Ten of the twelve teams from the 2012 IBAF 18U Baseball World Cup are back for this year’s edition. Defending champion USA will be back as will runner-up Canada in what looks to be an even stronger field this year. The event will take place in Taichung, Chinese Taipei from August 30 to September 8.

The two teams that will not make the return trip to Asia are the Netherlands and Panama. Replacing them will be Cuba and Mexico.

• Pool A: Canada (2), Chinese Taipei (3), Japan (6), Venezuela (8), Czech Republic (12), Mexico (invited)
• Pool B: USA (1), Colombia (4), Korea (5), Australia (9), Italy (10), Cuba (invited)

(Numbers next to countries are their standings from the 2012 18U Baseball World Cup in Seoul)

The addition of Cuba makes the tournament even more competitive this year. The island nation has won 11 of the 25 tournaments and has placed in the top three 17 times.

Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung will be the main stadium for the tournament. It has hosted many international events including the 2013 World Baseball Classic earlier this year.

The Challenge de France kicks off tomorrow, Friday May 9. The four-day tournament features all of the French Division I clubs along with the French 18U National Team.

The teams are broken down into two groups and will play a modified double elimination tournament. The groups are:

• Group A: Rouen Huskies, Stade Toulousain, Savigny Lions, France U18
• Group B: Paris UC, Templiers Senart, Montpellier Barracudas, Beaucaire Chevaliers

You can also find more information on the tournament’s Facebook Page.

If you’ve followed the Cuban sports scene for any length of time, it’s easy to notice that its stars of sports and stage have a habit of visiting America, or Canada, and then failing to come back at all. Cuba calls it “defecting” and claims that these countries are “robbing” them of talent, but given that a soccer player from Cuba recently shimmied down a fire escape and into a waiting car, it sounds more like “escaping”, if anything.

However, this does impact their baseball scene, as three major players on one team – the Industriales, their Yankees equivalent – recently left Cuba behind for other opportunities, leaving a great team struggling to figure out what it will do now that it’s down a trio of powerhouse players. To some, it evens out the score, but to a team working hard to stay in a position of success, it’s like logging onto Intertops only to find that some of your cards decided that they were better off on another table.

The problem is clear – how to Cuba keep their stars under lock and key? Short of banning them from leaving the country for career purposes – which has been the case in recent years – there’s not a lot they can do. Although their education is top-notch, their expenses are all paid for (even entertainment), and they are treated as national heroes, they still desire the lifestyle of those in sports around the world.

Perhaps it highlights not just issues within Cuba, but issues with the astronomical wage packets of sporting icons around the world. Eight-figure contracts are not uncommon for sports stars, and this unfortunately meanas that those who are treated like idols in Cuba, who are taken care of, still want more, although to have the freedom to choose seems like an obvious draw. Given the significant impact the defections have had on their Olympic performance as of late, it is unclear what steps Cuba will take to half the mass defection. Only time will tell whether they retreat and accept a lesser global sporting status, or they enforce harsher rules and keep these heroes locked away in hotel rooms when abroad.

Federation announces managers, coaches and administrators for 18U, 15U and 12U National Teams

Press Release USA Baseball

USA Baseball announced today the coaching staffs for its 2013 national teams. Highlighted by Wright State University head coach, Rob Cooper, who was announced as the field manager of the 18U National Team in January, the staffs for the 18U, 15U and 12U National Teams have been finalized. The inaugural 12U National Team will be led by Corona del Sol High School’s Dave Webb.

Cooper, a two-time Collegiate National Team staff member, will be joined on the coaching staff by pitching coach Mike Maack and assistant coaches Kevin Wilson and Eric Munson. Maack, the head coach at Prestonwood Christian Academy (Texas), has more than 27 years of NCAA Division I and high school coaching experience. Currently in his 12th season at Prestonwood, Maack previously was the head coach at Tennessee Tech University and before that served as the pitching coach for the University of Central Florida and University of Tennessee.

Wilson is a two-time Tournament of Stars and National Team Identification Series taskforce member and will be making his first appearance on a national team coaching staff. The former Cincinnati Bearcat enjoyed a six-year professional playing career before moving into coaching and now runs Kevin Wilson Baseball in Philadelphia. Munson, a USA Baseball Collegiate National Team alum (’97-’98) and Golden Spikes Award finalist, is currently an assistant coach at the University of Dubuque in Iowa after a year as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Southern California, and a professional career that saw Munson spend parts of nine seasons in the major leagues. Munson joined 18U manager, Cooper, at last summer’s inaugural 17U National Team Development Program as one of the on-field coaches. Steve Domzalski, from Wayne State University, rounds out the staff as the athletic trainer.

“We continually look to raise the bar higher in regards to the coaching staffs and administrators who lead our athletes in competitions each year,” said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO. “This year is no exception, and we are thrilled to see alumni of our programs return to help manage and coach for their respective clubs.”

The 18U National Team will return to Taichung, Chinese Taipei, for a second consecutive season to compete in the IBAF ‘AAA’/18U World Cup, August 30 – September 8. Last year’s 18U team played exhibition games in Taichung before winning gold at the IBAF 18U World Championships in Seoul, South Korea.

In addition to the 18U staff, USA Baseball also named its 15U National Team and inaugural 12U National Team managers, coaches and administrators today. Chatsworth High School (Calif.) head coach Tom Meusborn will return for a second season to manage the 15U team, and he will be joined by pitching coach Matt LaCour, the head coach at Harvard-Westlake High School (Calif.), and assistant coaches Chan Brown (Parkview HS – Ga.) and George Sanchez (Corona del Sol HS), all of whom have previously worked in some capacity for USA Baseball and its various youth-level teams.

Meusborn – who won his 600th game as head coach at Chatsworth High School this season – and LaCour were part of the inaugural 15U National Team coaching staff that went 4-0 during its friendship series in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, last August. This year’s 15U National Team will compete in the COPABE “AA”/15U Pan American Baseball Championships, in Barranquilla, Colombia, which will be held July 26 – August 4.

Also announced was the staff that will guide USA Baseball’s first 12U National Team at the IBAF 12U World Cup in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei. Dave Webb, head coach at Corona del Sol High School in Arizona, will serve as the manager, with the assistance of Terrence Freeman (Eagle’s View Academy – Fla.), Jason Sekany (private instructor – Calif.) and Tanner Vesley (Corona del Sol HS) in the dugout.

