British Baseball Podcast
By Matthew Mutton
If you have a story to tell or want to reach out, please contact the show on Youtube, twitter, IG, FB @britbaseballpod or email britishbaseballpodcast@gmail.com
British Baseball PodcastFeb 17, 2020
Jonathon Cramman and the u23 World Cup Preparation
Drew Spencers incredible 2023
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 Baxendales eventful 2023
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
Rose Bhanji
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.
British University Baseball
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 and the Czech Blue Print
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.
British Baseball Federation Our Future 2023-2035
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.
Cory English (Doc Brown in Back to the Future the Musical!)
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.
Vince Warner
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.
Paul Stodart - Official GB Baseball Photographer
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.
Stephan Rapaglia
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.
2023 WBC Chat
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 Returns!
Jake Mitchell
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.
Alan Dean off season care tips
Gabriel Rincones Jr
Arthur Kendal
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
Michael Cresswell - Herts Baseball Club
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.
Raul Shah
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?
Drew Spencer and Jonathon Cramman
Matt Cliff - Blind Baseball Liverpool Trojans feat David Martin-Baez
Laura Hirai
if you can help support this independently run podcast, please head to www.patreon.com/britbaseballpod
GB men's seniors have won the 2022 WBC qualifiers!
Kennard Dawson
if you or someone you know has an interesting or fun journey in Baseball, let me know via DM (@britbaseballpod) or email britishbaseballpodcast@gmail.com and we can chat and share stories.
GB Women in Montpellier in Historic Debut
Jason West - Tayport Breakers
Great Britain u18s in Sweden 2022
Gary Anderson - Head of Performance GB Baseball
Big thanks to Chris Knoblock at BSUK for arranging this interview for me.
Dave Gould
Iain Isdale
Fred Mosier
Alex Smith
Jose Lopez
* his journey to the Houston Astros organisation
* the ups and downs of being in the Minor League system
* overcoming fear in AAA
* having a stroke and dealing with the aftermath of a brain injury
* 2 weeks in Bournemouth put him off traveling the rest of Europe
* passing on his knowledge to kids in the Elite Academy
* resurrecting the Bournemouth Bears in 2017
* his time with the GB Women's National Team and much more.
you can help to support this independently run podcast by heading over to www.patreon.com/britbaseballpod thank you.
Local Development Leagues with Tom Thornhill
do you want to grow your club?
do you want your players to get better?
worried that players are going to leave the team as they cannot commit to a full Sunday away for the game they love?
do you want to have all your players playing and developing whilst reducing numbers of players sat on benches?
if you've answered "Yes" to any of these, give this a listen, Tom explains how he and Norwich Baseball Club created a fall league of all their players split into teams to play shortened versions of the games with amended rules that has grown participation and revenue at the club...
and it works, so they're doing it again in season!
if you want to message Tom with how this can work for your team, here's how you can reach him - www.facebook.com/norwichbaseball/
BSUK Volunteer of the Year Al Binns
Globe trotting with Andy Brown
From the European Championships with the Gb National team and having a lot of access to players to painting stadiums, players and the country in the Dominican Republic, Andy shares it with us.
From Pitching in carparks in Italy to seeing unbelievable wealth and poverty side by side in the DR, listen in for all the stories. andybrownstadiums.com/product/happy-and-glorious/
Richard Klijn
Former Cartmel Valley Lion and Great Britain Infielder Richard Klijn joins the show to talk about his time playing in the UK, Germany and with the National team, North v South Culture shocks, hitting baseballs at his schools maths class windows in BP, moving to Germany at 17, how cutting his foot open opened a door, MLB HoFers swearing at him, getting caught in the skippers bed and not watching baseball and being really really good at baseball plus more!
