The D1Baseball Podcast

Ten years ago, UC Santa Barbara claimed a spot in the Omaha Eight for the first time in program history. Headlined by a walk-off grand slam to punch their ticket, the 2016 Gauchos were a team for the ages. On this episode of Sunday Night Conversations, Mike Rooney is joined by Andrew Checketts, Shane Bieber, and J.J. Muno to take a look back at the 2016 squad.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burkie and Roons open by discussing how baseball prospects generally face less hype and “bust” labeling than football stars like Arch Manning, while noting that high draft picks who choose college can still carry heavy expectations. They debate whether athletes would prefer today’s world of constant online scrutiny with the chance to make millions versus an earlier era with less public pressure but only scholarship benefits, emphasizing discipline and the idea that “the internet is not real life.”

Shifting to baseball, they use the World Series/playoff lens to examine roster construction, prioritizing unflappable makeup, athleticism, defense, running, and pitching depth as traits that “slump the least.” They argue NIL/portal dynamics, smaller roster limits, and evaluation uncertainty are increasing parity and making it harder to stockpile elite sluggers, citing recent LSU/Tennessee title teams and examples like Cal’s Jack Kennedy.

00:00 Welcome Back!

01:21 Thank You AstroTurf

01:56 "Hype" Pressure in Baseball

05:33 NIL Money vs Scrutiny

09:57 World Series Lessons for College Rosters

12:01 Build Around Defense and Pitching

15:02 Slugging, NIL, and Growing Parity

20:05 Smaller Rosters and Tougher Evaluations

23:22 Final Takeaways

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU

• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season

• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone

• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burkie and Roons discuss D1Baseball’s release of its biennial Top 100 Programs list. Roons describes the staff-wide process and internal debates, noting especially tricky evaluations outside the top tier.

The conversation highlights Texas at No. 2 as a projection based on sustained Omaha appearances and perceived title trajectory, and Oklahoma at No. 7 as a unique case balancing two recent finals appearances with more uneven seasons and a different roster-building model. They identify major movers including Vanderbilt dropping from No. 4 to No. 17 due to recent postseason exits, debate Georgia’s placement at No. 14, and cite heated discussion around the 40s range (including Troy, Louisiana, Arizona State, Kansas, South Carolina, and Texas Tech), with notable drops for Texas Tech and Stanford.

They close by reflecting on volatility and parity in modern college athletics, shifting player-acquisition dynamics, and the value of respectful feedback from coaches and fans.

Top 100 Programs: https://d1baseball.com/stories/2026-top-100-college-baseball-programs-by-the-numbers/

00:00 Welcome and Thank You, AstroTurf!

01:00 Listener Feedback

01:49 The D1Baseball Top 100 Programs: Intro

03:13 Top 100 Ranking Criteria Explained

06:27 Inside the Rankings "Debate Room"

08:02 Texas and Oklahoma Top 100 Spots

13:03 Biggest Droppers: Vanderbilt

14:53 Georgia and Other Risers

16:48 The Tricky "20s Tier" of the Top 100

18:42 Teams In The 40s: Comparisons

21:28 Volatility and Parity In Today's Game

24:56 Wrap Up and Final Jokes

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU

• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season

• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone

• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Highlighted by seven College World Series appearances, including four-straight trips to Omaha from 2006-2009, Mike Fox built a consistent contender in Chapel Hill over his 22-year stretch. On this episode of Sunday Night Conversations, Mike Rooney is joined by Fox, Robert Woodard and Chad Flack to take a look back at what led up to the initial Omaha run in 2006.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Rooney and Burkie discuss recent NCAA tournament expansions in college basketball and the College Football Playoff, weighing how added teams might affect entertainment value, regular-season stakes, and bowl relevance.

They then shift to college baseball, proposing an expanded field (e.g., 68 teams) with play-in games: the weakest recent auto-bid leagues playing at the top two national seeds and the “first four out” playing into regionals hosted by the top two-seeds that missed hosting, using five-year RPI and tournament results to determine leagues. They debate potential benefits like compelling Thursday-night TV and more on-campus postseason games versus concerns about empty stadiums, daytime start times, possible season-calendar shifts, and preserving a regional format they believe is thriving.

00:00 Welcome Back

00:06 Thank You AstroTurf!

00:34 Playoff Expansion Debate

01:34 Hoops First Four Thoughts

02:28 Quick Aside: Notre Dame-BYU Chaos

04:03 Does The Playoff Expansion Ruin CFB?

