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In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we break down the 2026 schedule for every team in the D3baseball.com Preseason Top 25—then grade each schedule AND project a regular-season record for all 25 programs. Over the course of this episode we evaluate schedule strength, identify where teams are being challenged (and where they aren’t), and talk through the matchups that will shape each team's NPI resume as the season unfolds. We finish by assigning a schedule grade to each Top 25 team, and giving our best regular-season record prediction for 2026. Teams discussed in this episode include (in alphabetical order) Adrian, Case Western Reserve, Centre, Claremont Mudd Scripps, Cortland, Denison, East Texas Baptist, Endicott, Johns Hopkins, Kean, Keystone, La Verne, Lynchburg, McMurry, Messiah, Pomona Pitzer, Penn State Harrisburg, Rowan, Salisbury, Salve Regina, Trinity TX, UW La Crosse, UW Oshkosh and UW Whitewater. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:02:12-Explaining the Eval Process 00:04:58- Recapping the Preseason Top 25 00:07:43-Schedule Discussion 25 thru 21 00:19:39-Schedule Discussion 20 thru 11 00:38:22-Schedule Discussion Top 10 01:01:56-Final Thoughts

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we assemble our 2026 Preseason Top 25 ballot for the D3baseball.com media poll via a draft method—and let D3P listeners in on the discussion. Over the course of this episode we start by laying out the draft rules and our personal requirements for choosing a team within the Top 25. Then we move to constructing our ballot with the top teams in the country, add a handful of teams in the "others receiving votes" category, and end by breaking down where we believe the rest of the nation will land. Teams discussed in this episode include (in alphabetical order) Babson, Baldwin Wallace, Belhaven, Brockport, Buena Vista, Centre, Claremont Mudd Scripps, Cortland, Case Western Reserve, Denison, Endicott, East Texas Baptist, Johns Hopkins, Kean, Keystone, La Verne, Lynchburg, McMurry, Messiah, Misericordia, Montclair St., Penn State Harrisburg, Pomona Pitzer, Rowan, Salve Regina, Salisbury, Trinity TX, Webster, UW La Crosse, UW Oshkosh and UW Whitewater. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:02:08-Drawing for Draft Order 00:05:25- Ranking Factors Considered 00:08:30-The Preseason #1 Pick 00:09:40-The Preseason #2 Pick 00:11:00-The Preseason #3 Pick 00:12:52-The Preseason #4 Pick 00:14:03-The Preseason #5 Pick 00:15:00-The Preseason #6 Pick 00:16:14-The Preseason #7 Pick 00:17:33-The Preseason #8 Pick 00:19:08-The Preseason #9 Pick 00:21:36-The Preseason #10 Pick 00:22:43-The Preseason #11 Pick 00:24:23-The Preseason #12 Pick 00:26:55-The Preseason #13 Pick 00:28:21-The Preseason #14 Pick 00:29:40-The Preseason #15 Pick 00:31:05-The Preseason #16 Pick 00:32:30-The Preseason #17 Pick 00:33:49-The Preseason #18 Pick 00:34:52-The Preseason #19 Pick 00:36:04-The Preseason #20 Pick 00:37:10-The Preseason #21 Pick 00:39:07-The Preseason #22 Pick 00:39:55-The Preseason #23 Pick 00:42:35-The Preseason #24 Pick 00:43:35-The Preseason #25 Pick 00:44:35-Others Receiving Votes 00:50:39-Predicting the National Ballot

