D3P: A DIII Baseball Podcast

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we talk with Colin McAtee, founder of ProductiveRecruit, about how technology can help high school athletes and college transfers run a smarter and more effective college baseball recruiting process. During this interview we discuss Colin’s path as an athlete, how his own recruiting experience helped lead to the creation of ProductiveRecruit, how the recruiting process has changed, and how athletes can leverage technology to streamline the search for a program.We also talk about personalizing outreach without making it feel automated, where technology can help and where it can hurt, what good engagement looks like, the growing role of AI in recruiting communication, the importance of followup and organization, knowing when a program is showing legitimate interest, and some of the most common recruiting mistakes that have nothing to do with talent.00:00:00-Introduction00:05:54-About Colin McAtee00:12:18-Founding ProductiveRecruit00:16:07-Recent Changes in Recruiting00:20:27-Finding the Right Program Fit00:23:45-Making Your Initial Outreach Stand Out00:25:19-Providing What Coaches Want to See00:27:28-Personalization Versus Volume00:28:49-When to Use Tech —and When Not To00:30:42-Tracking Coach Engagement00:34:37-Using AI in the Recruiting Process00:38:41-Being Proactive / Using Multiple Outreaches00:41:07-Deciding When to Move On00:42:27-Tech for High School and Club Programs00:47:59-Final Tips for Maximizing Recruiting

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we welcome back Keith Bateman. Keith is a 23-year DIII baseball head coach and administrator, as well as the father of Toronto Blue Jays starting center fielder Brett Bateman—who was called up to the MLB from AAA just six weeks ago.During our conversation with Coach Bateman we walk through Brett's entire baseball journey from Keith's perspective—including youth baseball, the balance between being a dad and a coach, the mental side of the game, adversity and failure, college recruiting, knowing when to stop coaching your own kid, and the challenges of watching a son work his way through professional baseball.We also discuss Brett's path through the Cubs organization, being blocked at the Major League level by Pete Crow-Armstrong, his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays, his MLB call-up and debut, and what it feels like as a parent to suddenly see your son's baseball cards, autographs and likeness become part of the public baseball world. We finish by asking Keith what advice he would give parents who believe their child may have a future in professional baseball.00:00:00-Introduction00:04:49-Update on Coach Bateman00:06:34-The Path to Coaching00:09:23-Brett's Baseball Background00:18:04-Managing Brett's Development00:21:56-Training the Mental Side00:29:01-Love of the Game00:30:45-Failures and Roadblocks00:36:02-When the MLB Dream Became Real00:39:13-The College Recruiting Process00:44:21-Separating Dad from Coach00:47:32-Know When to Step Back00:50:15-Watching Your Son Struggle00:54:29-The Trade from the Cubs to the Blue Jays00:57:29-The Callup, MLB Debut and First At Bat01:04:03-Handling the Public Side of MLB Fame01:10:08-Advice for Parents with High Potential Kids

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we review our SECOND ANNUAL Way Too Early Preseason Top 10 rankings, this time for the 2027 season. During our conversation we discuss the accuracy of past preseason ranking processes, key evaluation factors, and our 2027 Way Too Early Top 10—in addition to bubble teams, wildcards and potential snubs.00:00:00-Introduction00:06:08- Last Year's Wildcard Predictions00:09:30-Previous Season Prediction Accuracy00:13:52-Factors Considered in Ranking00:20:14-Wyatt's Top 10 for 202700:39:13-Eric's Top 10 for 202700:58:43-Wyatt's Bubble for 202701:01:10-Eric's Bubble for 202701:05:31-Wyatt's Wildcard for 202701:06:59-Eric's Wildcard for 202701:09:00-Other Teams Considered01:14:15-The Big Recap

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we talk with Head Baseball Coach Kevin Anderson from Shenandoah University. During this interview we cover Coach Anderson’s playing and coaching career, his time as the Head Coach at DI James Madison, his transition to Shenandoah, and his 40+ years of sustained coaching success—including 856 career wins, two College World Series appearances, four Regional titles and 10 Coach of the Year awards.We also recap Shenandoah’s 2026 season, including a 37-12 record, the ODAC Tournament championship, a #6 NPI finish, and the team’s NCAA Regional run. Looking ahead to 2027, we discuss roster losses and additions, impact players to watch, team strengths, pitching philosophy and staff usage, scheduling in one of the toughest conferences in the country, the pursuit of 1,000 career wins, how coaching has changed over the last several decades, recruiting, the Shenandoah brand of baseball, and why potential recruits should consider the program.00:00:00-Introduction00:04:39-About Coach Anderson00:11:05-The Path to Coaching00:14:30-Recapping the 2026 Season00:23:58-Key Losses and Holes to Fill00:28:16-Approach to Transfers00:32:06-Non Conference Scheduling00:34:09-Pitching by Committee00:38:19-The 1000 Career Wins Mark00:40:09-Good Seasons vs. Great Seasons00:45:55-Coaching Then and Now00:51:29-The Shenandoah Brand of Baseball00:53:34-The Shenandoah Recruiting Pitch00:54:51-Lightning Round

In this episode of the D3P Division III Baseball Podcast we check in with Head Baseball Coach Rob Schrier from Rhodes College. During this interview we cover Coach Schrier's DIII baseball playing career, his path into coaching, his time in Travel and Club baseball, and his 21 years as an assistant on the Rhodes staff before being named Head Coach just one season ago.We also recap Rhodes' 2026 season including the team's 30-17 overall record, 13-8 conference record and #35 National Ranking. Looking ahead to 2027 we discuss roster losses and additions, impact players to watch, team strengths, Rhodes' rise into the national conversation, recruiting, the Rhodes brand of baseball, and why potential recruits should consider the program.00:00:00-Introduction00:03:49-About Coach Griffiths00:05:51-Off-Season Activities00:07:05-The Path to Coaching00:09:35-2026 Season Recap00:14:42-Holes to Fill Going into 202700:23:13-Key Transfers and New Faces00:20:02-Strengths as a Team00:21:13-Non-Conference Scheduling00:23:07-Waiting 21 Years for a Head Coach Role00:26:34-Learning as an Assistant00:27:31-The Changing Travel Ball Landscape00:29:57-Building a Winning Culture Over Time00:33:57-The Rhodes Brand of Baseball00:34:39-The Rhodes Recruiting Pitch00:36:31-Lightning Round