New England Baseball Journal’s The Base Path

Local Baseball Legend Ace Adams

 
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

Vanderbilt Asst. Coach Jayson King

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

Penn State Coach Mike Gambino

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

MIAA Tournament Finals Preview

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
 

Braintree Coach Bill O'Connell

Braintree High School Coach Bill O'Connell discusses his team's strong season, securing the number four seed in the Massachusetts MIAA Division 1 State Tournament. O'Connell elaborates on the team's dynamics, crediting seniors and a balanced roster while sharing insights from his extensive coaching career, including past tournament experiences. He also touches on the intricacies of baseball strategy, the unpredictability of single elimination tournaments, and the impact of legendary Braintree coach Don Fredericks. Additionally, O'Connell talks about his role in selecting and coaching Team Massachusetts for the High School National Championship and his summer plans running the Extra Bases Summer Baseball Camp. The episode concludes with a fun 'Three Up, Three Down' segment where both guest and host discuss memorable baseball moments and strategies. 
Topics
00:59 Season Recap and Tournament Outlook
02:19 Challenges and Unpredictability in Baseball
04:31 Key Teams and Tournament Predictions
06:32 Legacy of Don Fredericks
08:01 Coaching Team Massachusetts
16:16 Summer Plans and Extra Bases Camp
22:44 Three Up, Three Down Segment
32:35 Closing Remarks

MIAA Tournament Preview

Dan Guttenplan sits down with MIAA analyst Pat Donnelly to preview the state baseball tournament. Pat shares insights from the regular season, including standout teams like BC High, St. John's Shrewsbury, and Westford Academy, emphasizing the importance of strong pitching. The episode delves into potential candidates for MIAA Player of the Year. They also analyze tournament brackets for all five divisions, making predictions and discussing possible upsets. In a fun concluding segment, Dan and Pat engage in a Major League Baseball ballpark fantasy draft, picking their favorite ballparks.
Topics
00:51 Key Takeaways from the Regular Season01:45 MIAA Player of the Year Nominations02:47 Player Profiles12:36 Division 1 Bracket Breakdown16:58 Division 2 Bracket Breakdown19:14 Division 3 Playoff Predictions20:41 Division 4 Contenders and Predictions23:06 Division 5 Insights and Picks24:47 State Finals Schedule and Coverage25:27 Three Up Three Down: MLB Ballpark Fantasy Draft

Austin Prep Coach John Pollard

The guest is John Pollard, coach of the Austin Prep baseball team, who explores the team's remarkable success, especially after transitioning to the NEPSAC league. Pollard shares insights into the undefeated seasons, challenges of moving to a new league, and the school's comprehensive approach to player development both on and off the field. The conversation also touches on the strategic aspects of baseball, such as the importance of mental preparation for high-stake games and postseason differences. .
Topics:
00:23 Unbeaten Streaks and Transitioning to a NEPSAC Program02:13 Challenges and Opportunities of Being Independent04:44 Building a Winning Team Identity07:02 Fostering College and Professional Opportunities for Players10:59 Expanding the Program: JV Teams and Baseball Operations13:22 Navigating High School Baseball's Competitive Landscape16:14 Leveraging Facilities and Creating a Supportive Environment21:20 Transitioning from High School to College Baseball21:40 Preparing for Life Beyond Baseball22:13 Academic and Athletic Excellence at Austin Prep22:45 Evolving Recruitment and Admissions Standards23:36 Setting High Standards for Austin Prep Athletes25:15 Navigating Off-Season Training Regulations28:55 Three Up, Three Down: A Fun Baseball Q&A36:18 The Mental Game: Preparing for High-Pressure Situations40:31 Wrapping Up with Coach John Pollard

Worcester Academy's Mike Abraham

This episode of the Base Path podcast, hosted by Dan Guttenplan and produced by Seamans Media, features Worcester Academy's baseball coach Mike Abraham. In his first season, Abraham led the team to a central New England Prep League championship. The discussion spans the team's preparation and mindset, contrasting the current season with the previous, and delves into the competitive nature of the New England prep baseball scene. Additionally, insights into the development and scouting of young talent are shared. The podcast also touches on the wider New England baseball landscape, including team strategies, standout players and teams, and the impact of familial sports backgrounds on coaching philosophies.
Topics:
00:15 Introducing Mike Abraham: A Season of Success00:42 The Challenges and Changes of the New Season01:44 Reflecting on Last Year's Tournament and Lessons Learned03:22 Scouting the Competition: Deerfield, Dexter, and Cushing07:13 The Strategy for Playoff Pitching08:13 Managing a Top Prospect: Maverick Rizy's Journey11:19 The Competitive Edge of Cushing Academy12:50 Exploring Prep Baseball and ISL Tournaments14:24 A Unique Training Experience with the Red Sox16:32 Growing Up in a Sports-Driven Family17:51 Looking Ahead: Summer Plans with NAB19:27 Thoughts on Perfect Game and NIL Implications20:15 Wrapping Up and Good Luck Wishes

Avon Old Farms Coach Rob Dowling

In this episode of the Base Path Podcast, hosted by Dan Guttenplan and produced by New England Baseball Journal, Avon Old Farms head baseball coach Rob Dowling discusses the key factors behind the substantial success of his team in New England prep baseball. With a history of winning 17 Colonial and Founders League championships since 1996, Coach Dowling shares insights into the team's strong pitching lineup, talent acquisition, and the impact of preseason training in Florida. In addition, the conversation covers the increased competitiveness in prep baseball, the holistic experience offered by Avon Old Farms, player commitments to top colleges like Vanderbilt, and the educational value of athletics. The podcast also delves into baseball rules, coaching philosophies, the use of technology in the sport, and the discussion ends with a playful 'three up, three down' Q&A segment.
00:15 Spotlight on Avon Old Farms' Baseball Success00:50 The Key to Early Season Success02:33 The Impact of the Pandemic on Prep Baseball02:42 Building a Competitive Team: Recruitment and Training05:12 A Closer Look at Avon's Star Players19:41 Navigating the Transfer Portal and College Recruitment22:26 Personal Insights: Coaching Philosophy and Family Life25:06 'Three Up, Three Down': Baseball Memories and Superstitions

MIAA Roundup

In this episode of the Base Path Podcast by New England Baseball Journal, hosted by Dan Guttenplan with MIAA reporter Pat Donnelly, the hosts dive into the first half of the MIAA baseball season. The discussion includes power rankings updates, standout teams and players, a controversy involving Andover and pitcher Chris Gillette, and an in-depth analysis of the top teams across different divisions. They also delve into the intricacies of the MIAA power rankings and make predictions for the season based on current performances. In the 'Three Up, Three Down' segment the hosts tackle unprepared questions about baseball robots, listening to baseball on the radio, and describing baseball to someone unfamiliar with the sport.
Topics
00:32 Mid-Season MIAA Baseball Highlights00:43 The Andover Pitching Controversy 02:33 Power Rankings and Team Performances Discussion04:13 Deep Dive into Divisional Power Rankings05:46 Spotlight on Surprising Teams and Upcoming Contenders11:35 Exploring Division 2 and 3 Standouts15:33 Division 4 and 5 Insights: Teams to Watch17:08 MIAA Player of the Year Contenders and Predictions23:12 Three Up, Three Down: A Fun Q&A Segment