Podcast: Avon Old Farms coach Rob Dowling on being No. 1

Rob Dowling is in his 29th season as the Avon Old Farms coach. (AOF Athletics)

The latest guest on The Base Path Podcast is the leader of our No. 1 prep team in New England, Avon Old Farms coach Rob Dowling.

Under Dowling, Avon Old Farms has consistently been one of the top prep programs in the Northeast. Since 1996, the program has won 17 Colonial and Founders League championships.

Dowling’s proven track record as a winner has helped attract baseball recruits to Avon, although Dowling is interested in more than just a recruit’s athletic profile.

“Hopefully what they’re chasing is not just the baseball experience, but it’s the overall experience,” Dowling said. “The experience that we can provide kids, not just in baseball, but as a student and as a citizen is really special. When you combine elite baseball with the type of atmosphere that is available at a place like Avon, it becomes a really attractive combination.

“Kids want to compete in really competitive situations. There’s certainly nothing against the public school world, but where I’ve lived is the private school world for the last 29 years. And it’s been really good.”

Podcast video: Avon Old Farms coach Rob Dowling

Avon Old Farms is currently at the top of the Founders League standings with a 12-3 record. It certainly helped to add two legit pro prospects as transfers this spring. Both Aiden O’Connell and Cole Raymond have fastballs in the mid-90s. O’Connell, who earned Gatorade State Player of the Year in New Hampshire last spring, is committed to Vanderbilt.

“Aiden is a very other-oriented person,” Dowling said. “One of the things that is clear about him is that it’s not about him. He’s willing to do whatever the team needs.”

The New England Baseball Journal podcast is brought to you by the University of Nebraska High School, Netting Professionals, No Errors, and Max BP.

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Listen to the entire podcast with Rob Dowling.