New England Baseball Journal’s The Base Path

Host Dan Guttenplan sits down with Team Massachusetts head coach Bill O'Connell and pitching coach Steve Healy to break down the team’s historic run at the three-year-old national tournament in Omaha. The coaches share the inside story behind their shift in pitching philosophy, the unexpected benefits of carrying a shorter roster, and what it’s really like for players to dive into the vibrant "Bas...

Dan and Pat review late-season Massachusetts high school baseball, projecting likely tournament tiers from MIAA power rankings. They discuss BC High as the clear Division 1 frontrunner, with teams like St. John’s Shrewsbury, Taunton, Franklin, Natick and others chasing; Natick’s 14-3 season, senior depth, and pitching highlights are noted. A major focus is Bishop Feehan’s Brody Bumilia, whose star...

ISL champion coach Brendan Morrissey recounts leading Milton Academy to the ISL title as the No. 6 seed, surviving a 7–6 opener vs. Roxbury Latin that ended with bases loaded and a freshman reliever escaping, then riding hot bats and dominant pitching to consecutive shutouts in the semifinal (9–0 after an eight-run first) and final, including a combined no-hitter as Jameson Gray peaked at the righ...

Dan and Pat recap early-season New England prep baseball, discussing the latest prep coaches poll and teams and players standing out. Dexter ranks No. 1 behind deep Division I-level pitching; Austin Prep started hot before losing to Cheshire Academy; Canterbury and Choate Rosemary Hall remain unbeaten; and the ISL features strong starts from Belmont Hill, Nobles, and surprise 3–0 St. Mark’s. They...

Dan Guttenplan and Pat Donnelly review the first two weeks of the MIAA baseball season, noting public schools Taunton, Franklin and Braintree atop the power rankings and discussing factors behind sustained success like coaching, culture, feeder systems and player development. They cover Catholic Conference parity and how strength of schedule might affect MIAA seeding, highlight standout performanc...

Dan welcomes Bridgewater-Raynham head coach Cam Fox, also an assistant coach for Team Massachusetts, to discuss the start of the MIAA high school season, evaluating players in short indoor tryouts, and building a three-team program (freshman, JV, varsity). Fox emphasizes selecting coachable, hustle-oriented players who can be valuable anywhere, then placing them where they’ll get development and p...

Dan Guttenplan interviews Kevin Barnaby, Groton School head baseball coach and Nor’easters Tewksbury program director. Barnaby explains that tryouts are less about results and more about earning coaches’ trust through controllables like showing up early, hustling, being coachable, communicating, asking appropriate questions, and dressing in neutral or school colors rather than other travel gear. H...

Dan Guttenplan interviews Belmont Hill head baseball coach David Cunningham, who is entering his fourth season. Cunningham discusses preseason anxiety, returning players and using early March tryouts and scrimmages to build toward an ISL title after reaching last year’s championship game. He explains Belmont Hill’s intentional choice to stay north instead of taking spring trips, relying on indoor...

Dan Guttenplan interviews Central Connecticut State coach Charlie Hickey, the longest-tenured Division 1 coach in New England, about how college baseball has changed with the transfer portal, NIL, and accelerated recruiting. Hickey discusses CCSU’s late February start, training indoors during winter, and the challenges of recruiting in the Northeast. He shares what he looks for in players, balanci...

Dan Guttenplan speaks with Andrew Dickson, the coach at Choate Rosemary Hall, about his successful efforts to build a competitive baseball program in the Founders League. Coach Dickson shares insights into his priorities when he first took over the program, including increasing the number of college-bound players and establishing a strong team culture. They discuss the recruitment process, the imp...

Dan welcomes assistant coaches James Simboli and Dylan Sanchez from the Salisbury School coaching staff. They discuss the legacy of their late coach Kevin Huber, who recently passed away. The conversation covers Kevin’s impact on players, his coaching style, and reminiscences from both coaches’ experiences. They also talk about how the team will move forward while honoring Kevin’s memory and the v...

Dan Guttenplan interviews Pat Moriarty, head coach of the Deerfield Academy baseball team. Moriarty discusses his journey from coaching at Springfield Cathedral to Deerfield, where he turned a struggling program into a championship contender. The conversation covers recruiting strategies, building a strong team culture, and the importance of player development both on and off the field. Moriarty a...

Dan Guttenplan sits down with Marc Deschenes, the new owner of the Lowell Spinners, a Futures Collegiate Baseball League team. Mark shares his journey from nearly missing out on baseball in Lowell to reviving the Spinners with a focus on community engagement and player development. He discusses the strategic assembly of the new ownership group, which includes notable baseball figures like Johnny D...

Dan is joined by Scott Patterson, founder of Northeast Baseball, who discusses the intricacies and evolution of travel baseball programs in New England. Scott shares his experiences and insights from the recent WWBA tournaments, the pivotal Fort Myers and Jupiter events, and explains how these tournaments serve as major recruiting platforms. The conversation delves into the challenges of modern-da...

Dan speaks with Chris Costello, head coach at Walpole High School and coach for the Northeast Gators travel ball team. They discuss Walpole's successful season, the team's journey and challenges, and Costello's coaching influences. The conversation also touches on Costello's perspective on high school baseball development, the role of travel baseball, and recruiting strategies. The episode conclud...

Dan dives into the remarkable story of Dom Driscoll, a sophomore baseball prospect from Middleborough High School, and his father, Bill Driscoll. Dom shares how he overcame a congenital heart condition, underwent multiple surgeries from birth, and defied medical expectations to become one of the top baseball prospects in the class of 2028. The episode delves into the emotional journey from diagnos...

Dan talks to David Cataruzolo, head coach at Roxbury Latin, discussing various aspects of Independent School League (ISL) baseball. Topics include changes to the ISL fall season rules, the introduction of post-season tournaments, and a review of Roxbury Latin’s performance in previous seasons. Razo highlights the team's young roster and returning key pitchers for the upcoming season. The conversat...

Dan interviews Sean Callahan, the new Head Coach of Stonehill College's baseball team. Callahan discusses his transition from assistant to head coach, his recruiting philosophy, and his approach to building a cohesive team. He shares insights about the differences in recruiting from the transfer portal versus high school prospects, and the importance of loyalty and culture in his program. Callahan...

Dan welcomes the manager of Shrewsbury Legion Post 397, Frank Vaccaro. The discussion covers the recruitment of top players, the benefits of Legion baseball over AAU programs, and the holistic development offered by Legion's team-oriented environment. Vaccaro emphasizes the importance of teamwork, life lessons, and realistic college placement goals rather than the costly promises often associated...

Dan interviews Coach Mike Glavine from Northeastern Baseball. The discussion covers the team's achievements, including 17 shutouts and 49 wins, the role of senior leadership, and the impact of new and transfer players. Coach Glavine emphasizes the importance of a strong support staff and teamwork. They also talk about recruiting strategies, player development, and the balancing act between traditi...

Dan is joined by newly appointed Brown University baseball coach Frank Holbrook to discuss the whirlwind process of his recent hiring, transitioning from his previous role at Northeastern University, and his vision for the future of Brown's baseball program. Holbrook shares insights into the recruiting landscape, the development of facilities, and his coaching philosophy, emphasizing a dynamic and...

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 candidat...

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-...

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 focuse...

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...