New England Baseball Journal’s The Base Path

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 Highlights 00:43 The Andover Pitching Controversy 02:33 Power Rankings and Team Performances Discussion 04:13 Deep Dive into Divisional Power Rankings 05:46 Spotlight on Surprising Teams and Upcoming Contenders 11:35 Exploring Division 2 and 3 Standouts 15:33 Division 4 and 5 Insights: Teams to Watch 17:08 MIAA Player of the Year Contenders and Predictions 23:12 Three Up, Three Down: A Fun Q&A Segment

The guest is John West, a senior pitcher from Boston College and a Shrewsbury native. West discusses his final season, reflecting on the team's performance and his own growth. The conversation highlights the impact of the coaching change at BC, West's brief entry into the transfer portal, and his adjustment to a new coaching style. They delve into the significance of the annual ALS awareness game at Fenway Park, sharing West's personal connection to ALS and the broader impact of the Ice Bucket Challenge on ALS awareness. West also comments on the changes in college baseball recruitment and the dynamics of the transfer portal, offering a thoughtful look at the current state of the sport. The exchange concludes with a light-hearted 'three up three down' segment exploring West's baseball journey and memories. 2024 ALS Awareness Game: https://bceagles.com/sports/2024/3/18/2024-als-awareness-game Topics: 00:11 John West's Stellar Season and Team Dynamics 01:13 Navigating Coaching Changes and the Transfer Portal 03:35 Adapting to New Coaching Styles and Baseball Strategies 05:53 ALS Awareness Game and Personal Connection 09:42 The Journey from High School to College Baseball 11:53 Reflecting on the Impact of Travel Ball and Legion Ball 14:31 Discussing MLB Trends and Injury Concerns 17:03 Looking Ahead: Draft Prospects and Career Decisions 25:12 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Favorites and Memories 30:16 Closing Thoughts and Podcast Wrap-Up

Coach Eric Cirella of Salve Regina, a top-ranked D3 college baseball program, is the guest. Cirella attributes the team's success to quality recruiting, a talented coaching staff, and the program's development over years. Salve Regina offers a blend of competitive athletics and academic excellence, with Newport, Rhode Island's location being a significant draw. Cirella reflects on his baseball journey, including playing under his father at Salve Regina and his brief stint in professional baseball, which shaped his coaching career. He emphasizes building relationships and adapting coaching strategies from various mentors. The conversation covers Salve Regina's recruiting strategy, focusing on talent that Division I programs overlook, and cultivating a mindset of determination and improvement in athletes.

A comprehensive look ahead at the MIAA season from Dan Guttenplan and Pat Donnelly.

Dan Guttenplan and Pat Donnelly break down the field in prep baseball for the 2024 season.

The guest is Putnam Science Academy Coach Bob Hetu, who has spent the last 29 years as a coach, mentor and on-field fundamental strategist. In 2022 he took over the baseball program at Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Conn. Hetu previously was head coach in a three-year stint (2019-2021) with St. Thomas More. Putnam Science Academy cut its baseball program in 2013 so Putnam’s arrival in 2022 represented a rebirth.

A 1990 graduate of Princeton University, Matt Noone is in his 22nd season as head coach of Babson's baseball program. In 21 seasons, Noone has won more than 400 games and made seven postseason appearances, which includes leading the Beavers' first trip to the Division III College World Series in 2019.

The guest is former three-time state champion coach at Lincoln Sudbury Kirk Fredericks, a recent inductee to the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Today, we’re going to preview the college baseball season with former Northeastern University and Cape League pitcher Jordy Allard. Allard's career accomplishments include: Former Gatorade Vermont HS Player of the Year Started college career at SNHU Transferred to Babson, where he earned 2021 New England Pitcher of the Year Transferred to Northeastern, where he posted a 2.16 ERA over 50 innings in 2022. Earned Cape League’s Top New England Prospect Award in 2022 with Hyannis Harbor Hawks Finished career last spring in an injury-plagued final season at Northeastern

Anthony Giano was named the head coach of the varsity baseball program at Cheshire Academy in 2021. Giano has worked at CA since 2015, including as assistant coach of the varsity and junior varsity baseball programs. He has nearly 30 years of coaching experience.

Philadelphia Phillies GM and New Hampshire native Sam Fuld joins the show to talk about offseason moves, the highs and lows of his playing career and the most exciting play in baseball.

Thayer Academy's James Pierce is the guest. Pierce recently finished his first season as head coach in 2023 after serving as a longtime assistant.

The guest is Ryan Klosterman, who is entering his fifth season as the head coach of the Bryant Baseball program. Klosterman was a 2021 Northeast Conference Coach of the Year, and his team is competing in the America East Conference for the second season.

MIT Pitching Coach Todd Carroll, a former 20 year college baseball coach, and more recently a pitching coordinator for a minor league affiliate for the Seattle Mariners, served as the MIT pitching coach from 2012 to 2022, a stretch in which the engineers won three local championships and advanced to five NCAA Regionals. The Boston Pitching Congress is December 2nd, 8AM to 12:30PM at Donohue's bar and grill in Watertown MA. Email Todd for more info at tcarroll@mariners.com

The guest is Wake Forest Coach Tom Walter. His squad went into the College World Series last year ranked number one. Last year's Demon Deacons finished the 2023 season with program records in regular season wins with 45, as well as overall wins with 54. This season's team made the program's third College World Series appearance and its first since winning the program's first national championship in 1955.

Bridgton Academy coach Aaron Izaryk discusses his team's fall schedule, which runs approximately eight weeks, including practices and games.

The guest is Nick Barese, who became head coach of UMass Lowell when Ken Harring resigned at the end of July. Barese, the former head coach at Merrimack, spent the past two seasons as an assistant to Harring, whose exit came after the school authorized an independent investigation that cleared him from claims of racial discrimination toward a player.

Mavrick Rizy is one of New England's top prep prospects in the class of 2024, a right-handed pitcher from Worcester Academy. He joins the show to share his story while in the midst of finishing up a busy summer of showcases across the country.

The guest is Sue Curtin, champion senior golfer, who joins the show to talk about her passion for getting women involved in competitive golf.

The guest is Chris Shank, new head coach of the three-time defending NCAA East Region Champion SNHU Penmen. Shank previously coached at Eastern Nazarene College, guiding the Lions to a 62-45-1 record over four seasons.