Issuu

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO A MESSAGE FROM THE

On behalf of the national governing body for baseball in the United States, I am honored and privileged to welcome you to the 2026 National Team Championships!

The National Team Championships is USA Baseball’s longest-running event and is proud of its track record in showcasing the nation’s top amateur talent and identifying athletes for national team programming and USA Baseball development events. The National Team Championships boasts a bona fide list of former participants who have gone on to play for Team USA and the Major Leagues. Held at the Peoria Sports Complex and Surprise Stadium in the Greater Phoenix area, this event is a premier showcase featuring the top teams and amateur players in the nation. Alex Bregman, Bryce Harper, Eric Hosmer, and Clayton Kershaw are just a few of the many names that have played in a USA Baseball event like the National Team Championships, earned a spot on a USA Baseball national team, represented our country on the international stage, and forged an illustrious professional career. Simply put, this is where future stars earn their stripes.

The event began as the Junior Olympics in Fort Myers, Florida, in 1996 and served as an identification event for the USA Baseball 16U National Team. The event has transformed and experienced tremendous growth over the past 29 years. With over 250 teams competing in the 14th edition of the National Team Championships Arizona, thousands of athletes will have an opportunity to compete against the best of the best on a national stage.

Even more importantly, players will have an opportunity to earn an invitation to don the red, white, and blue and play for Team USA. Not only does the event pit the best against the best, it serves as an identification event for the 15U and 18U National Teams, as well as the 13U/14U Athlete Development Program and 16U/17U National Team Development Program. No other event in the country offers the opportunities like the National Team Championships does, and we hope you are all proud to have earned an invitation to this event.

We have already witnessed the benefits of identifying elite prospects at USA Baseball events and development programs with our national teams. In 2025, the 12U, 15U, and 18U National Teams all captured gold medals in international competition, including World Cup trophies hoisted at both the 12U and 18U levels. With the help of Our Pastime’s Future Fund, we will continue to invest in the future of our game and provide countless opportunities for future generations of athletes and coaches.

Here at USA Baseball, we are committed to bringing first-class competition to the field, so we wish you all good luck as you strive to win a championship and look to earn an invitation to USA Baseball’s national team programming. While this week will put you to the test, the experiences for athletes, coaches, and families will create memories that last a lifetime. It is an incredible byproduct of being an elite athlete.

Once again, welcome to the 2026 National Team Championships! On behalf of our staff, we cannot wait for you to get here and show us what you’ve got.

Yours in baseball

Paul V. Seiler Executive Director/CEO USA Baseball

For schedules, results, and event information, click or scan to visit the fan guide

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ARIZONA

IT STARTS AT CHAMPS.

In 29 years as a primary identification event for Team USA, the National Team Championships has seen its fair share of exceptional talent. MLB All-Stars and World Baseball Classic members such as Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw have made their way to representing the red, white, and blue at the highest level by starting at this tournament.

The National Team Championships serve as the ultimate starting point to catapult your journey to representing your country. It's more than just through USA Baseball's identification events though; check out "Where Future Stars Earned Their Stripes" in the digital program to read about some of USA Baseball's brightest alumni in the big leagues.

GEAR UP.

Athletes, fans, and parents alike can make their way to the USA Baseball Store on-site at the Peoria Sports Complex in Arizona. Fans can also shop online anytime at USABaseballShop.com.

BEHIND THE SCENES.

USA Baseball's national teams are woven with stories for everyone. From veteran coaching staffs to the world-class athletes that represent the team, USA Baseball's national teams represent the land of the free and dominate while doing so. Check out stories on USABaseball.com about our athletes and coaches putting it on the line #ForGlory and developing their games and professional careers while doing so.

READY FOR ANYTHING.

The 13U/14U Athlete Development Program and the 16U/17U National Team Development Program will continue to prepare the country's best young baseball players for their future careers, both on the field and off of it. Learn more about the off-field elements of USA Baseball's player development initiatives in this program.

NON-STOP ACTION.

With almost 700 games on deck at this year's National Team Championships in Arizona, fans can catch all the action live (weather permitting) through GameChanger.

CHECK YOUR SWING.

The National Team Championships are USABat-certified events, and all participants must use an approved bat. Bats that are not USABat-certified are prohibited. Additional information on USABat specifications can be found here and at USABaseball.com/bats.

SET YOURSELF APART.

All participants at the National Team Championships will undergo Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) Performance Assessment testing to measure their baseball and athletic skills with state-of-the-art technology so they know exactly where they stand and what can be improved upon. To learn more about PDP and view average metrics by national team or development program, visit HERE.

EYES ON YOU.

No one goes unnoticed at the National Team Championships. The event is one of the most prolific events on the scouting calendar across the country. There will be plenty of eyes throughout the weeks as USA Baseball scouts, national team coaches, college coaches, and MLB scouts look to rein in the next generation of baseball talent.

STAY CONNECTED.

To keep up with all things National Team Championships Arizona, follow along on X and Instagram (@ USABaseEvents). To stay up-to-date on all things USA Baseball, follow @USABaseball on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

THE ROAD TO PLAY FOR TEAM USA

2025 RECAP

NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ARIZONA

The 2025 USA Baseball National Team Championships Arizona brought four weeks of nonstop action, energy, and elite level baseball, where various teams and athletes etched their names into tournament glory and left with USA Baseball’s golden standard represented to the fullest.

Now turning the page into the 2026 event season, the stakes are higher, each pitch is more important, and the stage is set for a new chapter across the four week journey for 14U-17U age groups competing for their teammates, their coaches, their families, and their country.

However, the future cannot be shaped without glimpses of the past. Let’s take one last look at the 2025 National Team Championships Arizona event recap before a new set of stories are set to be told here in 2026.

17U

Last year’s Champs Arizona kicked off the summer with an intense, extra-inning pitcher’s battle in the championship game, including a walk-off single to secure gold for CBA Victus in a thrilling 1-0 victory. Jordan Mejico for CBA Victus and Justice Yanke for GBG Arizona pitched all-star performances and allowed no runs to come across the plate during seven innings of action. It was only in extra innings, when runners were placed on first and second base to start

the inning as part of the international tiebreaker rule, that CBA Victus converted. In the bottom of the eighth, CBA Victus finally broke through courtesy of Landen Roellig’s RBI to walk-off the championship game and give CBA Victus a clean 8-0 record for the tournament. GBG Arizona’s performance must not be forgotten, as Yanke allowed only one walk with seven strikeouts and no runs through regulation innings. Clutch pitching from Mejico helped CBA Victus earn its third program gold medal in Champs Arizona history. Leading up to the championship game, CBA Victus collected more thrilling wins for their resume, including a walk-off win in the quarterfinals and a comeback victory in the semifinals to encompass an impressive tournament performance. CBA Marucci, the overall number one seed in the tournament, added to the CBA program combined medal count with a 5-3 bronze medal victory. The program now totals nine medals going into this year’s Champs Arizona.