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview NCAA Region 1 for the 2026 season, which includes four conferences—the North Atlantic, the Great Northeast, the NESCAC and the NEWMAC During this episode we start by covering past season results—reviewing under-achievers, over-achievers and teams who made runs in 2025. Then we move on to 2026, breaking down each conference in terms of potential favorites, bubble teams, wild cards, auto bids, at large bids and CWS participants. We finish our discussion by making predictions for the 2026 season at the national level. The DIII baseball teams in NCAA Region 1 include Salve Regina, Middlebury, Coast Guard, Babson, Johnson & Wales, Bowdoin, Clark , Mitchell, Amherst, Colby, Williams, Wheaton, MIT, Lasell, Trinity CT, Saint Joseph CT, Husson, Tufts, Hamilton, Lesley, Springfield, St. Joseph's Maine, Anna Maria, WPI, Bates, Thomas Maine, Rivier, Wesleyan CT, Norwich, Dean, Colby-Sawyer, Emerson, VTSU Lyndon, SUNY Cobleskill, Albertus Magnus, Elms, New England College, Farmington and Presque Isle. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:05:40-What is Region 1? 00:10:58-Region 1 CWS Trivia 00:14:52-National Contenders in 2025 00:21:47-Under Performers in 2025 00:26:27-North Atlantic Teams to Watch for 2026 00:30:10-Great Northeast Teams to Watch for 2026 00:33:21-NESCAC Teams to Watch for 2026 00:36:34-NEWMAC Teams to Watch for 2026 00:39:50-Conference Champ Predictions 00:50:16-Potential At Large and Wildcard Picks 00:54:45-National Picks and Top 10 Predictions

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we talk with national player development expert Seth Betts about how players can get to college baseball without playing travel ball. Over the course of our conversation we kick off with a discussion on nutrition and strength—how to fuel your body and build a stronger athletic foundation—then move into strategies for developing as a hitter, pitcher, and fielder outside of the travel ball circuit. We also cover finding games and reps, getting exposure to college coaches, building a film library, doing your own outreach, and when (and when not) paid evaluation services like PBR and Perfect Game can accelerate your process. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:05:15-Managing Your Diet 00:16:18-The Importance of Strength 00:24:20-Developing Baseball Skills 00:38:34-Valuable Online Resources 00:45:37-Association Ball vs. Club 00:53:25-High School Baseball 00:59:06-American Legion 01:08:15-Self-Assembled Travel Teams 01:13:15-Prospect Camps, Showcases and Tryouts 01:20:01-Defining College Targets 01:26:52-Building a Video Library 01:31:58-Managing Your College Outreach 01:35:37-Why Levels Don't Matter 01:43:46-Paid Evaluation Services (PG, PBR, etc.) 01:51:38-Wrapping it All Up

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview NCAA Region 7 for the 2026 season, which includes five conferences—the AMCC, the MIAA, the PAC, the NCAC and the OAC. During this episode we start by covering past season results—reviewing under-achievers, over-achievers and teams who made runs in 2025. Then we move on to 2026, breaking down each conference in terms of potential favorites, bubble teams, wild cards, auto bids, at large bids and CWS participants. We finish our discussion by making predictions for the 2026 season at the national level. The DIII baseball teams in NCAA Region 7 include Denison, CWRU, Mount Union, Baldwin Wallace, Ohio Northern, Wittenberg, Penn St.-Behrend, Grove City, Washington & Jefferson, Adrian, Muskingum, Wabash, Alfred St., Wooster, John Carroll, Kalamazoo, Marietta, Mount Aloysius, Alma, Calvin, Allegheny, Kenyon, Albion, Hilbert, Westminster (PA), Pitt.-Bradford, Heidelberg, Otterbein, Pitt.-Greensburg, Chatham, Capital, DePauw, Hiram, Saint Vincent, Wilmington (OH), Geneva, Oberlin, Hope, Thiel, Bethany (WV), Penn St.-Altoona, Trine, La Roche, Franciscan, Ohio Wesleyan, Olivet and Waynesburg. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:05:04-What is Region 7? 00:11:36-Region 7 CWS Trivia 00:16:58-National Contenders in 2025 00:24:19-Under Performers in 2025 00:29:11-AMCC Teams to Watch for 2026 00:31:10-MIAA Teams to Watch for 2026 00:33:55-PAC Teams to Watch for 2026 00:36:56-NCAC Teams to Watch for 2026 00:39:23-OAC Teams to Watch for 2026 00:43:54-Conference Champ Predictions 00:55:50-Potential At Large and Wildcard Picks 00:58:30-National Picks and Top 10 Predictions

