British Baseball Podcast

Dr Dale Jacobs is an author and Creative Writing teacher at Windsor University, one day he accidentally searched for the wrong topic online and stumbled across baseball in the UK and Ireland, he then went on a seven week trip interviewing people and watching Baseball from Dublin to cork, Aberdeen to Slough and a few other stops in between. we chat a to his works, teaching comic books and his love for grassroots baseball, the challenges he faced when writing the book, research, the amazing people involved in British and Irish Baseball and lots more.the book is available in the UK from the 15th of May 2025 via the below link -https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/chasing-baseball-dale-jacobs/7724356?ean=9781778430619or https://neighborhoodbooksmaine.com/ in the USADr Jacobs is going to be on a book tour too, you can find him at:17/05/2025 - Leicester - The Exchange at 15:0024/05/2025 - Dundee - St Andrews Brewing (Fundraiser in support of Baseball Scotland)29/05/2025 - Edinburgh - The Orchard Bar at 19:00 (Fundraiser in support of Baseball Scotland)31/05/2025 - Cork - The Long Valley Bat at 19:00 (Fundraiser in support of Baseball Ireland)05/06/2025 - Dublin - The Back Page at 19:00 (Fundraiser in support of Baseball Ireland)

Mark Borley, Will Lintern, Alex Malihoudis, Nick Carter, Jon Carter and Craig Savage join the show from all over the globe to share their personal stories, historical moments, memories and what made Mrs Borley so special and unique.

This new season starts with a banger as host Matthew is joined by The Coaching Unions very own Jonathan "J-Rod" Rodriguez and Charlie Batho. This collaboration brings you conversations about coaching philosophies, active listening, the struggles of being a parent and a podcaster and finding balance, how can British Baseball be more accessible? The importance of local team and developing youth and much much more.please follow and support The Coaching Union Podcast, this podcast and your favourite podcasts by liking them, following them and spreading the word of their existence.you can find The Coaching Union Podcast here - https://open.spotify.com/show/09UABzAQKYXn498g1UyZ5D?si=97443bfdcc5e473f

Ron Blackwood takes us on his baseball journey that started off as a fan in the states when he moved there as an 18 year old and then playing in the UK when he returned, did I mention that his "rookie of they year" season came when he was in his 50s? He gives tips on if you think you are too old, playing through the season and what's in store for the future and also some great chat about Baseball Cards and much more.

all round top dude Said Bayan joins the show to talk about the Birmingham Metal Heads, Starting up a youth training session purely out of the love of wanting to help kids develop, an unusual way to find a love of baseball after not being into it previously, his passions away from the diamond, Anime chat and much, much more.

Kieran is this weeks special guest on the British Baseball Podcast where he talks about starting 2 ball clubs in the UK (Wragby Warhammer and Newark Nationals), why he started the teams and what he learned from Wragby when starting a new team in Newark, 2 Baseball Truths and a Lie and much much more.if you're a fan of Pop Punk, be sure to check out his band Parallel States wherever you listen to your tunes.

I had the pleasure if chatting with Jon Gulliver recently about Brighton Baseball, GB Baseball, Family and giving back to baseball by running the London Marathon. It was a fantastic conversation, I hope you can listen and share it too.you can still donate to Jon on https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/jon-

I was asked not too long ago if I would like to interview a New York Best Selling Author, I wasn't sure how I could work it into British Baseball, but I didn't have to, but there are elements of British Baseball in Joe's book and it even has a segment dedicated to it, sounded like a fun idea and having had the chance to interview writers in the past, I found them and their subjects extremely fascinating. Now I know im now Steve Klein of Reading the Game, but I really enjoyed my time talking with Joe about the Negro Leagues, the time he has spent in the UK and the sports he ha covered, the MLB London Series and of course, his new book "Why We Love Baseball", his knowledge of the british game and how they got to be included in his 7th publication. its a fun read, great segments and worth picking up if you love your baseball books, it could even make a great gift for the baseball fan in your life. here are the links below. https://linktr.ee/WhyWeLoveBaseballUK

Big focus this week on youth baseball, the life blood of our clubs here in Britain and I cannot think of a better person to have on than the great Will Lintern. You'll want a pen and paper (or any note taking device0 for this episodes as we chat about T-Rex T-Ball and how it has grown into a 30 kid strong Greenwich Giants club and how you can do it. Will has developed baseball players of all ages for a very long time, listen to how you can start a youth program TODAY and how to get hold of FREE RESOURCES to do this at your club, you'll have no excuses after this one. I think this is the most important interview I have done to date. If you have a youth set up, you'll benefit from this episode, if you are thinking about starting a youth baseball at your club, you'll benefit from this episode, if you don't have a youth setup at your club....you'll benefit from this episode, if you want to hear passionate people talking about baseball...you'll love this episode. T-Rex T-Ball is something special, please reach out to Will and get your club, your kids, kids you haven't even met yet into something great today: trextball@gmail.com https://www.trextball.com https://www.facebook.com/TRexTBall https://www.facebook.com/greenwichgiantsbaseball https://greenwichgiantsbaseball.com

Charlie is the District Administrator for Little League Baseball and Softball in the UK, I had the chance to sot down and chat with him and the teams plans to start and grow Little League here in Britain. you can find Charlies on Linked in and feel free to email him and chat about what we can do to help start this off in our local areas and ball clubs.

