It's been a while but Touching Base, the podcast from BaseballSoftballUK, is back with one more episode of 2018. Ahead of the London Series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox next June, Boston Red Sox centre fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. came to town on 14 December and met up with GB Women’s Fastpitch Team Head Coach Rachael Watkeys in the historic setting of Lords Cricket Ground. As well as that conversation, BSUK CEO John Boyd and Head of Development Chris Rawlings round up recent important funding announcements for baseball and softball and look ahead to 2019...

BaseballSoftballUK Podcast

Touching Base Episode 13: The One Where Rachael Meets Jackie Bradley Jr.

Having been talked into starting on short rest, it's episode 12 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK. In a bonus podcast to celebrate the 80th anniversary of England winning the inaugural Baseball World Cup we're taking a closer look at the past and future of Baseball in the UK. This week we're joined by 2 guests as Josh Chetwynd makes his second podcast appearance in a week to discuss the storied history of UK Baseball and Ben Carter, from Rival podcast Batflips and Nerds, drops in to discuss the MLB London Series which is now less than 12 months away.

Touching Base Episode 12: The Past & Future of UK Baseball

Taking a page from history and using it to shield ourselves from the sun, it's episode 11 of Touching Base, a podcast from baseballsoftballuk. You might not know this, but it's eighty years since England became the surprise winners of the inaugural World Cup, held in 1938 on home soil, and BaseballSoftballUK is celebrating this event all week with special world cup themed content available on our website and social media. Here to take us through the events leading up to this little-known part of UK Baseball history is Baseball historian and former GB International Josh Chetwynd who some viewers will know from his work on the Channel 5s Baseball coverage in the early naughties. Together we talk about the origins of what was known as the International Test series, some of the stars of the series, and how the series became known as the World Cup.

Touching Base Episode 11: England WON The World Cup?

Taking 'Three Lions' off repeat and now showering with water rather than beer, it's episode 10 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK. Whilst the rest of the country was gripped by the FIFA World Cup it's worth reminding ourselves that we're not just good at football. Here to do just that is GBs Matt Tomlin, part of the European championship winning, Men's Slowpitch team from earlier this summer. Together we discuss what it's like to win a European championship, staying focused, and combining softball with travelling...

Touching Base Episode 10: Champions of Europe

Having been called into the Managers Office and asked to close the door, it's episode 9 of Touching Base, a podcast from baseballsoftballUK. Today marks the first day of UK Coaching Week (#GreatCoaching) and to celebrate, this week's Touching Base podcast features not one but two current GB head coaches. Representing GB Fastpitch we have Rachael Watkeys and Liam Carroll joins us from GB Baseball. Together we discuss stealing ideas, the benefits of being the dumbest person in the room, and knowing when to shut up…

Touching Base Episode 9: Double Head Coach Trouble with Rachael Watkeys and Liam Carroll

Back from a stint on the DL and settling into starting monthly, it's episode 8 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballsoftballUK. Like matches fireworks and martinis our sports work best when dry and with most fields in the UK being underwater so far this season people have found more use for buckets than bats. So we thought it would be a good idea to invite, friend of the podcast, Liam Morrison to talk about leaving on a jet plane to play Softball in sunnier climates. We'll also talk about The European Slowpitch Softball League (ESSL) and how insane a person has to be to attempt to complete a Tough Mudder race… At Bat: Playing Softball abroad (01:50-26:25) On Deck: Tough Mudders (26:25-36:58) This Month's Track: Take A Step (Gaby K) Buy the Single: https://bsuk.co/2w4w7ry Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GabyKMusic/

Touching Base Episode 8: Escaping the Mud Bath

It's baseball season once again, and ahead of the British league fixtures getting underway this weekend, GB and Southampton Mustang Catcher Callum Vinall joins us in Podland to discuss his experience of playing semi-professional baseball in Germany for the Tubingen Hawks. This week's track: E-Muzik (Phillip Cross)

Touching Base Episode 7: Baseball Awakens

As exciting as when a position player comes in to pitch in a blow out, it's episode 6 of Touching Base. Not concerned with ever being invited back, Chiya Louie takes over the podcast to interview our host on the progress of baseball and softball in universities, before updating us on her selection for the GB team heading to Japan for the WBSC World Championships in August. We round off this week by swapping podland for the upside down as Chiya tries to convince everyone to watch Netflix's Stranger Things… At Bat: University Baseball & Softball 01:34-24:58 On Deck: WBSC World Championships 24:58- 39:07 In The Hole: Stranger Things 39:07-47:13 DONATE TO GB FASTPITCH: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chiyagbsoftballworlds This Week's Track: Lift It Up (Ryan Andersen)