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we check in with Head Baseball Coach Neil Ioviero from Kean University. During this interview we cover Coach Ioviero's experience as a player, his path to coaching, his National Title in 2007, his team's seven College World Series appearances, and his road to Kean. We also recap the previous season, and look ahead to the current one—discussing key roster additions and losses, impact players to watch, upcoming schedule matchups, team strengths, coaching and recruiting strategies, Kean's 2025 College World Series appearance, why fans should be excited about the upcoming season, and why potential recruits should consider the Kean program. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:02:54-About Coach Ioviero 00:06:34-Handling the Non-Contact Period 00:07:46-The Path to Coaching 00:11:24-Recapping the 2025 Season 00:25:36-Holes to Fill Going Into 2026 00:28:14-Strengths as a Team 00:36:15-Non-Conference Scheduling and Strategy 00:41:06-Off-Season Development 00:45:13-Maintaining Consistency 00:52:23-Recruiting and Retention 00:58:42-The Changing DIII Baseball Landscape 01:01:05-The Kean Recruiting Pitch 01:03:23-Lightning Round

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview NCAA Region 5 for the 2026 season, which includes four conferences—the Atlantic East, the Landmark, the MAC Commonwealth and the Centennial During this episode we start by covering past season results—reviewing under-achievers, over-achievers and teams who made runs in 2025. Then we move on to 2026, breaking down each conference in terms of potential favorites, bubble teams, wild cards, auto bids, at large bids and CWS participants. We finish our discussion by making predictions for the 2026 season at the national level. The DIII baseaball teams in NCAA Region 5 include Johns Hopkins, Salisbury, Wilkes, Catholic, Messiah, Gettysburg, Elizabethtown, Swarthmore, Haverford, Franklin & Marshall, York (PA), Neumann, Scranton, Marymount (VA), Alvernia, Dickinson, Ursinus, McDaniel, Washington College, Widener, Lycoming, Muhlenberg, Susquehanna, Drew, Centenary (NJ), Marywood, Albright, Eastern, Moravian, Immaculata, Gwynedd Mercy, Hood, Juniata and Stevenson 00:00:00-Introduction 00:04:21-What is Region 5? 00:09:42-Region 5 CWS Trivia 00:13:17-National Contenders in 2025 00:20:50-Under Performers in 2025 00:26:50-Atlantic East Contenders for 2026 00:27:23-Landmark Contenders for 2026 00:28:00-MAC Commonwealth Contenders for 2026 00:29:18-Centennial Contenders for 2026 00:31:27-Conference Champ Predictions 00:51:06-Potential At Large and Wildcard Picks 00:54:46-National Picks and Top 10 Predictions

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview NCAA Region 4 for the 2026 season, which includes four conferences—the CUNYAC, the MAC Freedom, the United East and the NJAC. During this episode we start by covering past season results—reviewing under-achievers, over-achievers and teams who made runs in 2025. Then we move on to 2026, breaking down each conference in terms of potential favorites, bubble teams, wild cards, auto bids, at large bids and CWS participants. We finish our discussion by making predictions for the 2026 season at the national level. The DIII baseaball teams in NCAA Region 4 include Kean, Rowan, Rutgers Camden, Keystone, Penn State Harrisburg, Ramapo, TCNJ, Montclair State, Arcadia, Stevens, Misericordia, NYU, Stockton, William Paterson, Cairn, DeSales, Lebanon Valley, Rutgers Newark, Penn State Abington, St. Mary's (MD), Penn College, FDU Florham, New Jersey City, Saint Elizabeth, CCNY, Lancaster Bible, John Jay, Baruch, King's (PA), Rosemont, Valley Forge, Wilson, Penn State Berks, Notre Dame (MD), Delaware Valley, Lehman and Penn St Brandywine. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:03:46-What is Region 4? 00:07:57-Region 4 CWS Trivia 00:11:55-National Contenders in 2025 00:17:07-Under Performers in 2025 00:19:34-CUNYAC Contenders for 2026 00:22:00-MAC Freedom Contenders for 2026 00:24:15-United East Contenders for 2026 00:26:34-NJAC Contenders for 2026 00:29:05-Conference Champ Predictions 00:40:37-Potential At Large Bids 00:44:02-Region 4 Wildcard Picks 00:46:06-National Picks and Predictions

