Podcast: Retired Belmont Hill coach Mike Grant gives ISL preview

Michael Grant posted an ISL record of 124-27 in 12 seasons at Belmont Hill. (Adam Richins/Belmont Hill)

The most recent guest on The Base Path Podcast is uniquely qualified to provide an ISL preview heading into the prep baseball season.

For the first time since 2011, Michael Grant will not be the head coach of perennial ISL contender Belmont Hill this spring. Grant stepped down from his post after last season, leaving with an ISL record of 124-27 along with four league championships.

His decision to leave his coaching position stemmed from his growing responsibilities as Assistant Head of School and Dean of Faculty, along with a desire to spend more time with his family.

“This evolved as my job changed a little bit over the years at Belmont Hill,” Grant said. “I have duties on the other side of campus that don’t really align with getting out in the afternoon for three hours and then calling other coaches in the league. The competitive fire is still there. I love it, and I’m going to miss it terribly. I have a rule that I’m going to keep at least 50 yards from the field so I don’t yell at umpires or bark at the kids.”

Grant’s former assistant, David Cunningham, takes over as head coach this spring. Cunningham is a Belmont Hill alumnus who earned ISL MVP on the 2012 championship team. He went on to play and later coach at Amherst College.

Grant was a standout second baseman at Nipmuc Regional High before moving on to play at Amherst College. Upon graduation from Amherst, he remained as an assistant coach before landing coaching stints at Northeastern University and Babson College. In addition, Grant also spent time as an assistant with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League. 

Grant took stock of the New England prep baseball scene heading into the 2023 season.

“Winchendon is outstanding when (coach John Toffey) rolls out his top group,” Grant said. “They’re going to be tough to beat. They just have arms and players at every position. Lawrence will be excellent coming out of the ISL once again this year. Coach (Chris) Margraf does a great job with that team, and he has a lot of guys back. At Avon Old Farms, they have arm after arm after arm. Thomas White is back at Andover. They’ve got a staff, and that catcher is outstanding. Dexter’s going to be really good with Coach (Dan) Donato. He’s got three or four guys who can really play. It’s pretty deep around here. That’s a top five, and hopefully Belmont Hill will beat them all.”

Listen to the entire podcast with former Belmont Hill coach Michael Grant.

The New England Baseball Journal podcast is brought to you by the University of Nebraska High School.

For advertising opportunities, please contact advertising@seamansmedia.com.