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 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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 rejoins the show to talk about baseballs teams history, he discusses in depts the London Mets Senior teams first season and his memories around it, if you want to come on the show and talk about your teams history, that would be fantastic. Josh also tells us about his SABR LUMPS, Tom Cruise, Air Force One, a little bit about Curling and what he has been up to since we last spoke, the world baseball classic, Project Cobb and much more.

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.

Whilst I'm on this journey to find some new sports and activities the British Baseball community can try whilst in the offseason, one thing I had noticed during these activities was that I was still 17 stone. I asked Alan Dean from Smarter Performance, who is part of the GB Baseball set-up as their Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, for some advice to go alongside these fun little 10 minute segments, but what I got was an hour and a half of Alans time, 40 mins of which were recorded. I was able to talk about my struggles with food and how I have a very unusual relationship with it, what I got in return was some fantastic advice and tips that I think you might be able to get something from. We cover Consistency, Buddy systems, mindful eating, putting the fork down, portion control and what can we take away from the very best athletes he has worked with and apply it to our day to day lives. Big thanks to Deano, I am now on a new journey to try and be more consistent and using better habits. The Smarter Performance Academy forBaseball players of any age and ability level is also making a return soon, be sure to follow @smarttobefit or go to smarter performance.co.uk for details of when this fantastic program launches for the new season.

Gabe Rincones Jr (@GaBeRincones) is the son of former Seattle Mariners Pitcher Gabriel Rincones Sr, he just been drafted for the 2nd time. Gabe tells us about the emotions of draft day and ultimately declining an offer, only to be drafted again in 2022 in the 3rd round by the Phillies.  We touch on leaving Venezuela for Glenrothes in Fife and how baseball was his dream and how his family helped him on his way. to achieve this goal, we also talk about what's illegal to import to the USA from Scotland, peanut butter without jelly? Who's better, him or his dad? what his mates from primary school think about him being drafted, Memories of the 2021 European championships with the GB u23s, How he's been able to handle such an incredible journey and what lessons would he pass on to young GB players about following their dreams and "making it" from here in the UK, how important his faith is and much more.  thanks to Jason Derr and Drew Spencer for the additional questions.

Arthur started his baseball journey in 1963 as a 16 year old in the North West of England and his love of the sport grew from there and took him on many an adventure. We chat about his first game and the Lancashire cup, a visit to the Heineken brewery in Rotterdam before a European game, the Trafford Saints, Great Britain Cadets, his son's involvement at such a young age, the Football Association funding his visit to Atlanta, the 1964 championships, pitching tips from GB HoFer Wally O'Neill and Australian Cricketing legends Ian Glover and Ian Chapels involvement in British Baseball.

GB Legend Daniel Cooper joins the show to talk about his 10 years of pitching with the national team programme, how its evolved over the years, getting a no hitter at the tender age of 10, getting drafted by the Seattle Mariners, off field antics, Oktoberfest, training with NFL legend Tom Brady, Mike Trout not being able to hit off of him, Gavin Marshall Karaoke and much more.

Michael (@MrCresswell) is a passionate and enthusiastic member of the British Baseball Community and joins the show this week to share some stories from his time in baseball. 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.

"I'm just a reflection of the things you've taught me" 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?

"Pressure is a Privilege" GB National Team Head Coach Drew Spencer and Scout Jonathon Cramman join the show to talk about the recent World Baseball Qualifiers in Germany. We hear about the challenges in putting the new squad together, the hard decisions and constructing the team. The common trends between the successful teams they have been apart of, tournament prep, the batting lineups and the pitching depth, off field memories, listener questions and a lot, lot more.

Matt Cliff and David Martin-Baez from the Liverpool Trojans join the show to talk about how Matt is working with the Liverpool Trojans to develop and grow Blind Baseball at a club level. We chat about another GB success story as we recap the Blind baseball International cup held in Holland in Sportlandgoed de Haamen, Beek on the 20th of August 2022. How the Trojans are helping to grow the sport, What is involved in Blind Baseball, Benefits of getting visually impaired people into sports, Future plans and how you and your club can set up a Blind Baseball team. Matt has his own website - Savinorthwest.com You can also find out more about Blink Baseball below https://ukblindbaseball.co.uk Facebook: UK blind baseball Association Twitter @ukblindbaseball YouTube Channel: UK blind baseball Association Email: ukblindbaseball@gmail.com