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview Region 9 for the 2026 season. During this episode we start by covering past season results—reviewing under-achievers, over-achievers and teams who made runs in 2025. Then we move on to 2026, breaking down each conference in terms of potential favorites, bubble teams, wild cards, auto bids, at large bids and CWS participants. We finish our discussion by making our predictions for the 2026 season at the national level. The DIII baseaball teams in NCAA Region 9 include UW Whitewater, Gustavus, UW La Crosse, Buena Vista, UW Oshkosh, U. Chicago, Coe, Bethel, Beloit, Bethany Lutheran, Saint John's, St. Olaf, Saint Mary's, UW Platteville, Nebraska Wesleyan, Wartburg, Grinnell, Luther, Dubuque, Lawrence, Illinois College, St. Scholastica, Loras, Crown, Concordia, Central, Monmouth, Stevens Point, Ripon, Simpson, UW Stout, UW River Falls, Augsburg, Cornell College, UW Superior, UW Eau Claire, Northwestern, Morris, Macalester, Knox, Carleton, Hamline, Northland, Martin Luther and North Central. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:03:08-What is Region 9? 00:07:46-Region 9 CWS Trivia 00:09:56-National Contenders in 2025 00:18:01-Under Performers in 2025 00:25:10-UMAC Contenders for 2026 00:28:50-MIAC Contenders for 2026 00:35:26-MWC Contenders for 2026 00:36:18-WIAC Contenders for 2026 00:39:46-Conference Champ Predictions 00:46:43-Potential At Large Bids 00:47:49-Why So Few At Large Bids? 00:52:35-Region 9 Wildcard Picks 00:55:26-National Picks and Predictions

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we preview Region 10 for the 2026 season with Will Miner, moderator of @D3Region10Base on Twitter / X. During this episode we start by covering past season results—reviewing under-achievers, over-achievers and teams who made runs in 2025. Then we move on to 2026, breaking down each conference in terms of potential favorites, bubble teams, wild cards, auto bids, at large bids and CWS participants. And we finish our discussion by making our predictions for the 2026 season at the national level. Region 10 and other teams discussed during this episode include La Verne, Trinity (TX), Claremont Mudd Scripps, Concordia (TX), Pomona-Pitzer, East Texas Baptist, McMurry, Redlands, Cal Lutheran, Whitworth, Mary Hardin-Baylor, LeTourneau, Puget Sound, Texas Lutheran, Linfield, Pacific (OR), Whitman, St. Thomas (TX), Lewis & Clark, Hardin-Simmons, Whittier, Pacific Lutheran, Centenary (LA), Willamette, Chapman, Southwestern (TX), Austin, Ozarks (AR), George Fox, Occidental, Schreiner, UT Dallas, Caltech, Howard Payne, Keystone, Johns Hopkins Denison, UW Whitewater, Kean, Endicott, and more. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:02:08-About Will Miner 00:05:26-What is Region 10? 00:07:45-Contenders and Underperformers in 2025 00:13:19-Recapping the Trinity CWS Run 00:18:55-Conference Restructuring 00:21:24-NWC Contenders for 2026 00:29:49-ASC Contenders for 2026 00:31:07-SCAC Contenders for 2026 00:33:11-SCIAC Contenders for 2026 00:35:20-Conference Champ Predictions 00:37:08-Potential At Large Bids 00:40:41-Wildcard Picks 00:42:23-National Picks and Predictions

