British Baseball Podcast

GB Mens National Team Manager Drew Spencer joins the show that was live streamed to talk about everything that's taken place in 2023 for him and GB baseball, the WBC, London Series, Bill Murray, its all here

John return to the show to talk to Matt and Gilles about his eventful 2023, his highlights of WBC fame, outfits and games, tips for following GB overseas, pink hot pants, u14 and u16 European and African qualifiers in Prague, Confederations cup fun in Croatia and being the home plate ump for the gold medal game plus more! if you'd like to share your 2023 highlights, please feel free to get in touch britishbaseballpodcast@gmail.com

GB player Rose Bhanji joins the show to talk about issues for female players in British Baseball, London Mets and the creation of Mayhem, her dance background, how bouncy balls can transcend language barriers and become ice breakers, inclusion, small things that can make a big difference, the drew Spencer effect, being part of the first ever GB women senior national team in Montpellier, her interaction with 2 young female players and the struggles they all share, wanting to play in the European Pro Leagues, her passions on and off the field, her Mount Rushmore of British Baseball people and more.

Jonathan Rodriguez and Gabriel Fidler (@ExtraInningsUK and Mr Baseball) join to give us an insight into University Baseball in the UK, some history, the drunken cup era, what you can do if you're going to a university, or you know someone who is going to uni that doesn't have a baseball team, how uni teams can help grow the sport and help GB players, BUCS and a tonne more.

Pavel Chadim is the National Team Manager of the Czech Republic National Baseaball Team, he took time out of his busy schedule (its Prague Baseball Week at the time of the recording) to talk about how the Czech Mens Senior Team qualified for the World Baseball Classic with Homegrown players. His baseball journey at the age of 16 and how it lead to the national team, what keeps him motivated and how he keeps growing as a manager, how does baseball as a sport compare to other sports in Czech Republic, What was the state of baseball 30 years ago and how has it progressed and how it was achieved, What does the most successful league club look like and is it the blueprint for other teams to follow, How does the Czech Republic produce so many great players, both pitching focus, International success, the WBC in 2023, listeners questions and much more.

a new audio news letter invites members of the governing bodies of all the British baseball federations and leagues to come together to share news, updates, results and up and coming events in a new monthly fanzine segment. This month we have BBs President, Tom Thornill talking about the British Baseball Federation Our Future 2023-2035 release.

Former Broadway and current Westend Star, Cory English joins the show to talk about growing up in Rochester New York, playing sports in his basement, having to pick between his passion for dance and his love of baseball, a difficult conversation with his coach that helped to forge a life long friendship, how dancing made him a better athlete, playing in a broadway softball league as a way to network, thespians baseball in London (https://www.facebook.com/FolkestoneBaseball/posts/london-thespians-and-the-buffalo-bills-baseball-club-earls-court-london-july-189/1759660030872882/), ditto fails, playing ball at Primrose Hill in the UK, joining the Richmond Flames and Herts Baseball Club, being in the stage show "damn Yankees" and how it lead to him meeting Oakland Coaches and Rickey Henderson, plus helping pick a starting lineup over dinner and meeting the 1969 Mets and of Course his stage work in the Producers, Young Frankenstein and playing Doc Brown in the Back to the Future Musical.

Essex Redbacks and GB Baseball Veteran Vince Warner joins the show to talk all about his time in British Baseball, from 'being born' into the sport, he talks about how the game has changed over the years, his dads playing days, old grounds, the baseball scene in the UK in the 70s and 80s, the lack of youth baseball, GB debut, Catching for his dad at home and for GB, getting MVP in his final GB appearance, Southern All-Star, Croydon blue Jays, the night league, playing at Stamford Bridge infant of 6000 people and much, much more.

Recorded before the WBC 2023 in Arizona, Official GB Baseball Photographer Paul (@Paul_baseball and photo.stodart.nl) tells us about how he got into via photography, the differences in youth training in UK and Holland and the kids not having to travel more than 20 mins to play, photographing the Pro Wrestling Association of Holland, getting into the GB national setup at a few various levels, where GB Baseball has taken him on his photography journey, the highlight of his GB journey, room sharing with fellow creative Andy Brown, tips for young and aspiring photographers, what inspires him, essential kit, always carrying protection, the stories behind some of his most iconic shots, talking dirt-y, and have you ever wondered how in game snaps get to social media so fast? All this answered here and more, plus listeners questions too.

the newly elected member of the British Baseball Hall of Fame Stephan Rapaglia joins the show to take us through his time in British Baseball including the silver medal win in the Euros and so much more.

this week sees Matt joined by Great Britain Baseball players Justin Wylie, Alex Crosby, Donovan Benoit, Nick Ward, Mckenzie Mills a week before they are about to head off to the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Arizona! Mckenzie and Donovan had practise and could only stay for a while, but their contribution was mutely appreciated. There were some audio issues, but we managed to get 3 zoom sessions worth of fun and info together for you all and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. They discuss The hardest thing about the WBC Qualification games, What being a part of GB Baseball means to them, Mckenzie Mills being the best cheerleader, What went through Alex Crosbys mind during THAT At-Bat vs Spain, How to be focused and not fanboying on the big stage and wanting to be the best player on the field, Coaching and mentoring aspirations, Donovan Benoit throwing in Scotland, Playing in different time zones and not being able to fully acclimatise before a game, Why did Nick Wards GB Team mates want him to lose a playoff game so badly? How is their preparation and mindset entering the competition? What was the experience like for Phillies fan Nick Ward finding out he had been signed with the Phillies whilst away in Australia? Does Alex feel more like a leader with the experience he has gained from the GB setup? All this and more plus Listeners question.

