FORT MYERS, Fla. – 18U National Team Training Camp gets underway with the first game of the Stars vs. Stripes series on Tuesday morning at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm ET.
It will be the first of four games between the two teams. The series will take place over the next four days before the 18U National Team is named on Friday, September 2.
The final 20-man roster will compete at the XXX World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida, from September 9-18.
ON THE MOUND
Stars: Jake Brown, James Hays, Adam Hachman
Stripes: Matthew Dallas, Stone Russell, Blake Mitchell
INSIDE THE ROSTER
The 41-man Training Camp roster features players from 20 different states. Athletes were selected to compete at Training Camp after participating in one of USA Baseball’s identification events, including the Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League and the 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP). Seven players on the Training Camp roster have previously played for Team USA, including 2021 18U National Team members Walker Jenkins and Blake Mitchell. Danny Arambula, Colt Emerson, Gavin Grahovac, Aidan Miller, and Bryce Rainer have also played for the stars and stripes.
MEET THE STAFF
The 2022 18U National Team will be managed by Denny Hocking, who brings 13 years of major league playing experience to the role. After spending 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and a season with both the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals, Hocking has spent time as an analyst and a coach in the professional ranks. In addition, he was a manager at the 2021 PDP League and 18U National Team Trials. Hocking will be joined on staff by pitching coach Adam Moseley and assistants Roberto Vaz and Jack Wilson.
TRAINING CAMP COACHES
The 18U National Team Training Camp coaching staff brings a bevy of international and professional playing experience. Olympic gold medalist Doug Mientkiewicz will serve as manager of the Stars and is joined by Andre Butler and Brad Penny. Two-time MLB All-Star and 15-year vet Michael Cuddyer will manage the Stripes, with Butch Chaffin and LaTroy Hawkins joining on staff.
CHASING GOLD
The 18U National Team won eight consecutive international tournament titles from 2011-2018, including winning four straight WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cups in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017. Currently the U.S. and Cuba are the only two countries to win four consecutive world championship titles at the U-18 level. In total, the program has won eight world championships. The U.S. most recently earned a silver medal at the 2019 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Gijang, South Korea.
SOCIAL MEDIA
To follow along with all the action at the 18U National Team Training Camp, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