16U

Earning their seventh program gold medal in Champs Arizona history, TB SoCal showcased their skills in dominant fashion all tournament long. Led by Jack Green on the mound in the championship, his seven strikeouts instilled confidence and energy on the defensive side and translated into early offensive momentum that carried TB SoCal to an early 4-1 lead.

loaded threat, Zona Boys completed the dramatic finish when Troy Tewers delivered a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to send his team into celebration. Notably, Tewers committed an error that allowed Stacked to take the lead, but quickly rewrote his story and the history of Champs itself with one swing of the bat. The championship victory capped an impressive week for Zona Boys, who proved Arizona baseball could compete with anyone on the big stage. Stacked National’s silver-medal run was equally impressive, highlighted by timely hitting and resilience throughout the bracket before falling just short in a title game for the ages. Rounding out the medal stand was GBG National, which secured bronze with a convincing 11-3 victory over Pono Baseball. Between the historic goldmedal breakthrough for Zona Boys, its championship game that required extra innings to decide a winner, the 15U division delivered one of the most thrilling finishes of the tournament in 2025.

14U

Stacked National fought to make up for lost ground with late RBIs from Nolan Riesenberg and a deep home run by Nathan Lopez. TB SoCal’s defense withstood Stacked National’s rally and added three more runs of their own to secure a 7-4 victory to earn gold. Like the championship game, the rest of their tournament performances demonstrated confidence and grit, as they won every game by at least two runs. Though falling short in the championship game, Stacked National dominated scores up until then, including a notable 15-2 win in the semifinals in which nine runs crossed the plate during the opening two innings. CBA San Diego secured the final medal of the 16U tournament in a statement 8-0 win over the SoCal Birds. A resilient tournament of nail-biting wins and a sweet victory to avenge a semifinal loss proved that the SoCal Birds knew how to put up a fight for a sought-after medal. 15U

The 15U division produced one of the most memorable championship games of the summer, as Zona Boys 2028 defeated Stacked National 4-3 in extra innings to secure the program’s first-ever medal at Champs Arizona and become the first Arizona-based team to win gold in the 15U division. The championship game featured multiple momentum swings, including a late comeback from Stacked National that erased a 2-0 deficit at the time and gave them a 3-2 lead entering the seventh inning. Facing elimination, Zona Boys answered with a game-tying run in the bottom of the seventh before surviving an intense international tiebreaker rule scenario in extra innings. After escaping a bases-

The 14U division closed to the 2025 edition of Champs Arizona with a dominant performance from MVP Hustle, which defeated the Scottsdale Dirtbags 10-2 in run-rule fashion to secure the program’s second gold medal at Champs Arizona and first since 2018. After a tightly contested opening few innings, MVP Hustle broke through in the third behind timely hitting from Aiden Garcia and Seth Young prior to erupting for six runs in the fifth inning to take complete control. Garcia played a pivotal role throughout the victory with multiple RBIs, while starting pitcher Ayden Torres delivered a steady performance on the mound to keep the Dirtbags offense in check. Scottsdale remained within striking distance early thanks to a two-run double from Jax Wuenschel, but MVP Hustle’s relentless offense proved too much to overcome as the team plated runs in four consecutive innings to secure gold. The championship capped an impressive week for MVP Hustle, which navigated one of the tournament’s deepest brackets and showcased both offensive firepower and consistent pitching throughout its run. Despite falling short in the title game, the Scottsdale Dirtbags earned silver after a strong tournament performance that featured resilience and a plethora of gutsy performances throughout the week. Canes West found its way to the medal stand by defeating Texas Twelve Red Sox 8-3 in the bronze medal game, securing a third-place finish after another impressive week of competition. From MVP Hustle’s championship run to strong performances from the Scottsdale Dirtbags and Canes West, the 14U division showcased the talent, resilience and competitive spirit that define Champs Arizona. As the final out settled into the desert sunset, another memorable summer of baseball came to a close out west, adding yet another chapter to the growing legacy of the USA Baseball’s National Team Championships Arizona.

ONE MISSION ONE STANDARD INSIDE THE 15U NATIONAL TEAM

By Caden Zimlich

Each year, USA Baseball assembles a group of the best 15-year-old players in the country to compete internationally and represent their country. Athletes are selected for their distinct set of skills and strengths for an opportunity unlike any other, one that resonates with them for the rest of their lives and baseball careers. However, an opportunity this grand hardly goes without adversity. For some, these are the first true struggles they may encounter in their young careers. It’s a fast-moving and unfamiliar experience. These athletes are used to being the best on their teams, the clean-up hitter or starting pitcher—but that isn’t always the case playing for their country on the big stage.

With only a handful of championships and training camps to evaluate talent, coaches face a tight window to finalize their roster and prepare for the world's best international competition. For the athletes, opportunities to showcase themselves are at a premium. Preparation time is scarce and only an elite few will rise to the occasion.

Though the athletes’ abilities are undeniable, developing the players for the biggest moments remains the focus for the coaches of Team USA. At this elite level, every player possesses the physical tools to

win, but not every player is mentally equipped for the international spotlight. For former gold-medal manager and pitching coach Drew Briese, preparing these players means looking far beyond their athletic prowess.

“The greatest impact that I think we can have is on the mental side of the game, the competitive side of the game where these young guys are really just learning how to come into their own in those aspects,” said Briese. “They’re physically talented; and they’ve probably relied on that physical talent for most of their career. How can we challenge them in ways that will allow them to steady the ship if things go a bit sideways and to compete at a high level when the pressure is on.”

Bridging the gap between raw talent and mental toughness is where coaching becomes essential. It requires transforming hometown stars from every corner of the country into a cohesive unit capable of overcoming all obstacles.

Psychological preparation is the foundation of what Team USA’s programs are built upon, and winning is the ultimate byproduct. This formula has resulted in historical dominance. In 14

appearances at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup, the stars and stripes have captured seven gold medals along with two silver and two bronze finishes. The red, white, and blue have fared particularly well over the past eight years, highlighted by winning back-to-back gold medals in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Since the 2022 championship, the team has yet to lose in international play and owns a 14-game win streak.

