Advertise on podcast: D3P: A DIII Baseball Podcast

In this D3P Short, we dive into three of the more controversial issues surrounding Division III baseball right now—massive fall tryouts, inflated roster sizes, and the practice of delaying roster cuts until spring semester. With some programs attracting more than 100 players to tryouts every season, we explore what's driving these numbers, and why parents and players are increasingly questioning the process. We also examine the impact on athletes and their parents, the role of college administrations and whether the current system is serving the best interests of DIII baseball players. Along the way, we share some surprising statistics, challenge a few assumptions, and offer our thoughts on exactly what needs to change. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:03:40-How Cuts Typically Work 00:05:35-The Timing of Cuts 00:07:44-Understanding Enrollment Quotas 00:08:58-DIII Sports as a Revenue Generator 00:11:51-Why Spring Cuts Exist 00:16:29-Consequences for Players and Parents 00:18:49-The JV and Varsity Reserve Experience 00:20:49-Suggestions for Fixing the Problem 00:23:06-Mandatory Tryout Visibility 00:23:52-Elimination of Spring Cuts 00:24:54-JV and Varsity Reserve Upgrades 00:26:22-Improved Conference Support 00:27:48-Better Parent and Player Communication

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview NCAA Region 3 for the 2027 baseball season, covering the Skyline Conference, Empire 8, SUNYAC and Liberty League. During this episode we recap the 2026 season, review conference and NCAA Tournament results, discuss our Region 3 Under-Achiever, identify teams to watch in 2027, predict conference champions and Automatic Qualifiers, evaluate potential At-Large bids and wildcard teams, and revisit our Way Too Early 2027 Preseason Top 10 rankings. Teams discussed in this episode include Russell Sage, Cortland, Hobart, St. John Fisher, RIT, Farmingdale State, Oswego State, RPI, SUNY Brockport, St. Joseph's Long Island, SUNY Maritime and more. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:09:30-2026 Rewind by Conference 00:16:58-Region 3 Trivia 00:21:30-Teams Who Made Noise in 2026 00:36:30-Region 3 Underachievers 00:42:05-Teams to Watch Skyline 00:46:52-Teams to Watch Empire 8 00:49:58-Teams to Watch SUNYAC 00:53:31-Teams to Watch Liberty League 00:59:39-Conference Champ Predictions 01:31:58-At Large Predictions 01:37:32-Preseason Top 10 Reshuffling

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview NCAA Region 2 for the 2027 baseball season, covering the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC), Conference of New England (CNE) and Little East Conference. During this episode we recap the 2026 season, review conference and NCAA Tournament results, discuss our Region 2 Under-Achiever, identify teams to watch in 2027, predict conference champions and Automatic Qualifiers, evaluate potential At-Large bids and wildcard teams, and revisit our Way Too Early 2027 Preseason Top 10 rankings. Teams discussed in this episode include Endicott, Southern Maine, Bridgewater State, Eastern Connecticut State, Keene State, Hartford, Nichols, Western New England, UMass Dartmouth, UMass Boston, Salem State, Worcester State and more. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:09:29-2026 Rewind by Conference 00:14:32-Region 2 Trivia 00:19:00-Teams Who Made Noise in 2026 00:28:43-Region 2 Underachievers 00:37:50-Teams to Watch MASCAC 00:41:28-Teams to Watch CNE 00:45:05-Teams to Watch Little East 00:50:00-Conference Champ Predictions Segment 01:10:13-At Large Predictions Segment 01:14:30-Preseason Top 10 Reshuffling

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview Region 8 for the 2027 season. During this episode we start by looking back at 2026—reviewing conference results, postseason performances, under-achievers and teams who made runs. Then we move on to 2027, breaking down the NACC, SLIAC, HCAC and CCIW in terms of teams to watch, potential favorites, bubble teams, wild cards, auto bids and at large bids. And we finish our discussion by revisiting our Way Too Early 2027 Top 10 and talking about which Region 8 teams could factor into the national picture. The NCAA DIII baseball teams in Region 8 that we cover in this episode include Aurora, MSOE, Concordia Chicago, Illinois Tech, Concordia Wisconsin, Rockford, Edgewood, Benedictine, St. Norbert, Marian, Dominican, Lakeland, Wisconsin Lutheran, Webster, Spalding, Lyon, MUW, Westminster, Greenville, Eureka, Blackburn, Principia, Transylvania, Earlham, Rose-Hulman, Franklin, Hanover, Anderson, Manchester, Mount St. Joseph, Bluffton, Berea, Millikin, Illinois Wesleyan, North Park, Carthage, Augustana, Wheaton, North Central, Carroll and Elmhurst. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:04:12-High Finishers from 2026 00:08:59-2026 Rewind by Conference 00:14:43-Region 8 Trivia 00:18:15-Teams Who Made Noise in 2026 00:27:22-Region 8 Underachievers 00:32:37-Teams to Watch NACC 00:37:07-Teams to Watch SLIAC 00:39:19-Teams to Watch HCAC 00:42:07-Teams to Watch CCIW 00:47:10-Conference Champ Predictions Segment 01:09:04-At Large Predictions Segment 01:11:46-Preseason Top 10 Reshuffling