05:05 Burkie on Basketball's Field of 68

06:36 Burkie on Football's "Bowl Games"

09:57 Transition to Baseball Format

10:34 Baseball First Four Proposal

12:48 Fairness and Seeding Logic

15:43 Auto Bid Leagues and TV

17:21 How The 32 Hosts Would Work

20:23 Keep Regionals...or Expand?

22:08 Wrap Up and Takeaways

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU

• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season

• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone

• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burkie and Roons discuss why the baseball world has embraced Brewers manager Pat Murphy. They argue Murphy’s appeal is that he brings a “baseball coach” mindset to MLB, highlighted by his famous bunt story and Derek Jeter’s praise, and discuss broader differences between coaching in college baseball and managing in the pros. The conversation connects MLB postseason baseball to college conference and tournament play, emphasizing urgency, flexible roles, matchup-based decisions, and doing whatever it takes to win. They note Murphy’s long pro experience, Craig Counsell’s influence, and why adaptable, complete offenses matter, then mention additional college ties with other teams like Tampa Bay and Cleveland.

00:00 Welcome Back To The D1 Daily

00:03 Thank You Astroturf!

03:01 Pat Murphy: Media Darling

04:37 Coach Versus Manager

11:32 Why Playoff Baseball Pops

16:22 Bold Moves and Matchups

19:48 Murphy Origins + Player Development

22:41 Brewers Fit For Coach Murphy

25:31 Mentors and "Zigging" to Win

27:54 Wrap Up and College Connections

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Winning two national titles and an NCAA-record 22 straight postseason games, Ray Tanner's legacy is cemented in Columbia and across college baseball. On this episode of Sunday Night Conversations, Mike Rooney and Tanner relive the Gamecocks' era of dominance from 2010-2012.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of The D1Baseball Podcast, Joe Healy, Kendall Rogers and Aaron Fitt discuss the recently completed top 100 program rankings. They dive deep into the top 10 programs before talking about the team most likely to usurp LSU at the top of the rankings in two years, the team outside the top 10 that will jump into the top 10, big risers, falling teams that will bounce back and teams of note outside the top 100.

00:00 Purgatory Podcast Intro

00:48 Pat Murphy Brewers Buzz

05:33 Murphy Stories and Comparisons

07:27 Top 100 Rankings Setup

09:16 Who Can Catch LSU?

10:05 Florida and UNC Cases

16:41 Texas and the Field

20:33 Tennessee and Fan Base Surges

23:23 Top 10 Deep Cuts

29:54 Next Top 10 Break In

30:09 Georgia, West Virginia, Auburn Picks

36:43 Georgia Tech Sleeper Pick

38:33 Southern Miss' Steady Rise

43:18 Cincinnati Breakout Under Bischel

44:58 Troy and Kansas Linked Risers

50:59 Bounce-back Picks: South Carolina

52:51 Grand Canyon Hires Bieser

55:27 Oklahoma State Poised Rebound

59:57 USF and Houston Rebound Candidates

01:02:03 Outside Top 100: High Point and Charlotte

01:05:35 Rice Revival With David Pierce

01:09:02 Wrap-up Rankings Process

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

D1Baseball is the #1 source for college baseball. Subscribe to our show to get the best college baseball podcast straight to your Apple Podcasts or Spotify feed all year round. Reviews and 5-star ratings are greatly appreciated!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What separates a good postgame press conference from a bad one? On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss how coaches can handle tough questions, manage their emotions and communicate with their fan bases when things aren't going well. From self-deprecation and humility to avoiding defensiveness and understanding what reporters are really there to do, they break down the do's and don'ts of facing the media after a tough loss.

The guys also discuss Caitlin Clark's impressive end-of-season press conference, why coaches shouldn't take criticism personally and how listening to outside perspectives can help leaders see what they might be missing inside their own bubbles.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:23 Umpire Storytime

00:55 PCA Check Swing Moment

02:28 Umpires and Criticism

05:13 Press Conference Obsession

07:11 Coach Pressers Win and Be You

08:03 Postgame Mic Donts

08:37 Never Ask If They Played

11:15 Handling Repeated Questions

12:18 Self-Deprecation and Owning It

15:25 Listening Outside the Bubble

18:03 Final Thoughts and Sign-Off

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss how the low-payroll Rays repeatedly outplayed the Yankees and compare that clash of styles to Oklahoma’s win over Georgia in Omaha, focusing on how resource-limited teams build a clear identity by “zigging” with speed, defense, contact, and situational play. They explore how big-budget organizations can get trapped chasing offseason wins and long contracts for aging players, and why modern efficiency can revive old-school tenets like bunting and athleticism without abandoning power. Drawing on their Arizona State experience, they relate the allure of recruiting-class hype versus solving underlying issues and note how college baseball is increasingly “purchasing” experience via the portal amid historically small fall rosters. They also share speculation coaches are hearing about potential MLB Draft changes: 12 rounds, slotted picks, high school eligibility, and sophomore draft eligibility, plus looming transfer and revenue-share dynamics.