A driving force behind much of this recent success is coach Briese. His career with the 15U National Team began in 2016 where he served as an assistant coach and he later returned to the team in 2022 to manage the group en route to its seventh gold medal. In 2025, he took on the role of pitching coach as the stars and stripes won gold at the WBSC U-15 Pan AmericanCentral & North America qualifiers.

As manager in 2022, Team USA went 8-1, topping Cuba 4-3 in the championship game. An utterly dominant run to a gold medal was capped off by a tournament-record 29-0 victory over South Africa in the opening game where the U.S. allowed just one hit. The squad led the tournament in most categories, most notably runs scored (99), home runs (8), strikeouts (73), and opponent batting average (.164).

Across four games of the 2025 Pan American games, Briese’s pitchers posted tournamentbests in team ERA (1.35), hits allowed (12), and opponent batting average (.140) over 26 innings. The offense was just as dominant, outscoring opponents 42-6, while leading the tournament in most statistical categories.

“The 15U program has been a huge part of my career and development as a coach, and every year that I get the call to come back I feel blessed by the opportunity to do it,” Briese said.

But for Briese, true champions are defined by much more than a spot on a podium and a gold medal. Winning is hardly so simple. It takes patience, determination, passion, and resilience to climb atop the mountain. At USA Baseball, success is the standard, where there are no shortcuts; and for the players who represent this brand, it’s the approach to greatness that matters the most.

“We’re all reaching for this common goal. In 2022 we called it ‘One Mission’, everything that we did from the way that we ate, to the way that we slept, to the way that we trained, to the way that we played was for one mission, and that was to win a gold medal,” Briese said. “Then, once you get to the game, it’s just a matter of taking

that into small bites. How do you win this pitch? How do you win this at bat? How do you win this inning? How do you win this game, knowing the standard is there?”

“One Mission” is more than a unitary mindset. It binds competitiveness with daily mental discipline. On the field it encourages the athletes to remain focused on the game and avoid distractions while also reminding them to prioritize the little things outside of baseball. By breaking the game down into smaller components, players can take a step back and approach it one thing at a time.

Another World Cup and gold medal opportunity for the 15U National Team is on the horizon in September. The tournament will take place in Merida, Mexico, and will feature 12 teams spread across the globe.

Returning to the big stage for the first time since their 2022 championship, the team's mission is clear. Though a gold medal is the immediate goal for the players and staff, the ultimate hope is that they play with national pride and walk away knowing they achieved something far bigger than baseball.

“I think another gold medal would be the icing on the cake, that's already a dream,” said Briese. “But when they look back at their experience with the organization and know that USA Baseball was a

huge part of their time and formation, that to me means the most. It means we’ve done a good job both impacting the individuals and serving the organization as coaches.”

C.J. Abrams

REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN COOPER KINNEY'S RECIPE TO SUCCESS

By Shelby Hickman

As Cooper Kinney took the field for the first time as a Durham Bull, a feeling of familiarity washed over him. Though it was his first time donning a Triple-A uniform, it wasn’t the 23-year-old's first time looking out from the batter’s box to see the Blue Monster – a 32-foot tall nod to Fenway’s left field wall – with a “Hit Bull, Win Steak” sign perched above it on one side and thousands of stadium seats on the other.

He’d stood on this very field a handful of years earlier as a member of USA Baseball’s 16U National Team Development Program. But his journey with the organization actually began when he was in elementary school.

In 2015, Kinney was selected to represent the stars and stripes as a member of the 12U National Team. Over a decade later, he still recalls the feeling of hearing his name called.

“I just remember being so shocked and excited, I didn't even know what to say,” Kinney said. “It was one of the greatest feelings I've ever had as a baseball player, especially at that young age, that was probably the coolest moment up to that point for sure.”

That summer, Kinney’s team traveled to Taiwan to compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup. Team USA advanced to the gold medal game where they faced the host, Chinese Taipei, in front of a raucous home crowd of over 10,000 spectators.

“I remember in the championship game, it was deafening, I felt like I couldn't even hear myself think, it was so loud in there,” Kinney recalled. “It's crazy looking back on it, I was 12 years old and playing in front of a major league size crowd.”

Now, Kinney plays in front of an audience that size every day, but having that experience early on has played an instrumental role in his development. It helped him learn to control his breathing, calm his nerves, and keep his composure when the crowd gets rowdy.

During the gold medal game, the noise was no match for the talent of Team USA's squad, and they secured a 7-2 victory over the home team for a tournament record of 8-1. Kinney competed in four of the games, recording two hits and two RBIs while plating three runs himself.

“Winning and representing the USA, representing your country in that event made it even more sweet,” Kinney said. “That was such a cool and joyful experience, I [still] remember how happy I was.”

He not only left Taiwan with a gold medal, but lifelong friends and an expanded world view as well. Being a member of a national team is a unique experience because it brings together players from all over the country and exposes them to new cultures.

“I got to experience a different place and a different environment, and I think it was cool that baseball is such a big deal worldwide,” he said. “It feels like we're in our own little bubble in the U.S., so it was a really cool experience to get to travel and play different countries.”

Over the course of a five-day training camp, players spend long hours together preparing to compete on the world stage. For Kinney’s team, the bonds and friendships forged in practice played a key role in their success.

“I still keep in contact with a lot of those guys. There was a great group of guys, and I think that's partially why we won,” he said. “We had such good camaraderie and culture.”

That summer Kinney met Nick Kurtz and Danny Corona, who would later become his high school teammates at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Coached by his dad, Mike Kinney, the team won three state titles during Cooper’s four years there. Throughout high school, he stayed with USA Baseball as a member of the 14U and 16U National Team Development Programs, and was constantly surrounded by high level talent and coaching. An elite prospect himself, the 2021 Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year was selected 34th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays just weeks after graduating.

“If you have talent around you that always pushes you, and there's always competition going on, that's what really makes you a good player,” Kinney said.

One of his favorite parts of the developmental programs was the opportunity to meet new people and travel to new places – and he feels the same way about progressing through the minors. After a strong start to the 2026 campaign with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, Kinney was called to Durham on May 5th.

“That always makes me laugh. It would have been my first time to Durham, but I've already got a game on the surface, I got to play here already,” he said. “I think that was funny, like I'd already been there with USA.”

His offensive numbers made sizable jumps this season after he spent the winter prioritizing his physical health, but he says his mindset is what’s gotten him to this point.

“I feel great body wise, and I'm just here enjoying it,” Kinney said. "That's what I would credit most of my success to – just enjoying being out here, and having fun and playing.”

He says his time with Team USA taught him to be a strong competitor and always strive for victory, but to have fun doing it. You have to remember to enjoy it, he said. Competing at a high level comes with its challenges and stressors, especially when playing in front of scouts and trying to make it to the next level, but these are the times when Kinney reminds himself where his journey began.