Touching Base Episode 6: CHIYA LOUIE is Eighteen Years Old

Having to make do with being part of a podcast platoon, it's episode 5 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK. It's a special week here in podland as our intrepid CEO John Boyd hijacks the podcast to talk about Little League. Before John interviews several of his colleagues from the recent Little League conference in New Orleans, he tells us how he got involved with the programme and what it means for youth baseball and softball on the green green grass of home. At Bat: What is Little League? 01:10-10:53 On deck: Giuseppe Guilizzoni 12:31-33:32 In The Hole: Kristian Palvia 33:42-40:19 This weeks track: I need Love (Planet Wardo)

Touching Base Episode 5: The Little League Episode

Expecting any day now to be sent down to the minor leagues to work out our podcasting, it's episode 4 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK. This week BSUK CEO John Boyd talks to host Luke Stott about his journey in sport, his experiences at the recent WSBC Conference in Paris, and the player transition from Baseball to Slowpitch Softball. At Bat: Who is John Boyd? 01:23 - 17:00 On Deck: What happened at the WSBC Conference 17:00 - 35:40 In the Hole: Going from Baseball to Slowpitch Softball 35:40 - 48:28 This week's Title Track: Unreasonable (Breanna ft. Tracks and Field) https://soundcloud.com/breannafayemusic

Touching Base Episode 4: What's Eating BSUK CEO John Boyd?

By order of the Peaky Blinders, it’s episode 3 of Touching Base, a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK. Making her Touching Base debut is GB fastpitch and slowpitch player Chiya Louie. Today we’ll be comparing our experiences as elite athletes in different sports before donning flat-caps and brummie accents as we discuss the dangerous world of the Peaky Blinders. But first though, is there a silent I in Baseball and Softball? Are they actually individual sports just pretending to be team games? It’s up for debate… At Bat: Is there an I in Baseball & Softball? (01:19-15:10) On Deck: The Life of an Elite Athlete (15:10-39:00) In the Hole: Peaky Blinders (39:00-45:15) This week's track: Move Along (Forget The Whales)

Touching Base Episode 3: Individualism in Baseball & Softball, Being Elite, Peaky Blinders

Taking it one game at a time and just hoping to help the ballclub, it's episode 2 of 'Touching Base', a podcast from BaseballSoftballUK. This week our intrepid host Luke Stott sits down with GB U18 Baseball Team Head Coach and former BSUK National Development Manager Will Lintern to discuss the upcoming BSUK Coach Summit, how different baseball would be if we invented it today, and our favourite baseball movies. At Bat: BaseballSoftballUK Coach Summit (01:17 - 17:57) On Deck: What if baseball were invented today?(17:57 - 37:01) In The Hole: Our favourite baseball movies (37:01 - 42:58) This Weeks Track: Perfect Like You (Black Pudding Poetry)

Touching Base Episode 2: Lets reinvent baseball, BSUK Coach Summit, and our favourite Baseball films

In the first episode of the brand new Touching Base podcast from BaseballSoftballUK, host Luke Stott talks to BSUK Fastpitch Development Manager Jo Malisani. On the menu this week: The Great Debate: 'What is good coaching?' 01:15-21:50 Jo's work with BSUK: 21:50- 30:30 Star Wars: The Last Jedi: 30:30 - 42:07 This week's song title: 'Dream' by Snowflake

Touching Base Episode 1: What is coaching, UK Fastpitch Softball and Star Wars: The last Jedi

We speak with GB Baseball head coach, Liam Carroll, following a monumental month that included the European Championships and a Final spot in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Brooklyn and, in a new segment for the podcast where we'll go 'Across the Pond' to speak with a GB player playing at a college in the States, where our first guest is GB Fastpitch player Chloe Wigington who joins us from Lake Land College in Illinois. Follow BaseballSoftballUK on Twitter twitter.com/bsuk Check out Great Britain Baseball on Twitter twitter.com/GB_Baseball. Find the Lake Land College Lakers on Twitter twitter.com/LLCAthletics To find out more about BaseballSoftballUK and for details of how you can get in to the sport as a player or coach visit baseballsoftballuk.com.

BSUK Podcast #9 Liam Carroll (GB Baseball), Chloe Wigington (Lake Land College)

In our biggest podcast yet Jake Esch joins us from Miami to talk about his debut with the Marlins, his call up from the Minors and visiting Cornish castles. Maikel Azcuy discusses winning his fifth National Baseball Championship in the same week he gets called up for Great Britain to compete at the 2016 European Championships and World Baseball Classic Qualifier. And we're also joined by Max Colten, Head Grounds Keeper and Clubhouse Manager for the New York Mets-affiliate Brooklyn Cyclones, whose MCU Park will play host to the WBCQ. Follow BaseballSoftballUK on Twitter https://twitter.com/bsuk Check out Great Britain Baseball on Twitter https://twitter.com/GB_Baseball. To find out more about BaseballSoftballUK and for details of how you can get in to the sport as a player or coach visit http://baseballsoftballuk.com.

BSUK Podcast #8 Michael Azcuy, Jake Esch & Max Colten

The only podcast dedicated to British baseball and softball, we bring you news, interviews and other random ramblings from coaches, players and others involved with baseball and softball.