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,...
Jun 14, 2024•31 min•Ep. 116
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 co...
Jun 06, 2024•33 min•Ep. 115
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 Pa...
Jun 01, 2024•36 min•Ep. 114
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 differe...
May 21, 2024•41 min•Ep. 113
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 ta...
May 14, 2024•21 min•Ep. 112
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 c...
May 08, 2024•34 min•Ep. 111
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 seaso...
May 01, 2024•30 min•Ep. 110
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 C...
Apr 17, 2024•31 min•Ep. 109
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 basebal...
Apr 11, 2024•31 min•Ep. 108
A comprehensive look ahead at the MIAA season from Dan Guttenplan and Pat Donnelly.
Apr 03, 2024•33 min•Ep. 107
Dan Guttenplan and Pat Donnelly break down the field in prep baseball for the 2024 season.
Mar 27, 2024•30 min•Ep. 106
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.
Mar 20, 2024•39 min•Ep. 105
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.
Mar 06, 2024•37 min•Ep. 104
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.
Feb 21, 2024•40 min•Ep. 103
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 Finishe...
Feb 07, 2024•38 min•Ep. 102
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.
Jan 24, 2024•25 min•Ep. 101
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.
Jan 10, 2024•35 min•Ep. 100
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.
Dec 20, 2023•32 min•Ep. 99
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.
Dec 06, 2023•31 min•Ep. 98
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
Nov 22, 2023•41 min•Ep. 97
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.
Nov 08, 2023•36 min•Ep. 96
Bridgton Academy coach Aaron Izaryk discusses his team's fall schedule, which runs approximately eight weeks, including practices and games.
Oct 04, 2023•35 min•Ep. 95
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.
Sep 20, 2023•36 min•Ep. 94
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.
Aug 30, 2023•30 min•Ep. 93
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.
Aug 17, 2023•31 min•Ep. 92
The in-studio guests are Milton High Coach Brendan Morrissey and his star player Owen McHugh, who earned MIA Player of the Year honors from the New England Baseball Journal.
Aug 02, 2023•31 min•Ep. 91
Todd Interdonato was named Boston College's baseball coach this past Monday. He previously spent 16 years as Wofford baseball’s head coach. Interdonato discusses his enthusiastic vision for BC and recounts his path to Chestnut Hill.
Jul 21, 2023•35 min•Ep. 90
Dan Guttenplan and Matt Feld preview the MIAA Championship games to be played this weekend at Polar Park in Worcester.
Jun 16, 2023•43 min•Ep. 89
In the thick of the MIAA tournament, Matt Feld and Dan Guttenplan break down the various divisions and make a few predictions.
Jun 05, 2023•38 min•Ep. 88
Baseball America's Peter Flaherty joins the show to cover a host of topics on college baseball.
Jun 02, 2023•36 min•Ep. 87