00:00 Welcome Back To D1 Daily

00:10 Carrots Update: Cowboys Chaos

01:16 Thank You AstroTurf!

01:48 Rays Payroll Reality

02:50 Rays vs Oklahoma Blueprint

04:08 Identity Beats Resources

05:51 Offseason Wins Trap

08:21 Is Old School New Again?

10:36 College Parallels: ASU & Fullerton

15:21 Portal Zigs and Zags

18:35 Draft Changes Rumors

21:58 Wrap Up and Takeaways

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2012 Stony Brook Seawolves "shocked the world," winning a program-record and NCAA-best 52 games for the team's first College World Series appearance. From winning a regional in Coral Gables to taking down the Tigers in the Baton Rouge Super Regional, the Seawolves became just the second fourth-seed at the time to advance to Omaha. On this episode of Sunday Night Convos, Mike Rooney is joined by Joe Pennucci and Mike Marron to relive the magic of the Seawolves' 2012 season.

Sunday Night Conversations are presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals is the Official Netting Partner of D1Baseball. Netting Pros' netting and wall padding products are featured in the top collegiate facilities throughout the country: Florida, North Carolina, Binghamton, Texas, and many more. From design to fabrication to installation, Netting Pros is "Improving Programs One Facility at a Time." Learn more at https://nettingpros.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss how SEC football’s week-to-week volatility mirrors modern college baseball parity, driven by the spread of impact transfer-portal talent and the SEC’s disproportionate NIL resources. They emphasize that NIL and the portal are different forces, noting mid-majors can thrive via portal-driven roster age and experience, and arguing the concentration of money in the SEC can still produce MLB-like parity because top transfers get distributed across many motivated programs. The conversation explores how thin margins can hinge on a few under-the-radar players, citing Oklahoma’s title run and other examples of unexpected player development, while also noting how this era complicates evaluating coaches and raises expectations for rapid turnarounds. They close by highlighting fall ball as a “time of hope” and interest in programs like South Carolina under Kevin Schnall and Vandy’s fall trip culture.

00:00 Welcome Back To The D1 Daily

00:05 Thank You AstroTurf!

00:41 NIL & Portal Realities

03:21 Parity In The SEC Like In The MLB?

05:05 College Football Upsets Example

07:16 Coaches and Turnarounds

10:29 Coaching Staffs Build Winners

15:05 Finding Hidden Stars

22:04 Hopes For The Fall + Portal Talk

24:02 Vandy's Vegas Story

24:54 Wrap Up

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Roons and Burkie dive into the MLB postseason, highlighting how elite relief pitching and heightened playoff focus mirror college postseason pressure. They break down key late-inning at-bats against Mason Miller, emphasizing pre–two-strike vs. two-strike approaches, pitch selection, taking walks, and the importance of baserunning, citing moments from players like Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, and Sal Frelick. The conversation shifts to MLB’s competitive health, noting that several remaining playoff teams rank low in payroll and arguing baseball’s structure produces more parity than football and basketball. Roons shares a Conor Jackson story, and Burkie recalls pinch-hitting against Bobby Jenks in the World Series to illustrate the difficulty of postseason roles.

00:00 Welcome Back D1 Daily

00:41 Thank You AstroTurf!

01:23 MLB Postseason

02:44 Playoff ABs And Pitching

07:08 Lessons For College Players

10:37 Conor Jackson Comp

11:37 A Prime Postseason Bat

12:00 Conor Jackson Cycle Story

14:35 Andrew Vaughn Bounceback

15:07 Pinch Hitting vs Heat

17:30 October Baseball: Margins of Victory

18:35 Payroll Parity Debate

21:30 Cap Floor Stalemate

22:49 Why Baseball Stays Fair

25:21 Baseball: A Sport At Its Peak

25:43 Wrap Up

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans and coaches. Use code D1 to save on your first order at kerristoncoffee.com!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coaching 40 years, earning 17 College World Series appearances and becoming the NCAA's all-time winningest head coach are enough to create a legacy. But, Mike Martin's passion for college baseball cements his name in history beyond the record books. On this episode of Sunday Night Convos, Mike Rooney is joined by Link Jarrett, Chris Hart, James Ramsey and Mike Bell to remember the life and impact of Martin, also known as "11."

