Q: How can I become a coach with USA Baseball?
USA Baseball is always looking for qualified coaches and educators to incorporate into its programming. The first assignment for many aspiring national team coaches lies within the amateur events that are used to either develop athletes, such as USA Baseball Camps, or to identify players for our national teams, such as the USA Baseball National Team Championships. Whether you are serving as a scout/scorekeeper at the National Team Championships, a coach in the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) or a Task Force member at the Tournament of Stars, most National Team staff members get their first taste of international competition after several assignments in the aforementioned player developmental or identification events.
National Team coaching candidates should have an extensive baseball background that includes valuable playing and coaching experience. Coaching candidates for Team USA must represent the very best in the United States both on and off the baseball field. As a staff member with USA Baseball, you will be working with elite-level athletes, the development of which is paramount to our mission in the game.
If you are interested in becoming a coach with USA Baseball, please email Play@usabaseball.com.
Q: How do I recommend a player or coach for one of USA Baseball's National Team programs?
Please send all recommendations to Play@USABaseball.com.
Q: How are players selected for one of USA Baseball's Professional Teams (World Baseball Classic Team, etc.)?
• Professional Team (World Baseball Classic, Pan American Games, etc.) Identification: MLB 25-, non-25- or non-40-man roster players, depending on international rules and regulations for the specific event
• Primary Identification Events: Evaluation of current and past performances at the Minor League and Major League levels
Q: How are players selected for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team?
• Collegiate National Team Identification: Non Draft-Eligible Collegiate Baseball Players (under very certain and limited circumstances, collegiate players eligible for the MLB First-Year Player Draft may also be eligible for selection)
• Primary Identification Events: Committee
Q: How are players selected for the USA Baseball 18U National Team?
• 2018 18U National Team Age Determination: 2000 & 2001 Birthdates
• Primary Identification Events (location): USA Baseball NTIS (Cary, N.C.) & Tournament of Stars (Cary, N.C.)
Q: How are players selected to play for the USA Baseball 15U National Team?
• 2018 15U National Team Age Determination: 2003 & 2004 Birthdates
• Primary Identification Events (location): USA Baseball NTIS (Cary, N.C.) & 15U/17U National Team Championships (East or West)
Q: How are players selected to play for the USA Baseball 12U National Team?
• 2018 12U National Team Age Determination: 2006 Birthdates
• Primary Identification Events (location): USA Baseball NTIS (Cary, N.C.), USA Baseball 12U Open Development Program (Various), USA Baseball 11U Futures Invitational (Cary, N.C.)
Q: How are players selected for the USA Baseball Women's National Team?
• Women's National Team Age Determination: Women (16 and older)
• Primary Identification Events: USA Baseball Women's National Open
Q: What is a National Team Development Program?
In early 2012, USA Baseball introduced the 14U and 17U National Team Development Programs (NTDP). The organization then announced the addition of a 16U NTDP in 2017. Each program will invite up to 40 athletes in the 14U, 16U and 17U age groups to a unique, approximately week-long development opportunity, wherein they will receive instruction from USA Baseball alumni and other sanctioned coaches and instructors. The group of players will participate in competitive, intrasquad games and will compete against USA Baseball National Teams, schedule permitting.
In addition to the instructional opportunity, players will showcase their skills in front of USA Baseball National Team staffs as well as the amateur and professional scouting communities. The program will also cover educational components to provide the athletes with tools that will be helpful for long term development.
Q: How are players selected for the USA Baseball 14U, 16U and 17U National Team Development Programs?
• 2018 14U National Team Development Program Age Determination: 2004 & 2005 Birthdates
• Primary Identification Events (location): USA Baseball NTIS (Cary, N.C.) & 14U National Team Championships (East or West)
• Schedule: 14U National Team Development Program
• 2018 16U National Team Development Program Age Determination: 2002 Birthdates
• Primary Identification Events (location): USA Baseball NTIS (Cary, N.C.) & 16U National Team Championships (West)
• Schedule: 16U National Team Development Program
• 2018 17U National Team Development Program Age Determination: 2001 & 2002 Birthdates
• Primary Identification Events (location): USA Baseball NTIS (Cary, N.C.) & 17U National Team Championships (East or West)
• Schedule: 17U National Team Development Program