Press Release USA Baseball
Federation also announces managers, coaches and administrators for its various National Team programs
DURHAM, N.C. — USA Baseball announced Monday that Scott Brosius has been named manager of its 2011 18U National Team. The three-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees is entering his fourth season as head baseball coach at Linfield College (Ore.).
Brosius was among several coaches and administrators named to USA Baseball’s 2011 staffs on Monday. The 18U skipper will be joined by 10-year Major League Baseball (MLB) veteran Brian McRae, who will be serving as one of the team’s assistant coaches for the second summer in a row. Current Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau scout and 2009 18U National Team assistant coach Willie Romay will reprise his role with the team this summer as well. Aldo Plata was also announced as the team’s certified athletic trainer. The 18U club will compete in Colombia at the COPABE “AAA”/18U Pan American Baseball Championships beginning in late September.
“Scott will be a significant addition to the 18U program,” said Brant Ust, USA Baseball 18U National Director. “We’re excited to see him teamed with two veterans of the program in Brian and Willie, and to provide our young athletes with his knowledge, perspective and leadership, both on and off the field.”
A former Linfield Wildcat himself, Brosius has compiled a 100-38 win-loss record in his first three seasons at the helm of the college’s baseball team, while twice leading his club to regional titles and Northwest Conference championships. In 2008, he led the Wildcats to a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Division III Finals, and in 2010 guided Linfield to third place at the NCAA championship tournament.
Brosius began his professional career in the minor leagues in 1988 and spent a total of 11 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Oakland Athletics and Yankees. He won three World Series titles with New York in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Brosius was a Golden Glove award recipient, was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1998 World Series, and played in the 1998 MLB All-Star Game.
In addition to the 18U staff, USA Baseball also named its 14U National Team manager, coaches and administrators on Monday. Pinecrest High School (N.C.) head coach Jeff Hewitt will manage the team, and he will be joined by pitching coach Jim Comis and assistant coaches Tommy Atkinson and Tom LoSauro, all of whom have previously worked in some capacity for USA Baseball and its various youth-level teams. T.J. Scholl and Pete Hite have been pegged as the team’s 2011 press officer and certified athletic trainer, respectively. The 14U National Team will compete in the COPABE “A”/14U Pan American Baseball Championships, which will be held this summer in Venezuela.
Also announced Monday were four coaches who will help lead the USA Baseball Women’s National Team as part of its series of international friendship games in Cary, N.C., in early August. Tim O’Brien, Ed Kurakazu and Sandra Wente — three members of the 2010 Women’s National Team coaching staff — return to the program, while 2010 player Jenny Dalton-Hill will be making her first appearance as a Women’s Team coach.
“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 so many alumni of our programs return to help manage and coach for their respective clubs.”
In November 2010, USA Baseball announced the four members of its 2011 Collegiate National Team coaching staff. Missouri head coach Tim Jamieson will serve as the manager of the club, and he will be joined by pitching coach Rob Walton (Oral Roberts) and assistant coaches Dave Van Horn (Arkansas) and Scott Stricklin (Kent State). Hank Hager returns to Team USA as the 2011 Collegiate Team’s press officer after holding the same position for the 14U program in 2010.
USA Baseball is still in the process of finalizing several coaching staff and administrative positions for its various National Team programs, including the 18U National Team pitching coach and the full staff for the 16U National Team. A final announcement will be posted to www.USABaseball.com later this spring.
A current 2011 schedule for USA Baseball competitions and events can be found by clicking here.