What It Takes to Win – J.P. Pyne on Hard Work, Hustle, and Heart on ‘And That’s The Game’ with Wayne Mazzoni
Slide into this episode of And That’s the Game—brought to you by ProBatter Sports—and meet a coach who could moonlight as a stand-up comic.
J.P. Pyne, head coach at Amherst College, doesn’t just talk baseball. He lives it. From small-town fields to pro dugouts, his path swerves, pivots, and occasionally doubles back.
It’s not a straight line. It’s a wild ride.
In this episode, Wayne Mazzoni digs into J.P.’s story—recruiting twists, culture-building, and the quirks of coaching in the NESCAC.
You’ll laugh. You’ll learn. You might rethink what it means to be a “baseball guy.”
A Twist in the Road Called St. Joe’s
Pyne’s story begins with a familiar moment: a football letter from Michigan State shows up for a high school teammate. Boom. The recruiting itch kicks in. Pyne had plans—Northeastern University, football, maybe a five-year stint as a long snapper.
But one call from Coach Will Sanborn at St. Joe’s flipped it all. Pyne said no. Then, an hour later, called back and said yes.
That moment changed everything.
Snapshots from a Baseball Odyssey
From St. Joe’s to St. Anselm to Daniel Webster and Clark—Pyne stacked experience like a seasoned scout. He’s done the gritty Division III grind and tasted the structured chaos of professional ball with the Toronto Blue Jays. Each stop? A new wrinkle. A new lesson.
In New Hampshire? He pitched in 76 college games. That’s not just endurance. That’s obsession. In the minors? He rode buses to Erie and rubbed up baseballs like they were fine china. And when he coached summer ball in Worcester? He made sure his players sprinted because, as he put it, “The guy in the 13th row paid to see you hustle.”
More Than Talent
Yes, Pyne wants talent. But more than that? He wants players who pick up trash without being asked. Who shake hands like they mean it. Who thank coaches—even when they say no.
Because recruiting isn’t speed guns and highlight reels. It’s eye contact. Respect. And a gut feeling that this kid, this one right here, fits.
What Makes Amherst Special?
Forget fancy gear. Or the perfectly manicured turf. What sets Amherst apart, according to Pyne, is something deeper:
- A locker room full of future leaders
- A legacy that reaches into MLB front offices
- An alumni network that doesn’t just write checks—it makes introductions
The NESCAC? Fiercely competitive. Academically brutal. But as Pyne says, “We don’t recruit Division III players. We recruit Amherst College players.”
Culture Is King
Pyne talks about culture like a man guarding a secret recipe. He doesn’t let just anyone into his clubhouse. It has to be someone who’ll raise the standard, not drain it. Someone who’s serious about the work, not just the uniform.
And he leans on his guys—veterans who help vet recruits during camps. Not just for talent, but for vibe. Because if the chemistry’s off, it doesn’t matter how fast you throw.
Conclusion
There’s a thread running through everything Pyne said—call it humility or honesty. He doesn’t pretend to know it all. The rules change. The transfer portal spins. NIL money redefines everything. But through it all, Pyne’s guiding principle remains:
Be real. Do the work. Remember why you’re here. And for the lucky ones who wear an Amherst jersey? That might be the best lesson of all.