if you can support the show, head on over to Patreon.com/britbaseballpod
Aaron Singh
Joining a cold riddled Matt for the last episode of season 2 is new Great Britain Baseball player Aaron Singh (@AaronSinghhh) to talk about this time in baseball, the route through high school and college, the move into coaching and then a surprise call up to the GB Baseball Mens Senior National Team for the 2021 European Championships in Italy. We chat about that tournament and how it was settling back into the game after around 2 years out and the games he was involved in.
warning, Matt sings and its not very good
This month in British Baseball History September
This month in British Baseball History September
"The Volatile American" Cody Cain
British Baseball Extra Special Roundup - WBUK and Mens Senior Euros
roundup from the remaining BBF championships games, the Historic WBUK final between Belles baseball and London Mayhem and the GB Mens Senior European Championships
Andrew Taylor and the Folkstone Baseball Chronicle
British baseball weekly round up 19 - weekend of 3rd Sept 2021
playoffs and finals round up from BBF
Michael Harrold
Michael Harrold was the Great Britain national team's longest tenured manager, leading the squad to a European title in 1988 and the juniors to a championship in 1993. His exceptional career also included stints as a distinguished player at both the national and domestic levels, as well as success as a manager in domestic league play. A talented catcher-pitcher, Harrold was named to Great Britain squads for the 1971 and 1984 European Championships as well as European qualifying games in 1974 and 1975. As a member of the Nottingham Lions from 1970 to 1976, he led his club to two league championships, two league cups, and a national Knock-out Cup title. During that stretch, he was named the club's Most Valuable Batter twice and Most Valuable Player once. More success followed with the Southglade Hornets from 1979 to 1992. The dominant Midlands club, which he pitched for and then began managing in 1985, captured nine league titles and eight cup trophies along with a number of other pieces of hardware - most notably, a national Knock-out Cup trophy in 1986 - during his tenure. His teams were also national runners up four times. Personal accomplishments during that stretch included two league Most Valuable Player awards (1980 and 1983) and a league cup Most Valuable Player award (1981). From 1988 to 1995, Harrold skippered the Great Britain national team. It was an era in which non-domestic players did not represent a large contingent of the national team. With a squad made up of primarily born-and-bred British players, Harrold navigated Great Britain to a title at the 1988 European Championship B-Pool. He also led the junior national team to the top of the B-Pool at the 1993 championships. In addition to his work on the field, Harrold was a long-time administrator. Among his many roles, he served as British Baseball Federation president and a member of the British Olympic committee. Finally, through his commitment to the Old Timers Baseball Club he was able to continue as an active baseball player through his 50s and competed in his last game aged 60, against an Italian touring team. - GB HoF
British baseball weekly round up 18 - weekend of 29th August 2021
final few games before the playoffs staring next week
This month in British Baseball History August
some historical moments from the ages of British baseball history from the month of August
British baseball weekly round up 17 - weekend of 22nd Aug 2021
domestic roundup and also the u23 european national championships
Gary Bedingfield
"There were 13 Hall of Famers in Hawaii during the war" I had an absolute blast talking to Author and former Enfield Spartans player Gary Bedingfield on the show this week, it was one where time got the better of us, but theres definite room for another show soon. Gary talks us through how his dad played in bands at airbases after the war and getting interested in baseball, Gary started the Enfield Spartans as a 12 year old with local kids in 1976 as the Enfield Chiefs and how it grew and developed into a championship winning team, baseball being more important than a career and how baseball stayed part of his life, learning to play via books and the struggles to get equipment, playing in junior leagues and playing on US air bases against other kids, who he learned the most from, GB Days, the importance of knowing your team mates, what he misses about playing, how he started writing about baseball and military history, "Lefty" Brewer of the Washington Senators, MLB not doing anything to remember pro players killed in the war, how he goes about researching and writing, PLUS his new book Baseball in Hawaii during world war 2 (which can be found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baseball-Hawaii-During-World-War-ebook/dp/B094963G9H/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=gary+bedingfield&qid=1629462376&sr=8-6 and much more
British baseball weekly round up 16 - weekend of 14th August 2021
all the british baseball action from week 16