New England Baseball Journal’s The Base Path

Final Weekend of the MIAA Tournament

Dan and Pat Donnelly offer a comprehensive recap of the MIAA State Baseball Tournament as it heads into its final weekend. They delve into notable performances and players from the tournament, discussing state championship matchups across divisions, including standout teams like Braintree, Chelmsford, and Walpole. The discussion also covers predictions for the finals, player injuries, and candidates for MIAA Player of the Year. The episode closes with a segment on stolen bases' value in modern baseball and personal reflections on memorable rookie seasons. Additionally, a touching tribute to Cape Cod League Hall of Famer Sol Yas.
 
Topics
01:10 Division 1 Tournament Recap
03:32 Braintree's Journey to the Finals
06:24 Chelmsford's Impressive Run
11:58 Division 2 Tournament Highlights
17:24 Division 3 Tournament Surprises
20:56 Division 4 and 5 Tournament Insights
25:26 MIAA Player of the Year Discussion
25:53 Shoutouts to Top Performers
26:44 State Tournament Highlights
29:54 Narrowing Down the Finalists
35:07 Three Up, Three Down Segment
35:43 Memorable Rookie Seasons
39:34 Underachieving Teams Discussion
44:53 The Value of Stolen Bases
47:56 Heartfelt Tribute and Closing Remarks

Canterbury Coach Todd Mathewson

Todd Mathewson, the champion coach of the Western New England Prep Baseball League from Canterbury School, joins to discuss his team's recent championship victory over Cheshire Academy. Mathewson shares insights into the emotional journey of achieving the win after years of close calls, breaking down game strategies and key moments of the season. He also talks about the selection process for Post-Graduate players, the rising interest in Canterbury's baseball program, and the impact of a strong supporting community. The episode wraps up with a fun segment, 'Three Up, Three Down,' where favorite baseball stances, intimidation on the mound, and fiery managers are discussed.
Topics
00:32 Championship Game Emotions and Highlights
02:23 Western New England Prep Baseball League Overview
04:25 Tournament Strategy and Key Players
06:54 Celebration and Community Support
08:29 Recruitment and Program Growth
11:15 Postgraduate Year Insights
16:32 Coaching Philosophy and Personal Journey
22:49 Three Up, Three Down Segment
30:47 Closing Remarks

MIAA Tourney Pairings Reaction

Dan and guest Pat Donnelly provide immediate and in-depth reactions to the freshly released MIAA baseball brackets. Recorded just half an hour after the brackets were unveiled, they discuss teams to watch, potential upsets, and who they believe will make it through to the later rounds, including final four predictions and eventual champions across various divisions. The episode particularly focuses on Division One and Two, with key insights on teams like Taunton, Xaverian, St. John's Shrewsbury, Plymouth North, Redding, and several others. Lesser-covered divisions like Three, Four, and Five are also briefly discussed. 
 
Topics
00:00 Introduction and Instant Reactions to MIAA Baseball Brackets
00:54 Division One Breakdown: Top Seeds and Key Matchups
03:11 Teams to Watch: Dark Horses and Potential Upsets
08:55 Final Four Predictions and Key Players
14:34 Division Two Overview: Defending Champions and Top Contenders
15:06 Top Teams and Key Players in Division One
15:55 Underdogs and Lower Seeds to Watch
18:04 Predictions for Final Four and Potential Upsets
22:41 Division Three Highlights and Contenders
28:15 Division Four and Five Overview
31:14 Closing Thoughts and Podcast Wrap-Up

Coach Chris Margraf of ISL Champion Lawrence

The guest is ISL champion Lawrence coach Chris Margraf. Dan and Chris discuss his team’s journey to winning the ISL tournament, the strategic decisions made during games, the evolution of high school baseball with more specialized athletes, and the importance of team chemistry. They also delve into the nuances of field management, decision-making under pressure, and the changing landscape of youth sports. The episode concludes with a 'Three Up, Three Down' segment featuring baseball dilemmas and Hall of Fame debates.
Topics
00:14 Reflecting on the ISL Championship
01:01 The Evolution of Prep School Baseball
02:13 Challenges and Strategies in the Playoffs
03:56 Pitching Decisions and Game Dynamics
05:06 Coaching Decisions and Game Management
06:24 The Impact of Key Players
06:56 Navigating the DH Rule and Game Scenarios
08:22 The Emotional Rollercoaster of the Championship Game
13:27 Post-Game Reflections and Umpire Decisions
17:44 Player Development and Future Prospects
21:41 The Changing Landscape of High School Sports
26:30 The Importance of Nuances in Baseball
27:33 The Evolution of Multi-Sport Athletes
28:38 Specialization and Its Impact on Players
29:19 The Role of AAU Programs
30:39 Team Dynamics and Baseball IQ
34:19 Three Up, Three Down Segment Introduction
34:51 Hall of Fame Dilemmas
40:15 Ethical Dilemmas in Baseball
46:29 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Prep Mid-Season Review

Dan and co-host Pat Donnelly provide a comprehensive mid-season review of prep baseball in New England. The discussion focuses on various leagues, including the ISL, NEPSAC, and independent teams. Key highlights include favorited teams like St. Sebastian's, Roxbury Latin, and Lawrence Academy and predictions for awards and championships. The podcast also explores noteworthy statistics and emerging talents, offering in-depth insights into the current prep baseball scene.  
 
Topics
01:06 ISL Favorites: St. Sebastian's, Roxbury Latin, and Lawrence Academy
06:13 ISL Contenders: Nobles, Tabor, and Belmont Hill
10:48 ISL Bubble Teams: Milton Academy, BB&N, and Others
14:19 ISL Awards Predictions
18:02 NEPSAC Founders League
20:21 Central New England: Deerfield's Dominance
21:48 Western New England League Dominance
22:58 Fairchester Athletic Association Showdown
23:58 Independent Teams Spotlight
26:53 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Insights

MIAA Midseason Review

A midseason review of New England high school baseball with beat reporter Pat Donnelly. Dan and Pat discuss the performance of Catholic conference schools, standout teams, and key players. Topics include the unpredictable top 10 rankings, the competitive nature of the Catholic and Bay State Conferences, dominant individual performances, and predictions for state championships. 
Topics
00:30 Catholic Conference Teams Overview
02:18 Xaverian's Strong Season
03:49 BC High's Challenges and Comebacks
06:01 St. John Shrewsbury's Performance
07:56 Braintree and Bay State Conference
09:39 Taunton and King Philip Highlights
13:21 Newton South's Turnaround
14:39 Mid-Season Questions and Predictions
20:21 Brody's Recovery and Future Plans
21:03 State Championship Predictions
23:18 Three Up, Three Down Segment
24:00 Catching a Foul Ball at a Major League Game
27:32 Unusual Baseball Moments
34:05 Judging a Ballpark's Quality
36:19 Conclusion and Credits

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