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview Region 6 for the 2027 season. During this episode we start by looking back at 2026—reviewing conference results, postseason performances, under-achievers and teams who made runs. Then we move on to 2027, breaking down the USA South, SAA, CCS and ODAC in terms of teams to watch, potential favorites, bubble teams, wild cards, auto bids and at large bids. And we finish our discussion by revisiting our Way Too Early 2027 Top 10 and talking about which Region 6 teams could factor into the national picture. The NCAA DIII baseball teams in Region 6 include Lynchburg, Shenandoah, Bridgewater, Randolph-Macon, Washington & Lee, Belhaven, Piedmont, Maryville, Huntingdon, LaGrange, Trinity (TX), Rhodes, Centre, Berry, Greensboro, Pfeiffer, Methodist, North Carolina Wesleyan, Southern Virginia, William Peace, Hampden-Sydney, Virginia Wesleyan, Roanoke, Guilford, Eastern Mennonite, Averett, Oglethorpe, Sewanee, Millsaps, Southwestern (TX), Covenant, Asbury, Brevard and Mary Baldwin. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:02:49-High Finishers from 2026 00:10:31-2026 Rewind by Conference 00:15:27-Region 6 Trivia 00:20:54-Teams Who Made Noise in 2026 00:28:41-Region 6 Underachievers 00:33:17-Teams to Watch USA South 00:35:48-Teams to Watch SAA 00:38:25-Teams to Watch CCS 00:40:29-Teams to Watch ODAC 00:45:41-Conference Champ Predictions Segment 01:03:41-At Large Predictions Segment 01:07:26-Preseason Top 10 Reshuffling

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we talk with Colin McAtee, founder of ProductiveRecruit, about how technology can help high school athletes and college transfers run a smarter and more effective college baseball recruiting process. During this interview we discuss Colin’s path as an athlete, how his own recruiting experience helped lead to the creation of ProductiveRecruit, how the recruiting process has changed, and how athletes can leverage technology to streamline the search for a program. We also talk about personalizing outreach without making it feel automated, where technology can help and where it can hurt, what good engagement looks like, the growing role of AI in recruiting communication, the importance of followup and organization, knowing when a program is showing legitimate interest, and some of the most common recruiting mistakes that have nothing to do with talent. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:05:54-About Colin McAtee 00:12:18-Founding ProductiveRecruit 00:16:07-Recent Changes in Recruiting 00:20:27-Finding the Right Program Fit 00:23:45-Making Your Initial Outreach Stand Out 00:25:19-Providing What Coaches Want to See 00:27:28-Personalization Versus Volume 00:28:49-When to Use Tech —and When Not To 00:30:42-Tracking Coach Engagement 00:34:37-Using AI in the Recruiting Process 00:38:41-Being Proactive / Using Multiple Outreaches 00:41:07-Deciding When to Move On 00:42:27-Tech for High School and Club Programs 00:47:59-Final Tips for Maximizing Recruiting

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we welcome back Keith Bateman. Keith is a 23-year DIII baseball head coach and administrator, as well as the father of Toronto Blue Jays starting center fielder Brett Bateman—who was called up to the MLB from AAA just six weeks ago. During our conversation with Coach Bateman we walk through Brett's entire baseball journey from Keith's perspective—including youth baseball, the balance between being a dad and a coach, the mental side of the game, adversity and failure, college recruiting, knowing when to stop coaching your own kid, and the challenges of watching a son work his way through professional baseball. We also discuss Brett's path through the Cubs organization, being blocked at the Major League level by Pete Crow-Armstrong, his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays, his MLB call-up and debut, and what it feels like as a parent to suddenly see your son's baseball cards, autographs and likeness become part of the public baseball world. We finish by asking Keith what advice he would give parents who believe their child may have a future in professional baseball. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:04:49-Update on Coach Bateman 00:06:34-The Path to Coaching 00:09:23-Brett's Baseball Background 00:18:04-Managing Brett's Development 00:21:56-Training the Mental Side 00:29:01-Love of the Game 00:30:45-Failures and Roadblocks 00:36:02-When the MLB Dream Became Real 00:39:13-The College Recruiting Process 00:44:21-Separating Dad from Coach 00:47:32-Know When to Step Back 00:50:15-Watching Your Son Struggle 00:54:29-The Trade from the Cubs to the Blue Jays 00:57:29-The Callup, MLB Debut and First At Bat 01:04:03-Handling the Public Side of MLB Fame 01:10:08-Advice for Parents with High Potential Kids