The First Ball Girl for NY Yankees and the First woman to represent GB men's baseball, Laura Hirai returns to the British Baseball Podcast for her own feature episode,  we talk about her beginnings in Japan as a 6 year old, her parents support, being the only girl playing at a coaching clinic and her dad battling for her to be a part of it, being the only girl in at a club and in the national team, inspiring kids in local schools, being a youth ambassador for IWBC and meeting members of the women's pro league from the 40s and 50s, being the ball girl for the Yankees in the 2019 London Series, being part of the inaugural GB women team in France, how baseball gave her the mindset to handle criticism in life and much much more. if you can help support this independently run podcast, please head to https://www.patreon.com/britbaseballpod

Roundup of the World baseball classic qualifiers held in Germany in September 2022. Who were the people involved? What were the scores and events? Well here you go.

this week on the British Baseball Podcast, Matthew is joined by Great Britains Kennard Dawson. KD takes us through his baseball journey, from 3 years old to present. They talk about the state of baseball in the British Virgin Islands and how it compares to Britain's baseball scene. Hurricanes destroying the fields, relocating to play baseball at 15, musical instruments, his GB call up and fast progression into the Senior National team, players and coaches that mean the most to him, off field memories of the tournament in Verona, Grassroots baseball, Home Run Derby X, PB with Liam Carroll and chasing his MLB dream. 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.

Head Coach Carlos Casal brings along a player and coach to talk about the historic debut tournament for the GB Women's National Team.

Tayport Breakers Jason West joins the show to talk about life, technical writing, powerlifting, the Scottish Field of Dreams that is Tayports home ground, youth setup in Fife and growing the sport in the region, influences, balancing parenting and creating a baseball team, whiskey and much more.  Jason has also appeared on Ballcaps and Bagpipes, be sure to check out their interview with him here  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ballcaps-and-bagpipes/id1477658725?i=1000557548645

"You're playing against the game of Baseball..." A very special series of interviews kicks off with the GB u18s Skipper Jonathan Rodriguez, Captain Max Manoff and player Tucker Stockman as they chat about the on field fun and share off field stories surrounding the 2022 European Qualifiers in Sweden, waiting 2 years to play, Getting their Mitochondria right (GYMR), energy and mindset, how forming teams in the British Baseball Federations top league, the NBL, has helped them as a squad, staying focused when winning big, guards of honour and forming friendships with the u18 Turkish team, getting defeated by Sweden, hit by pitch fun and clearing a water logged field with Poland PLUS MORE! if you can support this independent podcast, please head to patron.com/britbaseballpod and spread the love.

the newly appointed Head of Performance for Great Britain Baseball joins the show to talk about his background in Olympic Performance and his route to Gb Baseball, his interesting career path so far, trying and failing at retirement, the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games and Russias interference, "Getting Stuck in" with up skilling and up scaling a sport to make it Olympic ready, his goals and much much more. Big thanks to Chris Knoblock at BSUK for arranging this interview for me. 

Manchester Baseballs Dave Gould joins the show to talk about 25 years in the sport. He tells us how he got into the game, finding Manchester Baseball Club, playing with his sons, his MBC all time 9, his baseball cap collection and much more

Great Britain U23 Pitcher Iain Isdales (@isdale17) the show to talk about his GB debut in Verona in 2021 in the U23 European Championships, playing at the university of Northern Colorado and his tips for players trying to get into college ball in the states, mentoring new players and kids at camp, his Scottish and Welsh roots and the support he gets from the GB Community, who is on his mount Rushmore of Baseball and why PLUS lots more!

Dad jokes a plenty with GB National Team player and London Met's Fred Mosier! we also chat about his baseball beginnings playing in Russia, joining the London Mets and the impact of Liam Carroll and Eric Hansen, Laura Hirai striking out the Italians, fake moustaches and real moustaches, Gb baseball memories, the 2021 European Championships for the U23 and his Senior call up, his NBL debut plus who makes his GB baseball Mount Rushmore? And much more.

Former Great Britain pitcher Alex Smith joins the pod to talk about his decade long adventure in the national team program starting in 2001 and highlights of major tournaments including being a top SP in the 2005 euros, Limiting Puerto Rico to 5 runs in the 2009 Baseball World Cup and getting the W over Israel in the 2011 European Qualifier.  We also chat about books, playing in Sweden and Holland, pitching 18 innings and 12 coffees, "Room 3 Baby!" and getting kicked out of the Dutch League

"I started rehab late June and I did whatever it take to be back...it was a miracle that I caught the last game of the AA season" Bournemouth Bears Head Coach Jose Lopez joins the show to talk to us about: * 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 https://www.patreon.com/britbaseballpod thank you.

Norwich Icini Chairman Tom Thornhill has had an idea: 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 - https://www.facebook.com/norwichbaseball/

the 2021 BSUK Volunteer of the year, Al Binns joins thew show to tell us how a joke at a 5 a side football game lead to him falling in love with Baseball, how a new Newcastle Nighthawks team beat the odds, building team spirit over service station breakfasts, playing for Long Eaton Storm and now the Wragby Warhammer's (and their massive fan turn outs on game day), how he became the BSUK Volunteer of the Year, plus more.

Artist Andy brown has been busy since his last appearance on the show and the man himself is back to tell us all about it. 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.

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

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