We are joined by USA Baseball National Team Manager Jason Maxwell. Jason led the 2018 15U National Team to the nation's first-ever World Cup championship in the age group.
A former Major Leaguer, Jason played parts of three seasons at the big league level with the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins. After his playing career, Jason became the first head coach at Ensworth High School in Nashville, Tennessee.
USA Baseball (USAB): What emotions were you feeling the first day you had the opportunity to coach at a USA Baseball event?
Jason Maxwell (JM): You know I'll be honest, I didn't know what all I was getting into. The first time was actually in Cary at 2014 Trials with Chan Brown being the manager, and I walk out onto the field and I didn't know how good these players were going to be, I was a little naive. And I walk out onto the field and there is a young Royce Lewis, a young Hunter Greene, a young Jordan Adell, and then you realize these guys are seriously legit here. I knew I was in a different world then when I saw those guys at 15 years old. So that was an experience I'll never forget. That first time you just never know what to expect when you're out there in a USA Baseball uniform. It is really a feeling you can't describe because the players are the best players in the country and you are considered one of the best coaches as well because it all goes hand-in-hand. That first experience put me through the fire. Brooks Webb brought me in and just threw me into the fire and I ran with it.
USAB: So that is what it was like when you first arrived at a USA Baseball event, but what were your emotions like when you first got the call and found out you would be coaching for Team USA?
JM: So, here is a true story. I am in my office at school and the phone is ringing and I see on the caller ID that it is USA Baseball and I didn't answer the phone. I let it keep ringing for a few seconds because I am thinking 'We aren't going to play at USA Baseball. Our team is not good enough to go play in the NHSI' so I didn't answer. I eventually did answer and it was Brooks and he asked me to be a part of (USA Baseball) as a coach. To be invited is one thing, and then to actually be there on the field is a whole other deal.
USAB: You are out on a baseball field around young athletes most days of your life. Does being around the game ever make you wish you were still playing rather than coaching?
JM: My mind yes, my body no. I obviously got a lot of knowledge coming up through my playing days, but all the knowledge I have learned from other coaches, I wish I had all this knowledge as a player. I will tell you this, as much as I miss the mindset of my playing days, I really love coaching. Coaching and teaching and giving back to these kids, that's my passion and that's what I enjoy doing.
USAB: Was there ever a point that was difficult in transitioning from player to coach?
JM: I think I got into coaching so quickly after I finished playing that I never had a chance to really have that reluctancy. It was right into the fire as a coach at Nashville Ensworth because I kind of started that program. But as soon as you start coaching, if you ever have any inkling of thinking you can still play, then as a coach you are not going to be successful. You have to realize it is all about the players at that time and that's what I did. I jumped right into it and dedicated all my time and passion into those players.
USAB: You have accomplished a lot in the game of baseball. As a player and a coach. Where does winning the World Cup in 2018 rank among your personal accomplishments?
JM: Number one. It's number one without a doubt. Winning a championship for USA is number one on my list and I don't thing anything as a player or a coach can ever top that. Getting that gold medal draped around your neck it is something you can never forget. You can win other championships, state championships and whatnot, but winning a gold medal with USA across your chest and the national anthem plaything at the end, that is something you will never forget.
USAB: What made that 2018 World Cup team special? Was there a secret ingredient to that team's success?
JM: I think all great teams start with relationships. The relationships with those players, even though we were only with the majority them for a month, and some we had the previous year at 14U NTDP, you build those relationships and that trust factor over the course of time you do have, and I think those relationships went a long way in building the camaraderie on that team, the trust on that team, and ultimately the success of that team. We all kept in touch and we still do today. Those kids bought into what we were saying and the reason they bought in was those relationships we had built.
USAB: What advice do you have for coaches and players who are trying to continue to get better despite being away from their teams right now?
JM: Learning never stops. As a player, you can get outside, you can use a tee at home, you can throw a ball off a wall, anything. As coaches, we can always learn. For instance, I am already planning my depth chart for the 2021 baseball season. You can always call other coaches and swap ideas and stuff like that. It's a constant learning thing. And the moment you think you have this came conquered, that is when it comes back to bite you. So I am never comfortable, never settled, always thinking about the game and never stop learning. Put your pride and ego aside and continue to go after your passion. And that goes for players and coaches. Don't rest during this time, stay after it.
USAB: Let's end on a fun one: What non-baseball related activity are you doing right now to clear your mind and just try to have some fun while we are all staying at home?
JM: Well everyone that knows me knows my number one right now is The Last Dance. Michael Jordan, The Last Dance is definitely my number one. But number two, we take walks, walking in our neighborhood. You don't realize just how little time you have at home, so just being at home every day with my family that is something. To practice patience a little bit, this is patience because who knows how long we will be doing this. My wife told me last night we are starting Yoga two times a week, so that will be interesting. Just anything to keep us occupied. I do P.E. sessions with my sons. They are Coach Maxwell P.E. sessions so they don't like them much. But we go out and do all kinds of little things like that. And that takes my mind away form everything else. And just being here and having my two boys here and my wife, it is just great to be home. We are here with each other and making the most of our time.
But how funny is it that all the days go by so slow, except Sundays from 8:00 to 10:00 goes by too fast. But I will watch them and then rewatch them. I love Michael Jordan so that's my thing.