Sunday Night Conversations are presented by Netting Pros & Stadionic. Netting Professionals is the Official Netting Partner of D1Baseball. Netting Pros' netting and wall padding products are featured in the top collegiate facilities throughout the country: Florida, North Carolina, Binghamton, Texas, and many more. From design to fabrication to installation, Netting Pros is "Improving Programs One Facility at a Time." Learn more at https://nettingpros.com/

And proudly presented by Netting Professionals is STADIONIC. STADIONIC is proud to partner with D1Baseball. For all your major projects and facility needs, with projects featured by top-tier collegiate programs, high schools, parks & recreation, and tournament complexes, STADIONIC helps elevate your facility with the best products and accessories in the industry. STADIONIC is making sports facilities iconic. Learn more at https://stadionic.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons take a look at the former college baseball players expected to make an impact in the MLB playoffs, highlighting stars from programs across the country — including Cam Schlittler (Northeastern), Parker Messick (Florida State), Chase DeLauter (James Madison), Drake Baldwin (Missouri State) and Drew Rasmussen (Oregon State).

They also discuss Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman, Sonny Gray and others, while giving flowers to standout seasons from players who missed the postseason, including Alec Burleson, Nolan McLean and Pete Alonso. Plus, a look at the remarkable diversity of college backgrounds represented across today's Major League rosters.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:40 Playoff Focus Setup

01:19 Ben Rice Surprise Star

03:03 Schwarber Power and K Record

05:07 Zach Neto Modern Game

07:46 Max Muncy Steady Value

08:31 Cags' Breakout and Walks Debate

11:41 Chase DeLauter Rising Bat

13:35 Bregman Better in Pros

14:23 Modern Training Boosts

15:06 Drake Baldwin Breakout

17:02 Alec Burleson RBI King

19:26 Pitchers Take Over

19:52 Sonny Gray Longevity

21:02 Cam Schlittler Cy Push

22:11 Drew Rasmussen Regional Story

24:05 Parker Messick Historic Rookie

26:19 Nick Martinez Movie Plot

27:56 Nolan McLean Plus Final Thoughts

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans and coaches. Use code D1 to save on your first order at kerristoncoffee.com!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Roons and Burkie react to the end of the MLB regular season and discuss Tony Vitello leading the majors in ejections (seven), including a disputed check-swing call that sparked his latest toss and the dynamics between rookie managers and big-league umpires. They consider why the Giants’ difficult season and need for disruption made Vitello’s fiery style part of the hire, and argue his first year shouldn’t define his long-term outlook. Roons connects the conversation to Pat “Murph” Murphy’s path and success, sharing an anecdote about seeing Dustin Pedroia traveling with his family and recalling Murphy’s challenging interim stint with the Padres before building toward winning with Milwaukee. They close with thoughts on roster chemistry, “energy vampire” stars, and how MLB’s three-game playoff series fuels debate about NCAA tournament formats.

00:00 Welcome And Sponsors

00:36 MLB Season Wrap And Playoffs

01:24 Tony V Ejections Debate

03:58 Umpire Clip And Rookie Manager Reality

06:18 Giants Struggles And Vitello Fit

07:31 Homefield Sponsor Break

08:43 Pedroia Airport Story

10:58 Murph Perspective On Coaching

13:46 Team Building: Winners Vs The Others

15:49 College Baseball Tournament Talk

16:24 Resilience Vs Resiliency Rant

17:41 Wrap Up And Next Episode Tease

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans and coaches. Use code D1 to save on your first order at kerristoncoffee.com!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

VCU entered the 2015 Dallas Regional as the No. 4 seed in a loaded field featuring Texas, Oregon State and Dallas Baptist. On this episode of Sunday Night Convos, Mike Rooney looks back with Shawn Stiffler and Sean Thompson at how the Rams pulled off one of the most unlikely regional wins of the 64-team era.

01:29 Meet the Guests: Sean Thompson & Shawn Stiffler

03:43 Dallas Regional Giants

04:29 Stiffler's VCU Origin Story

06:50 Thompson's Recruiting Journey

09:40 Building VCU Baseball

16:29 The Diamond's Wow Factor

19:23 2014-2015 Season Context

23:20 Thompson's Freshman Fall Mindset

25:13 Meet the Main Characters of the 2015 Rams

33:07 Selection Show Shock

34:18 Recruiting Vimael Machin

36:57 Regional Setup at DBU

37:56 Game One Breakthrough

42:20 Game Two vs Rasmussen

48:17 Game Three Heartbreaker

50:36 It All Comes Down to Monday

55:33 The Story of the Final Out

58:10 Legacy and Reflections

Sunday Night Conversations are presented by Netting Pros & Stadionic. Netting Professionals is the Official Netting Partner of D1Baseball. Netting Pros' netting and wall padding products are featured in the top collegiate facilities throughout the country: Florida, North Carolina, Binghamton, Texas, and many more. From design to fabrication to installation, Netting Pros is "Improving Programs One Facility at a Time." Learn more at https://nettingpros.com/