It began in his backyard playing catch with his dad. In the living room, watching Braves legend, Chipper Jones, on TV. In the ballpark, trying to keep up and compete with the older guys. It began with having fun.

We are proud to support USA Baseball and hitters around the country enhance their game with our American Made bat grip technology!

To celebrate our continued partnership with USA Baseball, VukGripz is offering a 30% off code, exclusively for the USA Baseball family! We're honored to have our American Made Bat Grips support USA Baseball!

ALL BAT GRIPS ARE PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA

USABB

BUILT FOR THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TEAM

USA'S HOT STARTS TO 2026

By Caden Zimlich

This past March, Team USA returned to the international stage at the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a must-see roster, blending decorated veterans and rising stars.

Team USA had the most career MLB All-Stars on the roster with 22 of the 30 having been an All-Star nominee and a total of 65 selections all-time. The team had a 29.5 average age, dropping mightily from a 31 average in 2023. Pete Crow-Armstrong was the youngest on the position player roster at just 21-yearsold while Paul Skenes was the youngest on the mound at 23-years-old.

The team came out firing in their tournament opener against Brazil, as a first-inning two-run homer from team captain Aaron Judge set the tone for a 15-5 blowout.

The red, white and blue kept their momentum with decisive wins over Great Britain (9-1) and Mexico (5-3), to jump out to an early 3-0 start. Despite a late-game rally in the fourth game of the tournament, Team USA fell short to Italy 8-6 in the team’s first loss.

In their quarterfinal matchup against Canada, Bobby Witt Jr. and Judge sparked an early rally before Kyle Schwarber’s RBI groundout helped drive in the team’s first run. Backed by a scoreless outing from starting pitcher Logan Webb, Team USA cruised past Canada and secured a spot in the semifinal round against the Dominican Republic. Despite trailing 1-0 early, a pitcher's duel led by Paul Skenes kept Team USA in the

fight before Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony each launched a fourth-inning solo blast to edge ahead 2-1 and punch their ticket to the finals.

A late-game rally highlighted by a game-tying two run blast off the bat of Bryce Harper fell just short, as Team USA collected its second straight WBC silver medal. Despite the loss, the squad put forth a tremendous campaign, leading all teams in walks (41), strikeouts (83), and WHIP (0.89).

In an international showcase featuring the game’s finest players, the stars shined bright in big moments, and Team USA had no shortage of fireworks. From jaw-dropping defensive gems and momentum-shifting blasts to powerhouse arms delivering in the clutch, several players proved they were built for the brightest lights—and they have carried that same dominance into the 2026 MLB season.

BOBBY WITT JR.

“I got your six tonight,” Bobby Witt Jr. told teammate Paul Skenes before facing off against Mexico in their third WBC game. For Team USA’s shortstop, playing position number six meant taking his promise literally.

In the top of the fourth inning, Team Mexico’s Alejandro Kirk connected with a 96-mph splitter from Skenes through what is normally the 5-6 hole. Witt had other plans, as he made an incredible diving stop followed by a throw to first from his knees to beat the runner for an out. After a moment of disbelief, Skenes looked back and cracked a smile.

Team USA went on to best Mexico 5-3 with Witt leading the charge, going 2-for-4 with a walk to pair with a series of improbable defensive plays.

Witt did his part on defense, contributing 15 assists and nine putouts across 54 innings of work for Team USA. He complimented this on offense by batting .250 with six hits—two for doubles—and adding six walks through six games.

It’s not surprising to see Witt carry this elite play into the 2026 MLB season. The two-time All-Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and 2025 Platinum Glove honoree has picked up right where he left off at the WBC. Through the Royals’ first 50 games of the season, Witt leads the league in both outs above average (17), runs prevented (12) and fielding run value (12) while also posting a fielding percentage of .991 and a dWAR of 1.2. As the Royals’ primary two-spot batter, Witt is hitting .281 with 70 hits, 26 RBIs, 29 walks and nine homers while flashing his league-leading sprint speed at 30.5 ft/s.

BRICE TURANG

Turang has put together quite the decorated career through his time with USA Baseball, earning a silver medal with the 15U National Team (2014) and a pair of

gold medals with the 18U National Team (2017 & 2018). Yet nothing could match the experience of representing the red, white, and blue on the biggest stage.

In his WBC debut, Turang made an immediate impact in Team USA’s opener against Brazil. Batting as the 9-hole, he went 3-for-6 with four RBIs and a run scored en route to a 15-5 statement win.

Turang maintained his high-level play through all six games he competed in. The second baseman recorded eight hits—four of which were doubles—five RBIs, a pair of runs and two stolen bases while batting .364. He kept the keystone bag secured, notching 12 assists, 11 putouts and two double plays across 24 defensive chances.

In his fourth year with the Brewers, Turang has become one of the league’s best at second base, while evolving into an elite presence at the plate. He’s batting .280 with 58 hits, 35 RBIs and seven homers, while placing in the 90th percentile in batting run value (13).

His batting has come alive, but the plate discipline is what sets him apart. He’s posting a near 17.6% walk percentage (98th percentile) with 45 walks and an on-base percentage of .406 (fifth best in the majors) through the first quarter of the season. His elite on-base ability has directly fueled his climb to third in the league in runs scored (46).

MASON MILLER

14 batters faced. 10 strikeouts. No hits allowed. Never a doubt who Team USA would turn to in the ninth: Mason Miller. Through four innings pitched in the WBC, Miller was simply unhittable.

In the tournament-opener against Brazil, Miller walked his first batter. The next three wouldn’t be so lucky. Down like dominoes—striking out one after another. This wasn’t the only time Miller struck out the side, as he did so once more against Canada in the quarterfinals. In his other two innings of work, he walked one of the seven batters he faced and struck out four.

Miller accounted for two of Team USA’s three saves and registered 22.5 strikeouts per nine, a .500 WHIP and a formidable 0.00 ERA—tied for the tournamentbest. The WBC showcased to the world what Padres fans already knew; Miller is one of the best closers in the game.

Starting the 2026 season with a 0.72 ERA, a 0.84 WHIP, an opponent batting average of .119, 49 strikeouts, and only two earned runs through 25 frames, San Diego has a gem in Miller. He’s also second in the league in saves going 17-for-17.

The advanced stats are where Miller pops. He ranks first in expected earned runs allowed (1.10), expected batting average (.096), whiff percentage (52.2) and strikeout percentage (51.0).

