Are you in the Book Podcast

Kevin Brooks has guided the Angelo State baseball program to six NCAA Division II College World Series appearances with six South Central Championships and has compiled an impressive 742-333 overall record since starting the ASU program in 2005. In 2023, the Rams claimed the Division II National Championship for the first time in program history.
 
The only coach in ASU baseball history, he has recorded 10 trips to the NCAA postseason.

Lee Lipinski enters his sixth season as an assistant coach for the Broncos. This is Lipinski’s 11th consecutive year as a member of the Broncs Baseball Program, playing five years and captaining two teams. Lipinski was a part of two regular season championships (2013 & 2015) and played in three MAAC tournaments during his tenure as a player. Lipinski joined the staff for the 2018 season after leading the Broncos to their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament win since 2013.

Steve Murry assumed the Head Coaching job at Neosho County in June of 1986. He succeeded Carl Robb and became only the second coach in Neosho Baseball history. During his 37 year stint, the Panthers have won 1176 games,Jayhawk Conference Championships in 1994, 2003, 2006 and 2016 and Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division Sub-Regional Championships in 1999, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, & 2016.

Coach Miller’s goal is to help players learn more about themselves, train to their strengths, reduce their weaknesses, increase their opportunities, and diminish risks to take their game to the next level utilizing science and technology.

Anthony Plá enters his 12th season as Head Baseball Coach at Lincoln University. In May of 2015, Coach Plá is also the Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities moving the Lions to new heights as a program.
Plá is looking to further the progression of the already-growing baseball program as they look to improve on each year’s success.  The transition from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division II has been tough, but the challenge is what has pushed him to work hard to build a stellar program. This is Plá’s first Head Coach position at the collegiate level but with the knowledge, energy, and synergy he brings in his work ethic the Lions will reach new heights.

Joseph Guzman graduated from Florida Memorial University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Minor in Aviation. He graduated with Cum Laude Honors and part of the National Honor Math Society Mu Alpha Theta.

He has over 6 years’ experience as adviser, mentor, and talent recruiter. His coaching positions include work with the Kansas City Royals organization at their Dominican Academy giving instruction, as well as mentoring their recently signed Latin American prospects. He was also an assistant Cultural Development Coordinator with the Royals, teaching the young prospects English. Following the opportunity with the Royals, Joseph was an assistant coach for the Covington Lumberjacks of the Valley League where he helped them to a playoff appearance. During the same time, he worked on coaching many players who ended up signing professional baseball contracts.

At just 27 years old, Austin Szemacs crossed one major item off his bucket list.

The Streetsboro graduate was recently named baseball coach at Bryant & Stratton College in Solon.

Szemacs is quick to dole out credit for his quick rise, including to longtime Rockets baseball coach Chris Scisciani, who he said helped inspire him to become a coach.

Szemacs also notes how Jake Plata, his predecessor at Bryant & Stratton, and Ben Simon helped push his coaching career along since he graduated from Malone University.

“Playing for Coach Scisciani was the big start for me wanting to pursue this after high school and after college,” Szemacs said. “Then between Jake and Ben, my career has taken off because of those people, and I give a lot of credit to them and the selflessness that they had. They didn't have to do what they did. and all that kind of stuff just is the reason my career is kind of taking off the way it has.”

Head Coach Bennett has been leading the RU Baseball team for 2 years. After a difficult regular season, RU finished 3-2 in regionals and are looking to build on the success in 2024. Randall University is a School in Moore, OK, that competes in the NCCAA. Please get to know Coach Bennett and his program.

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring story of Mark and his son Cole, who, with the guidance of Walter Beede, embarked on a remarkable journey through the baseball recruiting process. Join us as we explore the challenges, victories, and the impact on their entire family. Discover the dedication and hard work that led Cole to become the best baseball player he could be. It's a testament to the resilience and passion that define the world of baseball recruitment.

A baseball mom's perspective of the recruiting process and working with Walter Beede.

Coach Vinny is back on the program to discuss the portal, recruiting and the benefits of a smaller school as well as joining the NCAA.

The Boston Red Sox drafted Frank Rodriguez out of high school with their 2nd round pick in the 1990 amateur draft, but he elected to go to junior college in 1991. Rodriguez led the JUCO ranks in home runs (26) and pitching strikeouts (139), and was named MVP of the Junior College World Series, when Howard College beat Manatee Community College in the title game. The Red Sox signed him nine hours before they would lose his rights and he would enter the 1991 amateur draft. Boston promised to let him start his career as a shortstop.