Webb has plenty of international experience having led the 2008 and 2009 14U National Teams to gold medals in Guatemala and Ecuador. Webb will also have the benefit of having Bill Krejci on the staff as the business manager. Krejci has been the athletic director at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, since 2000 after 22 years as the school’s baseball coach. In addition to his duties at Southwestern, Krejci has been involved with USA Baseball for the last 18 years.

USA Baseball previously announced the coaching staff for the 2013 Collegiate National Team, with TCU’s Jim Schlossnagle tabbed as the team’s manager. Schlossnagle’s staff includes Tim Esmay (head coach, Arizona State), Mike Bianco (head coach, Ole Miss), Ed Servais (head coach, Creighton) and bullpen coach Brett Basham. Brandi Davidson and Danny Wheat, both of TCU, will serve as the team’s press officer and certified athletic trainer.

USA Baseball is still in the process of finalizing several coaching and administrative positions for its various national team programs. A final announcement will be posted to www.USABaseball.com.

A current 2013 schedule for USA Baseball competitions and events can be found by clicking here.

The United League will kick off its season at the end of the month, however there is still time to find a spot on a roster.

There will be a league wide tryout this weekend on Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12. It will take place at La Grave Field in Ft. Worth, Texas, home of the Ft. Worth Cats.

All league managers will be present with roster sports available for all teams. This is a great way to get exposure and find a spot on one of the teams final roster.

Included in the managers will be the Ft. Worth Cats Jim Essian, a former manager in the Chicago Cubs organization. Ozzie Canseco will also be in attendance as the manager of the Edinburg Roadrunners, and Chris Paterson, who was named to our Top 10 Independent League Managers in 2012, will manage the Rio Grande Valley White Wings.

The registration fee is $150 per player. Registration will start at 8am with the tryouts getting going at 9am.

The 2013 United League season will start May 23rd as Ft. Worth, Rio Grande Valley, and the newest team Alexandria will host their season opener.

For more information, please contact Ron Mondragon at (817) 726-0248 and via Email at rod.mondragon@fwcats.com

Archival footage to include thousands of hours of videos, in-season highlights and classic games; Two daily live games also accessible in select countries

Press Release Major League Baseball

MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, and YouTube today announced they’re teaming up to offer fans an expanded array of licensed Major League Baseball video content on the official MLB.com YouTube channel.

MLBAM, which has been streaming live and on-demand video on MLB.com for more than a decade, originally joined YouTube in 2005 as one of the earliest YouTube Sports partners. In 2010, MLBAM began offering full-game archives and highlight reels on a YouTube channel accessible exclusively in Australia, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand and Russia. The updatedMLB.com Channel on YouTube expands much of that content to a global audience.

This MLB.com YouTube channel will include highlight clips from every MLB game in 2013 as well as thousands of hours from MLBAM’s archives. In-season highlights will be available approximately two days after the respective games have been completed. Videos from MLB.com’s Baseball’s Best Moments library also will be included.

MLBAM also will live stream two live games daily during the regular season, available for free and accessible exclusively outside of its core live video distribution territories: North America, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.

“Fans around the world are getting more Major League Baseball video than ever before on YouTube, continuing to make YouTube a daily sports destination,” said Frank Golding, Director of North America Sports Content Partnerships.

“Expanding our partnership with YouTube provides another platform for extending the reach of the thousands of hours of archived baseball content in our library and for delivering live baseball games via the Internet to fans in new markets around the world,” said Kenny Gersh, Senior Vice President, Business Development, MLBAM.

Day One on Thursday, June 6th to Feature Top 73 Selections Live From Studio 42 at MLB Network and Simulcast on MLB.com; Astros Select First Overall; Marlins, Yankees Each Hold Four Picks on Day On 

Press Release Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball will hold day one of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft on Thursday, June 6th at MLB Network’s Studio 42 in Secaucus, New Jersey.  The Draft will begin live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 7:00 p.m. (ET).  Prior to the start of the Draft, MLB Network will air a Draft preview show, also simulcast on MLB.com, at 6:00 p.m. (ET).

The selection order of the First-Year Player Draft is determined by the reverse order of finish at the close of the previous championship season.  The Houston Astros will have the first overall selection of the 2013 Draft, marking the second consecutive year, and the fourth time in Club history, that they hold the top selection (previous: 1976, 1992, 2012).  It also marks the second time ever that a Club has the top pick in back-to-back years, joining the Washington Nationals, who held the first selection in 2009 and 2010.  The New York Yankees have a league-high three first round picks (26th, 32nd and 33rd overall).  Four Clubs have two first round picks: the Pittsburgh Pirates (9th and 14th), the St. Louis Cardinals (19th and 28th), the Tampa Bay Rays (21st and 29th) and the Texas Rangers (23rd and 30th).  The Yankees and the Miami Marlins each have four of the first 73 selections.

For the first time, the Draft will feature Competitive Balance rounds, which were agreed upon as a part of the 2012-2016 Basic Agreement between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association.  The Competitive Balance rounds give Clubs with the lowest revenues and in the smallest markets the opportunity to obtain additional draft picks through a lottery, which was held last July at MLB Network.  The 10 Clubs with the lowest revenues and the 10 Clubs in the smallest markets were entered into a lottery for the six selections immediately following the first round of the First-Year Player Draft (picks 34-39).  The eligible Clubs that did not receive one of the six selections after the first round, and all other payee Clubs under the Revenue Sharing Plan, were entered into a second lottery for the six picks immediately following the second round of the Draft (picks 69-73; only five picks will be made in this round for 2013 after the Cleveland Indians forfeited their pick for the signing of free agent Michael Bourn).

The Draft will have 40 rounds, and a Club may pass on its selection in any round and not forfeit its right to participate in other rounds.  Like each of the previous four years, the 2013 Draft will span three days.  For day one on June 6th, MLB Network and MLB.com will provide live pick-by-pick coverage during the first round, Competitive Balance Round A, the second round and Competitive Balance Round B.  The intervals between selections will last four and a half minutes during the first round, two minutes during Competitive Balance Round A, and one minute during the second round and Competitive Balance Round B.  The Draft will resume at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on both Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th via conference call from MLB headquarters in New York City.  Friday, June 7th will cover rounds three through 10, and Saturday, June 8th will cover rounds 11 through 40.  Rounds three through 10 will have one minute between selections, and the remainder of the selections will be made without delays.

