This week's podcast guest joined us from Orono, Maine: fifth-year head coach of the Maine Black Bears, Nick Derba. Derba has the Black Bears on an upward trajectory toward contending for an America East Conference title. Last year, Maine opened the America East playoffs with a win over top-seeded … [Read more...]
Travel ball spotlight: New England Ruffnecks apply time-tested model
Entering its 19th year of existence, the New England Ruffnecks baseball development program is one of the longest-standing clubs in the region. Started by former Boston Red Sox assistant general manager Steve August in 2003, the Ruffnecks spent almost a decade as one of the premier -- if not THE … [Read more...]
Reaction: MLB Pipeline releases top 100 prospects list for 2022 Draft
The 2022 MLB Draft is not expected to be as laden with top-end New England prospects as 2021, when three natives were selected in the first round and seven in the top 100 selections. So, it comes as no surprise that fewer New England-based players are ranked in MLB Pipeline's preseason top 100 Draft … [Read more...]
Travel program spotlight: The Clubhouse CT set to open new facility in ’22
Now in its 11th year of existence, The Clubhouse CT appears primed to grow to unprecedented heights among New England travel programs in 2022. The Clubhouse CT owner Mike Porzio and his staff plan to expand by opening a new location in the northern part of Connecticut by the fall of 2022. Already a … [Read more...]
Travel ball spotlight: Nokona sending homegrown talent to D1 programs
The most impactful moment in the growth of Nokona Baseball came in 2015 -- 10 years into the travel program's existence -- when the owners opened a private facility, known as Nokona Athletic Club, in Ashland, Mass. The complex is not shared with any outside programs, and it is open to Nokona players … [Read more...]
Podcast: Strength House founder and NEB trainer Greg Robins shares tips
The latest New England Baseball Journal Podcast has a strength and conditioning theme. NEBJ Podcast host Dan Guttenplan is joined by North East Baseball’s Head of Athletic Development Greg Robins. Robins worked at Cressey Sports Performance from 2012 to 2018 before opening The Strength House in … [Read more...]