Bethesda Big Train Reports to Shirley Povich Field

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Photo by Matthew Lewyn

BETHESDA, Md. — It’s been 302 days since the Bethesda Big Train took home the 2025 Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League championship. Now, a new crop of Big Train players looks to complete a four-peat.

Players reported to Shirley Povich Field Wednesday to meet with head coach Sal Colangelo and interact with their new teammates. The new adventure for most players was met with excitement.

“We have a chance (to win a championship) the third time, third year in a row,” left-handed pitcher Terry Kaler (Gaston) said. “Honestly, it kind of fires me up.”

In their new Big Train gear, players took to Povich Field for batting practice and bullpen sessions. After coming from 22 college baseball programs, Povich Field is a place to learn and grow as students of the game.

Photo by Matthew Lewyn

“I’ve had a really good time with Sal (Colangelo),” right-handed pitcher Jordan Capuano (Youngstown State) said. “I think we really share our ideas about how we want my career path to go.” A career path that ends with a call-up to Major League Baseball. 

During the previous 26 years of Big Train history, 60 alumni have received the privilege of playing in the majors. Povich Field has seen the likes of Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Hunter Brown (BBT 2018), St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson (BBT 2018) and Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher Logan Gilbert (BBT 2016) on their way to MLB careers.

However, not every player was able to arrive at Povich Field Wednesday. With collegiate seasons still ongoing, 10 players must finish out their obligations to their college teams. Alabama (Jackson Ketchum), Kentucky (Jack Sams), St. Mary’s (Jake Nobles and Talin Gardini), East Carolina (Nathan Wines, Charlie Hoagland and Joseph Chiarodo) and UCF (Zachary Malvasio and Alan Soler) have NCAA Regional play this weekend.

Building off of their college seasons, Bethesda provides a place where players can find their playing rhythm.

“Wasn’t ideal,” Capuano said about Youngstown State’s 15-39 season in 2026. “Lot of injuries on the team and with myself, so really just kind of trying to bounce back and have a good time while I'm here.”

Capuano has already seen success in Bethesda, as the pitcher returns for his third season with the Big Train. After previous collegiate stops with UNC Wilmington and Frederick Community College, Capuano missed the 2026 season due to injury. A rotator cuff impingement, combined with restraining the rotator cuff multiple times, left Capuano needing extensive physical therapy.

Capuano knows the winning culture Colangelo instills in his players. After winning the three previous Ripken League championships, Capuano wants to keep the culture alive for the 2026 campaign.

“Obviously, every time you come and you step here, your goal is to win,” Capuano said. “You're trying to get your work in, but you're also trying to keep this a winning team.”

Povich Field will host Big Train’s first exhibition game Friday. Bethesda squares off against the Southern Maryland Senators before matchups versus the Yorktown Coconuts and the Gaithersburg Giants on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. All games will be at 7 p.m.

Opening Night for Ripken League play will see the Big Train take on the Silver Spring-Takoma T-Bolts. Tickets can be purchased on the Big Train website.

“It’s a beautiful field,” Kaler said. “Everything’s taken care of really nice … so I’m really excited to see what we can do.”

Photo by Matthew Lewyn