Rodriguez's other 1991 major career highlights include being named college player of the year by Baseball America; being the Texas state regional tournament MVP; being named MVP of Howard College's baseball team; receiving an invitation for the Team USA Pre-Olympic tryouts; establishing new records for victories and strikeouts in a single season; establishing new records for home runs and RBI's at Howard College; leading the nation in homers with 26 and RBI's with 90; being nominated for the Dick Howser Trophy.

Coach Dane Fujinaka is in his third season as the Sharks skipper. The 2023 season marked the best conference finish since 2016, tied for 6th place with a 14-17 conference record.

The Sharks had one of the top offensive seasons leading the conference in triples and stolen bases. They were also 2nd in the PacWest in batting average and 3rd in runs per game scored. Coach Fujinaka's offense in 2023 was led by PacWest newcomer of the year, Kota Suzuki, 2nd team All-Conference pick, Nick Jio, and 3rd team picks, TJ Smith and DJ Stephens. 

Ben Jones was named Head Baseball Coach December 17, 2021, after the retirment of Hall of Fame Coach Bryan Cave.  Jones, a native of Lawrenceville, VA, graduated as an outside machinist apprentice and played baseball for The Apprentice School from 2003 to 2006.  During Jones’ career, he was named a three time USCAA All-American. He is the winningest pitcher in the modern era of Apprentice School baseball with 39 wins and a Virginia College Division record of 501 strikeouts.  Jones was selected to the 2006 USCAA National All-Academic Team and the CoSIDA Academic All-District.  He was also selected VaSID All-State Division II-III in 2004 and 2006 and was honored as Apprentice School Athlete of the Year in 2006 when he went 13-3 with 166 strikeouts. 

After his playing career, Jones joined the Apprentice School coaching staff as a pitching coach in 2007.  Jones was a part of the Builder baseball team that won the USCAA Small College World Series in 2007 and 2015.  Ben Jones was selected to the USCAA Hall of Fame – Class of 2018. He is starting his 16th season as a coach.

In 2020, Jones was inducted into The Apprentice School Builder Athletic Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Builder wing, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments of former apprentice-athletes and coaches during the timeframe of 1990-current. 

James Grandey, a 2011 inductee into the Muskingum University Athletic Hall of Fame, is entering his 20th year as head baseball coach at Bluffton University.

He is confident that the Beavers are moving in the right direction. "We have worked extremely hard as a program during the past 15 years," explained Coach Grandey. "We have a strong foundation for the future. Through continued hard work and improvement, we will be able to take the next step." Grandey was named Deputy Director of Athletics in August of 2020 after serving as Associate Director of Athletics for several years.

Landon Hutchison is entering his third season as the head coach of the Storm baseball program in 2024.
Hutchison, a Baltimore, Ohio native took over the Storm baseball program after serving as the pitching coach of the UIndy Greyhounds of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) from 2018-2021. Hutchison helped lead the Greyhounds pitching staff to the 2020-21 GLVC semifinals and the number two seed in the division.

As a team, the Greyhounds pitching rotation combined for a 5.26 ERA, 343 strikeouts, and a 23-21 record in 2021. Additionally to his pitching coach duties, Hutchison was in charge of player development and players' mental development. 

Coach August joins the program for the second time to talk about player development, recruiting advice, and what he is doing for his own kids to prepare them to play at the next level. Don't miss this great episode!

n his inaugural season, Cannon led Gannon to a 2022 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division regular-season title, a 29-17 overall record, and Gannon’s second appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament in the past three seasons. (There was not an NCAA tournament in 2020).

After Gannon hired him as the head coach on August 6, 2021, Cannon guided the Golden Knights to a 20-8 record in the PSAC, which led the PSAC West and gave Gannon the West’s top seed going into the PSAC Tournament. The Knights lost in the first round of the tournament but still landed a berth in the NCAA Tournament and claimed the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Regional.

Under Cannon’s watch, three Gannon players earned PSAC West All-Star status: pitchers Eric Sapp and Deven Judy, and infielder Ian Hess. Sapp was named PSAC West Pitcher of the Year and went on to earn Atlantic Region and All-America honors.

Listen to what it takes to play at Chatham and the type of players Coach Rush is looking for. We also discuss the program and University.

Nic Rush enters his second season as Head Baseball Coach at Chatham University in the 2022-23 academic year.
 
In his first season with the Cougars, Rush was responsible for several program-firsts. He led the team to a new single-season wins record of 13 while also setting new program-bests in over 15 statistical categories. Additionally, Rush took over as the PAC Baseball Chair on which he currently serves.
 