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we talk with national player developent expert Seth Betts about strategies for navigating player development during the NCAA non-contact period. Over the course of our conversation we review the current contact rules for DIII baseball, compare them to other divisions, and discuss the disadvantages of the DIII system. We also cover recruiting implications, player-led development, building team chemistry, and strategies for maximizing training during periods when coaches are not allowed by rule to contribute. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:04:42-About Seth Betts 00:10:13-DIII Baseball Contact Rules 00:14:08-Training vs. Voluntary Work 00:17:48-DIII Rules vs. DII and DI 00:23:19-Disadvantages of the DIII Model 00:27:04-Recruiting Implications 00:29:25-Working Around the Rules 00:34:39-Baseball vs. Other Sports 00:39:15-Potential Rules Adjustments 00:45:51-Maximizing Development Within the Rules 00:51:29-Player Led Development Ideas 01:02:29-Building Team Chemistry 01:07:06-Losing Players Over the Dead Period 01:10:44-Final Words

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we have an extended conversation with Mike Levy, SVP of Global Rights Acquisition for FloSports. During this conversation we discuss the streaming company's efforts to create a dedicated DIII baseball streaming channel, and what it means for fans in both the short and long term. Over the course of this interview we cover the process of purchasing streaming rights in DIII athletics, as well as agreement structures and revenue sharing, subscription pricing and features, broadcasting standards, the transition from free to paid streams, and the DIII baseball conferences who have already signed with FloSports for the 2026 season. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:04:08-About Mike Levy 00:13:10-About FloSports as Company 00:17:11-FloSports in Baseball 00:18:28-Buying Streaming Rights in DIII Athletics 00:24:06-Conferences Signed for 2026 00:29:46-Agreement Structures and Revenue 00:32:02-Subscription Pricing and Features 00:37:52-Upgrades to the User Experience 00:41:44-Enforcing High Broadcast Standards 00:46:49-The Transition from Free to Paid Streaming 00:53:10-What's Up Next for FloSports

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we review our WAY TOO EARLY Preseason Top 10 rankings. During this conversation we discuss the accuracy of past preseason ranking processes, evaluation factors we used, and our 2026 Way Too Early Top 10—in addition to bubble teams, wild cards and potential snubs. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:04:05-Recapping the 2025 Rankings 00:09:49-Factors that Affect Preseason Rankings 00:10:16-Factor 1: Number of Seniors and Fifth-Years 00:11:37-Factor 2: Depth of Previous Year's Run 00:13:11-Factor 3: Historical Consistency of Program 00:16:50-Factor 4: Quality of Coaching Staff 00:19:25-Factor 5: Key Roster Losses 00:22:10-2026 Preseason Top 10 Picks 00:41:56-2026 Bubble Teams 00:44:16-2026 Wild Card Picks 00:49:38-Possible Snubs

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we sit down with Jim Dixon from D3baseball.com to talk about the 2025 College Summer League season. During this conversation we review a number of current DIII baseball players who flashed in collegiate leagues this Summer, as well as their potential impact on their current programs headed into the 2026 season. This episode is a preview of D3baseball.com's Collegiate Summer League breakdown of over 100 current and incoming D3 players.

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we check in with one of the best pitching coaches in all of DIII baseball, Coach David Smith from Trinity Texas. During this interview we cover Coach Smith's 23 years of experience at Trinity Texas, along with the programs four College World Series appearances, its DIII National Championship in 2016, and the program's move from the SCAC to the SAA starting with the 2026 season. We also recap the previous season, and look ahead to the current one—discussing key roster additions and losses, impact players to watch, upcoming schedule matchups, team strengths, why fans should be excited about the upcoming season, and why potential recruits should consider the Trinity Texas program. And we finish our conversation with a deep dive into developing pitching talent at the DIII level. 00:00:00-Introduction 00:03:38-About Coach Smith 00:07:46-The Path to Coaching 00:11:06-Recapping the 2025 Season 00:21:44-Holes to Fill Going Into 2026 00:27:30-New Recruits and Key Transfers 00:20:08-Strengths as a Team 00:31:36-Spring Schedule and Key Matchups 00:38:20-Moving from the SCAC to the SAA 00:37:44-Leveraging the Experience at Marietta 00:42:42-Developing Pitchers at Trinity TX 00:57:09-Balancing Coaching with a Business Career 01:02:04-The Trinity Texas Recruiting Pitch 01:05:26-Lightning Round