The D1Baseball Podcast

Mike Rooney, Kendall Rogers, Aaron Fitt, Joe Healy | D1Baseball
  • 4.5 (242)
  • Baseball
  • Weekly

The D1Baseball Podcast is your home for college baseball news, analysis, rankings, and breaking stories — all from the trusted experts at D1Baseball. Hosted by Mike Rooney, Kendall Rogers, Aaron Fitt, and Joe Healy, the show delivers year-round coverage of the NCAA baseball landscape. Each week, we break down the biggest storylines across the SEC, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and Mid-Major baseball, including Top 25 movement, transfer portal updates, Regional & CWS projections, coaching news, player development, and in-depth interviews with the sport’s most influential voices. Whether you’re locked in on your favorite team or want a national perspective on the Road to Omaha, The D1Baseball Podcast is the definitive source for college baseball fans. Follow now if you love college baseball! Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv  Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

  1. 1d ago

    Lance Berkman – Part 1: Hitting Under Pressure, Two-Strike Approach [D1 Daily]

    This week on the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons welcome Lance Berkman onto the show. In part one, the group jumps into a conversation about Berkman’s anxiety in big moments despite elite production. Berkman and Burkie discuss the fear and “terror” of high-pressure at-bats, with Burkie citing Berkman’s Hall of Fame-level OPS and postseason success to underscore the value of his honesty. Berkman explains his “drag the pitcher into the pit” two-strike mindset and details a key 2004 ninth-inning at-bat vs. John Smoltz, outlining his “three Bs” approach: breathe, see the ball, and aim up the middle. They debate modern launch-angle instruction versus efficient swings, argue pitching velocity and specialization have increased, and describe how Berkman’s “pit” clip inspired a Brewers battle cry adopted by players through Jason Lane. 00:00 Intro and Recording Mishap 01:08 Pressure and Clutch Anxiety 02:45 Berkman Clutch Stats 05:18 Clubhouse Mindsets and Egos 07:12 Brewers Battle Cry Origin 10:49 Smoltz At-Bat Breakdown 13:04 Three Bs: Two Strike Plan 16:07 Launch Angle Debate 24:58 Pitching Evolution Today 31:27 Wrap Up and Part Two Tease For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/ Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:  • T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU   • Retro-style jackets for every part of the season   • Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone   • And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.   You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com! Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order! SUBSCRIBE Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Lance Berkman – Part 1: Hitting Under Pressure, Two-Strike Approach [D1 Daily]

  2. 3d ago

    History Made: UCSB’s 2016 Omaha Run [Sunday Night Conversations]

    Ten years ago, UC Santa Barbara claimed a spot in the Omaha Eight for the first time in program history. Headlined by a walk-off grand slam to punch their ticket, the 2016 Gauchos were a team for the ages. On this episode of Sunday Night Conversations, Mike Rooney is joined by Andrew Checketts, Shane Bieber, and J.J. Muno to take a look back at the 2016 squad. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    History Made: UCSB’s 2016 Omaha Run [Sunday Night Conversations]

  3. Oct 29

    More NIL = More Scrutiny. And Thoughts On College Roster Construction. [D1 Daily]

    Burkie and Roons open by discussing how baseball prospects generally face less hype and “bust” labeling than football stars like Arch Manning, while noting that high draft picks who choose college can still carry heavy expectations. They debate whether athletes would prefer today’s world of constant online scrutiny with the chance to make millions versus an earlier era with less public pressure but only scholarship benefits, emphasizing discipline and the idea that “the internet is not real life.” Shifting to baseball, they use the World Series/playoff lens to examine roster construction, prioritizing unflappable makeup, athleticism, defense, running, and pitching depth as traits that “slump the least.” They argue NIL/portal dynamics, smaller roster limits, and evaluation uncertainty are increasing parity and making it harder to stockpile elite sluggers, citing recent LSU/Tennessee title teams and examples like Cal’s Jack Kennedy. 00:00 Welcome Back! 01:21 Thank You AstroTurf 01:56 "Hype" Pressure in Baseball 05:33 NIL Money vs Scrutiny 09:57 World Series Lessons for College Rosters 12:01 Build Around Defense and Pitching 15:02 Slugging, NIL, and Growing Parity 20:05 Smaller Rosters and Tougher Evaluations 23:22 Final Takeaways For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/ Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:  • T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU   • Retro-style jackets for every part of the season   • Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone   • And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.   You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com! Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order! SUBSCRIBE Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    More NIL = More Scrutiny. And Thoughts On College Roster Construction. [D1 Daily]

  4. Oct 27

    Burkie & Roons' Thoughts On The 2026 D1Baseball Top 100 Programs [D1 Daily]

    Burkie and Roons discuss D1Baseball’s release of its biennial Top 100 Programs list. Roons describes the staff-wide process and internal debates, noting especially tricky evaluations outside the top tier. The conversation highlights Texas at No. 2 as a projection based on sustained Omaha appearances and perceived title trajectory, and Oklahoma at No. 7 as a unique case balancing two recent finals appearances with more uneven seasons and a different roster-building model. They identify major movers including Vanderbilt dropping from No. 4 to No. 17 due to recent postseason exits, debate Georgia’s placement at No. 14, and cite heated discussion around the 40s range (including Troy, Louisiana, Arizona State, Kansas, South Carolina, and Texas Tech), with notable drops for Texas Tech and Stanford. They close by reflecting on volatility and parity in modern college athletics, shifting player-acquisition dynamics, and the value of respectful feedback from coaches and fans. Top 100 Programs: https://d1baseball.com/stories/2026-top-100-college-baseball-programs-by-the-numbers/ 00:00 Welcome and Thank You, AstroTurf! 01:00 Listener Feedback 01:49 The D1Baseball Top 100 Programs: Intro 03:13 Top 100 Ranking Criteria Explained 06:27 Inside the Rankings "Debate Room" 08:02 Texas and Oklahoma Top 100 Spots 13:03 Biggest Droppers: Vanderbilt 14:53 Georgia and Other Risers 16:48 The Tricky "20s Tier" of the Top 100 18:42 Teams In The 40s: Comparisons 21:28 Volatility and Parity In Today's Game 24:56 Wrap Up and Final Jokes For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/ Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:  • T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU   • Retro-style jackets for every part of the season   • Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone   • And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.   You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com! Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order! SUBSCRIBE Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Burkie & Roons' Thoughts On The 2026 D1Baseball Top 100 Programs [D1 Daily]

