Big Train Hosts “An Insider’s View of Summer College Baseball” with Renowned Guests

Bruce Adams by Matthew Lewyn

BETHESDA, Md. — Saturday’s “An Insider’s View of Summer College Baseball” was a chance for Big Train President and Founder Bruce Adams and other speakers to tell stories, talk baseball, and reveal details of experiences from many angles of summer ball.

The around two-hour talk included special guests from Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo, Mike Toomey, current Big Train players and Maryland head coach Matt Swope to a crowd of 30 attendees — which blossomed to 45 later in the event.

The Bethesda team name came about because of 1998 conversations. Adams and John Ourisman founded the Bethesda Community Base Ball Club with a mission to raise money to improve baseball and softball fields.

Adams knew about the Massachusetts-based Cape Cod League. The famous organization has been a staple of northeastern summers since 1885. During the summer of 1995, Adams and his family went around the country finding fun baseball vacations for families. What he didn’t know was that there were already many teams right in his backyard.

“He said Shenandoah Valley, and I literally was pissed. I was like, ‘Hey, dude, I'm like a baseball junkie, and I live 90 minutes from the Shenandoah Valley. If there's cool baseball there. I'm going to know about it.’ And he’s telling me no.”

Now in its 27th season, the Big Train has left a lasting impact and memories for the Bethesda community. Every night, hundreds of fans descend on Povich Field for a fun time with friends and family. Seeing a winning baseball team is a plus.

Bethesda’s first season of play occurred during the 1999 Clark Griffith Collegiate Baseball League. In 2005, the Big Train became an inaugural member of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League.

One of the players on the inaugural team was now-Maryland head coach Matt Swope.

“I was the first at-bat in the first game here for the Big Train in 1999,” Swope said. “It’s always a pleasure anytime we can come back. Obviously we're always giving players. The DMV means a lot to me.”

Swope was named the head coach for his alma mater in 2023, having been a part of the Maryland baseball staff for the past 14 seasons. In his three seasons at the helm, Swope owns an 88-80 overall record. He played four seasons for the Terrapins between 1999-2002, during which he played in 205 games.

After telling his backstory, Swope explained to the crowd the contributions that summer college baseball teams make to collegiate programs.

“I hope everybody here realizes the support for the Big Train goes a long way for us, and it helps us in the recruiting process as far as where we place kids right in the summer,” Swope said.

“Knowing that every single year we're always going to put multiple players here with Sal with a team like this and an organization like this where they're being taken care of, and I think that goes a long way.”

This season, infielder Cal Johnson committed to play for Maryland after one year at College of Central Florida. Former Terrapins Parker Corbin (Akron) and Franklin Pichardo Jr. (Houston) played in College Park during the spring, but went elsewhere when the portal opened at the beginning of June.

With attendees asking questions, Swope and pitching coach Jimmy Jackson were bombarded with inquiries about the transfer portal. Since NIL started in 2021, there is now a $20.5 million revenue-sharing agreement for schools. The changing landscape in college athletics has also changed the way coaches operate.

“We're having them recruit, but re-recruit and then go in the portal to try to replace,” Swope said. “So I would say the number one thing for me is still trying to recruit either in the portal and fill the character. The please and thank yous, the respect, the legacy, the team-all. Those things will never be trumped.”

Mike Toomey by Matthew Lewyn

Swope was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 2002 and played for the team’s low-A and high-A affiliates. A place he was drafted to because of legendary scout Mike Toomey.

Toomey shared stories with the attendees about his time on the road scouting future major leaguers. But his criticism of the state of player development in baseball captivated the crowd. With the MLB Draft slimming down to 20 rounds, Toomey believes teams miss many players now. Before 2012, the entry draft included 50 rounds.

Without perfect development in the minor leagues, Toomey believes that summer college baseball teams are among the best ways to get experience learning the fundamentals of the game.

“So what Sal's doing, what Craig [Lopez] is doing, is crucial for the development of these kids,” Toomey said. “When they can come here in the summer, they can get acclimated to a new situation, and they would have the advantage of playing for guys like this … You guys are the crown jewel of summer baseball in this area.”

Sal Colangelo by Matthew Lewyn

Attendees also heard from Colangelo and Big Train pitching coach Craig Lopez during the event. Bethesda players Brennon Wright (South Alabama) and TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) also provided their perspectives on what makes the Big Train different than previous summer college teams they have played for.

“It's been a blessing to be here because Bruce welcomed me with open arms, and it's been amazing here so far,” Gramesty said. “This is by far my most favorite summer so far. We've had a lot of success so far this summer too.”

The success continued Saturday night, as the Big Train took down Alexandria Aces 9-0 after seven innings. With shorter travel times and better facilities, Bethesda provides a place for college baseball players to grow on and off the field throughout the summer.

Bethesda stays at Shirley Povich Field on Sunday, partnering with Israel Baseball to offer a Youth Baseball Clinic for boys and girls ages 6-12. The clinic will be held between 2 and 4 p.m. before the Big Train takes on the Olney Cropdusters at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the Annual Jewish Baseball Heritage Night.

Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.