Rush comes to Chatham after a successful three-year career at Washington and Jefferson College, in which he helped lead the team to a 2019 NCAA Division III World Series and a #2 national ranking in 2021.

Get the inside scoop on Point Park and what it takes to play at the next level.

Loren Torres enters his 14th year as Point Park University baseball head coach for the upcoming 2023 season. He was hired in July 2009. Point Park baseball, which is tied for fifth all-time with 11 appearances in the NAIA World Series, has made its return to national relevance under coach Torres.

Coach Torres has a career record of 558-305 (.646) entering the 2023 season. In the first 13 seasons at Point Park, coach Torres has compiled a record of 451-201 (.692). He has averaged 35 wins per season at Point Park and 31 wins per year over his 18-year career, all in the NAIA. He was the head coach at Judson (Ill.) University for five years previously.

Torres became Point Park's all-time wins leader for baseball head-coaching victories on April 26, 2022. When he picked up his 444th win at Point Park, he passed the legendary Pioneers' coach Mark Jackson, who was 443-196 (.695) in 12 seasons and led the Pioneers two six NAIA World Series appearances.

Point Park has won six conference championships and been to six NAIA national tournaments during Torres' 13 years at the school. That includes a trip to the NAIA World Series in 2012, where the Pioneers finished fifth. Point Park has finished the season ranked in the NAIA Top 25 final poll seven times under Torres -- 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021 and 2022.

Coach Calliari joins us again to discuss the viral clip and winning the Small College World Series for the 4th time in 5 years.

We discuss the process of rebuilding and the type of players it takes.

In this episode of the Baseball Bluebook Podcast, we have the privilege of interviewing Justin Perry, the newly appointed Head Baseball Coach at Albright College. Join us as we explore Perry's coaching journey and gain insights into his experiences and aspirations.

Perry brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, having previously served as the associate coach at Gettysburg College. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside outstanding college baseball coaches and developed a specialization in pitching coaching. Perry's passion for the game and commitment to player development make him an excellent addition to the Albright College baseball program.

During our interview, we delve into Perry's background and discuss the pivotal moments that shaped his coaching career. From his early days as an assistant coach at Trinity College, Westfield State University, and Anna Maria College, to his impactful tenure at Gettysburg, Perry shares valuable insights and lessons learned along the way.

We also explore Perry's coaching philosophy and the core values he instills in his players, both on and off the field. As he steps into his new role at Albright College, Perry shares his vision for the program, highlighting the importance of academic and athletic success, and the mentorship he aims to provide to his players.

Join us as we gain valuable wisdom from Justin Perry's coaching journey and gain a deeper understanding of the passion and dedication he brings to the Albright College baseball program.

In this episode of our baseball podcast, we speak with Seth Daniels, Director of Product at Rapsodo, a leading provider of baseball technology and analytics. With his deep understanding of the game and expertise in product development, Seth shares his insights on how Rapsodo is changing the way baseball players and coaches use data to improve performance.

During our conversation, we delve into the key features and benefits of Rapsodo's technology, including its advanced sensors and high-speed cameras that capture detailed metrics on pitch trajectory, spin rate, and more. Seth also shares how Rapsodo's products help players and coaches analyze this data and make data-driven decisions to optimize training, game-day strategy, and player development.

We also discuss some of the challenges facing players and coaches when it comes to using data and technology in baseball, and how Rapsodo is working to address these challenges with its user-friendly products and dedicated customer support.

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out in the game, this episode offers valuable insights into how Rapsodo's technology can help you improve your performance and take your game to the next level. So join us as we dive into the exciting world of baseball technology and analytics with Seth Daniels from Rapsodo!

Here what makes Holmes CC a great place to play baseball and further your education.

BioMadison native Scott DeLoach is in his second season as head baseball coach at Holmes Community College. DeLoach, who was an All-State selection and state champion at Madison Central, was a standout catcher for the Mississippi State University Bulldogs and the Itawamba Community College Indians. He will bring nine years of coaching experience to a history-rich baseball program at Holmes Community College. He got into coaching in June 2011 as a volunteer coach at Millsaps College. He remained in that position until September 2013 when he became assistant coach at East Central Community College in Decatur before returning back to Millsaps as assistant coach in July 2014 under Head Coach Jim Page. Along with coaching at Millsaps, he was highly involved in evaluating and recruiting players; scheduled practices and team meetings; assisted in fundraising; coordinated travel; oversaw the baseball budget; managed the federal work study program; coordinated alumni/donor relations; served as a member of the enrollment management committee; served as director of gameday operations; and helped coordinate summer baseball camps for elementary and high school kids each year. At Millsaps, DeLoach coached six All-Americans; 10 members of the All-South Region team; one All-South Region Players of the Year; 49 All-Conference players; and one Conference Player of the Year. Millsaps won the SAA regular season and tournament championship in 2013; NCAA Regional appearances in 2012 and 2013; and the NCAA Division III World Series in 2013.