Beginning with the Draft preview show, MLB Network’s live coverage will feature interviews with Club front office personnel and representatives, footage from Club draft rooms, interviews with prospects and newly drafted players, and news and analysis from MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger, Larry Bowa, Peter Gammons, John Hart, Brian Kenny, Al Leiter, Dan Plesac, Harold Reynolds, Bill Ripken, Alanna Rizzo, Sam Ryan and Matt Yallof, as well as Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com and Jim Callis of Baseball America.

MLB.com will begin its exclusive live programming of the Draft’s final two days with a live draft show from its New York studios at 12:30 p.m. (ET) on June 7th, followed by a live pick-by-pick stream and draft and scouting expert commentary from Mayo and Callis.  It also will provide DraftCaster, a live interactive application that includes a searchable database of every draft-eligible player supplemented by statistics, scouting reports and video highlights.

Each of the 30 Major League Clubs will be represented at the Draft by one of its former players and/or a member of its front office.  Last year’s representatives included Hall of Famers Pat Gillick, Ferguson Jenkins, Tommy Lasorda and Frank Robinson, along with MLB Executive Vice President Joe Torre, Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and 14-time All-Star Ivan Rodriguez.  The Club representatives who will attend the 2013 Draft will be announced in the weeks ahead.  In addition to the Club representatives, five first round selections attended the 2012 First-Year Player Draft last year, including the number one overall pick Carlos Correa.

Press Release by USA Baseball

DURHAM, N.C. – USA Baseball released its 60-man midseason Golden Spikes Award watch list on Thursday, bringing the organization one step closer to naming the top amateur baseball player in the country.

The watch list will continue to be a “rolling” list until May 28 — when the 30 semifinalists for the award are announced — ensuring that athletes can play themselves into consideration for the award. The Golden Spikes Award trophy will be awarded live on MLB Network for the third year in a row, with a live presentation scheduled during The Rundown on Friday, July 19. Through USA Baseball’s partnership with MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the presentation will also be simulcast with a live stream available from GoldenSpikesAward.com and USABaseball.com.

Twenty-eight new players were added to the list since its initial release on February 14, joining 32 others from the original watch list. The Southeastern Conference led all conferences in watch-list players, placing 11 on the midseason update, while Georgia Tech and Louisiana State each placed three players on the list. Louisiana State infielder Alex Bregman and Cal State Fullerton right-handed pitcher Thomas Eshelman, the only two freshmen on the list, both played their way onto the midseason watch list with strong freshman campaigns. Among the 60 are six 2012 Golden Spikes Award semifinalists, including two of last year’s finalists, Mark Appel (RHP, senior, Stanford) and Carlos Rodon (LHP, sophomore, North Carolina State).

USA Baseball officials will announce the 30 semifinalists for the 2013 Golden Spikes Award on Tuesday, May 28. The list of 30 will then be sent to a voting body consisting of past USA Baseball National Team coaches and press officers, members of media that closely follow the amateur game, select professional baseball personnel, and current USA Baseball staff, representing a group of more than 200 voters in total.

Fan voting will once again be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2013. Tuesday, May 28, marks the day when amateur baseball fans from across the country will be able to vote for their favorite semifinalist on GoldenSpikesAward.com. As part of this selection process all voters will be asked to choose three players from the list of 30 names. On Tuesday, June 4, USA Baseball will announce the three finalists, and voting will once again commence that same day.

USA Baseball partnered with MLBAM to create GoldenSpikesAward.com in 2008. Later that year, Florida State’s Buster Posey was presented the award at MLB All-Star FanFest in New York City. Stephen Strasburg of San Diego States won the award in 2009 in St. Louis, and Bryce Harper of Southern Nevada took home the trophy from Anaheim, Calif., in 2010. UCLA’s Trevor Bauer was the 2011 winner and Florida’s Mike Zunino won the 2012 award. Bauer and Zunino accepted their trophies as part of live presentations from MLB Network’s Studio 42.

Other past winners of the Golden Spikes Award include Terry Francona (1980), Will Clark (1985), Robin Ventura (1988), Jason Varitek (1994), J.D. Drew (1997), Mark Prior (2001), Jered Weaver (2004), Tim Lincecum (2006) and David Price (2007).

Important 2013 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award dates include:

• Thursday, Feb. 14: 50-man preseason watch list released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
• Thursday, May 2: 60-man midseason watch list released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
• Tuesday, May 28: 30 semifinalists announced, selected by USA Baseball officials; semifinalist voting begins; voters to select three
• Friday, May 31: Deadline to vote for finalists, 5 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 4: Three finalists announced; finalist voting begins; voters to select one
• Friday, June 14: Deadline to vote for winner, 5 p.m. ET
• Friday, July 19: Live Golden Spikes Award presentation airing on MLB Network’s The Rundown

The complete 2013 midseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List is as follows:

Name, Position, Class, School, Conference (in order of last name, new players bolded)