The 27-year-old closer already looks to be one of the most dominant arms in the league. While the future remains unwritten, the current reality is simple:

2026

NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - ARIZONA

THE JOURNEY CHAMPS NC TO THE BIG LEAGUES WITH BRADEN MONTGOMERY

By Logan Wilson

Every summer at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, teams from ages 13U to 17U compete in the National Team Championships North Carolina (Champs NC), USA Baseball's premier travel baseball tournament that gathers the best competition to go for gold. Champs NC is one of USA Baseball’s key identification events, allowing players to showcase their talent to the USA Baseball Task Force, looking to earn invites to national team training camps and development programs. Debuting in 2020, the first Champs NC was ready for action as the 14 teams participating were ready

to see who had what it took to win gold. Looking back amongst the rosters, one particular player stands out today: The newest big leaguer, Braden Montgomery. Receiving his call-up to the big leagues today, Montgomery looks to make an impact for the young and talented Chicago White Sox. Sitting above .500 at 34-31 and trailing the Cleveland Guardians by 1.5 games, the White Sox add some extra firepower by calling up Montgomery. He joins Collegiate National Team alum and former Charlotte Knights teammate Jacob Gonzalez. Montgomery will be a critical part of the race for the American League Central with the help of Miguel Vargas, Davis Martin, and Chase Meidroth. Getting his start as a member of the East Coast Sox, Montgomery came to the National Training Complex and was ready to take in what Champs NC had to offer. The level of competition Montgomery faced is unlike any other travel tournament out there. He understood what it meant to play in Champs NC.

“Anytime you're in high school and you get the chance to come out to a facility like this one and play against talented players like the kids who got there, it's something you don't want to miss out on. It was another chance to kind of start those bonds with top players that you're going to see at every level that you're going to play,” said Montgomery.

Something Montgomery mentioned often about his

Champs NC experience is the bonds he formed with his teammates and even opposing players.

“You get to start those bonds there [Champs NC], and it's stuff you get to bond over every time you see them across the field and in the other dugout from you. It's a chance that I don't think any high schooler would want to miss out on,” said Montgomery.

As a premier event in the USA Baseball pipeline, Montgomery participated against some future stars during his run at Champs NC. Players such as Jackson Merrill, Chase Burns, Termarr Johnson, Andrew Painter, Joe Mack, and Tommy White all competed in the 2020 17U Champs NC. One thing Montgomery thought was a big factor in his journey was the significance of Champs NC and how it can develop the next generation of star talent.

“Champs takes a big role in kind of creating those bonds and seeing where guys have come from, that you came up with. You go against these guys in Double-A and Triple-A, and you see that they've been at the same events as you have ever since high school,” explained Montgomery.

“It's kind of that shared experience, and then understanding where guys have come from, and where you're at now, and what it takes to get here.”

Having gone through the Champs NC experience firsthand, Montgomery had advice for players coming to this year's tournament. While there is a glamour to competing for a spot on a national team, Montgomery wants players to spend their time having fun.

“While you're in it, enjoy it, don't get too caught up in the 0-for-3 performances. Enjoy each game and enjoy being with those players. You're not going to be with these tournament teams forever, and you look back on them, and you want to have fine memories. Don't be too caught up in wanting to play well for the USA staff or for college scouts; enjoy going to race go-karts after the game. Just enjoy being in the moment,” said Montgomery.

Having a team full of talent on the East Coast Sox, a plethora of Montgomery’s teammates went on to play college baseball across all levels. Committed to the University of Stanford, Montgomery was dedicated to his process of improvement – using his teammates as a resource rather than a comparison.

“Every time you get a chance to play high-level baseball, it gets added to that experience memory bank for times to look on when you're playing baseball going forward. When you look back on tough at-bats, or you look back on various experiences on the field,

it helps to shape how you're going to respond, how you're going to act, and the next moments you have in your base-level career,” explained Montgomery.

“So, while it might not be directly helping me now, it helped me months after, it helped me all through senior year of high school, it helped me into my freshman year of college. Stacking experience on top of experience and shaping how I would go into the next at-bat, next game, and next tournament,” said Montgomery.

Montgomery’s process worked as his collegiate baseball journey began; all the experience finally paid off. Playing in over 60 games during both of his seasons at Stanford, Montgomery put up stellar numbers. His breakout sophomore campaign saw Montgomery record a slash line of .336/.461/.611, totaling an incredible OPS of 1.072 and hitting 17 home runs. His numbers earned him an invite to the 2023

Collegiate National Team Training Camp, where he learned some valuable lessons on how to approach his career.

“I think that was the first time I learned that the people really make the event. Hanging out that summer, we were probably here for a month, and the best part of that summer was just hanging out with those guys on and off the field. Obviously, they were all amazing baseball players, but the time we shared in just joking around and enjoying times off the field was, it was awesome. Those are some of the best memories I have baseball-wise.”

During the 2023 Collegiate National Team summer, the team took part in the 20th USA vs. Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series, along with the 44th USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Championship Series. Montgomery acknowledged that facing international competition is a huge accomplishment,

and his stint was valuable to him and his career.

“I mean, it's everything,” said Montgomery.

“I think the biggest thing, personally, was that it validated all the things I had set out to do. Coming from a seven-year-old me, wanting to be the best baseball player I can, that was a really big step in that journey. Being able to wear USA and being able to come together and play with those guys representing USA to the best of our ability was an awesome experience, and I hope that it's an experience I'll get to have again.”

Following his time with the Collegiate National Team, Montgomery entered the transfer portal and committed to play at Texas A&M for his junior campaign. The Mississippi native made his presence felt, recording an outstanding OPS of 1.187 and slugging 27 home runs, making him one of the top prospects in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Getting selected 12th overall in the draft, Montgomery was headed to Boston to become a member of the Red Sox. During the offseason in December of 2024, though, Montgomery was part of a prospect haul in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, sending Garrett Crochet to Boston. Despite being traded, Montgomery continued doing what he had always dreamed of –playing professional baseball.

Reaching Triple-A in his second professional season, Montgomery was a critical part of the success of the Charlotte Knights. In just 29 games, Montgomery recorded 19 RBIs while slashing .315/.417/.495 with 12 extra-base hits, four of those being home runs. The success comes from his mindset that he set for himself, understanding that baseball is not an easy game.

“Everyone out here is playing for keeps, and they're playing to execute. Sometimes they're going to execute, and you're not. So, you have to be able to understand why that happens and be able to formulate an action plan for how you're going to execute better the next day. Being able to detach emotionally from those outcomes and understand that they are just outcomes. They're only good or bad once you place your individual feelings into them. And so, you just have to understand the good and the bad, and how to use it to help you into the next day.”