Part 2 is a discussion about what type of players Coach Sudduth is looking for and what the program is all about.

Entering his 10th season at the helm of the Meridian Community College baseball program, Dillon Sudduth has continued the proud tradition of Eagle baseball. MCC has remained one of the MACCC’s premier programs, earning postseason berths and consistently finishing at the top of MACCC standings with an overall MACCC winning percentage of 74% as head coach. The 2021 season saw the Eagles finish as MACCC runner up and finishing ranked number 5 nationally in the country. With 254 wins over the course of his 8 seasons, the Eagles have been a model of consistency averaging 32 wins a year during Sudduth’s tenure. During his 14 years coaching at MCC, the Eagles have one Region 23 championship; have finished Region 23 runner up three times, and added an MACCC Tournament championship.  Named head coach of the Meridian CC baseball program at the age of 26, Sudduth began his career serving as MCC’s top assistant for five years before being promoted to the head job. The Eagles’ success under Sudduth has garnered national recognition for MCC, having been nationally ranked every season and reaching as high as #2 in the country while remaining nationally ranked for the entirety of the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Head Coach Yokum discusses his journey to becoming names the Head Baseball Coach at North Hunterdon. We also discuss the benefits of High School sports as well as the importance of academics and playing multiple sports. 

What makes Penn State Brandywine a school to check out. Coach Gallo talks about the benefits of the school, the program and the quality of baseball. 

Vinny Gallo enters his seventh season as head baseball coach at his alma mater in 2022-23.

Gallo led Brandywine back to the PSUAC Tournament for the fifth-straight year, while winning 19 games in 2022. The Lions, who finished third in the conference tournament, featured four USCAA All-Americans.

Brandywine reached new heights during the 2021 season, earning a USCAA Small College World Series bid for the first time. The Lions defeated Wright State-Lake in the national tournament and placed in a tie for fifth overall. During the regular season, Brandywine won the PSUAC East Division for the third time in four years under Gallo and claimed third place the conference tournament in DuBois. Highlighting Brandywine's postseason awards was freshman Tyler Brooks, who was named First Team All-American and PSUAC Newcomer of the Year. Brooks became the team's first-ever rookie to earn First Team All-American accolades.

Prior to the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Gallo led Brandywine to the postseason for the third consecutive year as the Lions finished third in the PSUAC Tournament and a second-straight 20-win season in 2019. The Lions featured five all-conference standouts, including senior pitcher Tyler Michaels, who earned all-American accolades.

Haden shares his journey through multiple college programs, injuries and taking personal time off from the game to finally reach his goal of being drafted by a MLB club. The ups and downs never discouraged Haden, rather the adversity strengthened his resolve. 

Coach Hollod talks about emails, videos, showcases and college camps. What can a player do to get noticed? 

Coach Matt Hollod coaching journey began at the U of Portland, after his collegiate baseball career. He landed his first head coach position at Wilkes College in Pennsylvania and over the past 20 years has been on the coaching staff for D1, D2 and D3 programs across the country. 

Coach Rives talks about the program and what players can do to get noticed. Rives gives a preview of where they find players and what challenges lie ahead. 

Dan Rives was hired as the head baseball coach at Hinds Community College on April 19, 2021. He succeeds Sam Temple, who spent 16 seasons as the head man at Hinds, with Rives assisting Temple from 2006-2016.

Rives was fresh off a one-year stint as athletic director and sports information director at Mississippi Delta Community College and a four-year role as the head baseball coach for the Trojans from 2017-2020.

While in Moorhead, Rives and his staff helped over 40 Trojans move on to the four-year collegiate level, including 16 to the Division I ranks.
Rives, who played at MDCC in 2003 under the legendary Terry Thompson, came back to the Delta after an 11-year stint (2006-2016) at Hinds Community College, where he served as the Eagles recruiting coordinator, worked with the Eagles infielders and headed up the HCC strength and conditioning program.

Coach Biggs talks about the program, his process and what type of players he is looking for. We also discuss what players can do, how they can contact Coach Biggs and whats most important in their development. 

Hired in August of 2022, Coach Biggs is ready to take over the Coahoma CC baseball program. Listen to the journey he took to land a head coaching position. 

Coach Avalon discusses the program, campus life and the type of players he is looking for. 