Chris Anderson, RHP, Junior, Jacksonville, Atlantic Sun
Mark Appel, RHP, Senior, Stanford, Pac-12
Barrett Astin, RHP, Junior, Arkansas, SEC
Michael Bass, IF, Senior, UNC-W, Colonial Athletic
Tyler Beede, RHP, Sophomore, Vanderbilt, SEC
Aaron Blair, RHP, Junior, Marshall, C-USA
Matt Boyd, LHP, Senior, Oregon State, Pac-12
Alex Bregman, IF, Freshman, Louisiana State, SEC
Kris Bryant, UTL, Junior, San Diego, West Coast
Danny Collins, OF, Junior, Troy, Sun Belt
Michael Conforto, OF, Sophomore, Oregon State, Pac-12
Kyle Crockett, LHP, Junior, Virginia, ACC
LB Dantzler, IF, Senior, South Carolina, SEC
Kent Emanuel, LHP, Junior, North Carolina, ACC
Phillip Ervin, OF, Junior, Samford, SoCon
Thomas Eshelman, RHP, Freshman, Cal State Fullerton, Big West
Zane Evans, C/RHP, Junior, Georgia Tech, ACC
Buck Farmer, RHP, Senior, Georgia Tech, ACC
Johnny Field, OF, Junior, Arizona, Pac-12
Mitchell Garver, C, Senior, New Mexico, Mountain West
Marco Gonzales, LHP, Junior, Gonzaga, West Coast
Jonathan Gray, RHP, Junior, Oklahoma, Big 12
Ryon Healy, IF, Junior, Oregon, Pac-12
Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Sophomore, ECU, USA
Jason Hursh, RHP, RS Sophomore, Oklahoma St, Big 12
Eric Jagielo, IF, Junior, Notre Dame, Big East
Aaron Judge, OF, Junior, Fresno State, Mountain West
Mason Katz, IF, Senior, Louisiana State, SEC
Jared King, OF, Junior, Kansas State, Big 12
Andrew Knapp, C, Junior, California, Pac-12
Corey Knebel, RHP, Junior, Texas, Big 12
Michael Lorenzen, OF/RHP, Junior, Cal State Fullerton, Big West
Sean Manaea, LHP, Junior, Indiana State, Missouri Valley
Trey Masek, RHP, Junior, Texas Tech, Big 12
Kyle McGowin, RHP, Junior, Savannah State, Mid-Eastern
Colin Moran, IF, Junior, North Carolina, ACC
Aaron Nola, RHP, Sophomore, Louisiana State, SEC
Matt Oberste, IF, Junior, Oklahoma, Big 12
Daniel Palka, UTL, Junior, Georgia Tech, ACC
D.J. Peterson, IF, Junior, New Mexico, Mountain West
Nick Petree, RHP, RS Junior, Missouri State, Missouri Valley
Andrew Pierce, RHP, Senior, Southern Mississippi, C-USA
Adam Plutko, RHP, Junior, UCLA, Pac-12
Bryan Radziewski, LHP, Junior, Miami, ACC
Hunter Renfroe, OF, Junior, Mississippi State, SEC
Carlos Rodon, LHP, Sophomore, NC State, ACC
Kyle Schwarber, C/OF, Sophomore, Indiana, Big Ten
Jimmie Sherfy, RHP , Junior, Oregon, Pac-12
Braden Shipley, RHP, Junior, Nevada, MWC
Dan Slania, RHP, Junior, Notre Dame, Big East
Ryne Stanek, RHP, Junior, Arkansas, SEC
Jeff Thompson, RHP, Junior, Louisville, Big East
Trea Turner, IF, Sophomore, NC State, ACC
Stuart Turner, C, Junior, Mississippi, SEC
Bobby Wahl, RHP, Junior, Mississippi, SEC
Trevor Williams, RHP, Junior, Arizona State, Pac-12
Tom Windle, LHP, Junior, Minnesota, Big 10
Derrick Workman, OF, Junior, Mercer, Atlantic Sun
Jimmy Yezzo, IF, Junior, Delaware, Colonial Athletic
Kevin Ziomek, LHP, Junior, Vanderbilt, SEC

Two coaches, five Major League players make up 2013 Hall of Fame class

Press Release College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas — Two of the most respected college coaches in history join five outstanding players with a good deal of Major League Baseball experience in the 2013 Class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

“This class brings a different flavor to the induction process because it features our first Division III coach, perhaps the greatest Division II player ever and three players from the 1950s, ’60s and early ’70s, which is a time period that has been a bit underrepresented in past inductions,” said Mike Gustafson, executive director of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. “We are excited to welcome them to the Hall of Fame.”

This year’s class, which will be inducted as a part of the annual celebration of college baseball in Lubbock, Texas, is headlined by former longtime Major Leaguers Sal Bando, a standout third baseman at Arizona State from 1964-1965; Ralph Garr, who batted .418 in a stellar career at Grambling from 1964-1967; Tino Martinez of the University of Tampa, for whom the Division II Player of the Year award is named; and Roy Smalley of USC, a shortstop for the Trojans from 1973-1974.

Garr was selected by the Black Legends and Pioneers Committee, which is designed to honor players and coaches at historically black colleges and universities whose careers began prior to 1975. Garr joins Lou Brock, Danny Goodwin and Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones as previous honorees in this category.

“Ralph Garr made a name for himself as an All-Star Major Leaguer, but for the small-school venue in which he performed, he’d be just as well known for his college baseball career,” said Jay Sokol of www.blackcollegenines.com. “It is gratifying for those who know what he accomplished at Grambling to see him recognized with such an elite group of College Baseball Hall of Famers.

In his career, Garr led Grambling to a 103-11 record, highlighted by a 33-1 record and a third-place finish at the 1967 NAIA baseball championship. His .582 batting average as a senior led the nation and set a national record, as did his 11 triples, on the way to first-team NAIA All-

American honors. Going into the 2013 college season, Garr still holds the Division II record for highest batting average in a season.

Bando, the MVP of the 1965 College World Series, led the Sun Devils to back-to-back CWS appearances and the school’s first national title in 1965. A two-time All-WAC performer, in 2010 he was named to the College World Series Legends Team.

Martinez was the 1988 National Division II Player of the Year at the University of Tampa. In addition, he was named third-team All-American as a freshman, second-team All-American as a sophomore and first-team All-American as a junior. Martinez still holds Spartan records for career home runs (54), career batting average (.399), career slugging percentage (.736), single-season batting average (.452) and single-season slugging percentage (.957), and was a leading hitter for the 1988 USA Olympic gold medal baseball team.

Smalley was named first-team All-American shortstop in 1973 and twice joined teammate and 2007 inductee Fred Lynn in leading the USC Trojans to a national championship. Twice named first-team All-Pac 8, he was later named shortstop on the College World Series 1970s All-Decade Team.

Also included in the 2013 HOF class are the late Tom Borland of Oklahoma State University, who fashioned a perfect 11-0 record on the way to being named first-team All-American in 1955; the late Don Schaly, who was named Division III Coach of the Century by Collegiate Baseball Magazine for his legendary career at Marietta College from 1964-2003; and John Winkin, who coached at Colby College, the University of Maine and Husson College from 1954-2006 and led his Maine Black Bear teams to six College World Series appearances.

Borland led the Oklahoma State Aggies to their first two College World Series appearances in the school’s history in 1954 and 1955. He was named first-team All-American on the strength of his 11-0 record and 2.13 ERA. He capped his stellar 1955 season by being named Most Valuable Player at the CWS. In his two-year career in Stillwater, he posted a 19-2 record.

Schaly was named Division III Coach of the Century by Collegiate Baseball Magazine by virtue of the best winning percentage (.812) of any college coach at any level with more than 500 wins, being National Coach of the Year four times and winning three national championships and more than 1,400 games as coach at Marietta College from 1964-2003.

Winkin won more than 1,000 games in 50-plus years of coaching at Colby College, the University of Maine and Husson College. Best known for his tenure at Maine, he led the Black Bears to 11 NCAA tournament appearances, six College World Series appearances and twice finished third in Omaha.