Josh Chetwynd rejoins the show to talk about baseballs teams history, he discusses in depth the London Mets Senior teams first season and his memories around it, if you want to come on the show and talk about your teams history, that would be fantastic. Josh also tells us about his SABR LUMPS, Tom Cruise, Air Force One, a little bit about Curling and what he has been up to since we last spoke, the world baseball classic, Project Cobb and much more.

Bostonian Jake Mitchell has played a few seasons on British Baseball and joins the show to talk us through his life growing up in Boston, his families support, memories of watching baseball games with loved ones, Fenway Park memories, playing baseball in the North West of England, balancing friendships with management of them as team mates and much more.

Whilst I'm on this journey to find some new sports and activities the British Baseball community can try whilst in the offseason, one thing I had noticed during these activities was that I was still 17 stone. I asked Alan Dean from Smarter Performance, who is part of the GB Baseball set-up as their Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, for some advice to go alongside these fun little 10 minute segments, but what I got was an hour and a half of Alans time, 40 mins of which were recorded. I was able to talk about my struggles with food and how I have a very unusual relationship with it, what I got in return was some fantastic advice and tips that I think you might be able to get something from. We cover Consistency, Buddy systems, mindful eating, putting the fork down, portion control and what can we take away from the very best athletes he has worked with and apply it to our day to day lives. Big thanks to Deano, I am now on a new journey to try and be more consistent and using better habits. The Smarter Performance Academy forBaseball players of any age and ability level is also making a return soon, be sure to follow @smarttobefit or go to smarter performance.co.uk for details of when this fantastic program launches for the new season.

Gabe Rincones Jr (@GaBeRincones) is the son of former Seattle Mariners Pitcher Gabriel Rincones Sr, he just been drafted for the 2nd time. Gabe tells us about the emotions of draft day and ultimately declining an offer, only to be drafted again in 2022 in the 3rd round by the Phillies. We touch on leaving Venezuela for Glenrothes in Fife and how baseball was his dream and how his family helped him on his way. to achieve this goal, we also talk about what's illegal to import to the USA from Scotland, peanut butter without jelly? Who's better, him or his dad? what his mates from primary school think about him being drafted, Memories of the 2021 European championships with the GB u23s, How he's been able to handle such an incredible journey and what lessons would he pass on to young GB players about following their dreams and "making it" from here in the UK, how important his faith is and much more. thanks to Jason Derr and Drew Spencer for the additional questions.

Arthur started his baseball journey in 1963 as a 16 year old in the North West of England and his love of the sport grew from there and took him on many an adventure. We chat about his first game and the Lancashire cup, a visit to the Heineken brewery in Rotterdam before a European game, the Trafford Saints, Great Britain Cadets, his son's involvement at such a young age, the Football Association funding his visit to Atlanta, the 1964 championships, pitching tips from GB HoFer Wally O'Neill and Australian Cricketing legends Ian Glover and Ian Chapels involvement in British Baseball.

GB Legend Daniel Cooper joins the show to talk about his 10 years of pitching with the national team programme, how its evolved over the years, getting a no hitter at the tender age of 10, getting drafted by the Seattle Mariners, off field antics, Oktoberfest, training with NFL legend Tom Brady, Mike Trout not being able to hit off of him, Gavin Marshall Karaoke and much more.

Michael (@MrCresswell) is a passionate and enthusiastic member of the British Baseball Community and joins the show this week to share some stories from his time in baseball. We chat about Home and family life and his dads involvement paying baseball in the states in the 1980s, taking over as player/manager in difficult times, what spurred him into getting his BSUK Coaching qualifications, How did he balance friendships vs game day lineups? Single A playoffs memories, his rise to AA and AAA and the differences and adapting the the new levels of competition. Learning in Bulgaria in the European Cup Qualifiers, a personal and challenging 2022 season and did he really play all 9 positions in under 6 innings? all this and more in this weeks episode.

"I'm just a reflection of the things you've taught me" GB Baseball and Blue Crab player, Raul Shah joins the show to chat about life, GB and his mission to be the first Indian Baseball player to reach the show, his memories of the WBCQ, being good to go in 25 mins, spotting pitchers early, 2nd base antics, Also, Lunch with Steph Curry, Being on the Bachelorette and being detained in another country! But which of these is true?