Michael Avalon is entering his seventh season as head baseball coach at Pearl River Community College in 2023.

Avalon and his Wildcats had an unbelievable 2022 campaign, capturing the baseball program's first NJCAA Division II National Championship. Pearl River also captured a second straight MACCC Championship along with the Region 23 Title. The Wildcats finished the year with a 45-11 record. After the year was complete, Avalon was named MACCC, Region 23, and NJCAA Coach of the Year.

Chris Morris talks about what makes Husson special and what kind of players he's looking for. 

Chris Morris has served as the head coach of the Husson baseball program since August 2019 and has led the eagles to back-to-back North Atlantic Conference East Division and tournament championships along with back-to-back NCAA regional appearances.

With over 30 years of coaching experience, Coach Tim Neiman has instilled the same convictions and passion into his 2 sons. Both are currently head coaches.  We discuss what makes a great program, coach and recruit.  The legacy that Tim has established is obvious with their commitment to bringing great baseball to the programs they head. 

Tom Cantrell is returning for his 24th season at the helm of the University of North Georgia baseball program. Since relaunching the baseball program from the ground up in 2000, Cantrell has had much success sporting a record of 793-472 (.626). In his 24 seasons at North Georgia, Cantrell’s clubs have won at least 30 games an impressive 19 times, including each of the last seven complete seasons, and amassed 40 or more wins six times, including a program best 57 wins in 2005. In that span, North Georgia has won 10 separate championships with the most recent being the 2019 Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championship, the program’s third Peach Belt regular season championship in the last six years.

Tom Cantrell is returning for his 24th season at the helm of the University of North Georgia baseball program. Since relaunching the baseball program from the ground up in 2000, Cantrell has had much success sporting a record of 793-472 (.626). In his 24 seasons at North Georgia, Cantrell’s clubs have won at least 30 games an impressive 19 times, including each of the last seven complete seasons, and amassed 40 or more wins six times, including a program best 57 wins in 2005. In that span, North Georgia has won 10 separate championships with the most recent being the 2019 Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championship, the program’s third Peach Belt regular season championship in the last six years.

Thompson guided the Hoyas into a historic 2022 season that featured the program's first BIG EAST Baseball Championship appearance since 2018, the first BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Owen Carapellotti and the first BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the year following a six-win campaign in 2021. Three Hoyas earned all-conference recognition with Nolan McCarthy earning a unanimous selection to the league's first team while Ethan Stern and Jake Hyde also picked up ABCA / Rawlings All-East Region Team honors on top of their respective first and second team All-BIG EAST selections. Thompson's 2022 team broke the program records for wins (32), home runs (98), total bases (925) and end of season RPI (137) while setting second-best marks in win percentage (.571), runs (400), RBIs (367) and slugging percentage (.480). He also mentored new single-season home run leaders Hyde (19) and Ubaldo Lopez (19) as well as freshman Carapellotti, who garnered Second Team All-America status by D1Baseball.com in his first season with the Hoyas.

Tobin was born and raised in the Greenwich Village Section of New York City. Tobin has served in many roles in scholastic and collegiate sports. He began his coaching career in the Hamptons League as a volunteer assistant for the Sag Harbor Whalers. Since then, he has served as an assistant coach for St. Joseph's College Brooklyn, University of Connecticut Avery Point and Saint Peter's College.

Currently Tobin is the head coach of the Sag Harbor Whalers of the Hamptons League. During his first year as Manager of the Sag Harbor Whalers, the Whalers won the first Hamptons Championship since 2006. Whalers' teams have included drafted players and current major leaguers. In conjunction with the Syracuse Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, Tobin founded a baseball analytics team of interns to collect, analyze, and distribute graph's charts and reports to players and coaches.

Besides coaching, Coach Tobin has created @buncommitted on Twitter and has amassed over 40K followers. His main objective is to help players get noticed. We have a lot in common! 

Nick Strong comes to Florida National from Wiley College where he was instrumental in bringing in the largest recruiting class in program history. Through the recruiting trail, Strong helped bring in over 45 student-athletes to the Wildcat program. For the fall season, he was the Pitching Coach & Recruiting Coordinator. During the summer, Coach Strong coached in the Nationally Ranked Summer program Houston Banditos organization.

Before Wiley College, he was the head coach of the University of Houston-Downtown team and led it to its first conference title and the National Club Baseball Association Division II Regional Title game in his 1st season of NCBA play. His team finished ranked No. 14 in the nation and coached one All-American in Gino Masini. He coached the NCBA Division II hits and RBI leaders Luis Salazar and Masini, respectively.