  5. Oct 26

    Tar Heel Trailblazers: The Team That Started It All [Sunday Night Conversations]

    Highlighted by seven College World Series appearances, including four-straight trips to Omaha from 2006-2009, Mike Fox built a consistent contender in Chapel Hill over his 22-year stretch. On this episode of Sunday Night Conversations, Mike Rooney is joined by Fox, Robert Woodard and Chad Flack to take a look back at what led up to the initial Omaha run in 2006. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Tar Heel Trailblazers: The Team That Started It All [Sunday Night Conversations]

  6. Oct 22

    Rethinking College Baseball's Postseason Structure [D1 Daily]

    Mike Rooney and Burkie discuss recent NCAA tournament expansions in college basketball and the College Football Playoff, weighing how added teams might affect entertainment value, regular-season stakes, and bowl relevance. They then shift to college baseball, proposing an expanded field (e.g., 68 teams) with play-in games: the weakest recent auto-bid leagues playing at the top two national seeds and the “first four out” playing into regionals hosted by the top two-seeds that missed hosting, using five-year RPI and tournament results to determine leagues. They debate potential benefits like compelling Thursday-night TV and more on-campus postseason games versus concerns about empty stadiums, daytime start times, possible season-calendar shifts, and preserving a regional format they believe is thriving. 00:00 Welcome Back 00:06 Thank You AstroTurf! 00:34 Playoff Expansion Debate 01:34 Hoops First Four Thoughts 02:28 Quick Aside: Notre Dame-BYU Chaos 04:03 Does The Playoff Expansion Ruin CFB? 05:05 Burkie on Basketball's Field of 68 06:36 Burkie on Football's "Bowl Games" 09:57 Transition to Baseball Format 10:34 Baseball First Four Proposal 12:48 Fairness and Seeding Logic 15:43 Auto Bid Leagues and TV 17:21 How The 32 Hosts Would Work 20:23 Keep Regionals...or Expand? 22:08 Wrap Up and Takeaways For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/ Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:  • T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU   • Retro-style jackets for every part of the season   • Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone   • And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.   You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com! Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order! SUBSCRIBE Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Rethinking College Baseball's Postseason Structure [D1 Daily]

  7. Oct 20

    Why Pat Murphy Has MLB Falling in Love with Coaching Again [D1 Daily]

    Burkie and Roons discuss why the baseball world has embraced Brewers manager Pat Murphy. They argue Murphy’s appeal is that he brings a “baseball coach” mindset to MLB, highlighted by his famous bunt story and Derek Jeter’s praise, and discuss broader differences between coaching in college baseball and managing in the pros. The conversation connects MLB postseason baseball to college conference and tournament play, emphasizing urgency, flexible roles, matchup-based decisions, and doing whatever it takes to win. They note Murphy’s long pro experience, Craig Counsell’s influence, and why adaptable, complete offenses matter, then mention additional college ties with other teams like Tampa Bay and Cleveland. 00:00 Welcome Back To The D1 Daily 00:03 Thank You Astroturf! 03:01 Pat Murphy: Media Darling 04:37 Coach Versus Manager 11:32 Why Playoff Baseball Pops 16:22 Bold Moves and Matchups 19:48 Murphy Origins + Player Development 22:41 Brewers Fit For Coach Murphy 25:31 Mentors and "Zigging" to Win 27:54 Wrap Up and College Connections For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/ Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:  T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU  Retro-style jackets for every part of the season  Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone  And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.  You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com! Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order! SUBSCRIBE Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Why Pat Murphy Has MLB Falling in Love with Coaching Again [D1 Daily]

  8. Oct 19

    Ray Tanner's South Carolina Dynasty [Sunday Night Conversations]

    Winning two national titles and an NCAA-record 22 straight postseason games, Ray Tanner's legacy is cemented in Columbia and across college baseball. On this episode of Sunday Night Conversations, Mike Rooney and Tanner relive the Gamecocks' era of dominance from 2010-2012. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Ray Tanner's South Carolina Dynasty [Sunday Night Conversations]
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Hosts & Guests

4.5
out of 5
242 Ratings

About

The D1Baseball Podcast is your home for college baseball news, analysis, rankings, and breaking stories — all from the trusted experts at D1Baseball. Hosted by Mike Rooney, Kendall Rogers, Aaron Fitt, and Joe Healy, the show delivers year-round coverage of the NCAA baseball landscape. Each week, we break down the biggest storylines across the SEC, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and Mid-Major baseball, including Top 25 movement, transfer portal updates, Regional & CWS projections, coaching news, player development, and in-depth interviews with the sport’s most influential voices. Whether you’re locked in on your favorite team or want a national perspective on the Road to Omaha, The D1Baseball Podcast is the definitive source for college baseball fans. Follow now if you love college baseball! Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv  Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Rooney, Kendall Rogers, Aaron Fitt, Joe Healy | D1Baseball
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    478
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © D1Baseball Holdings, Inc.
  • Show Website
    The D1Baseball Podcast

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