And proudly presented by Netting Professionals is STADIONIC. STADIONIC is proud to partner with D1Baseball. For all your major projects and facility needs, with projects featured by top-tier collegiate programs, high schools, parks & recreation, and tournament complexes, STADIONIC helps elevate your facility with the best products and accessories in the industry. STADIONIC is making sports facilities iconic. Learn more at https://stadionic.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons debate two coaching approaches in college baseball: pushing hard from February because every game matters versus pacing a roster to be strongest in the postseason.

They use the 2022 Tennessee's dominant start and later normalization, plus examples like Southern Miss, Arkansas’ Kevin Kopps and 2026 Oklahoma’s late surge, to discuss peaking too early and the difficulty of sustaining “heaters.”

The conversation then shifts to Burkie's call of a Guardians–White Sox game and how many players and coaches reached the big leagues from non-power programs or junior colleges, emphasizing that playing time and development matter and that there are many legitimate pathways to MLB.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:36 All In vs Peaking Late

03:02 Tennessee 2022 Case Study

06:25 Scheduling and Learning Losses

08:50 Heaters and Postseason Timing

10:09 MLB Trip and Hidden Gems

11:00 Guardians Underdog Backgrounds

14:53 White Sox and More Pathways

19:21 Playing Time and Minor League Reality

21:24 Many Paths Closing

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burkie and Roons welcome Justin Seely to discuss how college baseball roster construction has changed from the 11.7-scholarship era to today’s 34-scholarship, revenue-share and NIL landscape. Seely explains how in-state vs. out-of-state tuition once shaped recruiting, how fully funded programs can now erase geography and build more like football, and how DSAs and strict roster deadlines are pushing smaller fall rosters with less margin for error. They outline what top programs prioritize (targeted portal additions, high-ceiling recruits, retention, impact starting pitching and elite pitching coaches) versus how mid-tier and lower-resourced programs lean more on older transfers, JUCO pipelines, and regional recruiting. The conversation closes on the non-linear path for players and how mid-majors can embrace development and upward movement as part of their identity.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:12 Thank You AstroTurf!

00:30 How Omaha Rosters Were Built

03:29 Scholarship Math Explained

06:34 34 Scholarships and NIL Era

08:14 Recruiting Without Geography

10:52 Blueprint for Elite Rosters

12:29 Old Roster Limits and Walk Ons

13:36 Big Rosters and Draft Reality

16:07 New Roster Math

17:02 Scholarship Rules Shift

17:43 December 1 Roster Deadline

20:11 Retention Versus Portal

22:47 Culture Risks of Transfers

25:01 Three Program Tiers

27:15 Top-Tier Blueprint

31:49 Middle-Tier Strategy

35:59 Bottom-Tier Models

39:06 Geography and Recruiting

41:34 Paths for Players

44:06 Wrap Up

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, David Seifert joins Burkie and Roons to break down the top college hitters in the 2027 MLB Draft class.

The group discusses Brendan Lawson, Gavin Kelly and Jimmy Janicki at the top of the board, plus rising prospects Derrick Pitts, Trent Grindlinger and Bino Watters. They also dive into why the hit tool remains so difficult to project, how swing-and-miss data is shaping the draft and why Adrian Rodriguez and Tague Davis are among the fascinating players to watch this season.

00:00 Cold Open and Guest

00:16 Fantasy Team Roast

04:28 Top 100 List Update

05:15 Top College Hitters

07:38 Why Lawson Leads

09:32 Janicki vs Fralick

11:01 Projecting the Hit Tool

16:40 Data and Whiff Rates

18:59 Biggest List Jumpers

19:16 Big Movers Recap

19:51 Derrick Pitts Breakdown

22:13 Power Data Debate

23:16 Trent Grindlinger Profile

27:27 Hitter Rankings Reality

29:47 Tague Davis Fixes

33:32 Adrian Rodriguez Outlook

36:01 Draft Class Wrap-Up

37:18 Wide-Open No. 1 Pick

38:10 Final Tease, Sign-Off

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

• T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
• Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
• Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
• And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at http://www.homefieldapparel.com/!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans and coaches. Use code D1 to save on your first order at http://kerristoncoffee.com/!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.