The scientific mindset and his understanding that outcomes aren’t everything have led Montgomery to success early on in his professional career.

EVERY SUPPORTER BRINGS US CLOSER TO 2028

Drive to 2028 is USA Baseball’s fundraising effort to unite 2,028 supporters by the 2028 Olympic Games and strengthen the future of America’s pastime. Every contribution fuels USA Baseball’s national teams, youth development programs, and grassroots initiatives across the country. With Olympic baseball returning to American soil for the first time in decades, your support helps ensure the next generation of players, coaches, and communities are ready to take the field.

BREAK BARRIERS

Dedicated to making baseball accessible and inclusive, with a primary focus on empowering women to play the game

AMPLIFY THE GAME

Committed to creating opportunities for children to discover and fall in love with the game

IGNITE A PASSION

Committed to growing the game and ensuring every individual who encounters baseball becomes a fan for life

CHAMPS TASK FORCE

SELECTION

AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE TASK FORCE SELECTION PROCESS AND THEIR ROLE AT CHAMPS

By Amanda Sisul

Playing at the National Team Championships in Arizona is the first opportunity for many athletes to start their journey to a USA Baseball national team, and their fate lies in the hands of the Task Force. A group of USA Baseball coaches, retired professional baseball players, and top high school coaches will gather to create the Task Force team at Champs. Their jobs will be to decide who moves forward in the USA Baseball process with the hopes of making a national team.

Depending on age and graduating class, players who advance to another USA Baseball event will either be invited to a national team training camp or a national team development program, both offering more opportunity to compete and get one step closer to making a national team. Thousands of athletes will compete for the opportunity, and only a handful will be invited onward to the next step.

“Every player's goal should be to be on a national team,” said Butch Chaffin, a member of the 2026 Arizona Task Force and longtime staff member of USA Baseball. “We're not looking for good players,” said

Chaffin, “we're looking for the best players there, and the scouts take a lot of pride in passing on good quality national team type players for the coaches to make the final decision on.”

Going into Champs, Chaffin offered what he is ideally looking for from the athletes as part of the Task Force.

“I always look for tough,” he said simply. For a position player that gets in the batting lineup, Chaffin advised that “you get in the batter's box, [you] don't give ground, and you get good swings off.” Alternatively, “if you're on the mound… you pour strikes in, and you hit your spots.”

The Task Force will not be hiding around the Peoria and Surprise Complexes. In fact, Chaffin emphasized how he and the staff will be watching and taking notes out in the open for all athletes to see on and off the field.

Seeing the athletes’ emotional intelligence is essential for a spot on the national team, and the Task Force needs to have confidence in a player’s composure before feeling certain enough to send them forward in the USA Baseball process. Chaffin mentioned the example of “can you strike out with the bases loaded

and go put the bat up, and immediately separate and think about playing defense?” He wants to see up close how athletes handle big moments, good or bad.

Overall, the Task Force wants to eliminate any worry of character for the USA Baseball coaches because national teams compete annually outside of the country, and proudly represent the stars and stripes all around the world. National team coaches need to stay locked in on the competition and the goal of a gold medal rather than having to regulate the emotions of the players, so the Task Force must send athletes equipped with those skills already.

Analyzing in-game skills and body language is one piece of the puzzle for the Task Force, but it’s not the only time they will be paying attention. “The best place to judge a lot of them is at meals when they're eating,” said Chaffin, “who does everybody want to eat with?” Having high character means having the maturity to lead other people when they are met with the opportunity. Chaffin emphasized how maturity is the key for a USA Baseball athlete because it means they will have more trust with themselves, the USA Baseball coaches, and the selection process overall.

It’s no secret that the heat in Arizona is a concern going into competition, but Chaffin views it as just another obstacle in the great sport of baseball. How athletes prepare for situations to the best of their ability and respond when an uncontrollable situation presents itself will be a test of readiness. "It's a game of adjustment, and you're constantly adjusting to what the situation and what the game presents to you,” said Chaffin.

The role of the Task Force is crucial in carrying on the pride of the Gold Standard, a mindset that all USA Baseball coaches, athletes, and staff proudly work toward in every aspect of their position. Chaffin emphasized how his level of focus as a scout has to match or exceed even the players in order to maintain the Gold Standard. “You've got to be able to concentrate just like players on what you're seeing so you can get the best, and you can get the best players to the workout,” he said. “Then, we can identify those players that get moved along that might get to go to training camp.”

A crucial practice within the Task Force is to carefully analyze every athlete, not just the ones who have a national rank coming into Champs. Chaffin noted how he and the staff love it when players stand out that “didn't have a high profile, but they came into the event and we saw them, and we're like, ‘has anybody seen this kid play?" Chaffin wants to be able to say in the Task Force meetings regarding those athletes that “he's amazing, he plays hard, and he can do it.”

Chaffin likes to keep the mindset that USA Baseball is like a professional baseball team in order to operate with quality while recruiting, where “there's no such thing as a low-level job with a U.S. national team.” More than anything, he emphasized “there's not a minute we take for granted.”

There can be disappointment when a player falls short of being invited to a training camp or developmental program, but the journey and work that gets poured in shouldn’t stop after this year’s Champs. Chaffin emphasized that maybe all some athletes need in order to reach their potential is a mindset switch, one he often refers to and demands as a coach is the "pro-mindset.”

“Ninety-nine percent of the kids in America, when they play a sport, performance is their identity,” said Chaffin. “In reality, if you're a professional, your preparation is your identity.” Getting other people to notice the attention to detail, additional work before and after practices, and obsession with the game are just a few of the ways that players can start to separate themselves from great to undeniable. “Those are national team type players,” he said, “the ones that the preparation is their identity, not their performance.”

If Chaffin could say one thing to every athlete coming into Champs, he wants to send the message that, “you should be obsessed with this opportunity.” He continued, “if you're prepared, you're obsessed with trying to make a national team, and you don't let those obstacles get in your way, the right guy will be standing there watching you.”