“I am so happy to welcome a new class of inductees that includes Coach Schaly and Coach Winkin, among the other tremendous inductees,” Gustafson said. “They are extremely well-respected among their coaching peers, so this recognition is due.”

The 2013 class will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the College Baseball Night of Champions celebration, June 28-29 in Lubbock, Texas.

2013 National College Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Class:

Sal Bando, Arizona State, 1964-65 (3B)

The MVP of the 1965 College World Series, Bando helped lead Arizona State to Omaha in both of his seasons in Tempe. He anchored an offense that collected 419 RBIs en route to a then-national record 54 wins and a national championship in the ’65 season. The Sun Devils stormed through the ’65 College World Series behind Bando, who scored the game-winning run against Ohio State in the national championship game after reaching base on a triple. Bando hit .319 during his Sun Devil career, including .364 in 1964, and amassed 130 hits, 99 runs scored and 92 RBIs in two years at ASU. A two-time All-WAC performer, in 2010 he was named to the College World Series Legends Team. Bando was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame in ’75, and his number was retired by the Sun Devils in ’96.

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Tom Borland, Oklahoma State, 1954-55 (Pitcher)

Borland was a stalwart pitcher on Oklahoma State’s team from 1953 through 1955. The left-hander posted a sparkling 19-2 record during his career, which included a perfect 11-0 mark in 1955.

Borland helped lead the Cowboys to the College World Series in both 1954 and 1955. He posted an 8-2 record with a 2.50 earned run average in 1954 while striking out 100 batters in 104 innings pitched.

Oklahoma State went 18-11 that season and followed that up with a 27-3 record in the 1955 campaign.

Borland was a dominating force for the Cowboys in 1955, with a 2.13 ERA and an impressive 143 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings.

He was named a first-team All-American according to the American Baseball Coaches’ Association, while leading the Cowboys to the College World Series.

At the CWS, Borland capped his collegiate career by being named the Most Valuable Player and was also on the All-Tournament team.

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Ralph Garr, Grambling, 1964-1967

As a freshman in 1964, Garr made only 21 plate appearances for the Tigers. However, in his final three years in school, Ralph Garr was the team’s leading hitter each year. His .582 average in 1967 not only led Grambling by a wide margin, but also topped the entire NAIA and NCAA Division II. Going into the 2013 college season, Garr still holds the Division II record for highest batting average in a season. He also set a record with his 11 triples that year.

During Ralph Garr’s career at Grambling, winning baseball was a foregone conclusion. It’s hard to imagine any one college player having taken part in a more successful four-year span than Garr did at Grambling with its 103-11 record between the years of 1964-1967. In 1967, Grambling won 33 of its 34 regular season games and finished third at the annual NAIA baseball championship. For his career, Garr had an impressive batting average of .418.

Ralph Garr culminated a great career at Grambling with his selection as a first team NAIA All-American in 1967 and his selection by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of that year’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft (the 52nd player picked overall).

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Tino Martinez, University of Tampa, 1986-88 (1B)

Martinez spent three years playing for the University of Tampa Spartans. He was the 1988 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, a three-time All-American (third-team in ’86, second-team in ’87, first-team in ’88), a three-time All-Region Performer, a three-time member of the NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Team, the NCAA South Regional Tournament MVP (’86), an Academic All-American and a fixture in the Spartans record books. Martinez still holds Spartans records for career home runs (54), career batting average (.399), career slugging percentage (.736), single-season batting average (.452) and single-season slugging percentage (.957).

In 1988, Martinez led the 1988 United States baseball team to the gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He was named MVP of the World Amateur Championships in Parma, Italy, hitting .413 with four home runs and 18 RBIs, and was named first baseman on The Sporting News College All-America Team. That year, he also was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, presented to the country’s best amateur player.

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Don Schaly, Marietta College, 1964-2003

Highlights:

Collegiate Baseball named him the Division III Coach of the Century

Record: 1,442-329

Best winning percentage of any college coach at any level (.812) with more than 500 wins

Named National Coach of the Year four times

Coached his teams to three National Championships and seven runner-up finishes

For 40 years, from 1964 to 2003, Don Schaly was the baseball coach at Marietta College in Ohio.

The 1959 graduate of Marietta College played baseball and football for the Pioneers. He returned to his alma mater in 1964 and never left, guiding his teams to three NCAA Division III national championships and seven national runner-up finishes. He won 18 Mideast Regional Championships and 27 Ohio Athletic Conference championships.

The coach won numerous coaching awards during his career. He was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995. Schaly was named the National Coach of the Year four times (1975, 1981, 1983 and 1986), and in 2000 Collegiate Baseball named him the Division III Coach of the Century. Schaly was also awarded the OAC’s Coach of the Year 17 times and the Mideast Regional Coach of the Year 21 times.

Schaly’s final record at Marietta is 1,442-329, but Schaly’s role in the Marietta College athletics department extended far beyond the duties of head baseball coach. He was an assistant football coach for 17 years and served as an assistant athletic director for more than 20 years. Schaly also played a primary role in the formation of the Marietta College Athletic Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 2004.

Schaly was the first person in Marietta College history to have his jersey retired. The college also renamed the main entrance of Ban Johnson Arena the Schaly Lobby, in his honor. In 2006, Pioneer Park was renamed Don Schaly Stadium, in his honor.

==============================================

Roy Smalley, USC, 1972-73, (SS)

• Earned first-team All-America honors as a shortstop by the American Baseball Coaches’ Association and The Sporting News in 1973.

• Batted .338 in 1973, second-best on the team. Also had five home runs and 29 RBIs.

• Earned All-College World Series honors in 1973.

• Earned All-Region honors in 1973.

• Starting shortstop on the 1972 and 1973 teams, twice winning national titles.

• Twice named first-team All-Pac 8

• During his two-year Trojan career, batted .297, with 68 RBIs, 101 hits and 10 home runs.

• Was drafted four times by MLB teams between 1970 and 1973 without signing. Smalley signed in the January 1974 amateur draft when he was the No. 1 overall pick.

