode also previews promising players, including several Division 1 college commits and potential future professional prospects. Additionally, the podcast features a fun segment where the hosts create fictional baseball movie plots based on unique titles.
 
Topics
01:15 Previewing the NEPSAC Baseball Season
03:00 ISL Coaching Changes and Tournament Insights
04:20 Top ISL Teams and Players to Watch
08:24 Central New England Prep Baseball Highlights
11:35 Western New England Prep Baseball Powerhouses
13:59 Founders League Baseball Overview
16:27 Team Transitions and Prospects
16:50 Hamden Hall's Dominance
17:33 Austin Prep's Journey
18:54 Independent Programs to Watch
20:48 Top 10 Preseason Rankings
21:46 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Movie Ideas

Westminster Coach Tyler Wosleger

The guest is Westminster Coach Tyler Wosleger, who shares his experiences and strategies in transforming the school's baseball program from an 0-18 season in 2019 to one of the top programs in the Founders League. Ty discusses integrating with the school's strong hockey tradition, using cutting-edge analytics, and recruiting local talent. He also reflects on his baseball-centric upbringing and his own collegiate playing days at Fairfield. The episode wraps up with a fun segment on proposed changes to Major League Baseball.
 
Topics
00:49 Turning Around Westminster's Baseball Program
03:21 Building a Winning Culture
05:51 Recruitment and Staff Development
06:36 Utilizing Technology and Analytics
10:14 Local Talent and Community Engagement
16:05 Personal Background and Baseball Journey
24:55 Three Up, Three Down Segment
33:20 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

St. Sebastian’s Coach Matt Duffy

The guest is Matt Duffy, the reigning ISL Coach of the Year and Head Coach at St. Sebastian’s, shares his excitement for the upcoming prep baseball season. Reflecting on his successful first year as head coach, Duffy discusses the team's remarkable turnaround, attributes the success to pitching, defense, and team cohesion, and highlights standout freshman Gavin Wainwright. The discussion also covers Duffy's journey from playing Legion baseball to his experience in the minor leagues and MLB. They delve into the evolving landscape of college recruiting, the impact of strength training, and the significant role of travel ball. The episode concludes with a 'Three Up, Three Down' segment on potential MLB rule changes, including robot umpires, anti-taunting rules, and mid-season tournaments.
 
Topics
01:16 Reflecting on Last Season's Success
02:35 Gavin Wainwright's Breakout Performance
04:41 Coaching Philosophy and Pitching Strategy
05:43 Strength Training and College Recruitment
06:54 Transition from Player to Coach
12:34 Travel Ball and High School Coaching
15:28 Previewing the Upcoming ISL Season
16:30 Playoffs and Team Talent
17:04 Reflecting on My Playing Career
17:13 College Choices and Vermont Experience
18:34 Draft Experience and Family Tragedy
20:47 Minor League Journey
23:13 Big League Highlights and Reflections
24:09 Spring Training and Team Culture
25:32 Three Up, Three Down: MLB Rule Changes

NH Prospects Director Chris Carmain

The guest is Chris Carmain, a former Northeastern baseball player, assistant coach at Merrimack College, and Director of Player Development for the New Hampshire Prospects. The conversation revolves around the success of the New Hampshire Prospects' recruiting efforts, including how they've managed to secure college commitments for their players despite the increasing prominence of the transfer portal. Carmain explains their multifaceted approach to player development that prepares athletes for college-level baseball, including strength and conditioning programs. The talk also touches on broader issues like the financial challenges faced by families engaging in year-round travel baseball and the evolving landscape of college baseball recruiting compared to Carmain's playing days. An interactive segment, 'Three Up, Three Down,' ends the episode, where Carmain and Guttenplan humorously debate hypothetical career choices among baseball figures.
 
Topics
 
00:35 Recruiting Success and Strategies
06:56 Player Development and College Preparation
09:52 High School Season and Player Management
10:55 Travel Programs and Team Placement
13:38 Communication and Player Health
15:17 Recruiting Landscape Changes
19:22 The Challenges of College Baseball Loyalty
20:32 Northeastern's Rise Under Coach Glavin
21:52 Building Merrimack's Baseball Program
24:11 The Cost of Year-Round Baseball
25:15 Supporting Talented Players Financially
26:53 Three Up, Three Down: Fantasy Baseball Careers
34:39 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

College Season Preview with Tigers Scout Jim Bretz

Dan engages in a detailed discussion with Jim Bretz, a scouting supervisor for the Detroit Tigers and an experienced baseball figure with a rich history as a coach and scout. Bretz discusses his rigorous scouting schedule for the new college baseball season, particularly focusing on the Northeast region, which includes New England, New York, New Jersey, and Eastern Canada. The conversation covers the challenges and rewards of scouting in the Northeast, the impact of the transfer portal on college baseball, and the scouting process for high school and college players. Bretz shares insights on notable programs like Northeastern and UConn, and personal anecdotes about notable players he scouted. 
 
Topics
 
00:49 Scouting the Northeast Region
02:03 Fall Scouting Insights
04:24 Northeastern University Prospects
06:48 UConn Baseball Program
10:09 Boston College and Coaching Transitions
13:05 High School Prospects and Transfer Portal
20:10 Scouting Collaboration and Draft Stories
21:00 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities
21:25 Rajai Davis: The One That Got Away
22:45 Success Stories: Brad Brock and Jason Foley
25:01 The Rise of Northeast Baseball Talent
28:10 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Personalities
28:57 Would You Rather: Barry Bonds or Barry Zito?
32:11 Would You Rather: Mike Trout or Mike Timlin?
34:39 Would You Rather: Jim Thome or Jim Bouton?
38:56 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Training and Recruitment with NEB’s Jake Willsey

The guest is Jake Willsey, head of the strength program for the NEB Northeast baseball travel program. The discussion centers around Willsey's approach to individualized strength training for athletes ranging from pre-teens to professionals, particularly focusing on off-season preparation. Willsey elaborates on the assessment process, the integration of advanced technology, and the importance of tailored recovery strategies. They also touch on the evolving landscape of college recruitment and how it impacts player development. The episode includes a fun 'Three Up, Three Down' segment featuring thought-provoking questions about the game of baseball.
 
Topics
 
00:28 Strength Training Philosophy
02:54 Athlete Assessment Process
05:00 Technology in Training
06:18 Managing Athlete Expectations
19:29 Recruiting Landscape Changes
24:35 Three Up, Three Down Segment
32:01 Conclusion and Farewell

Baseball Strength Training with John O'Neil

In this episode of the Base Path Podcast, host Dan Guttenplan discusses the evolution of strength training in baseball with John O'Neil, co-owner of Cressey Sports Performance and the director of performance at the facility. O'Neill explains the shift from traditional, generic training programs to individualized assessments and tailored regimens aimed at helping players achieve their specific goals. He also emphasizes the importance of recovery, nutrition, and consistent training habits for athletes at various levels. The episode concludes with a special 'Three Up, Three Down' segment analyzing topics such as the MLB All-Star Game, Shohei Ohtani's dual-role performance, and Pete Rose's hit record.
 
Topics
00:37 Evolution of Strength Training in Baseball
02:11 Individualized Training Programs
10:05 Technology in Baseball Training
19:03 Recovery and Injury Prevention
23:34 Creating a Throwing Plan for Youth Athletes
24:28 The Importance of Off Periods and Deload Periods
26:19 Tracking Nutrition and Sleep for High School Athletes
27:21 Building Consistent Habits and Routines
31:07 Challenges of Maintaining Habits During Travel Ball
31:30 Three Up, Three Down: Overrated or Underrated?
43:30 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up