DRILLS UTILIZED BY USA BASEBALL NATIONAL TEAMS

WHERE THE STARS EARNED THEIR STRIPES

DRAKE BALDWIN

Repping the stars and stripes on the international stage at the 2024 Premier 12 tournament, Drake Baldwin’s journey was different than others. As a 23-year-old prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization with no prior Team USA experience, Baldwin was called on to represent the red, white, and blue in international competition. Appearing in six games with three starts, Baldwin showed out against Venezuela in the third game of the tournament, reaching base three times in the game, including a double with three runs scored. Since then, Baldwin made his major-league debut on Opening Day of the 2025 season and instantly made an impact. At 23 years, 364 days old, he became the youngest catcher to make an MLB debut in thier Club’s season opener since Hall of Famer and USA Baseball alum Joe Mauer (1999 & 2000 18U, 2003 & 2013 Pro) did so for Minnesota in 2004. Making 97 starts across 124 games that season, Baldwin slashed .274/.341/.469 with 19 home runs and 80 RBIs. His outstanding rookie campaign led him to win the 2025 Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year award, cementing himself in baseball history. Picking up where he left off in 2025, as of May 20th, Baldwin is slashing .303/.389/.543 with an incredible .932 OPS and 13 home runs thus far. The Atlanta Braves currently hold first place in the NL East and look to reclaim the division this year with the help of their breakout star.

KONNOR GRIFFIN

Getting his start with USA Baseball at the 2019 National Team Identification Series (NTIS), Konnor Griffin represented the Southeast Stripes in his first USA Baseball identification event. Making his next appearance for the stars and stripes with the 2023 18U National Team, Griffin competed internationally at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. Starting every game in right field for Team USA, Griffin found success against Spain, going 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. After his 18U National Team experience, Griffin declared for the 2024 MLB draft and was drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Pittsburgh

Pirates. Griffin started the season in the minor leagues, but got the call shortly after the season started on April 2nd, debuting the following day in the Pirates' home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. Having a debut to remember, Griffin picked up his first hit and RBI in his first at-bat on a double to center field that scored Ryan O’Hearn. Using his speed tool, Griffin has recorded 12 stolen bases as of May 25th, having him tied for 11th. Looking for their first winning season since 2018, the Pirates currently sit at 29-26 as of May 26th, as this young Bucs squad looks to end the drought, with Griffin playing a pivotal part in the hopeful turnaround.

JACOB GONZALEZ

Making his name at USA Baseball, former Ole Miss standout Jacob Gonzalez is a two-time Collegiate National Team alum and is quickly rising the ranks at the pro level. Gonzalez’s freshman season at Ole Miss was outstanding, as he made the 2021 SEC All-Freshman

Team while recording a slash line of .355/.443/.561 with 12 home runs. That stellar season included 93 hits with 73 runs scored–the most amongst all true freshmen nationally that year. These numbers led Gonzalez to the National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., for his first tenure with the Collegiate National Team. He totaled four hits, three RBIs, and four walks across nine games with the CNT before returning to Ole Miss for his sophomore campaign. Picking up right where he left off, Gonzalez returned and improved his power numbers, totaling 18 home runs with an impressive slugging percentage of .558 and an OPS of .963 in 65 games. Earning 2022 First Team All-SEC and 2022 Coral Gables Regional AllTournament Team honors, Gonzalez found himself back in Cary for his second CNT stint. Gonzalez started in all seven games, putting up a .250 batting average, and recording a 2-for-4 performance with a double, a home run, and three RBIs in a 10-0 win against the Netherlands. Returning for his junior season, Gonzalez kept putting up numbers, highlighted by a .327 batting average and his highest slugging percentage of his collegiate career at .564 from his 28 extra-base hits. Gonzalez declared for the 2023 MLB Draft and was selected 15th overall in the first round by the Chicago White Sox. This year, Gonzalez has been raking with Triple-A Charlotte and has already earned himself an International League Player of the Week award. As of May 25th, Gonzalez is tied for the International League lead with 15 home runs and leads the league for RBIs with 52. Looking to build off this momentum, Gonzalez will await his call to the big leagues amidst his incredible start to the season.

CADEN BODINE

A star behind the plate during his time at Coastal Carolina, Caden Bodine became a core piece of the Chanticleers’ lineup. Over his time at Coastal Carolina, Bodine totaled 25 home runs, a career OPS of .968, and 160 RBIs. His numbers earned him countless awards, including 2023 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and 2023 NCBWA Freshman All-America First Team. Following Bodine’s sophomore campaign, he received an invitation to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp. After making the roster and competing in the International Friendship Series against Chinese Taipei in 2024, Bodine had his best game on June 30th, hitting a two-run home run in a 9-0 Team USA victory. After his time with the Collegiate National Team, Bodine returned to Coastal Carolina for his junior season to continue where he left off–providing consistent offense for the Chanticleers. Bodine slashed .318/.454/.461 with 42 RBIs in his return, later declaring for the 2025 MLB Draft where he was selected 30th overall in the first round by Baltimore. Later that year, the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays would make a trade, sending a haul of prospects, including Bodine, to Tampa. Making the most of his fresh start, Bodine found his groove with Single-A Charleston, recording a .379 batting average and an OPS of 1.047 in 33 games before moving up to High-A. Looking to keep climbing the minor league ranks, Bodine has found success in his new organization and looks to build off his solid start.

RYDER HELFRICK

With a plethora of experience within the USA Baseball pipeline, Ryder Helfrick is one of the embodiments of the strength of USA Baseball’s development programs. Helfrick’s journey through the pipeline started in 2019 after he participated in the 14U National Team Development Program. Additionally, Helfrick competed at the 2021 16/17U National Team Development Program before receiving an invite to 2022 18U National Team Training Camp. Playing collegiately at the University of Arkansas, Helfrick became a standout player for the Razorbacks on his way to recording a 1.036 OPS and a .616 slugging percentage. On top of his incredible numbers, Helfrick won the NCAA Fayetteville Regional Tournament MVP, helping carry the Razorbacks to Omaha. Helfrick’s next stop included a stint with the 2025 Collegiate National Team in the 45th USA vs. Japan All-Star Championship Series hosted by Japan. Since his time with the Collegiate National Team, Helfrick returned to Arkansas and has dominated at the plate once again en route to being named a 2026 Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF

SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF DECADES OF DAVE WEBB AT USA BASEBALL

By Danny Sullivan

The drums rang through each seat while chants echoed throughout the ballpark. The host team, Chinese Taipei, prepared to take on Team USA in the gold medal game at the 2013 International Baseball Federation U-12 Baseball World Cup. Somewhere in the crowd, a handful of American parents tried to make themselves heard, but they were little more than a speck among thousands of fans cheering for the opposition. Standing in the dugout, 12U National Team manager Dave Webb looked around and took it all in.

"I remember when everybody showed up pregame and looked at this crowd," Webb said. "There were about 10 parents there that were cheering for our team. They were like a speck in this huge crowd."

Then came the character defining question that still sticks with him years later.

"'I just thought to myself, ‘man, are these guys going to be able to handle this?' Because, wow, this is as big as it gets for a 12-year-old."