• In 1996, was named shortstop on College World Series 1970s All-Decade Team

• Inducted into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007

==============================================

John Winkin, Colby College/Maine/Husson College, 1954-06

Coached baseball at Maine for 22 years and compiled a record of 642-430-3. He took six teams to the College World Series and his squad finished third in the nation twice. He led Maine to 11 NCAA regional tournaments. Winkin was named National Coach of the Year in 1965, New England Division I Coach of the Year in 1975 and Northeast Region Division I Coach of

the Year in 1976, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1991. He has been elected to the Maine Baseball, ABCA, Maine Sports and University of Maine Halls of Fame. Winkin also received the Lefty Gomez Award for contribution to baseball and the ECAC Distinguished Achievement Award. Winkin came out of retirement to coach baseball at Husson College in Bangor, Maine, and on March 12, 2006, he recorded his 1,000th career coaching victory.

Initial watch list of 2013 features 41 players from across the country

Press Release College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas – After nearly two months of the 2013 season, a number of pitchers have already distinguished themselves with season numbers featuring miniscule earned run averages and stellar strikeout totals.

The initial watch list for the 2013 Pitcher of the Year Award, sponsored by Diamond Sports and presented during the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Night of Champions on June 29, features 41 players from across the country.

The Southeastern Conference leads the list with nine representatives — three each from Vanderbilt and LSU.

“We all know the SEC is a dominant conference, but to have three pitchers from one school is even more impressive,” said Raymond Richardson, chair of the Pitcher of the Year Award committee. “We have a couple of schools that have two pitchers on the list, but three speaks to how competitive LSU’s and Vanderbilt’s pitching is.”

Smaller schools are well represented on the watch list as well. John Farrell of William & Mary leads the list in innings pitched at 63.2 in only eight games. He also has a 7-0 record. Austin Peay’s Tyler Rogers leads the list in saves with 12.

Rice’s Austin Kubitza and Savannah State’s Kyle McGowin both have 72 strikeouts on the season, narrowly surpassing Jonathan Gray of Oklahoma and 2012 Pitcher of the Year winner Mark Appel of Stanford, who both have 71.

“It’s nice to see some names from last year in the mix again, but it’s really great to see the variety of newcomers on the list this year,” Richardson said. “We can’t wait to see what these young men can do for the rest of the season.”

For more information on the Pitcher of the Year Award or the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Night of Champions, visit www.collegebaseballhall.org.

Pitcher of the Year Watch List:

College Baseball Hall of Fame honors lifetime of umpiring excellence

Press Release College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas — The College Baseball Hall of Fame announced this year’s recipient of the National Collegiate Umpire Award, honoring a lifetime of excellence in umpiring.

The recipient of the 2013 award is Dale Williams, who umpired college baseball for 32 years. He worked the Division I College World Series in Omaha, Neb., eight times and umpired Division I regionals 21 times. Add to that numerous Division II, Division III and NAIA regionals, and it tallies an impressive list of important baseball over which Williams presided. He has supervised the umpires in several conferences over the years, and also found time to work as an NFL referee for 23 years, including three Super Bowls.

“During my umpiring career, God has blessed me with great friends, experiences and success,” Williams said. “Having umpired with the other outstanding men on the ballot, I feel honored and humbled my colleagues have chosen me, and I thank them and the College Baseball Hall of Fame for this prestigious award. It is also a special honor to have my name associated with (previous winners) Dick Runchey and Rich Fetchiet.”

Williams’ selection was the result of a nomination and screening process by past and current NCAA national coordinators of umpires, NCAA regional advisers, umpire conference coordinators and four collegiate head coaches.

“Dale is truly a career official,” said Mike Gustafson, CBHOF executive director. “He is so well respected in college baseball circles, especially on the West Coast. Throw in his NFL experience and it doesn’t take long to figure out how remarkable he was.”

The College National Collegiate Umpire Award will be presented on June 29 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of College Baseball’s Night of Champions. The event features the presentation of several of college baseball’s most prestigious awards, as well as the induction ceremonies for the 2013 inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Power conferences well-represented on list of top shortstops

Press Release College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas — The high-caliber athletes of the Southeastern Conference are on display with five players represented on the first Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award Watch List of the 2013 season.

The Brooks Wallace Award, sponsored by Mizuno, recognizes the nation’s top shortstop and will be presented during the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Night of Champions on June 29 in Lubbock, Texas.

Other conferences with multiple representatives include the Pac-12 with four, the Big 10 with three and the ACC and Ohio Valley with two each.

“It’s no wonder that some of these conferences have multiple players featured on the Wallace Award Watch List,” said Tyler Young, award co-chair. “Of course, we’re also excited to see a number of other conferences represented as well. This is a great list of players.”

LSU’s Alex Bregman has the best batting average of the 27 shortstops featured on the list at .441 in 32 games. He also has 31 RBIs and 60 hits. Ohio State’s Kirby Pellant leads the list with a .989 fielding percentage.

“Each of these shortstops have some impressive statistics — whether it’s batting averages or fielding percentages,” said Darby Brown, Wallace Award co-chair. “We look forward to seeing what they do during the upcoming weeks.

BROOKS WALLACE AWARD WATCH LIST

Twenty-five college players recognized for versatility

Press Release College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas – While many college athletes embrace the concept of specialization, a se­lect few embrace the value of playing multiple roles on their team. Such is the case with the 25 young men on the watch list for the 2013 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award.

The Olerud Award, presented on June 29 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s annual Night of Champions, recognizes baseball players who excel both on the mound and in the field.

“These players are contributing to their teams’ success in multiple ways,” said Sam Dowell, Olerud Award co-chair. “To see the numbers they have compiled throughout the season is very impres­sive.”

Washington State outfielder and left-handed pitcher Jason Monda leads the list with the lowest earned run average at 0.44 in 20 2/3 innings pitched. He also has six home runs, four doubles and 33 RBIs.

Zach Morton, a right-handed pitcher and infielder at Northwestern, leads in innings pitched with 59 and has a 1.98 ERA and 35 strikeouts.

Richmond’s Jacob Mayers has the top batting average on the list at .380, narrowly leading Creighton’s Jake Peter, who’s hitting .379.

No school features more than one dual-threat representative, but the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big South and Great West conferences each feature two players on the list.

“It’s great to see a number of conferences have more than one player in the running for this award,” said co-chair Chris Curbo. “And for a couple of smaller conferences to have multiple representatives shows they can compete regardless of their size.”

For more information on the Olerud Award or the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Night of Champions, visitwww.collegebaseballhall.org.

JOHN OLERUD TWO-WAY PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST

The 10th Annual Challenge de France is nearly upon us. The tournament featuring all seven of the Division I clubs, along with the French National 18U club, will be played in Paris from May 9th to the 12th.