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we review our SECOND ANNUAL Way Too Early Preseason Top 10 rankings, this time for the 2027 season. During our conversation we discuss the accuracy of past preseason ranking processes, key evaluation factors, and our 2027 Way Too Early Top 10—in addition to bubble teams, wildcards and potential snubs. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:06:08- Last Year's Wildcard Predictions 00:09:30-Previous Season Prediction Accuracy 00:13:52-Factors Considered in Ranking 00:20:14-Wyatt's Top 10 for 2027 00:39:13-Eric's Top 10 for 2027 00:58:43-Wyatt's Bubble for 2027 01:01:10-Eric's Bubble for 2027 01:05:31-Wyatt's Wildcard for 2027 01:06:59-Eric's Wildcard for 2027 01:09:00-Other Teams Considered 01:14:15-The Big Recap

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we talk with Head Baseball Coach Kevin Anderson from Shenandoah University. During this interview we cover Coach Anderson’s playing and coaching career, his time as the Head Coach at DI James Madison, his transition to Shenandoah, and his 40+ years of sustained coaching success—including 856 career wins, two College World Series appearances, four Regional titles and 10 Coach of the Year awards. We also recap Shenandoah’s 2026 season, including a 37-12 record, the ODAC Tournament championship, a #6 NPI finish, and the team’s NCAA Regional run. Looking ahead to 2027, we discuss roster losses and additions, impact players to watch, team strengths, pitching philosophy and staff usage, scheduling in one of the toughest conferences in the country, the pursuit of 1,000 career wins, how coaching has changed over the last several decades, recruiting, the Shenandoah brand of baseball, and why potential recruits should consider the program. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:04:39-About Coach Anderson 00:11:05-The Path to Coaching 00:14:30-Recapping the 2026 Season 00:23:58-Key Losses and Holes to Fill 00:28:16-Approach to Transfers 00:32:06-Non Conference Scheduling 00:34:09-Pitching by Committee 00:38:19-The 1000 Career Wins Mark 00:40:09-Good Seasons vs. Great Seasons 00:45:55-Coaching Then and Now 00:51:29-The Shenandoah Brand of Baseball 00:53:34-The Shenandoah Recruiting Pitch 00:54:51-Lightning Round

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we check in with Head Baseball Coach Rob Schrier from Rhodes College. During this interview we cover Coach Schrier's DIII baseball playing career, his path into coaching, his time in Travel and Club baseball, and his 21 years as an assistant on the Rhodes staff before being named Head Coach just one season ago. We also recap Rhodes' 2026 season including the team's 30-17 overall record, 13-8 conference record and #35 National Ranking. Looking ahead to 2027 we discuss roster losses and additions, impact players to watch, team strengths, Rhodes' rise into the national conversation, recruiting, the Rhodes brand of baseball, and why potential recruits should consider the program. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:03:49-About Coach Griffiths 00:05:51-Off-Season Activities 00:07:05-The Path to Coaching 00:09:35-2026 Season Recap 00:14:42-Holes to Fill Going into 2027 00:23:13-Key Transfers and New Faces 00:20:02-Strengths as a Team 00:21:13-Non-Conference Scheduling 00:23:07-Waiting 21 Years for a Head Coach Role 00:26:34-Learning as an Assistant 00:27:31-The Changing Travel Ball Landscape 00:29:57-Building a Winning Culture Over Time 00:33:57-The Rhodes Brand of Baseball 00:34:39-The Rhodes Recruiting Pitch 00:36:31-Lightning Round

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we break down the NCAA’s proposed baseball rule changes for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, including changes that could affect field dimensions, player safety, pace of play, technology, electronic communication and officiating. Over the course of this episode we review the NCAA rules-making process, then translate each proposed rule into plain English—discussing why the NCAA may be considering it, how it could affect the game, and whether we believe it would improve college baseball. We cover proposed changes including 18-inch bases, the double first base, bat sensors, offensive conferences, limited pitcher disengagements, the three-batter minimum, expanded video review, and ball-and-strike challenges—then finish the episode with our own list of NCAA rules we would like to see changed or added in the future. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:03:16-Why This Show is Important 00:10:31-Overview of the Rules Making Process 00:14:56-Use of Oversized Bases 00:18:50-The Double First Base 00:22:46-Bat Sensor Technology 00:27:13-Offensive Timeouts 00:30:16-Limited Pitcher Disengagements 00:33:12-Limits on Relief Pitchers 00:35:41-Use of Timers Between At Bats 00:37:48-Expanded Use of Replay Challenges 00:41:41-Challenging Ball and Strike Calls 00:45:04-Limits to Electronic Communication 00:48:41-Our Rule Change Wish List