The crowd was deafening. The pressure was immense. And the stage was unlike anything this group had ever experienced, let alone at such a young age.

"Their fans had like an eight-by-eight drum up in the stands, there’s guy's beating on it and everybody's chanting to it," Webb recalled. "I'm standing there just like, 'Wow.'"

For many coaches, the moment would have been about baseball and the competition at hand, but for Webb, it was about something much bigger.

It was about composure. It was about character. It was about whether these young athletes could handle the responsibility that comes with representing an entire country with the weight on their shoulders.

Years later, after decades spent coaching, evaluating and mentoring players through USA Baseball with a plethora of accolades and stops along the way, that question remains at the center of everything Webb does.

Not whether a player is talented enough, but whether he's ready for something bigger than himself.

"I was kind of raised on a baseball field. My mom picked me up and dropped me off to get to my dad's games as the bat boy, or whatever I was doing just to get to the games all the time," Webb said. "So baseball was always kind of in my blood."

For Webb, baseball has never been a hobby. It has never been something separate from his life. It's simply just always been there.

His father spent 30 years coaching high school baseball, meaning many of Webb's earliest childhood memories were forged around dugouts, batting cages and practice fields.

The game followed him through high school and eventually to Grand Canyon University, where he played from 1992-95 during the program's Division I independent era.

Despite spending his entire life around baseball, coaching wasn't necessarily part of the game plan.

"I had never planned on being a baseball coach," Webb admitted. "I just loved baseball for what it was." That changed almost by accident.

A friend invited him to help coach a summer team during the mid-1990s. At the time, Webb was serving as a graduate assistant at Grand Canyon and simply looking for a way to stay connected to the game he loved. While looking for a part-time gig, he instead found his calling.

"I just decided to help on that summer ball team and had an absolute blast," Webb said.

The summer ball experience ultimately led him toward teaching and coaching. In 1997, he joined the coaching staff at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona as an assistant before taking over as the head coach in 2006.

Nearly three decades later, he remains there.

"I love it, man," Webb said. "I love the school I'm at."

The same passion that first drew him into coaching continues to drive him today almost 30 years later. Amidst the decades-long ride, it eventually led him to USA Baseball.

Long before the National Team Development Program (NTDP) existed, before the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) became what it is today, Webb was already finding ways to contribute. His involvement with USA Baseball dates back to the late 1990s when the organization established operations in Tucson, Arizona.

"I helped out with the 16U National Team in the late '90s and just kept coming back every summer," Webb said.

One summer became another. Then another. Eventually, USA Baseball called with a new opportunity.

When the organization announced the creation of its 14U National Team in 2007, Webb was asked to join the inaugural coaching staff. Webb guided the 14U National Team in 2008 and 2009, winning gold medals at the COPABE Pan Am “A” Championships Qualifier on both occasions.

While building relationships, his resume and experience, another historic opportunity arrived across Webb’s desk years later.

"They called back and asked me to be the first head coach on their very first 12-year-old national team," Webb said.

The team that Webb took the reins of included players who would eventually become household names at the highest level.

"I took guys like Anthony Volpe at age 12 to Taiwan."

The result? Another gold medal. And another reminder of what makes USA Baseball unique.

Many people see USA Baseball's national teams as a group of elite baseball prospects, but Webb sees something else.

He sees potential representatives. Future ambassadors. Young athletes who may soon be asked to carry far more than their own expectations.

What separates players at USA Baseball events and competition has very little to do with talent. The talent is already assumed and very apparent.

"There's a reason why these kids are invited to these high-profile events," Webb said. "They're talented, it’s not a secret."

Despite all the talent, what interests him is everything that comes afterward.

"When you're scouting at Champs Arizona to pick the kids that go to NTDP and stuff like that, you're watching how they handle success, obviously, but more importantly how they handle failure and what they do immediately after they fail."

The details matter. Body language matters. Attitude matters. The response after failure matters most.

"What do they look like running back on the field after failing in a huge moment," Webb said. “It’s things like that which define who you are as a player."

"You always have to keep in mind that these kids are going to travel somewhere wearing our flag across their chest," Webb said. "Not wearing their school, not wearing their city, but wearing the whole country."

That responsibility changes everything.

"There has to be another element outside of the talent."

Webb has seen firsthand what international baseball can feel like. The travel, the unfamiliar environments, the pressure, the expectations and the reality that entire stadiums are actively hoping you lose.

"Everybody roots for the U.S. to lose," he said, laughing.

"Every place I went, no matter what age group went with, immediately you sensed the feeling that we had a target on our back."

For countries around the world, beating Team USA represents something special. It means knocking off the gold standard.

"They always want you to lose," Webb said. "Teams from other countries will show up just to cheer against you. I remember a team from Europe sitting next to a team from South America joining one another cheering for us to lose.”

Tense moments like that force players to grow up quickly and reveal a lot about who can handle the spotlight.

Regardless of what the on-field spotlight and skills can look like for many different athletes, Webb believes the challenge extends well beyond the field.

In today's baseball landscape, many elite players spend years being the best athlete on every team they join.

USA Baseball changes that.

"For some kids, you might be the three-hole hitter on your amazing club team," Webb said. "Then you earn an opportunity with a national team and all of a sudden you're in the eight-hole."

For some players, that adjustment is difficult, but for others, it becomes an opportunity.

"Is the kid going to be able to handle that?" Webb asked.

The question isn't necessarily about baseball. It's about becoming part of something larger than individual success.

"You have to have the right guys in the right mix to be able to figure that out."

Figuring it out is something Webb is no stranger to.

In five international trips with team USA, Webb secured five gold medals and five different opportunities to stand atop a podium while the national anthem played.

"There's nothing that compares to that," Webb said. “People's gold standard is to beat us and try to keep us from getting gold, and so when you actually win and you’re standing on that podium is the greatest feeling ever that I've ever had, just knowing that you're representing something so much bigger than yourself.” It was the same feeling Webb experienced all those years ago in Taiwan standing in a packed stadium with more than 10,000 fans cheering against Team USA.

In those defining moments that ultimately led to gold, Webb wasn't wondering whether his players were talented enough. He already knew they were. The question was whether they could handle everything that came with wearing USA across their chest.

That 2013 team answered with a gold medal. Their journey is now part of USA Baseball history, but the standard they met continues to live on.

Today, after decades spent helping shape generations of athletes, Webb still evaluates players through the same lens. Not by their rankings. Not by their statistics. Not by how hard they throw or how far they can hit a baseball.

But by whether they're ready to embrace the responsibility that

JULY 2-7, 2026

JULY 2-7, 2026 NATIONAL

JULY 2-7, 2026