The old round robin format has been replaced with a modified double elimination. Winners of the two pools will advance to the championship with the winner of that getting a ticket to the European Cup.

We will try to bring you daily coverage of the tournament, so stay tuned for more information.

We have finished looking at the international players on the bottom half of the Baseball America Top 100 Prospect List. Today we start in on the Top 50.

In case you missed one of the other posts, there are here:

#51-60 International Players

#61-70 International Players

#71-80 International Players

#81-90 International Players

#91-100 International Players

Yasiel Puig, of, LAD – #47

Yasiel Puig hails from Cienfuegos, Cuba having defected in 2012. He is still young, 22, and has a lot of upside yet a lot to prove.

He missed the entire 2011-2012 season in Cuba (it runs during the winter months) after being suspended for trying to defect after playing at the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands. He didn’t sign until late June of last year so he has only a little time in the minors here.

However, this year he started out at Double-A Chattanooga where he has done quite well in just 14 games. So far this year he has hit four home runs and posted a line of .333/379/.648 so far.

He has good speed and shows good instincts but needs to work on his route running a bit. He is still young and learning while becoming acclimated to the US. He has a strong arm and has even drawn comparisons to the likes of Matt Kemp on his athletic ability.

Julio Teheran, p, ATL – #44

Julio Teheran, from Cartagena, Colombia, is no stranger to the Baseball America Top 100. This is his fourth year on the list dropping considerably after a poor 2012 season. After both the 2010 and 2011 seasons, he was ranked as the #5 prospect in all of baseball.

Teheran had a break out year in 2011 posting a 15-3 mark with an ERA of just 2.55 at Triple-A. He got his first taste of the big leagues that year but struggled a bit. His ERA ballooned to over five in 2012 in Triple-A, but has shown flashes of brilliance.

In 2013, Teheran has started the year as the Braves 5th starter and has had an up and down season already. He has the stuff to be a top of the line starter, but hasn’t shown the consistency at the MLB level so far.

Hyun-jin Ryu, p, LAD – #42

Ryu comes from Incheon, South Korea and has been pitching in the Korean Baseball Organization for the past few years where he has been a star. In 2010, he posted a 16-4 record with a 1.82 ERA for one of the worst teams in the KBO, the Hanwha Eagles.

The Dodgers won the bidding for Ryu this past offseason and have already put him into the starting rotation where he hasn’t disappointed. So far in 2013, he is 2-1 with a 3.45 ERA in five starts.

Ryu won’t overpower you with a 95+ mph fastball, but he knows how to pitch and has a good assortment of pitches that he can control. Look for him to be a solid #3 or #4 for years to come with the possibility that he could even become a #2 starter down the line with some more experience.

He is just 26-years old and signed a six-year contract, so the Dodger will control him during his most formidable years.

Oswaldo Arcia, of, MIN – #41

Oswaldo Arcia signed with Minnesota as a free agent in 2007 out of Anaco, Venezuela. He has since worked his way up to a call up from the big league club earlier this season.

He started 2013 in Triple-A and simply dominated in the short time he was there hitting .394 with three home runs in ten games. Since being called up, Arcia has hit a pair of home runs in ten games.

Scouts love his bat and see him evolving into a 30-doubles and 20-homer guy down the line.

It’s unclear how long he will remain in the big leagues, but it appears clear that while he is there, he will play.

I know we are a month into the season, but that doesn’t change the fact that these guys are still prospects. So we continue our look at the international players on the Baseball America Top 100 Prospect List.

We have looked at the following already:

#61-70 International Players

#71-80 International Players

#81-90 International Players

#91-100 International Players

Now we take a look at #51-60

Gary Sanchez, c, NYY – #57

Gary Sanchez hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and is high on the prospect list for the New York Yankees ranking #3 after the 2012 season. The 20-year old catcher has drawn a lot of praise for his defensive abilities behind the plate.

Sanchez has shown some power hitting 18 home runs a year ago splitting time between Low and High-A ball. He has had a good start to the year so far in Single-A Tampa in the Florida State League getting on base at a .356 clip and smashing four home runs in the first 17 games.

Over his career he has thrown out 30% of would be base stealers. Look for him to make the move to Double-A at some point this season, and he could make his MLB debut in 2014 or 2015 if he continues to develop.

Gregory Polanco, of, PIT – #51

Polanco is also out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The  21-year old outfielder had a breakout year in 2012 posting a line of .325/.380/.455 while hitting 16 home runs and stealing 40 bases.

He finished the 2012 season in Low-A ball and was moved up to High-A this season where he is still hitting. So far through 23 games, Polanco is hitting at a .318 clip and has stolen nine bases.

If he continues this pace, he might earn a promotion to Double-A Altoona later in the year. After the 2012 season, Baseball America rated him as the best athlete, best defensive outfielder, and the best hitter for average in the Pittsburgh system.

Coming up tomorrow, players #41-50

With the success of the Texas Winter League, the United League has decided to start the Texas Summer League this July.

The league will give players an opportunity to develop their skills and get instruction from professional independent managers and coaches. So if you are looking to break into the professional ranks and maybe you were overlooked or you just graduated from college, this could be the perfect place for you to get noticed.

The league will run from July 15 to August 7 and at the end of the league the top 5 or 10 players will be selected and placed on a professional team for the final two weeks of the season. All games will take place in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

This is a great way to get started in professional baseball.

For more information visit Texas Summer League

The Texas Summer League is the only league-sponsored summer developmental baseball league. This allows the league to assure the players drafted that they will be added to one of the United League rosters.

After ten week of the University of North Carolina at the top of the polls, we finally have a new #1 in the NCBWA Div. I Poll in Vanderbilt.

The Vanderbilt Commodores went a perfect 4-0 this week to take over the top spot in the poll. In their weekend series, Vandy swept then #10 Mississippi State in Nashville.

They are getting it done on the hill with a team ERA of just 2.58. Leading the pitching staff is sophomore Tyler Beede who is 11-0 this season posting a 1.63 ERA through 71.2 innings of work. The former first round pick in 2011 has only given up nine extra base hits on the season holding opponents to a .178 average.

Following up Beede is junior Kevin Ziomek. The lefty is 8-2 so far with a 2.12 ERA through 80.2 innings in eleven starts. He is holding opponents to just a .164 average.

Vandy also has one of the top closers in the country in sophomore Brian Miller. Miller has posted a 0.68 ERA through 39.2 innings of work while earning 12 saves.