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we check in with Head Baseball Coach Mitchell Griffiths from Wittenberg. During this interview we cover Coach Griffiths' DII baseball playing career, his path into coaching, and his last-minute promotion from Interim Head Coach to Head Coach two seasons ago. We also recap Wittenberg's 2026 season including the team's 31-13 overall record, 12-4 conference record and NCAA-leading offense. Looking ahead to 2027 we discuss roster losses and additions, impact players to watch, team strengths, Wittenberg's rise into the national conversation, the team's NPI Top 15 ranking, recruiting, the Wittenberg brand of baseball, and why potential recruits should consider the program. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:06:58-About Coach Griffiths 00:10:52-Off-Season Activities 00:12:00-The Path to Coaching 00:16:22-2026 Season Recap 00:21:05-Holes to Fill Going into 2027 00:23:13-Key Transfers and New Faces 00:27:44-Strengths as a Team 00:30:05-Non-Conference Scheduling 00:33:25-Competing in Conference with Denison 00:36:30-Comparing DII and DIII Baseball 00:39:55-The Wittenberg Program Turnaround 00:46:03-The Wittenberg Brand of Baseball 00:46:38-The Wittenberg Recruiting Pitch 00:48:47-Lightning Round

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we talk with Head Baseball Coach Travis Beazley from the University of Lynchburg. During this interview we cover Coach Beazley's college and MiLB playing career, his path into coaching, his time at Lynchburg as an Assistant Coach, his transition into the Head Coach role, and his program's 2023 National Title run. We also recap Lynchburg's 2026 season, including the ODAC regular-season championship, the ODAC conference tournament, the team's run to the Super Regional, and the season-ending matchup with eventual CWS participant ETBU. Looking ahead to 2027, we discuss roster losses and additions, impact players to watch, team strengths, scheduling in the NPI era, recruiting, the Lynchburg brand of baseball, and why potential recruits should consider the program. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:06:28-About Coach Beazley 00:10:44-The Path to Coaching 00:18:04-Recapping the 2026 Season 00:23:13-Key Losses and Holes to Fill 00:25:50-New Faces and Transfers In 00:28:31-Strengths and Potential in 2027 00:31:15-The Jump in Offensive Production 00:36:09-Scheduling Strategy 00:39:34-Playing in the MiLB vs. Coaching 00:43:27-Inheriting a National Champion 00:47:47-Learning from Pro Ball 00:50:55-Why Players Should Consider Lynchburg 00:54:08-Lightning Round

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we check in with Head Baseball Coach Justin Scali from Piedmont University. During this interview we cover Coach Scali’s DIII baseball playing career, his path into coaching, his 12 years as an assistant at Piedmont, and his transition into the Head Coach role. We also recap Piedmont’s 2026 season, including the CCS regular-season and tournament championships, an undefeated Regional run, the program’s first Super Regional appearance, and the season-ending matchup with eventual National Champion Denison. Looking ahead to 2027, we discuss roster losses and additions, impact players to watch, team strengths, scheduling in the NPI era, Piedmont’s rise into the national conversation, recruiting, the Piedmont brand of baseball, and why potential recruits should consider the program. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:04:59-About Coach Scali 00:07:46-Off-Season Activities 00:08:59-The Path to Coaching 00:12:10-2026 Season Recap 00:18:08-Holes to Fill Going into 2027 00:19:35-Key Transfers and New Faces 00:20:42-Strengths as a Team 00:22:48-Non-Conference Scheduling 00:25:35-Opening the NPI at #14 00:32:16-Transitioning from Player to Coach 00:35:27-The Piedmont Brand of Baseball 00:36:44-The Piedmont Recruiting Pitch 00:39:40-Lightning Round

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we interview the newly hired Head Baseball Coach of UW Platteville Aidan Wojciehowski. During this interview we cover Coach Woj's experience as a player, his path to coaching, his experience as an assistant at Loras College, and his road to the WIAC. We also discuss the UW Platteville opportunity, what made the job the right fit, what Coach Woj has learned in his first few days as a Head Coach, and how he plans to build the Platteville program moving forward. This interview concludes with a discussion about competing in the WIAC, the type of players he wants to recruit, the identity he hopes to establish at UW Platteville, and what a successful first year would look like for the Pioneers. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:05:07-About Coach Woj 00:09:37-The UW Platteville Opportunity 00:10:54-The Interview Process 00:12:40-Excitement About the Job 00:13:30-About Platteville as a School 00:15:35-Opportunities in the Baseball Program 00:16:45-Coaching Staff Plans 00:19:43-Challenges of the HC Role 00:23:28-Leaving Loras 00:25:25-Message to Current Players 00:31:06-The Platteville Recruiting Profile 00:32:43-Defining Year 1 Success 00:34:48-Lightning Round