The Commodores have a few hitters as well. Leading the way is junior Tony Kemp who is hitting .399 through the first 45 games. Kemp has struck out just 21 times while walking 28. Conner Herrell (.314/8/52) and Vince Conde (.314/6/34) are providing some pop for the Vandy lineup.

Vandy doesn’t have an easy schedule the rest of the way either. This weekend they take on #9 South Carolina on the road in Columbia. The next weekend they will travel to Lexington and take on #26 Kentucky before finishing up their schedule at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

UNC dropped a spot after spending ten weeks at the top due to their 2-2 week that included a loss to #10 NC State and a loss to UNC Wilmington.

LSU (ranked #2 last week) was poised to take over the top spot with the Tar Heels 2-2 week, but they too went 2-2 losing twice to #9 South Carolina at home over the weekend.

We are getting down to the final few weeks of the regular season before the conference tournaments start at the end of May. Everyone should be in for some good baseball from here on out.

 2013 NCBWA DIVISION I POLL (APRIL 29)

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Trophy, Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors the Pro-Line Athletic Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.

Donald Lutz will become the first German to make it to the Big Leagues out of the MLB Europe academy when he makes his Major League Debut sometime in the next day or two. He got the call yesterday, but is still waiting to be assigned to the big league club.

Lutz, welcomed by the Cincinnati Reds on Twitter today, will soon make his Major League debut.

Welcome to The Show, @braunerhulk. twitter.com/Reds/status/32…

— Reds (@Reds) April 29, 2013

Lutz was born in the United States, but at the age of one left for Germany where he grew up. Lutz played for Germany in last year’s WBC Qualifier that took place in Regensburg, Geramny. During the Qualifier, Lutz played first base and hit .308 during the four games.

He is rated at the best power hitter in the Reds organization by Baseball America, and is a Top 20 prospect. He was signed in 2007 as a free agent, and progressed through the Reds organization ever since.

In 2012, Lutz split most of his time between High-A and Double-A ball where he combined to hit 22 home runs while posting a .269/.336/.517 line. He has struggled a bit so far this year hitting just .211, but he has hit five home runs in 21 games.

I had the chance to see Lutz play with the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos earlier this season. During that game Lutz went 1-for-3 with one of the hardest hit home runs I’ve ever seen. He hit a low line drive over the right-field fence that might have knocked it down had it been a little lower.

Lutz has not been activated as of the time of this post, but it looks like it could happen tonight corresponding with Chris Heisey’s injured hamstring that will probably land him on the 15-day DL.

We wish him luck whenever he gets his chance. I know he has the support of an entire country behind him.

Bud Selig said he would like to institute an worldwide amateur draft for 2014.

Under the labor contract, MLB has until June 1 to notify the player’s union of its intent to hold an international draft next year. The union would then have until June 15 to veto it.

The MLB Draft is held each year in June and consists of 40 rounds plus compensatory picks. Starting in 2007, the MLB Draft has been televised.

Currently to be eligible for the draft one must be a resident of the U.S., Canada, or a U.S. Territory (such as Puerto Rico).

An international draft would make players in other countries, such as the Dominican Republic, eligible for the draft. Currently each team has an international bonus pool with which to sign players outside of the MLB Draft.

Many people think that since the inclusion of Puerto Rico into the MLB Draft, the sport has been seriously hurt there. Puerto Rico was added to the draft in 1990 and ever since the sport has been in a downward spiral.

Will including other places like Venezuela and Dominican Republic hurt the sport in those areas? Only time will tell as officials from both MLB and the Player’s Association work together on a possible international draft in 2014.

Baseball was an Olympic sport from 1992-2008 before it was dropped from the London Games.

The sport has been on a campaign to get it back into the Olympics for the 2020 Games. However, that effort might have taken a blow as MLB has said it will not change its schedule to accommodate the Olympics.

IOC President Jacques Rogge has said the sport needs to make its best players available just like they are in hockey and basketball.

The IOC board will meet next week to select one or more sports to put up for consideration by the IOC General Assembly for possible admission into the 2020 Games.

The international baseball and softball federations are merging in an effort to better their chances of being chosen by the IOC for inclusion in future Olympic games.

The sport has started its own international event in 2006 called the World Baseball Classic. Earlier this year the WBC was played for the third time with the Dominican Republic winning its first title (Japan won the first two).

So if baseball is to win its bid to be re-included in the Olympics, it will be without major help from MLB.

The Rio Grande Valley White Wings have announced the hiring of manager Chris Paterson for the 2013 United League season.

Paterson has spent the past three seasons managing in the Pecos and Continental Baseball Leagues garnering a pair of manager of the year awards in two different leagues. In 2011, Paterson led the Roswell Invaders to the inaugural Pecos League title. He has also managed in the Arizona Winter League, the California Winter League, the Pecos Spring League, and recently the Texas Winter League.

Paterson played his collegiate years at North Dakota State University where he threw five innings of a combined no-hitter against Creighton in 2008. After graduating, Chris played in several independent leagues before taking his talents overseas.

Overseas Chris played in professional leagues in Germany, Italy, France, and Australia where he maintains many contacts.

While managing, Paterson has also served as a scout for the Tampa Bay Rays and now the Miami Marlins.

Last year, we named Chris to our Top 10 Independent League Managers. He came in at #9 and was one of the youngest managers in the game.

Paterson and the White Wings kick off the season on May 23rd at home against the San Angelo Colts.

White Wings Press Release

Press Release Pecos League

The White Sands Pupfish professional baseball team from New Mexico looking for a German player for the 2013 season. The Pupfish play in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs to play every day from July 14-28th May The Pupfish play in Alamogordo New Mexico, the German Air Force Center Tatical players have professional experience in Germany and need to move up 18 to 25 years old and in the attempt, in their baseball career. Applicable send an e-mail to Pupfish@pecosleague.com

April 24, 1901

Chicago defeated Cleveland in the first ever American League game. The Sox would win by a final score of 8-2. The game was played at the Chicago Cricket Club in front of an reported crowed of about 14,000.

April 24, 1957

Chicago Cubs pitchers walk nine Cincinnati Reds in the fifth inning of their contest setting a National League record. Cincinnati would go on to win 9-5.

April 24, 1962

Sandy Koufax ties the modern Major League record with 18 strikeouts against the Chicago Cubs. He tied Bob Feller‘s record as the Dodgers went on to win 10-2.

Born on this day:

1967 Omar Vizquel

1972 Chipper Jones

1977 Carlos Beltran